Summary: Blaine continues to read Lord Sebbington looking for the message he is sure Sebastian left for him.
Notes: I made a warning in the last chapter that Lord Sebbington is told from Sebastian's point of view and he is "mean" to several canon McKinley characters. I have no problem doing that (obviously) and this is an AU fic (obviously). BUT to make myself feel a little better, I'm going to note the canon change of no Finn death.
Upon his return to Dalton Castle, Lord Sebbington locked himself in his room and spent the entire night drinking a potion he had brought with him from Paris...Courvoisier. The potion was supposed to be magic and help him forget what he had done, if only for a little while. All it did was make his mind swirl with the sound of Prince Blaine's beautiful singing voice combined with his screams of pain.
A few hours later there was a knock at his door.
"Go away!" he yelled, immediately regretting it due to the pounding in his head. Warbler Trent anticipated his reaction and had found the key to open the door. "Get out!"
"Lord Sebbington, Lady Santana of Lima is here to speak to you. She requested I inform you Sam sent her."
He was not ready for this. "Please make her comfortable" he sighed. "I'll be there soon."
"Oh…um…well…"
"What!" Lord Sebbington realized how harshly he had spoken. Warbler Trent was the nicest of all the Warblers and being mean to him was seen as ungentlemanly. "My apologizes."
"I was just going to inform you Lady Santana addressed herself as being from a village in the Kingdom of Lima called Lima Heights. I have heard stories of this village…scary stories. Please, do hurry."
Lord Sebbington went to his wash basin and splashed water on his face. After the debacle of yesterday, he needed to find a way to regain control and devise a new plan. Something he could explain to King Cooper after he informed him he had most likely blinded the prince.
Looking in the mirror, he could see how broken he was but knew he could show no weakness in front of Lady Santana. So, he changed into his crispest uniform, styled his hair perfectly and sheathed his trusty sword before taking a deep breath. While he trusted Sam, and Sam sent her, he did not know this person.
Upon meeting her, Lady Santana was nothing like he expected. In fact, she reminded him a lot of himself…so much that under other circumstances they could have been friends.
The first thing she did, after slapping Lord Sebbington, which he deserved, was to inform the Warblers Prince Blaine had required surgery on his eye but Lady Brittany, her unicorn, fixed it. Evidently, she had a feeling her unicorn magic was in danger and was able to hide a tiny bit before the rest was stolen. However, now she was out. So, if Lord Sebbington and the Warblers wanted her and Sam's help freeing Prince Blaine, they also had to find Lady Brittany's unicorn magic.
They all agreed and worked quickly to set a plan so Lady Santana could get back to Castle McKinley before anyone figured out she was gone. It was decided the best plan was to use the festival's Grand Joust being held the next day as a cover. Each Kingdom in the realm, including Westerville, had been invited to send their best Knight to participate. King Cooper had refused at the time but everyone was sure they, or most likely Wesley the Wise, could convince him otherwise.
In order for Evil Drama Queen Rachel to allow Westerville's entry after what happened the day before, Lord Sebbington suggested a spectacle of an entrance, much like the ones they had in Paris. He had an armor of pure gold. It not only made him appear more regal than he already did, it could temporarily distract an opponent when the sun shone upon it. The problem was he could not participate in the Great Joust and rescue Prince Blaine at the same time.
Lady Santana suggested she take Lord Sebbington's place in the Great Joust. Growing up in Lima Heights taught her to fight with the best and she was determined to win the grand prize…a wish of the winner's greatest desire.
If she won, she would force Evil Drama Queen Rachel to give Lady Brittany back her magic and then she could set the two of them, as well as Sam and Prince Blaine, free.
If she didn't win, it would be up to the Warblers to find the magic and (in her words) "Get them the hell out of there.
Later that day, Lord Sebbington and the most Senior of the Warblers went to Westerville to present their plan to King Cooper. Upset about Lord Sebbington nearly blinding Prince Blaine he almost didn't agree, but in the end, did…with a condition. "Fine. I agree to this plan but Lord Sebbington, if you do not succeed, all conditions of your appointment as Captain of the Warblers will be terminated and you will be banished from the Kingdom of Westerville forever."
With the shock of the announcement still in the air, the King handed Lord Sebbington a piece of magic cloth. "Perhaps this will be of some assistance. Hopefully my words will help my brother remember the love I have in my heart for him."
Blaine stopped and looked at the clock. He had only been reading for an hour. Sebastian must still be unavailable or he would have called after seeing his text. He got up to stretch and get a glass of water. Walking through his mostly packed apartment was a bit surreal. He had worked so long to get to NYC, leaving it was harder than he anticipated. But reading the story, and how much King Cooper cared for Prince Blaine, was actually helping. As much as his big brother annoyed him, he loved the idea of being able to see him and his family on a regular basis.
Back in bed, he debated about continuing to read the book or wait for Sebastian to just tell him the message behind Lord Sebbington.
Of course, continuing to read won. I was never really a contest.
The next day came and as planned, Westerville's arrival was an absolute spectacle. Hundreds of minstrels played while dancing maidens threw rose petals before King Cooper's carriage. Behind the carriage rode the King's Guard, followed by the Warblers and Lord Sebbington dressed in his golden armor with the face shield down.
Everyone at Castle McKinley rushed to the see what was happening including Evil Drama Queen Rachel, Hummel, Hudson and Puckerman.
"King Cooper" Evil Drama Queen Rachel confusedly addressed him as he exited the carriage "we were not expecting you."
"You were not? I am certain I told my Ministers to accept your invitation. Is there a problem?"
The Queen knew he was not being truthful but there was nothing she could do with all the royalty from throughout the realm watching. "Of course not. Why don't you allow my men to take your Knight…"
"No. The last time one of your men "took" someone from my Kingdom…well, now is not the time or place." King Cooper pointed to two New Directions girls standing off to the side. He assumed they were Lady Santana and Lady Brittany. The Warblers had described Lady Santana but Evil Drama Queen Rachel was forcing all New Directions girls to wear ugly dresses and masks over their faces to hide their beauty. "Those two can take my Knight and his Squires to where they can prepare."
Once the entourage from Westerville was on its way, Evil Drama Queen Rachel turned to her men. "Did any of you see the two Warblers from the other day?"
"No, My Queen" Henchman Hudson told her. "They must have been punished severely. It is what you would have done, My Queen."
"It is also, most likely, the reason behind King Cooper's sudden acceptance" Lt. Puckerman added. "He's after Blaine, My Queen."
"Of course, he is" she spat out before addressing Hummel "Where is Blaine?"
"Locked in the northern most tower. I had the Wizard Schuester use dark magic to seal the door. Nothing can open it…well, nothing except the touch of Blaine's true love but since that is me, there are no worries."
The four of them turned and headed for the jousting site, discussing ways to assure the Westerville Knight did not win so he could not win the wish. They all were certain it would be the return of Blaine to Dalton.
Their conversation was so focused, none of them were aware of someone trying to listen in.
Over in Westerville's staging area there was a flurry of activity happening. Lord Sebbington was out of his armor and Warbler David was adjusting it to fit Lady Santana. She was shorter in stature but was adept at wearing shoes with spiked footing which helped. Still, there was much work to do.
Warbler Jeff and Warbler Nick changed into the ugly dresses and masks Lady Santana and Lady Brittany had been forced to wear. They, along with a Lady Quinn, were to make up the trinity who assisted Castle McKinley's Knight, I'm-No-Lady Sylvester. Lady Quinn was supposed to meet them outside Castle McKinley's staging area so they were all surprised when she came rushing in.
"Lady Quinn, what is the matter?" Lady Brittany asked.
When she took off her mask to catch her breath, it was undeniable for any of them to notice how strikingly beautiful Lady Quinn was…especially, Wesley the Wise.
Blaine stopped and smiled. He remembered when Wes was a Senior at Yale and kept calling him about this Sophomore in a class he was the TA for. Of course, he couldn't do anything about it at the time because, ya' know, ethics, but he hoped to ask her out once the class finished.
At the same time, unbeknownst to him, Quinn was telling Santana and Brittany about the super-hot TA in her Psych 1102 class. She planned on asking him out, but didn't want to get him in trouble, so was going to wait.
Imagine everyone's surprise when they showed up at the New Year's Eve party at the loft in NYC…together. (Yeah, he was still with Kurt at the time). Wes and Quinn figured out who each other were in the beginning but thought it would be fun not to tell anyone, especially him.
Four years later he got ordained so he could officiate their wedding.
"I know where they have hidden Blaine" Lady Quinn told them. "My apologies…Prince Blaine."
"Where?" Lord Sebbington asked while adjusting his disguise. He was dressed as a commoner from Castle McKinley in hopes of blending in…if the stench didn't make him ill first.
"In the northern most tower. Hummel had Schuester use dark magic to seal the door. There is some sort of special spell to open it but I could not hear what it was."
"Everyone gather" Lord Sebbington called out. "Let us go over the plan one last time. Warbler Jeff, Warbler Nick, you go with Lady Quinn and do whatever you can to sabotage I'm-No-Lady Sylvester. Wesley the Wise, you and Lady Brittany are in search of her magic."
"We think it is being guarded by Hudson's newest henchman, Rory" Lady Santana told him. "He's a leprechaun and has his own magic, so Lady Brittany's will not tempt him. Also, Sam is with him. When they hid Prince Blaine after you attempted to rescue him, the Evil Drama Bitch and her lackies put Rory in the room with Sam. He may be using his magic to keep him in line."
Lord Sebbington looked to Wesley the Wise who assured him he could handle his part despite not being an actual Warbler any longer. "With that settled, Warbler Trent, Warbler Beat, you are with Warbler David and Lady Santana." He walked over and presented his sword to Lady Santana. It stood almost as tall as she did. "You may need this if the Grand Joust goes awry. It has been known to easily plow through men but if you strap it on, I am sure it could just as easily take down any harm you face."
Lady Santana pulled a small dagger from all up in her flowing hair "My dagger has been known to be just as fierce as my tongue."
"It can vibrate" Lady Brittany giggled.
Really, Sebastian? You had to go there? Blaine just sighed and shook his head.
Who was he kidding? Of course, his husband went there.
"Here" Lord Sebbington handed ear protection to all the people present from Castle McKinley. He also gave an extra one to Wesley the Wise for Sam and put one in his pocket for Prince Blaine. "In case Hummel goes into dragon form, these will protect you from his high pitch screech."
"We hear Hummel's caterwaul daily" Lady Santana protested but put on the coverings anyway. "Yes, it is mind-numbingly horrific, and yes, Hummel has some sort of secret but he is not a dragon."
"Trust us" was all Wesley the Wise had time to say before trumpets blasted signaling the beginning of the Grand Joust and everyone scattered.
Blaine jumped when he heard the ping of his phone. He was surprised to see it was Sebastian, thinking he'd be back at the hotel by now. Evidently, JLo was being a diva and throwing a fit about one of the contestants choosing him to be his mentor. Jess was trying to calm her down. Sebastian didn't give a shit what she thought. Blaine figured as much but was glad Jess was helping so perhaps, they could all get to the hotel quicker.
Jesse St. James becoming Sebastian's best friend was definitely in the Top 3 most surreal events that had happened in the past 6 years…and he had ¾ of an EGOT!
The two of them had been living together three months when Blaine went to Hollywood to shoot Dear Evan Hanson. He had taken over the role on Broadway after Ben left (and won the Tony too. First time it was ever done on the same role back-to-back). When they finally got around to shooting the movie, the directors thought Ben had aged out so Blaine got the role (and the Oscar! Plus, Grammy for cast recording).
While he was gone, Sebastian signed on to choreograph his first show. It was a new musical…Hamilton. The producer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, just fired the original choreographer when the actress playing Hamilton's wife suggested Sebastian. They had gone to Julliard together and if Lin was trusting a recent graduate in the female lead, he might want to give an up-and-coming choreographer "his shot".
Sebastian told the story in his Tony Acceptance Speech.
When he got back to NYC from filming and visited Sebastian at the theater, Blaine was more than a little surprised to find out his boyfriend's new BFF Jess/King George III was none other than his ex's BFF's ex. He had hoped that little piece of information would somehow never get back to Kurt and/or Rachel.
Needless to say, that didn't happen.
He still suspects Santana, although, she would have filmed the reaction for him.
After going and checking on Alexandra, Blaine went back to the book. There weren't too many pages left and he couldn't help but notice he, or rather Prince Blaine, had yet to be "rescued". Maybe when he was he would finally figure out what Sebastian was trying to tell him.
TBC
Notes:
Yes, I believe Ben Platt is too old for the Dear Evan Hanson movie but so is Darren. In this "Blaine" would have been 23 and if you've seen some of those college pictures of Darren (not even counting the HP stuff) he looks YOUNG.
Phillipa Soo is the actress I referred to as going to Julliard with Sebastian. She really did get the part not long after graduating.