Schwane Zwei: Chapter 2

Many, many thanks to EarthStarChan and Asatira for acting as my betas. We'll likely need the quality control as the story continues.

A quick reminder, anything written in bold that is not specifically the title of the current chapter, should be taken as text written on a page.
 

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Schwäne Zwei
Chapter 2: The Princes

Once upon a time, In the kingdom of Kinkan, there were two princes.

The elder, Siegfried, was the crown prince, and destined for the throne. His kind demeanor and gentle nature were known far and wide. He had perpetually young features, and an easy smile. Many maidens from the kingdom, as well as princesses from neighboring kingdoms, were in love with the "White Prince."

The younger prince, Fakir, was trained in the ways of warfare. Because Siegfried was destined for the throne, Fakir was destined to be the leader of the country's armies. To work in defense of his brother and his kingdom. A duty he set himself to diligently. He had a very serious nature, when coupled with his tall frame and dark features, intimidated any ladies that came to the court.

The difference between the brothers was even more noticeable when the "Black Prince" stood next to his bright and charming brother.

Siegfried laughed softly as he stepped up next to Fakir. His pale blue robes embroidered with gold. Combined with his white shirt, the prince's pale hair seem even lighter than usual. Pale brown eyes sparkled with mirth beneath the golden coronet of the crown prince of Kinkan.

Fakir crossed his arms over the dark blue robes and black tunic embroidered with silver, the color scheme that he favored in an intentional contrast to his brother.  His long dark green hair was kept mostly out of his face by the silver circlet that marked him as a member of the royal family. He snorted briefly at Siegfried's giggle and narrowed emerald eyes at the women retreating down the hallway. Their exit was unfortunately slowed by the absurd amounts of lace, silks and petticoats that were currently in fashion.

"If they didn't feel the necessity to wear twenty pounds of frippery a piece, they could relieve themselves of my unhappy presence even faster."

"Fakir," Siegfried chided.

"They can barely fit down the hallway walking three abreast.  Perhaps I should get a sheepdog to help them manage their way about. It would have more sense than the entire--"

"You really should try to present a more cheerful expression Fakir." Siegfried cut him off sharply without raising the volume of his voice. "Come."

Fakir's frown deepened, but he followed his brother down the hall and out onto one of the large balconies of the palace without voicing complaint. Siegfried leaned against the railing for a long few minutes, staring out over the rolling countryside and the deep forest that began a score of miles east of the castle then extended all the way to the mountains that bordered that side of the kingdom.

Fakir stood rigid for a few moments, but then joined his brother at the railing. He leaned heavily on the banister and watched the comings and goings of the people on the roads nearest the castle. His eyes traced as people passed through the gates of the castle walls and tracked as they came out the other side. No one simply appeared at one side or the other, or changed as they passed through. They simply passed through, and he found something comforting in the simple order and continuity of the mundane event of people passing through the open gates of the siege walls. Just as they had done every single day of his life, and would continue to do long into the unknown future.

Siegfried broke the silence to turn and watch his younger brother, half smiling as he spoke, "You frighten some of the more delicate ladies sometimes, Fakir.  How will you ever fall in love if everyone but the soldiers, Father, and I are terrified to come near you?"

Fakir sighed deeply and turned, still resting most of his weight on the banister as he propped himself up by the elbows, "I don't want any of those girls, Siegfried."

Siegfried kept his smile and shook his head gently, "You do not know any of them. You have not given them a chance, brother."

"I think sometimes," Fakir sighed deeply and slid his eyes back to the comforting sight of people passing through the gates. "I think there already is a girl I love. I just, haven't found her... again yet... But I'll know her when I do."

Siegfried snorted out a laugh. "Really Fakir, I never thought you would be such a--"

"So, I won't waste my time with these featherbrained clotheshorses the way you do." Fakir bit the words out a little more harshly than he had intended.

"Fakir. You should," Siegfried's face was serious and concerned when Fakir looked back up to meet his brother's gaze. "Father set an ultimatum this morning. At the ball this Winter Solstice, we each must choose a fiancé."

Fakir jerked upright, and he felt his face contort with the white hot anger that suddenly flashed through him. "Both of us?! Why me? I'm not crown prince! I shouldn't have to worry about getting married or producing heirs!"

"I," Siegfried hesitated for a long few beats. "Father worries about you. We both do. You're so…"

"So 'what', Siegfried?  What have I done that has not met every expectation that Father should have for me? How have I been found lacking?"

"It's not like that. We just don't want to see you spend your entire life alone, Fakir."

"That damned old man!"

"Fakir!"

The younger prince ignored his elder brother's words, and stormed through the arched doorway and back inside the castle. 

Siegfried stood alone on the balcony for an endless seeming minute as he stared after his brother. "That could have gone better."


A few minutes later Siegfried's swift paces down the ornate hallway caught up to Fakir, concern lacing his voice, "Where are you going?"

Fakir paused, refusing to turn to look at his brother, not trusting his rein in his anger to stop him from lashing out with actions or words he might regret later. "Out hunting. I need to think. I will be back soon enough."

"Be safe, brother."

"I'm not so weak as you seem to think."


 
Somewhere from the darkness, a voice could be heard, "I'm sorry Fakir, but there has to be some crisis on your part to move the story forward."