Many years had passed since the time when the king faked his death. Over those years Peter had grown up to be a young man. Berwald and Tino had grown closer but the fear began to eat away at Berwald's heart, causing indescribable pain. The pain they knew, was a part of the curse and so made the need to find a cure more urgent.
A cry of pain echoed through the tiny cottage.
Tino hurriedly ran a damp cloth over the brow of his lover. Peter stood in the back feeling useless and angry.
He growled and went back into the main room.
Alfred stood gravely listening to the sound of his friend. He sighed and glanced at Peter.
"Alfred is there anything that we can do? This, whatever it is, is hurting him more and more. He might die soon if we don't do anything. I've been to all of the library's in all of the neighboring kingdoms and they have nothing on curses!" Peter hissed.
Alfred sighed again and turned away, "I know," Suddenly an idea occurred to him, "Maybe Arthur would help!"
"Arthur? Your lover?" Tino emerged from the room, the cries of pain had dulled. "He's sleeping."
The three men stood in a heavy silence.
"I can't leave your father," Tino said to Peter.
"That's why I'll go," Peter said confidently. He had matured and grown. Peter taught him everything he knew about being a knight. He excelled at the sword and he was an impressive tactician.
"Peter I-I don't know," Tino said hesitantly.
Alfred smiled and placed a hand on the younger man, "Don't worry, I'll go with him. I'll take him to Arthur and help him find a cure."
Tino smiled softly, feeling a tad better about letting the youngest member of the family go on this journey.
"Alright mama, I'll leave tonight," Peter said and went to his room to pack.
Alfred smiled, "Don't worry Tino, I'll take care of him."
"Thank you Alfred," Tino smiled, "How are things at the castle?"
Alfred sighed, "They're not running as smoothly as when Ber ruled, but Lukas and Mat are doing just fine. They've adopted a baby they found abandoned in a village. Named it Berwald. They're getting married in three months."
Tino smiled, "I wish we could get married," he looked back at his lover's room, "I wish we could get married."
Alfred smiled sadly and understood. Sometimes he wished that he and Arthur could be married, but Arthur had made it clear that he had no desire to be tied down by such a conventional act.
Peter emerged from his room with a pack and his polished sword. His shield, one he had inherited from his mama, was strapped on his back.
"Alfred I'm ready," he said and walked promptly out the door, excited to find a cure for his father, but also to be on a new journey.
"I'm coming," Alfred said and smiled to his friend. He said goodby and promised to always keep the younger one safe.
Tino sighed and watched them leave and continued to watch until they were gone from sight. The knight sighed and went back into the house and back into their room.
He took the cloth and dipped in the cold water, he wrung out the excess water. He ran it gently over the King's face as he lay in bed. His eyes closed tightly in pain and his breath coming out in slight gasps. His lover's face was red and every so often he would gasp in pain. Even asleep Berwald was not freed from the pain of the curse.
Tino sighed sadly and felt tears begin to fall down his cheeks once again.
"Please boys, hurry."
The journey was not long, because, not matter where Alfred went, he could always find Arthur's home in a forrest nearby. Arthur had cast a spell on his home to make sure that Alfred could always find it no matter where he was, as long as he was in a forrest.
In order to find the actual cottage, Alfred only had to follow the glow of his yellow crystal. The brighter it go the closer he was the dimmer it was the closer he was.
He had explained this all to a curious Peter, who asked question after question about the wizard.
Alfred spoke highly of his lover, even though it had become difficult as of late. Arthur was becoming more and more distant and it hurt Alfred. Though, he would never do anything against his lover.
Finally the cottage came into view.
Peter was practically vibrating with excitement. He had never met the wizard and he wondered what he would be like. He wondered if he had a beard and was old with a tall hat and a long stick.
To his surprise, the wizard was a young blond man with bushy eyebrows and a smug face. Peter decided that he did not like his friend's lover.
"Alfred! What are you doing here?" He asked.
"We need your help my love," Alfred's eyes shown with love.
Arthur looked dubious, "With what?"
He let them in and Alfred sat down but Peter chose to remain standing.
"It's King Berwald, his condition has gotten considerably worse. We fear he is going to die if we don't find a cure."
Arthur looked thoughtful, "Hmm, I see. Well, if your looking for a cure, you'd have to cross over to the land of the Faerie. They'd have the answer," he answered.
"Could you take us there love?" Alfred asked going in to kiss his lover.
Arthur pulled away but smiled fondly, "Yes of course." He walked out into the woods, the two following and he waved his hand. mist rose off the ground and wafted in front of them.
"This is the way, look for a faerie named Bronwyn, she has snow white skin that shines in the light. She will tell you what you need," he said.
"Thanks love," Alfred said and kissed his lover on the cheek.
Together Peter and Alfred walked into the mist.
Nothing seemed to change and Alfred turned to Peter.
"You were strangely quiet," he said.
Peter frowned, "I don't think I like that guy."
Alfred smiled a little awkwardly, "Hah, well not many people do. You have to get through all the nasty, grumpy layers to get to the nice cuddly center."
Peter snorted and continued on his way. He was about to ask if they were in the right place when a lilt of laughter rang through he air.
A small bright little woman with wings flitted in front of them. Her skin was indeed bright and shone even in the faint light.
"Woah a fairy!" Peter said.
The little woman laughed, sounding like running water.
"Hello travelers, my name is Bronwyn. Arthur told me you might be coming here. He said you have something to ask of me," the faerie's voice was beautiful and kind.
Alfred opened his mouth to speak, but Peter beat him to it.
"Please help my father! He has a curse that's making him ill and we're afraid he's going to die!" Peter voice was a desperate plea.
Alfred nodded sympathetically and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
The Faerie smiled sadly, "Ah yes, I have heard of the great King's curse and the evil wizard who seeks to destroy him. The only way that you can help him is with this," she held out a glittering silver bottle that matched her in height.
Peter took it reverently and held it gently.
She smiled kindly, "With this you must go further to the land of mist. There you must collect the ghost of rain."
Peter and Alfred frowned and looked to one another, "The ghost of rain? What is that?"
When they looked back to the Faerie, she was gone.