This fanfic is based off Art_the_f_up's Medieval au. Check it out on Instagram. Enjoy :)
Jumping over the latest excretion to be thrown out onto the streets, Adrien chanced a quick glance behind him as he ran in search of freedom. He was faster and more agile than most of the Lord's knights — his lack of armour definitely a positive in this situation — but that didn't mean they were any easier to escape.
"Get back here, you Skamelar!"
Another quick glance had Adrien almost crashing into a market stall as he continued pushing forward at an increasing speed. This was the longest they'd ever chased him. Maybe the Lord had decided to make a show of him.
'The Bearded Baron' — town highwayman and wanted outlaw; not that he had a horse or any other means of transport. It was just him, his skilled hands and exceptionally fast feet. The last thing he'd want, or need, is to get caught.
No one knew his name or identity and his main aim was to keep it that way.
"Come on!" he pushed himself. "Keep moving, Agreste, keep… moving!"
Jumping over the next object that got in the way, a flat bed on wheels; he took a sharp turn to the right down the closest alleyway, before switching to the left and continuing on. He was in the narrow streets of the City now, verging on the city limits, they couldn't keep chasing him much longer. Could they?
Another bucket of fluid came flying out the window, causing Adrien to press his back hard against the timber frame of the house and avoid being covered in waste that would take him at least a week to clean off — especially if it landed in his beard or long, curly hair.
Adrien knew this place like the back of his hand. Every crook, cranny and hidden alleyway was his domain. He could even put the rats to shame, which right at the moment would be his saviour.
Quickly turning down the joining alleyway, Adrien came face to face with a dead end… the wall he swiftly needed to climb if he wanted to escape the knight and keep his life. A soft meow above his head made him smile. There, on top of the wall, was Plagg — a pesky black cat who Adrien adored. The cat meowed again; a call for Adrien to climb. No one would go near this cat, his black fur a sign of witchcraft and bad luck, all the better to protect Adrien from unwanted trespassers.
Turning to face the mountain of brick, he tucked the two stolen goods into his waistband and jumped. His height was a key advantage to helping him grip half way up the wall. His feet struggled to gain friction as he pulled himself towards the top, a low guttural grunt leaving his lips in excursion.
"Stop! By order of the Lord."
"Forget that," Adrien hissed to himself, finally finding footing and scurrying to the top of the wall. Once stable, he turned to face the Lord's knight's and smirked down at them. Success!
"Get down this instance!" The lead knight said, his team coming to a halt behind him. "Any further, boy, and it'll be more than the stocks for you! Now come down here and take your punishment!"
Adrien had to give it to them. Being able to chase him whilst wearing all that clobber was quite the feat to be proud of, and the head knight… whatever he was receiving in exchange for his service needed doubling. The blue haired guy didn't give up easily, Adrien thinking his personal aim in life was to catch this cheese stealing nightmare.
Adrien stroked his scraggly beard and raised an eyebrow. "I've considered your very generous offer and unfortunately, I have to decline."
With a quick salute, Adrien jumped backwards off the wall and landed in the pile of straw below. Shaking his head and re-coordinating himself, could hear the disgruntled groans of the knights on the other side, a small chuckle leaving his lips as he listened in.
Standing up and brushing the lingering straw from his body, Adrien headed through the courtyard and towards his destination, Plagg merrily strolling beside him. Another successful hit!
Ripping a little chunk of the cheese of which he'd just stolen, and threw it down to his gremlin of a friend watching as the cat attempted to swallow the ration whole.
"What do you think?" Adrien laughed, Plagg purring in response and licking over his lips. "It's something called Camembert. I've never heard of it before but it smelt interesting."
Using his dirty fingers again, Adrien ripped a chunk off for himself and threw it in his mouth. He hummed in appreciation and closed his eyes. "You're right. This is good stuff."
Tearing a little more, he threw the miniature piece down to Plagg before wrapping the remaining up in the cloth to save for home.
Continuing his way down the new path, Adrien kept a close look out for any of the Lord's knights. The last thing he needed was another chase. He was exhausted — lack of food being a main culprit.
Turning down another alleyway, Adrien glanced over his shoulder checking the coast was clear once more before knocking on a plank of wood leaning against the wall. Some may even go as far as calling it a door.
"Adrien?" A voice whispered from behind the door.
"Yeah. It's me."
A moment later the wood moved and Adrien could slip into the dark, damp building he claimed as home.
"How is she?" Adrien asked, moving to Zoé and hugging the blond tightly into his body.
"She's been asking for you."
Adrien laughed, moving away from Zoé and heading to the tiny area of the room which they used as a makeshift kitchen. "I hadn't been gone long."
"You know how she worries about you, Adrien. You've so instinctive. She's scared you're going to get yourself into some sort of trouble."
Moving cautiously around, Adrien unwrapped the cheese before finding one of the wooden slates they were using as a plate. Situating the cheese on the flat surface, Adrien cut it into four chunks before breaking the bread and adding that to the cheese.
"Where's Nino?" Adrien asked, looking for his friend and second.
"Outside, filling the pail."
Adrien nodded before turning to look at Zoé. She was chewing her nails, eyes staying on the bed in the corner of the room.
"Hey," Adrien said, stepping forwards. "Come here."
With a sigh, Zoé moved in, wrapping her arms around Adrien's waist, her head burying in his chest. He lay his cheek on top of her head and pressed a gentle kiss through her hair.
"She can't lose you, Adrien. None of us can."
They remained in each other's arms, relaxing in the security of their friendship, ignoring the uncertainty of life at the moment.
"Awww, what about me?" An extra pair of arms wrapped around them both, Nino coming to join the group hug and nuzzling into Adrien.
Chuckling, Adrien swung an arm around Nino's shoulders and allowed him in too. "We'd never leave you out."
Another knock on the door sounded, all three stopping to look at each other.
"I'll get it." Zoé whispered, heading away from the boys to answer the door. Adrien and Nino continued their arranged duties moving back to the kitchen to finish off; Nino lifted the pale and placed it on the side, cups dipping in and out as he filled them with water.
"Here," he said, handing one to Adrien. The blond took his in one motion, using the back of his hand to wipe away the remnants before thanking his friend.
Picking up the wooden slat filled with cheese and bread, Adrien headed towards the bed in the corner, perching himself on the edge.
"Good morning, Mother, did you sleep well?"
A calloused, pale hand reached out to him, placing it on his own and attempting to hold on. His mother was frail beyond belief. Émilie's life, once full of hopes and dreams, was slowly diminishing by the day. Her hair had changed from radiant to scraggly, her skin losing all brightness and shine, instead now a comfortable dull, grey. His heart hurt as he watched what was once his golden sunshine slowly die right in front of his eyes. He'd do anything for his mother. She was his everything .
"Where have you been, my beautiful Buttercup?"
His heart clenched as she used his nickname. The dehydration and lack of food was affecting her in more ways than one, often causing her mind to lapse and lose memories and thoughts. More often than not even losing his name. But today seemed like a good day. Today not only did she recognise him, she had called him by his nickname — the sentiment only causing him to hurt all the more.
"I just went to get food, mother, I wasn't gone long. Zoé stayed with you."
Her hand shook as it reached towards his face, a tremble which vibrated through his skin as she stroked down his cheek and ran her fingers through his beard.
"You're a good boy, my flower. You look after us all so well."
He took her hand from his face and held it tightly in his own, bringing it to his lips and delicately kissing her frail knuckles.
"Just as you've always looked after me."
Holding back the tears was becoming more and more of a challenge as he watched his mothers state disintegrate in front of him. She had always been a whirlwind, a woman of absolute power… not this shell she was slowly becoming.
"Here," he continued, sniffing up the tears threatening to spill. "I have cheese and bread for you. This one's called Camembert. If you don't like it I'm sure Plagg will be more than willing to eat it."
In response to hearing his name, Plagg launched himself beside Émilie, snuggling his head into her lap and letting out a loud, deep purr.
"And you're back as well," Émilie giggled, tickling under the cat's chin. "Have you been looking after our boy?" Plagg purred louder, almost as though he understood the meaning behind the words and clarified their partnership. The cat was part of their small dysfunctional family.
Adrien took a piece of the cheese and held it to his mother's mouth, a nod sent her way to open up. Snatching it from him, she smacked his hand out of the way. Adrien faked offence, placing one hand on his chest and his mother popped the cheese into her mouth with a smile. Keeping the smile firmly there, she grabbed a second piece and held it out to Plagg on her palm.
"I can feed myself, my boy. You go and spend some time with your friends. Nino's been a bit of a fussy hen, maybe you could give him a job to do."
Standing up and leaning over, Adrien kissed his mother on the cheek. "I'll see what I can do."
"Good," Émilie stated, rubbing a hand over his cheek and furrowing her eyebrows. "You're turning into a brush, my love. Maybe you can sort out your face too."
Adrien chuckled. "I'll be back soon, mother."
Walking away from his mother, Adrien headed back to where the chatter was in the main area of the house. Zoé and Nino were joined by Lady Kagami.
She turned to look at Adrien, her face in her usual stonelike position. "You've really done it this time." Her words came out flat yet Adrien knew there was a deep anger behind them, one which meant she'd left the cosy confines of the castle to purposefully come and see him.
Adrien didn't like to think of the wealthy Lord and Lady sitting cosy in the castle, not when he and his mother were stuck out here. Hidden away and barely getting by. But Lady Kagami was different. She was a friend, actually more than a friend, she was like a sister.
"We needed food. I, therefore, as man of the household, went to get food. That's all!"
Ignoring Nino's attempts at supporting Adrien's actions, Lady Kagami held a hand up to silence the room. "You're a wanted criminal, Adrien. The Lord is after you. Just be glad he hasn't got a name to go with your horrible face."
"If I remember correctly, Lady Kagami, you used to adore this face." Adrien lifted a hand to his beard and stroked down it, his lips turning into a smug smile.
When Lady Tomoe came to the city of Paris, it surprised no one that her young daughter, Lady Kagami, was instantly absorbed into Adrien's good looks and charm — there weren't many who could refuse such a smooth face and smoother talker. He had Lady's wrapped around his finger left, right and centre. Some Princesses as well.
"Enough about the bush Adrien is wearing on his face. Why are you here? I thought you couldn't escape the castle anymore," Zoé replied, looking between her friends.
"Apart from coming to warn Adrien of his impending death sentence, I also bear some news. The named Princess is visiting in the next couple of days, it seems she is to become betrothed to the Lord's son," Lady Kagami explained, sending a shiver down Adrien's spine.
Grabbing Lady Kagami by the arm, he led her out of the room and into the small courtyard, hidden in the middle of the ruined buildings. The Princess' marriage to the younger Lord would be good for no one involved.
The other's followed after, each curious about what Lady Kagami had to say.
"And what does this have to do with me?" He prayed she wasn't here to ask for his help. As far as he was concerned there was nothing he could do. He'd tried and failed. There was no plan that would work.
"The Princess is coming for the Miraculous. You know the jewels which belong to the—" Lady Kagami looked around, before lowering her voice. "The Graham de Vanily family. The Lord's trading them for the Princess' hand in marriage."
Adrien just stared, unable to say anything. He could not believe his families — more importantly — his mothers jewels were being traded for a royal hierarchy. Automatically, his head turned to where his mother was laying inside. The jewels were hers . They were not for anyone to trade. They should be here with them. With the one he already had.
"There's nothing I can do, Lady Kagami. It's not like I can sneak into the castle and steal them back. The drawbridge is rarely down and it's constantly manned with archers."
Lady Kagami smiled, a feature rarely associated with the young Lady. "I never said anything about sneaking in. You're going to earn your way in."
Nino began to laugh. "You do realise they want him dead? How could Adrien get into the castle without someone spotting him? He's the most wanted man in the Kingdom."
A tug came on Adrien's beard. Zoé's fingers roughly parted the strands of hair on his chin as she combed through it. "How long have you had this now, Adrien? 5 years? 10?"
Swatting her hand away, Adrien continued the motion on his own. "I hope you're not thinking what I think you are?"
"Yes," Lady Kagami announced. "I think… yes. This could most certainly work."
A snort came from the side and Adrien noticed Nino barely holding it together. "You want him to get rid of the facial hair? His face will look like a plucked chicken's bottom."
Rolling his eyes, Adrien swung his fist into Nino's shoulder making his friend stumble back a couple of steps; Nino held his hands up in defence and apology, Adrien turning to Lady Kagami once again.
"So what's the suggestion?"
"You need hair removal on your face and head. Present yourself differently and you won't be recognised by the knights. With the Princess' visit, safety at the castle is vital. They want extra knights from surrounding kingdoms to come for extra protection, especially with the Miraculous being out of the royal vault. Her royal highness will be choosing knights for herself, ones who will patrol beside her and others near. I can get you into the castle for the tournaments, then you just need to make sure you perform well enough to take one of those positions. That will give you internal access to the castle."
Adrien licked his lips and stroked a hand through his beard. Could this work? Those jewels belonged with his mother, and he would do anything for her. He couldn't help but regret not grabbing them last time he was there.
"I don't know, Lady Kagami. It's been years since I've wielded a sword."
"You don't lose skill, Adrien. That's how you've been able to escape the Lord's knights time and time again. You've been training since you were a young child, it's time to put the skills to good use and save the Kingdom." Lady Kagami spoke proudly of his achievements, ones, which to himself, were just a thing of the past.
"And the Lord?" Adrien queried.
"He is away with the young Lord. Return isn't imminent so there is opportunity to get in, take the jewels and return home. Her royal highness will be receiving them a week from arrival and has been requested to choose one as her engagement token to wear at all times."
Adrien slipped a hand in his pocket, clutching tightly to the cool metal seated inside there. The ring his mother had given him the day he turned 14 and one he dare not wear out on the streets of the Kingdom.
Looking towards his mother once more, he watched her palm slowly caress Plagg's silken fur; the act so innocent and so gentle for a woman who'd lived a life full of disappointment and fight.
"She'll be alright, Adrien. Nino and I will be here to watch over her. She's safe." Zoé placed a hand on Adrien's arm; a motion so simple yet undeniably supportive.
"I don't own any chain armour or plate armour, and I don't have a sword," Adrien confessed. "How can we pull this off?"
"I've already spoken to Max. He's ready for you if you go in this afternoon."
Adrien looked from one to the other and closed his eyes. This was the perfect opportunity, one he couldn't pass up on. The risks were great, but the reward would be greater.
With one last look to his mother, his decision was made.
