.acts of war.

"I worry about being this close to the border your highness, you know this." Jeremy sighed, mostly to himself.
"Please Alaric, I already know everything of which you speak. No more talk of war, not this day."
"Your highness…" Alaric sighed himself. "The generals of The Borlands grow restless. They crave new land to conquer. More to line their pockets with."
"They will not attack. Not today. Staying in the capital was not…" he paused, "it was not a plausible option." He turned away from the window, gazing into the room. "You know what this place means to us."
"Of course your highness, of course." Alaric bowed his head apologetically. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn."
"I'll not forgive you what I have asked you to do. Do not worry so much my friend," he crossed to his closest advisor and laid a hand on his shoulder, "else you will sprout many more gray hairs." Alaric smiled softly.
"I hear tell of a feast this evening. Shall we go?"
"If my sister has deemed it an appropriate time to finish her preparations."
"Do not mock me brother. I have spent nearly all day preparing." The Princess of Ellysia stood in the doorway, hands carefully laid in the folds of her skirts. In a deep purple gown she held the attention of every man standing in the room.
"And you look as ravishing as possible my dear sister. But perhaps you should expend less effort. You've distracted the guards from their purpose." Elena chuckled into her palm, cheeks flushing. Jeremy looked around the room, clearing his throat. Each of the four guards snapped to attention.
"Shall we go? Or are you still planning and strategizing?"
"No strategies are needed. As I have assured our advisor, no one will be attacking today. We leave war and all of its delicacies for the next sunrise."
"If only it was always that way," Alaric murmured.

The feast was everything a good celebration should be. People danced and sang, barely stopping to actually eat the fantastic amounts of food that had been produced. The Prince and Princess smiled continually, although some of these were forced. Even today could not lighten the burden they each shouldered. The night wore on and the hundreds of candles were burning low in their dishes. Elena stood and raised her glass in one hand.
"My dearest people," she spoke clearly, a half smile playing on her lips, "we cannot properly find the words to tell you how much we have enjoyed today's celebrations; as well as the people whom we are celebrating with. As I know my brother does, I love you all, more than words can express; more than life." There was a beat of silence before their people responded.
"More than life," they spoke as one. Jeremy stood.
"More than life," he echoed. He and Elena drank. The people of their kingdom followed suit. Jeremy waited for Elena to sit; he'd barely resumed his seat when the doors burst open. A small boy with dirty blonde hair springing in every direction on his head took great gasping breaths, falling onto the floor.
"The castle is under attack!" he cried out. People jumped to their feet, chairs hitting the ground. Jeremy was yanked to his feet by Alaric, shoved towards the side door. He knew without looking that Elena and a few guards were close behind. Screams echoed in his ears but he continued forward. He stopped at the tapestry covered door, tearing it out of the way before opening the door.

He turned back, chest heaving as adrenaline flooded him.
"Your shirt and armor," he said to the closest guard, "now!"
"Jeremy what are you doing?" Elena cried out, grabbing hold of him.
"I will not run while our people die."
"No! No, you come with me, now. We must keep you safe, above all."
"Do not presume to tell me what to do sister." He turned back to the guard. "Your armor!"
"Brother I beg you," Elena murmured, tears shining in her eyes.
"More than life," he let out, loosening his cloak and ripping off his shirt. "You may not fight, and for this I do not fault you. Make your way back to the capital. If God shows me any favor, I will join you there." He took the tunic and armor finally offered to him. "Your name," he said, meeting his eyes.
"Salvatore my lord. Stefan."
"Take my sister into the capital. Do not stop unless it is necessary for her life." He slipped the shirt over his head, the armor when Alaric offered it. Elena took a deep breath, standing in front of him.
"I pray I see you again brother, for the man you have become is a fearsome sight to behold." He held her hand for the briefest second.
"Go." She nodded, a small whimper escaping her. "Salvatore," Jeremy said, catching him by the shoulder, "with your life."
"There was never any other option, Sire," Stefan returned. He took Elena's hand and pulled her from view. Jeremy settled his hand on the hilt of his sword, wishing them well with everything he had.
"I hear sounds of a battle I think," Alaric said softly. Jeremy nodded once.
"Ay," he agreed, "let us join the fun."

They ran back through the castle, making it to the courtyard in moments that seemed like hours. The soldiers were already pushing Jeremy's guards back.
"Do not let them forward!" Jeremy yelled out, drawing his sword and cutting down one of the intruders as he ran.
"In the name of the king!" a faceless guard yelled. There was a cry and his guards pushed forward with what turned out to be one last burst. Swarms, unending swarms, of the men swamped in black continued pouring in. Jeremy knew the fight was lost, even as he dug his heels into the soil. They were pressed back further and further, ending in the entry hall. It was only then that their leader made his appearance. His sword was at his side, blood running slickly down the blade and dripping to the ground. Jeremy overpowered the man he was fighting easily, digging his sword into the valley between his shoulder and neck. He stepped forward to challenge the man who dared attack him today. He stopped, eyeing Jeremy up and down, as if appraising whether or not he was worth the time. Jeremy ran forward, cutting under his right arm as he moved to strike. He cried out in surprise and Jeremy could not help but smile in response.
"That was your last act," the man said, tightening his grasp on his sword, even as blood began to run down his arm. Jeremy chose not to respond with flimsy words, running forward again instead. One sure blow to the wrist and his enemy had dropped his sword. Victory could still be had. On the edge of his vision he caught Alaric being pushed into a wall, a blade at his throat.

The moment's distraction was all it took. The hit came out of nowhere, as blinding as it was devastating. The breath locked in his chest as he fell backwards, unable to let it through his compressed airway. He'd been punched in the neck, most likely hard enough to kill him. Tears began forming in his eyes and he fought to raise his sword in any sort of last defense. His enemy kicked it away, too intently watching him to notice that the sword belonged to no common soldier. Perhaps it was the clarity death brought, but the castle seemed to have fallen very quiet. Perhaps it was just over. Perhaps everything was just over. Jeremy could not breathe, nor speak. There was nothing left but a scant amount of moments. Torchlight glinted off the sword that moved closer and closer to his exposed neck. His enemy stood over him, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. Jeremy had the thought that it was the last thing he'd ever see.
"You kill that man and it is an act of war!" Alaric screamed from against the wall. The enemy prince paused, blade still held aloft, inches from Jeremy's tender skin.
"Pray tell old man," he murmured, flicking a glance away from Jeremy. Jeremy barely managed to see him from this vantage. Alaric swallowed, moving the blade pressed into his throat as he did.
"I give you son of Grayson the Great, King of Ellysia. Our most noble prince, who fights alongside us." It was a long moment before he smirked again. Jeremy was still struggling to breathe, hand pressed into his throbbing neck.
"Noah," he spoke. A man stepped forward.
"My prince."
"What is it my father used to say?" His smirk widened. "Every time I won a challenge, every honor that was placed upon me. What would he say?"
"That you are a prince of princes my lord. One day a king of kings."
"Yes," he said, though Jeremy doubted he'd forgotten. "Take them away. Make sure the prince lives to see tomorrow."

A/N: Yes I did. Thoughts?