A/N: Before we begin, special thanks to Hatakefire and Athena's Warrior for reviewing. Your encouragement inspires me to keep going. =P

Disclaimer: I still own nothing… when I do, I'll let you know.

Oh… and, thanks to Hatakefire for helping me come up with the idea…

5. Seeking Solace

Horace awoke to a pounding at his door. He moaned, rolling over and burying his face into his pillow. "Fivemoreminutes…" he mumbled. He was about to drop off to sleep once more when the door swung open and a servant bustled into the room.

"Good morning, Sire," the boy exclaimed.

"Don't call me that please," Horace said.

The servant went on without hearing him. "You have a full schedule today! First, you will be fitted for your wedding suit, then the king requests you to meet with him for lunch, and after, you will go to your first council meeting."

Horace moaned as the boy continued to jabber uselessly. Resisting the urge to throw something at the servant, he threw off the covers and stood up.

"I will go fetch the seamstress. You wait here!" The boy eagerly bounced away. Horace relished the quiet, sitting down at his desk and eating the breakfast that had been laid out for him. His peace didn't last for long.

The door swung open again to reveal an old woman, who was carrying a basket. "Good morning, Sire," she said politely.

"Please don't call me that," Horace growled moodily. The lady just smiled and nodded, gesturing for him to stand up as she began to measure him. She hummed a tuneless song, and the servant began chattering away once more.

By the time the fitting was over, Horace had a pounding headache. He walked slowly to the dining hall, plastering a fake smile on his face before swinging open the door.

"Horace!" King Duncan cried happily. "I'm glad you could join me! Take a seat!" He gestured at one of the chairs next to him, where a plate of food already waited.

Horace sat down, staring down at the food. His stomach churned and he pushed the plate away. "Thank you, but I'm not hungry…" he said slowly. "You wanted to see me for something?"

The smile dropped off the King's face. "I've been meaning to talk to you… there is something we need to discuss… Tomorrow you are going to give a speech to the people… they want to hear from you… they want to know who their king is going to be when I am gone," he said, smiling sadly.

Horace stared at the king in shock. "What do you mean I have to give a speech?" he cried, shaking his head wildly.

"Horace, you will be the king one day, and you will have to get used to giving speeches in front of your subjects…" King Duncan said.

Horace shook his head. "I can't," he exclaimed. Even the thought of speaking in front of a crowd made his throat close with fear. He looked at the king pleadingly.

"You are going to have to get used to it, Horace!" King Duncan said kindly.

Horace stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the stone floor. "Excuse me," he said politely. He strode out of the door and into the courtyard, stumbling down the steps in his haste to get as far away as possible.

Not looking where he was going, he crashed into someone, nearly sprawling on the ground.

"Sorry…" he mumbled without looking to see who it was, brushing past and walking quickly out into the garden. At least here, I can get some peace, he thought miserably.

"Horace," someone said from behind him. Horace resisted the urge to curse as he turned around.

Halt stood there, arms crossed over his chest and feet spread wide apart. Even being as short as he was, Halt still managed to seem menacing.

"Yes?" Horace asked, wearily sitting down on one of the benches.

"I… I just wanted to ask you if everything was alright…" Halt said gruffly.

Horace looked down at his boots, his hands shaking. "Yes… No… I don't know…" he responded. Halt raised one eyebrow, his face impassive. Horace shifted under the man's penetrating gaze.

After a long moment of silence, Halt walked over and sat down on the bench next to Horace. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Horace looked up at Halt, his face etched with worry. "I'm getting married to the princess next week, Halt!" he cried suddenly. "I'm not ready! I will never be ready!"

Halt took a while to reply. When he finally did, his voice was calm and reassuring. "The fact that you are worrying about it means that you are ready for the things to come, Horace. You are a fine warrior and a likeable young man. I am sure that the people will see you the same way I do…"

"But what if they don't? I have to give a speech, Halt!" he asked. "I hate speaking in front of people! What if I screw up the speech and everyone hates me? What if I…"

"Horace…" Halt interrupted him. "Stop… You know what to do to get people to like you? Be yourself! You will be a great king one day Horace. You are compassionate and you have a great heart! Not to mention that you are a great warrior! You will win Araluen many battles…"

As Halt spoke, he watched the young man's eyes light up with a new fire. He smiled inwardly and thought, Enough is enough. I can't have him getting to big of a head.

"Alright! Now stop complaining and get out of my sight! I have better things to do than to consol a love-struck fool!"

Horace nodded emphatically and stood, bounding up the stairs and back into the castle.

"Will mentoring ever end?" Halt muttered, before spinning on his heel and striding away.

A/N: Soooo… Did you like it? Sorry if this chapter seemed odd to you... I kept thinking about Merlin when I was writing it... and then I went off on a sad soundtrack spree... There are some amazingly sad soundtracks out there!

I loved the idea of a comforting Halt (idea goes to Hatakefire)… I couldn't pass up the opportunity….

Any ideas for the next chapter, Break Away? If I use your idea, I will be sure to dedicate the next chapter to you… Leave any ideas in the review please.