The King of the Golden Hall
The King of the Golden Hall
Author: Lottie Lenya -
Type: RPS
Pairing: KU/EW
Rating: PG
Category: AU
Disclaimer: This is not real because I made it all up, so it can’t be true!!!
Beta: lexi_mirkwood and turned round in about an hour! Thanks, baby.
A/N Written as part of the LotR chapter title challenge over at fic_inspiration run by the very lovely shirasade
It started as a shower and the man and boy cowered under the entrance to the gallery, hoping the rain would stop. It didn’t.
“Come on, love.” The man said. “Let’s go and look at the pictures for a while.”
Hand in hand, father and son, walked round.
“Dad, look at this one.”
People smiled when they saw how seriously the lad looked.
In the picture, a beautiful man was sitting in the middle of a bright room. He was looking down into the eyes of a much smaller, much plainer man. It was clear that the two loved each other; each brush stroke cried of it. Behind them, were two more very attractive men; a big blond with green eyes and a smaller, dark haired man with very dark eyes. Both looked discontent as they viewed the young couple.
“But daddy, what does it mean?”
The sound of the rain on the glass roof was the only sound in the room as the father sat down, his son climbing into his lap, ready to listen to the story…
“Once upon a time, many years ago, there lived a handsome King. Karl was a good leader, he ruled wisely and his subjects were very fond of him. But his country lay in the middle of what today would be termed a political hot spot and his Prime Minister decided that he needed to make a suitable alliance with one of their neighbours in order to secure their position.
Messengers were sent out and in time, three young men came to woo the handsome King. He was not very happy about it but he knew his duty. He had always hoped he would be able to marry for love, but the Prime Minister was adamant. The state of the nation was dependent on it.
“Of course, Sire, we are happy for you to make your own choice. All three of the young men are suitable but you must choose swiftly; there is no time to lose.”
Prince Sean came to court the King. He was an attractive fellow but unfortunately he was mad about sports and had no conversation at all. All he wanted to talk about was his football team, called The Forks, on account of their four pronged attacks in games. Sean had wanted to take his prospective husband to a match, but his gentle mother had objected.
“Dear, I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to show that young man just what a boorish lout you are. He’ll run a mile…”
His mother may have said this in the mildest of tones, but she wasn’t one to mince her words.
So it was that the Prince Sean took the King on a ride round the extensive palace grounds.
The conversation was desultory. Sean had very little to say and most of that was football-centric.
“…and I said to him that ball was clearly offside but he wasn’t having it so the next thing is he’s trying to red card me, well of course I told him, he red cards me and I have his head on a plate. Literally. We won 25-2.”
Karl could barely suppress a yawn. ‘Not this one’ he thought.
Sean stopped his horse by a little spinney that afforded a beautiful view of the valley.
“That would make a good site for a stadium…” He mused and helped Karl down from his horse.
Taking the king by the hand, Sean led him to the edge of the spinney. There he slammed him against a tree and before kissing him savagely remarked. “Heaven must be missing an angel…”
Sean’s kiss was wet and sloppy, his hands wandered everywhere, squeezing and insinuating and Karl could barely suppress a shudder.
“Come on Karl, you know you want it. I’ve seen the way you look at me…”
Gracefully Karl extricated himself.
“I am expected to walk down the aisle in purest white. You wouldn’t want me to go to the altar a hypocrite would you?”
Sean had the grace to blush.
“I guess not.” He gave Karl a resounding slap on the arse. “Come on my husband-to-be, race you back to the palace.”
~~~
“So how did it go Sire?” asked the PM later that day.
“Don’t ask.” Groaned Karl “Suffice it to say, I will not be marrying that mannerless gimp.”
The next day, Prince Orlando took the king for a walk in the gardens.
One of the prettiest princes in the world, the self styled darling of the masses, Orlikins was beloved of his people, especially the boys. The problem was he knew he was pretty. And was one of the vainest people in the world. He spent hours in front of his mirror preening. His mother despaired of his getting married.
“How can he ever love anyone as much as he loves himself?” was her constant cry.
The two men walked round the gardens. Orlikins held forth about the little summer house.
“It would make an excellent health spa. To look this good takes a lot of time and effort. You do understand don’t you Kevin?
The king rolled his eyes. “Karl, my name is Karl.”
“Whatever… Still, we’d have pretty babies wouldn’t we….?”
He pushed Karl down on a bench murmuring. “Today is your lucky day, dear, you’ve pulled.” And begun kissing and touching the king.
“I am so sorry Prince Orli … kins.” Again the king extricated himself. “I must be pure as new driven snow when I walk down the aisle. You wouldn’t make me a hypocrite in front of my subjects would you?”
“I don’t really care, Ken, but if you want to wait…” Orlikins squealed as he saw a slight tear in his nail. “Quick, I must get back to my room…”
~~~
When the PM found the King, he was starring out the window, gazing sightlessly into the middle distance.
“Don’t ask….” Was all he said and the Prime Minister could have sworn he saw a solitary tear making its way down the royal cheek.
~~~
Next day was the turn of the last Prince. He was not specially gorgeous, he was much shorter and not as eyestoppingly handsome. He did, however have the biggest and bluest eyes that anyone had ever seen; they lay partly hidden under a huge pair of spectacles. He was universally loved and respected in his country and was a very wise and intelligent man.
Karl was desperate by now. He was well aware he had very little choice in this matter.
Prince Elijah came to him shortly after breakfast, finding the king sitting in his study, looking rather depressed. Knocking timidly on the door, Lij as his people called him, entered the room.
He came up to king.
“Your Majesty, I am not a as beautiful as the other two princes, but if you would consent to be mine, I would love you and care for you as much as I was able, lift the burdens of rule from your shoulders and make you as happy as possible.” So saying he took Karl’s hand and kissed the palm very gently.
The king’s eyes widened at this gentle speech. He looked down at the other man, gently removed the spectacles and declared.
“But Prince Lij, you’re beautiful…” And proceeded to kiss him very thoroughly for a very long time.
When the prince was able to extricate himself, he was tousled, his clothes were askew, his lips swollen and his eyes darkened with desire.
“I thought you had to be as pure as new driven snow when you walk down the aisle.” he commented
Karl grinned as him. “I do but there’s nothing to say you have to be, now come here, Lij, my love, my life, my soon to be husband. I haven’t finished with you yet…”
So Karl and Lij got married and they lived happily ever after.
And to commemorate the day of they met, Karl had a picture painted, he, his love and the two other suitors in the throne room. The love between the young couple was so strong, it was said they walked in sunlight for the rest of their lives.
The artist, VM titled the picture, The King of the Golden Hall.
***
The room was very quiet, when the story was finished. Everyone seemed to be listening as if under a magic spell. The little boy bounced up and down, looking round the room.
“My daddy is called Karl and my other daddy is called Lij.” He bounced off his father’s lap and held out his hand.
“Can we go and get a postcard for dad to make up for him having to work…”
And father and son headed towards the shop and then back outside when the sun once more now shining brightly.
Fin
Author: Lottie Lenya -
Type: RPS
Pairing: KU/EW
Rating: PG
Category: AU
Disclaimer: This is not real because I made it all up, so it can’t be true!!!
Beta: lexi_mirkwood and turned round in about an hour! Thanks, baby.
A/N Written as part of the LotR chapter title challenge over at fic_inspiration run by the very lovely shirasade
It started as a shower and the man and boy cowered under the entrance to the gallery, hoping the rain would stop. It didn’t.
“Come on, love.” The man said. “Let’s go and look at the pictures for a while.”
Hand in hand, father and son, walked round.
“Dad, look at this one.”
People smiled when they saw how seriously the lad looked.
In the picture, a beautiful man was sitting in the middle of a bright room. He was looking down into the eyes of a much smaller, much plainer man. It was clear that the two loved each other; each brush stroke cried of it. Behind them, were two more very attractive men; a big blond with green eyes and a smaller, dark haired man with very dark eyes. Both looked discontent as they viewed the young couple.
“But daddy, what does it mean?”
The sound of the rain on the glass roof was the only sound in the room as the father sat down, his son climbing into his lap, ready to listen to the story…
“Once upon a time, many years ago, there lived a handsome King. Karl was a good leader, he ruled wisely and his subjects were very fond of him. But his country lay in the middle of what today would be termed a political hot spot and his Prime Minister decided that he needed to make a suitable alliance with one of their neighbours in order to secure their position.
Messengers were sent out and in time, three young men came to woo the handsome King. He was not very happy about it but he knew his duty. He had always hoped he would be able to marry for love, but the Prime Minister was adamant. The state of the nation was dependent on it.
“Of course, Sire, we are happy for you to make your own choice. All three of the young men are suitable but you must choose swiftly; there is no time to lose.”
Prince Sean came to court the King. He was an attractive fellow but unfortunately he was mad about sports and had no conversation at all. All he wanted to talk about was his football team, called The Forks, on account of their four pronged attacks in games. Sean had wanted to take his prospective husband to a match, but his gentle mother had objected.
“Dear, I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to show that young man just what a boorish lout you are. He’ll run a mile…”
His mother may have said this in the mildest of tones, but she wasn’t one to mince her words.
So it was that the Prince Sean took the King on a ride round the extensive palace grounds.
The conversation was desultory. Sean had very little to say and most of that was football-centric.
“…and I said to him that ball was clearly offside but he wasn’t having it so the next thing is he’s trying to red card me, well of course I told him, he red cards me and I have his head on a plate. Literally. We won 25-2.”
Karl could barely suppress a yawn. ‘Not this one’ he thought.
Sean stopped his horse by a little spinney that afforded a beautiful view of the valley.
“That would make a good site for a stadium…” He mused and helped Karl down from his horse.
Taking the king by the hand, Sean led him to the edge of the spinney. There he slammed him against a tree and before kissing him savagely remarked. “Heaven must be missing an angel…”
Sean’s kiss was wet and sloppy, his hands wandered everywhere, squeezing and insinuating and Karl could barely suppress a shudder.
“Come on Karl, you know you want it. I’ve seen the way you look at me…”
Gracefully Karl extricated himself.
“I am expected to walk down the aisle in purest white. You wouldn’t want me to go to the altar a hypocrite would you?”
Sean had the grace to blush.
“I guess not.” He gave Karl a resounding slap on the arse. “Come on my husband-to-be, race you back to the palace.”
~~~
“So how did it go Sire?” asked the PM later that day.
“Don’t ask.” Groaned Karl “Suffice it to say, I will not be marrying that mannerless gimp.”
The next day, Prince Orlando took the king for a walk in the gardens.
One of the prettiest princes in the world, the self styled darling of the masses, Orlikins was beloved of his people, especially the boys. The problem was he knew he was pretty. And was one of the vainest people in the world. He spent hours in front of his mirror preening. His mother despaired of his getting married.
“How can he ever love anyone as much as he loves himself?” was her constant cry.
The two men walked round the gardens. Orlikins held forth about the little summer house.
“It would make an excellent health spa. To look this good takes a lot of time and effort. You do understand don’t you Kevin?
The king rolled his eyes. “Karl, my name is Karl.”
“Whatever… Still, we’d have pretty babies wouldn’t we….?”
He pushed Karl down on a bench murmuring. “Today is your lucky day, dear, you’ve pulled.” And begun kissing and touching the king.
“I am so sorry Prince Orli … kins.” Again the king extricated himself. “I must be pure as new driven snow when I walk down the aisle. You wouldn’t make me a hypocrite in front of my subjects would you?”
“I don’t really care, Ken, but if you want to wait…” Orlikins squealed as he saw a slight tear in his nail. “Quick, I must get back to my room…”
~~~
When the PM found the King, he was starring out the window, gazing sightlessly into the middle distance.
“Don’t ask….” Was all he said and the Prime Minister could have sworn he saw a solitary tear making its way down the royal cheek.
~~~
Next day was the turn of the last Prince. He was not specially gorgeous, he was much shorter and not as eyestoppingly handsome. He did, however have the biggest and bluest eyes that anyone had ever seen; they lay partly hidden under a huge pair of spectacles. He was universally loved and respected in his country and was a very wise and intelligent man.
Karl was desperate by now. He was well aware he had very little choice in this matter.
Prince Elijah came to him shortly after breakfast, finding the king sitting in his study, looking rather depressed. Knocking timidly on the door, Lij as his people called him, entered the room.
He came up to king.
“Your Majesty, I am not a as beautiful as the other two princes, but if you would consent to be mine, I would love you and care for you as much as I was able, lift the burdens of rule from your shoulders and make you as happy as possible.” So saying he took Karl’s hand and kissed the palm very gently.
The king’s eyes widened at this gentle speech. He looked down at the other man, gently removed the spectacles and declared.
“But Prince Lij, you’re beautiful…” And proceeded to kiss him very thoroughly for a very long time.
When the prince was able to extricate himself, he was tousled, his clothes were askew, his lips swollen and his eyes darkened with desire.
“I thought you had to be as pure as new driven snow when you walk down the aisle.” he commented
Karl grinned as him. “I do but there’s nothing to say you have to be, now come here, Lij, my love, my life, my soon to be husband. I haven’t finished with you yet…”
So Karl and Lij got married and they lived happily ever after.
And to commemorate the day of they met, Karl had a picture painted, he, his love and the two other suitors in the throne room. The love between the young couple was so strong, it was said they walked in sunlight for the rest of their lives.
The artist, VM titled the picture, The King of the Golden Hall.
***
The room was very quiet, when the story was finished. Everyone seemed to be listening as if under a magic spell. The little boy bounced up and down, looking round the room.
“My daddy is called Karl and my other daddy is called Lij.” He bounced off his father’s lap and held out his hand.
“Can we go and get a postcard for dad to make up for him having to work…”
And father and son headed towards the shop and then back outside when the sun once more now shining brightly.
Fin