Part 2 of this story! Is Etho x Wels a weird ship? Maybe, but I'm liking it more and more. Plus these two need more written about them! This is still based off the same song so all rights to Beth Crowley!!

Wels's POV-

I stand on one side of the King's horse and he stands on the other as I gulp in air, my chest heaving from running beside the white animal all afternoon. My wrists ache from the tight ropes digging into my skin. If I wasn't wearing gloves I'd probably be bleeding at this point. I don't care though, it was worth not killing my king. Sure, I work for the other army, but that is no my choice. I glare into the valley below as the mountain nearby casts a shadow over the tents and the forest blocks and easy escape. What a dumb place to have war... If only I could have done something, oh wait I did! I chose this spot, give Etho's army the upper hand and I offered to be scout so that I could possibly see him again. But here I am, the Hermit armies thinking I am a spy who tried to kill their king.

Why did Doc make me second in command? I don't know, maybe to make the Hermit army upset that one of their own is a high-ranking captain in the army? It's not like I can do anything, I have to follow the commands of Doc or die. I just cannot imagine what prince Etho thinks of me...

You watch the world from on your throne

Still holding the horse's reins, the king walks around to face me head on, blocking my view of the valley below. I stare at the man, sweat trickles down my face and neck, freezing in the winter air. I try to keep my face expressionless but as I study the king, recognition sets in. This is not the king I grew up under, but Etho himself. A black covering covers his mouth and new scar traces down his face, having hid his identity from me originally, but only Etho has such brown and gold eyes. His eye with the scar may look redder but it still has the Etho look deep inside.

"Cub. Remove his helmet."

A man rushes from where he was watering some horses to Etho's side, first untying my hands from the horse so a fierce looking woman could lead the horse to the water as well. My heart flutters slightly as Etho crosses his arms over his chest, looking just unimpressed. This is not the fun loving Etho I knew before... before I was taken... Something had changed. Maybe he'll recognized me and become the man I once knew.

In a kingdom no one knows

"Remove his helmet."

The other man reaches up and slips the knight's helm off and I watch Etho's expression. Recognition flashes on his face for one moment before hidden by the blank expression he had before. My curly hair slips to cover my eyes as I look at my boots. Etho doesn't care about me anymore. He probably hates me. I'd have thought that I'd reciprocate that hate, but all I felt was nothing. A numbness replacing my hope as pain blossomed in my heart. But I have to play it cool. I feel something cold press my chin, lifting my head to I stay into his expressionless eyes. I will my eyes to stay emotionless but I know I fail.

"Wels," Etho spits through my teeth. I wait for the pain from the sword and then release of death. I wait, but nothing comes. I feel like I'm shaking like a leaf as I fight to stand under the pain in my heart.

Etho doesn't move an inch as he hisses, "Go."

'Cause you'd rather be alone

Then the pain is over. My mind accepts it somehow. There is nothing I can do to keep Etho. He's made his decision. I just wish he had killed me though so I don't have to live knowing this is how he feels towards me. I feel the rope around my heads being removed. Etho keeps his sword under my chin as I rub my sore wrists. Those will be bruised tomorrow. Taking one last glance at Etho, I know my eyes are filled with terror and pain.

I could kill him but I can't. I can't stay here. I take a tentative step away from the blade and as I watch it twitch once, I glance at Etho, something in his eyes giving me the hope that had fled only moments before. His mask had faltered just enough. Right there, I decide to give him the benefit of the doubt and lie in my scouting information.

Than be caught without your shield

Etho lowers his sword to his side as I continue to walk backwards a couple steps before turning to sprint away. Tears began to flow down my cheeks, freezing in the winter air. I want to turn around. I want to jump into Etho's arms. I thought that as the scout I could rejoin them, I could share the secrets of the army I have been forced to work for, but no, I'm running away from the man I love and the army I grew up wanting to serve.

I turned myself in. I did everything I could to run from Doc's army, but they didn't even give me a chance to explain myself. Would they have even listened?

But I came banging on the walls

I should have known that they wouldn't trust me. I shouldn't have believed Etho still felt the same. But that look in his eyes... I can't shake it off. I collapse in the snow just outside of the tents, lungs burning from the exertion once again. I reply the event in my mind, the flash in Etho's eyes matching the feeling in my heart. What am I feeling? Pain. Anger. Confusion. Love. I still love him, and I'm pretty sure he still loves me, underneath all his hatred he loves me.

It's like I heard your heartbeat call

"Wels!"

I look up from the tear stained snow to see Stress, our resident medic, running towards me. She quickly throws a blanket around my shoulders and guides me into a standing position, "Oh goodness Wels. What happened? Jevin said you got caught."

I just slump into Stress as she leads me to Doc's tent, too tired to talk. Plus, it gave me extra time to decide what I will share. How much had Jevin shared?

Walking into Doc's insulated tent felt like heaven, but it really shouldn't, it was just another step away from Etho... But at least I was warm.

"Wels. Where were you?" Doc growled from where he was standing with Jevin, being debriefed.

I nervously swallow and allow Stress to sit me on a cot and begin examining me and wrapping my bruised wrists, "I was taken." I willed my voice to stay steady so I don't betray that I am nervous and possibly lying, even though that first line was true.

"Go on."

"After Jevin and I were separated, two of the Hermit army caught me and drug me to the king."

Doc grinned, "The king came with his people, did he?"

Oops... I felt my palms begin to become sweaty as Stress finishes wrapping my sore wrists and turns to stand beside Doc. I know I need to continue, but my mind has become distracted by Stress slipping her hand into Doc's and the thoughts of the king, Etho. I remember when I first became his squire and the two of us becoming best friends. I remember days of training in the castle gardens. Sword fights, hand-to-hand combat, and every other possible combat you could think of, finally collapsing into each other, sweaty but grinning, thinking that nothing could ever happen to us.

And if this castle ever falls

I remember days in the castle moat. Competitions and friends. I remember when he was crowned prince and I had never felt prouder. The look he gave me, when his crown was place on his head, was one of excitement for the future. I had felt the same and later as we played with his crown in the squire barracks when the first time he kissed me.

We promised forever and a day. He made time to visit me when I when I knighted and began to work in a nearby village, my original home. I remember days off, lying on a hill near where I worked, talking about our future and talking about how young we both were to be prince and knight. But the worst, I remember lying there and hearing the screams. I remember running behind Etho as we raced into the village only to be surrounded by Doc's men. We fought, but I sacrificed myself for him.

I thought I would be killed. I wasn't. I hoped Etho would move on, but I still promised him forever and I hoped to see him again. We aren't on that hill, or in the castle garden. But I still feel the same.

I won't be anywhere but here

"WELS!" Doc's yell nearly made me jump, but knights don't get scared, "pay attention, tell me how you got free."

"Sorry sir. After I was taken I was tied to the last wagon. Luckily a nail was sticking out just enough for me to cut through the ropes. I took out the guard beside me and ran back here immediately," I quickly spout out, hoping they will accept my lies.

Doc just nods and congratulates me on my escape. Stress quickly leads me to my tent and tells me to rest, I'll need it tomorrow.

I can't sleep. The memories continue to flow through my mind. I had caused Etho so much pain, simply by being here. I love him, but maybe that's why I need to let his just kill me. I'm sure he hates me.

What do I do if I'm no good for you

I know I could never even draw my blade on Etho. Not to fight him for real. Tomorrow will be nothing compared to our practicing and training. It's real. He'll be trying to kill me and that's what I need right now. It'll give him peace and I won't be here any long to feel this emptiness inside my soul.

But you might be good for me

I'd prefer us to become friends again, even in that's it. I was his squire. I was his best friend. I was his lover. And I still love him.

Why didn't I stay when Etho let me go? Why didn't I turn back around?

Why aren't I brave enough to make a move

But I thought he hated me and maybe he does.

Instead of second guessing?

Sleep came slowly and soon the sun is filtering through my tent as I equip my armour and head out into camp, prepping for battle. I glance up the hill in the valley to see Etho standing on the edge, watching us. My heart flips as I line up beside Doc who gestures to the king, "you're our best fighter. Take the king down."

I swallow dryly and nod once, ready to die for my love.

My defenses are down

The battle commenced and I hung back, watch as Etho signalled his army forward into battle. He stayed at the top of the hill before looking in my direction. He works his way expertly through the battle, barely breaking a sweat before he stands before me, the battle raging around us, and yet, I only saw him.

I watch him draw his sword and prep himself for battle, a low crouch with his sword hand at eye level. I don't move.

I've lost all resistance

He doesn't either, clearing waiting for me to fight back, or at least draw my weapon. So, I do. I grab my weapon but immediately drive it into the earth and walk towards Etho, who stays completely still but I can see confusion flash through his eyes.

And when you're not touching me

The closer I get to Etho, the surer I feel. Nothing could stop my demise at this point. I've accepted it and await the peace it brings. At least the last person I'll see is Etho, unlike the last time I had accepted death, when I had been taken to see King Bdubs. I'm about a meter away and Etho straightens, and holds his sword at my chin like the day before. I raise my hands and lower myself to the ground.

I can feel your distance

One breath... Two... I close my eyes. It'll be over soon. The metal moves from my chin. Three breaths... I hold it, awaiting the sting of metal to skin.

Nothing.

So if you're gonna leave

I open my eyes to Etho nowhere in sight. I turn just in time to see him drive his sword beside mine and place his gold circlet, representing that he is king, on the handle. Nobody seems to be fighting anymore as I watch him walk away. A silence has befallen the battle field.

I can't let him leave. I can't live without him. I stand and race after him, ignoring the called from Doc to return and obey orders. I trip once, but scramble to my feet as I continue my full sprint towards the man.

Wherever you go please take me

He must have heard my panting and heavy footfalls on the ground because he turns around just as I crash into him, hugging him tightly and slipping to the ground. He follows me to the ground and wraps his arms around my shaking body.

"Etho. Please don't leave. I can't live without you anymore."

"Wels."

"I know you hate me for leaving and working for those monsters. I had too. Please just end my pain."

"Is that what you wish Wels?"

At your side is where I'll be

I nod into his armour and he stands. I imagine him returning to his sword to bring it back, but instead I feel his strong hands lift me up so I'm standing, looking up into his eyes.

Wherever you go please take me

"I could never kill you Wels. So, if death is truly what you won't get it from me." Etho looks up at the battle ground and I turn to watch the battle continue to rage on. Doc must have rallied his army into fighting again. I can't help but notice that Etho's army is losing ground and numbers quickly.

Etho's eyes turn back to me, a sadness inside of them, "But I hope your pain is the same as mine. And I know how to end that."

Wherever you go please take me

I stare at him in confusion until his hand comes up and slips his scarf down, revealing the lower half of his face. I blink once in confusion but that it quickly quelled as his lips crash into mine, making the battle behind us just disappear completely.

It's been years, but I still remember his taste. My hands naturally find their way around Etho's neck and hair as he wraps an arm around my waist and his other wraps around my upper back. His strong hands pulling me as close as we can get with our armour on.

Wherever you go please take me

He pulls away as I gulp in a much-needed breath, "Did that remove your pain?"

You are nothing that I wanted

I had craved death and release, but knowing that Etho still loves me refuels my desire to live. It's what I needed.

But you are everything I needed

I nod once before he turns me back to the battle. I know what we need to do, and in sink, as if we had practiced together just yesterday, we ran to our swords and dive into the battle. We worked in sink, driving Doc back to the point where he willingly took our offer of retreat. He was gone, I had escaped, and had found my lover. Nothing could be more perfect.

We know all of each other's moves

But that was a lie.

Lying under a tree in the king's personal garden was even better. It was surrounded in grass, making a warm summer-like environment in the cold northern castle where Etho lived.

My defenses are down

I rested my head in his lap as he played with my hair, watching the sunset. It was the first sunset we have watched together since that fateful day. I didn't want it to end, but pretty soon Etho was shifting ever so uncomfortably and I lifted my head in mild disappointment.

I've lost all resistance

He glances down at me apologetically before a smirk appears on his face. He wraps his arms around me, picking me up from the ground so I'm sitting on him, looking him in the eye.

And when you're not touching me

I smile contently as the last light of the sun twinkles in his eyes and he pulls me closer. Much closer than last time as we are no longer in our armour. I throw my arms casually around his neck as he leans towards me, planting a gentle kiss on my lips. My eyes flutter close as Etho brings a hand to my head, running his fingers through my hair before suddenly pulling back, looking me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry I never came for you Wels. I thought you were dead, then I heard you where 2nd in command... I didn't know what to do."

I can feel your distance

I lightly lay my hand on his face, cupping his cheek and watch as fear fills his eyes, "And I'm sorry I never came home Etho."

I put my other hand around his neck, pulling him closer to me, "We promised each other forever remember? I'm not backing out on that, are you?"

So if you're gonna leave

Etho shakes his head, before leaning in closer, whispering directly into my ear, "you're not getting rid of me that quickly. You are my squire after all, and squires do as I tell them. So, where you go, I go. And where I go, you go."

Wherever you go please take me

I grin up at him as he pulls away from my ear to look at me, "I am not your squire." Etho pouts as I continue, "but I am your knight, and you my king."

Etho places a kiss on my eye, forcing me to close my eyes in mild discomfort. He kisses down my cheek bone before planting one on the tip of my nose. I open my eyes to glance up at him, "Forever and a day Wels."

"Forever and a day."

At your side is where I'll be

He shifts to actually place a kiss on my lips.

Can it ever get more perfect?

Probably.

Wherever you go please take me