For Liza. I ended up channeling some Princess Bride vibes. Oopsie.
Word Count: 3395
I.
When Lucius is eleven, a new stable boy comes to live at the manor. Edward Tonks (who goes by Ted, which Lucius hates because nicknames are nasty little habits that peasants have) is around his age, but he looks a little older. Lucius suspects that's what happens when you're poor. He's noticed even the babies of some of the commoners look damn near like children instead of infants, and he's thankful to have been born into such a privileged family.
The stable boy looks at Lucius with curious eyes, like he's never seen anything quite like Lucius before. Perhaps he hasn't. Some villages are so torn apart by poverty that its inhabitants would probably not know how to react to the sight of gold.
Lucius chuckles to himself, imagining the poor gripping gold coins in confusion and biting into them, breaking their teeth into shards. His laughter is short-lived because Ted looks at him, brows raised like he's hoping Lucius will make him privy to the joke. Instead, Lucius just scowls. "Stable boy!" he barks, standing tall and proud so that he can easily tower over the other boy. "Fetch me some water!"
It isn't Ted's job. Lucius knows this, but he doesn't care. He takes a certain delight in the way the boy awkwardly jumps to attention and bows, muttering a quick, "As you wish." before running off. The poor sod is probably dumb as a bag of stones, but at least he's obedient.
And so it goes. Lucius bosses Ted around, and Ted responds with the same, As you wish, and that is how they spend their days at Malfoy Manor. At least, for a while. At least while things manage to have some semblance of normalcy.
II.
When Lucius is fourteen, the estate is attacked. He doesn't understand how such a thing could happen. After all, who would dare to cross such a powerful family? Someone with a deathwish, clearly.
Except that might not be the case. He watches in horror from his window as some of the guards rush forward, only to be cut down by what looks like a group of pirates. All he can do is grip the windowsill until his knuckles grow white and whisper every prayer he can remember because surely Mother Mary or one of the saints can protect him from this.
And then Ted is there. Ted is scrawny and awkward, but he is strong from years of working the stables, and there's no hesitation as he bursts into Lucius' bedroom, panting and sweating and out of breath. "We must get you to safety."
Lucius doesn't think twice before accepting Ted's hand and allowing the stable boy to pull him away from the window and the horror unfolding on the grounds below. "Get me out of here, stable boy!" he demands, though he knows deep down that he doesn't have to say a word because that's exactly why Ted is there.
Ted doesn't say anything about Lucius' obvious statement, doesn't really react at all, except to say, "As you wish."
Lucius is guided through the corridors of the mansion, and Ted somehow manages to move quickly but with great care. It's easy to relax, even as he hears the screams and shouts of guards and pirates alike. Everything will be okay. The stable boy always does as Lucius instructs, and he knows that Ted will keep him safe simply because Lucius has asked it of him.
They make it to the servants' quarters when Ted pushes Lucius quickly into a room. He moves quickly, with much less care this time, searching for something that Lucius cannot say and swearing fluently under his breath.
"Such language is truly the mark of a peasant," Lucius huffs, because even when there's a chance he will die, he has to maintain his superiority.
"And such arrogance in a time like this is truly the mark of an idiot," Ted snaps. "Now, be quiet if you want to live."
Lucius is taken aback. For years, Ted has put up with everything that Lucius could throw at him, tolerating it without a word, always responding with as you wish, obeying Lucius seemingly without a single thought in his silly little head.
He schools his features into a sneer, though his blush undoubtedly betrays him. Lucius listens to distant fighting growing closer. If only Father were there. His father, Abraxas Malfoy, the Duke of Salazar, was once a skilled soldier who fought in the King's army. He would have easily stopped this from happening. Those filthy pirates would never have gotten more than a step beyond the gate.
This is not fair! Malfoys are supposed to stand tall and proud, but here he is, hiding away and trembling, relying on a servant. He wonders if his father would be ashamed of him for being such a coward.
The thought doesn't have a chance to take root. Footsteps approach, fast and slamming against the marble floor. They're close, much too close. Lucius turns to Ted, prepared to hurry the other boy along, when Ted seems to find what he's looking for. He presses against something on the wall, revealing a hidden passage.
Lucius raises his brows, mouth opening ever so slightly, unsure of what to say. He had never known that Malfoy Manor had secret passages, though perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. He's heard stories about other houses, about hidden chambers and bookshelves that aren't what they seem. Leave it to a servant to know all the secrets, to know Lucius' home better than he does.
"Get inside," Ted urges, gripping Lucius firmly by the arm and forcing him into the passage. "Follow the passage. It will lead you to the kitchens. Stay hidden. Stay quiet."
"Come with me," Lucius instructs.
He expects Ted to say as you wish, as he always does, to follow what Lucius says without question. Instead, the other boy offers him an apologetic smile and closes the passage door, cutting off Lucius' line of sight.
Lucius shifts around desperately, trying to find even the smallest hole in the wall, something so that he can see what is happening beyond the wall. There is nothing, not even the faintest sliver of light. His eyes are damn useless, and all he can hear is the shouting on the other side, the demands for the master of the house, and Ted insisting he doesn't know where anyone is.
There's another sound, one that makes Lucius wince. It's the sound of a body slamming against the wall, followed by Ted's pained gasp. Lucius' blood runs cold and he drops to his knees, raising his hand to his mouth and biting his knuckle to keep from making a sound.
He's seen the damage the pirates can do. They are cruel and ruthless, killing guards without mercy or a second thought. What chance does a teenage servant have? None. All he can do is whisper a prayer for the boy's soul and hope he doesn't suffer.
He doesn't know how long he sits there, frozen and afraid, but he remembers Ted's instructions. He has to follow the passage and find a way to safety. If he doesn't this will all have been in vain, and Lucius will rot away, hidden in the walls.
Swallowing dryly, he forces himself to his feet, taking a deep breath that does nothing to ease his nerves. Slowly, one step at a time, he walks.
…
It takes nearly a week for his father to return. By that time, Lucius has gone from room to room at least five times, searching desperately for any sign of Ted so that he can make sure the stable boy gets a proper burial. His father finds him in the stables, sprawled out on the hay and staring up at the wooden beams above.
"That is no way for a young man of your status to behave! Up! Get up!"
Lucius obeys, climbing to his feet with a heavy sigh.
"I don't know why you are so upset," his father snaps. "The maid says you're like a lovesick fool. And for what? For a boy? For a servant?" His tone implies that he doesn't know which is worse: his son being homosexual, or his son pining for someone below his status.
"I am not lovesick!" Lucius snaps, his cheeks burning. "I am merely mourning the loss of a great companion."
They were hardly friends. Truth be told, Lucius so often made Ted's life and duties difficult, always bossing him around, refusing to use his given name, sending him on errands that were not his job. Ted should have hated him…
And yet, Ted is the only reason Lucius is still alive. Without him, Lucius would have undoubtedly been taken by the pirates, or worse, killed.
Lovesick.
He wants to laugh at the idea of it, but is it so far-fetched? There was a moment when Ted touched him, and Lucius felt something, something he has never felt before.
He forces the thought from his head. It's nothing. If anything, he might call Ted a dear friend, but nothing more.
"Be that as it may, Malfoys do not have the luxury to mourn," his father tells him, fixing him with a stern gaze. "Dry your eyes because you have duties to fulfill. Understood?"
"Yes, Father."
III.
When he is twenty, his father finds him in the library with a triumphant look on his face. "It has happened, boy!"
Lucius looks up from his book, studying his father curiously. He knows better than to speak without being prompted, so he bites his tongue and waits for his father to continue.
"They say it's impossible for men like us to marry above our station," his father continues with a laugh, "but King Cygnus himself has sent me a letter."
Marriage. Lucius bites back a groan. He supposes he is at the age where an arrangement would be made, but that doesn't make him happy about the idea of it. Why would he want to be married when he has so many other things he could do? Still, it is part of his duty, and if the King has sent for him, he knows there is no chance to refuse.
"A letter?" Lucius echoes, because his father has given enough pause that Lucius can assume it's safe to speak without invitation.
"His youngest daughter is of age," his father says, nodding. "King Cygnus needs a stronghold in this side of the country, and who better to provide that than us?"
Lucius wonders what his father would say if he told him he doesn't want to be married. Some of the old staff who survived the attack years ago still whisper that Lucius is lovesick and pining for his lost Ted. He hates to admit that they are, perhaps, right. Over the years, Lucius' thoughts have returned time and time again to the missing stable boy. If he's honest, there's a part of him who imagines, silly as it may seem, that as you wish really and truly means I love you.
Of course, he will never admit that, just as he will never admit that he has no desire to marry Princess Narcissa. A man of his status does not have the luxury of doing what he wants. Everything is about power and doing everything possible to progress. Lucius was taught at an early age that a man's happiness is measured by the strides he makes in life, and he knows he cannot disappoint his father.
"This is excellent news," Lucius says, holding his head high and offering his father his most charming smile. "I look forward to the arrangement."
"Good, because we leave for Slytherin in the morning. The King is expecting us before the end of the week."
"So soon?" Lucius asks dryly, his chest suddenly feeling hollow.
"Why should you have a long engagement. Such shows are for the eldest, the one who will ascend to the throne one day with her husband."
There's no room to argue. All Lucius can do is nod mutely and wonder if his father notices that his smile falters just a bit.
…
That night, Lucius lies awake in bed, wide, sleepless eyes fixed upon the ceiling. An impossible thought strikes him. He could run away. His father has always made sure that Lucius has everything he needs, and he's certain he has some gold left from his many desires. He can take it, and…
And what? At the end of the day, he is a privileged young man. Some would even go so far as to suggest he's spoiled. He has no skills, as he's always had servants to take care of every want and need he's ever had.
Ted would know what to do…
Except Lucius reminds himself that Ted isn't there. The poor fool went and got himself killed, and it's all Lucius' fault. If he hadn't been protecting Lucius, Ted would still be alive.
Lucius swallows down a sob because Malfoys do not cry. Malfoys are leaders, and leaders cannot show weakness.
For the first time in his life, Lucius doesn't want to be a Malfoy anymore.
IV.
Princess Narcissa is eighteen, and she is lovely, in her way. Lucius supposes she has the sort of pale skin and fair hair that would make most men lose their minds. Her features are delicate, whereas Princess Bellatrix's are sharp and fierce, and Princess Andromeda's kind and curious.
She doesn't move Lucius's heart one bit, and he almost wishes she did. It would make things so much easier if he could at least pretend to feel something for the young princess.
"Are you disappointed?" Narcissa asks as she escorts Lucius through the garden.
He shakes his head and hopes she can't tell that it's a lie. The girl seems kind enough, and Lucius shudders at the thought of breaking her heart. "Disappointed? No. I am merely blown away by how lovely you are."
A soft pink stains her pale cheeks, and she looks away, giggling. Guilt sours Lucius' stomach, but he manages to ignore it. By now, Lucius knows how to play his role. Maybe it feels hollow to him because he knows how fake it is, but Narcissa is fooled.
He should hate himself for that. Somehow, he doesn't. It's just a part to play. No one's feelings really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Narcissa slips her hand into his, their fingers laced together. "I was so worried I would not like the many Father picked out," she tells him. "Especially when he told me you weren't even a prince." Her nose wrinkles in clear distaste, as if being the son of a duke is somehow dreadful. "I am quite pleased to find I was wrong."
Lucius nods along and pretends to listen. Narcissa prattles on about things he cares nothing about, but he knows he has no choice but to listen.
Her grip on his hand tightens. "Can you keep a secret?" she asks, brows raising and a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Anything for you, my dear."
"I think it's best to show you. Come on."
…
Lucius feels like maybe he should protest when Narcissa leads him beyond the castle walls. After all, princesses aren't meant to go anywhere unattended, and while Lucius is most certainly in her company, he's hardly able to protect her if anything goes wrong.
Not to mention, there's a nasty little voice in the back of his head that hopes something will go wrong so that maybe, just maybe the wedding will be canceled. He can't be expected to marry her if some terrible tragedy befalls her…
Of course, he's all talk. Lucius can plan and scheme all day, but he's hardly a man of action, and he isn't cruel enough to do the dirty work himself. Besides, Narcissa seems like a lovely enough young woman. He could never truly wish harm on her.
The castle is too far in the distance to be seen at all. Lucius glances over his shoulder, but all he can see is green. "Where are you taking me?" he asks, turning back to the princess.
Their surroundings are hilly and lovely, like something out of a fairytale. Even so, he's hit with a feeling of discomfort and unease. There's something about the way Narcissa cranes her neck, almost like she's searching for something.
"Narcissa?"
She comes to a stop and turns to him. "I really am terribly sorry," she says. "Respectfully, I don't fancy the idea of marrying someone below my station."
"Excuse me?"
"Besides, there's someone who does want you."
Before Lucius can even form a thought, a masked figure, dressed in black, leaps out from a perch in a tree above. With that, Narcissa is gone, and Lucius is left to face this bandit alone.
"I'll have you know that I am Lucius Malfoy," he says, taking a fighting stance and hoping for the best. "If you harm one hair on my head, my father will make you pay dearly."
"Oh, I have no intention of harming you."
That voice is so familiar, but not quite. Lucius pauses, squinting as though he can see beyond the mask better that way. "If you have no intention, then remove your mask. Let me face the man who dares to attack me."
The man's lips quirk into a hint of a smile. "As you wish."
V.
Ted tells the story, filling in the missing pieces. All those years ago, when Lucius assumed the pirates had killed him, Ted had been taken instead. "They said they admired my fighting spirit," he snorts as the two of them sit around a fire, passing a bottle of rum between them. "I had no fighting spirit. It was simply my loyalty to you."
From there, he lived on the seas, fighting and stealing, taking on a new identity as the Smiling Badger.
"Why'd they call you that?"
Ted snorts. "Because I was always smiling when I robbed my victims."
"But a badger?" Lucius presses, brows raised with curiosity.
"Don't ask me. I didn't exactly name myself."
He lost his captain a year earlier and, rather than serving under the replacement, went on to do his own things and find his own path. He began his life as a bandit, befriending Princess Narcissa quite on accident a few months prior.
"Some scoundrel was going to rob her! Possibly worse!"
"Aren't you a thief?"
Ted huffs and smooths his hands over his shirt. "Aye! But I've got standards. Never lay a finger on a woman," he explains. "That's just bad manners!"
Lucius laughs and shakes his head. Ted has always been a strange one, but Lucius doesn't mind. Truth be told, he's missed this.
"When she told me that rotten father of hers wanted to marry her off to some poor sod she could never love, I wanted to help. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was you,' Ted continues, smiling softly. "I missed you."
Lucius opens his mouth but quickly closes it again. "I demanded you come back to me," he snaps, and he knows he sounds like a spoiled child, but he doesn't care. It's all so overwhelming, and he feels like the weight of it all might find a way to crush him if he lets it. "You were supposed to come back!"
Ted's smile doesn't fade even a little. He just barks a laugh and shakes his head. "And so I did. It just took me a few years. I do hope you'll forgive me for that."
And how can he not? Lucius has dreamt of this day. Against all odds, even when he believed Ted to be dead, he imagined what it would be like to reunite with his old companion. His thoughts never seemed to stray too far from Ted, no matter how hard he tried to forget the old stable boy.
"I missed you." Lucius swallows dryly. "I… I think I might love you."
Ted's smile only brightens, and he reaches out, gripping Lucius' hand. "Then come away with me. We shall be the most amazing bandit duo this world has ever seen. Bandits by day, hopelessly in love by night. What do you say?"
Lucius gives the other man's hand a squeeze. "As you wish."
