Summary:

Chapter Summary: Renard comes out of the shadows to find his Canton in a mess

Notes:

Zigeunersprache - Queen

There's No Place Like Home

Every fairy tale

has a bloody lining,

each one has

teeth and claws.

Out From The Shadows

It had been a few weeks since the whirlwind of a Grimm had hit Portland, his actions no matter how small had changed all around it. Portland had a strange air about the city now, like a calm had settled. But not a calm and relaxed calm, more like a well-trained fighter always aware of its surrounding, ready to strike but at the same time completely unaffected by all around them. Renard found this calm reassuring, it spoke of the mood of the wesen within his Canton, their Grimm had touched them deeply and his nature had shown them that being born one way didn't define who they could become.

Slowly he'd began seeing small changes around him, the ranks of his officers had quickly swelled with wesen who by their very natures were timid and not usually adept at this line of work. When questioned they'd all spoken of how it was time, they stood up for those around them who couldn't. This filled him with a sense of pride about his people, this is what led to his decision. With the help of his most trusted allies as well as the few friends he'd become close to thanks to Nick, he'd began work on coming out from the shadows.

It had been slow at first, between his agent's both human and wesen and those who shared his respect for Nick they had started with his shadier enterprise's. Tearing down some and strengthening others had shook up a few agencies and ruffled a lot of feathers of those who had grown fat and rich off Renard's absence.

So that was why he now found himself sat at the head of a large table, surrounded by very nervous looking people dressed in suits. Trying to hold back his annoyance as he observed his surroundings, the aura he was giving off was probably the reason several of his companion's features were flitting between there human appearance and their wesen side. Sam was stood behind him on his left with a small smile on his face. Renard could feel his amusement behind him, Serena just rolled her eyes at the both of them as she approached him and after passing him his file she returned to his right-hand side.

As he read through the mound of paperwork that Serena had been compiling on his assets long before Nick had arrived, looking up from it he sat back and after clasping his hands together he indicated to the file before asking for someone to speak up.

"Sire you have to understand…." Nervously stuttered a slender man as he stood, as he fiddled with his glasses his features switched from human to Villeharra (a rabbit like wesen) and back again.

Suddenly a loud bang scared all at the table except for Renard, who was now looking unimpressed as a larger man had stood up and slammed his fist down on the tables surface. The table erupted in shushed whispers and chatter before the man spoke.

"ENOUGH OF THIS BULL SHIT…..." growled the man angrily as his wesen side took over and Renard was faced down by a large angry Lowen.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US? TO GROVVEL AT YOUR FEET? TO BOWDOWN LIKE YOU'RE THE SECOND COMING?" hitting the table again several members looked like they were about to pass out in their seats.

Renard on the other hand didn't seem fazed as the man before him just became more and more enraged, sitting back in his seat he put his hand into his suit jacket and a few people hissed and pulled back as if he was about to pull out a weapon. But were equally as shocked as he pulled out a small packet of cigarettes and after taking one out, he lit it up and after taking a drag he puffed out the smoke before speaking.

"Are you quite finished Councillor Jackson? If not please continue" spoke Renard calmly as he indicated to all the other people around him.

The Lowen found his former anger dissipating as he looked around at the eyes upon him, trying to keep his pride he stood there tight lipped as he glared at Renard who just met his gaze with a nonchalant attitude. Huffing he sat back down and refused to meet Renard's or anyone else's gaze, shaking his head with a sigh Renard took another drag before speaking again.

"With that out of the way, now let's get down to the business at hand. For those who are unaware of why we are all sat here, being spoken down to by a mere Captain of the Portland police department. Let me reintroduce myself to you all…." Renard said as he stubbed out his cigarette butt before standing up.

"I am Prince Sean Fredrick Renard von Königsberg, bastard son of King Frederick Renard of house Königsberg ruler of the Austrian throne and Elizabeth Lascelles the Zigeunersprache of the Schwarzwald Gypsies" the gasps of surprise filled the room making a dark smirk appear upon his face.

"By my right of blood and of choice Portland is my chosen Canton, so know this one and all, those who fall in line will be greatly rewarded and those who don't…"

With that the Lowen Councillor began coughing violently, as he struggled to breathe all around pulled back from him. As he began turning purple, he passed out on the table making all stand up and look towards Renard who just lit up another cigarette.

"well, those who don't will pay the price, maybe next time Councillor Jackson should learn to hold his drink?" chuckled Renard darkly as Sam signalled for two others to remove the unconscious man from the table.

"Now let us continue" Renard said calmly as he sat back down slowly followed by the others around the table.

The next morning moved on like it had done every day before and every day since Nick's arrival and departure. His presence though was missed, Rosalee would open the shop as she did every day with a smile on her face but for a moment just as she'd put the key in the door before she'd push it open, she'd swear she could feel his presence. Shaking it off she entered the shop and keeping the closed sign visible she went about her morning routine, sometime later the tapping on the window made her smile as she looked up to see Monroe smiling back at her holding up fresh coffee and pastries from their favourite little shop. Letting him in she kissed his cheek and they both sat in the back eating and going through the morning stock. Time passed and they both considered that keeping the shop closed today might have been on the books, but both of them could feel the change within the air. Since Nick's departure they had noticed the small thing's changing around them, they didn't know if it was because they had seen behind the veil or if it was because of the changes but they began seeing more and more of Renard's people around the city.

Sam and Serena were regular face's at the shop whether it be on Renard's behalf or their own, this had been a surprise at first but after finding out their connection to Nick a friendship had quickly developed. And to bring up the Prince himself much to both Rosalee and Monroe's surprise the small friendship that had grown out of helping Nick had continued on afterwards. Whenever he was free, he'd drop in for coffee or take them out to eat, filling them in on his plans for the Canton and skirting around the topic they all shared but also didn't want to bring up…Nick.

They'd come to see Renard from a different point of view as they seen his growing feeling towards their new friend and protector, they had also seen the same feeling growing within Nick's heart when he'd spoken fondly about the Prince. It made both their hearts ache knowing that they both had found a connection only to put it on hold until Nick's return. The sound of tapping upon the window made both of them look up, they shared a look with each other that said the same thing 'Nick?' making them both jump up and head to the door.

Both's heart fell a little when they realised it wasn't Nick, but they didn't mind so much as they let Renard into the shop. The taller and imposing man looked haggard; he was dressed impeccable as usual but the dark circles under his eyes told another story. He sighed as he sat down beside them taking an offered pastry.

"It went that well?" asked Monroe as Renard's hand faulted the momentum of putting the pastry in his mouth and shooting a dirty look at him Renard let out a huff unbefitting of a man of his status.

"Let's just say Councillor Jackson may be more careful about what he drink's round me from now on" he chuckled darkly as he ate making Monroe shudder.

"How did they take you're sudden interest in Portland?" asked Rosilee as she handed him a coffee and he gifted her with a walm and friendly smile.

"After a lot of arguing and complaining it's done, Portland is officially recognised as my Canton by all the wesen clan's that make up our local council. As for beyond that I'm going to wait to see if Nick returns…..." he stopped for a moment as a hint of sadness bled into his words.

"When he does, I will feel more secure with the protection of a Grimm before word spreads beyond our territory. I have too many enemies that would love to see my canton burn just to get to me" as he spoke both Monroe and Rosalee nodded.

As they spoke of more happy things the mood turns lighter, the only faulter was as they found their voices to ask each other if they'd heard from their wayward Grimm. When none could give a solid answer, they fall silent, until they justify the lack of communication and the mood once again lighten until Renard gets to his feet and points out he still needs to attend to his human life. They all chuckle before he bids them good day and head's towards the station.