Title:
Once Upon a Time ...
Author: Charlene Edwards
Rating: PG-13
Synposis: AN Elseworlds by DC's definition taking the familiar hero's and placing them in different
times and situations.
Feedback: positive on list welcome.
I hope you all enjoy this. Thanks to Robin for beta'ing this for me. Char :-)
Once upon a time ...
Britain was a new country, freshly out of the ruling hand of Rome. While the Roman conquerors had left the land, new invaders threatened the shores. Yet, the internal strife amongst the inhabitants of Britannia was more threatening than any outside force. But, for a time, a great High King brought peace and security to the land. This is his story...
"Uncle Alfred, the palace is immense, and I thought Castle Wayne was large," the young Duke of Wayne said entering the palace of the High King of Gotham, his eyes wide with awe. It had been his first trip to the city of Gotham since his parent's deaths many years ago.
"Indeed my lord Bruce, King James' castle is quite large, it is more than simply a castle, it is the power seat of the country. A retinue of nobles and knights live here. It is not like our home which is for our family and a few knights in our company. But our home is sufficient."
"Sufficient? As you say Uncle," Bruce stated with a hearty laugh. He was taking in all the wonders of the great castle. They stopped for a moment watching the king's new jester entertaining the crowd.
"Enjoyable, isn't it young Bruce?"
"Very much so Uncle," turning toward the older man, he asked, "Why did I get to come with you to Gotham this time Uncle?"
"It's going to be a grand ceremony Bruce, one a young noble shouldn't miss. King James' marriage to the Lady Sarah. The nobles are quite pleased with this match. When the Queen died last year, the nobles worried because the King had no heirs. With this new marriage, there's a chance for an heir. Heirs are important Bruce."
Bruce rolled his eyes at his uncle's talk of heirs. He had a feeling he knew where this conversation was going. He let out an audible sigh.
"Now Bruce," Alfred began, "this is your twentieth year. It's more than time that you seriously considered a match. After all, you are the Duke of Wayne. I have merely served as your regent until you came of age. You ARE of age, young sir, it's time you remembered that and accepted your responsibilities. And producing heirs is part of a young noble's responsibilities."
"But Uncle Alfred, I don't want to marry for position, power or to produce heirs. I want to marry for love. Like my parents."
Alfred's stern expression softened. His elder brother Thomas' death had been hard on Bruce. Alfred knew that Bruce's losing his parents at the tender age of six made him romanticize his memories of them. And Alfred did so love the lad. It was these reasons that caused him to reluctantly, at times, give in to Bruce's whims.
"Love is certainly an honorable objective. But you must first look for it. I'd dare say, you are more likely to find love here at the King's marriage ceremony than jousting with our knights and riding that horse of yours through our forests as fast as you can."
Bruce laughed at his uncle. He knew all Alfred's statements were true. "Perhaps then, dear uncle, I'll meet my bride here."
"One can hope," Alfred replied.
As they continued walking, Alfred saw a gathering of nobles and headed off into their company. Bruce smiled and took the opportunity to wander around without his guardian's ever guarding presence. Sometimes his uncle forgot, despite his height of more than six feet, that he was fast becoming one of the best young knights in the realm and wasn't much in the need of guarding. Bruce saw the jester's performance from across the courtyard. Keeping his eyes on the mesmerizing performance rather than where he was going, he bumped into a young woman, his weight knocking her to the ground.
"Oh milady," he said as he bent to help her up, "I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't watching where I was heading. I hope you aren't hurt. Please forgive me." This last part came out of his mouth in a whisper as he stared into the most amazingly green eyes he had ever seen.
"Thank you for helping me up, Sir," the young woman said. "I'm afraid that I wasn't watching where I was going either. The court jester does put on a show," the dark haired beauty laughed.
The sound of her laughter was the most wonderful sound he thought he had ever heard. His heart was pounding in his chest. No other young woman had ever held him in such a spell. Finding his voice, he spoke, "May I have the pleasure of your name?"
"I am Selina, the Lady of Lionesse."
"Lionesse? Why, then we are neighbors. Our lands boarder each other. I am Bruce, Lord Wayne."
"You? The Duke? I would have thought the Duke a much older man," she said as they started to walk along together.
"I've technically been the Duke since I was six, when my parents died," he said. She noticed the wistfulness in his voice as he spoke. There was such a sad tone at the mention of his parents. But it changed quickly as he continued. "But my Uncle Alfred's really the Duke in all but name. I suppose I will be eventually. He hopes for me to assume more of my duties now, rather than be the errant dark knight as he calls me."
"The dark knight. How menacing that sounds. But you don't seem very menacing."
"You haven't seen me on the battlefield, m'lady," he said with a crooked half smile.
"That is something I think I would very much like to see," she replied.
Later that week, the Lady Selina had her opportunity to see the Dark Knight in action. Tournaments in honor of the King's marriage were held. The Young Duke quickly dispatched all opposition in the early competitions. His prowess for the field of battle or competition was awe inspiring. No sword was as quick as the young noble's. Selina had watched the young knight throughout the week. And Bruce, Lord Wayne, had watched her watching him.
As the weeks end drew near, it was time for the main competition the jousting tourney
The Young Duke rode his black steed around the jousting ring as the crowd cheered. He sought a particular spectator. When he saw the young woman, her long dark tresses which fell over her shoulders were striking against the green dress she wore. The dress accented her emerald eyes. Placing his heels into the horse, he galloped over to her box.
"Mi'lady, here to watch me win?"
"Are you so certain you will win?" she replied with a soft laugh.
"Absolutely," he responded. the sound of his voice told her it was cool certainty and not a false bravado he exuded.
She smiled at him, then, taking the sash from around her waist, she leaned over toward him. Selina tied the sash around his forearm. "Then win the tournament for me."
Bruce smiled as he looked at her. "I'll gladly wear your token, mi'lady, and win for you. I would ... die ... for you." Bruce couldn't believe the words that escaped his lips. He certainly shouldn't be talking to a lady in such a fashion. They barely knew each other, yet, his heart told him different.
Selina didn't know how to respond to Bruce's statement. She felt the heat rising to her fair cheeks. She watched as he pulled the reins of his horse and galloped away to prepare for the joust.
She watched as the tournament began. Watched as he rode his great black steed against the other jousters. Lord Bruce took ever combatant, knocking them from their horses. After the tournament, she watched as he rode to her box and presented her with the winner's banner.
Soon, the Lady Selina and Bruce, Lord Wayne married, uniting their lands and their hearts. His uncle, Alfred, proudly and happily stepped aside as regent so that his young nephew could began exersing his duties as Duke and lord over both his and the Lady Selina's lands. Oh, Alfred was ever ready to lend assistance or advice when called upon by the man who had once been his charge, but he was content to live a life of ease with his wife, the Lady Leslie.
Bruce entered his private chambers, returning from a High Council meeting in Gotham. Silently, he walked over to the sleeping Selina and sat on the bed. At the change of weight to the bed, she stirred,
"Bruce?"
"Hello my love," he responded as he leaned over kissing her gently. Then, with a worried tone, asked, "Are you ill? You usually don't sleep this late in the afternoon."
"I'm fine. More than fine actually. I've some news," she beamed.
"What? What is your news? I've been gone a week, what have you done?" he said playfully.
She took his hand in hers, and moved it to her middle, "I am with child."
"With... you're going to... we're going to have a child?" His mind reeled with the information, as his eyes drank in the sight of her. He felt a happiness at this moment that he had never felt before. "Does Uncle Alfred know? He'll be happy. He's been wanting me to have heirs since I turned eighteen," Bruce laughed.
Alfred watched as Bruce paced through the great hall as if he were a caged tiger. Passing back and forth in front of the rich tapestries lining the castle's stone walls. Bruce had never been good at waiting.
"I just don't understand," Bruce bellowed as he paced, "why I can't be in there with her?"
"Because it's simply not done," Alfred responded.
"But why?"
"Because your aunt Leslie says so."
Bruce sighed as he stopped his pacing, accepting the gentle defeat his uncle had just accomplished. "But it's my child, I want to be there when he's born."
"He, Lad?"
"I'll have a son. Of that, I'm sure."
Leslie entered the great hall and saw her husband and nephew speaking near the fireplace. She smiled and walked toward them. "The child is born," she announced when she was closer to the two men.
Bruce turned to her expectantly, his heart rate quickening. "Well,"
She laughed at him. He had always been impatient. That was a trait he hadn't grown out of. "You have a son."
"Son, I have a son. I have a son!" he said as he ran from the hall and up the stairs of the castle, a wide grin on his face. Reaching his bedchamber, he ran past the serving women leaving the room with dirty linens. Reaching the bed, he looked down upon his wife and newborn son.
Selina smiled up at her husband. Proudly, she showed him the small bundle in her arms. Bruce sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers tracing the small child's features. Placing his finger near the child's hand, the baby grabbed the finger, wrapping his small fingers tightly around his father's.
"He is strong."
"And perfect," Selina replied. "He looks like you, dark hair and blue eyes."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Most assuredly, husband," she laughed lightly. Looking at her husband she asked, "So what shall we name him? Thomas or Bruce?"
"Richard John," he replied as he watched her reaction. He saw her green eyes soften as she looked down at the baby. He smiled at her.
"Richard. After my father. Hello there Richard," she cooed to the baby.
The baby grew quickly, the joy of his parents and his elderly uncle and aunt. Soon, Richard was joined by his brothers Jason Thomas and Timothy Alfred. But it was Richard who was his father's favorite. Lord Bruce tried not to make a difference in his children. He loved them all dearly. But Richard was special. Perhaps because he was the oldest, perhaps because they were so much alike, or perhaps for other reasons, Bruce couldn't help his desire to spend time with his eldest son.
And Richard grew strong and athletic. Gifted in tumbling and all manner of sports. Lord Bruce knew Richard would be a great knight one day, and an even better ruler. He made it a habit from Richard's early days to have the boy sit with him as he dispensed justice over his lands.
But life at Castle Wayne wasn't always happy. A dark cloud fell upon the family in Richard's ninth year. A cloud that would cast long shadows over their lives. It began in the city of Gotham
Richard, Jason and Timothy ran through the courtyard of the great castle of the high king. This was their first visit to the great capital of their land. Bruce and Selina smiled at their children's laughter. The High Council was meeting, all the lords from around the country were gathered. A carnival atmosphere filled the town.
"Father, mother?" Richard started as he and his brothers ran up to their parents.
"What?" Bruce asked in his best baronial tone.
"Can we go watch the jugglers?" Richard asked.
"Please," the seven year old Jason added.
Bruce turned to Selina and then back to their children. He eyed his youngest son who was somewhat hidden behind his brothers. Bruce bent down and pulled Timothy from between the older two. Looking at the five year old, he asked,
"Is that what you want to do too?"
"Yes," the little voice responded.
"Well, since it's unanimous," he stopped and tried to contain a half-smile that started forming when he read on their faces their lack of understanding unanimous. he finished his sentence, "you can all go. But meet in our quarters in a few hours."
The three boys ran off into the crowd as their parents watched them.
"Do you think they'll be all right?" Selina asked.
"Of course, darling. The king's palace is one of the safest places in the land."
"You have to go to the High Council now?"
"Yes my love, duty calls, I'm afraid. I hate leaving you though."
She smiled up at her husband, "I'll be fine, darling. You go ahead. I'm going to our quarters to rest from the trip."
Bruce kissed her passionately before he took his leave and left her alone to travel to their rooms. As she walked she had the feeling she was being watched. She turned, but saw no one. Selina continued onwards.
The corridor heading to her chambers was dark and lonely. No one stirred. They were all outside partaking of the celebrations. Yet, Selina still had the uneasy feeling she wasn't alone. She felt like an animal being stalked. She started walking faster, trying to get to her room.
Then she heard it. Footsteps. Behind her. Selina picked up her long purple dress and ran towards her rooms. Breathless she reached her door and opened it. Quickly entering the room, she spun around to close the heavy wooden door. She almost had it closed when a thin pale hand caught it, preventing it from closing.
Frantic, Selina pushed with all her might to try and close the door. But she couldn't. The man in the hall was stronger than she was. He pushed the door open. Selina fell backwards. The man wore white paste on his face. He leered at her with a hideous grin.
"Bruce!" she screamed knowing he couldn't hear her, but willing him to feel her need for him. Her desperate cry for help. "No, please, NOOOOOOOO!"
"Jason, Timothy," young Richard called his brothers to him. The two younger boys ran to their brother, "Father said we had to go back to our quarters," he said trying to sound as much like their father as he could.
"You're not our leader," Jason said defiantly.
"Yes I am," Richard said authoritatively, "aren't I Tim?"
"Yes," Tim said shaking his head.
"I'm our leader Tim," Jason added.
"Yes," Tim said shaking his head.
The two older brothers started to laugh, as they started walking toward their rooms pulling their youngest brother behind them. As they approached their rooms, they heard a different sound. They heard muffled screams. Their mother's screams. This unusual sound stopped the three in their tracks. A cold chill went down their spines.
Richard bent down to Timothy and whispered, "Go get Father."
Little Timothy nodded and ran as quickly as he could to search for their father. A few tears of fear escaped his blue eyes.
Richard and Jason approached the door and slowly opened it. They saw their mother on the floor, struggling with a man who was on top of her. Richard felt an anger boil in his young body.
Imitating his father's tone again, he said "Let her go."
The white faced man turned to face the boys. His laughter echoed through the halls. "Children. Run away," he said as he turned back toward his victim continuing to laugh.
Timothy ran into the king's council chambers, quickly moving past the guards who tried to block his way. He ran to his father.
Bruce looked down into the youngster's face. Fear was written all over it. Bruce picked up the small boy who wrapped his little arms tightly around his father's neck.
"Timothy? What's wrong?"
"Mother," Timothy weakly cried, "Mother hurt."
Bruce felt as if those two words had stabbed him in the heart. He handed the child over to his uncle Alfred as he raced from the room.
"Brother?" Jason asked.
"Let her go!" Richard yelled as he leapt at the white faced man. He used the tumbles and kicks his father had taught him as he attacked the man hurting his mother. Jason ran over and started kicking the man too.
The white faced man made a guttural noise as he rose and tossed the two boys off of him. Yet, the children were undeterred. They continued going to their mother's aid, pushing and kicking the man.
Selina's attacker heard footsteps in the hallway. He threw a chair at the two children and ran from the room.
Richard started to follow but stopped when his brother called to him. Turning around, he saw Jason at their mother's side. He ran to her and knelt down. As he did, his father entered the room.
"Selina?" Bruce said as he joined his sons on the floor by her. She was battered and bruised, her face was cut and bleeding. Bruce notice more blood on the floor, seeping around her legs. He cradled her head in his arms, "Selina."
Her hand reached up and stroked his face before she turned from his gaze. Then the sound started, the sound none of the occupants of the room would ever forget, Selina's sobs started softly and grew louder.
Bruce cradled her in his arms. As much as he wanted to be out hunting the man who had injured her, she needed him here. And he stayed. But the man who had done this would not go unpunished. Bruce's dark blue eyes hardened with rage as he made a silent vow.
"Have they found him yet?" Lord Bruce asked as he entered the King's chambers.
King James turned to face his knight and friend, a dour expression on his face. "I'm afraid not. How is the Lady Selina?"
"My aunt and the physicians are with her. I ... I don't know if she'll," he said trying to keep his conflicting emotions in check. How could his world survive without her?
To be continued ...
