On the Eve of Battle [Lud and Kiku-Past]

[Kiku Honda]

The heat of the day had finally broken. Kiku looked up at the sun, hanging low and heavy in the sky, like a ripened peach, set against a backdrop of purple and orange and marigold. It had been hot, hotter than the days before, the air thick with moisture, until it felt as though one might actually drown in it. No one wanted to march in it, least of all the knights in their metal armor. Kiku couldn’t imagine how painful it must have been, he’d watched them douse themselves with the water from their canteens, watched the steam pour from the metal as though they were teapots. And Kiku was grateful that he simply wore thickened leather as protection. He’d opted out of having iron forged into armor for himself, even though the King had insisted on paying for the best metalworker in the kingdom. (“If you’re going to be my son’s shield, you should have the best materials.”) While metal was strong, it was hard to move around quickly or stealthily. And Kiku needed to be able to move.

No, it wasn’t a surprise to hear the orders given early in the day that they would be setting up camp here for the day, to rest up for the battle that almost certainly lay ahead of them. Kiku suspected that it might have been for the benefit of a certain prince, though he never once complained during their treks. Kiku had made sure to keep close, his horse falling in step with that of his prince, ready to catch him if need be. The strength of the sun was nothing to take lightly and the metal in royal armor was just as prone to heat as anyone else’s.

But now, camp was up, the schedule for watch had been established, and both man and horse had been fed and watered. A sort of lethargy had spread throughout the encampment, the men taking the time to enjoy a rare moment of peace. Kiku smiled and glanced back down at his book, a pipe carefully perched in his mouth as he turned the page with his left hand. His right shoulder (and by extension his right hand) was being monopolized by a certain future monarch, and therefore temporarily out of commission. Ludwig, clearly exhausted from the long hot march, had joined the brunette under the shade of an ancient oak tree and within minutes had ended up asleep, using Kiku’s shoulder as both a prop and a pillow. Kiku was used to it, most in their garrison were unsure how to treat the prince, worried that they might breech some unspoken code and face the wrath of the king for it. As a result, Kiku was the only one who was still himself around Ludwig (maybe even more so, far away from the castle walls). And so, Ludwig seemed to just stick nearby to avoid any more awkwardness between himself and the other men

And that suited Kiku just fine. He’d sworn an oath to keep Ludwig safe, to be his council as well as his shield. It was easier to do so if Ludwig stayed nearby. And besides, Kiku couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in knowing that Ludwig routinely sought him out. He had the trust of the Crown Prince! But, of course, it went beyond that, Ludwig was his friend, one of the few people Kiku trusted and respected, just having him around put the brunette at ease.

Kiku allowed himself a faint smile before letting out a languid puff of smoke and settled in, grateful for both the outstretched branches of the old oak that shaded them, and the comforting weight of blonde against him as the rest of the camp enjoyed their temporary freedom. They’d earned this moment of peace, and there was no telling when such a moment might come again.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt ]

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

Earlier, Ludwig would have given anything for some shade or a cool breeze to take away the heat that plagued him. The prince, like so many other soldiers of the king, had been riding all day in the sun and the armour they wore only acted like a cooking pot. A few of the men complained, a few took off their helms.. But Ludwig bit his tongue and pressed forward. Once or twice, he felt as if he may slump off of his horse, but a douse from the canteen helped stave it off now and again. It helped that his own armour was not entirely plate, like some of the other men’s, but it still was enough to make sweat pour from the young man’s brow. Besides, if he could endure it, then maybe some of the others would take him a bit more seriously.

The older men of the company did have a penchant for whispering amongst themselves about how the Crown Prince was hardly soldier material. That he was best left to host tea parties and balls back at the castle rather than actually attend the troops in combat. While they would never say it to the young blonde’s face, he could tell what their thoughts were. He could see it in their eyes and their expressions. They expected him to give in--they expected him to fail. They WAITED for him to do so.

That’s why the young prince stubbornly continued on as he had. That and if he couldn’t stand wearing the armour during the ride, then how the hell was he supposed to bear it during the heat of an actual battle?

But now that he was afforded a moment to rest, he had shed the heaviest and most limiting pieces of armour to sit beneath a tree with his old friend and bodyguard. While Ludwig had thoroughly intended to review a few strategies he could employ later on, his mind had other plans, and he slowly drifted off to sleep as a result of the day’s ride and exhaustion finally creeping up on him. He had no idea that he had taken to using Kiku as a pillow, but it was comfortable and the other hadn’t shrugged him off, so it was fine.

Most times, Ludwig could hardly find the words to express the gratitude he had for Kiku and the brunette’s patience and loyalty. Usually, the only way he could even begin to express it was through a brief smile or through his insistence that Kiku actively join him for this or that event or occasion rather than play the role of his shadow. Regardless of what Kiku’s role was to Ludwig, the Prince had always regarded him as a close friend and refused to treat him as something less than that.

“Mn.” Ludwig groaned in his sleep, brows furrowed softly as he dreamt. Suddenly, and with a sharp inhale and gasp, he lifted his head and sat up in order to feel his left side and inspect it. Nothing was wrong with it, but while he was dreaming, it felt as if someone had shot him in the side with a crossbow bolt. “...Dammit…” he swore softly, shifting positions. He was groggy, and irritated that he had woken up so soon, but he was more irritated that he had fallen asleep in the first place.

The blond rubbed at his face, biting back a yawn, as he tried to wake himself up. “Sorry… I hadn’t meant to do that..” Ludwig confessed, searching for the parchment he had brought with him. Perhaps it had rolled out of his hand or Kiku had seized it to keep it from blowing away. “I wasn’t out for long was I?” he glanced to the brunette before turning his attention to the rest of the encampment. It wasn’t long before they would be facing the others on the field of battle… Ludwig’s face slipped into a small frown as his mind worked, putting pieces of the puzzle together and drawing him closer and closer to the grim reality that awaited them in the morning.

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OoC: I am so so so so so so so sorry it took me forever because I'm a PoS and it got buried in the other threads orz;; but i totally still wanna thread it with you if you want to ;w; Kiku Honda

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku had been deeply immersed in his book, mind miles away from his current environment, when the sudden jerk of his shoulder brought him back. His body tensed as Ludwig leaned forward, holding his side.

“Your Highness—“ He paused as Ludwig’s hand came away and the young prince leaned back against the oak, breathing a bit uneven, but otherwise unharmed. It wasn’t hard to guess at Ludwig’s dreams, the promise of battle hung heavy over the camp. Though the men did their best to avoid thinking about it, distracting themselves with songs and games and letters home, there was no escape from it. Everyone was nervous, and Kiku was no exception, though he suspected it was not for the same reasons as the others. Kiku didn’t fear death, he couldn’t hope to serve as the Esquire of the Body, as Ludwig’s shield, he feared falling in the line of duty. To give his life to protect his sovereign was a possibility that Kiku had prepared for. No, what terrified him was the possibility of failure. The idea that Ludwig would not return from this battle to lead as Kiku knew he should. That was what kept the brunette awake, the thought that tightened his chest anytime he allowed himself to dwell upon it too long. But he couldn’t, fear did nothing to keep Ludwig safe, to keep Kiku’s mind focused on what he had to do. Kiku was not going to let anything distract him from his goal, not even his own mind.

So instead, Kiku calmly took the pipe from his mouth and set it aside, gaze gentling as he pressed the parchment into his hands. “You were tired, my Prince,” he said, voice calm, soothing. “The best thing you can do in these situations is to listen to your body…. But no, you weren’t asleep long.” His brown gaze swept over the camp. When Ludwig had first joined him under the shade of the tree, there had been a few odd looks from the other men, though few dared stare long once the Esquire’s icy gaze found theirs. Sure it was strange to have Crown Prince of the Red Kingdom resting on his shoulder, but this wasn’t the castle, the normal decorum didn’t apply here.

He studied the man beside him, it was easy to see the nerves gripping his prince. “You have nothing to fear,” he said firmly. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I will protect you. I am your shield, your Highness, no harm will befall you.” He was calm, but there was no doubt in his voice. Suddenly he smiled, a very rare for the brunette, few others outside of Ludwig and Feliciano had ever seen such a genteel expression on the stoic man. “But enough of that. You should relax tonight. I heard some of the men were looking to set up a few card games, perhaps even unburden some of the wine from the horses, if you cared to join.”

As much as he had enjoyed this time away from the castle, had gotten a chance to be closer to Ludwig beyond their official titles for a change, he knew that Ludwig would likely wish to spend time with others. Kiku would do just as he always did, settle into the background and ensure that no harm could befall the young prince. It was his most sacred duty and Kiku wasn’t about to lose sight of that, no matter where the pair found themselves.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

At Kiku’s initial exclamation, Ludwig shook his head, reassuring the other he was fine. But as he looked out over the camp, his attention was redirected to the parchment being pressed into his hands. He looked to Kiku and nodded with a small thanks as he slowly began to unfurl the papers and inspect them again. He closed his eyes, lifted his brows, and pinched the bridge of his nose as he inhaled through his nose and sighed. He was still trying to get himself awake and aware. “Yeah… I.. I suppose you’re right…” Still, he'd rather not nap and save all the sleeping for night, where he could have a hopefully deeper slumber. He knew, however, that he did need to take it a bit more easy—despite wanting to push himself.

Kiku’s words, soft and comforting as ever, barely managed to calm his nerves. He shook his head. “No, no I’m not worried about that.” He was, but he’d not admit it. What man did not fear death and battle to some extent deep down in their core? Furthermore, what man didn’t worry for the well-being of his friend? He prayed to the Divines that Kiku wouldn’t have to try hard to protect him—even if it meant fighting harder himself. If he could hold his own and take care of the enemies coming to him, then Kiku could focus on ensuring he kept himself alive.

He drew his eyes away from the map and the other information on the parchment to look to Kiku. “I’m worried about them,” he inclined his head towards the soldiers down the hill. “And how many are not going home—we’ve got a lot of new recruits and we both know this isn’t going to be an easy victory.” There was a heavier sigh as his brows furrowed. That’s why he wanted to try and study up on these tactics as best he could and present them at dawn to the troops. A solid plan could save them time, materials, effort, and men, after all.

The smile that had spread over Kiku’s face was nearly missed as he turned his gaze back to the plans, but the young Prince managed to instinctively offer a brief one of his own in exchange. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to, honestly,” he murmured to Kiku, fingering through the loose pages. “I may try and join a game or two--that’ll help morale a bit, right? I’d rather have beer, however.” He paused, biting the inside of his cheek as a sudden idea for combat came into his mind. He took up a quill and ink and hastily left a note to himself on the page. “You’ll be joining me, won’t you?” He cut Kiku a look as he scribbled the note down. If he needed rest, then how much did Kiku need it? Sure, his friend took his role quite seriously and Ludwig appreciated that more than any could imagine, but between the two of them, the Red Prince would argue that Kiku was wound much tighter than he and in need of more moments to relax than anyone he knew; himself included. "I'd enjoy it if you did." the blond added, dotting the last "I" and tucking the quill away to examine what he'd written.

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Kiku Honda