Chapter Text
In a far off land two kingdoms stood at war. One as blue as the river that divided them, one as red as the blood they spilled. But even in war love can bloom.
This isn’t the story of a Romeo and Juliet. Of knights who fell deathly in love on the battlefield. Rather it’s a story of what happens after. After they fall in love. After they are discovered. After they are forced out of the kingdoms altogether.
Leaving two children behind. In a small house, shielded by the woods. The only thing in this world they have is each other. And even that, they’d have to fight to keep.
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Nom watched over his sister as she slept. As much as he tried to get her to go to her room, she refused to leave that couch until their parents returned. And as much as Nom tried to reassure her that they would, he was starting to lose hope.
He tried not to think of his mother, softly singing Katie to sleep. Or of his father, kneeling down and squeezing his hand.
“It’ll just be a quick trip.” He had said, “We’ll be back before you know it, promise.”
That had been two weeks ago, and boy did he know it. Nom shook his head. No point in dwelling on it. He had to focus now. Katie needed him to be strong.
He wandered into the kitchen, taking stock of what they had. Food was running out, and he had no coin to his name. He drummed his fingers on the counter, thinking.
“Katie has to eat… and I'm too young to get a job.” Sighing he realized he’d have to steal it if he wanted to keep his sister fed. He’d have to go now, before the sun came up. And if he acted quickly, Katie would never have to know.
Nom paused at the door. Grabbing a piece of paper, he wrote a quick note:
Going out
Don’t worry
Be back soon.
He left the note on the door, and nodded. It would have to do
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Nom moved with extra care now that he was in the kingdom. Blue banners hung everywhere. And everywhere he looked, guards stood at the ready. Sneaking into the kingdom proved harder than anticipated. Any time he got close a guard would round a corner and Nom had to take cover. It was slow going, but soon enough he found his way in. I rusty copper grate lead into the sewer.
The place smelled awful. Water dripped from the ceiling, and dead fish littered the path. Nom wondered how they got there in the first place. Eventually he made it out of that stinking place.
He took a few deep breaths, grateful for the fresh night air. Nom found himself in a dimly lit alleyway. He made his way along the wall, noting with delight that the number of guards was far less once inside the city. If he knew anything about the kingdom, it was that it had a lot of knights. And with a lot of knights came a need for a lot of food.
Nom found the storehouse about ten minutes after his escapade through the sewer. He had never envisioned himself stealing. Furthermore Nom never thought he’d be so good at it. The knight on guard didn’t even see him as he stole a few bags of rations. Just enough for him and Katie to eat for the week.
Nom made his way back towards the sewer, wishing he had a better way in and out. He was just prying up the grate when something flashed out of the corner of his eye. Slowly he creeped around the corner to get a better look.
An elven knight trained in a small clearing. Her movements were precise, her spear moving perfectly in her hands. Nom’s father had taught him a few moves before, but nothing like this. He wondered with awe if he could be like that someday.
He looked down at the bags he carried. Filled to the brim with stolen food. Nom felt a sudden wave of guilt. A true knight wouldn't steal. Could he ever live up to that? He shook his head, turning away. All he had to worry about was Katie. Nothing else mattered.
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He made it home just as the sun began to rise. Opening the door Nom stopped in his tracks. Katie sat curled up on the couch, holding Nom’s note tightly, sobbing.
“Katie?” Her head snapped up as he entered. She ran to him, hugging him tight.
“You… rotten, rotten boy!” She sobbed into his shirt. “I.. I thought you were gone. I thought you were gone and you wouldn't come back.”
Slowly Nom kneeled, pulling his sister close. How could he do that to her? How could he have even thought of disappearing, even for a moment? He had to protect her.
Nom thought of his father at that moment. How he had promised. And how he up and left them. Nom would never be like that.
“Katie, I will always be here for you. I promise. I won’t leave you behind.”