The crashing of steel against steel made a huge clamor in the clearing below. The rush of bodies in the fray distracted those involved from seeing the two lone figures standing just on the rise of the flanking hill. They stood and watched the commotion below for a few minutes before speaking.

"Is that him? The one with the blue and white?" The taller man pointed to a figure surrounded by three men fighting fiercely. The shorter man sniffed as two of the three men fell under the sword.

"Yep. That's the one. What do you want to do, sire?" He scuffed a boot in the dirt and glanced under his brows at the strong man next to him.

"We have the advantage today. They do not know we are here. Let's follow the ridge and flank him. Cut off his escape and capture him. Let's see what they do without their champion. Keep him alive mind you. I don't want a martyr on my hands." He turned and went back to his horse as the general gave his orders.

The column of horses turned and followed his lead as they trotted along the ridge a-ways. At the trees the mass began to turn again and when they crested the hill they roused their mounts to a full on gallop down the other side. A dismayed cry came from the men in blue at the bottom and the Champion turned to watch the mass of cavalry coming down upon their heads.

The men in blue responded to shouts from the leader and retreated to the far side where the trees allowed them escape from the horses. Unfortunately, he was closest to the assault, and while he valiantly beat back the foot soldiers who fought with renewed vigor, he was unable to follow. The mounted soldiers surrounded the last of his men on the field.

He parried, he swung his sword, and he fought for their very lives. Three, four, and five men in red fell before his blade. Soon though, the only one left standing was himself. They advanced into a tight circle around him, cutting off all hope of escape. He would not go down without a fight. He raised his sword defiantly.

The tall man in red orders five more men to attempt a capture. They fell before the champion's sword. Another five men were sent forth. They fell as well, but more slowly than the last. The champion was tiring. He felt his energy draining and his arm failing. The tall man dismounts; landing in the muddy, bloody earth of the battlefield with a grace that belied his size.

He stalked forward with fierce intent, pulling his own sword from his side as his soldiers parted for his passing. They trembled at the anger in his eyes and flinched from the taught precision of his movements as he stepped forward to finish things himself. His blade rose up and crashed down upon the champion's with a force that had the tired man staggering.

"Yield. You cannot win this day." He growled at the champion as he struggled to regain his feet.

"I am sorry but I cannot do that." He gasped back. His voice was raspy from shouting orders on the field and his legs somewhat shaky, but he still raised his sword. The tall man reluctantly moved forward once more. He swung his sword with a viciousness that had the champion's sword flying from his grasp and the man falling back into the mud.

"You have no choice. You have lost." The tall man moved to stand in front of him, sword raised to his throat in unspoken threat.

"This day I have, but as long as my people stand to fight we will never be defeated." The champion gritted his teeth in his frustration as the man just stood there, staring at him in the mud. "Well? Are you going to kill me, emperor?"

"Not this day champion." He smiled at the confused look on the man's face before rushing forward and clashing the butt of his sword upon his helmet and knocking him out. The champion fell back into the mud, limp. The emperor sheathed his sword. He debated for a moment, then bent down to haul the champion up over his shoulder.

"Sire? What are you doing?" The short man came rushing forward. The emperor waved him off.

"I am claiming my prize. See to the men. Set up camp with the others who remain." He went to his horse and threw the heavy body over the side as though it weighed nothing. He climbed up in behind, shifting so the man wouldn't fall off, and then made his way from the field.

*

His tent was already up and ready for him, even if it was rather sparse. The first set of caravans would be there by the evening. He had his armor removed and stared at the unconscious man lying in the middle of his floor. It would be possibly hours before the champion awoke, perhaps by then he would have decided what to do with him.

In the meantime, he began stripping the man of his blood-soaked battle gear. He set aside the gloves, boots and belt. Then he moved to remove the helmet and see this man who had caused him so much trouble. As it lifted, he gasped. This champion, he had the face of an angel. The high cheekbones and lush lips that sat before him had his plans all set on their ends.

He stroked the sweat tousled blond locks and recalled the fiery, sky-blue eyes that had defied him on the field. He pried off the chest plate and stripped the mud soaked underclothes as well. The warm, tanned expanse of skin had his mouth watering. He traced the small lines of scars on the smooth muscles. A warrior's body, it was.

He thought for a moment, looking around. The low table was perfect. He went to his table and shoved everything off of it to the packed dirt floor. Then he lifted the man onto the rough wooden surface. The pitcher of cold water brought for his use was sacrificed for his purposes. He grabbed the silken cords of his curtains and went to work.

Cleaned and bound, he now grinned at his handiwork. He frowned then as he thought of his servants and men just outside. None should be allowed to see his prize. Not now he had him so deliciously laid out for his pleasure. The champion was tied with his wrists to his ankles, hair draped so he could look upon those beautiful features, and naked as the day he was born. The emperor went to the entrance and called his manservant over.

"No one is permitted within my private chambers, not even to look at them. I will consider it treason, you understand. Not even the servants. Anyone so much as steps foot in this room, I will kill them." His eyes widened and he nodded furiously.

"Of course, your majesty. I will see to it personally." He bowed low and the emperor dismissed him. Turning back to the room, he licked his lips in anticipation. He walked to the sprawled man and trailed a hand over the curve of his hip. There was mole just to the inside of one leg and he stroked it with a thumb.

The champion began to stir. The emperor smiled and sat in his chair to watch as the man's eyes fluttered open to meet his. He seemed confused, then panicked slightly as he tried to move. He took in his bound hands and feet, his position on the table, and then the man sitting watching him.

"Why am I still living?" His raspy voice was like velvet to the emperor's ears. The emperor waited a minute before answering, choosing his words carefully.

"You are alive because I allow it. You are of more use to me alive than you are dead. Also, I did not wish to give your people yet another reason to fight me." He responded.

"They will fight whether I am alive or dead. They would fight to avenge me, or they will fight to free me. They believe in freedom and they do not want to be a part of your empire." He spat back at the emperor. His eyes were cold and fierce, even as he lay helpless before his captor. His majesty could not help but admire the man's spirit.

"Do they now. Who are you to speak for these people?" He grumbled, rubbing his chin in deep thought. Maybe this was an opportunity. The captive hesitated, realising perhaps that this was either a grave mistake or a fortuitous stroke of luck in their conversation.

"I am their prince." He reveals with a slight pride and raising of his chin. The emperor begins to laugh. He gets up slowly and advances on the prone body of the prince.

"This just gets better and better. Truly I am glad I did not kill you now. What an opportunity this presents. What shall I do with you?" He leans down to grin at the wide-eyed man before him. The prince flinches when he reaches over to stroke his bottom lip, perhaps expecting some sort of violence.

"W-what are you doing?" He mumbles as the emperor slips his digit into the warm cavity to feel the sharp, slippery teeth within. The prince tilts his head back to escape, baring the tanned column of his throat and making the emperor's mouth water in sudden passion.

"Would you bite me if I kissed you?" He muses, not particularly expecting a response. The prince blinks.

"Why would you kiss me?" He asks, confused with furrowed brow.

"Because I desire to. You are very beautiful, Prince Tristan D'Argen. More beautiful than any I have encountered before." He whispered to his captive. The prince gulps, seeing the passion lingering in those amber-hued eyes made him feel suddenly vulnerable.

"You know my name?" He realises. The emperor nods. "Why? I am nobody to you."

"Wrong. I know my adversaries and you are a thorn in my side. A beautiful rose that stands in the way of what I desire, and yet you have become exactly what I desire. Perhaps I will barter with you. What do you say?" He strokes the prince's hair and rests an arm over his naked body as he speaks, making the prince uncomfortable with his closeness.

"It depends, am I bartering for my life or my people's lives?" He shoots back defiantly under the strong gaze.

"Both I suppose. You see, in less than three days' time my armies will all be here. They will demolish your army and then sweep across this land killing everyone that gets in their way. I have a feeling your people will be getting in their way, am I right?" He paused a moment to let his words sink in to the man, nay boy really, who lay before him. His skin looked almost gray beneath his tan as the prince paled.

"If you wish to save them, then you will become my concubine and arrange a treaty with your father that allows me full access to the sea and ships to sail it. Give me what I desire and no one will be harmed." He smiled as the pale, solemn faced boy blinked up at him. After a long moment, the prince sadly shook his head.

"It won't work. My people will believe you threatened me. They will see it as an affront to my dignity. They will oppose you and attempt to free me from your clutches, as they believe the case to be. My father will make no treaty where he thinks I am giving up my pride." He fell silent under the glare of the emperor. Then he got a faraway look in his eyes.

"Is your appearance worth so much to you, to your father, to your people, that you would all die for it?" He growled. The prince's lips tightened, refusing to answer such a thing. "Fine. I will let you think about it for a while as I plan the utter destruction of your people."

As if the boy could refuse him! He stalked from the tent and went over to the base of command. The large tent was teeming with scouts, captains, his general and the remaining members of the command that had been sent ahead. There were not many of them left; their adversary had been fierce indeed.

He pored over the maps and listened to the accounts of the forests and hills that they had encountered. The lands were ripe for ambushes like what he had done to them in turn. It would be a brutal, slow going, treacherous war if they continued ahead with it. If only their stupid king had sworn fealty to him and given him access to the dock, then none of this would have happened.

"Sire, the troops are proceeding ahead of schedule. They will be here at sunrise." One of the general's men relayed to him at a nod of the small man who served as his general. It was strange to think the short general was such a terror of the battlefield, but the emperor had come to know and respect his opinion over the years.

"Well, what do you think Thomas?" He asked him now. The general sighed and stroked his scruffy chin.

"It will not be easy, but we really need those ships and docks. Since the landslide hit and blocked off our passage we've had no way to get to the other side of the mountains. The coast is our only chance." He shrugged and looked the emperor in the eye. His bluntness was refreshing to the man. Even when he didn't want to hear what was being said, the man just said it.

"What i... What if we don't have to fight for it?" The emperor asked very quietly into his ear. The general started and leaned back to look him in the eye.

"Well obviously that is the better option. We'd be saving countless lives. The money spent on a long, drawn out battle. Whatever equipment we'd lose or use. What are you thinking?" He asked just as quietly, shoulder checking to see if anyone was listening in on their conversation.

"Turns out the champion is their prince. I asked him to be my concubine, but he didn't like the idea much. Something about his people not being happy..." The emperor frowned and sighed. The general laughed and that attracted the attention of more than a few people. He grabbed the sleeve of his liege and pulled him out back.

"O' course he ain't happy, ya fool. Don't be a daft wanker and offer the lad yer hand!" He spluttered to the emperor, losing all sense of his proper teaching and falling into the slurring language of the ranks that he came from. The emperor glared for a moment.

"What do you mean 'offer my hand'? Speak properly man." He growled.

"I say marry the lad. He's a prince, you're an emperor, so have a royal marriage and let's avoid this whole mess!" He explained after his laughter subsided some. The emperor looked a little surprised.

"He's a man though." He mumbled.

"Aye, so? You want him in your bed still, right? Besides, they do that sort of thing here. Two men as marrying. You've already got an heir so what does it matter?" He reasoned with his thick-headed friend. Slowly the emperor nodded his head.

"It would solve the issue of pride, and I would have full access to their ports. Alright Thomas, not a terrible idea." He was suddenly run into from behind and turned to find a rather flustered manservant, out of breath and red faced from running.

"Your majesty! I found you!" He gasped. The emperor put a hand to the man's shoulder to steady him as he listed to one side and gulped in breaths of air.

"Slow down man. What is the matter?" His brow scrunched as he crouched to hear him better.

"General Cullis, sire. I warned him, I really did. He wouldn't listen. In your chambers..." He gasped out in spurts. The emperor turned on his heel and took off at a run. His blood ran cold at the thought of what the man would see, what he could do... The sea of people parted at the scary visage of their emperor as he tore through the tents on his mission.

As he approached his rooms, he saw the uneasy guards and heard the shouts from within. He acknowledged their salutes as he passes and makes his way to his personal room. The moment he walked in, he had to take a deep breath so as not to lose his head. The general turned and grinned at him, as though he was proud of himself.

"Ah, sire. As you can see I have been properly teaching this prisoner his place while you are busy. See how sorry he is to have crossed you." He crowed. The emperor took in the red welts on the prince's back and arse. He saw the tear-stained face and dirty gag that had been muffling the worst of his shouts.

Luckily the whip had not broken skin on that fine, tan body or he would have had the man's whole family killed as well. As it was, the man was going to have to be put down. Not just for disobeying his orders, not just for touching what was his, but because he was too stupid to even realise he had done either.

"Sire?" The man seemed to notice the silence was dragging on too long.

"Dear oh dear. You don't even realise, do you? I know my servant told you my orders. I heard it from the man's mouth only moments ago. That means either you ignored my orders, thought you knew better than I, or thought that what you desired was more important. Either way, we now have a very big problem." The emperor walked forward with murderous intent. The general stumbled back slightly, seeing that he was in trouble.

"S-sire. I just... I thought..." He stuttered an excuse. It did not stop the progress of his emperor as he swooped down on him. He was grabbed, thrown down to the floor and held by the hair while he whimpered a pathetic apology.

"No. You didn't think. If you had thought then we would not be in this position in the first place. If you thought to follow orders. If you thought why it might not be a good idea to touch anything in here. If you thought about why a prisoner might be kept in the emperor's personal quarters in the first place. But you didn't, and now I have to kill you." The general whimpered and struggled to crawl away. He kicked the man and dragged him over to the now silent prince who watched with wide eyes.

"You see this beautiful boy here? He is a prince. You are just a lord. He is also my prince. Which means you have touched something that belongs to me. You have hurt someone under my personal protection. That is in addition to disobeying my orders. Now do you understand?" The emperor removed his knife from his belt as the general sobbed and nodded miserably.

He grabbed the man's hair again, this time raising him up high enough that the prince could see what he was about to do. The knife blade slipped under the man's chin and the emperor held the prince's eyes as he drew the blade from ear-to-ear, slicing the general's neck. The blood poured onto the dirt and the garbled bubbles that came from him as he lay there dying was all that could be heard.

He moved to kneel in front of the prince, taking the gag from his mouth gently. The prince couldn't hold back a new round of sobs and tears, no matter how hard he tried. The emperor reached out and untied his hands, his feet, and drew him into his arms.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry. I did not mean for this to happen. I would never have you subjected to this. It will never happen again. I swear it." He murmured to the boy, rocking him in his arms.

"It will. If I am your concubine, it will happen. They will ridicule me. They will humiliate me every time you turn your back." The prince sobbed. His hair was stroked gently and that only made him want to sob harder. There was no way to win. He was sore, tired, and backed into a corner.

"They will not. I will marry you instead. How would that be? If you were my wife they would not dare to do such a thing." The prince gasps and grabs the front of his emperor's robes in disbelief. He looks at the serious eyes of the man and splutters as he searches for the words.

"B-b-but you... I didn't think your people... I thought you only married females?" He wiped his tear-streaked face.

"Normally we do. Your people marry either though, do they not?" The emperor asked him. He nodded reluctantly.

"Yes but... you said you wanted me to be your mistress..." He whispered miserably.

"I had forgotten your customs. My general, Thomas Ferns, reminded me that your people did such things. I think it would be a perfect solution for both of our people, don't you think?" The emperor leaned close, taking in the chiseled features and damp eyes before staring at the lush lips that had first made him think such thoughts.

"Y-y-yes. I suppose it would." He whispered, watching the face getting closer to his until only a hairsbreadth stood between them. Then the hot mouth of his emperor descended and claimed his lips. He moaned at the expert press and drag of those firm lips against his own. He felt the sweep of tongue demanding entrance and resisted only a moment.

Then the emperor was claiming him with tongue and teeth. He felt hands upon his waist and cradling his head as his mouth was ravished. He never dreamed only a day ago that he would be in the emperor's arms! Nor did he suppose he would receive an offer of marriage. It made his head whirl almost as badly as the man's lips.

"Ah, my emperor..." He gasped as he was lifted into the man's arms and taken to bedding that was laid out in the far corner. He was gently placed on his back before the taller man crawled down between his legs with a growl.

"As much as I love hearing that spill from those sweet lips, you may now call me Adrien." He said the words with passion as he pressed kisses up the prince's thick, muscular legs. Tristan shivered at the damp drag of skin against the tender inside of his thighs. Gods above and below, what this powerful man could do to him!

"Thank you, sire... ah!" He gasped as he was nipped near the apex of his thighs. "Apologies... Adrien." Their eyes met. Blue ones widened as Adrien grinned and descended upon his manhood. Then he was squirming and bucking as he was pinned to the bed. His body began to sweat as he was licked, sucked and stroked to the peak of passion.

"Cumm for me, Tristan." The emperor growled his demand and stroked out the last of the prince's resolve. He arched forward and spilled his essence out onto his own taught abdominal muscles. Adrien crawled forward and began tasting the thick juices that dripped from his luscious body.

"Sire... ah Emperor Adrien... don't...!" Tristan gulped as the amber eyes lifted to glare at him passionately.

"Don't? Oh my dear boy, I simply cannot help myself." He swooped in and kissed him again. This time Tristan could taste the bitterness of his seed on the man's breath as he claimed his lips. It felt dirty and sexy at the same time. He gave up his thoughts of right and wrong for his emperor, realising that the man would simply do whatever he wanted anyways.

"Will you take me now then?" Tristan whispered as the broke apart for air. The emperor caught his breath and ran his fingers through the silken locks of his prince's hair.

"As much as I desire to, I will wait until we are wed as our traditions dictate. I will consummate our union when our lives are joined as one. Tell me, how soon will you wed me? Is tomorrow too soon?" He grinned at the surprised look on the boy's face. He would never get tired of surprising him.

"You want to marry tomorrow? I haven't anything to wear! You took all my clothes." He complained with a blush. The emperor laughed.

"Fine, fine. I shall lend you something of mine. Now will you wed me?" He asked with a raised brow. The prince pouted.

"What about an official audience? Don't we need witnesses?" He tried not to be distracted by the fingers that were curling his hair and lightly tugging on the strands as they spoke.

"We shall send a messenger out onto the field with a flag for negotiations. I will request that a man of your choosing meet us on the field. It will be a priest, one of my most trusted men, the man you choose, you and I. Our audience will be all of our men, watching from the field. What say you? Is it too mean a wedding for a handsome prince?" He waited now, barely breathing as the boy stared into his eyes.

"You really want to do this?" He whispered.

"Aye, lad. I will marry you tomorrow if you say it shall be. No waiting. Our people need a quick solution, you deserve an honourable one. Truly you do. Now quit stalling. You are making me nervous." He grumbled and buried his face into the crook of the boy's neck to plant a rather large mark in his possessiveness.

"Ah! Alright, alright. I will marry you tomorrow. Though I hardly believe I can make you nervous..." He squeaks as the man bites down roughly and then kisses it better.

"Hush. I think I hear the caravans arriving. I will get you some clothing and then we shall rest until the morrow." He gets up and drapes his cape across the naked boy. It is clutched into fists with a nervous gesture as the man goes to the door flap.

"Don't leave!" He begs quickly, glancing at the dead body still lying next to the table.

"I'm not leaving, don't fear." He turns to say as he calls out for his manservant at the doorway. The servant scurries forward obediently. He gives orders for him to bring his general to the room and allow the man in. Then he paces near the door, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Aye, sire." General Thomas says as he walks in. Then he whistles at the scene.

"Yes, well... you know how my temper is. Could you have that cleaned up after I get some clothes for the boy?" Adrien sighed and gestured to the prince lying on his bed.

"Of course. Pleasure to meet you Prince Tristan. I'll get you something to wear right away from the caravans." He bowed neatly towards the blushing boy. He could see now why the emperor was smitten. The lad was a beauty.

"From my own chest if you please. I won't have him wearing other men's clothing." The emperor demanded sharply. The general shot a knowing smile that the man ignored with a huff. He left for long enough that the manservant came to the door with serving trays of food and drinks, which the emperor insisted on taking from him to prevent entrance into the tent.

"Here ya are. I think we can make one of these work alright for the lad." The general came in holding armfuls of fabrics. The emperor paused from passing the boy some food to see what was brought. He sniffed at the blood red tunic and tossed the green aside as well. Then he smiled.

He held up the rich, royal blue tunic with gold braiding and nodded. The general handed him a pair of gold-hued breeches that could be belted at the waist. Then passed a snowy white shirt and undershorts. He mentioned that the boy would not have any boots to wear, but the emperor shrugged it off.

After the man cleaned up and departed, they ate and spoke quietly to each other. The emperor told him of the landslide and people trapped on the other side from their families and aid. The prince told him about other people who had tried over the years to take their beaches and ships from them. They came to understand each other's actions and their resolve grew.

They rested and as the sun rose in the east they were awoken by the thunder of the approaching armies. The prince allowed the emperor to help him dress in the borrowed silken garments. They were slightly big on him, but still he looked regal in his tousled hair and bare feet.

The emperor bowed and offered his arm. They walked out together to face the stares of his men. A messenger with a flag was obtained from the scouts and sent onto the field. The general brought forward the emperor's personal priest to join them as they mounted to go out on the field. The armies were baffled. They looked on in wonder.

"My lord! Are you harmed?" The man that was requested shouted as the horses drew close to each other. The prince and the emperor exchanged glances.

"Calm yourself Charles. I am fine." He patted his borrowed horse's neck and stilled it from dancing away from the approaching steed.

"But my lord... we saw you fall and feared the worst." He looked upset at the emperor and confused as to how his champion was still alive.

"Yes, well... I am alive and well. That is not what we are here for right now. I have struck a deal with the emperor..." He began to say. The other man interrupted with a shout.

"You what!? Your majesty..." He seemed to realise his mistake and looked horrified at the other three people.

"It is fine. They know. Now as I was saying, we have determined to resolve things peacefully. You have been called out here to witness. Will you stand with me? Will you trust me now?" He forcefully demanded of his friend. The man looked with distrust at the emperor and the other two men.

"I will stand with you my prince. I will trust you." He said after a moment of silence. The emperor nodded.

"You may begin, Reverend Phillips." He said to the priest on his right. The man took out a small book and flipped it open.

"In times of old, we gathered to celebrate as love joined couples and we entered them into the grace and protection of the gods. Today we stand before the open skies to join two kingdoms as one, for the love of two people and their nations. May the gods bless these two individuals and make their bond as strong as though they were one."

Lord Charles looked on in shock as the emperor took hold of his prince's hand. The ages-old passage to join royal couples was read in quiet solemnity under the skies, as it was done in beginning. The general watched his best friend as he finally settled on a partner for his lifetime. He shook his head at the fates, wondering at how these two had come together.

"I, Adrien Warden, Emperor of Edensbreath and King of Carvell, do take upon myself an equal to my throne. I grant thee, Tristan D'Argen, Prince of Threshin, a seat by my side. May you temper my decisions with thoughtfulness and intelligence. May you enrich my life with friendship and passion."

"I, Tristan D'Argen, Prince of Threshin, do take upon myself an equal to my throne. I grant thee, Adrien Warden, Emperor of Edensbreath and King of Carvell, a seat by my side. May you strengthen my love for both of our people through shared knowledge and intuition. May you bring me challenge and excitement to the rest of my days."

They each took a ring from the priest and presented it to the other, a simple gold band of little worth but infinite value. The emperor managed to kiss the hand of his prince, even as the horses shifted beneath them. Lord Charles gulped and Lord Thomas sniffled. The armies began to realise what was happening right before their eyes.

As the priest closed the proceedings with a blessing, a cheer went up from both sides. Relief from all poured out in hugs and shouts. They did not have to fight, they were not going to war, they were one. They could not bring back those who were gone, but no more would follow them to the grave.

"Come, my dear. You are now an Imperial Prince Consort to the Emperor, or if you prefer... my Empress."