After they had dined, Athal told Waltha why he was there.
After he had heard him out, Waltha asked: "Is it your opinion that Niels is an impostor or he is verily the first born of King Harold?"
"I know not... but what could its importance be? The important thing is that Bjorn regains the title of throne prince and, in time, king. As king he could only be grateful to us for having given him the throne, can't he?"
"I know not... First of all, if Niels was the right heir... I do not want the stain of regicide! Moreover, we will be the bad conscience of Bjorn. Do you really believe he will be grateful to us or would he try to get rid himself of us?"
"I have a document that vouchsafes me; as it protects me, it will guard you."
"An arrow to Niels heart while he hunts... What if I fail? Moreover he will never be alone, he always has bodyguards watching on him..."
"You aim is without sin; you will not miss the target. Also, you will not use your own arrows, I have some with the colors of other nobles."
"I'm not so sure; killing a man may be easier than hunting an animal, but... I don't know. The set-up doesn't comfort me. To me, Bjorn is not worth as much as Niels. Do you know why I say this? Were I you, I would go to see the King and show him the document that Bjorn gave you. Believe you me, from the instant the king recognized him as his son, and as the Court has accepted him as such, Niels, to me, is the winning horse. But you have made my interest; I will go to Court with you for a while. After I meet this Niels I will make up my mind. Should I decide not to kill him, you will have to tell King Harold about Bjorn."
"I gave him my word, and he... Bjorn lets me bugger him; something I have wanted to do forever but he would never let me do."
Waltha burst out laughing: "In the meantime you will get to have fun! Loyalty is a great virtue, to be sure, but it should be reserved for those who are loyal to you. I never liked Prince Bjorn. A man who lets himself be buggered while hating it just to get what he wants... What kind of king do you think he will be? Nay, if you want my help it will be on these conditions. When I learn the lay of the land, at court, and I decide in favor of Bjorn, you will have no problems. But if I don't, you will have to warn the King about prince Bjorn at once. If not I will not come."
"If you accept, what would you want?"
"What could I ask? I have all I need and want here. As things stand, until he is king, what can he give me? A handful of gold? No, were I to do this it would only be because I am certain that it will be better to have Bjorn on the throne and not Niels. What do you think of Niels?"
"I haven't given that much thought. I know that he is the lover of Guntar, the new chief of the chosen guard; he is a modest man who works himself as hard as his lover works; and that he is a handsome young man. King Harold held great celebrations when he was found."
"Yes, I was invited, but I didn't feel like going. I was just reorganizing my castle, here. Guntar's lover? Are you certain?"
"I am quite sure. When the king recognized in Niels his lost son, before he took his place in the Court, the boy told him: 'I love Guntar, I mean, we are really lovers, we make love. And I refuse to be parted from him. I would never renounce him to gain the throne. I would rather renounce my claim on the throne. He is my man, and I belong to him; we swore eternal love. I will not break this oath for anything in the world'."
"Mmmh, I like that. He would have refused being crown prince rather than renounce his lover! It sounds as though he is better than his brother."
"If he really is his brother..."
"Were he but a profiteer, he would not have insisted on that condition. I am quite interested and would like to meet him. You have to give me your answer. Mull it over tonight and tomorrow tell me if my conditions are acceptable. Meantime, who do you want in your bed for this night?"
"Your Ganymede... What is his name?"
"Mmmh, you are a gourmet... His name is Edel. He is seventeen and very hot in bed. I will tell him to be in your bedroom. He has been in my service for six months, he is a fisherman's son from northern village. Can you believe that when my man found him he was a virgin? He had not had sex with man nor woman. Now he is one of my best favored servants; he is always randy to have sex with whoever asks him. You will have a wonderful night with him. But tomorrow you will have to give me your answer."
Edel was waiting for him, wearing nothing but a wide smile, in his bed. He had a beautiful body. Athal felt lusty, quickly stripped and went to bed. The wine steward was nimble and turned so he could take Athal's hard member between his lips. He kissed, licked, and sucked it with greed and skill. Athal laid on his back with the lad's legs spread over him. He caressed the young and fresh body with growing desire. The three boys who had bathed him had been skilled, but this boy was exceptional. It seemed as if he was just born to make love. He knew how to make a man feel utmost pleasure. When he could tell that Athal was aroused at the right level, he stood up and sat on Athal's straight and vibrating pole, impaling himself on it in one skilled move.
Athal moaned with pleasure. Then Edel put his knees astride Athal's hips and started to rhythmically move his pelvis up and down; at first slow, making his hot hole skillfully squeeze around the big rigid pole. Athal sat up on the bed while the boy continued to bounce on his groin and caress his upper body. Edel started to suck and nibble Athal's nipples. He then started to speed up the rocking of his pelvis on the knight's lap and caressed the man's back making his finger tips flow along his spine.
Athal felt intense pleasure. Edel slowly knelt so all his weight pressed at the base of Athal's steely pole. He clung to Athal with his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. Then Athal lay him on the bed and moved to his knees. He started to pump, passionately taking him. Edel tossed under him, the change of position inflamed his passions as did the pounding of the knight. Athal vigorously fucked him and, seeing a blissful glow on the boy's face, lowered to kiss his lips.
The boy sucked his tongue lightly and moaned with pleasure. Athal suddenly unloaded inside him, reaching an orgasm, with a set of passionate thrusts. Edel came at once between their two firm bellies.
"I liked you to die, my boy!" Athal panted sated, relaxing on top of him, and caressing his sweet face where a bright smile was lingering.
"Thank you, my lord..." the servant answered lightly.
"Stay to sleep with me, this night."
"As you wish, my lord." Edel answered, happy to oblige.
Athal slipped out of him, lay at his side and hugged him; he tenderly caressed and kissed Edel. It was the first time he felt such a sweetness for so young a man, and wished to keep him for himself.
"Edel?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"Would you like being mine, forever?"
"Oh... but I belong to lord Waltha..."
"But would you like being mine, and mine alone?"
"I would be honored..."
"In the morning I will ask him to allow you to come with me."
"It would be beautiful, my lord..."
"I love you too much, Edel."
"Thank you, my lord."
Edel fell asleep, and Athal thought that he never ever felt so happy in all his life as now that he had Edel in his arms. He drifted off with a smile.
He woke up in the dead of night, full of desire. He woke the boy with a kiss. Edel felt Athal's desire and he readily offered himself to him with joy and grace. Athal took him again, leisurely enjoying him, and brought Edel to an intense orgasm. They fell back asleep in each other's arms. Come the dawn, they woke up and made gentle, passionate love.
Athal went downstairs to meet with Waltha.
"Did you have a good night, my friend?"
"A splendid one, Waltha, a truly terrific one. Edel has bewitched me. I humbly dare to ask you a great courtesy..."
"Tell me..."
"I would like to take him with me, if you would be so kind to let him."
"Do you want him as your servant?"
"No, I want him as my lover... He is dear to me!"
"Nothing less than that? Well... who am I to refuse you? He is yours, a present to a dear fiend. Did you make up your mind on my proposal?"
"Yes. It is probably wise to have someone give a critical look at the princes. As you have been away from court you would be unbiased."
"Very good. I shall prepare to go to Court and we should leave tomorrow morning. Meanwhile we should dress Edel as would befits your house if he is to go with you. From now he must not wear my colors. But you, if you don't intend to make him your servant, how will you explain him in court at your side? Were he an aristocrat... or at least a squire... or your servant, it would be all the more easy, but..."
"I know, but I already have a squire and cannot have two of them. And he is not of noble blood."
"Don't you think that it would be wise, even if you consider him your lover, to have him wear your livery as your servant? We have enough time for you to give him your colors."
"I see... You are possibly right. For now it will be easier for him to be seen as my liveryman. Thank you for you wise advice, Waltha..."
They left on the next morning. Edel, happy with bearing new colors, rode behind Athal next to Waltha's servant, while the two squires lead the train.
The next day they reached the King Harold's castle, Athal took Edel to his rooms, while the maitre d'hotel assigned Waltha and his train rooms.
Waltha, after paying his respects to the king and the queen, called upon the two princes for a while.
That evening Bjorn went to Athal's room: "So then, how do things stand? Is Waltha the one who will kill Niels?" he asked him as soon as they were alone.
"You should undress, now. Fear not, there can be no place for two princes in Court, you have my word." Athal said with a sphinx like smile. He decided, nonetheless, to enjoy Bjorn's body.
The prince undressed and laid on Athal's bed: "Go on, take me, collect your prize." The boy said with a smug smile, as he spread his legs.
Athal jumped on him and mounted him. But he was thinking how different taking Bjorn was from taking Edel -- and all to the servant's vantage. Edel was a thousand times better than the prince!
After he had shot his bolt and Bjorn left his room, Athal called Edel and started making love to him with a gentle passion not at all diminished by his royal fuck. To his joy and amazement the knight realized he was falling in love with his servant unlike any before.
Waltha spent a week talking with Niels and Bjorn, at times alone, at times together. He quietly studied them; but from first he instinctively has a liking for Niels, which grew deeper each time they spoke. At the same time he felt growing contempt for Bjorn.
After a week he told Athal: "I have weighed them both and find Bjorn wanting. We should warn King Harold of Bjorn's treason; Niels should be the next king. His father was lucky to find him; Niels is worthy unlike his brother."
"I cannot but agree. Go ask for an audience with the king, I shall fetch the documents. Bjorn doesn't have suspect us, quite the contrary..."
"I know. Yesterday he openly told me that he wants me to kill his brother as soon as possible, the bastard. When I asked him was in it for me... can you guess what he did?"
"No, what?"
"He gave me this, it was already prepared and sealed..." Waltha laughed bitterly as he handed him a scroll.
Athal opened and read it. It was a promise that when Bjorn was crowned king, he would make him a count and to give him all the royal holdings bordering Waltha's castle.
"Will you show this also to the king?" Athal asked?
"I certainly shall. We must go, now."
Waltha was granted a private audience by King Harold. The two knights told him about Bjorn's plot against Niels and gave him the documents as proof. King Harold was stricken with pain as he listened to their report. He sent for Guntar and had him arrest Bjorn and jailed him in the dungeon. He then called a meeting of his most important liegemen as a jury to judge the prince on his behalf. It was known throughout the castle what was happening but none would openly discuss it, as it was a matter of the utmost gravity.
When the great lieges had arrived, a closed trial in presence of the king, and with the two knights as witnesses, was heard. Bjorn perjured himself swearing that it was a conspiracy whipped up by Niels to get rid of him. Nobody believed him -- Athal and Waltha's testimony, corroborated by the documents written in Bjorn's hand and with his seal, were clear evidence. The jury withdrew and made its verdict which they gave to the king -- they ruled that Bjorn's should be decapitated or that he be imprisoned for life.
When Niels was told all this, he remembered the words of the old Brett. He begged clemency for his brother. King Harold heard this and also the plea of Queen Gertrude, decided not to behead Bjorn, but to shut him away for the rest of his life. A room was prepared at the top of the main tower and Bjorn was sealed in there with three different locks, one key was in King Harold's hands, the second was entrusted to Guntar and the third to the Chancellor. Nobody would enter that room, for any reason and none were allowed to talk or write to Bjorn. His food was passed to him on a tray through a slit. Moreover he was watched night and day through spy holes ensuring he would not escape.
Niels and Gertrude tried several times to mitigate the punishment, but King Harold, in his great sorrow, was adamant.
Two years later King Harold fell ill. All the healers were summoned, as were astrologers and wizards, many remedies were tried, but eleven days later King Harold died with no clear cause of his death. The Court wore ashes and sackcloth for seven days, a solemn funeral was held. He was buried under a mound, as tradition dictated, in a boat with his horse and his sword.
On the thirtieth day after the funeral, the mourning period was over; the Chancellor gathered all the nobles and lieges to anoint the new king. Niels was crowned, took on the Swords of War and Justice, and assumed the royal mantle. The Chancellor and all other court officials presented him with their resignations as all the nobles, lieges and knights swore fidelity to Niels.
King Niels was twenty four years old when he was crowned.
All the neighboring kingdoms sent messengers bearing gifts to the new king. Niels made Guntar a duke and Chancellor of the kingdom. Then he made Edel a knight, thus thanking Athal for the fidelity he had shown him. Only then did he call for Bjorn to be brought before him.
"Brother, our father and king is dead, most likely from the pain thou dist cause him. As thy attempt for the throne dist not prevent us from becoming king, further punishment is futile. We would not want thou to die bereft in those four walls. Thou art still young and hast a chance at life; it is not in our nature to deny thee it."
"Thou art no brother of mine, thou art an usurper."
"We did not ask to be the first born son of Harold, nor did we ask to become the king; it was thrust upon us. And we did not condemn thou for what thou did... Reflect, brother..."
"Art thou asking me to swear fidelity to thee? Never!"
"No... But we give thee a choice. Thou canst be confined in a castle, where thou wilst hast servants of thy own and a life of ease, or thou mayest go into exile until thy death. Our councilors warn me that if thy choice is exile, thou wilst be free to plot agin us, perchance in the court of a neighboring king. But the gods protect us, we fear thee not. Thou must choose. Heed this: if thou makest war on me, thou wilst not find us idle. If thou spillest blood in vain, t'would be thy conscience."
Bjorn chose exile. He was taken to the southern border where he was sent off dressed in a peasant's tunic, with no money, horse, weapon, nor servants.
It hurt Niels but it was his brother's choice; he could do nothing.
The councilors in Court asked Niels to take a wife that he would have issue giving the kingdom an heir to the throne. Niels reminded them what his father had told him -- he had been consecrated to the god Niel; were he to have coitus with a woman he would bring plague and calamity on himself and on the kingdom.
Waltha, who was now one of his councilors, spoke to King Niels in private: "Thy Grace, I served thee when you were a prince, let me help thee again. Thou knowest that few of thy councilors believe in the old gods. Thou canst not continue to refuse what thy council asks thee. Thou mayest alienate them and Bjorn could take advantage of that. May I leave on a journey, and I swear I will be back with a solution."
"Thou mayest go, faithful Waltha. Anything thou need thou mayest take."
So Waltha left. He was absent from the kingdom through the Autumn and Winter; in late Spring he came back.
"Thy Grace, I traveled far to the Kingdom of Dina. There, I met their fair princess, the youngest daughter of the king; her name is Flora. This princess is deeply in love with a minstrel whose name is Marcus, but their love is unthinkable. I spent much time talking with her, until I gained her trust. She is a sweet girl, good hearted, beautiful and intelligent; delicate, elegant and learned... and sad that she can not have her beloved. I proposed marriage to her on thy behalf, telling her if she accepted, you would certainly allow her to live with her love, her minstrel provided he take a wife in form. At first she would not believe me; but then, due to her love for Marcus, she accepted. Were you to send a mission her father, the king to ask for her hand; Princess Flora, who up to now hath refused all marriage offers, wilst accept thine. I have reason to believe that her father would agree to a treaty with thee."
Niels was gladdened by this news. He prepared a mission with rich presents and an official request for the hand of the Princess Flora. Come the first day of Summer, a ship in Niels' colors, took an ambassador to the Kingdom of Dina. Niels prepared new quarters for Flora and himself, making two secret passages, one to allow the queen to be with her lover, the other that he could be with Guntar.
Three weeks later the royal ship was seen on the horizon. Niels, with Guntar at his side and surrounded by the Court, went to the pier to welcome the princess. The ship docked and the gangplank was set down. Waltha, followed by the princess surrounded by eight ladies in waiting, approached King Niels. She was beautiful.
Waltha spake: "King Niels, may I introduce you to Flora, Princess of the Danes, your future spouse and our future queen!"
"We hope thou art happy here, Princess Flora..." Niels said gallantly. Flora made a graceful curtsey while smiling shyly. Niels offered her his arm and said: "Come with us to thy quarters, whither thou mayest rest and refresh thyself afore our wedding starts."
Flora leaned on Niels' arm. They went up to the castle through the crowd of festive people. The king took her to her rooms, where he left her with her ladies in waiting.
"We will the after thou hast rested, Your Highness. It think you would like to talk with me, before tomorrow ceremonies."
"I thank you, Your Grace."
Niels went to Guntar's closet and they sent for Waltha: "I didn't see the minstrel." he said.
"Marcus? He was escorted to his room."
"What kind of a man is he?"
"A good man... I would have liked to take him to my bed were he not the favorite of our future queen. He sings well. Thou canst make him thy minstrel, he will make an excellent courtier."
"We never had a minstrel, in this Court."
"So he will be the first. He will gladden your parties."
"Shall we meet him?" Niels asked and waved to Guntar to follow him.
They went into the young Dane's room. The youth, recognizing the king, bowed low.
"So thou art Marcus, Flora's beloved?"
"Your Grace, yes, and I love her..."
"Good. Then, make her happy. But... you do know what I ask of thee?"
"Yes, Thy Grace. That I take a wife in name and that the children who are born to thy queen should be only know as thy children."
"Dost thou accept these condition?"
"Thy Grace, I will be faithful to thee as it allows me to be at the side of the person I love. I understand thou has selected a wife for me."
"Yes, Helga is a good woman and discrete. Be loyal to me, thy wife and thy beloved and thou wilst never regret it."
"Do you ask my fealty? I am ready."
"Yes. Guntar and Waltha shall witnesses."
After Marcus gave him his liege, Niels showed him the secret passage leading to Flora's chamber and ordered him never to reveal it to anyone ever.
Later, Niels went to see again princess Flora in private. He told her about the secret passage.
"I have met thy beloved. I have the impression he is an agreeable and well mannered person. His handsomeness mirrors the beauty of his soul. He will be the father of my children. If he will play his role, I promise thee that he will always be treated with respect."
"Doubt us not. Marcus and I are endlessly grateful to thee as thou hast made our love possible. Without thee, we were two lovers only hoping that death would make us one. Thou gave us back our lives."
"Good. Thou wilst be at my side and rise our children; but you will be free in your room to have them sired by Marcus at thy pleasure. That knowledge cannot leave this room for understandable reasons."
"I know that he will be married to Helga and she knows what will be going on? She is kind and I hope she will not want Marcus as a husband in fact."
"She is in deep grief having been widowed and understands true love. She also is not well. This will give her security and you safety. She will safeguard Marcus' chamber when he comes to thine. She also will become thy chief lady-in-waiting in case the passage is discovered."
"Certainly, thy grace."
"And none else should know about our pact, nor about your love for the minstrel..."
"Oh, your majesty... Just one of my ladies-in-waiting knows about Marcus... she always have been my confidante..."
"Can you rely on her discretion?"
"She has sworn her liege to thy household."
"Good. Helga and...?
"Olga."
"...Olga will be the only ones to know the true nature of our marriage."
"Certainly, Thy Grace."
"Thou wilst be my wife in name and be one in public."
"I swear my full liege to you who will be my Lord."
"So mote it be. I will be the best of husbands to thee and a doting father to thy children."
"I thank thee," Flora wept with relief. Niels placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and left the room.
He returned to his room, where Guntar was waiting for him. They embraced and passionately kissed each other.
"Tomorrow I will marry her, and crown her queen. But thou art the only person in my heart."
"Yes, my love. But now let me pull off thy clothes and let me love thee... I prefer thee naked."
"And I, thee. I like feeling desired by thee..."
"Wilst thou ever get tired of me?"
"Never, and thou of me?" Niels asked as a sweet smile crossed his lips as he lightly caressed the swelling genitals of his lover.
"Only unto the day when I my life is ended and then ever after," Guntar answered pulling Niels against himself in a hug.
"Thou likest youths, and I have become an adult..."
"And ever the more desirable. I love thy virility, thy wisdom and thy adult body. Youth is like an apple blossom, beautiful to see and smell, but it fades. Maturity is the fruit, sweet to savor, and feed upon."
"Dost thou like savoring this fruit?" Niels asked with a provocative smile.
"Yes, and I will never tire savoring it. Come here, my love, let me hold thee..."
"I am thine -- All that I am is thine! Take me, let me feel how much you want me."
They embraced tightly, then Guntar carried Niels to their bed and gently bent him to his desire. They made love for a long while, oblivious to all, taking and giving each other filled with joyful passion.
All went well. Niels was loved by his subjects, respected by the neighboring kings, admired by everybody for the wisdom with which he ruled the kingdom, despite his youth. Queen Flora and he were like brother and sister, and Niels also befriended Marcus, who was a young man with a wonderful character, witty and merry and who was discrete.
The queen Flora gave birth to a bonny son, Niels named Norman and of whom he became very fond. At that time, he gave Marcus the title of Marquis.
Helga died when Norman was two years old and a year later Marcus married Olga with whom he lived as brother and sister.
One day, a few years later, the knight named Kim, coming back to court after a long journey in the neighboring kingdoms, asked to be received privately by the king.
"Your grace, I have a news to tell you."
"Yes, my loyal Kim?"
"I... I met your brother Bjorn."
"Ah, really? How is he? What is he doing?" Niels asked eagerly.
"Well... he is... he is an inn-boy..."
"An inn-boy?" Niels asked taken aback, recalling what it was like making a living in that way. "Where and how?"
"None would believe him when he claimed he was the son of the late king Harold... so..."
"Is he well? Dist thou speak with him?"
"Yes. He spent the night with my squire; when I opened his door in the morning, I recognized the youth lying in his bed, and he recognized me. He is not bad... He longs for his natal land. He is handsome, as you know, many guests of the inn request his services, and my squire told me that... that he is quite skilled in bed. But his dream is to come back..."
Niels remembered that the old Brett had ordered him to be magnanimous with his brother. Did he mean now? He talked with Guntar and they decided to send somebody to seek him out and bring him back. Niels was ready to give him his full forgiveness.
They sent Waltha with Erin, a young knight who came just back from his probationary journey, their squires and two servants. Following Kim's directions, the six men started to look for Bjorn at the place he had be seen the last. At last Waltha recognized him. Then Erin, who was not known to Bjorn, approached him and hired him to spend the night. Bjorn accepted. They made love. Then Erin told him he knew who he was and asked if he wanted to return where, he told him, many knights and Nobles were ready to give him back the throne.
Bjorn shook his head saying: "Never! I would like to return but not at the price of conspiracies, blood, war. Let me walk my way. Forget you ever saw me, please."
Erin insisted, but Bjorn held fast.
Then Waltha entered the room and talked with him and told him that king Niels was ready to give him his forgiveness.
So, Bjorn returned, begged forgiveness of Niels and the two brothers made peace. Niels gave Bjorn a castle and some land, and Bjorn went to live there.
Everybody praised Niels' mercy and how he was able to forgive.