Written for:
Olympics - Gymnastics. Balance Beam Final
(object) a crown
(dialogue) "I don't know… she's got balls!"
(dialogue) "He finally fell asleep."
(dialogue) "I'm sorry, I'm in a rush!"
(word) destiny
(word) castle
(word) truth
(location) Malfoy Manor (though this is what I imagine to be Lucius' castle…)
(scenario) finding out you're pregnant
Lucky Duck Challenge - 30. Round
Hogwarts - Myths and Legends Assignment 4 - Task: For your task I would like you to write about a Damsel in Distress. The Damsel can be male, but the storyline should be the same: a character has discovered that a damsel is in distress, and they head out to rescue them.
Hamilton Challenge: [2] [scenario] Write about people meeting for the first time.. [character] Marauders, or just Sirius.
Just Another Trope Challenge... Hero's First Rescue
Bad Movie Tuesdays - North [object] coin
Princesses and Stable Boys
There was a big fuss throughout the kingdom, though Remus didn't know all of the details. All the rumours had in common was that Lord Malfoy was looking for a Champion, and that all the knights were to compete.
Remus wasn't a knight, in fact, he was as far from being a knight as possible, unless knights cleaned up horse manure and mucked out stables. Remus doubted they did, but he knew he was as good as any of those knights.
All the knights wanted to do was sit around and eat meals at the long tables in Lord Malfoy's castle, allowing themselves to get too fat to really do anything. Remus doubted that they could even remember how to get on a horse.
But when the day came, attendance to the tournament was mandatory, so Remus had to turn up for work early, and stop working to head to the seats. He wasn't pleased. This meant that he'd be wasting hours of his day, which would mean that he'd be working until very late.
...oOo...
Three knights had left and not returned, with one returning in a horrifying state. Remus could see that the remaining knights didn't want to move from their overly-comfortable seats. The Lord turned to the people in the seats, looking around.
"I am accepting brave men to volunteer," the Lord said, looking around. No-one said a word, and it was so quiet, Remus expected to see a tumbleweed make its way across the ground. It would have made a much more pleasing sight than the pompous Lord Malfoy,
"Perhaps we should be concerned about losing our knights," Sir Snape offered, finally standing. "You may take my stable-boy—Heaven knows he needs to make himself more useful. If he fails, we can find others to replace him. Stable-boys are easily replaceable."
"You make an excellent point, Severus," Lord Malfoy replied. "Stable-boy. Come down here at once."
Remus watched the proceedings in horror, until the guards came and escorted him down. He was pushed in front of the Lord, who looked him over.
Though he seemed mildly displeased by Remus' appearance, he turned to the people, announced Remus as the new champion, and dismissed everyone.
"Your task is to rescue a princess. There is a dragon to pass, but once you bring the princess back, you'll be rewarded."
"What is the reward?"
"A hundred gold pieces."
Remus snorted. "Your knights get more than that and they aren't doing anything at all," he replied. "They have land and large homes, and a hundred gold pieces is like pittance to them. You've lost three knights already, so you would easily be able to afford to give me what you give to them."
"You want to be a knight?" Lucius snorted, a sneer on his face.
"Well, if I do rescue the princess, surely I'd prove that I'm more skilled than your knights?" Remus pointed out. "None of them have faced a dragon before. If I do this, I'll be the most skilled man in the Kingdom."
Lucius Malfoy stared at him for a long moment before nodding. "I will have a horse and supplies ready in the morning, and you can look through the armoury and choose a weapon. If you succeed, you will become a knight with all the perks."
"And if I don't, I want my parents to get that one-hundred coins, because they'll need it without my pay for working in the stables."
Lucius narrowed his eyes. "They will be paid in the morning," he agreed after a long moment contemplating. "If the princess is harmed, however, I will set your parents hovel on fire with them in it."
"Of course, Lord Malfoy. They live by the southern border," Remus replied softly. "I would like to take a horse tonight, if I may. I will get home faster, and have more time to rest before my quest tomorrow."
After Lucius gave him permission, Remus bowed slightly, before heading to the stables. He picked a fussy-black horse he had named Snuffles, and headed North to his parents' farm.
...oOo...
It wasn't that long of a journey; it was clear that Lucius Malfoy and the Knights were lazy. Remus had a plan, set out by his father.
Usually knights just rushed into things, swords waving around like lunatics. Slowly and calmly was the way to go.
Which worked until Remus stood face to face with the dragon itself.
The dragon watched him carefully, and Remus was just glad that it hadn't set him on fire.
"I've been told to guard this princess. I was told to kill any Lord, Knight, Prince or King that sets foot here."
"Oh. I'm none of those things. I'm actually a stable-boy," Remus mentioned.
The dragon stared a bit more. "I don't have orders to kill stable-boys," it replied uncertainly.
"That's great news. I bet you're full. Three and a half knights make for good eating. Am I right?"
"All the metal gave me a stomach ache," the dragon complained with a sigh. Remus dodged the slight spark that fell from the dragon's mouth. "But they just keep coming back."
"Oh, it's not their fault," Remus said, with a shrug. "Lord Malfoy of Slytherin keeps sending them.
"Of Slytherin, you say?" the dragon replied, turning his gaze to the distant town. "And why is that?"
"He wants the princess but he's pretty lazy," Remus informed him. "I'm here to get the princess too, but I don't really want to get burned or eaten."
The dragon turned yellow eyes back to Remus. "For the information you've provided me, I'll let you live. The princess has been nothing but trouble. You're welcome to take the princess away as long as I can get some solitude."
"Sure," Remus agreed. "Thanks, Dragon." He walked away, looking for the tall tower. He found it quickly, walking around the round tower until he spotted the window.
He noticed a figuring moving around in the window, and he stepped back, trying to get a better view.
"Hey, excuse me… can you hear me?"
A man appeared. "Hey, how's it going?"
Remus was taken aback. He expected a beautiful princess, but this was clearly a bloke. "Eerr... aren't you supposed to be a Princess?"
"I am," the man replied, pointing to the crown on his head. "Crown. Princess. Look, if you're not going to rescue me, can you just move along. I'm too busy for time-wasters. That's all that I find here. People who want to preach the good word, princes who don't think I'm a princess and people who want to sell me double-glazing. I had a bloke that wanted me to buy seeds the other day. I mean, I'm locked in a tower! What would I need seeds for?"
Remus shrugged. "Well, why don't you come down?"
"The rules are that I'm supposed to be rescued," the man said. "So… are you going to rescue me or not?"
Remus nodded. He was going to bring back the princess and get his reward, even if the princess was a bloke. "Do you have a key?"
"Yeah. You can come up and sweep me off my feet and we ride away into the sunset together."
"It opens from that side?" Remus checked.
The princess nodded. "Of course."
"But… you could have just opened the door and left."
"Mother said that the rules are that I stay in here and never leave. Where would I go? My hair is too long, and it's knotted around the furniture, so I'm not able to really do much."
Remus cringed. "Okay, how do I get up to you?"
"The door is unlocked."
Remus just stared up at the princess for a long moment. Finally he walked around, reaching for the door.
It was unlocked.
...oOo...
The moment he entered the tower, the man was in his arms. "You rescued me," he cried, dramatically. "We shall be wed in the morning."
"Oh. Actually, Lord Malfoy sent me to rescue—"
"And it will be a grand event with food and wine… and—
"—you. I'm not your—"
"—lots of chocolate!" Sirius finished.
—future husband. Wait. Did you say lots of chocolate?" Remus considered it for a moment. "How much chocolate?"
"Tons. I'm actually the Princess of Slytherin, so…"
"Oh, that's why he sent me. If he marries you, he'll be king!"
"If who marries me, my love? My heart belongs to you. It was you who faced the mighty dragon, who broke into my tower and swept me off my feet!"
Remus wondered how long the man had been alone.
"Right, but I'm supposed to bring you to him."
"Or we could just head to Gryffindor. My bestie is the Prince there. He'll hook us up. Nice house, musician to play music whenever we want." Sirius watched him carefully. "All the chocolate we can eat!"
"But what about my parents?" Remus asked, finding the offer tempting.
"Your parents! I didn't even think about them. Will they like me?" The man fluttered his eyelashes.
"We'll see," Remus muttered.
"And what is the name of my brave and gallant love?"
"Me? I'm Remus."
"Remus. Now I know what name to shout when you take me!" The man moved back to the bed, his hand resting on his forehead as he lay back.
"Okay, so… my horse is waiting. Shall we go? I'm sorry, I'm in a rush!"
Sirius sat up quickly. "Of course. We shouldn't give into our lust, no matter how much we want it. We should wait until our wedding night."
Remus watched as Sirius approached him again, feeling more scared of the man than he had of the dragon. "I did mention that I'm kind of stuck here, right? My hair… I wasn't allowed to cut it."
Remus glanced around, noticing the long black hair that was caught around the beams, knotted and tangled badly. "Oh. I have this sword. Should I just cut it."
"Whatever my love desires!" Sirius exclaimed.
Remus grabbed the hair at the back of the Princesses neck, holding it together. He put the sword underneath his hand and began to carefully cut through the hair.
...oOo...
Remus stopped at his parents' farm, tired from the journey. Sirius had insisted on stopping countless times. Remus had planned to bring him straight to the castle, but he was tired, and Sirius was complaining and pouting more than any of the girls in town.
"Mother?" he called, knocking on the door. It was a minute before he heard the locks draw back.
"Remus? You're alive!"
"I am."
"My future mother-in-law. Can I call you that? Mother?" Hope was shocked when Sirius grabbed her, hugging her tightly.
"Remus? Would you like to make your… uh, a cup of tea?" Hope asked, moving aside as Sirius let go of her.
"Sure," Remus said. He headed to the kitchen, and Sirius followed, taking a seat at the dining table.
"So, before you call me Mother, should we do introductions?" Hope offered, smiling warmly at Sirius. "I'm Remus' mother, Hope Lupin."
"I am princess Sirius of Slytherin," Sirius stated proudly.
Hope looked at Remus who nodded.
"And you want to call me Mother?" she asked kindly, but clearly confused.
"Of course. When me and Remus are married, you will be my mother!" Sirius informed her.
"Oh. Well, that makes sense. Have you any plans for the wedding? I have some suggestions from my own, though it was many years ago, dear."
"I would love to hear them," Sirius replied. "You could help me with my wedding dress."
Remus turned and opened his mouth to argue, but he couldn't find the right words. He watched the pair for a moment, feeling it was safer to stay quiet and not draw attention to himself as he made the tea.
It didn't work. Once he set the cups down, Sirius' adoring gaze found him, and Remus blushed.
"Look, Lord Lucius sent me to bring you to him. I'll bring you to the castle in the morning, even if you just want to tell him that you don't want to marry him."
"So I must refuse him before you'll marry me and make me your queen?"
Hope sighed contentedly. "This wedding will be beautiful."
"Which way to our bed, my love?" Sirius asked.
"I can take the floor, and—"
"Don't worry. I'm sure your mother won't talk if we"—Sirius lowered his voice—"share a bed."
Remus shivered slightly at the tone of voice before turning to his mother, expecting her to tell Sirius that it wasn't proper for a 'princess' to share a bed. She just nodded.
"Good-night. I'll have some more ideas for the wedding in the morning. Did you say it will be held in Gryffindor?"
"It will. My friend, Prince James… he'll give us land, titles. Anything we need."
"Gryffindor is a wonderful land, I had always hoped to move there one day," Hope whispered.
"Of course. I would not take your son with me and leave you behind. You and Remus' father, you're my family now!"
Remus watched in disbelief as the pair hugged, before Sirius dragged him towards the bedrooms, pushing open doors until he found Remus' room.
...oOo...
Remus walked into the room after getting changed, his eyes falling on Sirius, asleep on top of the covers in the bed. Now that he wasn't rushing around, or talking, Remus had a nice quiet moment to admire him.
His gaze slowly moved over the high, aristocratic cheekbones, before moving down to the full lips. How had he not noticed before how beautiful the man was?
Remus looked at the tiny space on the floor, before looking at the bed. He lay down carefully, his back to the princess as he tried to keep as close to the edge as possible.
When Remus woke up hours later, however, his whole body was tangled with Sirius'. He was frozen for a moment, his face inches from Sirius' as the princess's eyes fluttered lightly, before opening.
Sirius looked shocked for a moment, before his eyes filled with desire. "Do you want to take me now?" he whispered seductively. Remus stared into his perfect grey eyes, forcing himself not to nod his head.
Sirius took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Can I at least kiss my hero before he brings me to this Lord?" came a whisper.
Remus hesitated for a moment. Sirius was asking for just one kiss. Surely he could grant the princess that at least? After all, he was agreeing to meet with Lucius Malfoy, and once he did, Lucius Malfoy would win his heart with his handsome looks and wonderful blond locks.
"Yes."
Remus wasn't prepared for Sirius to use their tangled limbs to his advantage. With a slight pull of Sirius' leg, Remus found the man straddling him. Before Remus could say a word, Sirius' lips were on his.
The kiss was slow, lazy. Just lips caressing each other. Remus knew he should have pulled away after a moment, but his hands pulled Sirius closer, rather than moving the other man away. Fingers tangled in dark hair, and somehow Remus flipped them over, his body towering over Sirius.
He couldn't stop himself. He leant down once more, letting their lips meet. Sirius' lips parted, and Remus' tongue explored. They didn't hear the knock on the door as the kiss got even more heated, Sirius grabbing Remus' hips as his own bucked up, desperately seeking friction.
The same friction that Remus so desperately wanted to feel himself. His lips worked their way down Sirius' neck as they both sought out their pleasure.
"You're not going to ask me to leave again, are you?" Sirius whispered, sounding scared and uncertain for the first time since their initial meeting. "I want to stay with you."
Remus didn't answer. He was torn. He had made a promise to the Lord, but… he couldn't force Sirius to go to Lucius. He could hear the truth in Sirius' voice at the words.
And the thought of Lucius being intimate in any way with Sirius made his blood boil. He held Sirius tightly, listening to the other man sigh contentedly. Sirius was his, and Remus wasn't giving him up.
Destiny was a strange thing, but it had brought Remus and Sirius together.
...oOo...
Remus made tea the next morning, finding only his father in the kitchen. "Your mother said you had returned. So… you brought your princess back? What is she like?"
Remus slowly shook his head. "I don't know… she's got balls!"
"She's feisty?" John asked, chuckling.
"No, I mean… Princess Sirius is male."
"But your mother was planning the wedding."
"Oh, there still may be a wedding," Remus murmured, blushing slightly.
"So, do I get to meet my future son-in-law anytime soon?" John asked, recovering quickly.
"He finally fell asleep," Remus stated, trying not to smile as he recalled the events throughout the night and that morning. "I'm sure he'll wake up soon though."
...oOo...
Remus didn't mention Sirius visiting Lucius. Instead, he loaded up the horse, taking Sirius in the opposite direction: to Gryffindor.
He wanted to make sure that it was safe for his parents to move there. As Sirius cuddled against him on the back of the horse whilst whispering wedding plans into his ear, Remus couldn't help but smile.
By the time Lucius sent another knight to the tower, they would all be long gone, starting their new lives in Gryffindor.
His parents were selling the farm and following them, and then… well, then Remus would become a married man.
"Do you think we'll make it until our wedding night?" Sirius murmured into his ear. Remus' breath caught in his throat as he felt something against his back.
"Keep that up, and we won't make it the whole journey," he replied.
Sirius bit his lip. "About last night," he murmured. "I think… I'm with child."
Remus had to stop himself from crashing the horse.
Thanks to Dina, Lizzy and Shannon for the help! :)
