Keith was up earlier than most mornings the anticipation of the coming day weighing heavy in his mind. Keith was overlooking the courtyard beneath his Chamber's large window. Below was a bustle of movement as everyone prepared for the large event the next day. King Alfor and his daughter the Princess would be arriving soon and Keith was hoping to slip way in time to miss their arrival. Less time to be thrown into a marriage of truce. Keith left the widow side and called upon his servants to help him ready for a ride. He was going to visit Lance and see how things were progressing. If he knew the boy as well as he thinks he does the poor boy must be beside himself with nerves. Keith smiled a bit at the thought of the blushing stammering mess the boy becomes in his presence.
"Your Majesty, Chancellor Takashi is here." Thomas called a greeting. Shiro entered his long robes brushing the floor in excited swishes matching the wearers own excitement.
"You Highness! How are things this morning? Shall you need anything?" He asked seeing Keith getting into his riding outfit. Shiro could not help but be happy for his Majesty. Keith had never been interested in romance but now his eyes were set upon someone, a boy no less, had Shiro excited. If the King could be open with a man maybe then Shiro could introduce Adam as his Fiance and not just his acquaintance finally.
"I am well, thank you for your concern. I will be riding out shortly and need you to prepare the welcoming party for the King and Princess this afternoon. Tell them I am making last minute preparation for tomorrow's ball and make sure they are comfortable. " Keith said slipping into his gloves. He excused his servants and headed towards the door. "Walk with me Chancellor." Shiro bowed and followed him out. The two walked in silence for a while as they made their way down the hallway towards the stables.
"Are you visiting him? Shiro asked breaking the silence. Keith slowed his pace only slightly glancing over at him.
"I am. I want to make sure all is going well for him and his family. This is… a huge occasion for them and I want it to go well for them all." Keith stopped and looked from side to side making sure the halls were empty. "I am nervous though Shiro. What if they are not treated with respect? I fear people will look down upon them and I wish that to not happen. They belong here and are as welcome as any." Keith rubbed his arm nervously. He could only think of Lance and the way his eye slight up as they spun around the trees his laugh carried away by the soft breeze. It was magical and Keith wanted so much more but with Lance's station he would surely get disagreement.
"Keith." His name brought Keith from his deep dark thoughts. He did not mind Shiro calling him by name, they were practically brothers. Shiro continued resting a light hand on his shoulder. "They will treat them well, they will see your fondness and only show the utmost respect to your guests. From what I have heard of this boy everyone shall love him. " Keith smiled a bit in appreciation.
"What if his family does not like me?" Keith said his stomach sinking at the thought. Of course they would not like him. A King befriending a commoner? Surely they'll think he is using him or mocking him?! Keith's thoughts turned wild again but Shiro brought him to reality pulling him into a hug.
"Stop worrying so much." He said releasing his grip hearing approaching footsteps. The two stood awkwardly as a small group of diplomats walked past greeting the King as they walked by. Keith smiled over at Shiro and the two continued towards the stable again.
"Thank you Shiro. I can not wait to introduce you two. Will Adam be attending tomorrow's event?" Keith asked. He knew Adam and Shiro have been lovers since their teen years. He wished with all his heart the two could live happily together but with the way things were currently they would be looked down upon and shut out.
"He would never miss such an occasion. He could dance forever if allowed." Shiro replied smiling fondly just thinking about him. Once the two men arrived at the stables Keith patted Red's soft neck. The horse standing already saddled and ready to go.
"I should not belong too long. Please see to our guests today." Keith said mounting up. He left Shiro with a wave of farewell as rode away from the Castle and the quiet countryside and to the boy that riddled his thoughts and dreams.
The wind was blowing through the hills carrying the songs of the morning birds along with the soft hum of the boy sat beside a cow. A few moos were heard as she munched on a large pile of hay. Lance sat on his small stool filling the second pail of milk of the day.
"You know girl, I am not so nervous anymore. Sure I have no idea how to dance the way they do, or act, or look. Nonetheless, I am not too worried about it. I just hope I do not make a fool of myself or my family." He said leaning back wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He pulled the full pail out from under Kaltenecker. The large beast didn't bat an eye to the conversation. Lance only smiled a bit and stood grabbing the two pails full of the fresh frothy liquid.
"I'll come back soon and tell you all about it. Be a good cow while I am away. Don't get lost in the orchards again. I won't be here to fetch you." He said a farewell to his furry acquaintance and made his way to the small house at the bottom of the hill. Once home Lance sat the pails on the small wooden table under the window and went inside to clean his hands. Inside his family was scurrying around in excitement getting ready for fun evening ahead.
"I'm going to dance more than all of you!" Luis cried out spinning around the kitchen laughing. Marco chased him bumping into chairs. Veronica only watched from the corner with a smile as the two boys roughhoused.
"Hey! Don't let mama see you running around like a herd of cattle now." Lance warned looking out the back door. Where was she? "Have you seen Mama?" He asked
"She's by the stream!"
Lance made his way down the bank seeing his mother bent over by the stream, a basket of freshly damp clothes next to her. Lance knelt beside her grabbing a shirt from the dirty pile and a washing stone. He started scrubbing in the running water of the stream
"Oh, thank you Lance. I was just about finished." Maria said looking over at him with a grateful smile. They washed the remaining clothes in a comfortable silence. Once all of the garments were clean Lance stooped over and grabbed the basket then helping his mom up before they started home.
"Go get cleaned up, I'll hang them." Lance said leaving a kiss on her cheek before veering off into the treeline. Maria watched him go with a soft affectionate smile. As a mother of course she was proud he had been given such a gracious invitation by the King no less. She was happy to see him able to enjoy himself for a little wile, the poor kid worked far too hard. Maria watched him disappear into the trees before heading back to the small wooden house and prepared herself to round up her over enthusiastic little ones.
Keith loved riding, the wind whipping through his long hair, the stinging on his cheeks. He felt free. The only sounds are the rushing wind, hoof beats and his own heart racing. It was exhilarating. Keith would have missed Lance's hill if he had not noticed the wandering Kaltenecker. Keith slowed Red into a trot and then to a stop watching the run away cow waddle around grazing in different areas near her. Keith smiled a a bit and dismounted. He grabbed Red's reins and led his horse to the cow.
"I do not think you are meant to be this far from home." Keith said sternly to the uninterested animal in front of him. Keith grabbed onto the roped tied around his neck and stated up the hill the two animals following close behind.
"Let's get you home"
"Kaltenecker!" Lance called ringing the bell hoping his lost cow would return. How could he lose a cow?! Lance had been searching the orchards for a while now with no luck. He sighed in defeat and headed back towards the house. He broke out of the trees and froze seeing his cow lumbering her way over the hill being lead by none other than the KING. Lance gasped and started running to them to meet Keith on the hill. Man he was never going to hear the end of this.
Keith watched in amusement at the boys' aghast expression. "You should really keep your cow on a shorter rope." Keith said unable to hide the humor fro his voice. Lance smiled apologetically more than embarrassed. He took the rope from the King's hand and looked at his cow sternly but the fondness was not easily missed.
"Thank you for returning her. I was sure she would be gone for good this time." Lance said patting her neck. Keith snorted softly with a laugh.
"This time? This is not the first time you have let your cow run off?" Keith asked only laughing harder at Lance's guilty face.
"She likes long walks! What can I say?" Lance joined in the laughter too before they continued down the hill to the small house below. Once they arrived Lance tied the end of the rope to a post so se could not take another walk. Keith followed suit with tying Red. Just in case.
"Oh thank goodness you found her Lance! I was sure she-" The woman came out of the house and stopped suddenly seeing Lance not only came home with the cow but also the King himself. She dropped to the ground quickly with a quick ' your Highness' Keith walked over and held out his hand.
"Please, Stand. There is no need for such formalities. I am here on my own accord. " She looked up nervously but took his hand allowing Keith to help her up.
"I am Keith, I hope you will call me as such.' Keith said with a warm smile. It was not hard to tell the relation between Lance and the woman in front of him. She had the same soft brown hair but hers was more curly. Her eyes were a deeper blue unlike Lance's vibrant ones. She was beautiful.
"I am Maria McClain. As you may know this one is mine. I apologize for any trouble he may has caused you." She said motioning to Lance who took on an expression of mock hurt.
"You wound me deeply mother" He said dramatically . "Let me round up my brothers and sisters so you can meet everyone!" Lance hurried off. Keith was nervous, this was it, meeting his whole family. Lance was back soon followed by four younger children each strikingly similar. The same brown shade of hair and the blue eyes. Some even had the same dusting of freckles as Lance. They were all stunning.
"This is Luis, Marco, Veronica, and Sophia" Lance introduced each one by one. They bowed in unison with a greeting.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, your Highness" Veronica sad blushing with a small shy smile. Keith bowed a bit to them.
"The pleasure is all mine." He said making her giggle a bit. Marco was on him in the next second like dog after a rabbit.
"Is that a sword? Can I see it?! Have you ever cut someone's head off?1" He asked quickly and Keith had to step back back a bit at the child's enthusiasm. Lance jumped in grabbing the boy off the King and hissed at him.
"Marco! Where are your manners" Marco just smiled innocently and the scene caused Keith to break out into laughter. Keith crouched down to Marco's level and saw the thrill in his eyes.
"Yes it is, and you can If you promise to be careful? And.. no. I have not cut someone's head off." Keith smiled. Marco wiggled in excitement and Lance apologized but Keith waved it away.
"There is no need." Keith smiled and stood up before stepping back. He wrapped his hand around the hilt of the sword that was always hanging at his hip. He drew it from the scabbard and held it out for the children to admire. Each of them crowded around in awe, even Lance.
"Wow! Can I hold it?!" Marco asked but Luis pushed him aside.
"No! Me first!" Luis said and this time Maria stepped in grabbing the two arguing boys.
"That is enough from you two." She said sternly. Keith laughed a bit at Lance's mortified look. Keith never really had siblings and loved children.. There was no harm being done here.
"How about this? I will let you hold it when you are as tall as Lance" Keith said to the two currently pouting boys. They broke out into a smile immediately.
"Really?" Luis shrieked eagerly.
"I'll grow faster!" Marco challenged and the two boys ran off saying whichever ran faster would grow taller sooner. Lance watched them goo and let out a large sigh.
"Keith..I'm sorry about them." Lance said but Keith stepped forward holding out the sword to Lance.
"Lance. It's quite alright. You meet the height requirements. Want to hold it?" He asked with a soft smile. Lance looked at the weapon then back up at Keith before swallowing what felt like a ball of cotton.
"i..I've never held one. I shouldn't' I would surely break it or something." He said anxiously.
"I assure you, it is made of steel, you will not break it." Keith held it out again. Lance let his fingers run over the smooth side of the blade before wrapping his hand around the hilt gently. Keith let go leaving the blade in Lance's hands. Lance had to quickly grip with both hands having not expected the weight.
"Oh!" He exclaimed as the sword fell. Keith grabbed the sword helping Lance hold it up.
"Careful. You can not dance well if you lose a foot." he laughed. "Hold it like this. " He helped reposition the hands and stance. Once Lance felt more comfortable he smiled a bit.
"This is pretty cool. I want one!" Maria rolled her eyes.
"What use for a sword would you have?" She asked with a soft snort. Men. Veronica was watching staring dreamily at Keith. Sophia had stayed quietly watching as she chewed the soft fabric arm of her doll. Keith let go once he was sure Lance had it.
"You should surely get one. It will be good protection and plus, it looks great in your hands" He grinned at the sight in front of him. Lance looked strong with the sword in his hands. He was turning it in his grip admiring the shiny metal blade. His bright smile made Keith;s heart do that little jump it always did. He could not help the feeling, just the way the other boy seemed so excited made Keith feel happy.
"I would not encourage him Your Highness" Maria said shaking her head slightly. "He would surely lose a finger in an instance." Lance gasped at her.
"You wound me deeply yet again. I think I am capable of wielding a blade." Keith chuckled softly at the friendly bickering. He oddly felt at home among Lance's family. He loved feeling apart of something so warm and loving.