Pairing: Kol/Tristan (M/M) hand
Klaus/Lucien (M/M) hand, paddle
Proverbs 14:30; "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
1002 A.D., South France
Elijah marched Tristan back to his chambers slowly. The servants bowed to him and several looked bereft as they saw him. One old man gripped his hand, kissed it and knelt before him. The new Count de Martel was wide-eyed and in shock. Elijah wondered if some did not genuinely feel grief at the old man's passing, or were simply relieved.
Elijah felt a twinge of guilt for smacking the boy with the sword. After all, he had just been changed into a blood drinker and now his father was dead.
"Come now, you need sleep," Elijah said in a near whisper.
"But I need to see my father," Tristan argued.
Elijah nodded. He supposed even if he knew his own despised father was deceased, he would want to make sure that the monster was really dead.
Tristan now led Elijah to the grand chamber where the late Count's corpse lay. The priest, steward, and other important household members were there, holding vigil.
"Leave me. I wish to say goodbye to my father in private," Tristan announced. The guards went to clear the room and Elijah. Tristan stopped them, "He is with me."
Tristan looked at the withered corpse of his late father. Elijah went to his side.
"I noticed that since my mother cursed us with this blood thirst, I feel much more deeply. Tristan, he was your father, weep freely if you must," Elijah intoned gently.
"Lord Elijah, I only wish to weep from joy. I can now bring my sister home. Our people can be free of this tyrant," Tristan responded. "Aurora is a lovely creature. She is everything to me."
"That would not be wise. Until you are stable, your sister would be in danger from you. I did not tell you the worst part of this curse. You cannot walk in the daylight. We will have to find a powerful witch to do a spell so you can make a ring like my brother and I wear. Do you know of one?" Elijah asked.
Tristan spat, "Nay, my father had them all killed or drove them away. I will send word to the next kingdom, but it may be a few weeks."
"Do it now. The rays from the sun could kill you. My brother Finn tried to die and came back the next day from the ashes. It was very painful and I am not sure you are as strong," Elijah explained.
Tristan picked up his father's hand and removed the family crest and placed it on his own finger.
"I am ready," Tristan said scowling at the old man's body. "It is not irony that my father and I die on the same day, yet I am still here."
Elijah frowned, "Does it concern you that Lucien was angry enough to try to murder you?"
"No, I tried to murder my father many times. The old bastard was wily and did not trust anyone," Tristan admitted. "But until I heard he was actually dead, did I realize that a part of me still revered him. I am surprised that I feel another for him."
"I understand. Do not use the word 'bastard' around my brother," Elijah offered as they headed out.
"Why? Does he have little bastard children in the country you came from?' Tristan wondered.
"Nay, he is one. We share the same mother, but different fathers. Though my father raised him, albeit, he was also a tyrant. I would ask that you refrain from mentioning it," Elijah said sincerely.
"Of course," Tristan said as they got to his bed chamber. Tristan looked around as if wondering where Elijah would sleep.
"The bed is large enough for both of us," Elijah said. After all, when they were at home, all the Mikaelson siblings slept in the same loft. This room was five times that size.
"As you wish," Tristan said standing there.
"You may disrobe," Elijah said puzzled. Tristan frown and looked down.
"My man usually undresses me...Ah, I am...," Tristan started. Elijah went over and helped Tristan change. If nobles were this helpless in small things, how did they manage to rule?
"I hunger still," Tristan said with bright eyes as Elijah began to pull off his hose for him.
"You will. It is a constant, burning pain, but it gets easier to endure over time. We found that the more blood we drank, the more we wanted. You must temper it. Let me check your backside," Elijah said turning Tristan to the side in the dim room. Elijah ran his hands over the slightly swollen skin.
"Ah," Tristan hissed softly. His backside still stung and ached. He had not been thrashed since his father fell ill several years before. Elijah put a clean tunic on him carefully.
Elijah frowned, "I walloped you harder than I meant to with that sword. I have a notion of what to do to help, it may or mayhaps not work. Get in the bed."
"I am ashamed that I lost my composure. I suppose at one time I did properly honor my father, until I realized who he really was," Tristan spat. He was still emotional.
"You mourned the man he once was," Elijah stated.
Tristan got in the large bed and Elijah got in on the other side. He gathered the younger vampire near and bit into his own wrist. "Feed from me a little," Elijah offered.
"From you?" Tristan questioned.
"See if my blood will quench you until the morrow. I will block off the light before you awaken. We can say it is how you wish to mourn," Elijah said as Tristan fed from Elijah's wrist. After a few moments, Elijah pulled away.
"I can feel my backside. the aching...it is better. Thank you. You have shown me more mercy than I have ever shown anyone," Tristan whispered in the darkness.
"My father is a man who shows no mercy for the weak, the sick, the kind. He tried to beat out any tenderness from my brother Niklaus. I promise you that I will look after you, but I will not let you become a cruel tyrant who gains pleasure from harming the innocent. If you attempt that, I will punish you," Elijah responded. "But I never wish to harm you, only teach you a better path."
"Yes, Lord, I understand," Tristan yawned and attempted to pull away.
"Nay, you can sleep now. Like this," Elijah conceded.
Tristan trembled, "You are not going to have your way with me. Are you?"
Elijah snickered in the darkness, "No, I have loved a woman before. A dark haired widow... I hope to find love again. Have you lain with a woman before?"
"Just the wenches you buy for coin in a nearby village. It is a fine time if you do not mind their blackened teeth and thieving hands," Tristan shared.
"I would mind. Hush now, you will need your rest for the morrow," Elijah said pulling him a little closer. Elijah felt a rush of tenderness for this new vampire he had made. He saw through his arrogance and bravado to the scared unsure boy inside. It would not be easy, but he wanted to help him.
Next Month
After the previous Count's burial, Elijah and Klaus made sure the castle was darkened during the day. They said it was for mourning. A witch finally showed up to the castle. Elijah gave her the recipe from their mother's spell book that she used to make them rings to walk in the daylight using lapis lazuli as the binding stone. Elijah paid the witch with his blood. He showed her how it had magical properties.
Elijah had found Tristan easier to manage than Klaus found Lucien. Lucien, since he no longer had to play the demur servant, grew cocky and gloated over Tristan. Elijah and Klaus had almost become like the servants during the day, as the younger vampires could not go outside. They fetched people from the village for them to feed on. During the evening, they could all go out hunting together.
"I am declaring the period of mourning over for my father," Tristan announced in the great hall after the daylight rings were proven a success. The assembled crowd cheered. Klaus tore down the tapestries hanging over the small windows in the castle. There were people waiting to have the Count settle small disputes.
"Well, look at this, someone has risen up in the world!" Kol bellowed from the entryway.
The guards went to block his passage, but Elijah waved them off. "Kol! You are back."
"I am, Brother. This is quite a castle. You two look at home here," Kol mentioned approaching the front of the hall.
Klaus went up and embraced his younger brother.
Elijah introduced Kol to Tristan. Lucien stood back smugly.
"Are they...like us now?" Kol whispered. He could not tell except from the gleam in their eye. Before men seemed to sense the power in the vampires and shy away. But these two looked them straight in the eye as equals.
"Both are. It is quite a long story," Elijah said. He came and put an arm around Kol. "You are late, Brother. We expected you weeks ago." Kol had also figured out to make new blood drinkers through accident. He had ended up killing his progeny by pulling out their hearts after he could not control them.
Kol paled, "I got into some trouble in the south. But I am here now. Where are the wenches? The music? The ale?"
Lucien stepped forward, "We have all three, my lord. Niklaus, may I show him?"
Klaus nodded pleased, "Aye, Lucien, do show my brother around. Then, come back here and attend to your duties."
"Yes, m'lord," Lucien said humbly. But as soon as he turned to Kol, the meekness was gone.
"May I accompany them?" Tristan asked Elijah.
Elijah hesitated. "You are the Count now, Tristan. You have a role to play here."
"Elijah, he is young. Let him go with the lads. You can play the count for a few hours. You know Tristan has no interest in listening to the petitions. I can go over the tenant's rents with you later," Klaus offered.
"I know he is a boy, but these are his duties now. It cannot be all hunting and training all day," Elijah commented wryly. Tristan nodded and looked disappointed. Kol and Lucien started to walk off.
"Fine, go, but do not be gone all night," Elijah demanded. "You have lessons to do."
"Thank you, m'lord," Tristan said trotting off like a young boy to join the others.
"Well, at least, he wants to spend some time with Lucien. Since he tried to kill him, it has been tense. They used to be the best of friends," Klaus reasoned.
"Yes, that is true. I engaged that scholar at quite a high cost. But I suppose one day will not hurt. Come brother, the people await our judgment," Elijah announced.
"What? Me, I was going to tour the grounds with the huntsman to do an inspection," Klaus gasped.
"Nay, nay, you can do that later. Look at this long line of petitioners who seek the lord's justice. Come now, the steward awaits us," Elijah smiled. The running of a castle was not fun and games.
"Fine," Klaus grumbled. "I hope Tristan does not take advantage of your kindness. This is going to take hours..." Elijah and Klaus sat down in the great hall with the steward and started to listen to cases. It was a long day indeed.
Outside the Castle
"I saw you have some fine horse flesh in your stable when I dropped off my horse," Kol said as the boys walked out of the hall. This was the first nice day in a week. The sun was out and a light breeze drew past carrying the scent of hay. The ground was wet and slippery from recent rains. Lucien told Kol to watch his footing.
"Aye, my late father liked to confiscate the estates of those with finer stables then we. Do you know much about horse, Lord Kol?" Tristan asked politely.
"First off, I am no lord. We were Viking farmers before we came to this land. And no, I do not know shite about horses, but I would like to. I like their speed and fierceness. That one, they say it is called a stallion? He is a great beauty!" Kol exclaimed.
"My...friend Kol, she is yours. That beast is from a place called Arabia. My father won it in a gambling match that he cheated in. It would be my honor to gift it to you," Tristan said lightly.
Kol stopped, "Are you serious? Thank you. I have never had such a fine gift. Do you mind if we go there now?"
"Of course not," Tristan bowed. "Your brother gave me the gift of immortality and strength. It is the least I can do."
Lucien frowned, "Tristan, there you go, trying to buy your friends with rich gifts and bribes. The little rich boy strikes again. Pathetic."
"Me, pathetic. What is pathetic is you? Now, you act like you are equal to me? Like you could be some knight or lord because of the blood gift Lord Niklaus gave you. You are nothing but a stableboy for the rest of your days. Do not forget that!" Tristan spat back in anger.
"Gentleman, please! I did not mean to cause a row," Kol said grinning. "I like a good fistfight as much as the next lad, but I warn you, you come back all bloody and torn up and...,"
Lucien wondered, "What, Kol?"
"My brother would probably give you a few stripes to warn you to not act below your station!" Kol insisted.
Tristan and Lucien looked uncomfortable and continued walking to the stables.
"Aye, you both got a good hiding from him, did you not, lads? I know Elijah. He loves to lord over younger folks and lay down the law if they do not behave," Kol snickered.
Tristan laughed back, "It is not just Lord Elijah who has a firm hand."
Lucien cleared his throat, "It was only the first night when we died when we got thrashed. After that, we have only had the odd swat and threat. Truly, sir, I do not think it will happen again."
"Niklaus whipped you? I am surprised at that. He always had a more tender heart, especially towards my dear little sister. He was more like to order us in the corner than over his knee, like Elijah," Kol mused.
"What is your sister?" Tristan asked, thinking of Aurora.
"She is out with our oldest brother Finn. Now, he is a dull one. Always lecturing us about something, but he will not lay a hand on any of us, despite what we do. When Mother was alive...," Kol stopped feeling a rush of emotion.
"I am sorry. We heard that she died two winters past," Lucien said softly.
"Aye, our prick of a father murdered her. Now, we think he has followed us to this land to try to kill us here. He is the most dangerous of Viking warriors and now undead like us. But when our mother was alive, Finn would always get us in trouble by telling Mother on us. But as she got busier, Elijah took over. Mayhaps that is how he got so commanding," Kol explained.
Tristan smiled, "You told us more about your family in one hour than your brothers have in a month."
Kol rolled his eyes, "They like to chide me for talking too much, drinking too much, killing too much, fighting too much...Everything I do is too much. But the true is without my brothers, I do tend to get into a lot of trouble. I barely escaped this last time from...Never thee mind. I am going to look at my new horse. Thank you again, Count."
"Of course, my Lord Kol. I know you say you are not a lord, but please allow us to extend you this courtesy. If not, it may raise many questions with the servants and small folk," Tristan said kindly.
Kol nodded and went to talk to the groomsman about his new stallion. The horse was too wild for anyone around the estate to try to break or ride. Tristan and Lucien leaned against the stable fences as the common people milled around. Children nearby were playing with sticks and a small dog was yipping. Two servant girls were drawing water from the well nearby and giggled as they saw the men.
Lucien scowled at Tristan until Lucien responded with a sharp, "What?"
"You are kissing his arse," Lucien accused.
"I like him. Is that a crime?" Tristan asked.
"You just need to get everything you want, do you not? Why have you not brought Aurora back? It is time," Lucien pressed.
"Elijah said we would put her in danger. It is too soon," Tristan acknowledged.
"Danger is all around us," Lucien said glancing at the garrison where the men trained. An attack could come at anytime. The Count's rule had been strong and brutal, but others could not try to take these lands if Tristan appeared weak.
"I know. Look, Lucien, we will get her back in time. I want her back as much as you do," Tristan said walking the children play. "That used to be us."
"Until your father killed mine over a small debt," Lucien said bitterly.
Tristan was tired of being accused of something he had not done, "Would you shut up about it? They are both dead! We are immortal. Now, move thee on! I will not listen to your babbling about it for another century, you talk like a simple babe who lost his sweet!"
"Are you calling me a child?" Lucien roared in sudden rage. He smoothed down his tunic and his hand went to his sword.
"You act like one. Stop talking. The Lord Kol will think us idiots," Tristan hissed.
"Do you fancy him? I hear you sleep very closely to Lord Elijah every night. The servants talk. Mayhaps you would fancy his brother," Lucien heckled.
Tristan turned red, "How dare you?" He pushed Lucien harder than he meant to and the fence gave way. Soon the two were tumbling in the mud and punching each other as hard as they could. If not for the mud in their hair and eyes, they would have done more damage. They also could not gain purchase on the ground as it was slippery and wet.
Kol ran out of the stable, "What the hell are you two doing? Stop!" The boys kept on hitting each other until the entire stable ran out to watch.
"Bloody hell," Kol grumbled as he stepped in between the two vampires and pulled them apart, getting mud all over his own tunic and hose. Kol became even more furious when he realized it was not all mud they were rolling around in. The smell was horrendous. The stable boys and children around were laughing incessantly.
Kol grabbed each vampire by his arm and began to drag them up back up to the castle.
Both tried to explain their side. Kol shut them up quickly.
"You can tell my brothers as they are hiding your fool backsides," Kol interjected. "And if they do not do the deed themselves, they you are both getting a licking from me for ruining my new clothes. Now shut your mouths unless you want a taste of what you getting soon."
Tristan opened his mouth to protest and then clamped it back shut. Lucien was already crying. Niklaus had given him several warning that he was close to a severe reprimand if he did not behave himself and act like a civilized person.
Kol parked the boys in the kitchen of the castle. There was a large fire there. He instructed the staff to get two washtubs and fill them with warmed water. They were confused at first, but then he pointed to the two mud covered boys. He stood them both up against the the wall and growled at them not to move as they were being punished.
Tristan, now crying also, whimpered, "But I am the Count de Martel now." Kol sighed and yanked up his tunic to reveal his mud covered hose. Kol spanked him hard on the behind with his hand. Whack! Mud splattered everywhere, but Kol gave him three more smacks. Whack! Whack! Whack!
"I do not care if you are the King of bloody France, you are getting that insolent behind of your spanked. Now stand against this wall and think about what damn fools you two made of yourselves!" Kol lectured. Both boys were now sobbing in embarrassment and fear.
Kol hated to interrupt Elijah who was listening to an old man describe how his neighbor had stolen a field from him, even though it had been in his family for decades. Kol went to Klaus.
Klaus' eyes widened, "Kol, why are you covered in mud?"
"Tristan gave me a stallion. I went to see it at the stables and the two fools almost killed each other fighting in the mud. I stood them against the wall and arranged for a bath for them, but they are wailing and sobbing. I told them they ought to get a whipping," Kol added.
Klaus exhaled heavily, "Thank you for dealing with them, little Brother. I swear they have been relatively well-behaved for last few weeks. Oh, hell, that is folly...Lucien has been due a damn good spanking for a while now. Apparently, Tristan needs his noble backside warmed, too. Let us turn this over to the steward. I will have the girl show you to your chamber and you can feed and rest."
Klaus whispered to the girl. He made sure to tell Kol how to erase her memory and heal her so no ill effects were discovered.
Klaus then caught Elijah's attention and dragged him out of the great hall. He was furious.
Tristan flinched when he heard the stomping off of Elijah's boots upon the stone floor.
"Not only were Niklaus and I doing your duty, we had to get called away because you two boys were fighting like you were in a tavern brawl? Look at you, covered in mud!" Elijah yelled. "I have a good mind to strap you both in front of the whole hall! Two naughty boys who cannot behave..."
"Elijah, they are filthy. Let us get them washed and then they can both get punished and put to bed," Klaus conceded.
Elijah heard both boys sniffling, "You can stop that crying now because soon we are really going to give you something to cry about! I cannot recall the last time I have been so disappointed." This caused Tristan to sob louder, Elijah gently turned him from the wall.
"Come on, let us get you out of these clothes and scrubbed. What a mess," Elijah said softly.
"I am sorry," Tristan cried. "I lost my temper. You are angry with me."
Elijah nodded, "I know. I should not have shouted at you. Strip. I am not angry with you, just your behavior. Hush now."
Klaus did the same with Lucien, but he smiled to see his mud streaked face. He helped him undress and walked him to the large tub. "Step in. You two look comical like this, but I am sure the whole castle is speaking of it."
Elijah told the cook's assistant to bring soap. She looked confused and he explained it in more detail. The girl nodded and brought several large cakes, some towels and some smaller washing clothes.
Tristan got in the water and was pleasantly surprised, "It is nice when the water is w-warm."
When it was warm, people in the castle bathed in the river. In colder months, they used small basins of water to wash from. Typically, they only bathed in a large basin for occasions like weddings or feast days. These tubs had been Tristan's mothers, for the Count was suspicious of bathing too often.
Elijah wiped the mud from Tristan's face, he felt badly about shouting at him. He used the soap to scrub him and washed his hair.
"Did you b-bathe often like this in your lands, m'lord," Tristan asked in a small voice.
"Yes, we bathed often. Our people did so once a week and it is a habit with us to submerge ourselves in the water. It gets one a bit cleaner than using small portions of water. The soap also helps, you will see," Elijah said gently.
"Yes, m'lord. Are you going to whip us?" Tristan whimpered. Elijah looked at Klaus who said nothing.
"Nay, you both acted like small boys and a child's punishment should suffice. I can see you are sorry, but you are the Count now. I know it is hard to deal with the feelings, but you must control them. You will get your spankings in private, but I think you need more than my hand," Elijah explained carefully.
Tristan let Elijah wash him. The servant was sent up to get his bed clothes. Elijah dressed him in them and he was to be walked up to his chamber in them. Tristan's face flamed at the thought of anyone seeing him like this, but he supposed it was better than getting a whipping in the great hall in front of everyone. Tristan did not notice Elijah pick up a wooden implement off of the rough kitchen worktable and slip it in his tunic.
After Elijah and Tristan left, Niklaus finished washing Lucien who was more sullen than Tristan.
"You do not seem to be sorry. Did you start the fight? Tell me the truth," Klaus insisted looking into Tristan's eyes.
Lucien heard himself say, "Yes, I was jealous of how much your brother liked him. Tristan gave him a horse. I started the fight with harsh words, but he pushed me first. I hit back."
"Then, it sounds like you both are equally guilty. I warned you about what would happen if you disobeyed me, did I not?" Klaus asked quietly. Kitchen staff was in and out during the whole bathing process.
Lucien frowned, "They will hear!" He always flirted with Eira, the cook's girl. She was chopping something and he knew she was listening. Lucien had a weakness for buxom woman, and Eira always smiled shyly at him. He did not want her to see him punished. Maybe he could flee?
Klaus suddenly clamped down on Lucien's bicep and pulled him forward on his knees and out of the water to bare his bottom. Soap bubbles clung to his wet behind, but Klaus still brought down his hand on the lower part of his bottom. Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
The spanks were loud in the kitchen and Eira turned and looked in surprise. Lucien bit his lip to not cry out, his front was hidden by the tub thankfully. But Lucien's shame increased when Klaus asked Eira for something to spank his bottom with.
Eira nodded and offered Klaus the wooden paddle that they used to get small loaves of bread out of the fire.
"It is good for bread and bottoms!" Eira giggled. "Cook says that. He has several."
Klaus smiled at the shaply black haired girl with red lips, "Thank you, my love. It looks very effective for discipline." Eira flushed hotly as the handsome lord's praise. She hoped he did not realized that she herself had been spanked with it many times herself.
"Yes, m'lord," Eira replied with wide eyes.
Lucien had scrambled back into the safety of the tub again as Klaus reached for the paddle.
Klaus gave him a stern look and repeated, "What did I warn you I was going to do if you misbehaved again?"
Lucien made a whining sound deep in his throat, but could not get the words out.
"I am too old. I am a man. Flog me, but do not do this," Lucien wailed.
Klaus leaned over to grab him again and bend Lucien over the side of the tub to expose his soapy bottom even more. He lined up the rounded wooden paddle with both of Lucien's cheeks and popped him soundly. Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Klaus was just flicking his wrist, just the wet soap water made each blow resonate in the kitchen. Lucien howled and threw his hands back to protect his burning fanny.
"No more, p-please!" Lucien begged. Pop! Pop! Now Klaus targeted the right and then left check.
"Then, obey me," Klaus demanded.
"You said I would get my behind spanked!" Lucien shouted frantically. He could not take anymore whacks on his wet behind.
"Aye, and that is what is going to happen. Move your hands," Klaus said firmly. Lucien's hands were clamped firmly on his bottom.
"I-I c-cannot," Lucien sobbed. He had been flogged over his tunic and hose, but somehow this was worse. The other servants usually held him down and it was over fairly quickly.
"I am going to paddle your bared behind again before you go to bed tonight if you do not start to obey. I am going to have Eira fetch Kol in a moment to hold you, do you want that?" Klaus warned.
Lucien made a shrieking sound and removed his hands. He stomped his knees and splashed his hands in the water, drenching Klaus. Klaus got up and went to get a nearby bench. He put a towel over his lap and then reached into the water and pulled out Lucien.
"Look at me!" Klaus hollered. "I am swatting your bottom here whether you like it or not. You have already earned a bedtime spanking. Now settle down and take the rest like a big boy or you will be punished all day tomorrow. Do you understand?"
"Yes, m'lord," Lucien cried. His rear end felt like it was on fire. The paddle covered a large area and stung like hundreds of bees. Klaus set it down on the bench for the time being.
Klaus arranged Lucien so his feet were over his right knee. His hands were on the stone floor. He was completely nude and his skin was still wet and shiny. Lucien's behind was pink. Klaus put his left arm tightly around Lucien's waist and began to spank him with the palm of his hand. He kept his hand loose and smacked all over. The bench was lower enough that Lucien's feet could tap the floor.
"I am going to use my hand to warm you behind up, before you get the paddle again," Klaus said. He remembered his mother doing the same thing before she spanked them with her cooking spoon or the small stick she kept handy. He realized it was so they did not bruise or welt now. As he got older, he had never realized this as the hand spanking never hurt much.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack!
Klaus spanked Lucien for a few moments over his lap with his hand as Lucien kicked and pounded his fists on the floor. He realized Eira was openly watching the whole thing now. By the look on her face, she had a fancy for young Lucien. Klaus smirked, maybe she could comfort the lad later and put some lotion on his sore bum? Who was he to stand in the way of young romance?
Klaus called over, "Eira, keep everyone out of the kitchen, will you? Tell cook I will explain later and make it up to him with my apologies." As Eira left to guard the door, Lucian wailed louder to realize she had seen the whole thing.
"Relax, lad. She is gone. I think she has a fancy for you. Now, I am going to paddle you. Give me your hands and I will put my leg over your legs so you do not thrash around too much," Klaus said matter-of-factly.
Klaus shifted Lucien to grasp his hands behind him and pinned his legs. Lucien's bottom was red from the long hand spanking. Klaus picked up the paddle and rested it on Lucien's rear.
"My lordddd," Lucien cried out in panic.
Klaus tapped his rear with the paddle lightly. Tap! Tap.
"Why are getting this spanking?" Klaus asked. Lucien tried to look around for Eira. "Focus!" Klaus said giving him a light smack with the wooden paddle. Pop!
"Because I s-started a f-fight with Tristan," Lucien admitted.
"Why?" Klaus said tapping the paddle a little firmer.
"I was...j-jealous of Tristan," Lucien cried.
Klaus said, "Thank you for being honest. You have no need for jealously, Lucien. As Count, Tristan has the heavy responsibility of all these people on him. You can be free now to be a knight, a scholar, a monk, or a tradesman. You have wronged each other in the past, but you must move on."
Lucien did not respond, but wept louder. Klaus decided it was time for the paddling, though he was eager to stop.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Lucien felt a burning ache. He could not move and shouted out, "Owwwww."
Pop! Lucien yelled again again. Pop! Pop!
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
"I a-am s-sorrrrrry. I was w-wronggggg," Lucien screamed. Klaus put the paddle down and rubbed Lucien's now dull red behind. He pulled him up slowly and covered him with a towel. The kitchen was now empty and Klaus pulled Lucien on his lap.
"You are a stubborn lad, young man," Klaus made sure that Lucien's behind hung between his thighs as he imagined it was throbbing and stinging badly. "If you were not so tired, I would pop you in the corner again to sit on that stool for a time. But as it is, you already have another trip over my lap tonight to face."
"I am s-sorry. Please d-do not w-whip me tonight," Lucien begged.
"You will be getting another spanking on your bottom. Your behavior will dictate if it is with my hand or this new paddle I have acquired. You know, I am not averse to belting your behind, too, if you need it," Klaus said pulling the boy into his chest and hugging him.
Lucien struggled a moment out of anger, his backside stung and he was embarrassed that Eira saw his spanking. But Klaus tapped his upper thigh as a warning and Lucien let himself melt into the hug.
Klaus carefully put a light tunic over Lucien and said he was taking him up for a nap. Lucien wanted to argue for a split second, but Klaus carried the paddle openly up to their chambers. Lucien now had a small bed in the servant area. Klaus tucked him in and put the paddle on the bedside table.
"That is a warning for you to behave. I am going to send Eira up here to put some lotion on your bottom and comfort you. But after that, you are to go to sleep until I come and get you. You are still being punished," Klaus said tenderly as he leaned over and kissed the top of the boy's head.
"Can I apologize to Tristan? And Kol? I am sorry for today," Lucien whispered. He was still facedown in his bed, but turned to look at Klaus.
"Later, if I know my brother, Tristan is now in the same position you are. If it makes you feel any better, we have all sported equally sore behinds, and not that long ago. I would not have taken the trouble if I did not care about you and your behavior a great deal. I see that you can become a great immortal being and I am proud to know you," Klaus said rubbing Lucien's back.
"Thank you. I will not shame you like this again," Lucien vowed.
"Lucien, you did not shame me. You made a mistake. You are being punished. After, it is over and we shall all learn from it. I will get Eira now," Klaus smiled.
"Thank you," Klaus heard Lucien whisper.
Klaus went to see Eira and then he would find his brothers.