Bring Him Home (Alex)

[Brynn Reade]

Screams, shouts, banging, clinging, a dreadful symphony tormented Brynn’s ears for hours now. Sometimes she wished she could just cover her ears, squeeze her eyes shut and be done with it all, denying what was happening. Camelot was under attack – not the first time she was living through, but this time was the worst! An army of undead soldiers seemed to storm the ramparts tirelessly, mercilessly, and by now everyone was sure Camelot couldn’t hold for much longer. The omnipresent feeling of fear lay like a blanket over the tiny room, squeezing the life out of Brynn, the hope, everything that was left and good inside her, leaving only despair and dread.

He was out there. Her father was out there giving his blood trying to fight a hopeless battle. Was he even still alive? No, better not think too intently about that fact!! He would live! Papa couldn’t simply NOT be returning anymore as he always did. Dead tired and bruised, but breathing! He had survived so many fights and skirmishes… he HAD to come home again!
Maybe there was still a chance to win? Maybe the odds were not as terribly as the rumors flying from mouth to mouth made them?
Keep him safe, keep him safe, keep him safe, she repeated in her mind to no one in particular. She clinged to these words like a life saver as if she could create a protecting shield around her father if she just kept on muttering.

Never before in her life had she felt so tempted to use her powers, to at least try it even if she knew it would most likely not do any good. It seemed so easy when she thought about it: Sneaking out there into the courtyard or maybe even just to a place where she could open a window to feel connected with the wind, then she would ask him to rise up in a might never known before, sweeping those immortal foes away from Camelot. They might not die, but they surely couldn’t do anything against being blown away!
But it was hopeless! Even if she made it out unscathed, she surely was not as powerful as to conjure a storm like that. She would have to stay here… and endure.

Like this she sat on her bed for a while, her arms hugging her knees, the chin resting on her kneecaps, trying to crowd everything out. Her mother was looking after the little ones, trying to distract them with stories, but keeping everything ready in case they would have to flee. Flee where? As if they had anywhere to turn to with thousands of foes already swarming the lower city! “Can I leave you alone?” her mother had asked earlier and Brynn had nodded bravely. Now she would have liked company more than anything else, but she couldn’t just find it in her to stand up.


Tag: Alex
Time of Day: Evening
Timeline: During the attack in "The Coming of Arthur I"[/size]

[Alexander]

Alex was thinking more clearly then ever before. He had known exactly what he was doing from the moment he stepped out of his house's front door and into the street. As night approached quickly the entire city seemed to be alive with a chaos that appeared to want to swallow the city whole. The sun's last dying reaches cast deep shadows which Alex clung to like a vine seeking every escape from the open air. More then once Alex halted his movements as the dark soldiers ran past. He could not chance whether they were for or against Camelot, not when he had somewhere to be.
He could see his mother holding Lita tight to her as they locked the basement's hidden door behind them. Alex had re-hidden the entrance himself as his step-father called lightly through the door that if Alex did not return safely he would find a way to bring him back to life if only to kill him again. Alex ran quietly over the cobbled path between houses as he tried to put Lita's tear covered face out of his mind. He could not think of that now. He had somewhere to be, and someone whom he had to see. Never before had something ever been this clear in his mind.

Alex's heart must have skipped a beat when not two-minutes from the castle entrance he sought. A brush against his arm was the only warning as he dodged a dark figure who ran by. He thanked the stars that the person didn't seem to notice and he entered the castle while breathing a sigh of relief. For a moment he paused and shut out all of the noise and leaned against the wall just breathing. He honestly could not believe that he had made it to the castle while the enemy seemed to be everywhere. He was sure that if he were not so familiar with the lesser known paths, that he would have been caught. He could not bring himself to think of what would have happened if he was.
As soon as he caught his breath he began to move again. He knew exactly where he was going and turned the corners of the corridors sharply as to lessen the time it took him to get to his destination. When he got to the door he sought, Alex tapped it quietly.

"Brynn?" He called softly. Alex knew he must look a mess as he was now. His hair stuck in every direction and he had tears in his clothes where he had caught along rough stone or tripped on his way here. However, at the moment all he could think about was the overwhelming need to make sure Brynn was alright. He needed to see for himself that she was unharmed or his mind would conjure up the worst images. His panic left him with adrenaline that caused a slight shake in his hands. He tapped again at the door willing it to open. He knew that he had to see Brynn, it was something that nagged at his mind. He knew that he could not have stayed hidden if he did not know she was safe. Perhaps, it hadn't been the safest thing to do, but it was a need that drove him to ignore all common sense.

"Brynn, it's Alex. Tell me you are ok."

[Brynn Reade]

Her mind was still far away from where her body was, not concerned with her actual surroundings, she felt like a statue, cold and immobile, only capable of one single thought: Papa, where are you?
He was not the only person in peril she cared for, before the attack had reached the castle Brynn had been almost crazy with worry about Alex, as the bakery of his family and therefore his home was situated in the lower town. But a tiny voice of reason had always tried to tell her: Those soldiers aim for the castle, they have no quarrel in the city… Alex might be safer than you are once the ramparts fall…

So her father had become her prime concern, and every scream that echoed through the castle, reaching down into the servant’s quarters send her wincing in shock. Hadn’t that been his voice? Was he able to ward off the foe, had he maybe even found a place to hide? Fleeing and hiding from such overwhelming odds was not a shame in Brynn’s eyes, all that mattered was that he came home! What would they all do without him? Without the calming, loving presence of John Reade… no! It was NOT an option!

So deep she was in her thoughts the light tapping on her door did simply escape her, until a soft voice accompanied it. A voice that sent the statue alive in mere seconds, making Brynn scramble off the bed with a low outcry, pulling the door open with all her force, sending it crashing against the wall. “ALEX!”
She hurled herself into his arms, not thinking twice about it, just wanting to hold him as close as possible, grasping the thought that he was really here.
After a moment, she pushed him back slightly, examining his tattered appearance and messed up hair, giving a shocked gasp. “Goodness, don’t tell me you’ve been battling your way through the city?!”

But yet, he had to, how else could he be here? Such foolishness! But she didn’t have it in her to scold him or anything, she just wanted to lean against him and cry, finally getting rid of all the tension inside her.
“Come in, please and sit down, take a deep breath!” she asked him and tugged at his hand. “At least you are safe…”

[Alexander]

There was a loud noise as the door swung and hit the wall, and suddenly Alex felt his arms grow heavy. He let them automatically close and hold onto Brynn tightly as he assured himself she was alright. His heart felt about ready to jump right out of his chest, but it started to slow as he tilted his head to rest on hers. Alex could do nothing in that moment but let himself breath in and out while repeating in his head that she was ok. That no harm had come to her. Suddenly it was as if twenty pounds had dropped from his shoulders and he almost felt as if he would cry at any moment.

"Battling towards you. I couldn't stay hidden without knowing if you were ok." He said softly as she pulled back. He leaned in and rested his forehead against her own while sighing to himself. His energy started to drop and lag as the exhaustion from his wild run through the city caught up to him. Alex let Brynn lead him by the hand further inside and shut the door behind him with his foot. His eyes were alert even if his limbs felt leaden with tiredness, and he sat heavily on the nearest piece of furniture he could find.

Suddenly, Alex felt as if the noise of the fights breaking out, and the clamor of chaos all seemed to die. It was all descended into a quiet muffled murmuring at the back of his mind. He sank into his own relief and thanked the stars he now knew that all of his loved ones were safe. He peered at Brynn and saw the worry on her features. He knew that her father fought for Camelot and sent out his prayers to her father. He wished he could do something to ease her worry, but he had not seen anyone recognizable on his flight.

"The fighting is concentrated near the castle walls. The lower towns are all but abandoned by the soldiers of either side." He said quietly. All the assurance he could give her at the moment was that the citizens who had stayed inside their homes seemed relatively untouched. The enemies seemed to be concentrated on breaking the castle rather then decimating the population of Camelot. What Alex couldn't figure out was why the soldiers seemed to know exactly how to get around the defenses and why they skipped the people in the towns. However, with Brynn in front of him, he put away his dark thoughts for later.

[Brynn Reade]

Sometimes it still seemed like a miracle to Brynn how deeply Alex seemed to care for her – and she for him! The relief of seeing him safe by her side might be crowded out by the still very prominent worry about their future in general and her father’s in particular, but she could feel the echo of it being there as she leaned in as well, taking in Alex’ very presence, his scent and the feeling of his breath on her face. He was here, now she could start to believe a bit more that things would turn out fine in the end. If Alex could find a way past two raging armies and reach the castle almost unscathed, how much more would her father be able to do that with a sword to defend himself?

“How do I deserve you?” she muttered quietly and actually managed a small smile. “you’re my personal hero now, just so you know. Completely crazy, but still a hero!”

Brynn was very relieved to hear her notion being confirmed. So the sweet little Lita and Alex kind mother were as safe as anyone could be concerning the circumstances. One thing less to worry about, and seeing Alex so composed and relieved, made her happy as well. Though a tiny sting of jealousy remained. It was not his fault his family had nothing to do with defending Camelot and she was more than sure that either his stepfather or Alex himself wouldn’t hestitate a second to take up the fight themselves should the need arise. Alex had done so before after all. However proud Brynn was of her father most of the time, sometimes she wished he would be a carpenter or a smith or anything else that would keep him away from mortal danger.

“That’s… that’s great news!” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder, trying desperately to appear brave. However, Alex had been able to read in her from the start, he migh very well seen past that feeble act. “Mother and the little ones are fine as well, just on edge and ready to run and hide… wherever we could. Just…”
And there did it go her show of bravery. One tear started trail down her cheek and some others were quick to follow. It just was too much to bear right now. Relief and worry didn’t mix well, as didn’t trying to appear composed and the proximity of the man who had always been able to bring out her true self.

[Alexander]

"Deserve me? I'm still asking myself how you can put up with me." He joked quietly. He couldn't manage more then a slight chuckle that ended up sound more like a short cough. He kept his eyes directly on her and it was as if he was lost in a snowstorn and had seen the marker of shelter in the distance. For a brief second he was safe and Brynn was safe and he let himself ignore the noises of fighting that seemed to muffled to be real and not a figment of his imagination. He could not even bring himself to joke about the hero phrasing of her remark.

At the mention that her mother and siblings were safe Alex felt a bit of relief. He was quite fond of her family and was glad to hear they were relatively safe at the moment.
However, Alex picked up right away as Brynn's voice started to waiver. As soon as he saw a tear his heart broke for her and he took her hand with one of his own. His other hand was raised to her cheek, and he gently brushed away her tears with his finger tips. He didn't speak for a moent and pulled her into a hug. He burried his face in her hair and kept his silence. He was aware that sometimes words were not necessary, even though it seemed to contract with his normal nature. However, this was not a normal night, and he was sure that the world had been turned on its head.

When he pulled back it was to look into her eyes. He bent his head so that they were on the same level and said quite clearly, "Everything is going to be ok." He didn't elaborate because he couldn't explain exactly why he had said it. He just knew that somehow things were going to be ok if they just held on. Alex knew that at this juncture in time, he was taking a bit of an optomistic view, but he just clasped onto anything that could bring Brynn some comfort. He could not see her cry like this. It was too hard to know he could not do anything to help. The overwhelming feeling of helplessness was most likely the worst feeling he had ever expierienced. No other moment in his life had been as trying, and he couldn't imagine what Brynn was feeling. So he just held her and let himself anchor her. That was all he could offer and he hoped it would be a good start.

[Brynn Reade]

It was one of the things Brynn loved most about Alex, that he could chase away worries and fears with one simple sentence. Had the situation been a different one, she might have laughed at that, coming up with some semi-witty remark or the other. Being constantly so close to Alex had heightened her abilities of speech quite a bit. Of course she was still no match for his witty and flowery remarks, but every now and again she had already managed to surprise him and – in truth – herself by coming up with something sharp and fancy.
Not now though. It would take too long to think of anything, so she simply chuckled and raised her right hand to fondly cup his cheek, letting her eyes speak for herself. All she muttered was: “Don’t worry, most of the time I know what I am doing. As long as you know when to shut up…”

And that he did know. Brynn didn’t need wordly reassurance now how very safe her father could be considered, and how Camelot had always pulled through every attack, even that of the mighty dragon. Words couldn’t help her now, but deeds could. Alex simply being her, holding her but letting her cry was all she needed, but that she needed dearly, she realised. Had she been alone for any much longer, she might have gone insane. Alex loving presence was distracting her from the noises outside, she didn’t listen for any cry or shout anymore, she was in fact finally starting to calm down, placing her father’s fate into the hands of a benevolent entity. She could do nothing to help him, all she had left was hope. But hope was better than nothing and it always died last.

Alex move of catching her tears was such a sweet one that it made her tears flow even more, but now it were tears of sheer gratitude. However much he insisted on being a nuisance, she knew better, she knew it could only be a miracle he was always there for her, aiding her in her hour of need – loving her. In some cheesy stories Brynn had sometimes heard that love could carry you through everything and she had never believed it – until now.
“Thank you!” Her voice nearly broke as she was still crying, but she tried to put all sincerity in those two words she could possibly muster. “Your confidence is… is helping me more than you could know!” Again she leaned against him, squeezing his hand, inhaling the soft smell of newly baked bread he always carried on him, though now it was mixed with the smell of smoke and... something else she didn't want to dwell on. “He always returned to us, he will this time!” she told more herself than him. “Immortal foe or not, my father is not just wiped out like that!”

[Alexander]

"Then I believe we shall be alright, for I have learned quite well when to stop speaking." Alex replied with a small smile. He was glad that even in this dark hour they could still find it inside of themselves to uphold their banter. It said far more of them then any fake assurances would. It let Alex know that there was still hope, despite the seemingly overwhelming odds. He could take comfort knowing that no matter what was happening, Brynn would still be there with him.

Alex knew that this fight was different and that many believed all might be lost, but Alex had been around long enough to know that there was always a light to guide Camelot out of peril. Alex knew that somewhere out there Arthur was still alive. That alone gave him hope. While there were still people like Arthur and like the others who bravely fought for Camelot, there would always be a way to a better future. Alex could never bring himself to believe in no win scenarios. It was not in his nature to give up, even when the battle seemed already lost.

"If I am helping even a little, I am accomplishing my goal." He said into Brynn's hair as he held her close to him. For some reason Brynn always smeeled like a breath of fresh spring air, even when they were indoors. It was a comforting scent that made Alex smile slightly.
When Brynn spoke of her father, Alex nodded and again pulled back to look at her. His eyes were defiant and his voice was filled with certainty when he spoke.
"Your father is one of the bravest men I know. I am confident he will return."
Alex smiled and then pulled Brynn back into a hug. He felt himself put every ounce of his being into praying that Brynn's father would be alright. Alex found himself slightly surprised to feel small tears gather and linger at the corners of his eyes. He let them fall without a sound.

[Brynn Reade]

A small chuckle, only lasting for a second, rewarded Alex for his confident remark. Brynn was pretty sure Alex could not be silent for more than five minutes, but that was something she loved about him. She was quiet enough for both of them, and they both seemed to have a good influence on each other when together. Brynn was inclined to speak more, actually voicing what was only in her head normally, and Alex might want to let a chance for a comeback pass once in a while. Of course she could not compare, but her mother had told Brynn once that ever since Alex and her had fallen in love, she found the young man to be more serene than she had come to know him.
Whether this was true or not Brynn didn’t care, she didn’t want Alex to be any different.
“So?” she mocked him. “Oh well, I’m inclined to trust you this once, without putting this notion to the test.”

It was still hard to grasp. That Alex had defied battle and danger to sneak into the castle, all the long way from the lower town to be with her. Brynn couldn’t even fathom that amount of love she felt directed towards her, and hadn’t been the situation as such, she would have broke out into a song of sheer glee. How could she possibly ever repay Alex or even find words or any kind of expression to show how deeply grateful she was? She didn’t deserve any of this, and yet here she was holding it in her hands like the most rare and precious treasure.“Just a minute ago I would have swore this to be an impossible goal to achieve”, she confessed with a sigh. “But you always do the impossible, Alex. One could really envy you for that, didn’t it help me so much!”

When Alex spoke, reassuring her in that grave kind of way, she didn’t feel annoyed like she had been so sure she would. Coming from his mouth, she believed the unbelievable words, they were not shallow phrases to her. Anyone could call anyone the bravest man he knew, but Brynn felt deep down inside her that Alex wasn’t just saying this to comfort her. For the girl herself, John Reade was the bravest man on earth, ranking even before Prince Arthur and any other knight she knew. Her father served with devotion and acted like a knight even though he could never be one. He couldn’t hide behind a false sense of nobility, and that made him even more chivalrous in Brynn’s eyes. He would drain his dearest veins for this city and the people living in it.

Suddenly she felt something bedewing her temple, like a rain drop from above, but this was impossible, right? She shifted in Alex’ arms and found some spare tears running down his cheeks, which took her completely by surprise. The cheery Alex, crying?!
Her heart brimmed over with love for this amazingly caring man, and for a moment all she could do was watch the tears, mesmerized by them. Then she slowly moved both hands to frame his face and brought his head down to her level, gently placing her lips on a single tear.
“Don’t cry, love! Please, don’t cry!”

[Alexander]

"Some say that trust is the foundation of love." Alex said simply while giving a small smile. He knew he had changed since meeting Brynn. No longer as flighty as he used to be, and only flirty with her. When she entered a room he looked nowhere else, and he found he did not want to look elswhere anyway. Alex believed he had changed for the better, and he knew his mother would certainly agree with him. His family as a whole had taken an instant liking to Brynn. They liked that Alex had something steady and grounded in his life. That, and Lita was starstruck by the older girl. She even endevered to wear her hair the same way.

"I will do the impossible if it makes you happy." He said quite seriously. The trip had indeed been dangerous, but he would do it again in a heartbeat. The risk had seemed little when he thought that Brynn might be hurt or in trouble. It was only when he arrived that his extrme luck in reaching the castle had struck him. Any misstep would have been utterly disasterous. However, Alex had never been one for thinking before he rushed into action. He might have changed, but not that much.

Alex felt Brynn kiss his cheek and realised that meeting her was one of the most fortunous things that had ever occured to him. It was luckier then his miraculous journey to the castle. He chuckled softly and took her hands into his own before speaking.
"Trust you to be the strong one. I should most likely be embarrassed, but I think I shall save that for another time." He said in response to her. He had only ever cried in front of someone once since he was a very little child. It had been when he thought he would lose his honorary sister to a false accusation. He had not thought he would shed tears again, but perhas he had thought too soon.

Alex leaned into Brynn and ignored a particularly loud crash from outside the castle walls. He ignored it because at that moment it was irrelevent. Perhaps the gates were now open, but he did not think to move. He doubted whatever political sturggles were occuring that two servents would be dragged into it. However, he knew the instant he heard something inside the castle he would then get them safely hidden. He would not put Brynn in any kind of danger.

[Brynn Reade]

Truer words than those of Alex’ mouth this very instant had probably never been spoken. Although it had not been because she trusted Alex that she had fallen in love with him, but now she knew she could lay her world in his hands and it would stay intact and be well guarded. And if that was possible it made her love him even more. He had become her safe haven in a world that was so very unstable all of a sudden. Even Camelot, the mighty stronghold of her life was about to fall, but Alex would always be there.
“Some might be right!” she agreed and returned the smile, taking in the features of the man she loved like she was seeing him for the very first time. Who knew what the dawning day would bring, she wanted to savour this moment, treasure it in her heart for all eternity.
“I don’t believe you ever could do anything to spurn my trust in you!”

His promise was enough to make her heart melt, though she also couldn’t quite erase the worry in her heart. He might do something reckless and get hurt in his eagerness to make her happy. Brynn knew she would never be able to forgive herself if something happened to Alex because of her. No, this was not an option! And if she had to cling to him for dear life and forsake every ounce of pride she had left, begging him on her knees to stay safe with her!
“Even you can’t do everything, love, and I never would ask you to” she said with a sigh. “Right now you couldn’t do anything better than what you’re doing right now: Be here for me!”
Brynn was sure though Alex knew exactly what would make her most happy and the knowledge stood between them, unsaid but almost tangible.

As a response to his almost bashful remark, Brynn chuckled and lifted his hands to her lips, kissing the rough skin of his fingers. “Oh, I am anything but strong! I cried as well, and I still might! Shedding tears for someone you love should never be something you’re ashamed of, Alex. It shows your golden heart more than anything!”
She moved in to kiss him, fully on the lips this time, but very gently at first. But when she, too, heard the mighty crash outside her kiss turned almost desperate, her hands gripping his forearms tight, as if she wanted to make sure he was there and would stay here, as if by shutting out everything else with all might the fact she knew to be true would come undone:
Camelot’s gates had fallen.

[Alexander]

"I hope indeed that I may retain you trust for all the time to come." Alex replied quite gravely. He found that he did have the capacity to be serious in some matters. His loyalty to Brynn was definitely one of those matters. He found himself smiling despite the overwhelming urge to remain completely straight faced. Camelot might be shaking at the moment, but to Alex everything seemed still. As if time had decided to cease existing for a moment. There was only the silence of the room and the familiar feel that was his own heartbeat.
Not in all of his life had he felt so settled. Perhaps it was ironic that in a moment of chaos Alex was finnaly sure of his center of being. However, it was hardly surprising that something odd happened to Alex. He never did much properly anyways.

"If you say I can do no better, then I am content. Allow me to do you this service in all times to come." He replied with his old smile. He still felt a bit useless hiding away, but he figured that with Brynn looking at him like that, it was nigh impossible for him to look away, let alone leave. Thousand pound lead weights could not have kept him attached to that spot any better then Brynn's gaze. He was affixed in that position and completly captive to her will. He was oh so willing to do so. With a word he would stay by her side as long as she wished him there.

Somewhere in his mind Alex found himself amused that Brynn had done what no one else could. Alex for once was quiet and sitting still. His mother might die of a heartattack if she saw such a thing. He knew for certain that at the very least he would never hear the end of it. His mother would also love Brynn even more, if that were even possible at this point. Alex sometimes wondered if she loved Brynn more then him. Not that he could blame her. He loved Brynn more then himself as well. It was hard not to when every breath he took an every thought he had was centered on her.

Alex did not respond but gladly took Brynn up into his arms. He let them encirle her and drew her in a close as physically possible. He almost lost himself to her and only the cold floor against his shoes kept him grounded. If anything, he would rather he end up lost indeed. He moved his mouth to kiss her jaw and then her cheeks, before returning to her lips. It was all he could do to just continue to reassure himself she was still there.

[Brynn Reade]

All time to come… that sounded nice. It made her feel safe and secure – as safe and secure as you could be given the circumstances. As if there really was some time to come yet, that the world would not end tonight. You never knew – it could. But whatever the outcome, Alex would stay with her, she knew that now, and it made her feel like she just discovered Camelot’s most precious treasure, and was allowed to keep it! This she would not trade for anything in the world, even though right now no one knew what tomorrow would bring.
“I couldn’t see why not!”, she replied, squeezing his hand tight. The room felt so much more comfortable and … home-like with him sitting on her bed beside her. Almost as if he belonged there.

Again he said it, and Brynn couldn’t help but believe him. When Alex said something like that in his own way of conviction, no one could ever disagree with him, it just was true – that’s at least what Brynn had thought from the start. The world needed more people like him, but at the same time she was not willing to share, at least not for now. It might be selfish, but as things were she had to look out for number one.
“Then it is set”, she nodded and tipped his nose in an attempt to lighten the gravity of the situation. “You simply stay here for all eternity, I like the thought”, she teased, but there was some truth hidden behind her jesting tone. “It might get boring for you after a while, but see, that’s what you get for falling for an oh-so-clinging goosemaiden.”
She really hoped he would tell her the moment he felt ruled by her, or overwhelmed. Alex still had a free spirit and Brynn would hate to ever quench it.

When Alex responded to the kiss, he managed what nothing else could have done earlier. She completely forgot about the gates, forgot about the foreign army about to take over the citadel, yes, she even forgot about her father being out there. No thought at all did matter anymore, she was reduced to mere feeling, and yet it didn’t feel like being ‘reduced’ to something. This was what she needed right now, like a remedy against the fear.
But it also beared its risk, like every remedy. The danger made Brynn reckless and she was as willing to cross a line they had never toed before as she ever could be. Alex lips on her own lips, her jaw, her neck, it made her feel so… alive! And she wanted life, she could not think of anything she wanted more right now.

With a low moan she entangled her fingers into his already messy hair, while her other hand moved over his back, bringing him even closer, if that was physically possible.

[Alexander]

((Back!!!!!))

For a moment after he had spoken, Alex had wondered whether he was moving too fast. When Brynn didn't pull away or freak out at his wish to never leave, Alex felt his smile grow. He was sure that nothing could ever truly make him leave his behind. The bond was one he would never test, although he knew it could stand against anything.
"Neither could I. Come soldiers or angry geese." He replied lightly. He tried to keep the mood clear from the thick fear that seemed to hover around them a careful distance away. It crept close but never seemed to get its grip on Alex. He figured he was a bit too preoccupied simply observing Brynn. Or perhaps it was simple denial that everything they knew might change starting tonight.

"You will never be boring." He responded seriously. His voice got a bit deeper as his smile remained in place. Alex barely blinked for fear that Brynn would disappear the moment he looked away. He could not even fathom a day where he would not want to see her. He barely had moments without her where it wasn't her face that drifted through his thoughts. Where her voice wasn't always in the back of his mind. It almost scared him how strongly he held her so close to his heart. It was something he had never felt before and it left a strange dropping sensation in his stomach that was not all that uncomfortable.
When she called herself clingy Alex merely tilted his head and laughed softly. If she was clingy then he was as clutching as a vine up the castle walls. Alex guessed that in that way they were a completely perfect match.

She responded to his kiss and he grinned into her cheek. Alex pulled back to look at her. He waited fr a long moment before he spoke. When he did speak it was barely audible.
"I love you... In a scary 'sing songs and hold flowers outside your window' way." He said with all of the tact he could possibly manage while he held himself back from kissing Brynn again. Something just made him have to say it. He couldn't stop the words from spilling out, nor did he want to stop himself.

[Brynn Reade]

It was all that Brynn needed when he told her she never would be boring in his eyes. That was one of her greatest fears sometimes. Not that anyone had ever accused her of a lack of spirit, she just knew that especially her family looked upon her as their responsible eldest, always there when they needed her, a figure her younger siblings looked up to. She didn’t mind being all that, she even liked it that way, but there were still times when the responsibility of it all seemed to choke her. She was young, she wanted to be free of commitments! Her time alone with the wind and when she was dancing was when she got a glimpse of that freedom. And then Alex had happened upon her life, taking her castle of responsibility by storm, changing her life about. Her biggest fear now was she was not enough for him, that she really had grown too old beyond her age already.
“Thanks, my love, you don’t know how much that means!” she said, snuggling into his arms. “But if you EVER feel like I should be a little less down to earth, then please say so, alright?”

One part of Brynn was disappointed when Alex pulled away, and another part was glad he did. It was a weird mix of feelings. She still wanted him to be as close as possible, so feeling him could crowd out the fear that just had its way of sneaking up on her again the minute she was able to think. But what he said then made up for any disappointment, more than that, it simply took her breath away. He sounded so true, so sincere, and those words were so unusual coming from him, who always used many more flowery expressions to tell what he wanted say, that it made them even more precious. Though of course she had to smile at the thought of Alex serenading under her window – given she even had one. But this chamber, like all those of the servants, were located deep down into the interiors of the citadel and hence windowless.
“I love you too”, she answered simply, locking his gaze with a fine smile playing around her lips. “But I don’t even know what I would do to prove it to you. See, I’m not that creative. Me telling you in simple words might have to do!”

She was just about to lean in to get another kiss out of Alex, when the door opened quietly without even so much as a knock, and Brynn’s mother looked through the door crack. Blushing bright crimson, Brynn leaned back while her mother entered, looking surprised. “Oh, Alex! I didn’t know you were in the citadel! I just came to check on Brynn as the little ones are sleeping now.” Her voice quivered the tiniest bit. “They say the gates have fallen.”

[Alexander]

Alex laughed a bit at her response. He knew that she had always carried the weight of watching over her siblings with her. He could relate to it when he thought of his own need to watch over Lita. He also found it rather cute that she thought this made her boring when in fact he admired her all the more for it. He thought a moment before he replied.
"I am glad you are so down to earth. It is all the better that you hold me here when I feel like I could fly every moment you hold me." Alex said with a small grin. Even in terrible danger and with the wight of the world hovering, Alex could not resist giving a bit of his normal teasing. He always referred to Brynn as his angel, so it was ironic that he felt like the one floating.

She loved him. It was all he could do not to stand and spin her in dizzying circles as he had the night they met. At that moment Camelot could fall to ruin and Alex would not blink an eye. Guilt coursed through him as soon as he thought this, but he was utterly distracted not a moment later.
"You need not tell me any more, for I feel as if my very heart would explode if you made me any happier." He said fervently. He could not help himself and kissed her again. If it were possible, Alex would never let her go. Reality forced him to lean back again, but every minute was a strain against his impulse to hold her close again. From the way that Brynn leaned in as well, Alex could only guess she felt similarly. If Alex had not already known that she had his heart so irrevocably, the way he felt when he looked upon her now would have left him with not a single doubt.

A blush heated Alex's cheeks as he heard the door open and turned to see Brynn's mother. He instinctivly went to back away from Brynn, but stayed in place when he decided he did not care. He was embarrassed that they had been seen, but he resigned himself to the fact that parents were invented solely to interupt their children in the worst possible moments.

At Brynn's mother's words, Alex's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. So Camelot had indeed been breached. Alex reached out and took Brynn's hand in his own, while he calmed himself by remembering that his family and Brynn's were all right for now. Once again he sent a quick prayer for her father.
"Then we must keep our candles lit so they may see us through this dark hour."

[Brynn Reade]

Being praised by Alex had never ceased to make Brynn slightly uncomfortable. In the beginning it had been because she hadn’t been sure whether to take his flowery speech at face value, not knowing what was really behind it. But now she was sure he meant every word, it made her even more embarrassed, for whatever reason. It was not like her to accept praise easily, she guessed, coming from an equally down-to-earth family with a father that had no use for much words and rather showed his affection in deeds, and a mother who might be the overly fussy type, but also more likely do to something before she talked about it. It was not Brynn didn’t appreciate his loving words, even through her embarrassment she realised she was probably the luckiest girl on earth.
“You’re a madcap”, she chided him softly, pecking his cheek. “But I love you for it! Never change, hear?”

Was it fair she ought to feel such effervescent happiness in a moment of peril such as this, when the fate of a whole kingdom was teethering on knife’s edge, was maybe even doomed already? Perhaps not, but when Alex’ lips met hers again Brynn couldn’t care less about fairness. It was the best way to be shut up, lips sealed by those of your beloved. No, in this very moment Brynn did not care to say another word, maybe not ever. If someone burst into this room right now, even someone with vicious intentions to end her life right here and there, Brynn found she would not care. As she would die happy.
“Then, love, I will not say another word”, she whispered against his lips as he leaned back. Why did he have to? Now that was a moment Brynn cared deeply about fairness and unfairness!

The sudden arrival of her mother jerked Brynn back into reality with a sickening sinking feeling in her guts. It was one thing to suspect it, but it was an entirely different thing to know it for a fact: With a breach in the walls or the gates, the citadel wouldn’t hold for long. Brynn had watched the approach of those countless soldiers early like nearly everyone else. Camelot had many soldiers, but not as many to overpower this mass of a foe. And her father was amongst it all.

She squeezed Alex’ offered hand tight, biting her lips hard to keep from bursting into tears again. She had to be strong. Crying would not get her anywhere.
Her mother nodded, outwardly composed, but Brynn knew her well enough to know what lay behind her mask of strength. Megan Reade was about to break as well. “You are right there, Alex.” She said though, offering him a brave smile. “And I am very glad you are here to see my girl through. Can I trust you to guide her to safety should the need arise?”
Brynn jerked her head up, looking at her mother in bewilderment. “Mom…? What are you getting at?”
Something was turning over and over in her mother's mind, she could almost feel it.

[Alexander]

"If I am a madcap, it is only because you drive me so completely mad." Alex replied cheekily and grinned. Only Brynn could cause him to forget what happened just outside of the castle walls, or rather inside them now. Alex knew that perhaps it was in poor taste to feel any joy at all at the moment, but it was hard not to when Brynn was so close. At her request to not change Alex merely continued to smile. His mother had told him quite frequently that he should do quite the opposite and give her enough silence so that she could hear herself think.

"Ah, but even in silence, do eyes not speak as much? Though I may speak an hour on the lovlieness of your eyes, are they not the food for such musings? If you could read my glance, would it not tell you that I am loathe to wallow in silence when I could hear your voice? But then my logic has gone in a circle and now I have lost my train of thought. So you see, you must continue to speak for I am lost without you to interupt my aimless chatter." He spoke rather whimsically.
Alex wasn't even sure he could follow his own logic at times but it filled the silence and kept the illusion that there was no clashing of swords outside and that Camelot was as it used to be. Perhaps the words were confusing, but they let him escape from the truth that hovered just out of reach.

Alex could see Brynn was worried when her mother entered. He could feel the same creeping of fear in his own body. When her mother asked him if he would keep Brynn safe his eyes hardened with determination. It was a rare moment in which Alex's features were still and serious. Not often did he ever portray this kind of calm, but the topic of Brynn's saftey was not one he could laugh at.

"You can be assured that no harm will come to her. You have my word." Alex said. His tone was even and controlled even though the very thought of something happening to Brynn had his stomach in free fall. Brynn's mother's words had him on sudden edge and also left him wondering why the question was asked. It did not bode well and left him with a feeling like they were standing on quicksand and would only realise what it was when it was too late.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn laughed and shook her head, resigning to her fate. She would never win a battle of words against this man! He always would have the last word, there was not much she could do about it, and so she better took it with good grace.
“Alright, alright, I give in”, she sighed in fake annoyance, but not hiding the grin that spread over her face. “If you were as good with a sword than you were with your words, you would outshine every knight of Camelot, even Prince Arthur himself! There should be a tournament of wordsmiths one day. I am sure you would win!” Joking was all well and good, just that the subject of knights, fighting and tournament were too close to the reality going on in the castle for comfort. Who knew what the new day would bring? Would there be any knights left to hold a tournament in future days? Right now they were not fighting for glory but for sheer survival. And they could very well die… while facing an immortal foe.

Alex words were a welcome distraction there. Brynn tried to follow his line of logic, but soon got lost. Was he talking about her eyes, his eyes, any eyes at all? And he wanted her to speak? Or not? Chuckling to herself, she gave up understanding what he said, and just listened, until he admitted himself he was lost in his own words. Only one thing she still understood, he apparently wanted her to take up the thread of conversation for the same reason: No silence should ensue, nothing should make them hear the shouts of the desperate, of the dying… while they kept talking they could pretend it was just a normal evening.
“I see, I see”, she mused, cocking her head in thinking. “You know I am not a girl of words, but for your sake I will try. So what should I tell you? I think what is relevant you already know of me, and you see into my soul anyway.” Now that was not entirely true. There was something she had not even told Alex. Because she could tell no one.

The queasy feeling in Brynn’s stomach wouldn’t go away, it intensified even as she watched her mother stay in silent pondering for a little while. What was on her mind? It could not be anything pleasant. And her thoughts were confirmed the minute Megan spoke up.
“Good then. We don’t know what those foreign soldiers will do once they find no one anymore who resists them” Brynn saw her shudder and had to swallow a big lump in her throat as well. “At the first sign they are coming down here, please Alex, take Brynn and run. I will stay and wait for my husband to come and seek shelter. I cannot leave this place until I know what became of him.” Brynn opened her mouth to speak up, but no sound was coming. Was she being serious? When she met her mother’s eyes she saw ice cold determination. She seemed to mean every word. Megan Reade was a soldier’s wife. She would stay true to him to the very end.

[Alexander]

"If I did win a tournament, it would be in your name." Alex said with another quick smile. He could imagine such an event. Banners flying and horns announcing as the contestents entered the arena. Oh the laughter that would ensue. No clashing of weapons, but only of words. A tournament that would never end in bloodshed, and would not be violent. Alex wished such tournaments were allowed as opposed to men fighting as if it were good. Alex did not see what good could come of weapons and agression. Perhaps it was merely Alex's nature to be against conflict.
Alex was unnerved with how close actual fighting was at the moment. Whether it was for glory or survival Alex always had a bitter taste in his mouth about it. Perhaps it was foolish indeed to wish for a world where words replaced steel. At least words never killed anyone.

Alex touched Brynn's cheek softly as she spoke. Her words were more comfoting then she could know. Alex would always be content to merely listen to her. Perhaps that was why his few moments of quiet were always when she was around. He also felt more happiness then he could describe knowing that they were so open with each other. Alex had never been a secretive person, but he hadn't always shared every feeling with others. He was glad to know there was someone he could always trust so completely with his innermost thoughts.
"That I may see into your soul is a complement greater then any I could possibly recieve. Know that anything you ever desire, you may ask of me. And know I shall never hide anything from you." He spoke quietly as he moved his hand from her face to touch her own hand. He looked at the hands and then back up at her face.

Brynn's mother spoke and Alex was unsure of how to respond. On one hand he did not want to leave the woman who he was so fond of and who had accepted him as family, but on the other hand he knew too well how she felt. How could he deny her the right to wait for the one she loved, when he knew he would do the same a thousand times over. If it were Brynn he would be as unmovable as a boulder.
"I will respect your wishes." Alex said seriously. Alex was a man of his word and would follow through on anything he said. A sudden rush of admiration for the strong woman found its way into Alex and he let himself give her a nod. He would not be happy to leave Brynn's mother, but he would not let anything happen to Brynn either. He saw that Brynn could not speak and let his fingers lace through hers to give her any comfort he could.