Laurel Prince 

Today was the day. 

The day that Jihoon and his northern soldiers would march to the Oak Castle and attempt to destroy it. Attempt to kill the Oak Prince so that all of Noirwood would belong to him: a psychopath from the far lands.

The day that Jimin would command the Oak Army under title of commander on the front lines. Kill soldiers with his prized sword skills. Try to hunt down and murder the man who tortured the Laurel Prince. 

The day that Taehyung would command the hindquarters of the platoons, organize the flanks, and make sure that the gas masks were distributed properly. He wouldn't be near the battle too much, unless it was necessary. 

The day that Jungkook would be their eyes, their communications, kept far away from the battle. He would be disguised near the statue of his father that was close to the castle, overseeing everything and sending out messengers to take care of any issues that happened on the battle field. 

It was D-Day. 

The Laurel Prince got out of bed and yawned, looking for Jungkook who was sitting awake at the window. Dawn hadn't broken yet, and it was still incessantly pouring rain outside. The ravenette appeared distraught and didn't notice Taehyung walking over to him. 

"Good morning babe." 

When the ravenette didn't answer, Taehyung sighed. 

"It'll be fine, Jungkook. Everything is in place. I'm sure Jimin is already at the barracks prepping his soldiers," the blonde placed a warm hand on the ravenette's upper back. 

The Oak Prince hardly acknowledged the statement, biting his lips hard. Tiny drops of blood spilled from under his teeth, which made Taehyung grab the younger's chin. He tilted Jungkook's head towards himself.

"Seriously, Jeon. Have faith in the process. We'll take care of the battle; you'll be our eyes...We'll kill that bastard today, just think of that!" Taehyung was trying desperately to maintain an uplifting composure. 

Wiping at his lips absently, Jungkook turned to look the blonde straight in the eyes, "I don't know, Taehyung...I just have a bad feeling..."

"Stop right there," Taehyung scolded the younger, "Don't dwell on bad thoughts, they'll only make your performance weaker when the time comes."

Jungkook sighed, standing up off of his spot on the windowsill and turning to the wardrobe. The soft thumping of rain fell on the castle walls in sheets, drowning out the noise of the soldiers preparing their armor and weaponry for the fight. Taehyung followed the ravenette to the wardrobe and both got dressed for the day. The Laurel Prince wore a maroon shirt with tight black pants...but it wouldn't matter, as he would be head to toe in armor in a couple of hours. The ravenette wore the usual: a plain black shirt with gray pants, his pocket watch snuggled to his hip. 

After both were done, the Laurel Prince grabbed ahold of Jungkook's hand. 

"Shall we go now? You can wear a mask and a hat as a disguise; I'll tell anyone who asks that you're one of my staff members..." Taehyung pulled them towards the dresser where several of the aforementioned articles of clothing were sitting, "Here...ah, there you go Kook, looking unrecognizable!"

The younger gave a heartless smile as he put on the disguise, blinking at the door. Taehyung was sure that the Oak Prince was just dying to finally leave the room that he had been "unconscious" in for the last couple of days. 

"Great," there was no enthusiasm in the Oak Prince's voice, "Let's go then."

The blonde lead the other male to the door and opened it, navigating the way to the planning room where Jungkook and two trusted soldiers would discuss their strategy. It was to be secretive; no other staff member or court member in the entire building was to know that the Oak Prince had left his room. Well, the Laurel Prince's room to be exact. 

With a lowered head and a fast step, Jungkook followed along. After passing several hallways and people that eyed the two curiously, Taehyung dropped the younger one off at the planning room door. 

"Good luck, Kook...I'll see you right before the battle, mkay? Right on the main steps...around, what was it..."

"Two o'clock sharp," Jungkook adjusted his mask as a person walked past. 

Taehyung glanced around them and leaned in to place a kiss on the other's forehead, "Okay, two o'clock. Got it..." the blonde squeezed the other's shoulder and then bowed once before walking away. 

"Bye Kim," Jungkook gave him small wave and turned to enter the planning room. As his body disappeared behind the door, Taehyung nodded and walked towards his desired destination for the day. 

The shed. Where all the gas masks were. 

Stone Prince

After hours of prepping the Oak Soldiers with words of encouragement and after running over last minute positions, his men were ready. Jimin glanced over the group fondly as the time ticked down to Jihoon's expected arrival. 

"Alright, remember what I said about the gas containers and the masks?" Commander Park shouted to his men from a pedestal. 

"YES SIR!" the soldiers bowed in unison. 

"Good," Jimin hopped down from his high position and motioned for them to head towards the castle, towards the shed, "Well, you are to be equipped with those now. I believe the Laurel Prince will explain their features and answer any questions you may have about their fit." 

A few of the soldiers nervously knocked into each other as they quickly exited the field, heading in neat rows towards the shed in the distance. Jimin sighed as another urge to cough came up. 

He was getting pretty good at hiding it now, able to cough with his mouth closed and just swallow the blood that came up his throat. It was disgusting and he hated doing it, but he had to do it more and more as the time ticked down. 

As a plus, his head pain had returned, although it was manageable. He would have to take small pauses in his lecturing or advising to push the sharp pain out from his mind. If he overthought the pain, it would make him unable to do anything because of how severe it would become. And he couldn't afford to be rendered useless at a time like this. 

So to distract his mind from the pain, he would picture the other two princes. Picture their smiling faces at him and the way it felt to kiss them. Although love was the cause of his head pain, love also semi-cured him of his agony. 

It didn't make sense to him...but he couldn't ponder over it too much.

He needed to focus on the present. 

As the soldiers filed off of the field, Jimin caught sight of the head of Florian, who had a serious look on his face. The boy was speaking to another soldier, seemingly explaining something important to him. After a few seconds, Florian pointed to the Stone Prince before motioning with his arms about something. Jimin gave the boys a small smile. Florian returned it, but the other boy turned his head away quickly, shy at the attention of their commander. 

The gray-haired male breathed out, moving towards the field where his soldiers were leaving. The rain had stopped a little over an hour ago, but the entire field was muddy and warm with rain water. The condition of the field would definitely slow down both sides...every step Jimin took resulted in his feet sinking a bit into the soft ground. A few puddles dotted the grassy landscape as well, which would also work against them. 

The Stone Prince glanced up at the thick clouds in the sky and hoped that the rain wouldn't start up again. In battle, their visibility would decline greatly against the precipitation. Just one drop falling in a soldier's eye and blinding them momentarily-

Could mean death. 

His gray eyes fell upon the pathway leading to the Oak Castle from the north. It was empty at the moment, but soon it would be filled with northerners who wanted blood. Jungkook's blood. The same men who would play unfair, throwing gas capsules over the center line to wipe out the Oak Soldiers. 

Jihoon was in for a little surprise, then. Every Oak Soldier would be equipped with a gas mask to block out the horrific effects of the poison. 

The Stone Prince's shoulders lifted at this reassuring thought, but deep down, he felt a bit dissatisfied. 

Why?

Everything was going smoothly...except for his health of course, but that wasn't important until after they had won the battle and ended the war once and for all. 

Then...why did he feel so...strange? Afraid? Unsettled?

He couldn't put a finger on the emotion he was feeling. And it bothered him. 

He briskly walked around the perimeter of the field, picturing in his mind the modes of attack his soldiers would use on Jihoon's men. He could picture the bodies falling in the mud of the field and the blood that would spray across the blades of the waterlogged grass. He could imagine the slashes he would deliver to the unluckiest of men and the uselessness of the gas against the Oak Soldiers. 

Nodding at the satisfaction these thoughts brought him, Jimin headed towards the steps of the front of the Oak Castle, where he was to meet the other two princes while his soldiers prepped some more. 

Although it was only 1:30, Jimin wanted to see his counterparts so badly. He hardly saw them the day before...he was on the field almost the entire day. The Stone Prince made a late night stop into the Laurel Prince's room to put in a good word about Florian, but other than that, Jimin slept in his own room so that he could get up early. 

The other two princes weren't happy about that...but there was nothing they could do. Jimin didn't want to bother their slumber and he needed some time alone to think. 

But now...

He was desperate to see them. 

Jimin leaped up the steps three-by-three until he was at the top. The other two weren't there yet, so Jimin sat on the steps and waited. It might have been just his imagination but...

He thought he could hear a soft rumble in the distance...

Almost like an army marching. 

Oak Prince

"Right...they won't see us here; the statue blocks their view. Also, I'll have you two to protect me if any stragglers get past the flanks...which I doubt-"

"That won't happen, sir. The Laurel Prince will handle any intruders that dare to come close to the castle," one of Jungkook's protectors for that day assured him, stepping to the side of the battlefield map. 

Jungkook brought his hands to the main section of the map and frowned. Going over the various formations of the Oak Army in his head, he copied them straight into his memory. He bode the two men leave of the room and paced around, thinking to himself. 

Everything would be alright. 

Jihoon would die. 

Noirwood would be saved. 

The plan was foolproof. 

Jungkook lightly tapped each piece of furniture with his foot as he passed it, telling himself these things out loud. Forcing them into his mind and out of his mouth. 

"Everything will be alright."

"Jihoon will die."

"Noirwood-"

A knock sounded at the door. 

"Sir! It's almost 2:00..." one of the soldiers that was in the room before called out, "Just thought I would let you know. The other princes are already on the steps, waiting."

Shit! 

Jungkook panicked, glancing down at his pocket watch. It was 1:56. Why hadn't Jungkook been mindful of the time getting away? He was always mindful of the time, always organized, always prepared. 

Maybe his negative thoughts were getting to him...like Taehyung had said. 

"Alright! I'm leaving now," Jungkook called out to the soldier as he opened the door. He quickly put on his disguise and hurried off to the front of the Oak Castle, his protectors falling in step with him. 

If he only saw the others...then perhaps his mood would improve before Jihoon showed up. 

His secondhand men pushed the Oak Doors open, revealing a cloudy sky, but no rain. He could see the backs of the princes standing in the middle of the staircase, chatting about something. Taehyung was already in full armor, whereas Jimin had yet to put anything on. The Oak Prince ordered Jimin to wear at least a little something when he fought, which Jimin hesitantly agreed to do. What armor that would be, Jungkook didn't know yet. 

Turning to the two soldiers at his side, he motioned for them to leave him be for a while. The pair nodded and moved away fast. 

The Oak Prince jogged down the steps, gaining the attention of the other two. Taehyung gave him a small smile, but Jimin's face was blank. It looked as if he was already in fighting mode. 

Unease filled the ravenette at viewing the gray-haired male's face. But he needed to stay strong. 

"Hey guys. Is everything going smoothly for the both of you?" Jungkook eyed each of them in turn. The Laurel Prince met his gaze, but Jimin was looking off into the distance, towards the north. 

"Yes," Jimin spoke first, not turning his head around. 

"Yep, all of the Oak Soldiers are equipped with masks now, ready to come into formation in a few minutes," the blonde reached down for Jungkook's pocket watch at his hip. The ravenette crinkled his eyes at the blonde's sudden action, letting out a snort. 

"Really, Tae- how do you-"

"Six and a half minutes to be exact," Taehyung blinked at the Oak Prince and took a step back. The pocket watch fell back against Jungkook's hip. He gave the blonde a thumbs up and turned to Jimin. 

"Hey...Jimin, how are the soldiers doing?" Jungkook walked up next to the gray-haired male so that they were shoulder to shoulder. The Oak Prince turned his head to watch Jimin's face closely. The Stone Prince was definitely hiding something from them...Jungkook could just feel it. But if he was, there must be a good reason for it. 

So Jungkook let it slide. 

Jimin slowly faced him, an unreadable expression on his face, "They're amazing...really. I'm so proud of how far they've come in only a few days..." his lips turned upwards a bit, and his shoulders relaxed, "I'm happy to fight alongside such reliable men, even if they aren't as powerful as the Laurel Soldiers..." Jimin shot a glance at Taehyung, who lowered his head. 

They all felt the loss pressing on them after Jimin said that. The Laurel Castle, the Stone Castle...countless innocent lives...all gone. Because of Jihoon. But on that day, the Oak Castle would not fall to Jihoon. 

Jungkook would make sure of it. 

"Great, Jimin. I'm glad that you feel comfortable next to them..." Jungkook gazed back at his two protectors standing at attention next to the entrance of the Oak Castle doors, "...Also, you guys know where I'll be at right? Right behind the statue of-"

"Your father," Taehyung finished for him, "Yeah, Kook. Jihoon won't be able to see you there. Not with your disguise. Even if some stragglers do find their way up there, I'll take 'em out. Or...you have those two protecting you, yeah?"

"Yeah..." Jungkook sighed, "And if worse comes to worse, I'm going to have a sword on me as well."

The Stone Prince reacted to this, licking his lips in thought, "I've never seen you use a sword, Jeon. I sure hope you can use it."

"It won't come to that anyway, Jimin," Taehyung placed each of his hands on their shoulders, and ushered them close, "But...if it does-"

"We'll have your back. Protecting each other is our first priority," the Stone Prince stated, looking up into both of their eyes. To Jungkook it appeared as if the eldest was...sad? Was he regretting his position as commander? Was he sick?

"Yeah, damn straight," Taehyung bit his lips, unable to hold back his next comment.

"Well...we aren't but..."

"Taehyung!" both of the other princes laughed, shaking their heads in disbelief. Jungkook shoved the blonde back a little, wondering how the Laurel Prince could maintain his playfulness at a time like this. 

"What?" Taehyung asked innocently, "It's true!" he sighed, "Guys...just think. When all of this is over, I'll finally get to meet my sister...I'll finally get to rebuild my castle and-"

Suddenly, a hardly audible war horn sounded in the distance. The three males froze, watching as a band of men way far away marched towards the Oak Castle. By Prince Jeon's best estimate, it would be about two hours before they arrived. 

"That's our cue, guys," the ravenette said, starting up his lip-biting when the others turned toward him expectantly. Whatever he wanted to say before the battle, he needed to say now. This was it. He could already hear the Oak Soldiers rushing to get out into their positions, the clamors of metal against metal echoing loudly off the castle walls. 

The Oak Prince closed his eyes for a few seconds before he opened them, getting a good look at the two males in front of him. The other two princes of Noirwood seemed as ready as ever to take on their common enemy. Thinking back to their first encounter on June 24th, Jungkook couldn't help but believe that fate brought them there. Without pissing off Jihoon, they probably wouldn't have met for months or years, and they probably wouldn't have fallen so hard for each other. Jungkook smiled at the two men he loved in front of him, wishing with all of his soul that everything would go smoothly. He took a deep breath, before he said what he wanted to say. 

"Taehyung...Jimin...it's been a hell of a ride, hasn't it? I-" Jungkook paused, glancing up into the sky. Tears started to form at his eyes...but why was he crying? He couldn't afford to get emotional at a time like this, but nonetheless, a tear fell down his cheek, "I am so lucky to have met you both...and fall for you both..." the ravenette blushed a bit, "We...we were meant to be together I think...there's something I feel for you both that I can't place. It's as if we've known each other our whole lives, or maybe in a past life...It's unbreakable and...damn it," Jungkook pawed at the tears that were pouring from his eyes now. Taehyung held out his arms for a hug, but Jungkook denied the offer, shaking his head. 

"I...if a-anything happens out there...just know that I love you and it's alright if you make a mistake. I don't care which one of you kills Jihoon, so please don't fight over that-" 

"We all know it'll be me," Taehyung teased, elbowing Jimin a bit. The gray-haired male rolled his eyes and looked back at the ravenette. 

Jungkook continued, "But...if you can, think about your own safety first before anyone else's. I don't want either of you breaking a bone or getting cut because you were trying to save one of my soldiers, alright?" the Oak Prince cleared his throat, staring down the other two with a serious look, "Promise me."

Taehyung caught Jungkook off guard with a sudden tight hug, knocking the air from his lungs. The blonde pressed his head into the other's shoulder, rocking him back and forth. 

"I promise," the words came out low and intense, unlike how the Laurel Prince usually spoke. It meant he was being dead serious. Jungkook looked at Jimin over the other's shoulder and smiled. 

"C-can't breathe, Tae-"

The Stone Prince got the signal, pulling Taehyung off of the youngest. Taehyung pouted for a little but then regained his composure. The Stone Prince held out his hand for Jungkook to take, staring him dead in the eyes. 

As the ravenette clutched his hand tightly, he was at first surprised at how cold the Stone Prince's skin was, despite the warm weather. The second thing he noticed was how Jimin's hand shook slightly under his grip.

"Jungkook, I promise," the Stone Prince emphasized his words clearly, "I promise to protect all of us to the best of my ability."

And with that, Jimin brought the other's hand to his lips, kissing each finger individually. It reminded the Oak Prince of the time that they had spent together one on one. As he stared into the gray eyes that pierced his own, more tears fell onto the ground. For some reason, he was extremely emotional today. 

Jungkook nodded at the pair when Jimin let go of his hand. The two hugged each other, Taehyung whispering something to the Stone Prince that Jungkook couldn't hear. When they separated, both nodded seriously at each other, as if they had understood the reason of existence. 

It puzzled Jungkook a bit, watching those two together. Despite the huge difference in their personalities, Jimin and Taehyung somehow complimented each other. Crazy with calm. Wild with controlled. Blonde with gray. Somehow...it made sense. 

"Hey Jimin," the ravenette called out to the other two as their eyes found him, "Care for one last hug before the battle?"

The gray-hair male laughed beautifully then, radiating confidence. The sound carried across the field, startling Taehyung and Jungkook at how loud it was. The Stone Prince didn't stop as he pulled the other two in tightly, heads resting on each others. This was togetherness. 

The three princes were one. 

Stone, Laurel, and Oak. 

Ready to stand against Jihoon and fight for all of Noirwood. 

It gave Jungkook some kind of hope. 

But as the three separated and bid each other loving farewells, something that Jimin said replayed in the ravenette's mind. The way it was worded...and the strange feeling he got by it...

"I promise to protect all of us to the best of my ability."

To the best of his ability? 

That didn't sound like the Stone Prince he knew. And honestly-

It made Jungkook a bit scared. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Helllooooooooooo everyone. 

SHIT. IS. ABOUT. TO. GO. DOWN. 

And I'm not ready!! AHHHH

Just kidding, I'm so ready. 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter...cuz I loved writing it. 

Thank you so much for reading! :)