This story is the result of an idea that hit me while I was reading an amazing book (I would give the title, but I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to and I don't want this story to be deleted because of unintended advertising). It looks like a medieval Klaine AU, but it actually takes place in some medieval-like fantasy world (if I ever expanded this universe beyond this particular story, elves and dwarves would probably start making their appearance. But no such luck in this story because it didn't really fit). I hope the rest will become clear on its own in the story. If there are any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

But for now: enjoy!

(Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of its characters.)

Lost In The Shuffle

Prologue

Near the border between the kingdoms Eirenia and Asthateia, a small delegation slowly made its way through the country. It was formed by a carriage surrounded by several swordsmen on horses. Seated inside was Lord Anderson, a nobleman from the kingdom Eirenia and one of the king's most loyal and most trusted consultants. With him were his wife, Lady Joanna Anderson, and his only child, a son named Blaine. Since the child was only a few months old, this was its very first journey. And though the boy would never remember his first expedition, it would also be his last one in a very long time, as would become clear very soon.

Lord Anderson and his family were on their way back to the fortress from where they ruled their piece of the country in king Aaron's name. They had recently attended a yearly festival in one of the villages to celebrate the end of the long winter. The presence of the Lord and his wife – and now also his son – was required at this festival and Lord Anderson couldn't deny that he thoroughly enjoyed participating in the festivities. The people he ruled over considered him a kind and fair man and were therefore very loyal to the man who didn't bat an eye when he was invited to drink with the commoners.

Having been absent for several days to attend the festival, the Lord had not yet received any of the messages concerning the war the king had started with Asthateia without consulting his council or the lords. It was a minor war, caused by one of many disputes over the border between the two countries. This time, king Aaron had initiated the argument by trying to expand the border, convinced that the current one hadn't been determined correctly. He was one of the last people in the kingdom who still believed the Asthaterians had unrightfully claimed part of the territory that they thought belonged to Eirenia. The border had been established hundreds of years ago to end a very long series of wars that had resulted in the loss of many lives. However, there were still some people who believed the Eirenians had been disadvantaged when the border had been agreed upon. And among them was the young and hotheaded king Aaron.

Lord Anderson, however, didn't know about these recent developments. So, while they were riding through a dense wood, neither he nor his guards expected to be ambushed by a much larger group of Asthaterian soldiers. Even though Lord Anderson's soldiers – who were always prepared for potential trouble – put up a decent fight along with the Lord himself, it didn't take very long before all of the soldiers had been killed and the Lord and his family had been captured by their enemies. Their captors brought them before the Asthaterian king. Although king Christopher didn't take kindly to being challenged by the king of Eirenia, he was not a cruel man, so he was prepared to negotiate with the other king. Nevertheless, no one had expected king Aaron to declare that he wasn't willing to settle the dispute by means of an agreement between the two kingdoms, whereby the freedom of the Anderson family would be exchanged for peace.

"Lord Anderson," king Christopher declared in front of his entire court, "although I believe your claim that you did not know about your king's intentions, I cannot ignore his unwillingness to negotiate. Therefore, you will be hanged in the morning in order to set an example. I hope your king will come to his senses before your execution, but otherwise, I hope you can bravely accept your fate."

Lord Anderson, who was kneeling in front of the king with two guards behind him, closed his eyes briefly, feeling strongly betrayed by the man he had served loyally for many years. He looked up at the king and, knowing he was a reasonable man, addressed him directly.

"Your Highness, I will accept this sentence. However, I have one final request, if you will listen to a man condemned to die."

He waited for the king's nod of permission before he continued.

"Please, your Highness, I beg you to spare the lives of my wife and child. They are innocent. I will accept your decision regarding my death, but I do not wish for them to suffer the same fate."

The king stayed quiet for a while, studying the brave nobleman in front of him.

"Fair enough. You do understand I cannot let them go free, but I can grant you this one last favour. I will spare their lives and I promise you that they will be treated well during their imprisonment in my palace. I will also allow you to spend the night with them so that you can say your goodbyes." He picked up the ceremonial sword that was lying on the table in front of him and sheathed it to indicate it was the end of the trial. "Court dismissed."

The following morning, the king fulfilled all of his promises. Lord Anderson was hanged, while Lady Anderson looked on from where she was being guarded by several soldiers. Her pain and grief were only visible in the way she clutched the baby in her arms tighter than usual. In response, the boy cried loudly, which was the last sound Lord Anderson heard before he died, happy that at least his wife and son would live.

A few days later, a messenger from Asthateia reached the castle of king Aaron, relating how Lord Anderson had been hanged. In his rage over the news, the king imprisoned the poor messenger without asking about the nobleman's family and guards. By the time the issue came up several weeks later, the messenger had already died due to illness and malnutrition. Despite his consultants' advice to settle this argument peacefully so that no one else had to die unnecessarily, king Aaron retaliated by directly attacking Asthateia. His cousin, prince Burt, often warned him to end this useless war, but to no avail. Finally, the young king was killed during one of the battles. Prince Burt, who had been next in line to inherit the throne because king Aaron had no sons and no siblings, became the new king and put an end to the hostilities. No one knew what had become of Lord Anderson's heir – his son Blaine – but they assumed the boy and his mother had probably been killed or made servants. Either way, there was no way of rescuing them – if they were still alive – without starting another war. So, the new king of Eirenia decided to split up Lord Anderson's territory and divide it between the other noblemen in order to avoid any fighting between them.

But even though Lord Anderson was dead and Lady Anderson and her young child were imprisoned in one of the towers of king Christopher's castle, their sad story lived on in the songs sung by bards.

So, let me know what you think of this.

I know the writing in this prologue is a bit formal, but I won't keep that up in the rest of the story (except maybe in dialogue when a king or prince is involved).