Destiny's Fool - Chapter Three
Feb. 16th, 2007 06:19 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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vigorliTitle: Destiny’s Fool
Author: Greenleaf
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando, Sean/Orlando
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is fiction. I make no money with it and remain a poor student
Beta read by: The glorious, awesome![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sylvanelfqueen
Warnings: AU, M/M sex, later MPREG
Feedback: Never fails to put a smile on my face, brightens my day, and inspires my muses…so yes please!
Summary: Orlando's life is turned upside down when he travels with his sister Samantha to Denmark. Nothing goes according to plan and Orlando finds himself in a situation he would've never guessed.
In this story males can get children and marriage between men is common, so you be warned ;) It takes place around the 18th century and Orlando is 15 years old while Viggo and Sean are 25.
Chapter Three – Life’s change
Orlando looked out of the window and watched the castle vanish in the distance. It felt strange. When they’d come here, the building and the garden had been interesting and fascinating, but now they meant much more than a simple adventure. In five weeks he would come back, and he wouldn’t leave again. This would become his new home.
Orlando sighed and leaned back, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. It was late afternoon and they were on their way back to Canterbury. After breakfast, Viggo had had to leave. Orlando had felt his heart tighten in a strange manner when he had said goodbye to his husband to be. His feelings were torn. He wanted to go home, yet he also wanted to be with Viggo. The youth didn’t know what it was, that made him feel so good around Viggo, he simply knew that he liked the feeling. With his fifteen years, he knew nothing of love or how it felt, and he didn’t think about it. For Orlando, things had always just been, he had never thought why they were that way.
Since Orlando hadn’t gotten much sleep in the night, he was soon lulled to sleep by the steady moving of the carriage, oblivious to the concerned look on his mother’s face.
The journey home was a lot quieter than the journey to Denmark. The first few days Orlando was often lost in his thoughts, sitting perfectly still. Sonia and Samantha agreed that it didn’t suit him at all. So one day, Sonia decided that they had not much time anyways, so why not starting Orlando’s education right now?
“Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum.” Orlando hugged himself, lips formed into a perfect pout.
“Viggo is able to speak English. Why do I have to learn Danish?” His mother and sister had been torturing him now for over two hours with words and grammar, and Orlando had enough. He would’ve been a good student, if he would’ve paid more attention. But usually his teachers would complain that he was never in the classroom, running around somewhere outside, hiding from them.
“Because you will be the King’s spouse and not everyone of the court speaks English.” Sonia stated dryly, never taking her eyes from the page of the book she was just looking at.
“So, vindue means?“ Sonia asked Orlando the word she had told him seconds before.
“Door.” Orlando replied sulky, although he knew exactly what the word meant. He just hoped that his mother would give up after a while.
~*~*~
“Where have you been the whole day?”
Viggo sat down in one of the chairs in Sean’s living room, smiling at his friend. It had been a long day with even longer conversations and Viggo felt exhausted.
“I would’ve needed my guard you know? To save me from my mother, for example.” Viggo added, opening the first button of his uniform. The collar wasn’t clinging so tightly to his neck now.
“Why should I have saved you from your mother?” Sean asked, sipping a bit of whiskey from a crystal glass. He had used the day to recover his façade. There was nothing he could blame Viggo for.
“Because she was babbling on, and on, and on, about Orlando. Why I choose him, that his sister is better educated, has a better pelvis, and is therefore surely better capable of bearing children, and so on.” Viggo rolled his eyes and took the glass from Sean, only to take a sip himself. He hadn’t noticed Sean tensing at the mention of Orlando’s name. The blonde found that it still hurt. It hurt that he had to be happy for his friend, when his friend was getting what he had wanted. Sean tried to smile.
“That’s your mother. Always thinking about what would be best for the country.”
“Mhm. Sometimes I really think she is the greatest admiral around. Have you seen all the ministers looking at her as if she’d eat them alive?” Viggo laughed.
“Yep. Although you are the right one to talk. You do everything she tells you.”
“Only because she’s right most of the time.” Viggo replied smiling. He didn’t bother that everyone thought his mother controlled him. He knew that she did not and that he was perfectly capable of thinking for himself. But he couldn’t deny that she had experience, that she knew what she was doing, and that she was damn good when it came to politics. So why shouldn’t he listen to her? He wasn’t a defiant child.
“Probably.” Sean took the glass from Viggo’s hand again, finding that the liquid numbed the pain inside him quite perfectly.
“Have you met Orlando?” Viggo asked all of a sudden, looking at Sean.
When Sean saw the light in the blue-grey eyes, he simply couldn’t be mad at Viggo – in truth he had never been. It would just take some time to get Orlando out of his head.
“Yes, I’ve talked with him briefly.” Sean slowly replied, putting on a neutral face.
“He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”
Sean felt so torn. Something inside of him hurt at the thought of Orlando belonging to someone else now. The other side of him was happy for his best friend, because he hadn’t seen Viggo so cheerful in a long time.
“Yes…yes he is.”
~*~*~
Orlando found it awkward to be at home again. It wasn’t like he had expected it to be. Well, it had been for the first minutes after he had finally gotten out of the carriage. But everything had changed as soon as everybody had been told about the engagement. Now they were acting differently towards him. He wasn’t simply Orlando anymore. He couldn’t just hide from his teachers and get away with it. Now his mother would scold him for it, and his usual smile wouldn’t help anymore. Everybody seemed stricter now and Orlando definitely disliked it. He had to sit inside and learn all day when the sun was shining and he wanted nothing more than to go outside. It was frustrating. Even more so because Orlando thought the things he learned were nonsense. Why did he have to learn how to sit properly? He had been able to sit very well so far. Orlando had no problems with the languages he had to learn. He concentrated and learned quickly, so he could leave earlier. He really had a problem with dancing and etiquette though. He was too clumsy and too impatient for it. Even more frustrating than the days were the nights. During the day Orlando was occupied, but at night unpleasant thoughts came to his mind and he started to worry, often crying himself to sleep, muffling the sobs in the pillow.
Orlando flopped down on his bed with a sigh. Life wasn’t as fun as it used to be. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Orlando? There’s a letter for you.” Samantha entered the room with a wide grin, waving an envelope.
“A letter?” Orlando sat up again, his elbows propped on the bed, nose wrinkled. He never received letters.
“Yes, a letter, Orlando. You know what that is, right?”
“Of course I know what a letter is.” Orlando snatched the envelope from Sam’s hand, turning it in his hand. He studied the seal closely, swallowing hard when he identified it as the crest of the royal family of Denmark.
“Come on, open it.”
Orlando had forgotten Samantha for a moment, but now he glared at her.
“Sammie, that’s private. Would you please leave?”
“Ow, since when are you so prudish?”
“Since everyone expects me to do things I don’t want to do.” Orlando retorted.
Samantha sighed but gave in and left. Orlando waited until he heard the door to his room close, then opened the envelope and started to read with shaking hands.
“Dearest Orlando,
I hope you and your family had a save journey home, and that you are well. Five weeks seem an all too long time for me. I am already missing you. Surely you are kept busy with the preparations for the wedding, as I am.
When you arrive at your new home, you’ll find everything you need. Currently the rooms we will inhabit are being prepared, and you’ll be happy to hear that there is a fireplace in each of them. I cannot wait until you are back in my arms,
Forever yours,
Viggo”
Orlando read the letter a second time, fingers tracing the elegant handwriting. His bad mood had vanished while he let the words warm his heart. Through all the happiness he felt, fear crept into his heart. Viggo was so kind to him, he had even remembered that Orlando had been cold in the big castle. What could Orlando give him in return? He knew nothing of love and the life at court. The other day one of his teachers had talked about copulation. Orlando had sat in his chair, cheeks a dark shade of red, eyes cast towards the floor. He didn’t know if he should laugh over the profoundly shocked teacher, or cry because of what awaited him. It sounded awfully painful and embarrassing. He had managed to banish these thoughts from his mind by now. It wasn’t his wedding night yet. He could worry about it later.
Orlando looked at the letter before he decided that he should write back. Viggo shouldn’t think that he was a thanklessly brat. Orlando stood up and walked over to his desk, where he searched for some parchment. Once this task was completed, Orlando found himself at a loss. What should he write? Orlando scratched his nose, and then dipped the pen into the ink. He held it above the parchment, thinking of what to write. The ink left dark stains, but Orlando didn’t care. Finally, he began to write. His handwriting appeared clumsy and like that of a little child compared to Viggo’s elegantly swung letters. Orlando wrote what came to his mind – just like he did when he talked with someone.
~*~*~
“I’m really worried about him.” Harry looked at his wife, concern clouding his eyes. Normally she was the one worrying over their children. Now, in this very situation, she was the one organizing everything and remaining calm.
“He will be fine Harry.” Sonia smiled at her husband, neglecting the letter she had just been reading. “I’m not happy that it has to be Orlando either, but he’ll be fine.”
“I wish I could be sure of that. He is too innocent, too naïve. We both know that people at court love intrigues. Orlando hasn’t got a clue, he will trust everybody blindly, and bring himself into trouble” Harry’s fingers drummed on the armrest of the chair in a constant, nervous rhythm.
“Viggo will take care of him.”
“Viggo won’t be at his side at all times.”
Sonia sighed. Sometimes Harry was more than just complicated.
“No, but he’ll still take care of him.” Sonia leaned forward and took her husbands hand. “He will take care of our son. He loves Orlando.”
“Maybe, but does Orlando love him? Orlando doesn’t even know what love is. He’s too young. Can’t we postpone the wedding? Today in five years would be a great date.”
Sonia smiled weakly.
“I fear that’s not possible dear.”
“I thought so.” Harry sighed. He should make the best out of the time left then.
~*~*~
“…and then he told me that I can’t just run around like that, and that I have to take better care of everything. I mean, I was just going outside to feed Sidi, I don’t have to look decent then, do I? Sidi doesn’t care for clothing anyways. But Sir Ian rambled on and on and on about it, he just didn’t stop. It’s ridiculous, really, don’t you think? Why do they all care so much about clothing, posture, and etiquette? I also never understood why you need so much silverware. I can never tell the difference, so I pick out some random fork. If I’m lucky it is the right one, otherwise Aileen will start to lament again.” Orlando sighed dramatically. Harry couldn’t help but laugh. Orlando had been babbling the whole time since they left for a walk. Harry wanted to spend as much time as possible with his son, before he would travel to Denmark in five days.
“I could never tell the difference either.” Harry chuckled, looking amused at his pouting son.
“Nor can I understand why something like etiquette is needed, or clothing is this important. But you better do what all those people tell you, you’ll have less trouble then.”
Orlando nodded.
“I just wish that I’d have more time.” He whispered, looking at the ground. Everyone told him how lucky he was and how grateful he should be. They didn’t realize that he would’ve liked things to be different.
“I know.” Harry answered. Orlando stopped and looked at his father, confusion in his eyes. He had thought that his father would scold him for saying such things, instead he understood.
Harry also stopped, finding himself with an armful of Orlando seconds later. His arms wrapped around the small, slightly trembling, form of his son. Words weren’t necessary; a silent understanding had passed between them. Orlando buried his head in his father’s neck, his eyes glittering with unshed tears.
“You’ll come and visit me, right?” Orlando mumbled snivelling.
“Of course I will.” Harry rubbed the back of his son soothingly. It was so hard for him to let his son go, how much harder must it be for Orlando to leave?
“Every month?”
Harry had to laugh at the words of his son.
“I fear that won’t be possible. Travelling would be the only thing I’d be doing then. As soon as I’d arrive in Denmark I’d have to leave again, and when I return to Canterbury I’d have to leave for Denmark again to make it in time.”
Orlando looked up at his father sincere.
“You could visit me every second month then.” He suggested hopefully.
Harry smiled, stroking a curl out of Orlando’s face.
“I can’t promise you that I’ll visit you every month. But I promise that I’ll visit you as often as possible. Although I have the feeling that you won’t want your old father around that much, and rather spend your time with your husband.”
“I always want you around.” Orlando pouted, hugging his father even tighter.
Harry remained silent, simply holding the boy. He wouldn’t tell him that he’d want to be around all the time, so that he could take care of Orlando. The silence between them was broken when Sidi jumped and nuzzled Orlando’s neck with his nose. They were going for a walk after all and the dog wanted them to play with him.
“Do you think Sidi will like Denmark?” Orlando asked amused, patting the black dog’s head.
“What?” Harry looked startled, loosening his grip around Orlando.
“I asked if Sidi will like Denmark. What do you think?” Orlando smiled, throwing a stick for Sidi to chase.
“Oh…urm.” Harry swallowed hard. Had no one told the boy? When they told him about etiquette and silverware they could’ve also told him about that! He couldn’t bear to bring tears back to Orlando’s face, now that he was smiling again.
“Yes…yes surely.” Harry mumbled, not looking at Orlando, and suppressing a sigh. If Orlando only knew. The wish to protect him and keep him here in Canterbury burned inside of Harry like never before.
~*~*~
Viggo sat in one of the chairs in the winter garden where he had had breakfast with Orlando weeks ago. The days were passing painfully slow. Viggo knew nothing of the tears Orlando cried or of the hidden fear. He simply looked forward to the day that he could hold Orlando again. Viggo laughed at himself. He was feeling and behaving like a 12 year old, having a crush on someone. To be honest, he was completely in love with Orlando, and counted the days until his arrival in Denmark. His days were going by so slowly, his anticipation growing steadily. Today he had had a hard time trying to keep calm when he found a letter from Orlando between the other envelopes. Viggo had secluded himself in this room. He spent much time in the winter garden lately, luxuriating in the memories of the morning he had spent here with Orlando. What place could be better to read the letter he had waited for? Viggo’s finger traced the unsteady lines of Orlando’s writing, smiling to himself. The writing didn’t appear sloppily but somehow it held the same innocence Viggo saw in Orlando. It resembled his youth and light heartedness.
Viggo opened the envelope with great care, as if it was something utterly precious. In some way it was. Viggo’s lips curled into a bright smile as he read the lines. Even the writing resembled Orlando’s very being. It was free from formality, but warm-hearted.
Dear Viggo,
I was happy when I received your letter today. Everything is very confusing and hectic at the moment. I can’t believe how fast time is passing by. I don’t really do much of the things I love to do since everybody wants something from me. I really wish there’d be more time. My teachers want me to learn so many things I think are useless. They act as if I am not even able to sit right, can you believe it? I don’t even have much time to play with my dog, Sidi, either. He’s really sweet, I’m sure you’ll like him.
I really look forward to seeing you again, but I’d wish you’d come here so that I wouldn’t have to leave Canterbury. I always wanted to travel the world, but now that I am about to leave, I find it is too soon. I’m able to speak a bit of Danish, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to hold conversations. Although my teachers tell me everything about etiquette and when I should say what, no one has told me so far what it’ll actually be like once I live with you. But I think there’s much I can do all day, the palace is so big after all!
I have to go now, because Mum just came in and told me that the tailor is already waiting – again!
When this letter arrives it won’t be long until we see each other again…I’m looking forward to it.
Orlando
Viggo leaned back in his chair and smiled, his fingers trailing over the words on the parchment. His decision had been right, he was sure of that.
~*~*~
On the morning of the 25th May Orlando of Canterbury didn’t know what awaited him when he said goodbye to his family and home, and stepped into the carriage that would bring him to the borders of Denmark.
TBC
Author: Greenleaf
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando, Sean/Orlando
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is fiction. I make no money with it and remain a poor student
Beta read by: The glorious, awesome
sylvanelfqueenWarnings: AU, M/M sex, later MPREG
Feedback: Never fails to put a smile on my face, brightens my day, and inspires my muses…so yes please!
Summary: Orlando's life is turned upside down when he travels with his sister Samantha to Denmark. Nothing goes according to plan and Orlando finds himself in a situation he would've never guessed.
In this story males can get children and marriage between men is common, so you be warned ;) It takes place around the 18th century and Orlando is 15 years old while Viggo and Sean are 25.
Chapter Three – Life’s change
Orlando looked out of the window and watched the castle vanish in the distance. It felt strange. When they’d come here, the building and the garden had been interesting and fascinating, but now they meant much more than a simple adventure. In five weeks he would come back, and he wouldn’t leave again. This would become his new home.
Orlando sighed and leaned back, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. It was late afternoon and they were on their way back to Canterbury. After breakfast, Viggo had had to leave. Orlando had felt his heart tighten in a strange manner when he had said goodbye to his husband to be. His feelings were torn. He wanted to go home, yet he also wanted to be with Viggo. The youth didn’t know what it was, that made him feel so good around Viggo, he simply knew that he liked the feeling. With his fifteen years, he knew nothing of love or how it felt, and he didn’t think about it. For Orlando, things had always just been, he had never thought why they were that way.
Since Orlando hadn’t gotten much sleep in the night, he was soon lulled to sleep by the steady moving of the carriage, oblivious to the concerned look on his mother’s face.
The journey home was a lot quieter than the journey to Denmark. The first few days Orlando was often lost in his thoughts, sitting perfectly still. Sonia and Samantha agreed that it didn’t suit him at all. So one day, Sonia decided that they had not much time anyways, so why not starting Orlando’s education right now?
“Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum.” Orlando hugged himself, lips formed into a perfect pout.
“Viggo is able to speak English. Why do I have to learn Danish?” His mother and sister had been torturing him now for over two hours with words and grammar, and Orlando had enough. He would’ve been a good student, if he would’ve paid more attention. But usually his teachers would complain that he was never in the classroom, running around somewhere outside, hiding from them.
“Because you will be the King’s spouse and not everyone of the court speaks English.” Sonia stated dryly, never taking her eyes from the page of the book she was just looking at.
“So, vindue means?“ Sonia asked Orlando the word she had told him seconds before.
“Door.” Orlando replied sulky, although he knew exactly what the word meant. He just hoped that his mother would give up after a while.
~*~*~
“Where have you been the whole day?”
Viggo sat down in one of the chairs in Sean’s living room, smiling at his friend. It had been a long day with even longer conversations and Viggo felt exhausted.
“I would’ve needed my guard you know? To save me from my mother, for example.” Viggo added, opening the first button of his uniform. The collar wasn’t clinging so tightly to his neck now.
“Why should I have saved you from your mother?” Sean asked, sipping a bit of whiskey from a crystal glass. He had used the day to recover his façade. There was nothing he could blame Viggo for.
“Because she was babbling on, and on, and on, about Orlando. Why I choose him, that his sister is better educated, has a better pelvis, and is therefore surely better capable of bearing children, and so on.” Viggo rolled his eyes and took the glass from Sean, only to take a sip himself. He hadn’t noticed Sean tensing at the mention of Orlando’s name. The blonde found that it still hurt. It hurt that he had to be happy for his friend, when his friend was getting what he had wanted. Sean tried to smile.
“That’s your mother. Always thinking about what would be best for the country.”
“Mhm. Sometimes I really think she is the greatest admiral around. Have you seen all the ministers looking at her as if she’d eat them alive?” Viggo laughed.
“Yep. Although you are the right one to talk. You do everything she tells you.”
“Only because she’s right most of the time.” Viggo replied smiling. He didn’t bother that everyone thought his mother controlled him. He knew that she did not and that he was perfectly capable of thinking for himself. But he couldn’t deny that she had experience, that she knew what she was doing, and that she was damn good when it came to politics. So why shouldn’t he listen to her? He wasn’t a defiant child.
“Probably.” Sean took the glass from Viggo’s hand again, finding that the liquid numbed the pain inside him quite perfectly.
“Have you met Orlando?” Viggo asked all of a sudden, looking at Sean.
When Sean saw the light in the blue-grey eyes, he simply couldn’t be mad at Viggo – in truth he had never been. It would just take some time to get Orlando out of his head.
“Yes, I’ve talked with him briefly.” Sean slowly replied, putting on a neutral face.
“He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”
Sean felt so torn. Something inside of him hurt at the thought of Orlando belonging to someone else now. The other side of him was happy for his best friend, because he hadn’t seen Viggo so cheerful in a long time.
“Yes…yes he is.”
~*~*~
Orlando found it awkward to be at home again. It wasn’t like he had expected it to be. Well, it had been for the first minutes after he had finally gotten out of the carriage. But everything had changed as soon as everybody had been told about the engagement. Now they were acting differently towards him. He wasn’t simply Orlando anymore. He couldn’t just hide from his teachers and get away with it. Now his mother would scold him for it, and his usual smile wouldn’t help anymore. Everybody seemed stricter now and Orlando definitely disliked it. He had to sit inside and learn all day when the sun was shining and he wanted nothing more than to go outside. It was frustrating. Even more so because Orlando thought the things he learned were nonsense. Why did he have to learn how to sit properly? He had been able to sit very well so far. Orlando had no problems with the languages he had to learn. He concentrated and learned quickly, so he could leave earlier. He really had a problem with dancing and etiquette though. He was too clumsy and too impatient for it. Even more frustrating than the days were the nights. During the day Orlando was occupied, but at night unpleasant thoughts came to his mind and he started to worry, often crying himself to sleep, muffling the sobs in the pillow.
Orlando flopped down on his bed with a sigh. Life wasn’t as fun as it used to be. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Orlando? There’s a letter for you.” Samantha entered the room with a wide grin, waving an envelope.
“A letter?” Orlando sat up again, his elbows propped on the bed, nose wrinkled. He never received letters.
“Yes, a letter, Orlando. You know what that is, right?”
“Of course I know what a letter is.” Orlando snatched the envelope from Sam’s hand, turning it in his hand. He studied the seal closely, swallowing hard when he identified it as the crest of the royal family of Denmark.
“Come on, open it.”
Orlando had forgotten Samantha for a moment, but now he glared at her.
“Sammie, that’s private. Would you please leave?”
“Ow, since when are you so prudish?”
“Since everyone expects me to do things I don’t want to do.” Orlando retorted.
Samantha sighed but gave in and left. Orlando waited until he heard the door to his room close, then opened the envelope and started to read with shaking hands.
“Dearest Orlando,
I hope you and your family had a save journey home, and that you are well. Five weeks seem an all too long time for me. I am already missing you. Surely you are kept busy with the preparations for the wedding, as I am.
When you arrive at your new home, you’ll find everything you need. Currently the rooms we will inhabit are being prepared, and you’ll be happy to hear that there is a fireplace in each of them. I cannot wait until you are back in my arms,
Forever yours,
Viggo”
Orlando read the letter a second time, fingers tracing the elegant handwriting. His bad mood had vanished while he let the words warm his heart. Through all the happiness he felt, fear crept into his heart. Viggo was so kind to him, he had even remembered that Orlando had been cold in the big castle. What could Orlando give him in return? He knew nothing of love and the life at court. The other day one of his teachers had talked about copulation. Orlando had sat in his chair, cheeks a dark shade of red, eyes cast towards the floor. He didn’t know if he should laugh over the profoundly shocked teacher, or cry because of what awaited him. It sounded awfully painful and embarrassing. He had managed to banish these thoughts from his mind by now. It wasn’t his wedding night yet. He could worry about it later.
Orlando looked at the letter before he decided that he should write back. Viggo shouldn’t think that he was a thanklessly brat. Orlando stood up and walked over to his desk, where he searched for some parchment. Once this task was completed, Orlando found himself at a loss. What should he write? Orlando scratched his nose, and then dipped the pen into the ink. He held it above the parchment, thinking of what to write. The ink left dark stains, but Orlando didn’t care. Finally, he began to write. His handwriting appeared clumsy and like that of a little child compared to Viggo’s elegantly swung letters. Orlando wrote what came to his mind – just like he did when he talked with someone.
~*~*~
“I’m really worried about him.” Harry looked at his wife, concern clouding his eyes. Normally she was the one worrying over their children. Now, in this very situation, she was the one organizing everything and remaining calm.
“He will be fine Harry.” Sonia smiled at her husband, neglecting the letter she had just been reading. “I’m not happy that it has to be Orlando either, but he’ll be fine.”
“I wish I could be sure of that. He is too innocent, too naïve. We both know that people at court love intrigues. Orlando hasn’t got a clue, he will trust everybody blindly, and bring himself into trouble” Harry’s fingers drummed on the armrest of the chair in a constant, nervous rhythm.
“Viggo will take care of him.”
“Viggo won’t be at his side at all times.”
Sonia sighed. Sometimes Harry was more than just complicated.
“No, but he’ll still take care of him.” Sonia leaned forward and took her husbands hand. “He will take care of our son. He loves Orlando.”
“Maybe, but does Orlando love him? Orlando doesn’t even know what love is. He’s too young. Can’t we postpone the wedding? Today in five years would be a great date.”
Sonia smiled weakly.
“I fear that’s not possible dear.”
“I thought so.” Harry sighed. He should make the best out of the time left then.
~*~*~
“…and then he told me that I can’t just run around like that, and that I have to take better care of everything. I mean, I was just going outside to feed Sidi, I don’t have to look decent then, do I? Sidi doesn’t care for clothing anyways. But Sir Ian rambled on and on and on about it, he just didn’t stop. It’s ridiculous, really, don’t you think? Why do they all care so much about clothing, posture, and etiquette? I also never understood why you need so much silverware. I can never tell the difference, so I pick out some random fork. If I’m lucky it is the right one, otherwise Aileen will start to lament again.” Orlando sighed dramatically. Harry couldn’t help but laugh. Orlando had been babbling the whole time since they left for a walk. Harry wanted to spend as much time as possible with his son, before he would travel to Denmark in five days.
“I could never tell the difference either.” Harry chuckled, looking amused at his pouting son.
“Nor can I understand why something like etiquette is needed, or clothing is this important. But you better do what all those people tell you, you’ll have less trouble then.”
Orlando nodded.
“I just wish that I’d have more time.” He whispered, looking at the ground. Everyone told him how lucky he was and how grateful he should be. They didn’t realize that he would’ve liked things to be different.
“I know.” Harry answered. Orlando stopped and looked at his father, confusion in his eyes. He had thought that his father would scold him for saying such things, instead he understood.
Harry also stopped, finding himself with an armful of Orlando seconds later. His arms wrapped around the small, slightly trembling, form of his son. Words weren’t necessary; a silent understanding had passed between them. Orlando buried his head in his father’s neck, his eyes glittering with unshed tears.
“You’ll come and visit me, right?” Orlando mumbled snivelling.
“Of course I will.” Harry rubbed the back of his son soothingly. It was so hard for him to let his son go, how much harder must it be for Orlando to leave?
“Every month?”
Harry had to laugh at the words of his son.
“I fear that won’t be possible. Travelling would be the only thing I’d be doing then. As soon as I’d arrive in Denmark I’d have to leave again, and when I return to Canterbury I’d have to leave for Denmark again to make it in time.”
Orlando looked up at his father sincere.
“You could visit me every second month then.” He suggested hopefully.
Harry smiled, stroking a curl out of Orlando’s face.
“I can’t promise you that I’ll visit you every month. But I promise that I’ll visit you as often as possible. Although I have the feeling that you won’t want your old father around that much, and rather spend your time with your husband.”
“I always want you around.” Orlando pouted, hugging his father even tighter.
Harry remained silent, simply holding the boy. He wouldn’t tell him that he’d want to be around all the time, so that he could take care of Orlando. The silence between them was broken when Sidi jumped and nuzzled Orlando’s neck with his nose. They were going for a walk after all and the dog wanted them to play with him.
“Do you think Sidi will like Denmark?” Orlando asked amused, patting the black dog’s head.
“What?” Harry looked startled, loosening his grip around Orlando.
“I asked if Sidi will like Denmark. What do you think?” Orlando smiled, throwing a stick for Sidi to chase.
“Oh…urm.” Harry swallowed hard. Had no one told the boy? When they told him about etiquette and silverware they could’ve also told him about that! He couldn’t bear to bring tears back to Orlando’s face, now that he was smiling again.
“Yes…yes surely.” Harry mumbled, not looking at Orlando, and suppressing a sigh. If Orlando only knew. The wish to protect him and keep him here in Canterbury burned inside of Harry like never before.
~*~*~
Viggo sat in one of the chairs in the winter garden where he had had breakfast with Orlando weeks ago. The days were passing painfully slow. Viggo knew nothing of the tears Orlando cried or of the hidden fear. He simply looked forward to the day that he could hold Orlando again. Viggo laughed at himself. He was feeling and behaving like a 12 year old, having a crush on someone. To be honest, he was completely in love with Orlando, and counted the days until his arrival in Denmark. His days were going by so slowly, his anticipation growing steadily. Today he had had a hard time trying to keep calm when he found a letter from Orlando between the other envelopes. Viggo had secluded himself in this room. He spent much time in the winter garden lately, luxuriating in the memories of the morning he had spent here with Orlando. What place could be better to read the letter he had waited for? Viggo’s finger traced the unsteady lines of Orlando’s writing, smiling to himself. The writing didn’t appear sloppily but somehow it held the same innocence Viggo saw in Orlando. It resembled his youth and light heartedness.
Viggo opened the envelope with great care, as if it was something utterly precious. In some way it was. Viggo’s lips curled into a bright smile as he read the lines. Even the writing resembled Orlando’s very being. It was free from formality, but warm-hearted.
Dear Viggo,
I was happy when I received your letter today. Everything is very confusing and hectic at the moment. I can’t believe how fast time is passing by. I don’t really do much of the things I love to do since everybody wants something from me. I really wish there’d be more time. My teachers want me to learn so many things I think are useless. They act as if I am not even able to sit right, can you believe it? I don’t even have much time to play with my dog, Sidi, either. He’s really sweet, I’m sure you’ll like him.
I really look forward to seeing you again, but I’d wish you’d come here so that I wouldn’t have to leave Canterbury. I always wanted to travel the world, but now that I am about to leave, I find it is too soon. I’m able to speak a bit of Danish, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to hold conversations. Although my teachers tell me everything about etiquette and when I should say what, no one has told me so far what it’ll actually be like once I live with you. But I think there’s much I can do all day, the palace is so big after all!
I have to go now, because Mum just came in and told me that the tailor is already waiting – again!
When this letter arrives it won’t be long until we see each other again…I’m looking forward to it.
Orlando
Viggo leaned back in his chair and smiled, his fingers trailing over the words on the parchment. His decision had been right, he was sure of that.
~*~*~
On the morning of the 25th May Orlando of Canterbury didn’t know what awaited him when he said goodbye to his family and home, and stepped into the carriage that would bring him to the borders of Denmark.
TBC
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Date: 2007-02-16 08:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-16 09:00 pm (UTC)