Thanks to Robin for beta reading. This part is the first part that came to my mind when this plot bunny was born. I hope you all enjoy. Char :-)

ONCE UPON A TIME: Part 4:

Bruce entered Castle Wayne, followed by his elder sons. He smiled when he saw Timothy coming down the stairs.

"Father!" Timothy called out as he ran down the remaining stairs to greet them. "You're back early."

"Yes," Lord Wayne replied, his voice hiding his disappointment. "Have you taken care of everything here?"

"Yes. Well, Uncle Alfred and I have," Tim replied beaming. Then he looked to his brothers, "We have new puppies, they were born while you were away." He blushed, embarrassed at how young he sounded. Timothy looked to his brothers, "Richard, Jason, tell me about Gotham."

They smiled at his excitement. "Oh there's plenty to tell, little brother," Jason said as he threw his arm around Timothy's shoulder.

"Really?"

"Really."

Richard followed them into the Great Hall. He was quite reticent. Jason regaled the family with his tales of Gotham as Bruce and Alfred walked off quietly discussing political events that had occurred at Court.

Selina noticed Richard had moved to the large window and was staring out into the night. Silently, she moved to him. "What's wrong?" she asked as she slipped her hand around his arm.

Richard turned toward his mother and smiled. "Nothing."

Knowingly, Selina squeezed his arm and asked, "What is her name?"

Richard looked down and smiled. He knew he was blushing. "How did you Barbara. Her name is Barbara."

Selina looked at Richard, worry on her face. "Barbara? The Princess?"

"Yes," he said.

She noticed the faraway tone in his voice. She wished it was anyone but the king's daughter. "Richard, I ... I don't think that is the best thought "

He looked at her, his blue eyes imploring, "Why mother? Why not?"

"She is the king's daughter. Your father ... well the king ... they "

"Have problems? Yes, we noticed that. That's why the king made us leave early." Selina looked at her son through wide green eyes. She hadn't known that. Bruce hadn't had an opportunity to tell her. "But why does the king disfavor father so?"

She sighed as she turned to look out the window. "Do you remember your last trip to Gotham?"

He thought back to when he was a young child. "Yes. I was nine. Gotham was so impressive."

"Do you remember anything ... happening?" she asked.

His blue eyes narrowed. "Yes. I ... I remember that man attacking you." Richard's mind drifted back to that day. That sight. He recalled it with surprising clarity, although he hadn't thought of it in years. As his mind replayed the scene before him, his young adult mind now fully understood what the child who entered the room had not.

Richard looked at his mother again. Pain in his eyes. "Mother, I "

"Shh," she replied, comforting as she continued her story. "Your father and the king disagreed concerning the man's punishment."

"Punishment! There was only one punishment for that ... for what he did."

She smiled slightly, "You are very much your father's son, Richard. That is how he felt as well. The king disagreed."

"How could he "

She pulled him closer to her. "The man who attacked me also saved the princess's life. That is why the king chose to exile him. Your father was not pleased. And he publicly questioned the king."

"And the king holds that against father? Even now, after so many years? Doesn't he understand how my father must have felt?" Richard felt his own anger rising.

"That is just the way it is. And I know how the young heart is. This will be difficult for you, but you must forget about the princess. It will never be."

Her son's sad eyes tore at her heart but before either of them could say anything more, they heard Bruce's boisterous voice as he and Alfred reentered the room.

Alfred was informing Bruce that some of their sentries had reported a group of Picts had passed through their lands. "They possibly have infiltrated as far south as Gotham, Bruce. We couldn't track them and continue our border patrols. We simply don't have enough men."

"Which I have tried to tell King James," Bruce sighed. "I'll send word to Gotham to be on the lookout for these rogues. However, I doubt the king will believe me, much less heed my warning. Tomorrow Richard and Jason will check our men patrolling the western part of our Northern border while Timothy and I check the men patrolling the eastern section."

Timothy's young eyes lit up, "Really father? I get to patrol with you?"

Lord Bruce smiled at his youngest son. "Yes, Timothy. You'll be a knight on your next birthday. I believe this will be a good experience for you."

Timothy beamed as he played with one of the new puppies in his lap. Richard walked closer to Jason and smiled at his younger brother.

"I still think we should hang him naked in the orchard," Jason whispered to his older brother as Richard nodded in agreement.

Richard was awakened by the sound of his bed chamber door crashing in. The young knight jumped quickly, trying to reach his sword, but the armed men were quickly upon him. Richard's hand had only been mere inches from his sword's hilt when six sword points touched the bare flesh of his chest.

"What's "

"Quiet!" one of the armed men yelled as two others grabbed him by his arms and pulled him from the room.

"You don't know what you're doing! My father will " Richard began as he struggled with the men who dragged him through the too quiet corridor of his home.

"Your father will do nothing," the vocal man said as they continued moving the struggling youth down the stairs and toward the great hall. As they entered the doorway to the great hall, the men pushed Richard in.

Richard saw his father and Jason in the middle of the room. His aunt and uncle standing together near the fireplace, his uncle's arms around his aunt. His mother stood with his youngest brother. Richard read the fear in their eyes. What was going on? Instinctively, he moved toward his father as the men with drawn swords encircled them.

"Father?" he questioned as he approached.

"We don't know," Jason stated.

Bruce looked his eldest in the eyes. "We were all pulled from our beds as you were. We don't know why?"

"Well, you should know," the Gaul's voice came as he entered the room. All eyes turned to the young knight. His long blond hair falling around his shoulders in the style of the Gaul's.

"Sir Jean-Paul?" Bruce asked.

"On your knees," Jean-Paul responded.

Bruce stiffened, as did his two elder sons. Roughly, the armed men grabbed the members of the Wayne family by their shoulders and pushed them onto the floor, onto their knees.

King James entered the room. "Where's my daughter? What've you done to her?" he roared at them.

Richard's eyes grew wide. Barbara? Barbara was missing? Was she all right? He had to find her, had to save her.

Bruce looked up at the king, "I don't know what you're talking about, my liege."

King James fumed with rage. "My daughter has been taken. And this " he said, as he threw the blue tunic with the symbol of the bat the Wayne family crest on it onto the floor in front of them, "was found in her room. Who does this tunic belong to? Which of your sons'?"

Richard's eyes darted from the tunic to his father and back again. His breathing was coming in quick short gasps. What was happening? What was he going to do? Where was Barbara? He looked at his father again. Stoically, Bruce stared at the tunic. He didn't meet Richard's eyes. He said not a word.

The king continued, "Wayne, if one of your sons is responsible for this without your knowledge, give him to me and the rest of you won't be punished."

Richard started to panic. They thought he had what would they do to him? He turned to look at his father who remained silent before the king.

The irate king roared, "Very well then, kill them all. One by one, until they tell me where she is. And have the Duke watch."

Bruce looked up into the king's face, "Your Grace, I demand the Court of Nobles."

King James glared at the Duke. He could strip the Duke of his title and his lands, but not his right to the court.

The young Gaul moved close to the King, "Your highness. A suggestion if I may."

"You may speak, Sir Jean-Paul."

Richard looked up as the Gaul spoke to the king. "The Wayne family has dishonored you, please allow a humble visitor to assist you in this matter. If I might suggest, that you allow me, a foreigner, to question one of them, I'm sure that we will be able to get the truth from them. I would be acting on my own and then it would not involve the Court of Nobles."

Richard's blue eyes bore into the Gaul knight. Then his eyes dropped to the tunic that lay before him on the floor. His tunic. He had been careless with it, and this was the result. It was all his fault.

Jean-Paul continued. "My retinue are quite skilled in the art of persuasion. Perhaps we should start with the youngest?"

As the king pondered the young knight's offer, Lord Bruce turned toward Timothy who was breathing heavily and clutching at Selina.

With worried eyes, Selina looked up at the king. "Your Grace, he's just a boy. He didn't even go to Gotham."

"Then perhaps you could tell us where the princess is?" King James retorted.

The Gaul moved slightly forward, "He is just as guilty as the rest of you and whatever he knows, I will know."

Selina was crying as she hugged Timothy tightly to her. "We don't know anything. No! Please," she cried as Jean-Paul reached out grabbing Timothy by the arm.

The young boy cried out, "I don't know ... Mother!" Looking down the line, past his two brothers, "Father "

Letting go of the boy's arm, Jean-Paul moved down the line of the kneeling Waynes. "If he doesn't know anything, then perhaps the next oldest will after we get done with him."

Jason looked up defiantly at the leering Gaul and spit in his face.

"Temper, temper." the Gaul said menacingly as he wiped spittle off his face. "You'll wish you had that moisture when I get done with your brother and start on you."

Bruce turned to the King. "The Court of Nobles. You can't supercede it not like this."

"Your highness, he seeks to hide behind the laws that he flaunts. He is making a mockery of your justice and nobility. He and his family even now allow your child to be in grave danger while they play games with the law. The youngest won't last long, we'll have answers within hours. Maybe even the hour."

Alfred looked up with quiet dignity. "Your Grace. I have faithfully served you for many years. I give you my word, I know nothing of the princess's disappearance. Please allow us our chance to plead our case before the Court of Nobles."

Richard looked at his father, his eyes imploring his father to just tell the king the tunic was his. It was his fault the king and his guards were here. It was all his fault.

"While I appreciate your enthusiasm and your generous offer, Sir Jean-Paul, we can not ignore these laws."

"But Your Grace, a few moments and this all will be over." He reached down and grabbed the young boy and pulled him from his mother's arms." The Gaul glared at the Duke. "Would you let the most innocent of you suffer the most, simply to continue with your failed plan?"

"Plan? What plan do you think we had?" the Duke asked angrily.

"To force King James' hand of course. To make him send troops to aid your pitiful defense of his lands while he searches for his beloved daughter. Meanwhile, she is in, " he turned and stared at Richard, "real danger at your hands." Turning back to the king, the Gaul knight continued, "Your grace, I simply wish to make sure that Princess Barbara is returned. I care for her deeply and I know that she returns my affections."

Richard looked at Jean-Paul, his anger at the Gaul clear. Lord Bruce shook his head at his eldest son, as the Gaul continued tempting the king. "If I might serve you in this way, I would be deeply honored. The young one will not last long and his ... entreaties will motivate the others to come forward with the truth."

The young boy struggled, trying to get out of the larger man's grip.

"I'll kill you if you harm my brother," Richard growled in a low voice. Lord Bruce placed his hand on Richard's arm.

"Such brave words. But I have nothing to fear from a dishonorable cur such as yourself. I'll enjoy watching your face ... while I work."

Richard and Jason reached out grabbing Timothy and pulling him from the Gaul's grasp and down to them. Jean-Paul glared at them and started to reach for Timothy again.

Bruce had proudly watched his sons. Then he turned to his wife. Their eyes met and spoke volumes to each other. He knew what he had to do. Before the Gaul connected with the young boy, the Duke stood.

Defiantly, the Duke stared at the King, "If ANY harm comes to any of my family the princess DIES."

All eyes fell on Bruce.

"Duke, I thought you had nothing to do with it. Have you lied to us?" the King angrily accused.

"Your Grace, they have no honor, you can not expect them to speak the truth without the proper ... motivation. Besides if the Princess dies then they're all lost
and he knows it. I will cut your tongue out myself Duke for threatening her."

The Duke stood his ground, "I'll repeat what I have said before Your Grace. If any harm comes to any of my family the princess dies. If you want to see your daughter alive again, you will release my sons. They will go where I tell them and only them and bring her back to Gotham. If they don't you may execute us all."

King James shouted, "Enough."

"Your High " began the Gaul.

"Enough!"

Bruce stood his ground staring at the king, waiting for his decision, and hoping that his bluff worked. Richard and Jason looked at each other, then down at their younger brother. Richard and Jason worried for Timothy, for all of them. They knew their father had nothing to do with the princess's disappearance. How could admitting guilt help them? But they trusted their father, even if they didn't understand what was he planning.

The King glared at Lord Wayne. Their eyes locked. His words were like a viper's venom. "Duke, for your treachery, your family should suffer the tender mercies of the Gaul. For the torture you have bestowed on us, it would be only fitting that it be returned to you with the loss of your family - one by one. However, I will not and can not allow any harm to befall my daughter. I cannot imagine how you rationalized this Duke, but I swear that you will pay for this."

Jean-Paul looked to the king, "Your Grace! Please at least allow me to start on him," he said pointing to Bruce. "There is nothing to motivate such dishonorable individuals to return your daughter. We can only imagine what tortures they have already inflicted upon her."

"I'll take whatever punishment Your Grace sees fit after your daughter is returned and my family freed. Allow my sons their swords and I will tell them where to find the princess."

"Allow them to go free?" King James inquired with a laugh.

"You will have my wife, my uncle and aunt, as well as myself, as your hostages prisoners. My sons will return to Gotham with your daughter."

"The do not grant you the respect that God demands, how are we to believe that they care for family?" Jean-Paul posed.

"I understand your concern and I appreciate your ... zeal. However, whatever else Duke Wayne and his family are, they are devoted to one another." the king added as he walked around the room. Turning back to the Duke, he said, "Very well, I will release your sons. I warn you Lord Wayne, any further duplicity and your family's torment will be the basis of legends."

The king nodded to his guards to stand back and allow the other members of the Wayne family to stand. They all moved in, closer to Bruce. Alfred placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder, feeling his tension. His sons moved as close as they could to their father. Selina and Leslie wrapped their arms around the boys' shoulders, as tears fell from their eyes.

The king's eyes bored into the Waynes, angry fire leaping from his eyes. "If my daughter is not returned in a week, unharmed, your family will enjoy the Gaul's unfettered attention. It saddens me that your actions have brought me to this low state where I would permit such 'attentions' against nobility. Know this, however, from this day forward your titles and lands are forfeit."

Bruce's jaw flinched, but he showed no emotion. Yet, he had emotions and internally, his emotions churned volatile. So many emotions, but he couldn't be controlled by them. He had to maintain his dignity, his nobility, as his uncle Alfred had taught him. He would maintain that nobility regardless of what tortures he knew would come. He nodded to the king and turned to his oldest son, pulling the boy close to him so he could whisper in his ear.

"Take your brothers, try to find and rescue the princess. If you can find her and she still lives, bring her safely to Gotham. If she is dead or you cannot find her within the week, do NOT return to Gotham and do not return here. Leave the king's lands. Protect your brothers. They are your responsibility now. Don't think of us. Your brothers' safety is your primary duty. Promise me Richard."

"Yes father," Richard said softly. This couldn't be happening. It was all his fault. Turning from his father's gaze which he could no longer face, he saw Timothy in their mother's arms. She was comforting the boy as his Aunt Leslie hugged Jason. Richard turned again, he couldn't bear to face any of his family. His worried eyes looked up and found the king and Jean-Paul staring at him.

"If you do not return, you will have no place to hide. I will hunt you to the ends of the earth," King James began. "God himself will tremble at your family's fate and your demise will be the worst of all."

Jean-Paul glared at Richard, hatred dripping from his eyes.

The king's guards escorted Richard to his room. Quickly, Richard dressed. He was careful what to wear. The king had forbid him and his brothers from wearing anything that would denote a knightly state. For they were no longer knights of the realm, those titles had been stripped from them. They were prisoners. The fact the king was giving them their swords and horses didn't change the fact that they were prisoners.

Richard's heart was heavy with sadness and worry worry for his family and worry for Barbara. If only he had been the one to have taken her. At least she'd be safe. Who knew whether she was safe now, or if she ever would be again.

He took his scabbard and secured it on his belt. Taking his gold hilted sword, he stared at it a moment before sheathing it into the scabbard. He walked from the room, closely followed by the guards. He met Jason and Timothy coming from their rooms as well. Together, the brothers walked down the stairs and out into the courtyard. They stopped as they saw other guards binding their father's hands.

"Get your horses," Bullock, captain of the King's guards ordered.

Silently, they moved into the stables.

The Gaul watched the Wayne brothers as they entered the stables. He moved to the king. "My liege, I don't mean to speak out of turn, but I cannot remain quiet. I fear releasing these three rogues will not return our princess. Please your Grace, allow me to go with them. Barbara is a spring to my parched soul, allow me to help save her."

"I appreciate your feelings toward my daughter. The alliance between our houses was what I had hoped would occur from your meeting."

"Then allow me to accompany them."

"No. Not just yet. However, if they fail to return, you may lead the search parties to find them."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Richard walked out of the livery leading his black steed. His brothers followed him leading their horses as well. They walked to where the king's guards were having the rest of their family loaded onto the wagon. Sacks of grain were transported on wagons, not the Duke and Duchess of Wayne. Their hearts ached as they saw their parents, and their uncle and aunt, treated in such a humiliating fashion.

"Father, mother," Richard began as he approached the wagon.

Bruce looked at his sons with a sad smile. He cupped Richard's cheek with his bound hands. "I'm proud of you, all of you," he said as he looked to his younger sons as well. Jason and Timothy were standing near their mother.

"Your week has started," Jean-Paul called out. Such dishonorable men deserved no compassion.

"You'd better go, my son. Ride well," Bruce said, his voice tinged in sadness. He watched his sons mounted their horses and rode through the gates. Watched them for as long as he could, watched them for what he feared was the last time.

To be continued