I was up long before the sun, long before the birds. Had I slept at all? Maybe a wink. — And I was not alone with that, for when I cracked my chambers door I was greeted by Tsar and Preston, both who were standing outside in the hallway, chatting quietly to one another. Tsar raised his head to see me first, and he gave me a nod, and a small smile before turning towards me.

"You're already dressed, why does that not surprise me?" Taz said, walking down the corridor, and I quickly trailed beside him, Preston not far from us.

"Did yea sleep at all m'lord?"

I chuckled, shaking my head at Preston. "Mayhaps. Where is Alex?"

"Asleep I would assume, like any sane person." Tsar mused a small smile. Our steps got quicker as we walked down to the yard. The sun had graced the sky, birds had finally started their songs. It was a cooler day, the fall weather was starting to come upon us, trees were turning orange and red, leaves were slowly starting to fall down to the ground.

"Do we know when they will be here?" Pres said as he walked towards the stables, we followed, even though the boys did well with managing the stables, Preston had taken it upon himself to feed the horses in the morning, and let the boys sleep in. It was like the man was trying to do everything in his power to make us all trust him. But I still had my doubts, as anyone would.

"No, but if he leaves at dusk, he should be here by midday. And if he had left yesterday afternoon. He should be here in the morning. It really is just a waiting game. Once we are done here you and Taz will watch the gates, I will not be far."

"And how are you feeling?" Tsar asked, stroking the nose of one of the horses.

How was I feeling? I tried not to feel too much this morning. I tried to hide how excited I felt. When Edward first went missing, I remember feeling a pit in my stomach, feeling pain and hurt. Trying not to try and failing so miserably at it for the first few days. And now, today. Edward was due to come back. And I was over the moon. But I was not a child who could jump for joy and hug their loved one when they came into the courtyard. No, my father was already suspicious. My father had already threatened Edward and I. Though he had not yet readied a bride for me, I knew they were searching. He had sent out a few women of the house just a week before. Soon families would have their daughters ready and waiting to be brides standing at the gates of the castle.

Word would be getting out soon that I was to be married, and my father had words about keeping Edward and me apart.

I shook my head, biding the two a farewell, making sure to stay close to the castle doors, I paced the hallways, before being stopped by Mangus, who walked the hallways towards me with an arm full of scrolls. "Oh, m'lord. What are you doing out here?"

"Just, very deep in thought. And yourself?"

"Bringing these to the meeting room," He gestured to his arms, "How are you feeling. I know you must be feeling unwell due to the up and coming nuptials. And your missing loved one. So much at one time can cause a man to lose his mind."

I gave him a tight smile, trying to keep my thoughts under control, trying not to snap at the fat older man, who I knew meant well. "Yes, it can be a bit. But I'm sure everything will work itself out."

"I know if your father finds out of my words I could be in much trouble. But if you need someone to speak to, or to help you find someone to warm your bedside besides the lass that will soon be in your bed, I have many of friends that would be willing to keep a secr-" Mangus was cut off by feet running down the hallways towards us, We both turned our heads to see Alexander, panting as he ran towards us.

"My lord. Mangus. Get word to Ser Talbot, Ser Edward has arrived home."

Though I knew it was going to happen, though I knew the moment was coming today. I could feel my arms turn to jelly, could feel my face turn pale as my heartbeat stopped in my chest. My feet moved on their own as I ran towards the kingdoms gates, I heard Mangus call my name but I had ignored him as I ran.

By the time I had gotten to the gates Tsar and Preston were standing with a taller, hairier man. He stood next to a horse with a smile on his face. I stopped in my tracks looking at the man, the love of my life.

It took a moment for his eyes to meet mine, but when they did he took a step forward. He stood in front of me, looking down at me, into my eyes. That smile, that beautiful smile that I had missed so much in these last months.

"Ser Edward," I said softly, trying to keep the joyful tears at bay.

"Prince Isadore Of Trinbent." He put a hand over his chest, bending a knee. "I have never seen a sight so wonderful in any of my days."

Ser Benedict fell to his knees when he saw his son, he wept tears of joy when Edward fell in front of him, wrapping his arms around his father.

My father greeted Edward with a strong pat on the back, a welcome home son and a small hug.

But I saw the way he looked at me once the embrace was over. A look that told me that he still meant everything he had said in the weeks that passed. That no matter how happy a homecoming that this was, it would not last.

It was three days later when my father had called me into his throne room. He sat there with Mangus standing beside him, Edward standing in the middle.

I stood beside Edward at that moment, my lips sucked into my mouth with nerves as I looked at my freshly shaven lover. A lover who I had yet to have a moment alone with since he had come home. A lover that I yearned to hold into my arms again.

"Isadore, you are aware of what I am going to say, but I figured we can also update Ser Edward on our new rules for you both."

Edward tilted his head, he looked at me briefly but my eyes glued to the stone floor at my feet. I could see his fingers move with nerves in the corner of my eye.

"Edward. It has come to my attention that you and my son have been closer to each other then I would find comfort in. Those are just rumours. The actions of my son while you were away fed the suspicions I had in my gut." My father stood up, arms reaching behind his back. "My son is a prince. He is my only son and soon, all of this," My father gestured a hand around him before placing it back behind him. "Will be his own. One day all of this will be his own sons, and so forth. We are coming to a war, and if something were to happen to myself, I would not die with comfort knowing my son would let the family name die with him. That he will not have an heir to rule after he and I are gone.

"Daughters with their families are making their way to the kingdom from all around the land to meet Isadore. And one of those young women will marry him. And they will have his children and they will live in this Kingdom as King and Queen. You, Edward. I have loved you like a son for many of years. It disappoints me greatly that you and my child have done this. And I can not allow it to go on. You will no longer be welcomed behind the doors of the castle. You are welcomed to the kingdom, to your men that you have duty over. You may join us for meetings in the walls, but besides that, you will be guarding the gates and the walls of the inner kingdom. But not in my home. No longer."

I heard Edward inhale, my eyes looked towards him as he looked at my father. His fists balled, mouth pursed. "May I defend myself?" He asked, and my father only gave a wave as he sat back down.

"You assume I am sharing a bed with your son but have you asked him? I mean no offence my Lord but Isadore and I are the best of friends, we have been since childhood and I find it very disrespectful that you would assume my sexual preference in a time of grief for your son. While I was away I had a child. The boy died at birth but he was mine with a woman. She too died, but had she not and had they lived I would still be with my family. If you truly wish for me to stay away that is fine, but know your son and I are close friends. Friends like you and my father, or you and ser Mangus. The lord handled his grief differently then you would Sir. But that is unfair to label the love of brothers as love to lovers."

My mouth opened and closed. I knew better than the child and Rose had no died in birth, but the way his voice changed, the way his eyes spoke fire made even me believe it. My father sat straighter in his chair looking us both over. "Mayhaps I am wrong. But my word still stands, the brides will be here in the week. You will stand at the gates. Understood."

"Understood." We both said before leaving. Once we left the room and the door closed behind us Edward and I looked at one another, and in agreement with silence words, we both nodded. We spoke in unison in the small hallways that we stood in alone.

"We leave at nightfall."

Fin