The Three Kingdoms (3)

After the success of the summit, Prince Roan- now known as Noah- made his move and began courting Princess Jeanette of Shirewood.  The news trickled down the social ranks, but not many below the upper middle class truly knew.  Meanwhile, something had changed in Prince Kirkpatrick, who had yet to reveal his first name.  He placed Prince Noah in charge of Celtorus’ foreign policy, and distanced himself from anything to do with Havenport.

It was a day when Prince Noah had gone to visit Shirewood, however, that change would again come to the kingdom of Celtorus.  Prince Simon arrived from Havenport to discuss a very sensitive subject that had become a center of conflict in his kingdom.  He had come to the home of the Catholics first to seek their counsel on the matter, and would travel onward to Shirewood afterward.

“Prince Noah is away on business.”  This was the message Prince Simon was met with at the castle gates.  He eyed the squire crossly.

“What about Prince Kirkpatrick?”  The short man froze up at the name.

“He is not receiving visitors.”  Simon raised an eyebrow.

“Why is that, exactly?”  The squire shrugged.

“Hell if I know,” he admitted, “He’s been locked in his quarters since the summit.”  The Prince considered his options, and eventually drew his sword.  The squire’s eyes widened.

“W-What are you doing?” he cried, scared.  Simon glared sternly at him.

“Normally, I’d just meet with the Princesses of Shirewood and Prince Noah together, but... something’s not right,” he explained, “Stand aside.”  The squire backed away, and Prince Simon made his way inside the castle.  The servants inside pointed the way to Kirkpatrick’s quarters, where a magical lock bolted the door closed.  It was glowing orange, and it had been said that only Prince Noah could open it.

Using his left hand, Prince Simon lifted the lock and examined the glowing steel.  Suddenly, it came open in his palm, the doors moving slightly inward.  Dropping the lock, the prince gave a push and the doors swung open to reveal a lavish bedroom.  Furniture was trimmed with gold and gemstones, and carved from the finest wood available.  Curled up in the silk sheets, with no clothing visible, was none other than Prince Kirkpatrick.

“Y-Your highness…” Simon sheathed his sword, “ Are you okay?”  The prince’s eyes were closed, but he shook as if shivering and moaned loudly.  Simon knew without a doubt that he was having a nightmare, but he couldn’t be sure what about.  Before he could move a muscle, he heard the voice of Prince Noah in his head, through telepathy.

“He has been in this state since the summit. We sorcerers are easily controlled by fear if we do not resist it,” he explained, “You may well be the only one who can free him. After all… his darkest fear concerns you…”  The voice faded as Simon neared the Celtic prince’s bedside.  Secretly, he harbored a crush on the blonde, and was extremely worried about him.  Putting aside his sword, coat and boots, Simon climbed gingerly onto the bed.

At first, he tried gently shaking the prince awake, but the effort was in vain.  Kissing him, like in some kind of fairy tale, was out of the question.  Simon could hear the young chipmunk say his name as if pleading with him; tears sliding down the young chipmunk’s cheeks.  No longer could the elder monarch restrain himself; Prince Kirkpatrick hoisted into his lap and held close.  Surprisingly, the one article of clothing he wore was a plain, white diaper.

Simon cared not about the padding; his mind consumed with worry.  His arms wrapped around the younger prince, one around the back and the other under his rump.  Kirkpatrick did not yet stir, but his moans ebbed away into silence.  Finally, after several minutes, his eyelids fluttered open to reveal gray-blue pupils that matched those of his crush.

“W-What… what’s going on…?” he spoke drowsily.  Simon was nervous to say the least, but answered nonetheless.

“As I understand it, you’ve been stuck in a nightmare since the summit,” he explained.  His words made Kirkpatrick fully aware of whose lap he sat in.  A split second later, he stood across the room with a blanket concealing his body.

“Y-You didn’t see anything.”  Simon rolled his eyes, shooting the celt a look of disdain.

“Look, I saw it, and I don’t have a problem with it,” he remarked, “Calm down.”  Kirkpatrick sighed, turning away from his crush as he took a seat on the bed.

“Sorcerers are extremely sensitive to emotion. My own magic trapped me in that nightmare,” he spoke, “I succumbed to fear. Fear that you’d reject me. That you’d laugh and pity me…”

“Never.”  Simon joined the blonde at the edge of the mattress, wrapping an arm around him.
Kirkpatrick leaned hesitantly against his crush.

“You’re a better man than I,” he replied, “By the way, what brought you to Celtorus in the first place?”  Simon’s eyes widened.

“I came to discuss an important matter that has my kingdom divided,” he explained.  He could not help but blush.  “You see, there has been a push to legalize… gay marriage…”  The irony of the situation was not lost on Kirkpatrick.

“I may be a little biased, but… I say we go for it.”  He paused, just long enough to nuzzle his love.  “We could set an example, too.”  Simon smiled and pressed a kiss to Kirkpatrick’s forehead.

“I’d love to.”