CHAPTER 13: WILD WINTER BERRIES
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Let me know your thoughts! Enjoy! :D
After a proper bath, Len and Barry walked towards the private dining hall where the group was already waiting for them. Barry was going to open the door when Len stopped him and grabbed his left arm and roughly turned him to steal a kiss before entering the room.
"Thief…" – murmuredBarry chuckling and Len smirked teasingly.
The Prince opened the wooden door and entered the room followed by the King.
Everyone was already seating around the huge oak dining table and they quickly stood up and bowed politely to the King. Suddenly all eyes were on them. Lisa smirked watching her brother walking pleased side by side with Barry. The King seated at the head of the table next to Lisa and Barry on his right side. Everyone seated back down and the servants quietly entered the room and started bringing the morning meal.
"So… ready to go to the town today?"- Cisco asked looking at Barry expectantly. He was excited to go to the market and see what kind of materials he could buy there that could be useful to his inventions. "I'm planning on buying a lot of supplies to take to Central Kingdom."
"That's a good idea…" – Barry replied beaming glancing towards Len. "I'm dying to see the market place, the guilds and see how people live here in the north…"
The King smiled warmly at Barry. Cisco was going to keep talking when Lisa raised her hand swiftly to silence him and leaned towards the table looking intently in to Barry's eyes.
"What's wrong?" – Cisco asked raising his cup to take a drink of his ale.
Barry felt his face heat up with Lisa's intense stare.
"Oh my god…!" – she murmured turning quickly at her brother. "Lenny you fucked Barry!"
Cisco splashed all of his drink on his plate and coughed trying not to choke. Caitlin slapped Cisco's back hard and Ronnie laughed.
"Lisa!" – Len groaned glaring at her.
"What?" - she shrugged turning to Barry. "Is true isn't it?"
"Oh god!" – Barry murmured hiding his face in his hands feeling his cheeks turn hot from the embarrassment.
Wells, Oliver and Mardon turned their heads to glance at the King accusingly.
"Sis could you be a little bit more restrained when you talk…" –Len whispered to Lisa with a murderous glance. "Damn it…"
Lisa took a drink of her ale and grinned at her brother behind her golden cup.
"Time has indeed changed…" - Sir Martin Stein said exhaling deeply while observing the ongoing discussion. "There is no notion of courtly love anymore…"
Wells rolled his eyes at Stein and leaned to his left side to whisper to his Prince. "Barry you know pre-marital sex is a serious risk for marriage arrangements and it is judged by nobility…what the hell were you thinking? You know that the royal court love rumors…nobles must ensure that-"
Len interrupted. "Lord Wells we were going to announce it later at sunset, but Prince Bartholomew and I are going to get married...I proposed last night and Barry accepted."
Wells, Oliver, Felicity and Martin Stein's eyes widened at the news. Ronnie wasn't impressed probably because Caitlin gave him a heads up last night.
Harry nodded calming down. "Well that's a little relief and good news…still you both should better keep this incident quiet, we don't want any bad rumors spreading like wildfire regarding the integrity of our Prince in the Northern Royal Court. You know they would love a gossip like this."
Barry sighed annoyed and Len nodded glancing at Lisa who also nodded quickly mumbling a soft "Sorry…"
"Thanks" –Wells said bowing his head courtly.
Barry felt like he wanted to literally disappear from the table. He wanted to run as fast as he could away from this awkward conversation. He glanced at Len who smiled back at him trying to reassure him that everything was okay. Barry gave him an awkward smile and took a sip from his ale.
"So I think congratulations are in order…"– added Felicity breaking the awkward silence. "Blessings on the engagement Leonard, Barry…I wish you both happiness."
Oliver nodded and raised his cup following the gesture of his fiancé. Honestly he didn't like King Leonard Snart the guy was too much of a mystery for him and he seemed to be always surrounded by dark circumstances like the death of King Lewis Snart and the death of King Rory and that made Snart a dangerous man in Oliver's book, but he couldn't also deny the obvious fact that Leonard seemed to have fallen genuinely in love with Barry.
"Thanks Felicity…" – the Prince said smiling warmly.
"Can't wait for a good royal wedding and feast!" – added Felicity and Cisco and Caitlin agreed. Barry agreed and then turned to see the King and he felt his heart skip a beat. Leonard was drinking ale and his left hand was resting on the table. The King wasn't using a wedding band. He wasn't using the matching wedding ring he shared with Mick Rory. When did the King stop using it? The prince tried to recall the last time he saw Len using it…he remembered seeing the ring after the Mist attacked him…and then he saw the ring on the Princess Party…before he got kidnapped. Barry breathed deeply feeling nervous. Why was he feeling nervous?
"What do you think Barry?" – asked Cisco. "Yes or no?"
"W- What?"- Barry murmured extremely confused. "Sorry what?"
Cisco glanced at Caitlin and repeated what he said. "What do you think about going to visit the woods after walking through the town…Caitlin want to see if she collects some plants and herbs?"
"Oh right…sure sounds great…collect plants…nice."
Len and Cisco glanced at the prince curiously. Barry smiled uneasily.
"Barry are you okay?" – Caitlin stated slowly. "You are not eating…"
The prince glanced down to his empty plate and quickly took a piece of bread and some honey. He needed to calm down. "Yes sorry…just got a little distracted," - he laughed.
"Cait sometimes I think you just want to make me fat…"
"Oh Barry don't be ridiculous…– she replied smirking. "That's impossible to achieve."
Barry glared playfully at her and she chuckled.
Thankfully for the Prince, everyone resumed talking about the wedding preparations, the decorations, about the musicians and the feast while enjoying the breakfast, ignoring his stupid anxiety. After an hour, when they were finished, General Singh entered the room. The Prince felt an ominous feeling in his gut. The General bowed courtly and marched directly towards the young Prince.
"Your Majesty, a letter just arrived from Central. It's from Joe."
Barry took the letter and saw his emblem on the red seal. "Thank you General."
The Prince stood up, broke the seal with the lightning bolt and opened the letter. He fast-read the contents dreading that something bad had happened to Iris or Eddie in his absence.
"It's everything all right Barry?" – Wells asked concerned.
"Yes…kind of… it seems Joe, Iris and Eddie are coming to the Winter Realm, they left Central as soon as they heard the news that Santini kidnapped us…" – he said looking at Lisa. "So they are going to arrive probably today or tomorrow in the morning."
"That's some good news!" – added Cisco. "They are going to be in time for the royal wedding."
"Oh that's true!" – said Lisa excited. "I would love to get to know your sister Barry!"
Barry smiled at his friends. "We don't even know when we are going to get marry…"
Lisa laughed. "Small details Barry…the sooner the better."
Len agreed and Barry glanced at him surprised.
"I was thinking in a week from today." – Len said taking his silver goblet. "I think the preparations could be done by then and I need to set a date for our announcement today for the Royal Court and High Council. So… what do you think Scarlet?"
"I…I think it's great!" – Barry said feeling a little unsure. "A week it is…"
"Is there something else worrying you?" – Wells asked concerned looking at Barry.
"Yes… it's Zoom. Eddie sent a group of soldiers to the south and they found the corpses of our scouts. Some of them were hanging and others were burned alive. Zoom wanted to scare the villagers. The soldiers said that they saw Zoom's army moving. They are coming directly to the north; they are taking the route of the mountains through the mines. It's a difficult path but is faster than crossing the valley and passing through Central Kingdom."
"So Zoom changed his plans and it's moving faster…" – stated Wells averting his eyes. "We didn't see this coming…we have less time to plan our trap."
"Seems like it…" – said Barry worried. "We need to defend the Winter Realm, the townspeople and the palace."
"Barry…who is in charged of defending Central in case of an attack if you are not there?" – asked Lisa with interest.
"Joe ordered Commander Spivot to remain in Central" – explained Barry. "And he summoned Rip and Sara, they all travelled from Starling to Central."
"Then Central is in good hands for now…" – commented Oliver trying to reassure the Prince. "But we still need to plan our trap to catch Zoom, we need to stop him."
"Indeed." – Wells said. "We can plan this tomorrow, in a small war council."
"I agree." – the King said turning his attention swiftly to the Prince. Barry was unconsciously fidgeting with the letter in his hands and he was biting his lower lip. The Prince was tense and frowning. There was something Barry was hiding probably about Zoom. Len stood up and everyone in the table raised from their seats at the same time.
"Scarlet… we should get ready for our visit to the town."
Barry nodded breaking his line of thought. "Yes… you are right."
"Mardon request the servants to arrange two carriages immediately, one for Barry and me and another for the Princess and Cisco… the carriages should wait for us at the main gate of the castle. If anyone wish to join us there is space in Lisa's carriage."
"Yes, You Majesty." – said General Mardon leaving the room hastily.
Lisa groaned annoyed. She knew Len's plan. He was subtly trying to give her a chaperone in the carriage to ruin her time alone with Cisco. She glared at him and he smiled roguishly.
"See you later Sis…" – Len said following a silent young prince out of the room.
Barry looked at the royal horse-drawn carriage in front of the castle and gasped. It was impressive. The Prince reached the side of the coach and a footman opened the ornamented door for him. Barry entered and seated next to the window and Len seated in front of him facing forwards the road to the town. Lisa and Cisco were in the other carriage accompanied by Ronnie and Caitlin. General Singh and General Mardon were riding on their horses followed by ten of their best soldiers in charge of escorting the carriages to the town. Mark gave a signal to the coach drivers and suddenly they started moving, leaving the castle behind. Barry half-smiled watching the beautiful landscape. He could feel the jarring of every cobblestone of the road and Len's endless gaze at him.
"Scarlet…" The King murmured noticing that the prince was unnervingly silent and tense since breakfast.
Barry turned his head to see Len's blue eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"I am…"- the Prince replied smiling.
Fake smile, Len noted.
"You've been a little off since you read Joe's letter… It's something bothering you?
"No…"- Barry murmured not wanting to worry Len, but truthfully he was feeling a little overwh elmed with Zoom…and Joe, Iris and Eddie coming to the Winter Kingdom. He knew Joe wasn't going to approve the marriage. He won't give him his blessings.
Len sighed and they remained in silence for a while. The King had an evident frown. Barry sighed he didn't wanted to worry his fiancé but he was having a really bad feeling with everything. "I'm okay…don't worry."
"Scarlet you are a terrible liar I can tell something is bothering you…you were even distracted at breakfast."
Barry took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly thinking of Len's wedding band.
"I noticed at breakfast that you are not longer using your wedding ring anymore…" - Barry murmured softly looking at Len's left hand.
Len's frown deepened. "Is that what's been worrying you Scarlet?"
"W-what? no…I just got distracted by it wondering when you decided to stop using it. I'm sorry I know is not my business. You don't have to answer that… sorry…" – Barry said turning his attention away from Len.
The King lowered his gaze to look at his own hand. There was no cold white gold ring around his finger and he slowly felt a small void in his heart.
"You now…" – said Len slowly and Barry turned to see him feeling guilty of asking such a personal question. "The hardest part of losing someone isn't having to say goodbye, but rather learning to live without them. Always trying to fill the emptiness that's left inside your heart when they go."
Barry regretted instantly mentioning Len's ring. "I'm sorry Len I shouldn't have asked... I was just curious…I'm an idiot. You don't have to explain anything Len."
Len ignored the Prince and continued. "Here in the north they say that mourning is love with no place to go… but when I met you Scarlet you changed that. Everything changed. Mick will always be a part of me, but you are my present and hopefully my future. When Santini kidnapped you I realized that I couldn't lose you because you made me complete again, Lisa was right about you all along… so I thought that keeping the ring on was no longer necessary because I'm not mourning anymore. I do miss Mick but now I have something to live for."
Barry's eyes widened and then he blushed staring at Len.
"I'm sorry Len…" - he said nervously. "I'm a complete mess…"
"You are indeed a lovely mess Scarlet…"
Barry let a small soft laugh letting his tension fade away and Len relaxed feeling that the Prince was more like his normal self.
"Now…care to share with me what's really wrong?"
Barry stared. "I – I just…" – he murmured glancing again towards the window. "I'm having a bad feeling about Zoom… it's just that I am afraid."
"It's okay to be afraid Barry."
"I'm not exactly afraid of Zoom, I'm afraid of losing you… I hate feeling powerless like this…"
"I talked to Caitlin and Cisco." Len said sounding more like a confession than a statement. "When you were unconscious after we rescued you from the stronghold…I wanted to know everything about Hunter Zolomon. They told me what happened at the South. They told me that you bravely fought against the speedster alone…but that he caught your lightning like nothing, that he used his speed to strike you several times breaking your ribs and your spine and that he almost finished you by stabbing his claw at your side. It's okay to be afraid Barry."
The Prince shuddered remembering Zoom's razor sharp claws and nodded. "I failed my Kingdom and I'm not sure that we could win against him. I don't want you or Lisa to get hurt because of me. I know that this was my stupid plan. To involve you… and now I am afraid that I won't be able to protect you. I won't forgive myself if something happens to you."
"Barry… you don't need to protect me."
"You don't understand Len." – Barry said staring at Len's eyes. "Zoom is just too powerful and I am willing to do everything in my power to keep him away from you."
"Scarlet you are not alone and we will fight this together. Cisco enhanced the cold field, Lisa has her powers back, we have great warriors on our side… Arrow, Vibe, Killerfrost and Firestorm…we can do this, we just need a good strategy Scarlet."
"What if we lose?" he muttered under his breath.
"I won't let Zoom touch you or harm you in anyway… I promise."
Barry sighed. "I know… " He whispered knowing better that the King's words were empty.
If Zoom wanted something, there was nothing, literally nothing in their realm that could stop the evil speedster from achieving that and Zoom just announced that he changed his plans… he wasn't going to conquer Central Kingdom first as everyone thought, he was just coming to the north hunting for him and that sent shivers down his spine. He was scared of was Zoom was capable of. Scared of losing Len. Santini and Thawne were child's play compared to Hunter Zolomon. The prince shivered remembering what Multiplex told him during their fight before he arrived to the Winter Real… "He is coming for you. He won't stop until he kills you and destroys everything in his path... He is going to send his warriors to annihilate everything you love and he won't let you marry King Snart because you; Prince Bartholomew Allen, are his to kill…Zoom is really anxious to have you in his power, he wants your speed, your body and to torture you, to make you bleed slowly and painfully. He wants to hear you scream... Your fate is already sealed."
"Scarlet you are frowning again…"- Len stated moving to the seat next to Barry.
"Sorry…"- whispered Barry. "How was he supposed to tell Len that Zoom wanted him? That he wanted his speed. That all of this chaos was his fault…"
"Barry…" – Len said feeling deep down that something was deeply wrong and that Barry wasn't sharing everything. The King moved his hand under Barry's chin and lifted the Prince's face to see Barry's hazel eyes.
"You are still hiding something Scarlet…"
"I'm not…" – the Prince murmured feeling the King leaning towards him and Len's lips brushing his.
"Liar…" Len looked at him skeptical. "Tell me…I can't help you if you don't trust me."
"I trust you…" Barry replied. "I do…"
"Then tell me…"
Barry turned his face away from Len's deep gaze.
"I already told you everything Len …he is an evil speedster, stronger and faster than Thawne, he was condemned in Central Kingdom for several deaths but he escaped and fled to the South where he created a potion that enhanced his velocity but it also made him sick…"
Len nodded. "Yes I remember that. You also told me that there was no antidote for his sickness… but that he has the theory that your blood and speed could be his cure. He wants you and I'm guessing he is running out of time…that's why he is coming to the north ignoring Central Kingdom. He wants you."
The blood drained from Barry's face.
"So that's was bothering you…you are feeling guilty because you are the reason Zoom will attack us."
The Prince closed his eyes mortified. "Maybe…"
Len stayed silent for a moment his expression carefully blank.
"Yes…" – Barry finally admitted with a groan.
"Well don't be. That's not your fault and I won't let him get near you. You are mine Scarlet…only mine…"
Barry shook his head with his eyes closed.
"Look at me…."
Barry turned to see the King and Len leaned slowly to kiss him. It started soft and sweet until Len deepened the kiss and Barry responded and kissed back with need. They kissed until their lips were red and their breath was gone. Barry closed his eyes feeling Len's warm breath on his parted lips. Len noticed that the motion of the carriage starting to cease.
"Everything is going to be alright Barry…I promise."
The carriage stopped completely and Barry nodded feeling hope. Maybe Len was right. They have everything to win. They just needed a good plan. The coachman opened the door.
"We arrived your Majesties!"
They exited the carriage and quickly Lisa, Cisco, Caitlin and Ronnie joined them, they were laughing and enjoying and after a while Barry relaxed and started laughing with them. Len smiled, he loved Barry's and Lisa's laugh...it was music to his ears. The group started walking through the beautiful narrow passageways of the northern town followed by General Mark, General Singh and their soldiers. Barry saw the impressive large city walls surrounding the town, he noticed that the houses were built in half-timber and the streets were of cobblestone. There were a lot of stone bridges over the rivers that crossed peacefully the town and tall trees at the side of the roads. Yellow and orange leaves were falling with the chilly wind.
"The townspeople seem happy…" –Lisa stated when they arrived to a lively and busy market square. She fixed her long hair that was getting wildly unraveled by the wind and Cisco smiled awestruck by her beauty.
"Indeed…" – Caitlin added surprised holding Ronnie's hand. "It almost seems like we are in Central…there's so many people and carriages."
"It's thanks to the end of Santini's mercenaries and assassins." – Len explained walking besides the Prince. "The Santini group usually raided the towns and killed the people who didn't pay them… so now the people feel safe. Normally the streets were empty and silent. This happiness is thanks to all of you."
Ronnie smiled. "I'm glad. People deserve peace."
"Yes, everyone deserves peace."- Len repeated glancing at the young Prince who smiled back at him. They kept walking until they finally arrived to the market. Cisco went crazy in all the shops and bought a lot of different materials, metals and stones for his inventions and Len bought different kinds of wild berries for Barry to try them.
"You are going to love them Scarlet…"
"Thank you Len." He said holding the small bag with the fruits.
Barry smiled. "By the way how are you feeling?"
"Delighted…"
Barry rolled his eyes. "No I mean…your wounds from Thawne's fight…I'm worried about your leg bothering you from all this walking…you got your leg pierced by your own icicle."
"I'm okay Scarlet. Caitlin is a really good healer but I think you already know that."
Barry sighed.
"Don't worry Scarlet, I promise I'm okay. You saw today that I'm healing fine…" he said and Barry blushed remembering their hot bath.
"I'm not sure I remember…I think I need to check your injuries again tonight…"
Len raised an eyebrow. "Now you want to be my healer?"
"I can be whatever you want me to be Len…" Barry said biting his lower lip.
Len laughed amused. "Scarlet…stop teasing me or you are going to regret it."
"Maybe i want to regret it..." Barry whispered and Len smiled with the thought.
They turned left in the town square and arrived in a very busy street full of guilds of every kind. There were weavers, dyers, armorers, bookbinders, painters, masons, bakers, leatherworkers, embroiderers, cobblers, and candle makers. There was also an old Blacksmith shop and next to it an apothecary. Caitlin fascinated with the apothecary dragged Ronnie and Cisco inside to look for rare goods from the north. Len watched the jewels shop and reminded himself to send a letter to summon the jeweler to the palace. After half-hour of walking and sightseeing they arrived to the town's limit.
"This is where the forest begins." – Len explained stopping in front of a beautiful path that led right in to the woods.
"Amazing!" – Caitlin said excited to enter the woodland.
"We will just go and stay on the path. I don't want to go in too deep, because is getting late and we still have two more places to visit."
They all nodded and started walking through the tall trees and they could hear the howls of the wind and their steps over the ground full of leaves. They were near a stream of water. There was a strong smell of damp leaves and they could hear the water flowing down the river.
"In this woods hunting is allowed." – Lisa explained. "There are a lot of boars, foxes, deer and wolves."
"I hate hunting…" – added Caitlin observing the plants near the roadside. "Poor animals…"
Lisa nodded in agreement. "I agree with you Cait when hunting is just for sport it is terrible…"
They kept walking until Caitlin and Cisco stopped to analyze some weird plants and flowers next to the road and Lisa and Ronnie started talking about their powers when Barry unexpectedly heard something.
"Len… do you hear something?"
The King stayed silent. "Not really…"
"I think there's something over there…"
"Stay on the path Scarlet!"
Barry left the forest trail, ignoring Len's warning and walked until he reached the riverbank. Len followed worried his stubborn fiancé.
"Can you hear it?"
Len nodded. Barry was right. There was a soft whimper of an animal. Len started walking towards the sound followed closely by the Prince. The King noticed a beautiful white wolf lying on the ground and a white cub shivering. He got closer and saw that the mother wolf was unfortunately dead…two arrows…probably the work of the northern hunters protecting their livestock or families. "Damn" He felt his heart was a sad image. Len grabbed the shivering cub with both of his hands trying not to harm the little wolf and he lifted his gaze to see Barry already captivated by the small white wolf. Len smiled and walked towards the prince with the small cub in his arms and Barry softly patted the wolf between the ears.
"The mother?"
"Dead…probably the work of some hunters. He didn't follow the pack, he is going to die if he stays here alone…"
Barry's eyes widened worried for the fate of the puppy.
"Len…can we keep it?"
"I don't think it is a good idea Scarlet…it's a wolf… not a dog."
"But it's so small and fluffy…we can't leave him here alone to die…."
Barry took the pup from Len's hands. The wolf licked Barry's face and the Prince laughed feeling the tickles. Len couldn't deny that he was spellbound with the sight and with Barry's sweet laugh, especially after all he has had been through.
"Please…" – murmured Barry. "Look at it…it is so small!"
"Damn it"- The King thought watching the Prince who was beaming. He couldn't resist Barry's pleading-sparkling hazel eyes.
"Fine…" – he murmured resigned looking at the small white wolf.
Barry beamed. "How should we name him?"
"How about…Icicle?"
Barry wrinkled his nose in disapproval and Len scoffed at the reaction.
"Do you have a better name Red?" - the King asked raising and eyebrow.
"How about Cold?" – he replied holding the cub gently.
Len shook his head. "That's terrible…"
"Maybe Snowflake? Snowball? Myst? Frost?"
"Barry …you are seriously horrible at naming."
"Yeah I know… that's normally Cisco's job!"
Len rolled his eyes. "Maybe Flash? Streak…"– added the King thinking in Barry's speed.
"Snow? I like Snow…" – murmured Barry happy with the sound of it.
"Lady Snow will kill you…"
Barry agreed, "Maybe…Winter?"
The King smiled amused and hummed in mild agreement. "Winter it is…"
"Thank you…" – Barry said kissing Len's soft and cold lips.
"We should go back…" Len suggested starting to walk towards the path. Barry agreed and followed his fiancé with Winter in his arms. Quickly they joined the group and Lisa and Caitlin squealed loudly at the sight of the small white cub.
"Oh my god Barry! It's that a wolf?"
"It's so cute!" said Lisa. "Lenny where did you find him?"
Len told them that they found the mother dead near the riverbank while Cait and Lisa took turns to stroke Winter and Len kept watching them in amusement.
"So are you going to keep it Lenny?" – Lisa asked surprised turning to her brother.
"Yes we are…"
Lisa smirked narrowing her eyes. "But you don't like pets Len…"
Barry turned anxiously to see his fiancé. "You don't…?"
"I do like them."
"No you don't…" – Lisa replied. She wanted revenge against Len for ruining her time alone with Cisco.
"I once had a pet Lisa. If you care to remember…"
"Len… a chicken hardly counts like a pet…"
Cisco and Ronnie chuckled at the image of the Winter King with a chicken.
"It was a white gyrfalcon…" Len said flustered. "Not a bloody chicken Lisa!"
Barry smiled amazed. "You had a falcon?"
"Gyrfalcon Barry not any falcon… and that's so cool!" – Cisco added and Len agreed but Lisa glared instantly at him. "I mean, awful...who wants a highly valued trained large chicken of prey…"
Lisa glared at Cisco.
"Yes long story Scarlet…" Len said. "But as you can see I do like pets... and now Lisa…Barry and I will have a wolf."
Lisa laughed. "Yes I see and I'm glad you are finally getting serious..."
Len glared at her and she grinned.
"So have you picked a name yet?" – Cisco asked curiously. "If you are familiar with my line of work you know I could totally help…"
"Yes we already picked a name Cisco…" – said Len turning to Barry.
Cisco waited for the name expectantly. "I hope it's something good…make me proud Barry."
"It's Winter…"- Barry added pleased with the name choice and Cisco sulked.
"So…are you married to that, or...?"
The Prince gave Cisco a flat look.
"Well it's actually not the worst name you could've come up with…." Cisco added. "But seriously not the best one either Barry…well at least I guess is not Icicle or something stupid like that."
The King sent a murderous glance at Cisco and Barry laughed wholeheartedly.
"I'm taking a wild guess here and… I'm guessing that was an option…"
Barry nodded. "Oh yes…it was Len's first option."
"I'm going to shut up now."
After the long tour around the city the group decided to stop to eat at the town's well-known tavern called the Silver Knight where Ronnie, Cisco and Len started a beer drinking competition, to Barry's annoyance they didn't let him participate because his body processed the alcohol too quickly and they said it wasn't fair… so Len won easily drinking four beers, clearly Ronnie and Cisco were terrible drinkers.
"I would have won if you let me in…"- Barry added pouting.
"No I would have won…"- Lisa said confident and glaring at Len.
"Think you can beat me Lisa?" - The King asked raising an eyebrow. "Are you challenging me Sis?"
"You bet your ass I am!"
Len laughed. "You are going to lose…"
"Please Len…we will drink until one of us can't drink anymore!" – she said excited. "The last one standing wins!"
Lisa motioned her hand to a barmaid to bring more beer.
"Your Highness…" – Caitlin said nervously. It sounded almost like a whisper. "I just wanted to remind you that later on you still have the announcement of the marriage to the Royal Court… in the throne room… in front of all the northern court…"
"Don't worry Lady Snow…this is going to end quickly…"
"Speak for yourself old man!" Lisa said and Cisco laughed.
Caitlin turned her gaze towards Barry and the Prince smiled and shrugged.
When the barmaid arrived with the beer Len and Lisa started drinking. Lisa narrowed her eyes at her brother and gulped down the contents of her mug like crazy. After the fourth beer the whole tavern was cheering. Half were supporting the Princess and the other half the King.
Cisco was honestly amazed with Lisa's resistance to the alcohol. And then Len at the fifth beer he finally stopped…he couldn't drink anymore and Lisa stood up triumphant banging her mug to the table.
"You didn't win Lisa… I have been drinking since before with Cisco and Ronnie…" – Len said.
"Don't be a sore loser Len."
"I call for a rematch…"– said Len challenging. "But clearly another day"
"Deal!"
After Len's defeat, how Lisa called it, they traveled to the Azure Lakes to sightsee. Len and Lisa were a little bit drunk and Barry and Cisco were amazed at their endless fighting. The Prince sighed impressed to see that part of the woods surrounding the lake was still recovering from the fight against the Mist and he couldn't avoid feeling guilty about it. This was the place where the King saved him, where they first met, he felt his heart flutter…he needed to someday repay Len for everything his done. Barry was watching the peaceful lake when Lisa approached him and pushed him playfully away from the group. Barry laughed.
"Lisa what are you doing?"
Winter followed them running and wagging his tail.
Lisa hugged Barry. "Thank you Barry."
"W -What? Why?"
"Len he is so happy…and I know it is thanks to you… he is getting back to normal after two years of pain and despair…he is even joking and laughing and smiling…"
Barry smiled and tightened the warm embrace. "I will always try to make Len happy I will protect him from harm… I promise." He said releasing the Princess and looking at Lisa's light blue eyes. "I promise"
"Thank you Barry. I know you will."
Winter started biting Barry's black boots and the Prince grabbed him.
"I still can't believe Lenny is adopting a wolf."- She said amazed.
"I still can't believe Len is going to marry me." – Barry confessed.
Lisa laughed. "Well honestly…he would be an idiot not to…"
The last stop of their trip was at the Old Temple. It was Lisa's favorite spot in the realm. The place had an amazing view to the Winter Palace, the lakes and the town. They could see almost everything from up there. The group stayed there for a while talking about the wedding. Lisa and Cisco finally had their time alone and Lisa asked him about his powers.
Cisco finally told her everything and she was truly amazed by it. Ronnie, Caitlin, Len and Barry sat down in the old ruins to contemplate the view and relax.
Late in the afternoon, when they finally arrived to the palace, they separated and went swiftly to their respective rooms to refresh for a while and soon they were all gathering again before sunset at the throne room with the summoned Royal Court and High Council.
The King and the Prince were in front of the huge doors of the throne room. They were going to enter and finally announce their marriage to the Winter Realm. Len was wearing robes of deep blue contrasting with the crimson robes of the Prince. Both of them were wearing their crowns for the occasion. Len's royal crown was inspired by winter; it was cold silver and decorated with beautiful blue stones. Barry's crown was smaller, golden and adorned with red stones.
"Len before we enter I wanted to thank you for today. I really enjoyed everything."
The King smiled it was definitely one of his best days too since he lost Mick.
"Thanks Len." Barry said glancing almost shyly at the strong handsome man beside him that in a week will officially become his husband.
Len nodded. "I enjoyed too…so are you ready Scarlet?"
"I am…as long as you stand by me."
"Always" - The King smiled and nodded to his two guardsmen to open the old oak door for them and a herald announced the arrival of the Winter King to the room. Everyone was standing waiting for them. All heads turned to see the couple walk together down the lane. Taking a deep breath Barry walked as calm as he could next to Len. There were so many new faces of the Northern Royal Court that he didn't recognize and their eyes were all on him. He could feel his heart beating quickly and his face turning crimson. Barry exhaled when they finally arrived in front of the dais where Len's throne was. Len seated in his throne and Barry and Lisa joined him at the front. Barry seated in the medium throne at the King's right, where probably King Mick Rory used to seat and Lisa at her brother's left side. The room was silent with expectation. When the Winter King announced first that Hartley Rathaway was to be pardoned by his treason everyone in the audience gasped, it seemed to Barry that mercy was an uncommon practice at the north. Len dictated that Hartley was to pay for his crimes working for the good of the northern people strictly supervised by Central Kingdom's best inventors Sir Harrison Wells and Sir Cisco Ramon. Barry smiled at his friends who were watching him from the front row of the hall. Then Len stood up and finally announced his new marriage with the young Prince of Central Kingdom. Len turned to give Barry his hand. Barry stood up and took his fiancé's hand and stayed next to Len's side. The Winter King presented his royal fiancé to the people and the nobles praised the handsome young Prince that represented the hope of a new and strong alliance. Len smiled at Barry and the prince felt his heart beating quickly and his hands get sweaty. He was so nervous. The crowd cheered and Barry blushed. He saw that after the announcement everyone started murmuring. Len cleared his throat and continued inviting all to the wedding that was going to be celebrated a week from today with a royal ball and feast. Len finished his speech and the people continued cheering and the Prince flashed a nervous smile to the northern people.
"That went well…" – Cisco murmured to Harrison who glanced at the adorable crimson Barry smiling awkwardly next to the confident and a little drunk King.
"Yeah…I think so too…" added Wells smiling.
After dinner Barry was still anxious and ashamed of his shyness and asked Cisco to accompany him to walk in the gardens to catch a little of fresh air and to show Winter the palace's grounds.
"Oh come on Barry…it wasn't that bad." – Cisco said walking and looking at the garden's decorations. The sky was turning a blue hue and the starts were starting to shine.
Barry sighed. "I'm terrible with the crowds…" – he confessed mortified looking at Winter who was sniffing everything in his path.
"I know but unfortunately for you, you were born as a Prince so you have to deal with that…" – replied Cisco turning to his friend. "At least you didn't fall or do something weird to embarrass Leonard…although you were so red that you were almost of the same color of your royal garments…it was funny."
Barry glared at his best friend. "Thank you Cisco for your support."
Cisco laughed. "Chill Barry…I'm sure the ladies of the court thought you were cute."
"Shut up!"
Barry rolled his eyes and suddenly heard some steps walking towards them. Both turned and saw Winter run wagging his tail towards Leonard. The King crouched and picked the wolf and walked towards Barry.
"I was looking for you Scarlet… I'm going to go to the studio to work for a while, I've been neglecting my royal duties and there are a lot of pending treaties and agreements that I need to study and review."
Barry nodded. "No problem…do you need any help?"
"No don't worry I think I can handle it… but The High Council has been quite annoying and I think I should better finish this quickly before we decide what to do with Zoom and before our wedding's preparations."
Barry agreed. "I will stay here with Cisco for a little while and then I'll wait for you at your room."
"Sounds…good."
Len gave a chaste kiss to Barry and he swiftly put a hand around Barry's neck and pressed their bodies together, squeezing an annoyed Winter in the process, to whisper to Barry's ear slowly. "I want you tonight Scarlet…." Len's lustful voice sent shivers down Barry's spine. The King bit the prince's earlobe playfully and looked at Barry's green eyes and smiled. "I can play this game too…"
Barry laughed and Len left Winter on the ground next to the Prince and Cisco.
"Don't stay out here for too long…the nights are getting colder."
Barry nodded and Len disappeared in to the castle.
"I'm going to pretend that I didn't see or hear anything of that," said Cisco starting to walk away from an entertained Barry.
Len was slowly walking to his studio. He was happy. He couldn't believe that he was going to get married again and it was no longer just some arranged marriage with an unknown man, it was with a beautiful young, ridiculously hot and brave Prince who was also in love with him. Mick would have definitely approved Barry.
He needed to summon the jeweler as quickly as possible and ask him to do the new weddings bands. There was so much work to do. He should ask Lisa to be in charge with the wedding plans, and maybe when Barry's sister arrives tomorrow she would be willing to join Lisa with the preparations. The King kept walking idle in his own thoughts when he heard some nobles talking in the hallway and he groaned annoyed. It was late and he didn't want to be distracted with the court gossip or with some nobleman requests or favors, so he stopped in the shadows and waited for the two men to pass and disappear.
"So the King decided to marry again and now he likes them younger. The kid could easily be his son." – said Lord James Jesse.
Len narrowed his eyes at the comment.
"You are just jealous…you old pervert!" – said a deep voice that Len easily recognized as Sir Tony Woodward. "You are older than the King and you want to fuck the kid… the beautiful and perfect Prince of Central Kingdom. I'm so tired of hearing how perfect this kid is…all the ladies at the northern court are talking about him. I just want to punch him square in the face."
James laughed. "And I am the jealous one? The ladies are no longer interested in you Tony?"
"Fuck off!"
"You know I would kill for having the kid one night to fuck him senseless. I now understand why Leonard chose him over Hartley. I wish I could bend that young prince in half over the throne and taint him…over and over again until he can no longer scream anymore."
"Damn! I don't need that image old man… isn't your son Axel the same age as Bartholomew?" – said Tony annoyed and sickened.
"No Axel is older…"
"For some reason that makes it worse…."
"Tight ass, soft lips, beautiful green hazel eyes… long legs...he is perfect." – added James licking his lips and Tony rolled his eyes.
Len felt his anger boiling. He scowled and kept a tight grip on his sword. He was going to ice them. He was going to fucking use his bloody cold wave and kill them slowly… besides he needed to try the new enhancement of the blast.
"Well you would kill for having the kid at your mercy and Leonard would kill anyone who dares to touch his new fiancé…you heard what happened to the Mist and Thawne. An icicle to the heart killed Kyle Nimbus and Eobard was impaled with an ice spear. If I were you James I would keep quiet if you want to keep your body warm and stay alive."
"Do you think the King already fucked him?" – asked Jesse ignoring Woodward's concern.
"I really don't care…" – Tony added. "But it is probable… I mean I don't think Leonard would waste a perfect opportunity for a good fuck… I wouldn't…but I think that the prince is using his body to use Leonard."
Jesse looked surprised. "What do you mean kid?"
Woodward sighed. "I was thinking that maybe with the death of King Rory… King Leonard has been vulnerable and weak…the rumors say that Bartholomew is quite intelligent and sly; he is probably going to manipulate the old King to do his bidding."
"Well The King has been useless for this past two years" – Jesse added. "Maybe is not that bad that the kid rules in his place…at least since the Prince arrived there has been new changes… like the end of Santini's raids."
"True… well I guess we will see." – said Tony.
The voices and the steps of the two nobles slowly faded away and Len felt the need to punch something. The King clenched his fist and hit the wall and a small wave of frost erupted cracking the stonewall of the palace. He tried to compose himself and breathed deeply. He needed to calm down. He knew Woodward and Jesse were scum. He shouldn't get angry…it was stupid. Barry would never use him, the kid was to good and his emotions were easy to read.
Len walked toward his studio trying to put what he heard aside and focus on his royal tasks. When he arrived to his private workspace a guard opened the door for him and he entered the room going directly to his desk. He sat down on his chair and exhaled annoyed. There were a lot of unread scrolls, letters and he sighed. How was he supposed to work when his mind drifted always to those awful rumors? He was so furious but he couldn't do anything he just needed to forget everything he just heard. Or maybe he should focus on Barry waiting for him in is room? Beautiful green eyes... parted lips...long legs. Len shivered and smiled. He needed to end this work soon and go to his room to be with Barry.
The King grabbed a piece of parchment and started writing the letter to the jeweler; he wanted the man tomorrow early in the morning in the castle. When he finished the letter he called his guard and commanded him to go to the stables and give the order to deliver the letter to the jeweler as soon as a messenger could. The guard nodded and disappeared. He continued working with the letter containing Hartley's royal pardon and then with some boring treaties and declarations. He was focused in his work when the door of his private studio opened. For a moment he wished it was his handsome fiancé but when he lifted his gaze he couldn't recognize the man in front of him. The King stood up furious with the intrusion.
"Who the hell are you?" – the King asked fuming putting his quill down. "How the hell did you get in here?"
"The guards seemed distracted…so I took the chance."
"What do you want?"
"I am just an envoy your Highness." – said the man.
"Who sent you?"
"Take a wild guess…"
Len felt his blood go cold and a shiver run through his body. Barry was right Zoom was going to be a pain in the ass. His hands started to get cold ready to kill the emissary.
"What does Zoom want?"
"Zoom wanted to give you a message…he says that he is coming to take what is his. He is willing to pardon your life, the life of Princess Lisa and your Kingdom if you to cancel the wedding and give him Prince Bartholomew Allen. You have a week…think about it."
Len glared at the man. "I decline his offer…"
"Then you are a fool…" the man murmured. "But this way is more interesting… I can see you have some real anger deep inside you, Your Highness…Let me help you unleash it!"
Len was going to channel his ice to kill the man but suddenly everything went red.
Barry fell asleep in the King's four-poster bed. He really wanted to wait for Len, he was more than excited when Len said that he wanted to be with him tonight but the night was so cold and he got so comfortable under the warm blankets that he lost track of time and he unwillingly drifted to sleep. A couple of hours later he turned slowly to his left side and felt Winter moving closer to him to lick his face. Barry smiled and opened his eyes. He gently stroked Winter's soft fur and the pup that started wagging his tail happily.
Barry sighed when he noticed that Len wasn't back from his studio. He was probably still working on some treaties. Barry felt guilty, maybe he should have insisted more of helping, he wasn't half bad with trade treaties...
It was probably past midnight and he really wanted to share some time alone with the King. He groaned. He even wore his stupid scarlet nightshirt. Maybe he should go and zoom Len out of his studio and into their bed.
Barry sighed quickly discarding the idea he didn't wanted to be a nuisance. It was probably a better plan to just wait for Len.
The Prince swiftly reached for his bag of berries that rested on his nightstand and tried them one by one. Winter was curled on his lap waiting hopefully for a berry. Barry tried them all and after a while he concluded that his favorites were the raspberries and that Winter loved the blueberries.
"I didn't knew that wolves eat berries" – he said amused petting Winter when the door of the King's room creaked open and Len entered. "You are back! I was thinking of going to your studio and kidnap you in a flash…"– said Barry friskily from their bed. "Oh and sorry I almost ate all the berries. I think my favorite are the raspberries. I left you some blueberries but I think you will have to share them with Winter, he loves them…"
The King closed the door and moved slowly into the room. Barry waited for his handsome fiancé to get to the bed. In the dim light of the candles the Prince couldn't see very well.
"I've been waiting for you…" he said seductively removing the bed blankets from his body to reveal that he was only wearing the stupid red silk nightshirt covering him up to his knees.
The King stopped in the middle of their room and Winter growled scared throwing his ears back.
Barry lifted his gaze slowly and noticed a cold radiance of metal. Len's sword was unsheathed.
"Len?"
The Winter King in a swift movement stabbed his sword in to the ground and the enhanced cold wave froze the entire room with a powerful white blast.
This was my longest chapter yet! :O I really hope you enjoyed.
This chapter gave me a lot of trouble, so...let me know what you think!
And sorry for the cliffhanger! Winter is coming... I mean angst is coming...
Also I just wanted to say that you people are amazing! Thank you for reading, for fave & follow and especially for your comments! Every comment makes me want to have speedforce to write faster. So feel free to leave a review or feedback! I promise will try to update soon! :D