"You are a very dangerous man, Mr. Holmes….You are placing yourself and Dr. Watson in jeopardy." – A Royal Murder
Bound
He had spoken the words deliberately, as an intended threat, meant to intimidate and discourage, for he knew full well that Sherlock Holmes had no tentativeness about putting his own self in harm's way. He had imagined that hearing how his any actions he took would put his pleasant friend Watson in danger along with him. Still, it did not entirely surprise him when Holmes did not break his gaze, only responded with a clear, unyielding answer that he had known of the hazard from the beginning. He appeared to have no compunction about bringing unjust sentence down upon the both of them, despite not having the verbal assurance of his companion.
He could not resist the urge to watch the doctor's reactions, to determine for himself whether the loyalty that he had seen would remain steadfast in the face of misfortune and disgrace, if the man's fate were to be irrevocably tied to Holmes'.
Dr. Watson followed Holmes obediently to the dungeon cell with not a word spoken to dissuade him. King Conrad had never seen anything like it in his life.
One hour later, at his request the two men explained the details of their incredible escape from the prison and their gallant rescuing of the princess from her secured room, whilst he listened on in utter fascination and undisguised amazement.
There was a moment of quiet as Watson stopped speaking to pour Holmes more tea (without him having to ask, he noted), and observed the familiar smile they shared at some quiet jest, the king realized exactly how ridiculous he had been to assume Holmes was single-minded and callous to potentially pull Watson down with him. Obviously these two friends had already been bound by something far greater than a trifling threat—something that gave them strength and faith enough to defy a king by reliance upon one another.
Holmes took up the story where Watson had left it, and he could not help but smile as he listened.
Double-drabble. (Obviously.) Is it just me or did King Conrad resemble Jude Law's Watson? Maybe it was the light-colored mustache...