Chapter 10: Intermission
Several days later
Fergus slammed Cailan roughly against the wall of the guest room, uncaring of the fact that his action could cost him his life or at the very best, his title and honour.
"You hurt my brother, you will answer to me. Hadrian is not some lovestruck teenager ready for the taking by a prince like you." The older brother growled, bunching the front of Cailan's tunic in his fist.
"I assure you, he has consented to this-"
A hand lashed out but it hit the wall next to Cailan. Even in a fit of rage, Fergus was not stupid enough to physically assault the next King of Ferelden.
"I know about your ways, your highness, and how you 'persuade' your conquests into bed. My brother maybe a most coveted virgin in this Castle, even the guards can't help but look at him with their greedy eyes, but he will most certainly be not another notch to your bedpost!"
"What is going on here?"
The strange voice called out in a harsh tone and both boys suddenly separated, looking rather sheepish at being caught. It was one of the Prince's personal bodyguard, a tall man with dark hair and icy blue eyes.
"Your highness, is he bothering you?"
Cailan wanted to say 'yes,' but the look on Fergus' eyes troubled him and he shook his head. The bodyguard seemed to want to say something but he remained silent and went back outside, this time turning his back to them instead of waiting by the door.
"Fergus Cousland, I promise that he is not a mere conquest." Cailan whispered to Fergus, who glared at him in disbelief. The Cousland heir just gave him a cold stare and he bowed stiffly to the prince before leaving the room in a composed way. By the maker! I should have known Fergus would look after his brother in this way! He slumped down the wall and hugged his knees tightly, ruminating over what had just transpired.
The next day, the two families ate in awkward silence, particularly the three sons. Bryce's eyebrow went up as he watched the three boys eat very quietly, chewing their food and drinking the boiled water the servants had given them. He wanted them to behave but somehow there was something more to this odd silence that pervaded the Dining Hall. A loud clatter interrupted the stillness and he saw Hadrian reach out for his spilled goblet. The Prince beat him to it first and Bryce noticed that Cailan's hand lingered a little too long on Hadrian's small one. Suddenly, it all clicked together in Bryce's mind and he leaned towards the King, who was munching on a piece of venison steak.
"Maric, can I have a word with you?"
The King gave a nod and both men excused themselves from the table, fully aware of questioning looks and stares. At Eleanor's sharp command, the boys and the guards returned to their dinner.
King Maric and Bryce went to a small enclosure, with Maric's escort waiting outside. By the look of consternation on his old friend's face, he could tell that something was bothering him. He let the Cousland Head speak first and listened attentively to Bryce's concerns on his son's interaction with Hadrian.
"Your majesty, Maric, are you aware of your son's actions?"
"Actions? Speak plainly, Bryce."
"Two years ago, my son came to me to talk about a certain problem that he has. He told me that as much as a man he is, his preferences are, let's say, different."
The King's eyes grew bigger at Bryce's implication in his son's sexuality. He already knew that Cailan looked to men for company but he hoped again that it was just a phase. However, with the way his old friend was describing Cailan's behaviour towards Hadrian, it seemed as if Cailan was really courting him, the way a proper gentleman would court a lady. Maric deduced that Cailan could possibly be in love with the young noble. He had a feeling that Cailan was acting rather strangely, especially after Rowan's death. However, he dismissed it as a child looking for some comfort with his male friends. However, his son should know better than to dally with the other nobles, men much less so. The consequences could be dire for the line of Theirin if the other nobles knew of this information.
"So, Cailan has taken upon himself to 'court' Hadrian, then? It is possible that Hadrian is just a one-time person with Cailan."
Bryce was not convinced though and he knew that Maric was not entirely convinced himself either. Both had noticed the two boys being together more often than not and whenever someone mentions the name of Hadrian, Cailan would have a strange expression on his young face. Maric compared that look to someone who was in love with that person as he would see it all the time on Rowan's face. Dearest Rowan. His heart ached at the image of his lovely Guerrin wife and he so much wished that she were still alive. Bryce took the King's silence as a cue to continue voicing his concerns.
"While I am not entirely happy with the fact that my youngest son is fey, he truly does appear to be happier in the company of his male friends than the ladies-in-waiting. As head of the Cousland Family, it is my duty to have heirs and Fergus has secured our line with his marriage to Oriana. However, as a Father, it is my also duty to ensure my sons' happiness. They are all I have left, my wife not excluded, of course."
"I see, Bryce. Very well, I will talk to Cailan about this. Whatever this is, it must end here. The heir to the throne must have children and it is impossible to do that if he is involved with another man."
"Thank you, your highness."
-o0o-
7th hour to the Moon
Prince Cailan was furious with his father but even a son had to bow to the wishes of his King. However, for him, the hard part would be to break it off with his partner and he knew that Fergus would prefer to run him through with a rapier than let him anywhere near the young man. It was the last day of their visit, which made the situation even worse. Why was it so difficult to do this? He never encountered any of this awkwardness, this guilt in breaking it off. Of course, his other bedding companions plainly understood that it was a one-time fling. Hadrian should have understood this but somehow he crept into Cailan's heart in such a subtle way that there was only thing to call it. Cailan loved him. Yes, that was it. And now he had to break his heart.
The Prince of Ferelden, so lost in thought, didn't even recognize where he was at until a door appeared to him. Somehow, by instinct, his feet took him to Hadrian's quarters and his heart thumped rapidly in his chest. Should I just leave without saying anything? No, there must be closure and I will honour both my and my father's wishes.
The Prince's hand rapped smartly on the heavy wooden door and Cailan heard sounds of movement from within. Before he had cold feet, the door opened and Cailan's heart dropped even more at the sight of a happy face. The green-blue eyes sparkled at him and there was a kind smile, making the teenager look even younger.
"Prince Cailan! I was just about to come by and see you,"
True to his words, Hadrian had made his bed and was clad in a light uniform of his family's colours, with the wolf's head embroidered on his right shoulder.
"May I come in? I wish to talk,"
The voice sounded harsher than Cailan had intended and he could see confusion cloud his companion's face.
"Uh, yeah, sure,"
Hadrian stepped back to allow Cailan in and the door shut with a quiet click. When he turned around, Cailan was looking at the picture that hung over his bed with an absent-minded expression. The young Cousland knew that something was up for the Prince would usually bestow all of his attention on him.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes. It's…we can't see each other anymore," Cailan blurted out in a rushed way, the words running together. Compose yourself. Just pretend he's one of your admirers and only want a one-time fling. But he's not, is he? Another voice replied in his head, making him feel even guiltier at what he's doing.
"Can't see each other? You mean, oh, I see," Hadrian stumbled, disheartened by Cailan's request. He had recalled the rather loud discussion Cailan had with his father and when he accidentally ran into the King on his way to see Cailan, the King gave him a very disapproving look. Hadrian had the sudden urge to relieve himself, walking in the opposite direction of where the King was heading out. He should have known that nothing lasts with the heir to the throne but he was easily taken by the Prince's advances and he was comfortable spending time with the Prince, almost more comfortable than spending time with his own brother, in fact.
"I'm sorry," Cailan's head bowed in sincere apology and before saying anything else, he gave the young Cousland a soft kiss on the cheek. "If you want to know, I felt something for you. Truly, I did."
Not wanting to prolong this, Cailan, for once, bowed to Hadrian before leaving, quite aware of a saddened Hadrian staring mournfully at him. This is for the best, like what Father said… The door shut behind the exiting Prince and Hadrian's eyes welled in tears.
Fergus was on his way to Oriana, his girlfriend and hopefully betrothed one day, when he caught sight of Prince Cailan walking rather briskly to his chambers. Usually, the Prince's gait would be steady and unhurried. However, he walked as if a demon was after him and the elder Cousland was sorely tempted to accost him and see if he was ok. However, he noticed that Cailan had started from the hall to the left and red flags erected in his mind when he realized that he had just come from Hadrian's suite, which took up much of that hallway. Muttering under his breath about selfish Princes and politics, Fergus picked up his pace and, hating that he was right about this whole affair between the two nobles, heard someone crying on the other side of the door that led to Hadrian's room. Out of respect, he knocked once, twice, and when no one answered, he calmly opened the door, which was, to his surprise, locked. The soft cries stopped and there was a disheartening silence, as if Hadrian didn't want anyone to hear him.
"Hadrian, it's me Fergus. Please, brother, open this door."
Some shuffling could be heard and a loud click indicated that the deadbolt was pulled back. The door opened and Hadrian's face peered at him. His eyes were swollen from crying and Fergus' heart went out to his little brother.
"Can I come in, please?"
"Last time I let somebody in, I got my heart broken," Hadrian replied, trying to sound manly but the sniffle that followed his reply caused it to fail. He rubbed his sleeve across his nose, trying to cover up his runny nose.
"I am not that somebody, Hadrian."
Hadrian knew that barring his older brother from entry was a mute cause; Fergus cared for him and, although he could be overbearing in his protection of Hadrian from the outside world, scared away any potential suitors, male and female, who might harm his younger brother. Hadrian was not small in size or stature, but his kind-heartness was easily taken advantage of by an ambitious lot of nobles. The young Cousland stepped away, letting his older brother in.
Several moments later, Fergus was fuming. Not at Hadrian, but at the Prince who callously involved Hadrian in an ill-fated affair and discarded him like any other peasant. If Cailan had been born as a noble like them, Fergus would then have no qualms in hunting him down and beating him to a pulp. Such as it were, he couldn't physically assault the Prince without facing severe punishment. So, the only thing he could do was comfort his younger sibling.
He embraced Hadrian and rubbed his back in soothing circles to ease the boy's pain. Once the sniffling stopped, he drew back and there was a mask of indifference on his face. So, he is learning to steel himself from the others.
"I'm fine now, Fergus. Thanks,"
"Brother, I promise you that there is somebody out there for you, someone willing to bear your burdens along with you and to share in your happiness."
"I know. It's just…it still kinda hurts, so I need some time…" To recover from this ridiculous affair.
"Very well. I will be with Oriana if you need me."
His brother nodded in acknowledgment and Fergus excused himself. He threw one last glance over his shoulder, to double-check that Hadrian truly was ok. Satisfied with what he found, he left the suite and headed towards Oriana, who was waiting patiently for him in her guest quarters.
-TBC-
A/N: Yay, this was actually quite hard to finish. We shall see Alistair and the Wardens in the next chappie at the upcoming Summermere Tournament. Are they destined to meet with Hadrian? Stay tuned!