#63: Crossing swords (part 2)

[thegloryboys]

Act 3
The sun was hot a week or two later. Bathing the Facian forests in light and warmth, the sun tore apart clouds and fog. The green field, the grass warm, functioned as a great blanket for the Facian elves to rest upon, in the bright sunrays.
So were Taemin and Jongin resting too, the light shining upon their faces. They had become great friends, Taemin becoming a lot more open to the jokes of Jongin and Jongin understanding that sometimes Taemin had to worry about his schedules.
Jongin turned to his side. 'Hey.'
Taemin opened his eyes. 'Yes?'
'Let's get some dinner tonight.'
'I wasn't planning on not eating, so sure.'
Jongin chuckled. 'I mean in the city or something, together.'
'You craving your chicken again?'
'Not chicken, something else.' Jongin scooted closer.
'Something else? Like… What?'
'I was thinking…' Jongin gulped audibly. 'Some fruits and… Chocolate and… A blanket… The river we went to…'
Taemin sat up a little. 'That sounds like a…'
'Date.'
'Yeah.'
Jongin sat up a little too. 'So, would you like that?'
'I would.'
Jongin sat up completely. 'Really?!'
Taemin laughed and sat up too. 'Yes!'
'Great! I … Fuck… I got to prepare now… Okay! I'll meet you tonight in the hall… No, your room! Got to go, bye!' He pressed a kiss on Taemin's cheek and ran off.
… Wait. 'Jongin! I don't know how to get back!'

Dressed the same as he did at his welcoming in the dining hall, Taemin waited in his room, checking his appearance in the mirror. He loosened his hair again, brushing it once more. Somehow, he felt nervous for this date. They would go to a spot outside of the city, he assumed at least, and have a dinner.
'You look beautiful.'
Taemin turned and looked at Jongin. Dressed in a dark red robe, white trousers, a white shirt, a black vest and shining boots, the elf gulped as Taemin turned.
'You look beautiful too.'
Jongin walked over and caught Taemin's hand. 'Are you ready to go?'
'I need to …' Taemin showed the strip of red fabric. 'Just a moment.'
'Let me…' Jongin took the silk strip and bound the boy's hair together. 'There.'
'Thank you.' Taemin said and got up. 'I'm ready to go now.'
Jongin linked their arms and guided Taemin towards the stables. They got on their horses and rode towards the river where they played a few weeks ago.

Jongin got off his horse. 'Okay! This is the Trisaqui! It's the biggest river of Faciara! Let's rest here.'
Taemin dismounted too and sat down in the grass. 'Alright.' He clicked his tongue, the horse immediately drinking from the river and grazing happily.
'Can you tell my horse to do that too?' Jongin asked.
Taemin clicked his tongue again, Jongin's horse following the other's example exactly. Jongin sat down in the grass next to human prince. 'Want to play?'
Taemin turned his head slightly towards the elven prince. 'Play?'
'Like our race.'
'Sure.'
'Race to the other side?'
'You're going to lose that.'
'We'll see.'
Taemin jumped up and stepped into the water. 'Come on then.'
'Don't we… need to undress at least a bit?' Jongin asked, rubbing his neck.
'Nah, I can dry us within an instant.'
The elven prince nonetheless lost his robe and stepped into the water next to Taemin. 'Okay. One.'
'Two.'
'Three.'
'Go!' They shouted together. Like a dolphin Taemin jumped into the water and tunnelled through the waves and burst up from the water at the other side before Jongin even completed his first meter. 'Lost!'
Jongin's shoulders dropped. 'You didn't even give me the chance to cheat on you!'
'You were going to cheat?!'
'Of course I was!'
Taemin shot back into the water and within seconds, Jongin felt his legs being pulled away from underneath him. With a laugh, he went underwater and felt the human prince poke his sides viciously.
Taemin looked up and saw a small blanket on the riverbank, candles around it and an unlit campfire between the river and the river. The elven prince dismounted and helped Taemin off his horse. Holding the human's hand, he walked to the blanket, where a basket with various fruits waited on them. They sat down and Jongin took away a towel from a bowl.
'It cooled…' He whimpered softly. 'Damn…'
'Let me.' Taemin took the bowl and heated it up in his hands, heat waves coming from the bowl. The brown mass became fluid once again and Jongin smiled.
'Thank you.'
'What is it?'
'Chocolate.'
'… I…'
'It's delicious!' Jongin dipped his finger and licked it. 'Really! Try it!'
Taemin dipped his finger in it and tasted carefully. 'Oh… Oh! This is great!'
'I know!' Jongin said and looked at the sun setting, it's orange glow reflecting on the river. 'Look.'
Taemin looked up and smiled. 'Thank you for bringing us here.'
'You're welcome.'
Taemin lit the fire and they started eating, dipping the fruits Jongin had collected in the chocolate and eating them happily. Sometimes Jongin would give a chocolatey strawberry to Taemin, while he placed a mango stick with chocolate between Jongin's lips.
Not long after the fruits were all eaten and they had scooped the bowl clean, Jongin uncorked a bottle of wine. 'I don't have any mugs but I do have actual glasses.'
'Thanks.' Taemin chuckled.
Jongin poured the both of them a glass and they took a first swig with their arms linked. Jongin looked at how the glass left Taemin's lips slightly red from the wine and kissed him gently.
'Thank you for coming with me.' He whispered.
'You're more than welcome.'

A few days later, Jongin held Taemin's hand as they ran through the capital of Faciara, Dumons. The elves watched them run along, smiling at the happy face of their prince. Jongin walked into a park, where a baker was loudly selling his bread. Taemin waited, his steps halting slowly, watching Jongin as he bought the bread.
When the elven prince turned to face him, he cocked his head to the side, to a spot under the trees in the park. He took the human's hand and pulled him along. The human prince didn't mind the elves staring at them, if anything this made it look like he wasn't on an intelligence mission, this made it look like he was having a slight fling with the elven prince. Which felt so terribly good.
The elf sat down in the grass, resting his back against the large tree. Taemin sat down next to him, waiting for the elf to say something. That was the only problem about this … "thing" they had. It was difficult for Taemin to talk about something because it would always refer back to "I'm going to come over here once day with an army and kill your mother.". Which wasn't great for a "thing".
'I'm waiting for my reply.'
Taemin shook his head.
'Now you were actually staring at my cock, you know.'
'No I wasn't staring! I was thinking!'
'About my cock down your thro…'
'Jongin!'
'Yeah, yeah, deny it all you want. I asked what you are going to do tomorrow.'
Tomorrow… Tomorrow… Appointment with colonel Choi in the morning, working on a few letters towards his father, some mingling with queen Taeyeon… 'Yeah, I'm pretty busy. I've got…'
'Absolutely nothing because you'll be with me and you can do all of that the day after.' Jongin said smirking.
'No, I've got a date with colonel Choi.'
Jongin furrowed his eyebrows jealously at the word "date". 'No, none of that…'
'And then I've got a date with your mother.'
'Stop it!'
'And then all the love letters I've got to send to my brother and my father…'
Jongin started to poke the human's sides. 'Stooooop!'
'So I've got no time tomorrow for anything!' Taemin said, scooting away. He turned to the boy next to him to see him pout. 'Not time at all.'
'Not even for me?'
'Most definitely not for you.' Taemin grinned.
His pout got cuter. 'Are you sure?'
'Yes!'
'Not even during breakfast?'
'Well, you're not up when I'm having breakfast.'
'And dinner?'
'And you usually are getting dinner somewhere else so…'
Jongin let his head hang. 'So I'll have to make do with today only?'
'Tonight I've got an appointment…'
'Are you kidding…'
'With you.'
'… Me?'
'Yes. You were going to show me the sunset.'
Jongin smiled happily. 'Ah yes, Prince Taemin, I remember now.'
'Oh Prince Jongin, you rascal. Acting like you forgot our appointment.'
Jongin chuckled and climbed on top of the human prince, sitting on the boy's legs. 'Now, open wide, you got them pink lips and I've got something I want to stuff between them.'
'Jongin!'
'Just enjoy it!'
'Jongin!'
'It's bread! Fruity bread!'

Taemin slumped onto his bed tiredly. A whole day of mingling with colonel Choi, with the queen, with the high-ups and the nobles. And putting all of that into coded words to his father along with just a general letter about his well-being to confuse anyone who takes down his hawk. It was tiring. It was exhausting.
He looked longingly at both his bad as the bathroom door. A bath would be so terribly nice right now but… Sleep… Taemin moaned softly and lost his shirt, boots and trousers, leaving only his breeches on his body. His body reluctant, he crawled to his pillow, hid his body under the blankets and closed his eyes.
His body felt so warm, so cosy, he felt heat burn under his skin. Taemin, drunk with sleep, opened his eyes and turned to see the elven prince laying behind him and against him. 'Jongin…?'
The elven prince hummed softly and shushed the boy by kissing him. 'I didn't see you at breakfast or dinner today.'
Taemin felt the boy's muscles press against his own, the boy's excitement throb against his own. 'I didn't see you either…'
Jongin, again not shy of the fact that he only wore a loincloth, wrapped his leg also around the boy. 'Tomorrow, you're not seeing anyone but me.'
The human chuckled. 'Agreed.'
The elf smiled. 'Now, go on, sleep! It's very impolite of a host to wake their guest, you're making me feel guilty.'
And Taemin, still tired from his long day, fell asleep again, his nose in the elf's neck. He felt plump lips on his ear and smiled as he fell asleep.
The next morning, they woke up in each other's arms. The passion, fuelled by the dark mystery of the night, had made way for awkwardness in the morning and they sought a bit of distance. Jongin smiled lightly and brushed away Taemin's hair from his cheek. 'Good morning.'
'Morning.' Taemin said hoarsely.
'Thank you for letting me stay.'
'No problem. You abused me for snuggling, I had to abuse your snuggling too.'
Jongin chuckled. 'Fair trade. Come…' Jongin grabbed Taemin's hand and took him along to the bathroom. He pulled on a chain and they heard a soft bell outside of their room. 'The bath boys are coming so let's…'
'Do we need the bath boys?'
Jongin halted his steps and turned. '… I guess not.'
'Because I… I don't mind…'
'Me neither…' Jongin looked away shyly. 'I'll tell them they don't have to anymore. Will you prepare the bath?'
'I think it's better if you prepare the bath and I meet the bath boys and tell them to not come because your loincloth is barely managing.'
Jongin blushed. 'Yes! I will…' But then he smirked. 'You were looking?'
'Shut up.'
Jongin smirked and put his hands behind his head. 'I don't mind you looking. Look all you want.'
'I said shut up! Go prepare that fucking bath!'
'Yes, your highness!'
'You know what, fine, have your bath boys. I'll go have breakfast.'
'Noooo!' Jongin laughed. 'I'll prepare the bath!'
'I mean, that would be nice though. All those bath boys with their…' Taemin said. 'Maybe we should…'
'No!' Jongin said quickly. 'Just me! And you!'
Taemin cocked an eyebrow and Jongin blushed.
'I mean…'
'You called for us, my lord?' One of the boys peeked inside.
'Ah yes!' Taemin turned and Jongin made his way to the bathroom. 'We pulled the chain by accident. We're sorry.'
'No need to apologize, my lord. If you require our assistance, we would be more than willing to help you.'
'So I've heard.' Taemin said, earning blushes from the bath boys who had started to peek into the room as well.
'Just doing our job…'
'So I've heard.' Taemin said grinning. 'Thank you boys.'
The boys left and closed the door. Taemin listened to the half a dozen of feet as they walked away through the hallway. Taemin turned and walked to the bathroom, watching as the elven prince prepared the round bath. Hot water ran from the faucets and the elf made sure that there were enough cloths and soap around to wash themselves. He looked up when Taemin entered and cocked his head to the bath. 'Ready as it'll ever be.'
Shyly Taemin lost his breeches and, while hiding his privates, he stepped into the bath. Jongin, just as shy, followed him quickly. They sat next to each other awkwardly.
Taemin coughed.
Jongin played with his pointy ear.
'Have you ever used the bath boys here?' Jongin asked softly.
'No.'
'I have.'
'No shit.' Taemin laughed. 'Never figured!'
Jongin laughed too and punched Taemin's shoulder. 'They're good!'
'Are they? I thought you snuggled with them too.'
'Among other things…'
Jealousy bubbled in Taemin's stomach. 'Among other things?'
'Uh… I mean… Look… I was curious! I just looked at them and was like… Sorry…'
Taemin laughed. 'Isn't that where the bath boys are for?'
Jongin chuckled awkwardly. 'Well no, but they don't mind right?'
'I know they don't with me.'
'Oh.' Jongin smirked. 'Tell me all about it.'
'Well… I make sure they're comfortable before I climb over them and sink down on…'
'Okay! Not that much detail!' Jongin said. He felt himself get sick of jealousy but also crazy with want because Taemin liked to bottom. 'You know what, none of that anymore. No more bath boys. For both of us.'
'Why?' Taemin asked, now teasing the boy even though he fully agreed.
'Because… Because I don't want to share myself between you and the hot bath boys.'
Taemin snickered, shook his head and splashed water in the elf's face. 'Oh please.'

Sitting at the breakfast table that morning, the elven prince didn't hide one single thing. He openly and loudly tried to feed Taemin numerous times, even with his mother present, and asked to be fed by Taemin.
But they fell into silence when a messenger hawk from Taragi descended from the window and landed on Taemin's shoulder. A message dropped on Taemin's lap and the boy opened it carefully. The message was coded into a sentence that meant something entirely different, but it was clear to Taemin.
Come home. Now. It's time.

Act 4
'I don't understand why you have to go so suddenly now…' Jongin said as he watched the boy pack his things into the saddlebags.
'I understand but my brother fell ill and they want me present. He's not the crown prince but a death in the family is still devastating. I mean… You're an elf, you don't fall ill, you don't understand.'
'We do fall ill.' Jongin said softly. 'Just differently.'
Taemin looked up curiously. 'You do?'
'They call it the elven sickness. It's when elves are done with life. When we've lived for so long that we don't know what to do with ourselves anymore. My father… King Jiyong died from that.'
'Didn't he commit suicide?'
'Exactly what I mean.'
'Oh.' Taemin said. 'That's terrible.'
'So, I know how it feels but… I mean… You'll be travelling for a week or something anyway. They won't notice it when you don't show up right away but just a few hours later. We haven't talked about the last few weeks yet.'
'We did nothing but talking.'
'Yes but not about…'
'Jongin.' Taemin said. 'All this time you were postponing things because you want to enjoy the now. Which I enjoyed as well. But that's a choice with consequences and the consequence now is that I have to leave now. Prince Yifan is sick and he is my only brother.'
'I know.' Jongin said. 'You human. Thinking so into timetables and schedules. Consequences.'
'The human way.'
'I just want to tell you that… That… That I want to… I want to be your guide to the border.'
'No need, your Highness! I've got him covered!' Colonel Choi walked into the room. 'Your Lordship, your horse has been prepared for your departure. My men are awaiting orders.'
'Colonel, you have been dismissed. I will bring him to the border.' Jongin said.
'Of course, your Highness, but with all due respect, we're talking about the prince of Taragi. We just want to be cautious.'
'I understand and appreciate that, but it's not needed. You are dismissed.' Jongin said. 'Tell your men they are dismissed too. I will bring prince Taemin to the border and that's that. Am I understood?'
'Yes, my lord.' Minho walked out again after a bow and closed the door.
'I don't need a guide.' Taemin said.
'I can get you to the border faster.' Jongin said.
'I thought that you wanted to make me stay longer.'
'I do. That's why I'll get you to the border faster. That way I'll still have a day alone with you at the border.'
Taemin chuckled. 'You elf.'

Their travels were silent, even though the elven prince had mentioned that they hadn't talked yet. When Taemin sometimes tried to initiate some sort of conversation, the elven prince just hummed and just looked at his horse's manes. After a few hours, of the days long travels, they hardly spoke.
Until they ended up at the border. Taemin and Jongin rode into a village and they saw the citizens gawk at them. Taemin looked up at the sky when he felt a familiar presence. His father's hawk descended upon them and Taemin checked the message.
Hurry. Now.
'Jongin, I know you want this day with me but I've really got to hurry now.' Taemin said. 'He's worsening and I…'
'I really like you!' Jongin said.
And they fell silent.
'I like you too.' Taemin said softly after a while. 'The same way.'
'And still you leave?' Jongin asked.
'I have to.'
'All this time we travelled, I wondered how I could convince you to stay. How I could ask you to stay with me and not go back to Taragi. I hoped that this would be enough…' Jongin said, rubbing his eyes. 'I hoped that you would feel as strongly as me…'
'I do, but…'
'Maybe it's because I don't have a brother.' Jongin said. 'I don't know what you're feeling and I've… I've… I've been selfish. Elvish. Denying responsibilities for both myself as for you.'
'Jongin, shut up.'
The elf looked up.
'I promise you that we'll see each other again soon. I genuinely promise.' Even though it will be in battle.
'When?'
'As soon as I can.'
Jongin looked at his saddle and nodded. 'Agreed. I'll keep you to that promise. And Taemin…'
But the boy had vanished. Jongin looked around, since the human's horse still stood next to him.
'Taemin?!'
Smoke formed in front of him, the human prince sitting opposite of him in the saddle now. 'Gotcha.'
Jongin smiled. 'Human trickery.'
'Advanced human trickery.' Taemin grinned and kissed the elven prince passionately. 'I promise we'll meet again.'

Taemin had crossed the border and Jongin sat on the wall of the village close to the border, watching the place where the boy had left his sight. He knew he had done the right thing by letting the boy go with too much of a fuss, but it still stung. He sighed and lulled back.
But then he heard the gasps behind him.
Jongin turned and sprung up, walking to the elves watching him. 'What's wrong?'
'The beacons…'
'Beacons? The old beacons of war… of war?' Jongin turned and saw fire at the horizon. The old beacons of war that King Yunho had used to declare war on the elves had been lit once more.
So that … 'That's why he had to leave…' Jongin said softly. 'Taemin… Why didn't you tell me…?'
He heard the elves mumble, he heard women shriek and cry, men draw their swords and the guards shot fire arrows in the air to notify the Elven Guard. But Jongin… Jongin was curious. He was curious and… broken.
Had Taemin used him to gather information?
Did Taemin actually like him?
But Jongin couldn't get himself to feel angry at the boy. He still really liked him. He had felt the honesty in Taemin's body when they slept together. He had heard the sincerity when they had talked and laughed. And he felt the emotion on Taemin's lips.
He couldn't doubt Taemin's feelings. His own didn't allow him. But why had Taemin visited him? Why had Taemin engaged in this relationship with him? Why did they ever meet?
He had to find out.

Taemin dismounted and had the stable boys take his horse away. The servants bowed deeply when Taemin entered the palace and he lost his coat to a maid. 'Good day, my lord, welcome home, my lord.'
'It's great to be home.' Taemin said blankly. 'Where is…'
'Ah, Taeminnie!' Yifan walked down the stairs and hugged his brother tightly. 'Taeminnie, how have you been? Did the elves treat you alright?'
'Lived like a king.'
Yifan peered into his big brother's eyes. 'What happened?'
'Do you know the elven prince?'
'… I mean, I know they have a prince but…'
'I met him. Very well.'
'Oh.' Yifan said softly. 'I see.'
'Really, what did I think when I…'
'Taemin, you can't help falling in…'
'Taemin!' King Taeyang walked in from the throne room. 'Welcome home, let's talk in my study. Colonels, the general has arrived. Yifan, Taemin, follow.' King Taeyang walked up the stairs, a troop of colonels and commanders following him. Taemin sighed and followed, his brother's hand firmly on his lower back to support him.
The entire afternoon was spent in that study, Taemin sharing everything he figured out from colonel Choi and through his own observations. Taemin actually started to feel guilty. He couldn't help but think about Jongin.
How must Jongin feel right now? Betrayed, most likely. Hatred and anger. If he were Jongin, he would want to kill every human in sight. That was probably a very human approach to the situation though. He wasn't sure what an elven approach would be.
'Taemin?' Yifan ran up to him. 'Where are you going so fast?'
'To my tower to…'
'To what?'
'I don't know. Think. Develop strategies, tactics, moves…'
'You're not going to think about the elven prince you left behind in Faciara and you're most definitely not going think about how you'll feel when you ride into to battle facing him?'
'No.' Taemin said, his voice small. 'What have I done? What was I thinking?!'
'The elves got you hard.' Yifan said, smiling. 'Was he nice?'
'Yes. He was nice and… Funny and… Very outgoing but also a bit shy now and then and he always wanted to have fun. Not to just work. I just felt so relaxed…'
'Elves. Always just slacking.' Yifan sighed. 'But okay, you like him. Does he like you too?'
Taemin nodded, hiding his face from his brother.
'So what are you going to do?'
'What do you mean?'
'I mean; you can't ride into battle like this…'
'Are you calling me a coward and a traitor?'
'No, I'm calling you an idiot who fell in fucking love with an elven prince while he's about to declare war on the bastard.' Yifan grumbled. 'How the fuck are you going to do this?'
'Can't we do a political marriage?'
'Then Taeyeon would still be queen right?'
'Right, we would still have to off her…'
Yifan hummed softly as they entered Taemin's tower's study. Taemin had his own tower in the castle, since he was the crown prince. Yifan had his own wing too, but not as luxurious and private as Taemin's. And Yifan's study wasn't in the castle but in the capital's fortress, where he was governor as well. 'Maybe we could ask the colonel to off her and…'
'You do know we already declared war, I need to get that relationship to marriage levels and then we actually marry while he's king, I'm king and she is fucking dead by our hands, right?'
'… Yeah, okay, I don't see that happening.' Yifan said as he fell into a chair.
'So we look for someone else…'
A knock on the door. 'Yes.'
Some of the bath boys peeked inside and smiled. 'Prince Taemin, we missed you! Shall we help you relax after your travels?'
'You've basically trained them to be whores.' Yifan mumbled.
'I never heard you complain.'
'Shut it.'
'I would love… Ah yes, sorry boys but I'm not in the mood. I'll let you know if I'm up for it.'
'Aaaw…' The bath boys pouted. 'But prince Taeminnie… Just a quick wash…'
'Is it official?' Yifan asked.
'No, not really but…'
'Look, if they're just washing you, it's fine.' Yifan said. 'Just go, you can't think of a new strategy now either.'
Taemin sighed and got up. 'Fine. Go on, to the bathroom with you lot!'
And thus, a little while later, Taemin sighed as six pairs of hands washed him thoroughly. As he would previously look at the six naked male bodies around him and enjoy it fully, he now just closed his eyes and lulled his head back, trying not to notice the boys pressing themselves against him as they washed him.

Taemin laid in his bed and he dreamt of his elven love. He felt the elven prince's warmth in his stomach, spreading through to his heart and loin.
But then he heard a scuffle. His eyes shot open, but his body remained in its relaxed position, his breath keeping its slow and steady pace. Closing his eyes again, he sensed a body moving through the air around him, slowly stepping into the room through the window. Assassin. Making it seems like he tossed his body around, he flung his arm beside his bed, near the washing bowl next to it. The water slowly formed icicles around his fingers, ready to be thrown and nail anyone's gut to the wall.
Another step. Taemin waited until the body moved into a position which was difficult to defend and he shot up, moving his hand to fling the icicles and… 'Jongin?'
The elven prince had hidden behind his hands, trying to shield his head. 'Taemin?'
'What are you doing here?! They'll kill you if they see you!'
'I'm coming to see you!'
Taemin got out of bed, slightly forgetting he was quite nude, and quickly locked the door. 'You need to leave through the way you came! Right now!'
'I won't until you tell me what is going on!' Jongin said, walking over to the human prince to put power to his words.
'I…'
Jongin took off his robe and hung it over the human's shoulders. 'You shouldn't get a cold though.'
'I… I was on a mission to acquire intel but I swear I didn't want this… us to get into this.'
Jongin flashed a small smile at the word "us" but quickly regained his serious frown. 'Intel?'
'Yes. I was just looking around and trying to spot some weak spots. Checking which gate was the weakest, where the wall was damaged, which road the broadest. That's it.' Maybe it was better not to tell about colonel Choi yet.
'So… Did you use me to…?'
'No.' Taemin said. 'I hardly thought about my mission when I was around you. At first I did. I thought I would tell on myself, that you would piece things together but…'
'So you didn't use me for your mission?'
'No.' Taemin said, averting his eyes. 'I didn't. I can't even say my mission succeeded, because I hardly have any useable intel on you.'
Jongin smiled. 'You are a terrible liar.'
Taemin looked up. 'What?!'
'You didn't use me, but you know enough about us.' Jongin chuckled. 'But now we're in this mess, "us" as you put it so cutely.'
'Shut it.' Taemin walked back to the bed. 'You still need to leave now.'
'I can't, the watches have changed now.' Jongin said softly. 'I climbed up when the watches were changing shifts.'
'Shit.' Taemin sat down on the mattress. 'They change again before dawn. You need to leave then, okay?'
Jongin nodded and sat down on the bed too. 'Can I stay with you until that moment?'
Taemin nodded and laid down. Jongin snuggled up to him and purred softly in Taemin's neck. 'You know; my robe looks good on you.'
Taemin just placed his hand on Jongin's, which was on his chest. 'Just stop it, you elven pervert.'
Hours later, as dawn started to approach, Jongin made his way to the window again. 'I've found a spot in the forest near the capital. It's an old elven lookout and you can't see it from the outside. Come to that forest and the trees will guide you to the right spot. I'll be waiting.'
'I'll be there.' Taemin said softly.
Jongin climbed out the window and Taemin saw the purple line attached to the window sill, allowing the prince to rappel down.
While being watched by prince Yifan.

Taemin rode his horse to the forest outside of the capital. He held the elven robe in his hands, as he had forgotten to give it back to the elven prince. Watching as the trees towered out above him, Taemin felt them looking at him. Looking at the robe in his hands, the daggers at his sides, his hair caught in a bun.
Creakingly, a tree moved, its twigs pointed north. Taemin halted, waiting for the breeze to drop but, as it did, the tree didn't move at all. It just pointed north. And thus Taemin decided to trust the elven prince's words, follow the trees.
And the trees kept moving their twigs, to north and east. Taemin ended up in a small grove. The trees moved no more, but they had formed a jail to keep him in the grove.
'Well, this isn't a fucking trap if I ever saw one.' Taemin said softly.
'Is it though?'
Taemin turned and saw the elven prince sitting in a tree, smirking.
'Caught you in the forest!'
'Shut it. Where is this lookout then?'
Jongin jumped down and helped Taemin off his horse. 'Since when are you so adamant on going somewhere private with me?'
Taemin rolled his eyes. 'I can burn my way out of here, you know.'
Jongin chuckled and shot a purple line up a tree, pulling them upwards into the old lookout. Even though it was ancient, Taemin recognized some elven architecture and carpentry from Yunho's era, it was still sturdy and fresh. Jongin fell down a pillowed nest, his legs spread and his arms open. 'Welcome to my new home. Come on and give me a hug.'
Taemin smiled. 'Idiot. What did you want to discuss?'
'I don't know. I mean, there's a war but sure…'
'Right.' Taemin sat down next to Jongin. 'But what is there to discuss? We're at war. We have to fight. One has to win.'
'Such a human approach.'
'Then what is an elven approach?'
Jongin opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. 'Well. I mean… Uh… I uh… Elves normally… Never mind.'
'Figured as much.'
'But I won't fight you.'
'Your soldiers will have to.'
'I know; I know… Just… Can't we keep up appearances? We act like we are at war. Like we're in battles. But we just find ourselves in stalemates.'
'That sounds plausible. And it's a proper campaign. I do take over a few villages and stuff, but I bounce off somewhere.'
'Yes!' Jongin said. 'And then a few small battles, but nothing serious!'
'And then, because both of us are getting nowhere, the war is off and nobody wins!'
'That sounds way too fucking easy!' Jongin said and hugged Taemin tightly, pulling him down onto the pillows. Taemin laughed and wrapped his arms around Jongin, pressing the boy's body against his. The elf kissed Taemin's neck, the human played with Jongin's pointy ear.
Jongin placed his hands on Taemin's behind. 'And then afterwards? Can we stay together?'
'We'll try to. We'll make it a political marriage, to ensure peace.'
'Oh bless the mighty elves in the sky, we are so good at this!' Jongin groaned and jammed his tongue into Taemin's mouth. 'Taemin, don't leave me today. Please don't.'
'Jongin, I can't stay too long…' Taemin moaned softly. 'I can't, they'll miss me and…'
'Taemin, I don't know when I'll have to go back. I don't want to miss you.' Jongin said softly and unbuckled his trousers. 'Please?'
'Whoa! No!' Taemin said and pushed him away. 'First of all, not a fucking forest, I am no farmer. And also, Jongin, we're at war. When we do this, I want it to be a more romantic setting.'
Jongin took in the rejection, but smiled at the look to the future. 'I am going to make this as romantic as possible. I swear.'
'So tuck that bad boy…' Taemin buckled Jongin's belt again. 'Back where he belongs.'

The elves had cheered as Taemin's army had approached. They had cheered when the human soldiers had broken in the town hall and taken the money to spread among the citizens (and the soldiers). They had celebrated when the food of the town hall had been given to the hungry elves and the hungry soldiers. Women had thanked Taemin endlessly, men bowing and kneeling for him and children looking up to him with awe.
This wasn't as much a conquering of Faciara, an annexation of the Facian lands, but more of inciting a revolt. The only thing the people lacked was an army and Taemin could provide just that.
And this had continued from village to village. The southwest corner of Faciare soon belonged to Taragi's rule and the campaign had halted slightly as they had set up camp to spend a few nights to treat the wounded and do some reconnaissance. Taemin had watched his personal guard put up his pavilion, so he could at least strategize and develop a few tactics.
They hadn't met any elven resistance yet. One time they had stumbled upon a patrol of the Elven Guard, but they ran away as hard as they could. Taemin hadn't chased them down, since that would be a lot of effort for just a few lives. The risk was of course that they would bring more, but to be honest, if Faciara hadn't noticed them already, they deserved to be slain and conquered.
But that was also a problem. Elven resistance resulted in several things. A way to discuss with Jongin, a way to discuss with colonel Choi or a way to cause a stalemate. Taemin sighed as he lulled on his matt. The thing also was that he hadn't anticipated this lack of elves in his way. He was afraid of every corner now; every grouping of trees could hide an ambush. But nothing.
Absolute desolation.
Taemin rolled out his map and placed the figures. 'Our army is here…'
'Your Highness.'
'I said I didn't want to be disturbed.' Taemin growled, not looking up.
'We understand, Sire, but we request you hear our counsel.'
'Oh, for the love of the Fire Gods!' Taemin looked up. 'I don't need your fucking counsel! You'll be the fourth fucking town elder thinking he knows the ins and outs of elven conquering but… Where did you get that armour?'
'Stole it from your reconnaissance patrol to the west after I slaughtered them.' Jongin said as the took off the helmet. He rubbed his ears. 'You need to make them wear elven helmets because then, when I were to kill them and steal their clothes, my ears aren't folded.'
'What the fuck are you doing here?!' Taemin hissed. 'They would kill you in the castle, but here they would humiliate you, rape you and then gut you!'
'I know.' Jongin said. 'So I'm glad you thought ahead and asked to not be disturbed.'
'At least cover up your head…' Taemin threw a robe at the prince's head. 'And who is your friend?'
'Highness.' The other one bowed and took off his helmet. Colonel Choi.
'Colonel Choi? Why are you here?' Taemin tried to keep up the act of Minho not being his informant and grabbed a weapon. 'Prince Jongin, is this a trap you've…'
'Give up the act, Taemin.' Jongin said. 'I know he's your snitch.'
'I'm ever so sorry, Sire.' The colonel bowed his head. 'I couldn't lie.'
'Anyway.' Jongin said. 'It has me slightly troubled that you aren't an oppressor to the elves.' Jongin sat down on the opposite side of the map, the hood covering his head and, most importantly, his ears. 'I've seen them cheering in Gúons and Motus. What is even happening?'
'The elves have started to detest your mother.' Taemin said indifferently. 'They see a hoarding queen, who collects money like a kid collects stones. Way too much and no idea what she could even start with it, but she still does it.'
'All the while most elves can't even eat.' The colonel said softly. 'And that goes against our ways of life. We don't work every day, every night, but they do because otherwise they can't even eat one apple a day.'
'And Taragi is a welcome overlord at that point.' Jongin sighed. 'I'm glad I didn't get my economy classes from my mother but from a Taragian professor.'
'A wise decision on her part.' Colonel Choi smiled.
'Sadly, she doesn't have those often.' Taemin said.
'She is still my mother.' Jongin said. 'I can't go against her.'
'Well… You can, but then we would call off the war and have a revolt instead.' Taemin said. 'Which would end up in even bloodier war than this will ever be.'
'It almost is a revolt. We have seen elves volunteering to put up Taragian flags along the roads.' Jongin said.
'Look, I'm sorry but I can't help it that they like me.' Taemin said softly. 'It's not against you, I mean, everyone smiles at you but whenever I mention the queen they frown.'
Jongin sighed. 'Let's just figure out this stalemate. We'll see about all of that later.'

Their armies had bounced several times, the first times with bloodshed, later without. A few times, Taemin and Jongin had had to duel to decide who would retreat. Their armies were evenly matched; so continuous fighting would just grind them together until nothing but blood was left.
Southern Faciara was almost completely into Taragian hands now, the flags and banners waving proudly in the wind. Taeyeon had the north on a solid lockdown, every major road filled with blockades, patrols and forts. The forests in between the roads, the hills and the lakes had been cursed, so they weren't an option either.
Taemin knew which roads his men on the inside were stationed, like Jongin and the colonel, but they couldn't go about converting an entire army to the Taragian side. A few would have listened and comply, for sure, but not all of them. And that would incite the massive revolt and bloodshed they had been trying to avoid.
Taemin sighed as the got up from his bed. They had occupied one of the bigger cities in the south, Dagiro, and so Taemin had taken the liberty to claim the city's castle as his own holiday retreat. He rolled his eyes when all the soldiers saluted as he walked by, since they most likely had been sleeping on the job anyway.
The thing was, he couldn't stop here, but he couldn't go on without creating a problem with Jongin. He either had to break his promise of not winning battles or have his father come over to do it for him. And both were less than ideal. As he had fallen into a chair to have his breakfast, a soldier walked in. 'General, a visitor.'
'No visitors during breakfast.' Taemin said. Not that he did really mind, but he had left his dagger in his room. 'Show the visitor out please.'
'Uh… Highness… Of course, but he says he's here on your command.'
Taemin looked up annoyed. 'Fine. Let him in and leave us.'
The soldier turned around, opened to door to let the visitor in and left again, leaving Taemin and the visitor alone.
'So, care to explain?' Taemin asked. The elf, it was most certainly an elf, had covered himself with robes and garments to remain incognito.
'It sounds very elven of you to not work during breakfast.'
'Why do you keep putting yourself into these dangerous situations, Jongin?' Taemin sighed and beckoned him to come closer.
'Because I know you long for staring at my cock…' Jongin smirked as he took off his hood and his scarf. 'I mean; I know you like to do so when you're thinking.'
'I will have the soldiers gut you.' Taemin said coldly and smiled. 'Want a piece of fruity bread?'
Jongin smiled and walked to the table, sitting down next to Taemin. He pressed his lips on Taemin's cheek first. 'I missed you.'
'Sorry.'
'I hope I didn't hurt you last time.'
'Nah.'
Jongin hummed and took a piece of bread. 'I'm glad.'
'You know, Jongin, I've been thinking and…'
'Taemin. I want you to conquer Faciara.' Jongin said softly. 'I don't care about my position; the elves want you. Just… Make sure the people are happy and that… That my mother is safe.'
Taemin fell silent.
'She hasn't been the best ruler lately but… She doesn't deserve to die. She only does what she thinks is best and…'
'I'll make sure she lives.'
'Thank you. When will you push through to the north?'
'Let's keep that a surprise.'

part 3