Bastard of Fate

Martha

CHAPTER 4

***CHANDLER***

As they approached the castle gates Chandler saw two guards at the entrance. Bart nodded at them and they stepped aside, a servant scuttling out the door to take Dum Dum and put him in the stable at the side of the castle. Chandler felt awkward as the servant came back and offered to take his blacksmith's apron and hang it up on a hook beside the door. He hesitantly slipped it off and handed it to her, leaving him in a white canvas shirt and brown trousers. She gave him a shy smile before hurrying off to somewhere else in the castle.

"That's Martha," Bart said, "Don't let Alexandre catch you looking at her though"

"What? Why?"

"'Cus he loooooooooves yooouuuuu," Bart sang. Chandler rolled his eyes lightly punched his friend in the arm,

"Oh shush"

They made their way through the winding halls of the castle, up a staircase and to the end of a long hallway. Bart knocked loudly on the neatly engraved door.

There was some shuffling around and a few moments later the prince came to the door. Bart shoved Chandler in and slammed it behind him.

Chandler fell forward into Alexandre with a surprised yelp. Alexandre squeaked and they both fell to the ground.

Chandler managed to catch himself before his large frame crushed Alexandre, his hands going on either side of the prince's golden head. Wide eyes stared up at him for a few moments before Chandler came back to himself.

He stuttered incoherently and quickly rolled off the prince, jumping to his feet and going for the door, ready to kill Bart. Before he got there he heard a distinctive click in the door as the outside lock slid into place. He angrily jiggled the handle,

"BART. LET US OUT YOU ASSHOLE"

"NOPE," Bart yelled back, "Y'all need to talk about your feelings!"

Alexandre banged on the door, "Bartholomew! Open this door!"

Footsteps could be heard leading away from the room as Bart laughed again, "Have fun you two!"

Chandler fully looked at Alexandre for the first time that night. He was dressed in what looked like rose gold silk pajamas and robe, hair tostled and feet bare.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked Chandler.

"Uhm, Bart insisted I come with him to see you. You haven't visited in a month..."

"That's because I don't need to," Alexandre said curtly. Instantly regret flashed in his eyes but Chandler took a slight step back, hurt.

"Oh. Well I'm sorry I bothered to think that you cared"

"Chandler, I didn't mean it like that-"

"No I get it. You're a prince. I'm a blacksmith. You're inherantly better than me, it's fine"

"Chandler don't be like that"

"Why not? Do you care or do you not? I opened myself up to you. I trusted in you for these past few months"

"I can't care," Alexandre said, exasperated, "My father would kill us both"

"Oh fuck what the king says!" Chandler exclaimed, "Do you care or not?"

"...I can't. It doesn't matter what I feel. You should leave"

"I would if I could"

Bart came back to the door after a few moments of tense silence, "D'you guys confess your love yet?"

"For Xymon's sake, Bart, I've known the boy for a few months!," Alexandre exlaimed.

"Let me out, Bart. I'm done with 'his majesty'"

Bart slowly opened the door, surprise on his once cheery face, "Is everything alright you guys?"

"No. Move"

Bart sidestepped for Chandler as he stormed past him. On his way down the hall he heard Bart exlaim to Alexandre, "What the hell did you do, you absolute leaf?"

"I... I don't know..." Alexandre said quietly. Chandler felt both their eyes on his back as he angrily made he way through the castle.

After about ten minutes, he was officially lost.

Rounding a corner, he saw a familiar servant make her way away from him, "Martha!" he said loudly, "Wait!"

She turned in surprise, short, mousy black hair framing her petite face. Her slight frame made her look to be maybe a year or so younger than Chandler.

"My lord?"

"Do you know the way out of here? The prince was just... he was an arse. I hope I never have to see his perfect face again," he spat.

"I'm sorry"

"It's not your fault," Chandler sighed, "I'm just... angry right now. My face is probably redder than a beet"

"Only your ears," Martha smiled at him. She had slightly crooked teeth but Chandler found them almost... cute. She cocked her head at him and he realized he was staring for a bit too long. He chuckled a little,

"Sorry. You're just too adorable"

Her face turned bright red and she his behind her hair a bit, "Oh, thank you, my lord"

"Please, just Chandler is fine"

***TIME SKIP***

For some reason they were kissing.

Chandler didn't exaclty know how it happened but he knew that he was uncomfortable. He pushed aside his feelings and came up for air quietly. Martha was looking up at him a little dazed as though she didn't know how that happened either.

As he went to kiss her again he heard someone clear their throat loudly behind them. They both turned to see Alexandre standing at the end of the hall, fully dressed, arms crossed and looking pissed as hell,

"Well," he said stiffly, "If you two aren't too busy, a dwarven messenger just arrived. Dragons have declared war"