Disclaimer: Don't own FFXV or any version of Sleeping Beauty.
I blame lack of sleep. Sorry, no singing, there may be some humming but that's it. You can imagine them signing if you wish.
Edited
Ch1
Regis smiled and held Aulea's hand as two figures entered the packed hall. Physically they were quite different to each other, except for the almost translucent wings that spread from their backs.
"Oh, isn't he adorable!" the blond smiled down at the baby in the cradle, reaching in to stroke a soft cheek. He then straightened and bowed slightly. "Your Majesties. We will each bless the baby with a single gift. No more, no less," he explained, and Regis nodded in understanding, slightly unnerved by otherworldly green eyes.
The fairy looked down at the baby Prince again and smiled at him, wings flaring out from his back, the light from the windows seeming to increase around him as he traced his wand over the baby. "My gift to the little Prince is intelligence, a good King must have the knowledge of how to rule well." He ran his fingers through wispy black hair before backing away and allowing his larger companion to step forward.
"My gift to the little Prince well be –"
He was cut off by a massive gust of wind which blew the doors open even as lightning and thunder roared, everyone watching on in horrified amazement. A new fairy appeared in a ball of fire and shadow, followed by his pet gargoyle.
"Ardyn," Ignis hissed in alarm, wings fluttering, even as Gladio shifted protectively in front of the younger fairy.
"What does he want?" Gladio glared, amber eyes glowing.
"Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Regis," Ardyn smirked, tipping his hat slightly to the King. "Everyone who's anyone and oh… how quaint, even the rabble," he sneered at Gladio and Ignis, Ignis holding his companion back. "All this glittery assemblage and yet somehow my invitation was mislaid. I really did feel quite distressed at not receiving an invitation," his smirk said otherwise.
"You weren't wanted!" Gladio spat, wings fluttering in agitation as he glared at the older fairy.
"Not wa…? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight, perhaps a bad mail service over such a distance. Well, in that event I'd best be on my way."
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"And you're not offended, your excellency?" Queen Aulea asked hopefully but also wary, his reputation would say otherwise. Would he really not seek retribution?
"Why no, your Majesty," he smiled and it chilled her to the core. "And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child," his words had Gladio and Ignis shielding the cradle from him. "Listen well, all of you! The little prince shall indeed grow in intelligence, beloved by all. But, before the sun sets on his sixteenth birthday, he shall prick his finger on a lance head..." he swirled his hand around in the air, depicting visions of monsters and a shining lance. "And die!" The last image showed a teenaged Noctis on his death bed, skin pale, body limp.
"No!" Aulea rushed from her throne to gather her son in her arms, cradling him close.
Ardyn laughed cruelly, obviously happy with her despair.
"Seize that creature!" Regis commanded, and Cor rushed forward with his men.
"And I bid you good day!" he mocked. The guards watched in shock and fear as Ardyn disappeared in a flash of lightning, laughing, as his gargoyle leapt out the window.
Regis joined Aulea, holding her as she held Noctis who had slept through it all.
"Don't despair, your Majesties, all is not lost," Ignis consoled, coming close again, green eyes dark with worry. "Gladio still has his gift to give."
"Then, he can undo this fearful curse?" Regis pleaded. After so long praying for a child, they could not lose their son.
"No, sire. Ardyn's powers are far too great for a single fairy to undo," Gladio shook his head. He loathed Ardyn and the magic he wielded; it was powerful but evil. If Ignis hadn't already gifted the child then together they may be able to break it, but even then there was no guarantee.
"But he can help," Ignis promised, motioning for the Queen to place the baby back in the crib and she reluctantly did so.
Gladio looked down at the baby, feeling so sad for him. He could not break the curse, only soften the coming blow. He took a deep breath, wings spreading as he called on every bit of magic he had, he would be exhausted as this was far more complicated than Ignis' gift. He began moving his wand carefully over the child. "Little prince, if through this curse, a lance head should your finger prick, a ray of hope there will be in this, the gift I give to you. Not in death, but just in sleep, the fateful prophecy you'll keep. And you will sleep one hundred years so by my gift your evil clears. You will awaken from sleepy bliss when true love finds and wakes you with a kiss." Ugh, he hated the formal language but he needed every bit of power he could manage and it always worked best with that kind of language.
Ignis quickly helped him slip away from the mortals sight, there was no more they could do now. They didn't go far though, simply going to one of the many rooms within the Citadel to rest for a while.
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Regis watched his wife cradle their beloved son in her arms and then looked to Cor and Clarus who quickly approached, the three speaking quietly. Within the hour the Royal proclamation was sent out – all lances were to be burned and anyone caught with one would be put to death. It did cause some rather big changes to the army but everyone was willing to train in a different weapon rather than risk theirs being the cause of their long-awaited Princes' death.
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Hearing the commotion, Ignis moved to the window and looked out.
"What are they doing?" Gladio asked tiredly, and Ignis shook his head before leaving the window to sit with him, taking his hand in his.
"Burning every lance in the kingdom by the look of things."
Gladio snorted. "A bonfire won't stop Ardyn."
"No, but what else can they do?"
"I'd like to turn him into something small and squishy," Gladio admitted, it would serve him right! "Ugly too, not that that would be a big change."
"You know our magic doesn't work that way," Ignis chided. "How do you feel?"
"Just tired," Gladio smiled, and Ignis kissed him.
"You did wonderfully."
"Did I? One hundred years Iggy, that's one hell of a nap."
"Yes, well…still better than death."
"Isn't there anything else we can do?"
"I wish there was…there is!" Ignis grinned, and Gladio sat up.
"What?"
"Shh," Ignis glanced around, "Even walls have ears," he warned. With a wave of his wand they had both shrunk and then they ducked into a closet which Ignis locked, grinning in excitement even as they fought through the clothing to land on a shelf.. "We have to do something Ardyn will never expect."
"Like what? He knows everything," Gladio rolled his eyes. He didn't know how he did it but there was a reason they were the last. No matter how well hidden, the others had all been found.
"Oh, but he doesn't, dear one," Ignis smiled softly at him. "Ardyn doesn't know anything about love or the joy of helping others," he shook his head and then grinned. "And that is how we'll save the prince. It's the only thing he can't understand and won't expect. We have to plan it carefully though, there'll be no second chances should we make a mistake. Let's see, woodcutter's cottage, yes, the abandoned one. Of course the King and Queen will object, but when we explain it's the only way…"
"Explain what?" Gladio was used to listening Ignis get excited over ideas.
"About the peasant men raising a foundling child deep in the forest," Ignis smirked.
"Okay…that's very nice of them," Gladio offered warily, eyeing his love. "Who are they?"
"Turn around," Ignis laughed, and Gladio hesitated but turned to see his reflection in some noble lady's hand mirror, eyes going wide as his wings vanished and his clothing changed.
"You mean, we, us?" he demanded. "Take care of the baby?" what did they know about babies, especially human ones!
"Why not?"
"What do we know about raising a baby? Especially a mortal one! We could kill him in a million ways without meaning too."
"If humans can do it, so can we," Ignis told him.
"And we have our magic to help us," Gladio sighed, was he really agreeing to such insanity?
"Oh no, no magic!" Ignis shook his head even as his own wings vanished.
"You mean, live like mortals? For sixteen years?" Gladio demanded in disbelief. The time wasn't anything to them, but for a mortal child those would be very vital years. "We don't know how. We've never done anything without magic." It was literally a part of them! They had been born of magic; they were fairies!
"And that's why Ardyn will never suspect," Ignis was very pleased with his plan, grabbing Gladio's wand before he could think of trying anything.
"But who'll wash, and cook?"
"We will, and I believe human children are generally taught to help with such things as they grow up. Come along now. We must tell their majesties at once." He opened the closet and left, immediately growing to human size.
"Iggy!" Gladio yelled after him and he turned back, wincing slightly.
"Sorry love," Ignis offered and then Gladio was back to the right size.
Three hours later, they slipped from the city, a tiny baby secured in a sling to Ignis' chest, both carrying packs of supplies for the baby and cottage.
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"Iggy look!"
Ignis turned and smiled at the rambunctious five-year-old as he ran up to him, hands cupped. "What have you got there Nox?" he knelt down and saw the frog in his hands.
"It's hurt," the boy stared at him with wide blue eyes.
"Then we should help it get better." He looked up as the door to their cottage opened, admitting Gladio….looking far too serious. "Gladdie and I will tend to your friend, why don't you go play in your room?"
Nox looked between them before carefully handing over the frog, darting in to hug Gladio's leg and then scurried off to his room.
"What is it?" Ignis asked.
"The Queen is dead," he answered softly as Ignis tended the small amphibian.
Ignis froze, eyes wide. "How?" he demanded. Had Ardyn…the other was looking for them, they both knew it, it was why they had to be so careful. If he found them they would lose Nox and who knew how he would torment the child while waiting for his sixteenth.
"Childbirth, the babe died with her."
Ignis sat down, heart heavy. Nox…Noctis had lost his Mother and sibling without ever knowing them. "Did we do the right thing?" he whispered, and Gladio gripped his shoulder.
"You know Ardyn, Iggy. He never would have sat back and waited for him to turn sixteen. He would have tormented and tortured him for his whole life. And as painful as it is, maybe it's better this way. If we can't beat this then he will sleep for a hundred years; everyone he could have known growing up there would be long dead when the curse was broken. This way, he will know only us and we will be there when he wakes.
"You're right. If this works…we just have to wait until after his sixteenth birthday and then we can take him to his Father, Ardyn won't be able to touch him then."
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Far from Lucis, in the mountains of Niflheim an eternal storm raged over the mountains. "It's incredible, sixteen years and not a single trace of him! He couldn't have vanished into thin air! Those idiot do-gooders aren't that powerful," and yet there'd been no sign of them either. "Are you sure you searched everywhere?" Ardyn demanded of his daemons who cringed back from the enraged black fairy. If his curse was not enacted on the pathetic Prince's sixteenth birthday then the brat would be safe from him for life, that could not be allowed to happen.
"Yeah, we all did." Not many of them were capable of speech and what they could manage was limited.
"Every town, forest, and mountain range? Niflheim, Lucis, Accordo?" he pressed to be sure.
"Uh huh, in all the cradles," the daemon nodded urgently.
"Cradles?" Ardyn froze, were they really that simple minded? He needed better minions.
"Every cradle."
"Cradles?" He glanced at his pet gargoyle, once long ago it had been another fairy, to be precise, his younger brother, Somnus. "Did you hear that my pet? All these years, they've been looking for a baby!" Ardyn laughed and the others soon joined in. The gargoyle crooned and pressed into his petting hand, its mind long gone, centuries ago. He abruptly stopped laughing and snarled in rage. "IMBECILES! MINDLESS BEASTS" he bellowed.
They fled from his rage as blasts of magic followed them until only Ardyn and his pet remained in the room. Ardyn sighed and sat down, stroking its head, tired and miserable. "Oh, they're hopeless. An utter disgrace, too simple to get anything really right except mindless destruction. My pet, you are my last hope. Search all the lands and even the tiniest island, search for a boy of sixteen with hair as black as night and eyes of sapphire blue. Go, and do not fail me," he commanded, and the gargoyle obediently left him.
There were times he wished that enough of Somnus was left within the creature to speak with him, his brother had been a trusting idiot, but even he had been smarter than those morons.
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He stared out his window, seeing the mountain in the distance. Good, at least Ardyn was upset too. Then again, he tended to take his anger out on their people and there was nothing he could do to stop the evil fairy, not when his Father was in league with it.
What would it be like to live in a kingdom with good fairies or none at all? Then again, even with some present, the Lucian Prince had still been cursed to die by Ardyn, he hadn't been seen since. Then the Queen and her new baby had died five years later. So maybe no fairy was really of any use.
He left the window to finish packing and then snuck from the Fortress. He could not stay anymore and watch his people suffer. There had to be someone out there who could help.
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Nox listened to his guardians moving about the cottage, it as his sixteenth birthday and he knew they were planning something special. He didn't know why; it was just another birthday. Maybe…maybe this year he would be allowed to leave the area around the cottage and actually see other people? Did other people exist or were they the only ones on the whole planet? That was silly, Iggy made sure he studied geography and history, there were whole kingdoms of people out there. He just didn't understand why they kept him hidden away, was there something wrong with him?
He sighed and got up, dressing for the day, before heading downstairs, smiling softly as he saw the two of them with their heads in a book. "What are you two up to?" he asked with a grin.
"Up to? Us?" Iggy laughed and hugged him. "Happy Birthday Nox."
Gladio grabbed him and hugged him until he was almost turning blue. "Happy birthday little Nox."
"Gladdie…can't breathe!" he coughed as he was released.
He found his fishing gear being pushed into his hands by Iggy. "Now then, it's your birthday so go have fun and bring something back for dinner, just don't wander too far."
"And don't talk to strangers!" Gladdie called.
Nox blinked, finding himself outside. He shook his head with a laugh but began walking for the river. He never complained about fishing! It was just so relaxing.
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"Think he suspects anything?" Gladio asked, and then they were both laughing. It was laugh or cry.
For sixteen years they had raised Nox as if he was their own. They couldn't love him more if he was.
Ignis went to the chest and withdrew the cloth he had been working on when Nox was out of the house or asleep. When he was done it would be a suit fit for Royalty, in Lucian black of course. He checked the mark on the wall where they had recorded his growth over the years. "Oh, how he's grown," he sighed wistfully. He still remembered when Nox was small enough to hold in his hands.
"It does seem like only yesterday that we brought him here," Gladio admitted sadly as he washed the dishes. Being immortal messed with how they experienced time compared to humans, years could seem to pass in an instant.
"He was such a tiny little thing," Ignis smiled sadly, actually sniffling slightly.
"Oh Iggy," Gladio took the sewing from him and kissed him.
"After today, he'll be a prince, not our Nox," the blond whispered, leaning into him. "Do you think…he'll hate us for taking him, for never telling him the truth?"
"We both knew this day had to come," he whispered, tugging him to his feet and out the back to their room, curling together on their bed. It really was their bed, their home, and he would miss it. "Maybe he'll be mad at first but I don't think he has it in him to truly hate anyone. And he's had a good life so far, he could live another sixty years, maybe more, and he will have most of his family back for those years."
"I know…it's selfish to want him here with us forever."
"We've had him for sixteen incredible years," Gladio offered. "We can still watch over him, this isn't goodbye forever, no matter what happens." Despite all their precautions, he still feared Ardyn would outwit them once again. They weren't overly old for fairies, especially compared to him.
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Nox settled down in his favourite spot to fish, humming away as he did. It was a wonderful day and he was sure to catch plenty of fish, even though he knew it had been a ploy to get him out of the house. He glanced over at a sound and smiled as the small herd of Chocobos emerged, calling happily to him as they flocked about him, his only friends.
"I wish…I just wish they'd treat me like an adult, I'm sixteen now, not a child," he whispered, setting his pole aside, burying his hands in soft feathers. "I just want to meet someone, anyone, to have a friend," he smiled wistfully before leaning in to share a secret with the birds who leant in as well. "I have met someone!" that got them excited. "You want to know?" he scratched an offered neck. "Oh, a Prince. He's handsome and kind and smart," he smiled dreamily. "We've walked together, and talked together, even fished! Just before we say goodbye, he takes me in his arms, and then… I wake up," he sighed but then laughed when they made disappointed sounds. He knew they were just animals and reacted more to his body language and tone than words, but they were the only friends he had.
"Yeah, it's only in my dreams. But maybe dreaming the same thing more than once means it will come true. And I've seen him so many times!" he leant back against the tree, staring out over the water, humming softly. There was nothing wrong with dreaming, even if he'd never actually meet someone like that.
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He dismounted his Chocobo, looking around in confusion. Had he heard something? He stroked a feathered neck, listening…there! Someone, humming? Well at least he could ask them for directions to Insomnia. He had decided he would ask King Regis for his help; he had more reason than most for wanting to thwart Ardyn. He was just…a little bit lost. He followed the noise and paused in the brush, seeing a clearing with a pond and a whole flock of wild Chocobos. Set in the bank was a fishing pole and he looked around.
A bird shifted and he saw him, a young man, about his age? Dressed in simple, sensible, tunic and trousers, worn boots on his feet. He leant back against a tree, petting the birds. Peasant or not…he was stunning. Wild black hair hung about a pale face with fine features. Perhaps not a peasant then, he looked noble, royal.
He took a step into the clearing and the birds reacted.
"What?" the young man was quickly on his feet, dark blue eyes wide.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he offered quietly, hands out to show he was unarmed. He was glad he was dressed in travelling clothing and not anything fancier, he didn't want to make the other more uncomfortable. "I'm a bit lost."
"I…I'm not meant to talk to strangers," he backed away, eyes wary.
"I'm Prom," he offered, not wanting to give his whole name, it was nice having someone not bow and scrape. "See, now I'm not a stranger," he grinned.
"Is that how it works?" the other asked in confusion, and Prompto fought to keep his expression clear. Did he really not know?
"What's your name?" he took a step closer, relieved when he didn't bolt, though he was obviously skittish.
"I…I can't…" he shook his head and Prompto gently caught him by the wrist.
"It's alright, I won't hurt you," he promised softly. They were almost the same height, though he was maybe a little taller.
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Nox was confused as he stared into bright blue eyes. His heart was racing and he knew he should leave, go home, where it was safe but…he'd wanted to meet people, hadn't he? Prom smiled at him and he couldn't help smiling back, feeling the grip on his wrist slide down until Prom was holding his hand which he then raised, kissing the back of it. Nox swallowed, he'd seen Gladdie do the same to Iggy sometimes when they were playing around. He felt his cheeks warm under his gaze, he felt strange.
"Who are you, what's your name?" Prom whispered, his fingers caressing Nox's warm cheek and he shivered.
"Hmm? Oh, my name. It's, it's…" he suddenly remembered everything they had ever warned him not to do and went to pull his hand free of Prom's gentle grip but he didn't pull hard enough. "Oh, I can't, I…" he stared at him, but Prom didn't seem mad, just…sad.
"Why not?"
"It's not allowed," he answered, heart racing.
"Can I see you again?" Prom asked gently.
"Never," he whispered, finally pulling free, backing away towards his fishing gear.
"Never?" Prom asked, following him slowly.
Nox grabbed his things and then vaulted the stream, turning to glance back, seeing the sadness on his face and he hesitated. "Well…" he didn't want to make him sad but Iggy and Gladdie would never allow it.
"What if I came here tomorrow?"
"This evening," he found himself answering even as he mentally slapped himself, what was he doing?
"Here?" Prom smiled at him.
"At the cottage, in the glen." With that he turned and ran. Maybe he wouldn't come? If he did, surely they'd see Prom wasn't dangerous?
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They looked around the cottage and sighed. "I think this is a bit beyond us Iggy."
"I…I suppose you're right," he admitted sadly. He could cook and cook well, baking however… for some reason he'd never mastered it.
"Okay, we can salvage this," Gladio told him. "I'm going to get our wands."
"What? No!" Ignis called after him but then he reappeared with them and Ignis couldn't help taking his, it felt so good to have it back where it belonged.
"Right! Let's get to work."
"Careful!" Ignis pushed his hand down. "We can't take any chances!" he fretted; they had not done all of this to be found now. They quickly went around the cottage, ensuring everything was blocked off to ensure no trace of magic would be detected beyond the cottage.
"I'll handle the cake; you finish his clothing."
"He'll look so handsome in this," Ignis smiled. He would ensure their boy was the most handsome Prince ever. He would be a wonderful King when the time came, they had ensured he had an excellent education after all. He went to work, weaving the magic into the cloth, glancing over to see Gladio handling the birthday cake and meal, ingredients dancing around and he laughed, it felt so good to be who they really were again.
He nearly yelped when a spell hit him, pinching him playfully. "Gladio!"
"Yes dear?" Gladio smirked, and Ignis glared before retaliating, the two of them soon laughing as they played around…not noticing that they hadn't blocked the chimney fully.
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He landed and looked down at the cottage, seeing the very dim flashes of light from the closed-up building. He crooned happily and crept closer, Master would be pleased. That was all that mattered to him, pleasing Master. Buried deep, deep, inside of him, the tiny kernel left of the fairy named Somnus begged to ignore what he was seeing but he was unaware of it.
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Ignis froze, hearing approaching boots on the stone path. "It's Nox!" he hissed, and they rushed around, quickly setting everything to rights before ducking out of sight, waiting excitedly for their ward.
"Iggy! Gladdie!" He called, opening the door, not seeing the gargoyle that crept along the wall to pear inside. "Where are you?" he stopped as he saw the cake and fancy black clothing, staring in shock. "Oh!"
"Surprise!" The appeared from hiding, hugging him and Nox laughed. "Happy birthday!"
"This is…it's too much!" he grinned at them, dipping his finger in the icing before Ignis knocked his hand aside.
"Not before dinner," he chided, taking the fish Nox had caught to cook. "You had a good day fishing then?"
"Like always," Nox smiled, suddenly nervous. He should tell them…but there was no guarantee Prom would show up. But if he did and they had no warning…
"Nox? Did something happen?" Gladdie asked.
"I uh…I met someone," he admitted nervously.
"You've met some stranger?" Iggy asked in alarm
"He's not a stranger, his name is Prom," he explained. Knowing his name meant he wasn't a stranger.
"Where?"
"The pond," he smiled nervously, reaching out to touch the cloak, it was so soft!
"He's in love," Gladio glanced at his partner.
"Oh no."
"Why? I'm sixteen now, that's old enough," he defended and then blinked. "Love? I…I just want a friend," he whispered.
"It isn't that, Nox," Ignis hedged nervously. This wasn't how they'd planned to tell him. And Nox may say he only wanted a friend but Iggy knew that soft look, there was definite attraction there.
"You can't marry just anyone; it's expected for you to marry a Princess or Prince."
"But that's impossible! How could I marry a Royal, I'd have to be…"
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"A prince," Gladio finished for him, seeing the sheer confusion in his expression.
"And you are, Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum. We're taking you back to your father, King Regis, tonight," Ignis explained gently, no one noticing the gargoyle take off in glee.
"But, but I can't! He said he'll come tonight, I sort of promised to meet him," Noctis shook his head in denial.
"I'm sorry, little one, but you must never see that young man again," Ignis answered, and Noctis backed away.
"No, no! I don't believe you!" Noctis bolted, thankfully upstairs to where his room was and not out into the woods, and they both flinched as they heard the door slam.
"Well, that could have gone worse," Gladio sighed. He hated hurting him but he'd never be allowed to be friends with a peasant, let alone more than that.
"There's nothing we can do; he'll never see this Prom again," Ignis sighed sadly. "Come on, we have a lot to get ready, give him space for now."
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Ardyn turned as his pet came through the window, crawling to kneel at his feet and he reached out to lift its head, staring into red eyes, seeing what he had seen. He laughed, petting him. "Good work my pet. So, they've been playing mortal all these years to protect the little Prince. I think I should prepare a warm welcome home for dear Noctis; don't you?" he asked, and his pet crooned.
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Regis stared out over the city, eyes searching for any sign of his sons' return. It was silly, they would not bring him back until it was safe, which meant after the sun set. He closed his eyes, heart heavy. Oh Aulea…if only she were still with him. She had grieved for Noctis so much but then they had found out she was pregnant again. They had hoped for a girl, a little Princess, but all their hopes and dreams had been destroyed again, this time taking his wife with them.
"Come on Regis, staring out the window won't make the sun set any faster," Cor urged, and Regis sighed but turned away. What would he have done without Cor and Clarus at his side?
"It'll be fine, they'll keep him safe," Clarus added. "They've managed it for this long, only a few hours left."
The thought of his son cursed to sleep for a hundred years terrified him. To see his son but to never know him, to die long before he ever woke…
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He walked with his head bowed, hidden in a long black cloak, hood over his head to conceal his identity. He walked behind Gladdie…Gladio, Ignis behind them. Keeping him from running? He didn't want to do this, he wanted to go home, to meet Prom again. He didn't want to be a Prince! It explained a lot about Iggy's lessons over the years, he'd been preparing him for this.
Everything he knew was a lie and he didn't know how to deal with that. His name wasn't even real! He wasn't Nox, he was Noctis. He glanced up, seeing the walls of Insomnia ahead, able to hear the people celebrating even from where they were. Celebrating his return? Why? They didn't know him.
He stared at the massive building in the centre of the city, confusion flickering briefly in his eyes. There was something…calling him…home?
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Gladio checked that the coast was clear and motioned them to continue. They snuck along the castle grounds unnoticed and opened a door that led to a staircase. They made it inside and walked up the stairs, until they came to one of the castle's hallways.
"Come on." He led them through the building until he opened a door and ushered the silent Prince inside, closing the door behind him and Ignis, bolting it as well. "Ignis, the drapes."
Ignis moved to the windows, pulling the drapes while Gladio lit the candles, making sure the fire was crackling away merrily. "Here, sit," Ignis guided Noctis down onto a chair, obviously worried by his continued silence but unsure how to comfort him. "We have one last gift for you little one, as a symbol of your royalty." He lifted his wand beside Gladio's, the gold taking form and then he gently set the coronet on Noctis' head.
The boy finally broke his silence, sobbing brokenly into his arms as his life spiralled out of control.
Ignis reached for him but Gladio pulled him back. "Give him a minute," he ushered the other fairy from the room. "It's that boy he met," he sighed, locking the door again.
"What are we going to do?" Ignis hated seeing him in so much pain, especially knowing they were part of the cause.
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It was childish, but he couldn't help sobbing. The day had been so wonderful and now…he didn't want to be a Prince! He wanted to go back to being Nox, to fishing and exploring the forest, to having Iggy and Gladdie teasing him and each other. He could feel the weight of the coronet on his head and he wanted to rip it off and throw it away.
He didn't see the fire flare before going out, the smoke spiralling up, becoming red. For a second a man with red-violet hair and golden eyes stood there, staring at the sobbing form, before he faded away, leaving only the red orb which began to pulse.
'Noctis…come to me….Noctis….'
Noctis' sobs slowly quieted, a gentle voice calling to him, whispering in his mind, and for a moment he panicked, mouth opening to call for his guardians. He slowly sat up, arm dropping to his side as he turned to face the fireplace, his fear fading away as his thoughts became muddled. Someone was calling him? There was….he stared unblinkingly at the orb, eyes glazed and face blank. He was unaware of anything except the feeling of safety and the voice calling to him, all thought of calling for help wiped from his mind. He stood up, hand lifted halfway, stretched towards the orb and then he took a slow step forward, then another. His cloak whispered across the stones as he moved but the room was otherwise silent. He couldn't have looked away if he wanted to, obediently walking closer as the orb flashed, the wall of the fireplace vanishing. The orb began to float away and he followed it, steps slow and measured.
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"Maybe we should tell King Regis about the boy? It's not like Nox…Noctis is betrothed, right?" Gladio offered.
"Well, why don't we?" Ignis nodded, yes, they would tell the King and hope he would wish his son to be happy more than anything else. He frowned, tilting his head to the side, listening. There was something…. "Listen! Ardyn!"
"Nox!" Gladio shoved at the door but then grabbed the key to unlock it, rushing inside.
"We shouldn't have left him alone! What were we thinking?" Ignis snapped, they should have known better than to leave him unattended for a second until after sunset.
They made it just in time to see Noctis walking woodenly through the fireplace, but the wall reappeared immediately after.
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Noctis slowly walked up a staircase, following the light, unaware of his guardians calling his name in terror. All he could see was the soft red light beckoning him forward.
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Gladio shoved at the wall until Ignis drew his wand and vanished it. "Nox! Where are you? Nox!"
There were multiple paths before them and they split up, flying to move faster. They checked and then headed up the stairs, terrified. The sun hadn't fully set yet!
"Nox! Come back!" Ignis called as they flew up the stairs.
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Noctis followed the light into a room in the tower, where it pulsed before stretching from an orb into a lance which hung in the air before him. He lifted his outstretched hand higher, reaching for it.
"Nox! Don't touch anything!" Gladio's voice echoed up the stairs.
He hesitated, a flicker of awareness in his eyes.
"Touch the lance. I command you to touch it!" the voice was cold and stern, and the awareness slipped away.
Noctis took another step closer to the glowing lance, fingers touching the head, a drop of crimson blood falling to the stone floor. He gasped and staggered, hand going to his head. "Wha…" He blinked dazedly, stumbling, the room spinning around him. He saw a shadowy figure smirking at him. He felt so strange…Prom….he wanted…..his collapsed to his knees on the stone floor, seeing the blurry figure approaching as darkness took him, body slumping forward lay face down on the hard, cold, floor, cloak spread over and around him.
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Gladio rushed into the room, Ignis on his heels and they froze in shock and fear as they saw the one waiting for them with a satisfied smirk…Ardyn.
He laughed at them. "You poor, simple fools. Did you really think you could defeat me? You mere children? Well, here's your precious prince!" he turned aside, revealing Noctis utterly still on the floor, coronet beside him. Ardyn laughed again and then vanished.
They rushed to Noctis' side, Gladio carefully lifting him, turning him over, his limbs flopping lifelessly. "No Nox," he whispered, cradling the boy they had raised to his chest. His eyes were closed, body inert, but he was still breathing, if barely. His gift had worked, the curse had not killed him.
"I'll never forgive myself," Ignis choked out, taking a limp hand in his, feeling how cool it was, almost as if dead. It made sense, it was an enchanted sleep which would last a hundred years, his body would be preserved for that time.
Gladio slowly stood with Noctis in his arms and Ignis picked up the coronet, quickly making their way back to the bedroom. Ignis removed Noctis' cloak and then Gladio lay him down gently on the bed, being careful to settle his limbs comfortably. He folded cooling hands over his stomach as Ignis re-settled the coronet before drawing a blanket over him. His skin was paling as the magic shut his body down in order to keep him alive for so long.
"I'm so sorry Nox," Gladio whispered, brushing a strand of black hair back from his face. They nearly jumped as cheers rang out from the city, glancing out to see the sun had finally set….just too late to spare their ward.
"The sun has set! Make ready to welcome your prince!"
"Poor King Regis," Gladio winced, how were they meant to tell him they had failed? "To loose Noctis now, after losing Aulea and the baby, he'll be heartbroken."
"He's not going to," Ignis suddenly stated firmly, and Gladio looked over at him.
"Iggy?"
"We'll put them all to sleep, until Nox awakens."
"What about the boy, Prom. If he's his true love…"
"We must move quickly to put the kingdom to sleep. Nox said he was coming tonight; we will need to meet him and explain. Come on!" he shrunk down and took off, Gladio following him.
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Cor watched as Regis sat on his Throne, obviously fighting the urge to pace as the room filled with excited nobles, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of their Prince. What would he be like after being raised by fairies, even if they had been playing mortal?
"The sun has set! Make ready to welcome your prince!"
This was it! Any minute now and Noctis would be back where he belonged. Losing Aulea and the baby had nearly killed Regis, only the hope of seeing his son had kept him going. If those fairies failed…he'd be testing his title of Immortal against them. They waited impatiently for any sign and Cor found himself yawning. He wasn't getting any younger and it had been a nerve wracking day. He shook his head, lethargy sinking into his body. What? He blinked, seeing those in the roam slumping where they stood, heads down…asleep? "Re…gis…" he turned his head slowly to see his King sagging back in his Throne, head falling to the side. He tried to move to him, legs too heavy, he collapsed against the throne as his vision went dark.
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Prompto took a deep breath, adjusting his cloak, before walking up to the door and knocking.
"Come in!" A warm voice greeted him and he pushed the door, this was it! He would learn the others name and meet his family. He was a Prince, he could give him a good life, surely they would accept that? Then again, Niflheim didn't exactly have the best reputation thanks to his Father and Ardyn.
He barely made it a step inside before he found himself under attack. He couldn't see in the dark but he didn't need to…daemons. He fought wildly but there were too many and he was soon restrained thoroughly. He winced as a candle was lifted to his face, paling as he saw the man…fairy. Who else could command daemons?
Ardyn smirked at him in glee. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I set my trap for a peasant and catch a prince!" He laughed but his words only confused Prompto. Where was the boy? Had it all been a trap? "Take him away!"
He struggled futilely as they pulled on the rooms, dragging him from the cottage.
"Gently, I have plans for our royal guest."
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Ignis and Gladio rushed into the cottage only to freeze as they saw the destruction and then Ignis went to a knee, pulling something out of the mess. He stood and stared at the black smeared on the broken piece of wood…daemon blood. "Ardyn."
"He's got Prom," Gladio snarled.
"At the forbidden Mountain," Ignis whispered, they were too late, they'd failed. "We can't…"
"We can! And we will! He might be Nox's only hope of ever breaking the curse."
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Ardyn sat on his throne, his pet at his feet, watching his daemons celebrate. Finally, after sixteen years, he had won. Prince Noctis may not be dead but what did it matter? His true love would die in his dungeons long before the century had passed and without Prince Prompto, the boy would spend eternity in a cursed sleep.
"What a pity Prince Prompto can't be here to enjoy the celebration. Come, we should go cheer him up," he stood and walked down the stairs towards the dungeon with his gargoyle, never noticing two tiny fairies following him. He unlocked the cell door and walked inside to find Prince Prompto sitting on a cot, chained to the wall, head down. "Oh, come now, Prince Prompto. Why so melancholy? A glorious future lies before you; you, the destined hero of a charming fairy tale," he smirked.
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Ignis and Gladio crouched in the grill set into the cell door, watching, hearts in their throats. Prince Prompto! The heir of Niflheim was Prom? Well, that would make things easier between them…if only Noctis could be woken now, in a century though?
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Ardyn lifted a hand, an orb of red smoke coalescing in the air between them. "Behold, King Regis' castle, and in the tallest tower, dreaming of his true love, Prince Noctis lies in a cursed sleep. But see the gracious whim of fate. Does he not look familiar dear Prince?" he taunted, watching the boy struggle against the chains only to still as he realised the truth, that Prince Noctis was the peasant he had met. "Don't fret so, the years will pass but what is a century compared to true love? When the day comes, the prison gates will open and you will be free to go to him," Ardyn laughed. "Won't that be marvellous? A chance to prove that true love conquers all."
The Prince struggled even harder. "No! Let me go!"
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"Why, you…" Ignis hissed but was pulled back by Gladio. The gargoyle turned to look, hearing something, but didn't see them.
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"Come, my pet. Let us leave our noble prince with these happy thoughts," he strode to the door, smirking. "A most gratifying day." He locked the door behind him and walked towards his rooms. "For the first time in sixteen years I shall sleep well."
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Prompto felt sick. His stranger…was the missing Prince Noctis? The cursed Prince of Lucis. He closed his eyes, bringing his image to life in his mind, the feel of smooth skin beneath his lips…true love, he could believe that. He'd heard the story, he was cursed to sleep for a hundred years, even if he did live long enough…Noctis would still be sixteen and he would be an old, dying man. It didn't matter, he would still do it, kiss him, free him, give him the chance to live. If he had known who he was, he wouldn't have left his side for a second, would have guarded him until the day had passed and he was safe.
Prompto looked up at a sound, seeing two small lights enter the cell and then he gasped as two men appeared, men with wings…fairies!
"Shh, no time to explain," the smaller whispered, kneeling down. The taller moved to the door, pointing a wand at the lock. Rescue?
As soon as the chains had been unlocked, Prompto stood, rubbing his wrists, moving to the now unlocked door. He had to get to Noctis! Maybe…maybe it would work even if he hadn't slept for a hundred years?
"Wait Prince Prompto! Ardyn will not let you reach him unopposed; you will need to be able to protect yourself. The Enchanted Shield of Virtue and Mighty Sword of Truth will triumph over any evil magic," the blond fairy told him, and Prompto marvelled at the weapon and shield that appeared in his hands.
"Thank you," he whispered. "You're them, the ones that gave Prince Noctis gifts."
The blond nodded and smiled softly at him. "I am Ignis, this is Gladio. If we had known who you were…come, we need to get out of here."
"Is he really…" he couldn't say it but the other fairy nodded. They made their way up the stairs but then there was a screech and they saw Ardyn's pet gargoyle which turned and sped up the stairs, sounding the alarm.
The spiral staircase was soon flooded with daemons, the two fairies shrinking, hovering about him as he fought and then he came to a window. He glanced down and then jumped, rolling to absorb the impact but it still hurt.
"Look out!" Ignis yelled, and he lifted the shield for protection but the rocks hurtling down at him turned to soap bubbles and he bolted for his chained up Chocobo. He mounted and took off at top speed. A rain of arrows turned into flowers, Gladiolus to be precise, which indicated which fairy had done it.
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Gladio glanced back and saw the gargoyle, showing the daemons where they were, still screeching the alarm and he turned, taking off after it, chasing it around, firing spells at it. finally it turned and he turned around a pillar, coming face to face. He sent the spell and then took off after Ignis and the Prince.
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He lay staring up at the stormy sky, unable to move. He…hurt…he…Som…Somnus…he was Somnus…Ardyn….oh brother…. He wished he could thank that young fairy for freeing him, knew he hadn't realised his spell would do this. Why should he, he didn't know the truth of Ardyn's 'pet'. The spell should have simply transformed him, but he had already been transformed, the magic warping, reacting.
He saw him appear on the stairs above him, wished he could cry for what his brother had become. He didn't care about what Ardyn had done to him, he knew after so long there was no way back to what he had been….and it was true for Ardyn too. Where had they gone wrong? What had made his loving brother into this? Their eyes met and the tiny bit of magic that was still his reached out to his brother.
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'Ardyn….love….brother….'
He knew that voice even after all these centuries, Somnus. He stared down at his pet, his gargoyle, saw the awareness in red eyes and then it was gone, his body melting away, revealing the fairy form for a second before that too faded.
"No…NO!" he turned, eyes searching the darkness. There! Did they really think they could stand against him? Those two…children!
TBC…
Edited and reposting. Changed some of the dialogue to better fit them and added some more detail in parts.