It was getting to the time of year when the nights got cold. There was several fires around keeping the knights warm. The Prince was sitting off to the side of the group gazing up at the stars.


"Oh, ace." He said his chest aching at the thought about tomorrow. That was if they showed up, they could be dead for all the Prince knew.


"They are going to be there." Theodor said sitting down next to the Prince.


"From what I have seen they won't stop at anything till they are right back beside you. The worst it could be is they might be a little late." The Prince brought his eyes down to the earth resting on cheek on his knee.


"Yeah, you're right. There is still a chance that one of us or both of us could wind up dead tomorrow. I don't want to do this." He needed a break to recover from all of it. There was too much to deal with, both now and later. He was ready to break down not even getting a chance to prosses one thing before the next was at his door.


"What if I can't do this Theo. Be king I mean. I was never meant to, I have no training what so ever. This past week has started to make me think-" He took a deep breath to avoid breaking down just yet. He really wanted to wait for the Rebel to be there with them when that happened.


"I don't think that I should be staying as king. I know Ace will do a good job, tomorrow is the perfect chance to give up the crown." It was silent for a few moments the Prince pulled his legs into his chest. The knight looked at the dark sky and surrounding dark field they were in.


"You have handled the impossible this week. I think most people would have walked away already. It should calm down after the coronation. When you and Ace settle into your leading roles. From what I have heard most change in leadership is a lot less chaotic. Considering how young you and Ace are, I would be more concerned if you weren't struggling." The knight looked over at the Prince who was still staring into the stars.


"Yeah, I guess." The Prince shifted over leaning his head on the Knight's shoulder.


"I just don't want to be messing this up. There are too many people who are counting on me."


"That's why you have me and after tomorrow, you will have Ace." The Prince was starting to get sleepy now that his blood wasn't going the speed of a shooting star.


"Come on star, let's get you into your bed role before you fall asleep on the cold grass." The Knight pulled the Prince up guiding him towards the bed roll that was on the outside of the group.


"I was perfectly happy laying on top of you." The Prince said as he stumbled behind the Knight's body ready to drop from exhaustion.


"I'm sure Ace would love to take my place when they get back. For now you can sleep in your role." They made it over to where the pair had laid out there things. They settled into a peaceful almost silence. There was crickets, the walking of the guards, and far off crackles of fire. The ambient noise made the night a lot more peaceful then it had any right to be.


Just like the night before the rebels started their attack all was quiet and peaceful. The calm before another storm. He really hoped this other king would be reasonable tomorrow. The Prince woke up both sore and exhausted. The morning was cold as the day's got shorter, light dew on the grass all around them.


It only took a short time for everyone to be ready for battle and the horses ready to move on. The Prince was front and centre with Sir Theo on his left. A line behind them the king in orange was on his right with the heir to the right of the king. There was eleven rows behind them of full armor soldiers. The Prince took a deep breath calming his nerves.


"You ready for this?" the King asked walking his horse beside the Prince.


"No, but I will not stand for the consequences if I don't do this."


"You could have let any one of us handle this. I applaud you for doing this yourself but if things go wrong it is not your fault." There was a reason that those who took the thrown were almost never under their twenty third winter. The Prince was close to that age but with the lack of training and interactions with people.


He was so much further behind any other properly trained heir. It would not be a serprise if the king had to step in. He pulled his horse back taking up position again. The Prince turned to the Knight beside him who nodded. A silent say that everyone was ready to move out. The Prince nodded back before moving forward into the early hours of the morning.


The marching of hooves made the group sound much louder as it bounced off the valley walls. There was several curved they had to navigate but it was all a line to their intended target. The Prince had the other lieutenants hold back with the troupes as the others pushed forward. It was just enough that the last two lines could not be seen by the opposition.


This making it seem that there was more troops there then actually was. The other side did not have this advantage with their path going straight a lot further back. They were at the part where the walls were the least steep in the whole valley. An attack could come from any side.


The Prince, King and Knight got off the their horses the Knight staying back to hold the reins. On the other side of the conflict was the Rebel leader that the Prince could recognise. A knight that he could not and who he suspected to be the king from the letters. The princes blood chilled when he finished scanning the crowd and finding no rebel.


His first thoughts were of worry before shifting to anger at the thought that they did anything. They were no where to be found unless hidden in the rows on the army in similar numbers. You could feel the tension rise considerably between the two groups as they got closer. They stopped only a meter away from each other the Prince having to look up at the King.


"I see you didn't bring any boxes. Where are my crowns young one?" The King asked making a clear show of making himself taller not that that was needed.


"You will not get my crowns for they are reserved for me and my betrothed. Speaking of them, what have you done with Ace?" The Rebel leader took a half step closer focusing in on the Prince. The Kings hand tightened on his sword, the Prince had chosen to only bring a large knife. The Rebel leader was carrying something that looked like a large knife on the end of a chain. This chain was curled up on the side of her hip.


"My child is perfectly safe. You can't manipulate any one here girl. We are not going to fall for your tricks. Give up the kingdom before someone else gets hurt." There was some rustling from one of the bushes up top on one side. This movement cooled the conversation from burning up completely.


Everyone stopped and staired for a few seconds before refocusing on the negotiations. The Prince took the Rebel leaders words to mean that the Rebel had been harmed. Or worse considering they were not here. The Prince took a couple steps toward the Rebel leader his eyes blazing.


"If I find that you have hurt my future consort I will have you put to death for it. You have committed crimes not only against my family but the people as a whole. We are still finding bodies in the rubble that you have caused. The suffering you have inflicted on them will not go unpunished even if it means I have to fight a war to get to you." He turned to the King speaking in the same cold and confident voice.


"That is a threat if you continue to hide this woman and try to intimidate me. I have came here far more prepared then you have and you had days. You have underestimated me and my leadership. Do not let it be your down fall." The Prince took a step back now that it would be fair game to stab him.


This would set off a war that would end with both kingdoms settling in ruin even with the allies stepping in. The king knew it would lead to greater effects then what he needed on his people. The take over failed and the Rebel leader should pay her dues for letting it.


It was her fault that her followers had too little sight for the goal. Stopping any aggression after the majority of the royal family had been delt with. There was to much softness that she couldn't have finished the job at it was clear the resentment that she held. The king took his time to consider the terms of the surrender.


"The Rebel leader will still have refuge in my kingdom. If she crosses into your territory you will get no retaliation for the consequences of that choice." The king added making sure they were clear on all terms. The Prince was not backing down with just that as a term.


"Everyone part of your house and guard will also have this bad faith. If they are found to not be able to explain why they are in my territory. They will be imprisoned until you can write a letter of explanation." He was not going to have any spies come into his territory.


Be that for another chance to over throw him and the future consort from their throne. Or to wage a war for his territory. The orange king walked back the horses seeing he the Rebel leader was doing the same. It was not cordial to keep ones opponent outnumbered in a negotiation that was so close to being closed.


The Prince let out a breath as the king nodded before turning to go back to his horse. That would always be the most stressful staring contest of his life. The Prince then turned to walk to his own horse telling everyone to stand down and to be ready to go home.