Written by user flowersandmurders

In a realm so close to our own it is a cause for wonder, there is a peaceful country, nestled between the Faery lands and a country on the verge of war. It's peaceful rolling hills and ideal farmlands made it a refuge for all its citizens, which was a comfort. Tensions were rising between their neighboring kingdom, Malar, and Malar's neighbor, Inthia. Knowing the strength of the Inthian armies, the Acearian people feared their young boys would be called away to help Malar fight.

Most fortunate for them, their ruler, King Jermaine, had successfully drawn an alliance between Acearia and Malar, promising that the Acearian people would be safe from the brunt of war's cruelty, should such a war occur. More than one family was sending prayers to the Stars that it wouldn't, and that their sons would remain safe.

The Royal Family themselves prayed for the safety of their eldest son, but they prayed not that he would be spared from the war, but that he would be spared from the stupidity of his actions.

In celebration of the alliance being accepted by Malar, Jermaine had organized a banquet. The servants had worked themselves to the bone getting the dining hall ready, and it had paid off handsomely.

Candlelight made gold and red decor shine and sparkle. Music played softly beneath the cheerful noises of people conversing and utensils clanking against plates. A long table laid with a fine gold tablecloth ran down the middle of the room, filled with delicacies. Musicians played in the corner, the quiet music setting a charming tone under the sounds of happy people enjoying their meals.

At the head of the wide table sat King Jermaine and his dear wife, Emmaline, who would have loved to enjoy the fine food in front of them. At the moment, they could not, as they were far too preoccupied sending a silent plea to the Heavens for their eldest son to please stop talking.

"And another thing," Liam slurred, pausing to take another swig from his glass and enjoy the red color that was creeping across the face of the ambassador from Malar. "If Malarian's are so great, why d'you need our help in this petty squabable with In- erm, In-the-a. Seems to me like you all are a bunch of-"

"Liam!" Jermaine interjected in a sharp voice, making Liam jump and spill his wine.

"Someone is going to have to clean that up." Liam slurred, shaking his head. "And they will not be happy." Liam turned back to the Malarian ambassador. "I am not happy. I just spilled good wine. I like this wine, it's good. I know about wine, you can ask anyone an' they'll tell you, they'll tell you I'm a drunk and that you should ignore what I talk 'cause is just nonsense, but I think they're wrong. I think I talk truth when I'm drunk and they're just afraid to listen, like dad's 'fraid I'll insult you by calling you all cowards and saying I don't really care if we're in this thing or not, I just care about the wine."

The ambassador turned even more red and his fist clenched. Liam hid his smile with the small swig of wine that had remained in his glass.

"I think that's enough for you tonight, Liam." Jermaine said, while his wife apologized on Liam's behalf to the man who held the Acearian peoples well being in his hand.

Well, in his upper left pocket, thought Liam, but what do I know, I'm a drunk fool.

"You may think that, your majesty," Liam drawled with heavy sarcasm as he poured himself another drink. "You may think that all you'd like."

"Liam." Emma's cool voice said. Liam looked up at his mother and put the bottle down. Even after nearly twenty years of that look, it struck Liam to his core.

"I'm tired, and so are you." Emma continued, standing up.

"I like to think I know how I feel." Liam grumbled, taking another swig.

"Escort me to my rooms, then go to yours." Emma commanded "After you've apologized to Ambassador Salko."

Liam sighed, pushing himself out of his chair with no grace at all.

"'Mbassador Salko, I just have to say," Liam began, putting his hands on Salko's shoulders. Salko stiffened, his discomfort obvious to the small crowd of stares they were attracting. It was obvious to Liam as well, but he'd stopped caring long ago.

"Your beard makes you look like a woman."

"Liam!" Emma and Jermaine chastened at the same time, both mortified by their son's words and actions. Liam just gave a lopsided grin and took his hands off of Ambassador Salko's shoulders.

As it happened, he removed his hands just in time. They caught his fall after Salko punched him in the face.

From where he was on the cool stone floor, Liam pointed at Salko.

"I forgive you." he said, though evidence of his amusement at the situation was far too clear.

"I am not sorry, you- you-" Salko began, sputtering far too much for Liam to care to understand.

"I'll congratulate you if you find an insult that's new to me, 'cos I've heard it all." Liam said, pushing himself off of the floor.

Salko took another swing at the Prince, but Liam ducked it neatly.

"Mother, I'll walk you to your rooms now." Liam said, ruffling his hair with one hand and offering his free arm to his mother. Emma grabbed his arm and dragged him out of he dining hall. Once the guards closed the heavy oak doors behind them, the queen reached up and smacked the back of her son's head as hard as she could.

"Ow!" Liam exclaimed, rubbing his smarting skull.

"Quit your acting, Liam." Emma demanded, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at her son.

"You do archery, mother, your arm is strong and it hurt my head, I'm not-" Liam began, prepared to get out of this with a slurred ramble.

"You're not drunk!" Emma interrupted, feeling tears sting at the back of her eyes. "I don't understand, Liam, why under the Stars did you do that? Don't you care about this? About your country?"

Liam stared at the floor, speechless and ashamed. How his mother had seen through his act, he had no clue. All he did know was that the bone numbing ache was setting in now and he had made his mother cry.

Emma shook her head, linking her arm through Liam's again and walking with him down the hall.

"You and I both know you are capable of more than this, Liam." Emma murmured, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

"No, we know the exact opposite." Liam muttered "I'm hardly capable of this."

Emma pinched Liam's arm.

"Ow! Mother!" Liam complained, pulling his arm away and rolling up his sleeve to assess the damage. She hadn't meant to hurt him too bad, Liam knew, but he also knew that he didn't want to be having this conversation.

"Liam, your father and I are at our wits end." Emma said, linking their arms again. She didn't give him a chance to roll down his sleeve, much less weasel his way out of this. "We love you, you know, but you're trying our patience. Your father is considering some rather drastic measures, and I don't want them to come to pass."

Emma stopped walking to look at her son, placing a hand on the side of his face.

"Please, my darling boy, please stop doing stupid things like this." she pleaded "Your father worked for months to make sure that that agreement would do as little harm to the country as possible, and still some states will be harmed greatly. Please, don't mess this up for him, for this country. It isn't good, for you or for him."

I know what's best for me, mother." Liam said. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, letting her hand fall from his face.

"I know you were trying to get me out of there, but I am tired. I'll let you walk the rest of the way alone." he said, turning and starting to walk away.

"Liam, wait." Emma said. He paused and heard the soft click of her shoes on the floor before he felt his mother's hand on his elbow. "Where was Jamie tonight? I didn't see him."

Liam put a forced smile on his face, raking a hand back through his hair roughly.

"Well, I haven't seen him since the announcement, but I assume he's probably getting ready to go and fight in the war." he said through clenched teeth, not bothering to mind his tone. "Goodnight, mother."