Chapter seven:

Beyond and Always go to Near who gets to his feet since he was sitting on the edge with Mello in the middle of the trio this time.

"This has to end now." Always says. "We are leaving your highness." He tries to grab Near's arm but Near backs off just in time.

Rodger goes over. "What is going on?" He demands.

Beyond turns to Rodger. "Stand down. We have orders of the queen and king to retrieve him." He growls.

There is gasps.

"What?" Rodger gasps. "But why."

Near's eyes flicker to Mello as if asking for help.

"Because." Always begins as he slightly glances to Rodger.

Mello stands and speaks as he does the only thing that he could think of. "Because Near is a prince that left the castle."

There is loud gasps and mummers as well as unsure glances.

Rodger looks to Near wide eyed. "Is this true?" He asks.

Near glances away. "It is."

The room is shocked into silence.

Mello moves to protect Near. "He came here for what he believed to be for the best of the land his parents rule over." He says as he remembers what Near said as he makes sure that at least there is something out there so Near didn't have to be forced to answer why he is here. He glares at Always and Beyond.

The two glare back.

Near glances down.

There isn't any choice left and there is no where left to run.

"So leave him alone!" Mello growls to Always and Beyond.

"Get out of the way." Beyond snarls.

"ENOUGH!"

Everyone turns to Near who slightly looks up.

"It's ok Mello." Near tells the other.

"Near….." Mello begins but then as Mello watches Near walks to a little bit in front of Mello with his head high.

"This is enough." Near speaks as if taking control of the situation. "There is no need to cause such a scene."

Always and Beyond look about to protest but Near continues.

"You will head back to the castle."

"We cannot go without you." Always reminds him plainly.

"I know." Near says. "I will come with you."

Mello looks about to protest now.

"Only under one condition."

Everyone listens to what Near has to say.

Near turns to face Mello. "Mello. I would like you to come with us to gain a high rank of my protector or knight."

Everyone is surprised.

"And Matt to come as well." Near adds.

Matt brightens as he looks very excited.

"Well?" Near asks. "Do you accept?"

"Count me in!" Matt agrees right away with a leap of joy.

Mello can't help but smile. "Of course." He agrees then kneels respectfully to the prince. "Your highness."

Near smiles at this. "Thank you." He says.

"To be asked personally by royalty to have such a well respected role." Always says. "That is the highest honor you could ask for."

"Only those that royalty trust more than anything are asked to be their protector." Beyond adds.

Near turns back to Always and Beyond. "We pack and leave when everyone is ready." He leaves the room with that and Mello quickly follows him.

Always and Beyond follow not long after leaving Matt as the last one to go.

The three get ready to go.

Mello finishes before Near so he heads to Near's room leaving his bags in his room since there will be someone coming to pick them up as Always or Beyond obviously called for a ride big enough to take them. He peers inside and sees Near is still packing. He knocks on the door only for Near to turn to look to him pausing in his packing.

"Hello Mello." Near greets.

Mello enters the room. "Are you sure you want to go back?" He asks.

Near turns back to packing. "I think that me running away was a very selfish thing to do. But it did do good as I got to meet you." He pauses again then turns to Mello. "You know you are the first person I asked to be my protector."

Mello blinks in surprise. "I thought the first would have been Always and Beyond."

Near shakes his head. "We drifted apart before I was old enough to ask them properly and before then they were originally going to be my advisors to help me wherever or whenever possible." He explains. "But the title of my knight belongs to you and I do not regret this decision."

Mello smiles then he moves closer to Near only to hug the other. "I promise I will not let you down."

"I know." Near leans into Mello's touch. "I asked Matt to come along so you had someone else you know and his skill with technology could come in handy."

Mello smiles.

Near is kind as he not only thought about the land that needed an heir to the throne but also he thought of Mello by asking Matt to join them in order to allow Mello to remain with his best friend who is like a brother.

Mello hugs Near closer. "Thank you. I know that you will be a wonderful ruler."

…..

Everyone is ready by the time that the limo arrives.

The orphans and teachers come out as the stuff are packed into the car that came with the limo for the stuff that the five are taking with them.

Mello stays close to Near while Matt can't stay still.

Beyond and Always look content as they wait by the limo.

Near is now wearing his crown making it very obvious to any who still doubted that Near is truly a prince.

Rodger approaches Near and Mello causing the two to turn to him. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this but I would like to say thank you and good luck." He begins as it becomes obvious he approached without a plan of what to say.

"You run a fine orphanage." Near says. "I believe you should continue with your work of helping out the orphans that are in need of something more than a normal orphanage."

"Thank you we will." Rodger gives a bow to Near. "Your highness." He adds quickly as he isn't fully adjusted to calling Near that but knows it's rude not to when talking to royalty.

"Ready to go your highness?" Always asks.

Near turns to him. "Yes." He looks back to Rodger. "It was a pleasure to have a place to stay while away from the castle." He then looks to Mello. "Let's go."

"Right." Mello follows Near as they head to the limo.

Matt looks just noticing that the two are heading to the limo so he follows as Rodger straightens from the bow.

The five get into the limo and soon are off on their way to the castle.

Near, Mello and Matt sit on the side with the seat where their backs are in the direction of the back of the limo with Always and Beyond sit across from them.

Matt is looking out the window to watch as they leave Whammy's while Mello moves to gently grab Near's hand resting on the seat between them.

Near lets him and he is watching out the window.

Mello can sense he is a little nervous about returning to the castle so he tries to send comfort through their linked hands as well as through waves coming off of him as he makes his emotion as close to comforting as he can.

Near turns to Mello after a little bit only to remove the crown to place it on the seat then leans against the other with his eyes closed.

Mello watches and lets Near do this.

Always is sleeping leaning against Beyond while Beyond has an arm around Always to make sure he stays where he is comfortable.

The ride there is a little quiet.

Near and Mello stay close together sometimes making small talk.

Beyond continues to take care of Always.

Matt had gotten bored at some point so he is playing his DS.

It's a day trip at least since the castle isn't close to Whammy's house.

As night falls Beyond fell asleep as Always is still asleep though could awaken at any moment as the two sleep leaning against each other.

Matt fell asleep with his head against the window and his DS on his lap where it fell from his grip when he drifted asleep.

Mello is starting to fall asleep while Near fell asleep leaning against him. He closes his eyes allowing himself to drift in dreamland leaning against Near.