Mad Hatter || Sleepy Bois Inc. Fantasy Royal AU

Chapter One - Adversary

Tommy's chest heaved as he sprinted past the tall, towering pine trees. His legs and lungs burned as he ran faster; the sound of footsteps crashing behind him. The smell of pine was almost overwhelming as he sprinted past, and took in breath after breath of air, the scent coming with it. Tommy had always loved the smell of pine, it had always been associated with home, but like anything, too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

With his thoughts; he slowed, and when a body crashed into his, he fell face first into the dirt, sliding slightly. "Toby!"

"Sorry! But you know this isn't fair! You're so much taller than me!" Tubbo exclaimed, pushing himself off his brother and best friend. "Oh get off!"

Tubbo huffed, "I'm trying! Stop moving!"

"I'm gonna move if I damn well want to!"

Toby frowned, slapping his younger brothers shoulder, before sitting up, and helping Tommy to his feet. He grinned, grabbing Tommy's hand and pulling him to a wild bunch of lavender that stood in the forest. "We should take some back for Niki. She's been wanting some lavender. And look, the bees!"

Tommy smiled at his older, yet shorter brother, "We already have lavender in the garden. Plus, there are bees there too."

Toby frowned lightly, "Niki says that medicinal properties are most potent from the wild, and specifically for lavender, in the morning before the sun reaches it's peak..." Toby looked directly up, turning his head, "I don't see any sun directly up."

Tommy laughed and shoved him lightly, "This is a hooded forest you idiot! You can barely see the sun even at it's peak."

Toby rolled his eyes, but lightly stuck his hand in the bush and took the purple sprigs, gently laying them on a stained brown cloth; wrapping it with a string, and putting it in his bag. The leather bag slung sideways across his chest, and rested on his thigh; the other side of his hip sported a small dagger. The previously white tunic was smeared with green and brown from falling, his brown trousers scuffed around the knees. Tommy was clad in deep brown trousers, and a light blue tunic, sporting long sleeves that stopped a quarter away from his wrists; red cape slung over his shoulders, only going down to about his sternum. It was practically a shawl, really just meant more for statements publicly rather than usefulness. Tommy could admit though, that it was easier to use than a typical cape; stayed out of the way a lot easier. Tubbo gripped his younger brother by an arm, and he checked the shiny golden pocketwatch that was set inside a little pocket of his satchel. It was around midday, and their father would want them to join in family lunch. He told Tommy as such, and they began the journey back to their home.

❦ ❦ ❦

The two boys were nearing their home, just chatting about random topics, or playing around like brothers; as they were, when an arrow flew past, skimming Tubbo's arm, and sinking into a tree. A thin red line began to seep through the sleeve, and the boys quickly glanced around the dark forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of the individual. The the tall trees cast many shadows, and the bunches where the trees grew close enough to touch were almost impossible to see through. Toby glanced around, fear evident in his brown eyes, his supple hand clutching the now slowly seeping wound. Tommy grabbed his brother by his uninjured arm; pulling him closer for protection. Tommy gripped the hilt of his sword, pulling his brother behind him.

Lately, the Antarctic Empire had been in a little bit of a spat between the neighboring kingdom of Badlands and the Dream Empire. Both were allied to each other, so if it came to war, the Antarctic Empire would have to fight for their lives. Tommy wondered if any of the political meeting his father and older brothers had been going to so regularly had gone badly, and that was why the young princes were being targeted. When no other shots came through the brush, Tommy quickly shoved Tubbo in the direction if their home signaling to him; they were moving.