Oh my goodness, it has been forever, I really do apologize to my lovely followers. Life has just been crazy for both myself and my amazing beta, GleekMom who has been so so great in helping with this story.
I really hope this chapter is worth the wait, and I will try my hardest to have the next part up sooner.
Over the next few days, the friendship between Kurt and Blaine grew stronger. One night though, Kurt just had to ask the question plaguing him. "Blaine? Why...why did you come back?"
Blaine looked contemplative, as if he was searching for the right words. "At first, I thought that you might send word to Hunter to drag me into his dungeon. Then I saw something in your eyes, a flicker of remorse, of humanity. I wanted to give this...give us a second chance. So I chose to stay, to try again. And now we're friends. But if you scream at me again, I am right out the door," Blaine said, a smirk painting his features until a pillow was flicked at them.
The men discovered they had many things in common, and could often be found laughing over some inside joke instead of helping get the manor back to a livable state, to the annoyance of the servants who required them for certain duties. Of course, that was until they spied Kurt sending Blaine warm looks when they thought no one was watching. Elliot hoped it meant affection was blooming. He had never seen Kurt so happy. Even if it did mean he had to hear about nothing but Blaine for far too long each night before dinner was served.
The stars were bright one night as Blaine stared out the window of the parlor in which he enjoyed reading. He was just getting to the good part when Kurt interrupted him with a proposal. "I have no intention of taking my throne, as you know," Kurt said, sitting beside him as Blaine put the book down. "But there are laws that need changing before I allow another to take it. I know you've no love for Hunter, nor do I, and he must be displaced. I would ask…" Kurt paused, hesitation in his voice, nerves evident in the flutter of his eyelids. His friendship with Blaine was growing but still precarious. He didn't want to move to far too quickly, but he was running out of time. "I would ask that you help me. Tell me what life is like in the village, tell me what laws cause problems, what taxes are like. Together, perhaps we can change this kingdom for the better. You could be my adviser in all things, just until we get the kingdom into good hands."
"That's a big step up from prisoner to adviser." Blaine jested, getting a small playful shove from Kurt. They often talked about it now, Blaine's status as prisoner. He realized that this was an easy sentence, and Kurt had long ago confessed that though he did not wish to see it carried out, he had to maintain some order. Blaine had come to understand that Kurt's attitude and rudeness was a product of living without much happiness these past ten years. Living like that could cause any man to give up hope of finding it again, of having true friends again. For Kurt it had meant building up walls around his heart, exploding on the outside just to keep himself from falling apart on the inside.
"And the threatening of Cooper's life?" Blaine asked, that one thing keeping him from truly forgiving Kurt, despite their easy friendship.
Kurt's face reeked of him being ashamed over that. "I never meant to do that, wasn't ever serious. Just the prospect of someone who was not afraid of me being lost so soon...I acted poorly, said many things I regret. I wish you would forgive me."
"I may never forget it, just so you know. But I guess I see why you acted as such. Next time, I will have to smack you upside the head or shout at you," he smirked playfully. "I know now you are a mere kitten unless in a mood. So we shall both move on from it. As long as I am allowed to write just one letter to Cooper explaining that I am not really your prisoner as much as your guest now. I will serve the sentence, and just help you as an adviser as opposed to wasting away in solitary confinement." A smile broke across Blaine's face as Kurt flicked a crumpled piece of paper at his head, starting an epic war between them.
By the end of their first week together, the manor was looking pretty good, most of the rooms cleaned but many still in need of fixing up, and Blaine had yet to even enter some. He was so caught up in talking to Kurt, making plans for designs, discussing laws that needed to be fixed or just talking the night away about their childhoods in front of the fire. Blaine had never been unpopular, but he felt he'd had no true friends his own age, ones he could trust with his true self. It didn't help that he couldn't share who he was due to the laws, and many others judged him for his love of music and reading. With Kurt, those barriers were gone, and he got the sense that Kurt felt the same, treasuring the quick and easy way they got along after losing so much so early in his life. It was something Blaine didn't want to ruin or screw up in any way. Even after he left this place, he wanted to ensure his new friendship with Kurt was a lifelong one.
Blaine was sorting out the library, the room in the least disrepair, while Kurt was preparing Artie to go out with yet another list of supplies they needed for the manor. Blaine knew it was just an excuse for Artie to see his parents on Kurt's part. Most of the staff had explained their roles and stories to him throughout the week. Blaine had grown closest to Sam out of the lot, enjoying his impressions and easy sense of humour, but he was beginning to treasure them all as friends. He sorted out the books, making piles that were doubles so he could send them along to Trent with Kurt's permission. Others that he wanted to read were put aside in a different pile, and as he sorted he started singing under his breath.
"...before you met me I was alright but things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life. Now every February, you'll be my Valentine. Valentine..."
As he continued the song, his voice got louder, adding in a twirl or side-step, dancing around as he sorted, unaware that he had an audience. Kurt stood in the doorway, intending to ask Blaine if he wished to take a walk in the fresh air away from the musty library, but he stopped in his tracks when he heard Blaine. His voice was beautiful, full of soul and passion, even if the song he was singing was just some silly love ballad he had heard in town. Kurt could feel his heart pounding, his face flush as Blaine finished his song and went back to sorting the books, humming under his breath once more, completely oblivious to Kurt's presence. Kurt rushed away, shutting himself in his room.
He looked at himself in the mirror, seeing only the outward monster he appeared to be. But a smile was lighting up his features. He looked at himself once more and could only think 'I believe I could fall in love with Blaine.' As the phrase repeated itself in his mind, his smile grew larger and larger, overwhelmed with his feelings. He suddenly realized that not only was he screaming his love in his mind, he had progressed to saying it aloud to the empty room. He clamped a paw over his mouth, but even that could not cover his giddiness. He looked back at the mirror, and said once more "I am falling in love with Blaine!" determining to only think it from now on until he could find the perfect moment to declare this sentiment to the object of it.
He burst out of the door, nearly bowling over a frantic looking Elliot. "Oh Kurt! Thank goodness! I have been looking for you everywhere, Artie returned from his supply pick up and his parents have said that if we are going to increase our list in such quantities, especially for things like new windows, then we will have to increase the allowance we give them. Artie said to give them his salary from the past few years, but I know we can think of a better plan than that. What do you suggest?"
Kurt looked at Elliot, trying to maintain a calm composure, but he knew his eyes were shining as he tried to focus on what was being said to him. "Oh, no we have money set aside every year for the upkeep of the grounds and the manor itself, you find a fair price and we'll pay it out to the Abrams' later the week, with a bonus, as I have a rush job for them."
"A rush job?" Elliot questioned, scribbling away notes and preparing himself to take more.
"Yes...I want to do something nice for Blaine, and I have a project for all of you, but he's not allowed to know! I'm going to gather everyone after Blaine has gone to sleep, and we'll discuss it then. Now, what else is there that needs to be done?" Kurt asked, motioning Elliot along with him.
"What kind of nice? Flowers? Chocolates? Promises you don't intend to keep?" Elliot asked, the excitement evident in his voice.
"Oh hush." Kurt said, nudging him with his foot, and continuing on, a bright smile hidden just below the surface, the constant refrain in his mind of 'I'm in love!'
Over the next week Kurt and Blaine spent their time together during the day, continuing to bond and fix up the manor. But during the nights, Kurt and the servants worked on Blaine's surprise. If Kurt seemed a little more tired than usual, Blaine didn't mention it or his post dinner naps. Blaine just continued to work, or read when he could, having little time for his own books and reading very little at night due to a long day of work. He had even forgotten to finish the story of Aaron and Carson, so one night he determined he would finish it, retiring early, and insisting Kurt do the same. The man needed to catch up on some sleep if he intended to help rule the kingdom, or find someone to do so for him, a plot Blaine was secretly rallying against.
As the men finished up their morning meal, Blaine spied Elliot giving Kurt some sort of signal, peaking Blaine's curiosity. He had noticed that Kurt had been twitchy the last few days, but every time he had questioned it, Kurt just waved him off, saying he was tying down loose ends concerning several regulatory committees and burning the midnight oil to do so. Blaine rarely asserted himself in his role of adviser, but he there were times he gave Kurt the ultimatum of either letting Blaine help or going to his room to take a nap. Kurt usually went with the nap, and Blaine felt a bit sad that he was being such little help other than refurbishing the manor, even though it pretty much seemed done to him.
"Blaine, if you have some free time, could I perhaps request you accompany me this morning?" Kurt questioned almost shyly.
Blaine beamed at him and nodded his ascent, interlocking their arms as they had become prone to do, and walking up the stairs together. On the second floor of the manor, one end of the elegant hallway held his and Kurt's bedchambers, with a communal room for bathing. The other end appeared to Blaine as naught but more of the same. Kurt brought him right to the end of the hall, to a door that looked like a closet for linen. Blaine recalled attempting to open it before, but that time it was locked and Kurt had claimed to have lost the key. Apparently though he had found it, because when he gestured for Blaine to open it, it turned. Before him, he saw a narrow staircase leading upwards. Blaine thought that maybe it was to an attic.
"Blaine? Do you...trust me?" Kurt questioned again, his voice having gone positively quiet and soft in nervousness.
"Kurt...we're friends. You are maybe my best friend in the whole world, even after such a short time. I trust you with my entire life," Blaine responded, touching Kurt's arm in a comforting gesture.
"...You're my best friend too. So I need you to trust me to guide you up these stairs, as there's a surprise...for you up there, and I want you to close your eyes." Kurt gave Blaine a gentle smile before closing his eyes and putting his hands forward to be held by Kurt.
They slowly made their way up the stairs, not once tripping, but laughing as they went over the silliness of their predicament. At the top of the stairs, Kurt guided Blaine to stand in a certain spot, and told him to stay put, asking that he keep his eyes closed for just one more moment. Blaine heard heavy curtains being drawn and the warm sunshine hit his face. He queried, "Can I open my eyes now?"
Kurt smiled, allowing himself one moment just to look at Blaine, standing there lit by the warm spring sun, Blaine smiling and anxious, Kurt letting out a quiet sigh. God he loved that boy. "Okay," he said. "Now."
When Blaine opened his eyes and took in the attic that had been turned into a music room, the gasp he let out and the sheer delight in his features was worth every second of hard work and every night of lost sleep to Kurt. There were bookcases of sheet music for various instruments, as well as those filled with songs for singing. A large piano sat in the middle of the room and Blaine had to wonder how in the world they had gotten it there. Along the walls there were various other instruments; a lute, a violin, a grand harp and an ornamental cello. There was a large comfy chair for one to sit in if they wished to read or if Blaine wished for an audience. It was beautiful.
There were tears in his eyes as he took it all in, turning to Kurt as they fell free. No one had ever done something so nice for him, especially at this magnitude. "You did all this...for me?" At Kurt's nod, he wiped away his tears and launched himself at Kurt in a hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Kurt was taken aback, but snuggled into Blaine as much as he could, a soft smile gracing his face. "You're welcome, I'm so glad you like it, it's all for you. As a thank you for everything you've done and are going to do. Even after you leave, we're going to stay best friends Blaine. This is all the more reason for you to come visit me. Plus it means I get to hear you play for me any time I want before you leave."
"Deal." Blaine sighed, clutching further into Kurt's soft fur, enjoying the hug too much to let go just yet. This made him never want to leave, and right now that didn't seem like such a bad thing to Blaine.
The Mages Council had met under the full moon, declaring that they would not sanction violence against Lord Hummel unless it was warranted, and that it would have to be non-magical in nature if they wished to avoid any other altercations with Shannon. The regular Mages had not agreed, but they had not been included in any part of this discussion.
The Council did however decide that throwing their lot in with Lord Clarington was a wise move if they wished to remain in the region. He received word to expect them, though not the reasoning behind such a visit and was currently pacing around his throne room impatiently waiting for their arrival.
"What in the world could be taking them so long? Lords do not like to be kept waiting." He then turned to the corner, where Santana had come out of the darkness. The look she shot at him was pure spite, but as of yet, she had stuck to her part of the bargain, trying in vain to find some way to slander Blaine. So far it was found he was well loved by his students, a teacher of music and song to the children whose parents could afford it, and regarded as quite handsome by many a fair maid. Though many villagers considered his interests in the arts a strange one, it was not enough to deter many women, preferring a well read man to an oaf. Hunter turned at her and just looked, as if he was questioning her why she was bothering him on tonight of all nights. "Well? Did you find anything or not?"
Santana was flogging him in her mind, but kept a straight face. "It seems he has disappeared, his brother has said little, hinted he has left the kingdom. That should help solve your little dilemma, if he's not here. Out of sight, out of mind. Though Tina is crazy enough over him that she would up and follow Curls McGee. However, I overheard her tell that sycophant of a shadow of hers that she is considering you again. All the expensive presents are certainly winning her over. Plus once she discovered you were Lord Magistrate, even if only until Hummel resurfaces or doesn't...well that didn't hurt your chances ending up with her. Though why you'd want to be saddled with that..."
"Enough!" Hunter cried. He had let it slip in one of his letters his position, and had heard that ever since Tina's parents were pushing her towards him instead of an always rejecting Blaine. "You are dismissed for the evening. The Council is coming to meet with me, and I will have no interruptions while they are here. Understand?"
The dread that filled Santana at those words was indescribable. Her abuela had once crossed a Mage on the council and he had cursed her with a third eye, thankfully one she could cover with scarves, but it was an affliction none the less. If they were now backing power hungry Hunter, the kingdom was well and truly fucked. She had to make a plan to get herself and Dani out of here. Even if she had yet to see the girl locked up, she knew that her girlfriend was in solitary confinement somewhere in those dungeons. Now not only did she have to save herself and her love, she had to escape the realm, or find some way to save it. She quickly went to her rooms, and prayed that the Council found Hunter lacking, or she was truly boned.
After the expulsion of two of their order, the Mages Council was now reduced to Lord Figgins, Master St. James, and Master Baptiste. The rest of the magically endowed people in the kingdom had yet to decide who would replace Sandy and Howard and the vote was pushed back until the Hummel business was sorted with. The Council had merely claimed they knew Kurt was coming of age soon, and that they saw no point making decisions if he were to eradicate them entirely once in power. They entered the Clarington estate, emanating energy, and it caused more than one guard to shiver. The door to the throne room blasted open, and Hunter attempted to remain composed as he sat and welcomed them.
"Lord Clarington, thank you for welcoming us into your home. As you know, your reign is almost at an end, and we have received word that Lord Hummel may be attempting to claim his birthright or institute another in his stead. We wish to support you in your claim to the throne, and keep you in power. If you are willing to allow us to bring back the use of magic into the kingdom, we will help you keep your position, and perhaps, gain something dear to you." Lord Figgins spoke, a heavily accented monotone coming from him.
"I'm listening." replied a clearly interested Hunter.
"We have taken to monitoring all postage in the kingdom, ensuring that there are no plots a foot, ensuring there are no magical beings in hiding or being spurned as long as they follow the rules. I know you monitor it as well to catch rule breakers. We have found a letter you may find rather...interesting." Lord St. James spoke up, holding out a piece of rolled parchment, the wax seal very clearly broken. Hunter had to wonder if this type of post was ever seen by those for whom it was truly meant.
'Dear Mother and Father,
I hope you are doing well and that your travels have found you in some exotic locale this time around. I must inform you that Blaine and I have made a deal. I will be taking my birthright, claiming ownership of the farm. From this day forth, until an heir is produced it shall be in my name. Blaine has been offered a position as adviser to Lord Hummel, who may intend to take his throne upon his next name day. Or at least put another there who would rule as he commands. Blaine will remain in his employ until then. What he intends to do after that point is unknown as of now, but he seems happy with the decision. I feel that he just wishes to escape village life here in Lima, which I feel is for the best. I hope you will accept all these changes, and that I hear from you soon.
All my love, Cooper'
The realization that Blaine was helping Hummel was all the more reason in Hunter's mind to destroy them both, so he could keep his power and keep his girl. He looked up at the Council. "If you help me keep the kingdom, I will do what I can to give you back your power here. You help me get rid of the last obstacle to the heart of a fair maid, and I will eliminate Hummel. What do you propose we do?"
Lord Figgins just smiled.