The Battle of Evermore (ON HOLD)

Chapter I: When It All Began

598 AD

"85 bottles of wine! Take one down, throw it on out, 84 bottles of wine on the wall!"
The drunken laughter echoed the halls of the dining room, little Robert could hear it all the way across the hall. He stood there with one of his palms set against the cobblestone, his soft blue eyes glimmering in the dark. Only a single dim torch tried to bring the light back. His silky, curly, blonde hair brushed against his shoulders as he stepped quietly through the halls and into the dining room, standing face to face with his drunken father.

He was with a man, and he looked as about as clean and awfully rich as his father. Another King, perhaps? Robert's father was tall, skinny yet built, and had sharp cheekbones and a pointy chin. The man's blue eyes were piercing and intimidating, and his blonde hair was slicked back. The man he was with was short and plump with a large gray beard, and he smelt of women's perfume and scotch. He could understand the scotch, but the perfume? His wife maybe? Robert shrugged at the thought.

"Father,"
He asked quietly.
"It's terribly late. Don't you think you should rest?"
Robert's father glanced over and glared, causing the boy to shiver.

"Now, now, Robert. This is none of your business! It's royalty information that doesn't have to do with you."
Robert only blinked and nodded.
"Yes, of course sir. I'm just suggesting that you slip in bed with mum."
His father sneered.
"Didn't I tell you to butt out, Robert?!"
"Y-Yes sir, I'm sorry. Please calm down."
The angered King stood up.
"Are you telling me what to do, boy?!"
"N-No!"
The palm of the king's left hand whipped Robert's left cheek, sending him to the floor with a stinging pain.
"You address me as sir! Do you understand?!"
Robert clutched his cheek and felt tears swarm into his eyes, he glanced over, only to find his mother watching in the hallway with a blank expression. She saw Robert get assaulted, but... Didn't care. Robert winced his eyes shut and let his tears fall, regretting the decision of accidentally not replying to his father's last comment, causing a swift kick to his stomach. Robert lied on the ground, curled up in a ball as he was constantly kicked and kicked.
He didn't understand! His mind was a blur! His father had always been a strict, rather rude man at times. He noticed that for the whole eight years of his life, but this?! THIS?! He never pictured his father hurting him like this! After the final blow was sent, the man stopped and bent down, leaning next to Robert's ear and saying,
"Get up and drag yourself to bed. I did that, Robert, because I've always treated you like a first class citizen who didn't have to deal with shit. My ass. You need discipline, my boy."
He pulled him upwards by the hair and leaned close towards his face, shaking his head at the tears Robert could only weep in confusion and hurt.
"I can't let you be a mouse like you are now. Now go to bed before I make you. Understand?"
Robert nodded his head swiftly.
"Y-Yes, sir..."
He choked. The king tossed him towards the hall near the woman standing there. Robert looked at his mother with wide eyes. She peered down and only spoke,
"He's right."
Robert bit his lip and shook his head, sprinting to his room and not daring to look back.

609 AD

Robert's P.O.V.

I stepped outside onto the stone balcony with a small smile, enjoying the nice breeze of the summer air. It was quiet and the bird's song of beauty were the only thing I heard at the moment, besides the slight wind.
It was a very special day today, the day of my birth. I was now twenty one, and my father had said he had a secret gift for me. I was rather excited to see what it was, but he said he'd show me at noon, and it was not too far from it. I had to wait. I flashed my eyes down at the town below, the townsfolk chattering away with grins on their faces. I could tell they were joyful about my birthday. I was too, of course!
As I looked down, I saw the local blacksmith walk by with a wheelbarrow full of armor. I grinned, wanting to visit him and possibly help him take it back to his shop or somewhere else. I raced back into the castle and down the three flights of steps, and soon out the gigantic wooden doors. I skipped over to the blacksmith.
"John!" I called out. He peered back and grinned.
"Ah, Percy!" He yelled back.
That was his nickname for me.
"Need any help?" I asked. His mustache twitched a little as he thought, setting the wheelbarrow down. He then brushed his long, brown hair onto his shoulders and chuckled.
"Nah, I don't. Besides, it's a big day today! Your birthday!"
I giggled.
"I suppose you're right. My father says I'm happening to get a very big gift this year! He won't tell me until noon!"
John nodded.
"I hope it's the best gift anyone has ever received, Percy. I gotta give this armor to the chief of guards, so I'll see you around?"
"How 'bout I come with you?"
John sighed, shaking his head with a small smile.
"Alright lad, alright. Follow along."
I followed him happily until we reached the chief, who greeted us with a small smile and wave. The chief was a tall man with a rather big nose. His hair was short and brown and his eyes were blue.
"Pete, my boy!"
John called. The chief sighed irritatedly, his smile fading into a frown.
"I would rather you address me as 'chief', but I am pleased to see you brought me the new shipment, Mr. Bonham!"
John gave the wheelbarrow to Pete.
"That's right 'chief', hope you enjoy!"
John replied giddily.
We walked off together, discussing plans at the palace and what I'm going to serve for food at the celebration. There's going to be a ballroom and everything! All of a sudden, my father called me.
"Robert! Time for your gift!"
I smiled widely, laughing a little in excitement.
"Coming father!"
I glanced back to the John and hugged him.
"I'll see you again later!"
He hugged me back and nodded, soon walking back to his shop.

I stepped inside the castle, only to see my father looking at me with a warm, cheeky smile.
"My boy, Robert. This is going to be your dream come true."
I giggled.
"Let's see it then! Come on father, I can't wait much longer, sir!"
He nodded, soon exiting the room and walking back in with a tall, curvy girl dressed in velvet clothing and wearing plenty of black makeup. She wore a tiara and her hair was pitch black. I blinked and coughed a little.
"Does she have my gift?"
My father looked and me and bursted into unbearable laughter.
"M-My boy!"
He snickered.
"This IS your gift!"

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