Alastair laughed as the young sisters tried to get Britta to dance with them to the minstrel's music. As a young prince, his tutors told him he would one day marry Lady Britta but he had no idea he would feel this way about her. Their wedding was only a week away and everyone would come from the Kingdom to see Prince Alastair wed Lady Britta.
"Come, Your Highness, dance with us," said Rachel, the middle sister.
Britta laughed and turned to Alastair. "Your betrothed is reluctant unless you also dance," she told him.
He danced with them as the minstrels played. Then he took the mandolin and played along with the music.
"Your Highness, excuse the interruption," Turk, a stout, bald man said as he approached. "It's about your brother."
"Brodrick? What about him?" Alastair asked.
"He's back, sire."
"You mean he's here at Balfour Castle?"
"Yes."
Alastair couldn't believe his own ears. He wanted to go there at once. "Where's my horse? Get me my horse so that I can see him." A servant handed Alastair the reins to his stead and he was off galloping across the meadows to get there as fast as he could.
"Son, come in," King Clayton said when Alastair cautiously opened the door. "Greet your twin, Brodrick."
Alastair stood face to face with Brodrick and looked his brother over. It was like looking in a mirror. He saw his own sky blue eyes looking back at him. Brodrick had the same lean, 6 foot body, disobedient yellow gold hair and crooked smile that he had. Yes, there was no mistake, this was his twin who was kidnapped at the age of two and everyone feared after twenty one years he was dead.
"Brother," Brodrick said slapping Alastair on the shoulders. Alastair smiled and slapped Brodrick back, and then they hugged. It made him sad to think of all those years he lived without his twin but what made him sadder was that he knew part of his mother had died the day the knights came back empty handed and she thought her eldest son was dead, though eldest only by minutes.
"Where have you been, brother?" Alastair asked holding Brodrick at arm's length.
"Jivin the wizard and his witch raised me. He is the one that took me and also the one that returns me to you."
"We've thrown him in the dungeon," King Clayton said.
"Father, they treated me well and raised me like their own son. I did not go hungry or undressed and they had promised to bring me back some day. And that day is today. Please let him go back to his witch so that we do not make the same grave errors they have. Banish him from this Kingdom, but do not harm him in anyway as he did not harm me."
"But he took you from us. Your mother cried herself to sleep every night that you were gone. That should be punished." King Clayton turned to Alastair and said. "Do you think we should let him go?"
"Well, your majesty, Brodrick has had excellent breeding and I would say we should trust him. He is no worse for wear. Let us banish the evil wizard from the Kingdom, but do him no harm."
The chamber door flung open and the Queen entered. Her long flowing gown seemed to float as she glided to them. "We have a celebration after all. We're borrowing our feast tonight from the wedding dinner."
"From my wedding dinner?" Alastair asked.
The Queen nodded.
"Why do we have to borrow from my wedding banquet? Do we not have enough for a celebration supper?"
Queen Cecilia narrowed her blue eyes. She no longer looked frail or heartbroken but strong and healthy instead. "We haven't enough to feed all the guests I've invited for tonight," she said to him. "Besides, you and Britta will never miss it. We have plenty for your banquet."
"My Queen, please accept my apology if I am wrong," Brodrick said in a low voice, "but isn't that my wedding feast we are talking about?" Brodrick said in low voice.
"This is true, my son, but we assumed you were dead. Alastair has taken your place," the King responded.
"But I am back and I should think nothing has changed. If a young prince goes off to war for years, his brother does not bite his heels to replace him. This should be no different." Brodrick looked from his father to his mother.
Alastair was stunned. His whole life revolved around being the heir to the throne while Brodrick was being held captive by the wizard. "Father, Brodrick hasn't been schooled in the princely arts. Do you think it would be wise to put him on the throne?"
"I'm not dead yet," King Clayton reminded him. "I still have some good years ahead of me. He has time to learn and you can teach him."
"No, I won't. I've had to sacrifice my life to replace him. This is my throne."
"No boy, it's Brodrick's throne." The Queen put in. "You were second choice but now that he's back you must step aside. It is his birthright not yours." Queen Cecilia spat the words at him making him feel like a ten year old again. She stood beside Brodrick beaming like a lit candle in the dark. "He will marry Britta next week, that is his birthright."
"NO!" Alastair yelled looking to his father for support. But his father was watching Britta and her sisters in the meadow. Alastair had sacrificed everything in his life. He couldn't play with the other boys because he had extra lessons to learn. He couldn't talk to a pretty girl because he was betrothed to Britta. He was held back all his life because he had to be a proper heir to the throne. Didn't anyone know how hard he worked to become the proper gentleman? He should be the next King.
Looking out at Britta his heart ached. He couldn't live without her, she was his sun and moon and stars. She was the only one that seemed to understand him.
"Father," Alastair said in a defeated voice.
The King rubbed his face with his hands and then made his way to the window to avoid eye contact with his sons. "The Kingdom will riot if we break tradition. Are you prepared to defend this castle for that?"
"Brodrick can have the stinking throne, but let me marry Britta."
"That would leave your brother without a wife? Do you think it's fair to him? What about Britta? She is expecting to marry the next King, you would disgrace her."
"No, no I wouldn't. Ask her who she wants to marry him or me."
"We can't ask the girl, she doesn't know her own mind. It's not just the girl but her family would be disgraced as well."
"Then I won't allow Brodrick to take his birthright and I will defend that to the grave."
The King looked at him as if he was crazy. "This shouldn't be so difficult, Alastair. Brodrick is the eldest."
"Yes, your Majesty, but he has been raised as a commoner," Alastair said. He caught a glimpse of Brodrick's sour face and regretted saying it.
King Clayton let out a heavy sigh. "This is true. All right, let me think about this. I will give my final answer in a few days. But what ever I decide you must accept."
Alastair nodded in agreement, just grateful he had a few days to decide what he would do if his father didn't side with him.
Brodrick or Jivin were always with the King when Alastair tried to talk to him. He was surprised the wizard was let out of the dungeon but not banished as he had encouraged his father to do. Brodrick had some kind of attachment to this wizard and that made Alastair uncomfortable.
Alastair stood at the door of his father's writing chamber. The King rushed passed him mumbling something about being late.
"You seem to be hanging around a lot," Brodrick said after the King left.
"I'd like to talk to the King alone. But he seems to be very busy." "He is teaching me about the rule of Balfour and a little about running the Kingdom of Nekoosa. I have to admit it's a bit overwhelming. I wish there was some magic spell I could whip up to absorb all this knowledge."
"You've got the wizard with you. Why not ask him to whip something up for you. You've convinced everyone to accept that kidnapper as if he were family."
"He is my family. He was the only father I knew. He has treated me with kindness and respect. That's more than you've done. I thought it would be good to be with my real family. But all you've done is stir up trouble."
Alastair sighed. "I thought having you back would be good too, but it's not. You might be my twin but I don't know you. All my life I wished for your return and now I wish for you to go. Leave us so that my life can go back to normal."
"You selfish bastard. All you think of is yourself. What about our King and Queen -- what about Britta?"
"If you're questioning what Britta wants, it's me. The King and Queen think they love you more because of your absence. How can I compete with that. I am nothing, a mere prince who has no future."
"A sad tale, my brother, but you won't get my sympathy," Brodrick said. "You've had Father and Mother to yourself long enough. It's my turn to enjoy all the riches you've spent your life time with." He turned on his heels and left Alastair alone.
Finally, Alastair got his father alone while he got ready for a meeting with his court. "My King, may I have a word?"
"Of course son, come in."
Alastair made his way into the King's dressing chamber and watched a moment while his man servant combed the graying beard of the King.
"Father, have you decided who will be on the throne once you've retired?"
"Your brother is the rightful heir to the throne. We know you have made many sacrifices and for this we are grateful. That is why you will be considered. But I'm afraid the Kingdom will be in an uproar. If we don't keep tradition, why should they, and soon no one will obey laws or pay taxes. It would be chaos. This is a true dilemma and too complex for my mind. I will meet with the wizard this afternoon to discuss a conclusion to this."
"My King, do you think that's wise?"
"Do not question my actions, boy. I will consult anyone I choose. He is a wise old man." The King's servant finished buttoning the last button on his silk coat and he was ready to meet his court. "I will let you know this evening at our meal." With that the King went to join his court, leaving Alastair standing alone.
Alastair took his usual place at the King's right side at the dining table. The King motioned for the butler and he asked Alastair to move to the seat at the King's left. Tradition is the right side was reserved for the heir to the throne. Alastair was put aback by this and was ready to argue until he saw the butler move Brodrick as well. The seat was left empty.
Alastair could hardly eat because of the anticipation. He wanted to know what the King's decision would be and the King ate considerably slower that evening.
"You both look like salivating foxes," King Clayton said finally. "But I have an answer and we won't make you wait any more." Standing up he cleared his throat so that everyone in the room could see the King was about to speak. " I declare the throne will be handed to the successor of a fight between Alastair and Brodrick. Who ever lives once the fight is over will be king."
The crowd of knights and ladies roared like thunder as they discussed the unusual way of settling this matter. "But what about tradition - just give it to the eldest," a righteous knight yelled.
"Ahh yes, I have tried that. But the second son will not relinquish the throne. Alastair deserves the throne as much as Brodrick. He has given up much of his life to become the next King. How can I deny that to him. On the other hand, how can I deny it to Brodrick, he is the first born and I can not punish him for being the victim of a kidnapping."
"But why should one die?" someone in the crowd asked.
"This will finish it once and for all. There will be no more question who is the rightful heir."
"Then let it be so," someone else shouted. "We shall make it a show."
Brodrick looked at the King. "Father, one of us would have to die."
"Yes, Brodrick, that's true."
"Is that what the wizard suggested?" Alastair asked in disgust.
"Yes, Alastair, he did." The King sat facing the front of the table not even turning his head to look at them.
"This is just….." Alastair started to argue before his father cut him off.
"You both want the throne. You cannot expect me to hand it to one of you and not see the pain in the other's eyes for the rest of my life. I have no other choice than this. Prepare for battle at sunrise." The King took his exit into his chamber.
Alastair and Brodrick looked at one another in disbelief. Alastair knew he had to fight Brodrick to the death or give up the throne and Britta. "So be it," he said to his twin as he rose and left the room.
The bright sun peeked over the horizon as Alastair dressed for the fight. His thoughts were on his mother who was so happy Brodrick was back. It wasn't hard for him to know who she would be rooting for and he knew his father was torn between the two of them. He decided he had to win this fight because he doubted his brother's ability to be King. But Britta was the biggest reason he had to win.
"My lord, may I come in?" She stood in the doorway.
He smiled at her. "Yes, please come in." He was touched she had come to wish him well before the battle with Brodrick.
"If my lord pleases may I speak candid about this fight with your twin?" she asked as she stood before him.
"Yes, my love, please do."
"You cannot fight your brother, you must back down. I will not allow bloodshed if your intentions are for me."
"I cannot stand by and watch this farce. All my life I've been told I will marry you and now we've fallen in love. What else can I do?"
"My lord, with all respect to you, my love is for the master I must be bound to for life. It is not a personal thing." Walking around him to the window she continued. "It is why I was born. I will do what is called of me and I will love whoever is at that altar on Sunday."
"You love me. You've said it a hundred times. How can you tell me now that it's because of your duty, what about me?"
"You, my lord, are just a pawn, as I am. We do what we need to in order to satisfy our people. We can't let feelings or wants or desires get in the way of that. We can only have satisfaction in knowing we are doing the best with the situation we have."
"How can you be sure Brodrick will be the pawn you speak of. What if he has higher ambitions than that?"
"My lord, I will do what any respective wife would do and side with my husband. I will love him to my grave."
Alastair stood there looking at his beautiful Britta. Why was she saying this? Why was she betraying him?
"My lord, you're expected out on the sports field," Turk said.
Alastair looked at Britta who was still looking out the window. He felt his heart harden. Did she really mean what she'd said? He didn't know and right now didn't have the time to think about it. He had to mentally prepare to fight his brother. He motioned to the servants to pick up his armor and follow him to the field.
Once they were on the field, Brodrick and Alastair battled each other with swords and shields. Alastair's blows were stronger and more precise because of the battle training he had as a young prince. He wanted to make the death quick and drive the sword into Brodrick's heart so that he wouldn't suffer.
Brodrick sank back as Alastair served blow after blow until Brodrick's shield was broken. Out of respect and tradition Alastair went back to his corner to wait for Brodrick to get another shield. It was the rule to let both opponent use as many shields as they lay down in their corner before the fight. Brodrick had three. But as Brodrick stood he threw his broken shield down and took something out his pocket. He threw it at Alastair and as it hit the ground it exploded giving off a thick fog. Alastair coughed and whizzed as he tried looking through the smoke. A few moments had passed and he felt he had given Brodrick enough time to get another shield. He charged through the smoke to Brodrick who stood with a long jousting stick. Alastair had almost impaled himself onto the stick but saw it in the nick of time and veered to the right.
Coming back around the other side he attacked Brodrick again with forceful blows until his wooden shield broke into pieces. Alastair made his way to his corner to wait for his twin to get another shield. This time Brodrick hurled buckets and wood and anything that wasn't held down by weight at Alastair. Alastair moved from side to side to avoid the flying objects.
Brodrick walked to the middle of the field and Alastair charged him, hitting his shield with all his force and it broke into three pieces. Brodrick was on the ground with his legs curled under and his sword arm holding him up. Alastair came at him not with his sword but with a dagger to cut his throat. He stepped onto Brodrick's sword so that he couldn't use it and then bent to grab his twin's head.
"Please, not the neck, plunge the dagger into my heart it is quicker," Brodrick pleaded.
Alastair looked at his brother, so small, so fragile under him. He would be king after all. His brother would be out of the way and he could marry Britta. Looking up to the grandstand he saw his father watching down on them. His face was in anticipation waiting for Alastair to kill Brodrick. The Queen sat with her handkerchief to her mouth in horror. Her child was taken from her years ago and now it would happen again but this time it would be in front of her eyes. What horrors she had live through all these years. Britta stood behind the queen her eyes narrow and dull. He knew what she was thinking. She would love him out of obligation and that's all.
"This is your lucky day, brother," Alastair said as he looked down upon the broken man. "I will not kill you today in front of your mother. Let it be marked in history that I should be King. But I will walk away and never return if you will grant me a small purse to live on."
"Yes, yes, I will do that. Please let me up."
With that Alastair let Brodrick stand and he put the dagger back into his boot. Then he walked to the grandstand. "I no longer want my brother's life. He can have the throne and the girl. I don't want his spirit haunting me the rest of my life. Mother, you have gotten your first born back but have lost your second son in the process. I don't see it as a burden to you, but try to shed a tear for me one night. And Father, my King, I take with me all you've taught me and I will use it wisely. Please don't worry, my twin has graciously given me a small purse to live on while I travel."
Looking at Britta he said nothing. He just wanted one last look at the girl who owned his heart, the woman who taught him about love and heartbreak. Then, turning, Alastair shook his brother's hand and walked away from Balfour and the Kingdom of Nekoosa. He set out to find great adventures and treasures, but he had already found the greatest treasure of all, his own life.
