SBB 2016 Entry #12: The Bloom of Life (3/4)
Title: The Bloom of Life
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: NC-17 overall
Genre: fantasy!au, romance, adventure
Final Word Count: 24,523 overall
PART THREE
It took what felt like another hour to reach the light at the top of the tower and it brought them into sudden gusts of wind, blinding sunlight and a strange fragrance neither had ever smelled before. Kibum clung to Minho as they stepped up onto the flat surface far broader than the tower had been and had no ledges, so any person standing too close to the edge could just as easily fall to their demise. A place that Kibum decided to stand, approaching the edge to look down.
A gasp left Kibum’s lips and Minho stepped up beside him to see what he had seen, wind gusting through his hair and forcing him to squint, but even he could see the beauty of what beheld them, The canopy of the forest was so far below them it seemed like it was another tree’s height wouldn’t reach them, the expanse of forest visible in all directions even in the far distance Minho could make out the faint outline of the royal palace.
The shrine wasn’t as tall as they’d been made to believe, the canopy of the forest only another tree or more height below them. “So the shrine does trick intruders…” Kibum muttered.
“But then it could have kept going? Why let us reach the top? And after such a long time?” Minho asked, concerned. “Was it testing us?”
“Probably.” Kibum said with a nod. “If there are spirits in the shrine, and our legends and tales state so, then they test those who enter the shrine. They confirm their worth by their challenge and then allow them passage through to the shrine’s top most point.” He explained. Looking down upon the floor, Kibum’s eyes watered. “And allow any who pass the test to partake of the greatest treasure in the world.” He added, kneeling upon the ground. “The Bloom of Life.”
Minho watched as Kibum admired the sunshine gold flowers, bunched together, growing from between the large stone blocks of the structure, flourishing even in such a treacherous environment. “Incredible… there are so many of them…” He muttered, scanning the ground. “How do they survive up here?”
“No one knows how they live, but they’re stronger than any other known plant.” Kibum explained.
Just as Kibum was reaching out to touch a flower, a greater gust of wind blew over them, an echoed roar rumbling the stones under their feet, shaking through their chests. “Your Highness…” Minho muttered, eyes scanning the sky cautiously. “Get the flower; I don’t think we have any more time.”
Kibum’s gaze went to the sky as well, but he blindly reached into his satchel and retrieved the box given to him by the physician, designed to protect plant-matter until it could be used. As Minho continued to search the sky, there were more rumbled cries, shrieks and massive gusts of wind. Kibum worked fast, carefully removing three of the flowers - all the way down to the roots - and placing them into the container, then returning it to his satchel.
Just as Kibum stood to his feet, there was a loud roar and the heat of fire, barrelled down upon them, a creature following the assault through the clouds, wings broad and magnificent, eyes of gold and scales of sunshine. There were horns upon its large head, resembling a crown and sparkling in the sun, shimmering like real gold. Its gaze fixed upon them as it circled, flapping its wings in a threatening way, before it lowered itself down upon the shrine, perching itself at the edge. Once it had steadied itself there, it screeched in their direction, wings casting gale like winds, almost knocking them off their feet.
Minho grabbed Kibum and yelled into his ear, knowing it was the only way for his voice to be heard. “Get out of here! You have what you need! So go!”
“But, Minho - !”
“Run Your Highness!” Minho shouted, giving him one more pointed look before he lunged for the beast. But he didn’t get far, the dragon’s tail swinging around and knocking Minho back into Kibum.
Kibum only just managed to grab a hold of Minho’s arm before they were sent falling off the edge. By some kind of luck, Minho was able to grip the ledge of the shrine, but only after dropping his sword and catching the edge with one hand.
“Minho!” Kibum screamed, scrambling to get a better hold of Minho in any way possible. “Don’t let go!”
Minho grunted, fixing his hold on the prince and trying to maintain his grip on the edge of the structure. He liked to think he could pull them both back up onto the surface, but with a dragon breathing fire at them and with the added exhaustion of their journey, Minho wasn’t so sure if it was physically possible.
Their options weren’t broad either. They could fall into the canopy and possibly become impaled on the branches, or if he did manage to get them back onto the shrine’s roof, they could be burnt to a crisp. Neither appealed, but finding a solution where they both survived seemed a gamble at best, just like his next move.
His gaze then fixed on the canopy and Minho couldn’t help but think about the best chance for Kibum’s survival. The canopy in that area of the forest was far denser of leaf matter than branches alone, it could just be enough to soften his fall and in effect keep the prince alive. For them both to fall wouldn’t work, especially with their combined weight. But if he dropped the prince in just the right way…
“Your Highness, do you trust me?” Minho asked.
“Of course!” Kibum replied, shouting over the wind. “Why?”
He met Kibum’s eyes and swallowed. “I’m letting go.”
“Oka - what?!” Kibum’s shriek was coupled with the prince’s attempt to get a better hold on him.
“Just trust me!” Minho cried. “I’m sorry.” He sobbed and then, reluctantly, let go.
Kibum let out an uncontrolled scream as he fell, tears springing from his eyes as he watched Minho pull himself up onto the roof of the shrine once more, the dragon lunging in his direction, blasting searing flames. The wind felt like it was blowing through his body, rippling his clothes, thrashing in his ears and pulling hair loose from its braid.
All he remembered before he hit the canopy was the desperation in his voice as he screamed Minho’s name, and then with the pain of impact came a flood of black.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
He jolted awake, panting heavily, and then winced, clutching his waist which was padded with bandages. “What - ?”
“Your Highness.” Taemin said, a hand behind his shoulder, keeping him steady. “Thank goodness you’re awake!”
With a glance around, Kibum confirmed that they were back at the campsite, the stags standing to one side and the soldiers all looking in his direction now that he was awake. Any daylight that remained would be brief though, a warm glow of a sunset illuminating the space.
Kibum offered Taemin a slight smile to assure him that he was okay, but his head was spinning and he closed his eyes, swallowing thickly. He couldn’t be sick, not now. There were more important things to deal with. “What happened?” He muttered, raising a hand to his head, feeling a bandage just above his right eye, covering part of his eyebrow.
“Well…” Taemin began, glancing to Kibum’s left. “You fell from the shrine. You’re lucky all you got was a laceration to your waist, alongside other scrapes and bruises.”
Kibum nodded. So the canopy had been lush enough to break his fall. But… “And where is Minho?”
“He’s right here, Your Highness.” Taemin replied, motioning to Kibum’s left.
Not too far away, sitting on a fallen tree, bloodied and tired, was Minho. He was shirtless as ointment and bandages were being applied to his burned and lacerated skin. Minho complained as the soldier did his work and was pointedly ignored all the while, a look of determination on the soldier’s features. The tips of Minho’s hair were still smoking and it looked like he could fall over at any moment, but Minho was alive. He had fought off a dragon and still breathed to tell the tale.
Humans really were the most resilient creatures in the world.
He slowly got up as the soldier stepped away from Minho, his job done for the time being, standing to his feet with little help from Taemin who seemed reluctant to let the prince do much on his own. “M-Minho?” He muttered, taking a few steps towards him.
Minho’s head twisted and eyes met his, warm, stunned, and then they were soft, filling with tears. “Your Highness…” He muttered.
“You’re okay?” Kibum asked, eyebrows furrowed.
Minho nodded slightly, getting to his feet, the action painful if the way his face contorted was any indication. He smiled though, glad to see Kibum was awake. “I’m a little worse for wear, but I’m not dead, so I can’t complain. And you… you’re okay. I’m so glad.”
Before he could even control his feet, Kibum was striding to Minho, raising a hand and landing a solid slap to the side of his face. Minho didn’t fight the assault dealt to him and he let his head sit to one side, breathing out slowly as the pain shot through his cheek. Somehow, the sting hurt more than the other injuries dealt to his body. “How dare you drop me!”
“I know.” Minho whispered, genuine remorse in his eyes.
“After everything we’ve been through! You go and drop me?! Of all the ridiculous things you could have done!” Kibum cried. “You can’t fight every battle alone! We could have fought it off together!” He let out a choked sob and shook Minho by his shirt. “I shouldn’t ever forgive you!”
Minho nodded. “I know.”
Tears were falling freely by the time Kibum stopped his tirade and with a heartbroken sob launched into Minho’s arms, jostling him. They managed to stay standing, Minho’s arms automatically wrapping around Kibum’s back, even if they felt weak. “I should hate you.”
“I know.”
Kibum grumbled in annoyance. “Stop saying ‘I know’, you’re being an ass.”
There was a hand tilting Kibum’s face up and Minho looked straight into his eyes, gaze tender, a broad grin upon his lips. “I know.”
He was shoved, Kibum trying not to laugh as he glared at Minho. “Asshole.” He stated.
Minho laughed heartily, grin still firmly in place. “I know.”
Shaking his head, Kibum slid a hand into Minho’s, dragging him towards his stag. “Everyone, let’s get moving.” He said, addressing the soldiers. “The sooner we get home the better.” They all nodded and their own conversations stemmed from there, packing the few supplies they had unpacked to prepare for immediate travel.
“For the queen.” Minho commented softly, now that eyes weren’t on them. “Your Highness, we can save the queen.”
Kibum was smiling as he nodded, then brushed fingers through Minho’s hair, sliding over muck, blood and sweat. “And you need to see the physician too.” He added. “It wouldn’t do for you to die.”
“I would prefer not to die.” Minho agreed. His smile then faded and he leaned forward, his forehead lightly touching the prince’s. “I am sorry, if it is any consolation. B-but I had to make a decision. Dropping you into the canopy seemed like the best choice between possible survival and death by dragon. By the gods, I was so happy to see you survived…” He sighed, opening his eyes to meet Kibum’s. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Kibum wanted to slap him again, but the eyes he was staring into, so sincere, he couldn’t stay mad. Still, he acted nonchalant. “I’ll try to.” He teased.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
There was no fanfare awaiting them when they returned, only a weary physician and an anxious king, along with a few servants ready to take the stags back to the stables as the soldiers dismounted. “Did you find it?” The king asked, rushing forward as Kibum stepped off his stage. The physician followed close behind, his expression nothing more than expectant. It was clear that he hadn’t had much sleep that week.
Kibum wordlessly handed the container to the physician, Jinki, who turned to run back into the palace, tripping on his robes as he went, and then accepted a welcoming embrace from his father. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” The king said and then pulled back, hands on Kibum’s shoulders. “And back in one piece.”
“Only just.” Kibum muttered, smiling reassuringly to him. “And I will tell you everything that happened, Father, but first I need to get Minho to the infirmary.”
The king’s eyes flashed to the stags, catching Minho’s form slumped upon his mount, bandages still wrapped around each part of his body. He was awake, but weary, body weak. “What happened?” He demanded, eyes wide and horrified.
Kibum glanced back at Minho, a fond smile on his lips. “He saved my life.”
While the servants insisted on assisting Minho, Kibum ignored them, taking Minho’s arm over his shoulder and leading him through to Jinki’s office, a room with a large work bench to one end which had shelves lining the wall behind it, bottles of remedies and ingredients cluttered in organised chaos. Along the rest of the room were stretchers with plain sheets and pillows for patients. All were currently empty and Kibum lay Minho down upon the nearest one to Jinki’s bench, the physician seated upon a stool, fussing over the container and the flowers within.
“When you have a moment, Jinki, Minho needs to be taken care of as well.” Kibum said, barely even announcing his presence to the man.
“Right away, Your Highness.” Jinki replied, his eyes focused completely on the Blooms. “These flowers... they’re truly remarkable.” He added, eyes wide in awe. “To think they’re real...”
Kibum nodded, settling himself down onto the edge of the stretcher and beginning to unwrap Minho’s bandages. “And you should have seen where they were growing. There was a flat expanse at the top of the shrine, high above the trees and into the sky, and that’s where they were growing, from between the cracks of the stone.”
Jinki’s eyes widened, and for Minho the following conversation drowned down to garbled voices, his eyes sliding shut, but didn’t fall asleep. His body was aching in every one of the worst ways, had been since he’d fought the dragon, and truthfully he was concerned that his skin would never heal properly. Would Kibum want any part of him now that he looked like this?
“He’s still really tender…” Kibum commented, his fingers lightly brushing skin around Minho’s burns. “Do you have anything that can heal him completely?”
There was a hum as Jinki looked at the burns, not reaching out, but inspecting closely. “Burns are tricky. If he’d only just gotten the burn I could say he’ll be healed without any trace of his injuries, but… it’s been a few days and you said it was from dragon fire?” He shook his head and then turned on his stool, reaching for several bottles and vials on the shelves. “Dragon fire, while it hasn’t been seen in many decades, is known to burn fiercer than any flame and really, Minho is lucky to be alive.”
Minho chuckled, coughing a little. “These are just from touching fires the dragon already blew, the flowers make good candles.” He muttered.
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Jinki said, sighing. “I’ll do my best. There maybe be some marks, but if anything I can take away most of the pain he’s feeling so the process is more comfortable.”
“You can’t take it all away?” Kibum asked.
Jinki shook his head. “I’m afraid not. ”
“The prince has been injured as well.” Minho murmured. “Please check his wound is healing as it should. It’s more important than me.”
“Minho, don’t be stupid. Your injuries are far more severe than mine.” Kibum stated.
“If it’s all the same to you, Your Highness, I should still check your wound. It wouldn’t do for the prince to die from a perfectly preventable infection.” Jinki said to him, smile bright as he glanced back at the prince.
Sighing, Kibum began to undress from his armour and shirt, the bandage around his lower abdomen showing evidence of being worn, then washed and then worn again.
Jinki was crushing some dry ingredients in a pummel stone when he turned in his stool again, frowning at the bandages on the prince, but didn’t say a word. “What caused your injury, Your Highness.”
“Just a particularly sharp branch.” Kibum replied with a shrug.
“That’ll be easy to heal up then.” Jinki assured him. “Now.” He added, gaze on Minho again. “I don’t think I need to remind you how painful burns are, but treating them is that pain and more on top of what you’re already feeling. Until my special pain relief kicks in, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be gone either so… don’t blame me if you feel like you’re on fire again for the next few days.”
“Just… do what you need to. Please.” Minho muttered, trying not to watch all of the strange items Jinki was now spilling into a small cauldron upon a grate, a green fire burning beneath it. He knew it would be for the best in the end, but that didn’t mean he wanted to know exactly what was involved.
Kibum brushed hair from Minho’s eyes. “Hang in there, Minho, you’ll be okay.”
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The recovery process took many weeks, his skin still tender and sore even after the initial pain from the burns was healed. For much of the first week he spent condemned to bed rest, unable to move with bandages and remedies working their magic. To his delight though, Kibum spent most of his time with him, sitting upon the bed with him, reading or talking, and sometimes he’d whisper quiet songs and pet Minho’s hair until he dozed off.
Perhaps the worst of his recovery period though, was that the queen still hadn’t awakened.
While it had taken a week for the tea made from the Bloom of Life to reach full potency, she continued to sleep even into the weeks following the administration of the remedy. It worried Kibum greatly. There was little Minho could do but grip his hand and reassure him that eventually his mother would wake up. After all, the Bloom of Life was a no-fail cure, but there was no knowing how long it could take for it to finish healing whatever illness had incapacitated the queen.
By the time a month had passed, Minho was deemed well enough to not only take off the bandages - to his surprise, there was barely a sign of his burns aside from the slight puckering of red skin where the worst burns had been - but also spend extended periods out of bed. He spent that time walking through the palace either alone or with Kibum at his side. It was more relaxing than being stuck in his bed, able to greet others, nodding to guards and bowing to servants who had served him in the past month. He even enjoyed a walk with Yerim, the young servant overjoyed to see him up and about to the point that she forgot her duties and rushed off to finish them with flushed cheeks and panic lacing her voice.
One evening, Minho requested to visit the queen, wanting to see her condition for himself, hoping that there had been some kind of improvement, though she still hadn’t awakened. Kibum had nodded at the request and walked him there; arm linked through Minho’s, as though the idea of seeing his mother’s lifeless form still scared him.
Under the light of glowing candles and lanterns, the queen still seemed radiant, her eyelashes long and elegant, hands folded delicately upon her stomach, hair tidy and braided along the pillow beside her head. What Minho noticed though, was that her skin seemed fuller, and held a shade of pink that it did not possess before they had left on their journey.
“Kibum… she is healing.” He breathed, kneeling beside the queen’s bed and laying a hand upon the doona that covered her. It was unbelievable, to think that one flower had done so much.
Kibum nodded, laying a hand upon Minho’s shoulder, looking over his mother’s features. “She looks better, but… I just wish she’d wake up.”
Minho lay his hand over Kibum’s comfortingly and they didn’t speak again, silence enveloping the pair as they watched the queen sleep, until Kibum sighed and urged Minho to get up. “You need to rest, come on.” He insisted.
“I’m fine, Your Highness.” Minho assured him, following Kibum out of the room and down the hallway. “I’ve almost completely healed.”
“But you still need to rest.” Kibum stated. “Whether you like it or not.”
Minho rolled his eyes, but complied, with a request. “Can we go to your room this time? I’m kind of sick of my four walls.” He explained, letting an innocent expression meld onto his face because he knew it worked wonders in getting his way.
He was met with a pained expression in return, Kibum trying not to fall for the wide eyes and slightly pouted lips. In the end though, he groaned and gave in. “Fine.”
Pleased, Minho rushed to fall into step beside the prince and reached between them to link their hands. Kibum looked down at their hands and then back up to Minho’s face, a smile on his lips.
His hand squeezed around Minho’s, overjoyed at the public affection.
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Minho was playing absently with Kibum’s fingers that following morning, waking before Kibum did, the prince’s body snuggled as close to his as physically possible. Sunlight streamed through the window, filtering through silken curtains, casting a glow upon his cheeks, breaths peaceful and his lips occasionally twitched to a smile as he dreamed. The morning seemed perfectly normal, like any other they’d had in recent days and the chances of them lying there for several more hours was high.
But Yerim changed all of that.
“Your Highness! Sir Minho!” A voice cried, footsteps advancing upon the prince’s chambers. The same voice called them again and again as the footsteps approached and Kibum complained in the form of a whine, not even caring who it was that was calling them so early in the morning.
Yerim burst into the room, pushing the curtains aside as she rushed to the bedside. “Your Highness! You must wake up!”
“Yerim?” Kibum mumbled, rubbing an eye as he slowly, groggily, sat up. “What’s going on?”
“I-i-it’s the queen, Your Highness!” Yerim cried. “I was sent for you straight away; Her Majesty has woken up!”
And just like that, Kibum was wide awake, scrambling out of bed to change his clothes. Yerim simply turned her back. Minho watched Kibum with delight, amused but also pleased for him. “When did she wake up?” Minho asked Yerim. “Minutes ago?”
“Yes, sir.” Yerim replied. “She also asked to see you, by the way.”
Minho pointed to himself, bewildered. “But... why?”
“I don’t know, sir. I suppose you’ll find out when you get there?” Yerim said with another of her lovely smiles.
“Hurry up, Minho!” Kibum cried, rushing to pull a comb through his hair to at least tidy it before he saw his mother. “We have to get going!”
“Go to her, Kibum. Yerim can bring me.” Minho insisted, sitting up and running a hand through his sleep tousled hair.
“No! You’re coming with me now.” Kibum stated firmly, running to Minho and forcing him out of bed, handing him his tunic to put on and then turning him around to run a comb through Minho’s hair. It had grown a lot since he’d arrived at the palace, from a short, untidy cut to an untidy mop of hair that almost reached his shoulders in some parts, others curling messily down the back of his neck. While he knew Minho’s hair was impossible to tame, he still had to brush out the ‘I made out with your son all night’ tangles. He had to ensure Minho looked presentable. His mother was a good, kind woman, as was his father, but for some reason he worried they wouldn't approve of their relationship. Because being royal did matter in many aspects. He hoped that if Minho at least made a good first impression - which Kibum was sure he would, considering everything he had done for their family thus far - then there would be no trouble in asking for something more than what they already had.
Once Minho was properly dressed and hair combed, Kibum grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the room, Yerim somehow keeping up with their pace though a few paces behind. The news of the queen’s awakening was already spreading through the palace in whispers, the maids, servants and guards bustling about in an excited manner. Minho had never seen it so alive before, especially with how a dark cloud seemed to descend upon the palace and the subjects while the queen was ill.
The hallway to the queen’s quarters was especially busy, maids bustling back and forth with fresh blankets and bottles of sweet smelling liquids, clearly doting upon the queen and whatever her requests were. Jinki rushed passed them as well, muttering about a remedy to heal aching muscles and didn’t seem to notice they were even there.
Kibum rushed into the queen’s chambers, his face brightening in an instant as he gently weaved through the maids who were preparing gowns for the queen to wear once she was able to leave the bed, his eyes only upon his mother. Minho watched fondly, admiring how Kibum’s eyes welled with tears as an affectionate hand raised to cup his jaw.
“Kibum... my beautiful son.” The queen breathed, a weak thumb brushing over his cheek. “Look at you... still at beautiful as ever... but your eye. What happened?” She whispered as her eyes grew wide, grazing her thumb across the cut that had become a scar through Kibum’s right eyebrow. The only remnant of his fall from the shrine.
Kibum leaned into her hand, shaking his head. “We can discuss that later. You need to keep resting, mother.” He insisted. “Oh mother, I’m so glad you woke up.”
“I’ve already explained the minor details of your journey, Kibum.” The king said, the queen’s other hand occupied by both of his. “She wants to hear more of it. As do I. You’ve been so tight lipped about it all this time.” He said, urging him to speak.
The prince hesitated, closing his eyes. “T-there isn’t much to be told. The journey was calm until we reached the outskirts of the shrine, we were attacked by some creatures but weren’t harmed. The shrine was beautiful and magnificent. Taller than the trees of the forest, almost taller than this one. And it was almost completely intact, I couldn’t believe it.” He told them. “And at the top… I found the flower that saved your life, mother.”
Sighing, the queen smiled fondly upon her son. “And what of your human friend? I have yet to meet him. I am told he saved your life.”
Kibum glanced back, catching Minho’s gaze and drawing the eyes of both his mother and father. “Ah, Minho.” The king greeted, standing just a moment to wave him into the room from where he stood in the doorway. “Please, join us. I see that your burns are healing well.”
Nervous as he was, Minho did as requested, Yerim remaining at the door. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He said with a bow of his head. Letting his gaze fall to the queen, he bowed his head to her as well. “And I am pleased to see you have awakened, Your Majesty. Kibum was very worried for you.”
“Kibum…?” The queen muttered, noting the use of her son’s name. She smiled when Minho’s calm expression melted into panic and beckoned him to the side of the bed that Kibum was sitting upon. “Come, tell me how you saved my son’s life.”
Hesitant, Minho came to the side of the bed, taking the seat brought over by a maid, thanking her as he did so. “There is not much to tell, Your Majesty, and honestly I do not remember most of it.”
Kibum reached for Minho’s hand, gently squeezing it. “It’s okay, Minho. I can help you fill the gaps.”
Sending a glance to the queen, who hadn’t missed the way Kibum had acted - the smile on her face told him she wasn’t upset with it, but it made him wonder how much intuition she had at her disposal, remembering well that he’d never been able to pull the wool over his own mother’s eyes - Minho sighed and tried to recall the first thing that had happened.
Return to Part Two
Part Four
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: NC-17 overall
Genre: fantasy!au, romance, adventure
Final Word Count: 24,523 overall
PART THREE
It took what felt like another hour to reach the light at the top of the tower and it brought them into sudden gusts of wind, blinding sunlight and a strange fragrance neither had ever smelled before. Kibum clung to Minho as they stepped up onto the flat surface far broader than the tower had been and had no ledges, so any person standing too close to the edge could just as easily fall to their demise. A place that Kibum decided to stand, approaching the edge to look down.
A gasp left Kibum’s lips and Minho stepped up beside him to see what he had seen, wind gusting through his hair and forcing him to squint, but even he could see the beauty of what beheld them, The canopy of the forest was so far below them it seemed like it was another tree’s height wouldn’t reach them, the expanse of forest visible in all directions even in the far distance Minho could make out the faint outline of the royal palace.
The shrine wasn’t as tall as they’d been made to believe, the canopy of the forest only another tree or more height below them. “So the shrine does trick intruders…” Kibum muttered.
“But then it could have kept going? Why let us reach the top? And after such a long time?” Minho asked, concerned. “Was it testing us?”
“Probably.” Kibum said with a nod. “If there are spirits in the shrine, and our legends and tales state so, then they test those who enter the shrine. They confirm their worth by their challenge and then allow them passage through to the shrine’s top most point.” He explained. Looking down upon the floor, Kibum’s eyes watered. “And allow any who pass the test to partake of the greatest treasure in the world.” He added, kneeling upon the ground. “The Bloom of Life.”
Minho watched as Kibum admired the sunshine gold flowers, bunched together, growing from between the large stone blocks of the structure, flourishing even in such a treacherous environment. “Incredible… there are so many of them…” He muttered, scanning the ground. “How do they survive up here?”
“No one knows how they live, but they’re stronger than any other known plant.” Kibum explained.
Just as Kibum was reaching out to touch a flower, a greater gust of wind blew over them, an echoed roar rumbling the stones under their feet, shaking through their chests. “Your Highness…” Minho muttered, eyes scanning the sky cautiously. “Get the flower; I don’t think we have any more time.”
Kibum’s gaze went to the sky as well, but he blindly reached into his satchel and retrieved the box given to him by the physician, designed to protect plant-matter until it could be used. As Minho continued to search the sky, there were more rumbled cries, shrieks and massive gusts of wind. Kibum worked fast, carefully removing three of the flowers - all the way down to the roots - and placing them into the container, then returning it to his satchel.
Just as Kibum stood to his feet, there was a loud roar and the heat of fire, barrelled down upon them, a creature following the assault through the clouds, wings broad and magnificent, eyes of gold and scales of sunshine. There were horns upon its large head, resembling a crown and sparkling in the sun, shimmering like real gold. Its gaze fixed upon them as it circled, flapping its wings in a threatening way, before it lowered itself down upon the shrine, perching itself at the edge. Once it had steadied itself there, it screeched in their direction, wings casting gale like winds, almost knocking them off their feet.
Minho grabbed Kibum and yelled into his ear, knowing it was the only way for his voice to be heard. “Get out of here! You have what you need! So go!”
“But, Minho - !”
“Run Your Highness!” Minho shouted, giving him one more pointed look before he lunged for the beast. But he didn’t get far, the dragon’s tail swinging around and knocking Minho back into Kibum.
Kibum only just managed to grab a hold of Minho’s arm before they were sent falling off the edge. By some kind of luck, Minho was able to grip the ledge of the shrine, but only after dropping his sword and catching the edge with one hand.
“Minho!” Kibum screamed, scrambling to get a better hold of Minho in any way possible. “Don’t let go!”
Minho grunted, fixing his hold on the prince and trying to maintain his grip on the edge of the structure. He liked to think he could pull them both back up onto the surface, but with a dragon breathing fire at them and with the added exhaustion of their journey, Minho wasn’t so sure if it was physically possible.
Their options weren’t broad either. They could fall into the canopy and possibly become impaled on the branches, or if he did manage to get them back onto the shrine’s roof, they could be burnt to a crisp. Neither appealed, but finding a solution where they both survived seemed a gamble at best, just like his next move.
His gaze then fixed on the canopy and Minho couldn’t help but think about the best chance for Kibum’s survival. The canopy in that area of the forest was far denser of leaf matter than branches alone, it could just be enough to soften his fall and in effect keep the prince alive. For them both to fall wouldn’t work, especially with their combined weight. But if he dropped the prince in just the right way…
“Your Highness, do you trust me?” Minho asked.
“Of course!” Kibum replied, shouting over the wind. “Why?”
He met Kibum’s eyes and swallowed. “I’m letting go.”
“Oka - what?!” Kibum’s shriek was coupled with the prince’s attempt to get a better hold on him.
“Just trust me!” Minho cried. “I’m sorry.” He sobbed and then, reluctantly, let go.
Kibum let out an uncontrolled scream as he fell, tears springing from his eyes as he watched Minho pull himself up onto the roof of the shrine once more, the dragon lunging in his direction, blasting searing flames. The wind felt like it was blowing through his body, rippling his clothes, thrashing in his ears and pulling hair loose from its braid.
All he remembered before he hit the canopy was the desperation in his voice as he screamed Minho’s name, and then with the pain of impact came a flood of black.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
He jolted awake, panting heavily, and then winced, clutching his waist which was padded with bandages. “What - ?”
“Your Highness.” Taemin said, a hand behind his shoulder, keeping him steady. “Thank goodness you’re awake!”
With a glance around, Kibum confirmed that they were back at the campsite, the stags standing to one side and the soldiers all looking in his direction now that he was awake. Any daylight that remained would be brief though, a warm glow of a sunset illuminating the space.
Kibum offered Taemin a slight smile to assure him that he was okay, but his head was spinning and he closed his eyes, swallowing thickly. He couldn’t be sick, not now. There were more important things to deal with. “What happened?” He muttered, raising a hand to his head, feeling a bandage just above his right eye, covering part of his eyebrow.
“Well…” Taemin began, glancing to Kibum’s left. “You fell from the shrine. You’re lucky all you got was a laceration to your waist, alongside other scrapes and bruises.”
Kibum nodded. So the canopy had been lush enough to break his fall. But… “And where is Minho?”
“He’s right here, Your Highness.” Taemin replied, motioning to Kibum’s left.
Not too far away, sitting on a fallen tree, bloodied and tired, was Minho. He was shirtless as ointment and bandages were being applied to his burned and lacerated skin. Minho complained as the soldier did his work and was pointedly ignored all the while, a look of determination on the soldier’s features. The tips of Minho’s hair were still smoking and it looked like he could fall over at any moment, but Minho was alive. He had fought off a dragon and still breathed to tell the tale.
Humans really were the most resilient creatures in the world.
He slowly got up as the soldier stepped away from Minho, his job done for the time being, standing to his feet with little help from Taemin who seemed reluctant to let the prince do much on his own. “M-Minho?” He muttered, taking a few steps towards him.
Minho’s head twisted and eyes met his, warm, stunned, and then they were soft, filling with tears. “Your Highness…” He muttered.
“You’re okay?” Kibum asked, eyebrows furrowed.
Minho nodded slightly, getting to his feet, the action painful if the way his face contorted was any indication. He smiled though, glad to see Kibum was awake. “I’m a little worse for wear, but I’m not dead, so I can’t complain. And you… you’re okay. I’m so glad.”
Before he could even control his feet, Kibum was striding to Minho, raising a hand and landing a solid slap to the side of his face. Minho didn’t fight the assault dealt to him and he let his head sit to one side, breathing out slowly as the pain shot through his cheek. Somehow, the sting hurt more than the other injuries dealt to his body. “How dare you drop me!”
“I know.” Minho whispered, genuine remorse in his eyes.
“After everything we’ve been through! You go and drop me?! Of all the ridiculous things you could have done!” Kibum cried. “You can’t fight every battle alone! We could have fought it off together!” He let out a choked sob and shook Minho by his shirt. “I shouldn’t ever forgive you!”
Minho nodded. “I know.”
Tears were falling freely by the time Kibum stopped his tirade and with a heartbroken sob launched into Minho’s arms, jostling him. They managed to stay standing, Minho’s arms automatically wrapping around Kibum’s back, even if they felt weak. “I should hate you.”
“I know.”
Kibum grumbled in annoyance. “Stop saying ‘I know’, you’re being an ass.”
There was a hand tilting Kibum’s face up and Minho looked straight into his eyes, gaze tender, a broad grin upon his lips. “I know.”
He was shoved, Kibum trying not to laugh as he glared at Minho. “Asshole.” He stated.
Minho laughed heartily, grin still firmly in place. “I know.”
Shaking his head, Kibum slid a hand into Minho’s, dragging him towards his stag. “Everyone, let’s get moving.” He said, addressing the soldiers. “The sooner we get home the better.” They all nodded and their own conversations stemmed from there, packing the few supplies they had unpacked to prepare for immediate travel.
“For the queen.” Minho commented softly, now that eyes weren’t on them. “Your Highness, we can save the queen.”
Kibum was smiling as he nodded, then brushed fingers through Minho’s hair, sliding over muck, blood and sweat. “And you need to see the physician too.” He added. “It wouldn’t do for you to die.”
“I would prefer not to die.” Minho agreed. His smile then faded and he leaned forward, his forehead lightly touching the prince’s. “I am sorry, if it is any consolation. B-but I had to make a decision. Dropping you into the canopy seemed like the best choice between possible survival and death by dragon. By the gods, I was so happy to see you survived…” He sighed, opening his eyes to meet Kibum’s. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Kibum wanted to slap him again, but the eyes he was staring into, so sincere, he couldn’t stay mad. Still, he acted nonchalant. “I’ll try to.” He teased.
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There was no fanfare awaiting them when they returned, only a weary physician and an anxious king, along with a few servants ready to take the stags back to the stables as the soldiers dismounted. “Did you find it?” The king asked, rushing forward as Kibum stepped off his stage. The physician followed close behind, his expression nothing more than expectant. It was clear that he hadn’t had much sleep that week.
Kibum wordlessly handed the container to the physician, Jinki, who turned to run back into the palace, tripping on his robes as he went, and then accepted a welcoming embrace from his father. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” The king said and then pulled back, hands on Kibum’s shoulders. “And back in one piece.”
“Only just.” Kibum muttered, smiling reassuringly to him. “And I will tell you everything that happened, Father, but first I need to get Minho to the infirmary.”
The king’s eyes flashed to the stags, catching Minho’s form slumped upon his mount, bandages still wrapped around each part of his body. He was awake, but weary, body weak. “What happened?” He demanded, eyes wide and horrified.
Kibum glanced back at Minho, a fond smile on his lips. “He saved my life.”
While the servants insisted on assisting Minho, Kibum ignored them, taking Minho’s arm over his shoulder and leading him through to Jinki’s office, a room with a large work bench to one end which had shelves lining the wall behind it, bottles of remedies and ingredients cluttered in organised chaos. Along the rest of the room were stretchers with plain sheets and pillows for patients. All were currently empty and Kibum lay Minho down upon the nearest one to Jinki’s bench, the physician seated upon a stool, fussing over the container and the flowers within.
“When you have a moment, Jinki, Minho needs to be taken care of as well.” Kibum said, barely even announcing his presence to the man.
“Right away, Your Highness.” Jinki replied, his eyes focused completely on the Blooms. “These flowers... they’re truly remarkable.” He added, eyes wide in awe. “To think they’re real...”
Kibum nodded, settling himself down onto the edge of the stretcher and beginning to unwrap Minho’s bandages. “And you should have seen where they were growing. There was a flat expanse at the top of the shrine, high above the trees and into the sky, and that’s where they were growing, from between the cracks of the stone.”
Jinki’s eyes widened, and for Minho the following conversation drowned down to garbled voices, his eyes sliding shut, but didn’t fall asleep. His body was aching in every one of the worst ways, had been since he’d fought the dragon, and truthfully he was concerned that his skin would never heal properly. Would Kibum want any part of him now that he looked like this?
“He’s still really tender…” Kibum commented, his fingers lightly brushing skin around Minho’s burns. “Do you have anything that can heal him completely?”
There was a hum as Jinki looked at the burns, not reaching out, but inspecting closely. “Burns are tricky. If he’d only just gotten the burn I could say he’ll be healed without any trace of his injuries, but… it’s been a few days and you said it was from dragon fire?” He shook his head and then turned on his stool, reaching for several bottles and vials on the shelves. “Dragon fire, while it hasn’t been seen in many decades, is known to burn fiercer than any flame and really, Minho is lucky to be alive.”
Minho chuckled, coughing a little. “These are just from touching fires the dragon already blew, the flowers make good candles.” He muttered.
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Jinki said, sighing. “I’ll do my best. There maybe be some marks, but if anything I can take away most of the pain he’s feeling so the process is more comfortable.”
“You can’t take it all away?” Kibum asked.
Jinki shook his head. “I’m afraid not. ”
“The prince has been injured as well.” Minho murmured. “Please check his wound is healing as it should. It’s more important than me.”
“Minho, don’t be stupid. Your injuries are far more severe than mine.” Kibum stated.
“If it’s all the same to you, Your Highness, I should still check your wound. It wouldn’t do for the prince to die from a perfectly preventable infection.” Jinki said to him, smile bright as he glanced back at the prince.
Sighing, Kibum began to undress from his armour and shirt, the bandage around his lower abdomen showing evidence of being worn, then washed and then worn again.
Jinki was crushing some dry ingredients in a pummel stone when he turned in his stool again, frowning at the bandages on the prince, but didn’t say a word. “What caused your injury, Your Highness.”
“Just a particularly sharp branch.” Kibum replied with a shrug.
“That’ll be easy to heal up then.” Jinki assured him. “Now.” He added, gaze on Minho again. “I don’t think I need to remind you how painful burns are, but treating them is that pain and more on top of what you’re already feeling. Until my special pain relief kicks in, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be gone either so… don’t blame me if you feel like you’re on fire again for the next few days.”
“Just… do what you need to. Please.” Minho muttered, trying not to watch all of the strange items Jinki was now spilling into a small cauldron upon a grate, a green fire burning beneath it. He knew it would be for the best in the end, but that didn’t mean he wanted to know exactly what was involved.
Kibum brushed hair from Minho’s eyes. “Hang in there, Minho, you’ll be okay.”
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The recovery process took many weeks, his skin still tender and sore even after the initial pain from the burns was healed. For much of the first week he spent condemned to bed rest, unable to move with bandages and remedies working their magic. To his delight though, Kibum spent most of his time with him, sitting upon the bed with him, reading or talking, and sometimes he’d whisper quiet songs and pet Minho’s hair until he dozed off.
Perhaps the worst of his recovery period though, was that the queen still hadn’t awakened.
While it had taken a week for the tea made from the Bloom of Life to reach full potency, she continued to sleep even into the weeks following the administration of the remedy. It worried Kibum greatly. There was little Minho could do but grip his hand and reassure him that eventually his mother would wake up. After all, the Bloom of Life was a no-fail cure, but there was no knowing how long it could take for it to finish healing whatever illness had incapacitated the queen.
By the time a month had passed, Minho was deemed well enough to not only take off the bandages - to his surprise, there was barely a sign of his burns aside from the slight puckering of red skin where the worst burns had been - but also spend extended periods out of bed. He spent that time walking through the palace either alone or with Kibum at his side. It was more relaxing than being stuck in his bed, able to greet others, nodding to guards and bowing to servants who had served him in the past month. He even enjoyed a walk with Yerim, the young servant overjoyed to see him up and about to the point that she forgot her duties and rushed off to finish them with flushed cheeks and panic lacing her voice.
One evening, Minho requested to visit the queen, wanting to see her condition for himself, hoping that there had been some kind of improvement, though she still hadn’t awakened. Kibum had nodded at the request and walked him there; arm linked through Minho’s, as though the idea of seeing his mother’s lifeless form still scared him.
Under the light of glowing candles and lanterns, the queen still seemed radiant, her eyelashes long and elegant, hands folded delicately upon her stomach, hair tidy and braided along the pillow beside her head. What Minho noticed though, was that her skin seemed fuller, and held a shade of pink that it did not possess before they had left on their journey.
“Kibum… she is healing.” He breathed, kneeling beside the queen’s bed and laying a hand upon the doona that covered her. It was unbelievable, to think that one flower had done so much.
Kibum nodded, laying a hand upon Minho’s shoulder, looking over his mother’s features. “She looks better, but… I just wish she’d wake up.”
Minho lay his hand over Kibum’s comfortingly and they didn’t speak again, silence enveloping the pair as they watched the queen sleep, until Kibum sighed and urged Minho to get up. “You need to rest, come on.” He insisted.
“I’m fine, Your Highness.” Minho assured him, following Kibum out of the room and down the hallway. “I’ve almost completely healed.”
“But you still need to rest.” Kibum stated. “Whether you like it or not.”
Minho rolled his eyes, but complied, with a request. “Can we go to your room this time? I’m kind of sick of my four walls.” He explained, letting an innocent expression meld onto his face because he knew it worked wonders in getting his way.
He was met with a pained expression in return, Kibum trying not to fall for the wide eyes and slightly pouted lips. In the end though, he groaned and gave in. “Fine.”
Pleased, Minho rushed to fall into step beside the prince and reached between them to link their hands. Kibum looked down at their hands and then back up to Minho’s face, a smile on his lips.
His hand squeezed around Minho’s, overjoyed at the public affection.
. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : .
Minho was playing absently with Kibum’s fingers that following morning, waking before Kibum did, the prince’s body snuggled as close to his as physically possible. Sunlight streamed through the window, filtering through silken curtains, casting a glow upon his cheeks, breaths peaceful and his lips occasionally twitched to a smile as he dreamed. The morning seemed perfectly normal, like any other they’d had in recent days and the chances of them lying there for several more hours was high.
But Yerim changed all of that.
“Your Highness! Sir Minho!” A voice cried, footsteps advancing upon the prince’s chambers. The same voice called them again and again as the footsteps approached and Kibum complained in the form of a whine, not even caring who it was that was calling them so early in the morning.
Yerim burst into the room, pushing the curtains aside as she rushed to the bedside. “Your Highness! You must wake up!”
“Yerim?” Kibum mumbled, rubbing an eye as he slowly, groggily, sat up. “What’s going on?”
“I-i-it’s the queen, Your Highness!” Yerim cried. “I was sent for you straight away; Her Majesty has woken up!”
And just like that, Kibum was wide awake, scrambling out of bed to change his clothes. Yerim simply turned her back. Minho watched Kibum with delight, amused but also pleased for him. “When did she wake up?” Minho asked Yerim. “Minutes ago?”
“Yes, sir.” Yerim replied. “She also asked to see you, by the way.”
Minho pointed to himself, bewildered. “But... why?”
“I don’t know, sir. I suppose you’ll find out when you get there?” Yerim said with another of her lovely smiles.
“Hurry up, Minho!” Kibum cried, rushing to pull a comb through his hair to at least tidy it before he saw his mother. “We have to get going!”
“Go to her, Kibum. Yerim can bring me.” Minho insisted, sitting up and running a hand through his sleep tousled hair.
“No! You’re coming with me now.” Kibum stated firmly, running to Minho and forcing him out of bed, handing him his tunic to put on and then turning him around to run a comb through Minho’s hair. It had grown a lot since he’d arrived at the palace, from a short, untidy cut to an untidy mop of hair that almost reached his shoulders in some parts, others curling messily down the back of his neck. While he knew Minho’s hair was impossible to tame, he still had to brush out the ‘I made out with your son all night’ tangles. He had to ensure Minho looked presentable. His mother was a good, kind woman, as was his father, but for some reason he worried they wouldn't approve of their relationship. Because being royal did matter in many aspects. He hoped that if Minho at least made a good first impression - which Kibum was sure he would, considering everything he had done for their family thus far - then there would be no trouble in asking for something more than what they already had.
Once Minho was properly dressed and hair combed, Kibum grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the room, Yerim somehow keeping up with their pace though a few paces behind. The news of the queen’s awakening was already spreading through the palace in whispers, the maids, servants and guards bustling about in an excited manner. Minho had never seen it so alive before, especially with how a dark cloud seemed to descend upon the palace and the subjects while the queen was ill.
The hallway to the queen’s quarters was especially busy, maids bustling back and forth with fresh blankets and bottles of sweet smelling liquids, clearly doting upon the queen and whatever her requests were. Jinki rushed passed them as well, muttering about a remedy to heal aching muscles and didn’t seem to notice they were even there.
Kibum rushed into the queen’s chambers, his face brightening in an instant as he gently weaved through the maids who were preparing gowns for the queen to wear once she was able to leave the bed, his eyes only upon his mother. Minho watched fondly, admiring how Kibum’s eyes welled with tears as an affectionate hand raised to cup his jaw.
“Kibum... my beautiful son.” The queen breathed, a weak thumb brushing over his cheek. “Look at you... still at beautiful as ever... but your eye. What happened?” She whispered as her eyes grew wide, grazing her thumb across the cut that had become a scar through Kibum’s right eyebrow. The only remnant of his fall from the shrine.
Kibum leaned into her hand, shaking his head. “We can discuss that later. You need to keep resting, mother.” He insisted. “Oh mother, I’m so glad you woke up.”
“I’ve already explained the minor details of your journey, Kibum.” The king said, the queen’s other hand occupied by both of his. “She wants to hear more of it. As do I. You’ve been so tight lipped about it all this time.” He said, urging him to speak.
The prince hesitated, closing his eyes. “T-there isn’t much to be told. The journey was calm until we reached the outskirts of the shrine, we were attacked by some creatures but weren’t harmed. The shrine was beautiful and magnificent. Taller than the trees of the forest, almost taller than this one. And it was almost completely intact, I couldn’t believe it.” He told them. “And at the top… I found the flower that saved your life, mother.”
Sighing, the queen smiled fondly upon her son. “And what of your human friend? I have yet to meet him. I am told he saved your life.”
Kibum glanced back, catching Minho’s gaze and drawing the eyes of both his mother and father. “Ah, Minho.” The king greeted, standing just a moment to wave him into the room from where he stood in the doorway. “Please, join us. I see that your burns are healing well.”
Nervous as he was, Minho did as requested, Yerim remaining at the door. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He said with a bow of his head. Letting his gaze fall to the queen, he bowed his head to her as well. “And I am pleased to see you have awakened, Your Majesty. Kibum was very worried for you.”
“Kibum…?” The queen muttered, noting the use of her son’s name. She smiled when Minho’s calm expression melted into panic and beckoned him to the side of the bed that Kibum was sitting upon. “Come, tell me how you saved my son’s life.”
Hesitant, Minho came to the side of the bed, taking the seat brought over by a maid, thanking her as he did so. “There is not much to tell, Your Majesty, and honestly I do not remember most of it.”
Kibum reached for Minho’s hand, gently squeezing it. “It’s okay, Minho. I can help you fill the gaps.”
Sending a glance to the queen, who hadn’t missed the way Kibum had acted - the smile on her face told him she wasn’t upset with it, but it made him wonder how much intuition she had at her disposal, remembering well that he’d never been able to pull the wool over his own mother’s eyes - Minho sighed and tried to recall the first thing that had happened.
Return to Part Two
Part Four