Part III: Guilderian Wine

(Note: These events are still intended to be read as PRE-slash between "Valdin" and Requiem. Humperdinck's just...not...thinking...clearly.)

Winter took full hold around December. Snow blanketed the trees and ground, and ice coated the roads - if they could even be called roads - making it impossible to get to the village. So Humperdinck and Requiem were alone together. During this time, the lost prince began to sink into worry, worry about his country, worry about his ailing father, worry about whether he would ever return, worry about whether Yellin would ever respond to his letter.

The only solace he found were the evenings, evenings when Requiem would talk as much ever, and sometimes she would sing as well. "Fly away, she would sing, I will remember, how to fly, how to touch the wind and feel the sky, and I, I will fly away, with you."

Or, "Moonlight, on the river, shows me, who I am, tonight, moonlight, moonlight, shine for me, reveal me to me."

And sometimes, "Where is home, I've never known, home, home, is not, where I am, but where you are with me".

And then the evenings stopped. Requiem fell ill, or maybe she was just tired, she said she didn't know, she said she just needed rest. And so Humperdinck was, most of the time, alone by himself. He wanted someone to talk to. He remembered the talks he'd had with Rugen when they were both young, how they would simply talk and laugh and drink... A drink. That's what I need. I think there's something in the cupboard... He went to the cupboard where Requiem kept spices and suchlike things, and found some Guilderian wine. He poured himself a glass, and drank it.

And then another. And another. And in fact, when he was finished drinking, Humperdinck had had so much, he wasn't even sure he could think straight. He slammed down his glass on the table and, not really knowing what he was doing (and not really caring either), began climbing the stairs to Requiem's room. He knocked. "Valdin?", came the muffled answer. "That you?"

"Open the door, Requiem!"

"Why? Is something wrong? You sound funny, Valdin. Have you been..."

"Just open the door!"

"Alright." She opened the door. "Alright now, Valdin, what's gotten into-"

Before she could finished, Humperdinck grabbed her and pressed her mouth against his. "Hey!" Forcefully, Requiem pushed him away. "What are you doing?! Did you just kiss me?!"

Humperdinck muttered something slurred, then stumbled backwards and passed out against the wall, dead drunk.

When he awoke, he was lying on his pallet in the attic with a headache. Requiem was standing nearby. "Now listen Valdin, I want an explanation for what you did."

"Hm? What did I do?"

"You came in my room and tried, rather forcefully, to kiss me."

"What?" Humperdinck's face went red. "I'm sorry, Requiem! I was drunk!"

"So I was right. You have been drinking the wine, and far too much I might add."

"I'm sorry, I just, I was thinking about my days with Rugen, and I..."

"Who's Rugen?"

"Ah...an old friend of mine."

"You've been acting strange, Valdin. Hiding from people, talking about strange people, writing letters, getting drunk - are you hiding something?"

"No!"

"Whatever." That sounded like she suspects. Should I tell her?

No.