Chapter Text
Hoseok had always wondered how he’d fall in love.
He had grown up hearing wonderful stories of incredible love that had overcome all odds. Or the funny love story his mother would tell him of a cursed Prince that got tired of waiting one day and went on a journey to find his Prince only to find him stuck in a tree. Hoseok also liked the love stories of how love blossomed in ordinary places to last a life time. The promise of love and the hope it brought was what Hoseok always dreamed of. His mother had told him that because he was extraordinary that the love intended for him would be just as special. So Hoseok waited for that love to arrive and on the eve of his seventeenth birthday, it arrived sitting on a black horse and in full armor.
**
“Sire, we’ve settle everything and Jin is looking after the horses.”
“And, the other?”
“I am sorry Sire but they refused the proposal.” Yoongi sighed. He hadn’t expected Lady Mina’s parents to actually agree to the marriage and on one hand he was relieved. While he hadn’t relished the idea of being in a loveless marriage, he would do it for his people. He Second Prince Yoongi ruler of the Castle North was poor. His father had left their land in ruin and when his brother had taken the throne he had finished the job with gambling debt. By the time his brother had the decency to die, the whole kingdom was stripped of anything valuable and his people were starving. Yoongi had no finery to sell to save his people and so he travelled using his skill as a warrior to win tournaments for petty cash. However the season of tournament and carnival was almost over and Yoongi hadn’t found a wealthy spouse to save him people from poverty.
“It’s fine,” Yoongi said as he stripped off his armor. “Send Jin to go buy the grain for the Southlands and have it be delivered. We should be close enough that the delivery should arrive before we do.”
“Yes, Sire,” his left hand Namjoon bowed and left the tent. Yoongi needed to come up with something quick or risk losing everything.
**
“So what did you find out about the black rider?” Hoseok asked impatiently from his friend.
“His name is Min Yoongi. He’s the Prince of Castle North in the deep mountains. He has been traveling through the tournament circuit and has won the highest place in all of them.”
“So he’s a skilled fighter?”
“He’s more than skilled. He’s unseated anyone who has challenged him in swords, lances, arrows, daggers, and even hand to hand combat,” Jungkook said with some admiration in his voice. Hoseok spun in place. He was perfect: Min Yoongi. Hoseok had known the second he laid eyes on him that he would be perfect and of course a great warrior. No one with a gaze that intense could be anything less than magnificent.
“But Prince,” Jungkook said hesitantly.
“What?”
“He’s taken all the money offered to him,” Jungkook said uneasy about delivering that final bit of news.
“And why shouldn’t he? He won it right?” Hoseok said already taking the man’s side.
“Its not typical Prince,” Taehyung responded in his deep raspy voice. “A true honorable fighter wouldn’t accept the prize he wouldn’t need it.”
“Then why-“
“He’s going to lose his home,” Jimin said as he joined the group. “I heard in the tavern that the Prince of Castle North was in search of a wealthy spouse or he’s going to lose his castle in the mountains by spring.” As Jimin began to describing Yoongi’s home and Hoseok could picture it already. The tall structure of ancient rock with the moors and the snow in the winters. The people who had survived the harsh winters but called that place home. The tall redwoods and pines that would make it look green even as everything around them went to sleep. Hoseok would save this home and marry his prince.
**
Yoongi was getting ready to treat a gash he’d received in a round of hand to hand combat. His opponent the damn bastard used a concealed knife along with the standard sword and stabbed him on the side. The cut was about 6 inches long on the left side of his ribs. The cut wasn’t deep enough to be of any alarm, but it burned and was uncomfortable. Injuries in this style of tournament were fairly common, but Yoongi didn’t dare to let Namjoon or Jin know. He’d get a lecture from Jin and a reproachful look from Namjoon then a guilt trip and they couldn’t afford such feelings. The light knock at his tent had him scrambling his shirt on.
“Come in,” Yoongi said putting his coat on to protect him from the breeze and turned. He was surprised to see a boy in his tent. He was about his height perhaps an inch or two shorter. He had long lanky built hardly the body of a warrior. He had a longish looking face with deep brown eyes. Yoongi tilted his head to examine the boy further. The boy had mischievous eyes that tilted out and up at the ends. His lips were parted slightly and he was just string at him. Yoongi cleared his throat and watched as some consciousness came back to the boys eyes. “Hello,” Yoongi said.
“Oh yes hello, I am sorry to come unannounced,” the boy stuttered out. Yoongi kept his mouth in a straight line but for the first time in months he wanted to laugh. “Can, I help you?” Yoongi prompted again as the boy went silent. He watched fascinated as the boy stood up to his full length and settled his shoulders.
“I believe I can help you.” Yoongi arched an eyebrow. Oh so the child was a Good Samaritan, in Yoongi’s experience people didn’t offer help without wanting something in return. Even though he was close to losing his home, his soul and body were not for sale even if his sword still was. Yoongi turned away from the boy and stripped off his shirt to continue cleaning his wound. “Whatever it is you want, are selling, or deal you want to strike the answer is no. I am a poor Prince, but I won’t break my kingdom apart to save it.”
“No I am not here to sell anything-“
“Well if you’re here to lend money on interest, I am also not interested. I wouldn’t be able to pay you back anyway,” Yoongi said as he struggled to wrap the bandage around himself. He flung the bandage towards his back and cursed under his breath as it didn’t hit the other hand that was patiently waiting. Yoongi felt the boy move and reach the bandage and hand it to him. That single move brought them close together and Yoongi could smell the fresh bath on the boy. He could see the softness of the simple clothing he wore. He could feel the smoothness of the boy’s hands who had probably never worked a day in his life. Yoongi yearned for that privilege, the softness, the smell and the warmth of the boy. He felt his mouth go dry. He’d been without a partner for along tine. Without wealth, available partners didn’t throw themselves at him and those who did were looking for the image of him: the vicious Black Yoongi. “How old are you?
“I’ll be seventeen at the end of the week,” the boy answered looking at his face while his hands still pressed the bandage to his back. “How old are you?” Yoongi laughed this time. “I’ll be eighteen in a month,” he answered honestly. Was he really just eighteen? He certainly felt much older than that his body tired of fighting. “So you know who I am since you’re here, who are you?” Yoongi continued to wrap the bandage around himself and saw the boy straightened again to his full height.
“My name is Jung Hoseok. I am the Second Prince of this land and quite wealthy.”
Yoongi smiled at the boy. “That must be nice,” he replied. So the prince was curious about him, Yoongi assumed the interaction in the tent would give him plenty to talk about with his wealthy friends. “I heard you were in need of money.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Yoongi said as he finished tying the bandage to keep it in place. “You’ve heard that if I don’t pay my dead brother’s debts I’ll lose my home correct?” The boy just nodded.
“I heard that you submitted a proposal for Lady Mina but that her parents refused.” Yoongi was surprised at that. Some people knew about the failed proposal but it still wasn’t common gossip. “Yes, she was wealthy and had all her teeth so it’s seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Did you love her?” Yoongi looked at the boy. “No,” he replied. “But to save my home, I would have made it work.”
“Would you have been faithful?”
Yoongi settled himself on the pile of furs and smiled. “Yes, I don’t take vows or give my word in vain. I would have been faithful.” Yoongi watched as the boy nodded and made a fist with both hands as if strengthening his resolve. He picked up an apple that Jin had left and started to eat it.
“I have all my teeth,” the boy said giving him a brilliant smile that seemed to fill the dull and damp tent. Yoongi bit into the apple again to give himself something to do even though that smile stunned him.
“I am a second prince, but I am quite wealthy by my own right.” Yoongi shook his head slightly. He didn’t understand what was happening anymore.
“I think I should be your wealthy spouse. We should get married,” the boy said as Yoongi bent over and started choking on his apple.
**
Hoseok ran over to Yoongi’s side and hit him in the back trying to dislodge the piece of apple from his throat. Maybe he should have waited to talk to him when he wasn’t eating, but it was midday how did he know he’d have a snack?
“What,” Yoongi said to him looking surprised. Hoseok didn’t know what else. He knew he would ruin it. He should have waited like in the stories for the Prince to notice him out of the crowd and walk towards him to declare his love, but he had been impatient.
“I am wealthy, and I have all my teeth.”
“You want to marry me because you’re wealthy and have all your teeth?” Yoongi looked at him. Well, no, Hoseok thought. He needed to marry him because he was wealthy but he wanted to marry him because he was in love with him. But perhaps he’d ruined things enough and said nothing just nodded his head.
“Do your parents beat you?” Hoseok shook his head. “Do you have a stepparent that hates you or has tried to poison you?” Hoseok shook his head again. “Are you engaged to some old ogre that your parents want a treaty with?” Hoseok shook his head again. He watched as Yoongi stood up and shook of his cloak and wrapped it around himself.
“I’ve had enough of your joke for today. I am going to ask you to leave. I need to prepare for battle later.”
“I am not joking or are my two million pounds not enough to save your home?” Hoseok watched as Yoongi turned to look at him and stepped up so they could be eye to you. “Was your intent to laugh at me?” Hoseok saw fury in his face and froze. “You know how dangerous it is to enter a warrior’s tent to taunt him?” Hoseok knew what Yoongi meant. He had taken etiquette lessons for years and when he had turned 13 they had added one more lesson. A Prince’s honor and virtue could be lost with a single indiscretion.
Hoseok knew he should be afraid, but the moment he set eyes on this man he knew he was for him. He stepped forward until their noses almost touched and said, “I am ready.”
**
“Your majesty, your majesty.” King Soohyuk tuned towards the door of the hallway even as his wife was rising to her feet.
Lord Jimin his son’s companion rushed in and fell to his knees. “Your majesty its Prince Hosoek he’s run away.”
King Soohyuk was motioning the guards to move forward when Lord Jungkook is son’s second companion appeared at the door. “He’s gone,” the boy said. “He’s runaway with Black Yoongi of Castle North.”
“Saddle my mare,” Queen Sooyoung said in a clear voice.
“Sooyoung,” the King reached for his wife. “I’ll ride faster and try to catch up to them. I think I know where they’re going. Find Taehyung if anyone knows where Hoseok is it will be him.”
The King pulled his wife in his arms and kissed her. “Find him,” he said and watched as his wife ran out of the hall. Kin Soohyuk turned on his guards, “didn’t you hear her? I want LORD TAEHYUNG found and brought to me!”
**
“Taehyung get down from that tree,” Jimin urged as he circled the tree where Taehyung was neatly lodged.
“No.”
“Taehyung, the King is looking for you. You’re going to be in so much trouble.” Taehyung bit his lip but he couldn’t get down. Prince Hoseok had made him promise not to tell but he couldn’t disobey an order from the king so hiding was better.
“Jimin you need to step aside. We’ll get him done,” Chanyeol the First Guard said softly. Jimin turned around and saw the full guard on standby. They had bows and arrows. They were going to shoot Taehyung down from the tree to fulfil the King’s summons. Damn Taehyung and his stubborn ways. “First Guard please give me another minute, I know I can convince him to get down.” When the First Guard hesitated, Jimin touched his arm and smiled. “Chanyeol, please. You know how Taehyung is I don’t want to see him hurt and I am sure I can do it ok?”
Chanyeol blushed, “Five more minutes ok?” Jimin nodded enthusiastically then walked over to Jungkook. “What do we do?”
“Let them shot him down,” Jungkook said with his arms crossed over his chest enjoying the commotion.
“Jeong Jungkook, don’t make me hit you!” Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Fine, distract him and I’ll climb up and get him down.
Five minutes later the guards stepped back as Jungkook and Taehyung fell from the tree with a loud crashing sound. Jungkook and Jimin watched mouths open as Taehyung was being carted off like a roasted pig to talk to the king.
**
Queen Sooyoung leened forward on her mare even as the rain started to fall from the sky. Her son was gentle and still a child in many ways. Her Hope Hoseok had grown too fanciful and now she was chasing him across the countryside. She rode all day and even as she willed her mare to get her to the High Woods Queen Sooyoung knew she wouldn’t make it. She turned her horse and rode straight into King Joon and Seokjin’s home in the Cursed Forest. She was dismounting when both Kings came to greet her. She dropped to her knees and felt the Cursed King Seokjin touch her shoulders. “Your Highness, please get up what has happened.”
Sooyoung looked up at their beautiful faces. The Cursed Prince Seokjin with a voice that could kill and the brave Prince Joon who had gotten stuck in a tree on his way to save him was a story she’d told her son, and now she was at their mercy for help. The King’s carried themselves with grace and dignity worthy of their title. In the years since their marriage, they had united two kingdoms and had brought wealth to the now dubbed Cursed Forest. That was all she ever wanted for her Hoseok.
“Seokjin, step aside.” Sooyoung felt King Joon pick her up and carry her inside. Within minutes she had hot tea in her hands and a dry cloak around her shoulders. “It’s Hoseok my son,” she said. “He’s eloped with Black Yoongi of Castle North.”
There was an audible silence. “Was he not of your choosing?” King Joon asked.
“The King and I we didn’t even know they had met. The tournament for Prince Hoseok’s birthday was just ending. Your Captain’s didn’t attend so there was a chance to win the first prize. Last night, the day before the tournament ended and Hoseok’s birthday we received news that he had eloped with Black Yoongi.”
King Seokjin said lightly. “How can we help?”
“I need a horse. If I can catch up to them, I think I know where Prince Hoseok is going. They have a lead on me but it can’t be more than a day and a half. Have you heard any news? I know your holdings in the High Woods shoulder the mountains.” Just as Sooyoung asked a guard walked in.
“My King, I’ve just received a hawk King Yoongi has requested and received permission to cross the High Woods he was spotted with three companions about ½ a day ago.” Queen Sooyoung put her tea down and got to her feet.
“Joon,” King Seokjin said softly.
“Saddle the Queen Brutus, my horse, and tell Cook to prepare provisions,” King Joon called.
“Your highness come with me. Let’s get you into something dry and more comfortable to ride in. I’ll send word to King Soohyuk that you’ve arrived and the whereabouts of King Yoongi.”
Within four hours, Queen Sooyoung galloped away on the back of a huge stallion.
“Oh Joon what do we do?” Cursed King Seokjin asked.
“We can’t do anything,” Joon responded as he put an arm over Seokjin’s shoulders. “Although-“
“What?” Seokjin asked.
“Why would King Yoongi ask for permission to cross the High Woods? It doesn’t make sense if they’re eloping.”
“You don’t think they’ve changed course do you?”
“It just doesn’t make sense to travel so far to an Abby in the North East when there’s a closer one just north of here.”
“I can’t believe anyone would do something so despicable. To lure a young Prince away from his home is horrible.”
“Now, now clam down. King Yoongi has suffered a lot. I don’t know him well but his father and brother left his kingdom in complete ruins. He fights to feed his people and he’s not even eighteen yet.” That softened Seokjin’s eyes. “He’s a child. They’re both children.” King Joon nodded even as their own son walked over to them. Their child was 10 and looked like a little copy of Seokjin but had his own dimples.
“These woods are magic don’t forget. I am sure something will work out,” King Joon said as he placed a kiss on his child’s forehead.
**
“Do King Yoongi ruler of Castle North take Second Prince Jung Hoseok Prince of the Low Lands as your lawfully weeded husband?”
“Yes, I do” Yoongi responded looking straight into Hoseok’s eyes.
Hoseok couldn’t hear anything except the beating of his heart. And the loud and determined yes that ran through the small chapel.
“Do you, Second Prince Hoseok Prince of the Low Lands take King Min Yoongi ruler of Castle North as your lawfully weeded husband?”
“Yes, I do.” Hoseok heard himself say. His voice sounded horse and unfamiliar. It carried with it a seriousness that Hoseok had never felt before.
Hoseok looked down at the plain gold band on his finger and watched as it softly glinted in the candle light. He was married. He was married to Black Yoongi and they were going to live happily ever after.