This story is really dumb and sappy and I'm having so much fun. Just a warning.
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"Steve," Sutton said, voice warning as he came closer. She edged further away and held up a pointed finger. "Steve, don't you dare. King or not, I will end you if you- Ah!"
Steve's smile was all trouble as he hefted her up off the ground with hands at her waist.
"I tried the bus," he said. "It's only fair."
"A bus isn't a live animal. Steve!"
He raised her up higher towards the unbothered horse like she wasn't more than a sack of flour, even as she squawked. The next moment she was in the saddle and she desperately gripped the front rim of it, horrified to notice there wasn't one of those little horn grips like the cowboys had in all the movies. Her legs clenched as she gripped the sides of the horse and tried not to slide off.
"I'm going to kill you."
"See? It's not so bad."
Sutton glared down at him and grit her teeth. It felt like she was tottling on the edge of a precipice with only the hard ground and some horses' hooves to meet her if she tipped over. She hadn't felt quite so out of control of her own fate in awhile. Steve placed one of his feet in the stirrup and hopped up behind her. Given that they were both sharing one saddle, there wasn't much space between them. Sutton could feel his body heat against her back and she stifled a squeak as he reached around her to grab the reins.
"I promise, you're safe riding with me."
Sutton shuddered; it felt like he was speaking directly into her ear. She loosened her shoulders slightly even as she eyed the distance to the ground. Having Steve behind her her did make her feel safer. Enclosed. There really wasn't anywhere for her to go with him wrapped around her so thoroughly. Which was an entirely new problem in itself.
"You ready to go?"
"Oh," Sutton sniped. "Now you ask."
Steve clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth and Sutton stiffened again as the horse began walking forward.
"Hey, whoa!" The horse ignored her. "Just don't go fast, ok? Please don't make it run."
Steve adjusted his grip on the reins and his arms rubbed against her shoulders.
"We'll start out slow," he agreed. "But I've been riding since I was a child. You're in good hands."
He directed the horse out of the stable and into the open, with Sutton gripping what she could of the saddle for dear life the entire time. Bucky was still seated on his own horse a few yards away from the stable and conversing quietly with both Tony and Pepper. They all looked over at the thumping of hooves on dirt and Tony's expression went deadpan.
"Don't tell me you've never seen a horse either."
"We have horses," Sutton snapped. "But hardly anyone rides them anymore, let alone me. I'm not made of money."
"What?"
Sprinkles was hopping around the legs of Bucky's steed and bothering the creature as Bucky turned to face them fully.
"We really should be going. It's an hour ride and we've been gone too long."
"Right," agreed Tony.
He let out a shrill whistle and Sutton winced at the noise. There was a whinnying reply and a pause before a thundering gallop could be heard. A large, golden horse came gleaming into view from the pasture and the way its hair shimmered could make a person believe it was made from the precious metal itself. There was a matching golden amulet bouncing around its neck with what looked like a glass orb set inside and it shone brighter than the horse did. Sutton gaped.
"I don't think we have horses like that."
"Oh, no?" Tony asked, his tone smug. "I can't say I'm surprised. I developed the breed myself, it's-"
Another whinny cut him off, this one smaller and much less impressive. Tony shot to attention.
"No! Not you!"
Just as the golden horse stopped near the fencing, waiting to be let out, another figure emerged from the wide expanse of pasture. Sutton wouldn't call it a horse. The small thing was more like one of those miniature ponies you'd see touted at the local county fair. The body of the fat pony was white and its mane was gray and a bit matted and frazzled looking. Not pristinely braided and styled like the golden horse.
The small thing let out another whinny that turned into something more guttural as it approached the fence.
"Not you, Dum-E," Tony said. "Go on. Go back to whatever it was you were doing."
The pony shook its mane and pressed closer to the fence as it nickered a bit more kindly.
"Dummy," Sutton said aghast. "You call him Dummy?"
"Yes," said Tony. "He's a dumb equine. It suits him. You have no idea the sort of trouble that thing has caused me."
"He's just a little pony. Aw, look at him. He only wants attention."
Dum-E reared up on his hind legs and tried to hit at the fence gate with his front hooves as if to open the door. The golden horse watched it all with a sort of bored expression that Sutton didn't realize horses could make.
"Sir." The words came from the horse's' mouth. Literally. Sutton jerked backwards in the saddle and Steve moved a hand to steady her.
"Shiny big, weird dog!" Sprinkles moved over, switching her attention to the newcomer. "Are you going to come out and play?"
The horse looked over and tilted its head in a curious fashion down at two different bothersome animals that were now on either side of the fence.
"You did summon me for a reason, sir, correct?"
"Sorry, Jarvis. Of course I did. We're heading out for the castle, let me just-"
He moved to open the gate and Dum-E doubled his efforts to open it himself. A bit of rope dangled from the latch and he managed to snag it with his teeth and pull.
"Dang it, Dum-E," Tony snapped. "Not again. You'll let all the rest out and I don't have time to chase down a herd of stubborn beasts."
Sutton managed to not pass out and recovered from her shock at another talking animal rather quickly.
"Do all the horses here talk," she asked. Steve snickered behind her.
"No. This would be quite rude, then, if they could."
"I'm not a talking horse," said Jarvis, the talking horse. Sutton squinted while her mouth dropped open slightly. Bucky laughed.
"It's the amulet." Pepper spoke up. She gestured to the necklace the horse wore as it continued to glow. "The horse is just a vessel, really."
"Jarvis is just a rather very intelligent spell," Tony piped up as he opened the gate and shoved Dum-E back with a foot. The pony neighed and ran back from the half-hearted abuse, his ears laying back as he flicked his tail and dropped his head.
"Awhile back," Tony continued to explain, "I was trying to find a way to store spells and collect information in a central location. It took a lot of trial and error, but I managed to come up with Jarvis, here. He can remember information and store data ready for when I require it. The amulet links to the core spell in my lab, and I'm able to access him even away from home."
"Oh," said Sutton. "So, it's kind of like magical wifi?"
Tony looked to Steve and Bucky but they both merely shrugged, clueless.
Tony finally managed to saddle his giant, not talking, war horse and climbed on to help Pepper up after him. They set off at a smooth clip and Sutton found herself pressing back into Steve as they increased their pace. Her fingers curled more tightly around the decorative rim on the saddle and she hissed at Steve's stifled chuckling.
"You promised not fast."
"I promised to start slow, which we did. But it's an hour ride and, if you're inexperienced, you're certainly going to want to get out of the saddle as soon as possible."
"Certainly," Sutton mocked. "I'd like to get out now. Sprinkles is walking."
"Sprinkles can keep up. And even she looks like she's getting tired. Bucky will have to carry her with him soon."
It was true; poor Sprinkles was panting and her gait was getting less enthusiastic as they continued on. She'd never gotten as much exercise as she probably needed in the apartment, and even if she had the horses were multiple times her size.
Sutton still didn't love riding horseback at the moment. Given that she didn't have the reins or the practice, it left her feeling helpless. But another, traitorous, part of her could appreciate being gently cradled in Steve's strong embrace. Despite the lingering complaints from the cautionary side of her brain, she did trust him. He did have a kingly quality to him, a self confidence that made those around him have confidence in him too.
"I bet you're just going to milk this, huh? You're just thrilled that now you get to look all handsome and smug while I flail around not knowing what to do."
"What was that," piped up Bucky, proving he was eavesdropping on their conversation. "It almost sounded like you called-"
"Shut up, Bucky!" Sutton's face heated and she internally screamed at yet another slip of her tongue. "It's rude to butt into conversations."
"Oh, she can tell a king's knight to shut up? I do like her," chimed in Tony. Bucky, as usual, just turned back around looking victorious. Sutton didn't want to know what face Steve was making. If she had any luck at all he'd missed what she said.
Steve mentioned nothing and they continued riding on only to slow briefly as Bucky helped Sprinkles to scramble up onto the horse and awkwardly work to lay in his lap. She huffed and grumbled and complained, but eventually she settled with practically laying perpendicular across the horse and resting her chin on Bucky's leg.
The saddle was beginning to make Sutton's own legs ache, but she tried to distract herself by studying the landscape they were travelling through. It was all so breathtaking.
Mountains in the distance looked like crystal, reflecting purples and blues through the haze of the atmosphere and they were still white capped despite the apparent warmth of the season. Sutton breathed in and could smell traces of pine and water; the scent reminded her of home. Not Seattle, which always managed to smell like concrete and garbage, but home. Like family hikes on the weekend and afternoons in the library while her mother worked.
"Do you like it," Steve murmured behind her. "Once we get things all settled, I can take you on a tour of the kingdom if you like. There are some truly beautiful places."
"More beautiful than this?" Sutton laughed. "This place is incredible and I haven't even really seen anything yet. It's hard to believe you all have a war you're trying to stop."
She felt Steve sigh as he switched to holding the reins in one hand, leaving the other free. Sutton eyed the casual grip he had on the leather warily.
"Where there's kingdoms and power there'll be conflict. Loki isn't the first to try, even if he's the latest. He'll be defeated just like the rest."
Sutton hummed lightly. Even fairy tales had conflict and bad guys. And she was fairly certain this wasn't a Grimm Brothers story, so they probably didn't have too much to worry about. She hoped.
Her mind drifted as she thought about the potential war.
"Tony mentioned something when he was singing," she finally said. "He mentioned a prophecy and looked at you. Does that have anything to do with the Loki problem?"
"Kind of," said Steve.
"It has everything to do with the Loki problem," Tony cut in. "His majesty needs to stop stalling and just fulfill the prophecy already."
"You know how I feel about prophecies Tony."
"What is the prophecy," Sutton prodded. "Please tell me it inexplicably rhymes."
"Do you have prophecies that don't?" Tony shot her a look and Sutton closed her eyes as she pressed her hands together in pure delight.
"You have no idea how ecstatic I am."
Pepper rolled her eyes as she leaned away from Tony's back in order to make eye contact with Sutton.
"Would you like to actually hear it, instead of having these boys stall for another fifteen minutes?" At Sutton's nod she cleared her throat and continued. "It goes like this:
From southern town
An orphan's heart
Of magic won
Though pain begot
Through lands divided
Shall they roam
A knighted soul
To lead them home
So shall stay the sorcerer's hand
And restore peace throughout the land."
Sutton mulled the words over silently, repeating bits to herself as she soaked it in. A real prophecy. Or, at least, a prophecy that some people in this world really believed in. It was fairly vague, as most prophecies she'd heard in movies were. Pretty par for the course, as far as these sorts of things went.
"So you're from a southern kingdom?" She tried to make sense of some of the cryptic clues. "Or were born in the south, maybe?"
Steve shook his head, his chin brushing against her hair.
"His mother passed after falling ill during a tour of some of the southern villages," Bucky said. "From southern town, an orphan's heart."
"Oh," murmured Sutton. She tilted her head backwards and could only make out an odd angle of Steve's semi-stern face. "I'm sorry."
"It was a while ago."
She didn't have to tell him she understood that it didn't ever really not hurt. That had been made abundantly clear by her break down and their talk in her apartment. She pried one of her hands from the saddle piece and gently patted his free hand. Steve surprised her by flipping his hand over and lightly twining his fingers with hers. Sutton swallowed and went hot.
He must need the comfort. Some reassurance. That was all.
Once they started passing some cottage-likes homes and cultivated farmland, Sutton assumed they were close to their destination. Steve wasn't wrong that she was feeling more than ready to get off the horse's back and on her own two feet again.
They were also starting to garner attention from those working outside. A road was gaining more and more definition and she could catch the scent of warm spices and fresh bread on the air. People seemed to recognize Steve and Bucky even in their "odd" outfits and would gather to cheer and respectfully bow as they passed. Sutton watched one little boy take off towards some gates growing in the distance and figured he had appointed himself to spread the news. She shrank back in to Steve as the attention continued to grow.
Surely people would recognize everyone but her and talk would start. Not to mention her clothes stood out so much it was almost comical.
The clothes she'd seen so far awed her, to say the least. Even the peasants'. They were frilly and sleek, leather and wool, embroidered and simplistically cut. Almost medieval with a modern flare, if that could be a thing. These weren't even what royalty wore and she was impressed. She only hunched further at the reminder of how humble the thrift store clothes must have really felt to both men.
"They're good people," Steve said. "You have nothing to worry about."
"I just sort of, you know, stand out a little. Right now." Steve laughed.
"I can imagine how we looked to you when you first saw us."
Sutton smiled to herself though Steve probably couldn't see it. She supposed they'd only looked ridiculous because they were standing besides a crowd dressed so normally. Well, normal for her world.
"It was unique. But I think, seeing what the norm is here, that you and Bucky must've been pretty stylish."
"We'll get you a wardrobe started once we reach the castle. The seamstresses we employ are unparalleled and they'll be able to get you some finished pieces within a week."
"Wait, custom? Oh, no, you don't-"
Steve squeezed her hand, still in his hold, and silenced her.
"No need to protest everything," he said. Sutton's face wrinkled in disbelief.
"If I don't, you'll just keep doing whatever you want. I'll end up owing you way more than I actually helped you."
"Have any of your protests ever made any difference so far," Tony drawled from beside them. "Clearly, you have very little experience with the stubbornness of royalty."
"Well clearly, you've never met a woman from the pacific northwest," she retaliated. "We freaking DIY everything, and if you think I haven't altered clothes from Goodwill before, you're crazy."
"That sentence," said Bucky, "just almost made sense."
They reached the city gates and Sutton craned her head to see how high they stretched. The posted guards hollered greetings and Bucky maneuvered his horse to the front of the group to lead them in.
It was like a parade; the street exploded in colors and noise. People waved colorful cloth and praised the return of their leader. Tony leaned in his saddle to speak out of earshot.
"Can you imagine their greeting if they knew you'd been in another realm entirely?"
"I will thank you for keeping that fact from public knowledge."
The cobblestone road wound through wood and stone buildings, shops and inns, and sweet smelling bakeries. Steve waved politely to the crowds as they rode through, the horses' hooves clip-clopping on the path. Sutton peeked through her curls at the people below. Children jumped up with waving arms while being held back by their parents. Overall it looked to be a joyful celebration, but she could spy some looks of relief on adult's faces. Of worry.
They were still a people on the verge of war. For some reason, it couldn't quite sink in for her. Everything looked too bright, too happy. If this was a fairytale world like some Disney flick, how bad could it really be?
The crowds thinned as they passed through the main square. Sutton gasped as the castle came into view. It rose above the gray stone structures like a gleaming beacon. Spindling turrets reached towards the clear sky and red and blue flags flapped from the tops in a lazy breeze. The castle looked like it was built from creamy, white stone and it was either infused with glitter or the stained glass windows were messing with her vision.
"You live in that?" Steve sat up straighter in the saddle.
"Yes," he said. "Do you like it?"
"It's incredible. I feel like I'm at Disney World. But better," she rushed to reassure. She sighed a little in awe as she slouched down, head tilted up towards the sparkling turrets. "America doesn't have castles. I still feel like I might be dreaming."
"It's real." Steve sounded as if he wanted to make that absolutely clear.
"How do your kingdoms defend themselves if they don't have fortresses," Tony asked. Sutton's face scrunched to one side.
"Uh, I don't think I'm going to taint this world with terrible technological knowledge. Just know it's not with castles." Tony stared at her a moment then rolled his eyes as he turned away.
They entered through another gate, unquestioned, and it opened up into a courtyard with a large fountain in the center and people scurrying around doing chores. Two young teen boys ran up to grab the reins from all the riders and led the horses off to the side.
"Your majesty," they said with a short bow. "Your Graces. Sir Barnes."
Steve hopped off the saddle in one smooth motion, and the others mimicked his movements. Tony only had to offer a hand to Pepper and she didn't even stumble when hopping down. Sutton held onto the saddle rim even tighter. Steve held out both arms to her as he stared up at her with a soft smile. It made her stupid stomach flip again.
"I won't let you fall. You can trust me."
Sutton took a deep breath, nodded, and shifted towards him. She only felt like she was free falling for half a second. Before she could fully process it Steve's hands were under her arms and then she was safely back on the ground. His hands remained on her sides a moment, as if making sure she had her balance, and Sutton was more than aware of their warmth and size compared to hers. And yet, his touch was nothing but polite, respectful.
"You did it, you did it!" Sprinkles came bounding over with a cheerful look on her face, her eyes squinting from her doggy smile. "I'm so proud of you, good girl."
"Oh lord."
Sutton stepped away and Steve moved his hands back to his sides. Everyone grinned at Sprinkles' words much to Sutton's chagrin. Luckily chatter from the surrounding workers managed to detract from the moment. A man in more elaborate dress power walked towards them from the castle. He had a bundle of scrolls under one arm, and was almost out of breath as he stopped before them.
"Your majesty," he said with a rushed bow. "There you are, it's been far too long."
"Coulson," Steve acknowledged. "Sorry to leave you all so suddenly."
The man was unassuming in appearance, with a polite thin curve of his lips and receding hairline. His eyes, however, were sharp, even if he looked a bit worn around the edges.
"I'm going to have to insist that you not disappear again." Steve smiled and pat his shoulder as he moved passed. Sutton followed along, casting a look at the man's buttoned coat and shining boots.
"You have my word. I think everything I need is right here." He winked at Coulson and the man's face quirked in confusion.
Their horses were led away by the teens, stable boys, Sutton guessed, and Coulson hurried to beat them into the castle via a set of wooden doors.
"Stand up straight! Look alive! The king is here, he did not die!"
Sutton's head snapped around as other workers in the castle spun around and stuck their heads through doorways.
"The king is here! The king is here!"
"Oh no," said Sutton. "Not this again. Hey! Can we just-"
Someone swung a door open, ribbon flew across a hall, there was the sound of clattering dishes. It was too late.
"It's been so long since he was seen
We had to fear the worst
But now our king 's come back to us
To save us from the curse!"
Coulson marched in front of them, snapping orders to castle staff as he went along, but only in sync with the nonexistent music.
Sutton cringed at the entire ensemble cast singing yet still tried to appreciate the castle before her. There were rich tapestries hanging on the walls alongside glowing sconces which held no fire. Steve grabbed her hand and hopped a little as he led her beside him.
"This is where I grew up
In my parent's warm embrace
Within the halls of my grandfathers
And under caring gaze
In these walls are my childhood
These people are my heart
I can remember stealing cakes and climbing trees
Before I ever learned to play a king's part."
"It must have been amazing. To be raised in a place like this."
"It's something that I treasure, with moments that I miss."
Sutton nodded, then her eyes shot open and her hand pressed to the base of her throat.
"Wait. What's happening?"
Clicking on the floor grew behind them and Sprinkles ran around the pair with renewed exuberance. She did a lap around them and threw her head back as she joined in with the rest of the castle.
"The king is here, the king is here!
We have no more to fear
For there's no one else who we adore
Or trust more
Than King Rogers of Andalasia!"
"How do you know this song?" Sutton demanded from Sprinkles. "You got here at the same time as me!"
Sprinkles huffed and began to thoroughly sniff the hall as she continued to explore.
"You're not listening," she said without bothering to look up.
But the song had come to a close and the lack of ringing voices made the building almost sound empty in comparison.
"I'm going to have to get used to that," Sutton said to herself. The tug at her hand was a sobering reminder that Steve's fingers were still threaded through her own, and they passed through a few corridors before he finally pressed one wooden door open.
"Before I have to run and settle with the council, I'll leave you to be fitted."
The room opened up into a wide space, shelves and shelves of bolted fabric in every color and texture lined the walls. A few women were working quietly at spinning wheels and old cast iron sewing machines, but looked up at their entrance. At seeing Steve, they all stood and bowed their heads respectively.
"Madames," said Steve, "I have a special order for you."
"Your majesty?"
"An entire wardrobe, if you please." He removed his hand from Sutton's and placed it at her back to usher her forward. The woman who spoke eyed Sutton up and down and looked intrigued.
"Of course, your majesty," she said with a bob of a curtsey. "May I ask what style?"
Steve bowed his head.
"I'll leave that to your discretion. But it should be fit for royalty."
Sutton turned in surprise. All of the women's eyes shone.