Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2022 15:14:40 +0000 (GMT)
From: blackscar01 <blackscar01@btinternet.com>
Subject: Operation Pied Piper - Part 112a

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*******

This Story and all the characters are 100% fiction.

Any references made to schools, castles, entertainers and aristocratic
titled personages are pure fiction. None of the story features about those
places or personages named are true. None of what you are about to read
actually happened.

*******

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                        *********************

I looked out the window; the traffic was stationary. I turned to Niki,

`Come on, we will have to run,'

He nodded.

`Driver, can you drop us here and then take our bags to the Savoy, if the
five pounds is not enough, leave your details and I will get back to you,'

`Very good, young Sir, it's up that way,'

He pointed up ahead as he pulled over to the curb and Niki and I jumped out
and began running towards the sound of the muffled single bell ringing out
across the city of London.

                       **********************

Operation Pied Piper – Part 112 – The Funeral


Forts continues the story


I stood in front of the paintings of my parents; desperately hoping for
inspiration; a message from beyond the grave, some contact, anything
really. They stared down at me, two strangers, who had lived even stranger
privileged lives, now I was one of them; I was struggling to get my head
round it.

There was a loud report as the metal tipped staff hit the wooden floor, it
reverberated around the room; I glanced back over my shoulder as the double
doors swung open. The Grand Duke Truorwskoy's Chamberlain; now my
Chamberlain came in and bowed deeply before announcing.

`Prince Dima Chikenoff,'

Dima came in and bowed towards me, I nodded back, and waved away the
Chamberlain, he bowed and backed out through the door; it was closed behind
him; I turned back to the paintings.

`Your Highness, I have the final plans for the funeral this morning,'

`Okay Dima, let me hear them,'

Dima came up behind me, obviously worried about interrupting the only time
I had had alone for several days. It had been all go since my arrival, and
yet, Dima and I hadn't had time to actually speak privately to each other,
I sensed he needed to talk; but I dreaded hearing his words. He stood next
to me in silence for a few moments before speaking.

`They were very special people Prince, your mother was exquisitely
beautiful and so very kind, so my mother tells me,'

I looked at him and gave a little smile. He moved closer to the painting of
my mother pointing to a building in the background in the top corner.

`That was you parents' palace. Heaven only knows if it is still there now,
I imagine those bloody Bolsheviks destroyed it.'

He turned back to me, shaking his head, then stopped and bowed again.

`Sorry, your Highness, I didn't mean to upset you,'

He dropped to his knee as I turned away, shaking my head. Dima really took
all the bowing and scraping to a whole new level; I hated it; I swallowed
before I spoke, forcing myself to hold it together.

`Thank you Dima, what is the update? What do I have to do?'

`Your Imperial Highness,'

He bowed again.

`Dima, stop it, STOP IT! I have had enough, call me Forts or get out,'

Dima stepped back, bowing his head.

`But your Highness,'

I lost it.

`Don't you see what this is doing to me? I didn't ask for all this, I don't
want any of it.'

My voice trembled

`Dima, I need you as a friend, there are enough lackeys around me. Stop all
this "your Highness shit", please, for God's sake call me Forts,'

Dima looked at me open-mouthed, he was looking at me as if I had gone mad.

`But Sir,'

`Oh Christ,'

I was about to lunge at him, but stopped myself, I spun away.

`Why can't you all just leave me alone, in fact, do that, GET OUT,'

Dima looked shocked, he stood motionless.

`Get out, get out, get out,'

He nodded and turned, heading for the door as I collapsed into a heap in
front of my parents' portraits. I don't know how long I was there, sobbing
quietly. I heard the door click open, and then close; no booming voice, so
it wasn't the Chamberlain, I heard soft footsteps approaching me and then
felt the soft touch of a hand go round my shoulders and a familiar voice by
my ear.

`Fort's, oh my darling Forts, come on, let's get you up,'

I looked round into Theodora's eyes, she smiled, her face flushed with
worry and concern. She helped me to my feet as I whispered,

`Thank you,'

Her head gave a diminutive nod; her eyes alive and caring. I looked away,
embarrassed; I had been avoiding her like the plague; we had only seen each
other once since I had arrived and then for only a few minutes. She stroked
my arm, her eyes not leaving mine,

`Don't be silly,'

She led me to one of the armchairs.

`Tea?'

I could feel myself blushing; what was wrong with me?

`Yes please, that would be lovely,'

`Well, this time I will get it, but don't get used to it, you lost your
chance for that,'

She giggled, and headed to the breakfast tray, pouring out a cup of tea
bringing it over to me. She knelt down in front of me, still smiling. I
looked into her eyes.

`You must think I am really stupid?'

`Fort's I could never think that, you know I love you more than life,'

I shook my head, closing my eyes. Her words tearing at my heart as her hand
rested on her growing baby bump.

`Theodora, please.'

Her finger went to my lips.

`Fort's shush, I know you love Davy, it doesn't mean we can't love you
too,'

She smiled again, her hand moving from cupping underneath her tummy. Her
finger moved and stroked across my cheek before dropping to my fast-growing
beard. Yes, a beard, I had been told not to shave since my arrival; a sign
of mourning, and now I was sporting the very healthy start of a Romanov
beard. She smiled again with a little giggle, exclaiming.

`And this is coming on marvellously, it really suits you, so manly,'

She gripped a bit between her fingers and gave a little tug, before
laughing again and leaning in and giving me a quick peck on the lips.

`Now, I will go and get Dima, he loves you Fort's, please don't be too
harsh on him, he just wants what is the best for you. He is struggling with
all this too,'

I nodded, trying desperately hard to return her smile.

`He is still having nightmares about what happened, he loved that old
rogue, we both did.'

Theodora got up and took my cup. It suddenly dawned on me, I didn't know
what had happened, I was about to ask, I think Theodora sensed it, she
quickly headed for the door, glancing back at me.

`Now, I will get Dima to come back with your valet, the two of you had
better start getting ready and into your uniforms,'

I nodded, our eye contact not breaking.

`Tell Dima, I am sorry,'

Theodora tilted her head at me and raised her eyes.

`Tell him yourself,'

And she was gone.

*

The smell of Theodora's perfume lingered, hanging in the invisible air
after she had gone; I breathed deeply, then shook my head. No, that was not
what I wanted, how I wished I could smell and see Davy now. I touched the
entwined "D" ring; the double of which he wore as I walked over to the
ornate dressing table, looking at myself in the mirrored glass; Who was I?
I sensed movement to my right, or did I? I found myself staring at my
parents' portraits again. My father's emerald green eyes looked down at me,
his firm jawline, the Romanov beard, it was uncanny; It was as if I was
staring at myself in the mirror.

I was smiling at his picture, God, I so wanted him wherever he was to be
proud of me, I glanced back to my mother, sure I had seen a loving smile,
not just the Imperial stare; these were undoubtably my parents, when the
tap on the door broke the spell; I looked round, Marcus came into the room,
he gave a head nod; I watched him step aside and Dima was standing
there. My emotions surged forward, engulfing me, I felt the tear roll down
my cheek. I hurried towards him, seeing the mirror of my tear roll down his
cheek too. I embraced him, hugging him tightly.

`Dima, my brother, I am so sorry, I need you, I love you, please help me
through all this,'

I heard him sob, no discernible words, just a tightening of his arms round
me and a gasped.

`Yes brother,'

Followed by

`I'm so sorry,'

As we broke apart, we were both grinning at each other, each wiping away
the other's tears. I stroked his beard, the double of mine.

`Nice beard, brother,'

We smiled and embraced again; kissing each other's cheeks.

`Dima, I want you to be always at my side, will you agree to be my
equerry?'

His bottom lip trembled; he bit it, and he dropped to his knees, his hands
reaching for mine, he pulled them towards his bowed head, before I could
react, he spoke.

`Your Imperial Highness, you do me too much honour,'

I pulled his hands, helping him back to his feet,

`Dima, I want you to call me Fort's or Drageon, when we are in private,
please, can you do that for me?'

He nodded, smiling; we embraced again; we stood in each other's arms,
comforted by each other's closeness.

Marcus gave a little cough.

`Your Imperial Highness,'

Dima's eyes never left my face as he waited for my reaction; I had to
smile.

`Yes Marcus,'

I turned to Dima.

`I can't win, can I?'

We both chuckled as he added,

`No, Prince, err, sorry Forts,'

Marcus clapped his hands, and the doors opened, two liveried footmen came
into the room, each carrying a glistening uniform, several others followed
them, carrying boots and various boxes, they all came in and lined up next
to Marcus.

`Marcus, I am going to shower first, can you get it running for me,
please?'

He nodded and vanished into the bathroom; I winked at Dima.

`Are you joining me?'


**


Davy continues the story


Niki was out in front, he kept glancing back, making sure I was still
behind him.

`Come on, Davy,'

His distinct foreign accent, drawing a few worried glances from other
pedestrians, one of whom turned to me and held out his hand, bringing me to
a stop.

`Are you chasing that fellow?'

I shook my head, panting. Before snapping.

`If I had been, you have just let him get away,'

`Pardon?'

`I am sorry, we must get to the Russian Cathedral, are we going the right
way?'

`The Russian Cathedral?'

`Yes, please, we are in a hurry, is this the right way?'

`Well yes, but you won't be able to get near it at the moment, big funeral
today for one of the Royal Family,'

I nodded

`Yes, I know, sorry I have to go thank you,'

Niki had come back and was muttering in Russian, eventually he grabbed my
arm and began dragging me along with him. The single bell continued its
mournful cry out across the City of London, getting louder as we got
closer. I glanced at my watch; we would never make it, I felt my heart drop
as the crowds became thicker, Police and military now lining the roads up
to the Cathedral; the road was closed.

`On to the pavement, please gentlemen,'

A huge Police officer was blocking our path, his arms outstretched, the
white stripes on his cuff, emphasising his hand signal, I glanced at him,
noticing his black armband.

`Please, we have to get closer, we are late for the service,'

He looked us up and down.

`You don't look like you're invited, they are all dressed up to the nines
up there,'

`I know, our train was late, please let us through,'

`Sorry, on to the pavement both of you, you should be able to get closer if
you continue up that way,'

He turned away, our conversation at an end. For the first time Niki looked
defeated, I felt little better myself. I glanced at my watch again, just as
a band started up with Chopin's Funeral March, the first strains of the
music drifting towards us. Niki reached for my wrist and attempted to see
my watch, in doing so, he turned my hand, the sun caught my "Draco
Constellation" ring diamonds, sending light flashing in to my eyes. No, I
would not give up, I glanced at the entwined "D" ring Forts had given me
and made me promise to wear, I grabbed Niki's hand.

`Come on Niki, push through them,'

He nodded and on we went, elbows to the fore, a mantra of.

`Excuse me sorry, excuse me sorry, excuse me sorry,'

Somehow, we arrived up by the band, both of us forcing our way to the
barrier looking into the street, I couldn't see anyone I knew, I spoke to
yet another Police Officer.

`Excuse me, can you let us through, we are friends of the family,'

He glanced at us both and laughed.

`Yes, and on a weekend I am the Queen of Sheba,'

`No, please seriously, I am a friend of the Grand Duke Drageonivanov,'

`Look, you're beginning to annoy me, now be quiet, I am watching you,'

I felt myself sigh; I glanced down at Niki; he looked as sad as I felt. We
stood as the band played various sombre pieces and then, as the bell
continued to toll, they came to a stop, and stood to attention. An
Officer's voice rang out and all the soldiers lining the street stood to
attention too. As we looked round, we heard another band begin the Funeral
March no 1 by Johann Walch, in a street just down from us. The Police
Officer glared at me as I strained over the barrier to see, he barked at me
again.

`I am watching you remember,'

More shouted commands rang out, the music was getting louder as the
procession grew closer, four police on horseback at the front, they drew
level with us, passing in slow time as now this band changed to Chopin's
Funeral March in marching cadence. I recognised the band's white pith
helmets, telling an open-mouthed Niki, it was the Royal Marines, all of
them sporting black armbands, the drums all usually highly polished,
wrapped in black material, even the Drum Majors mace, was wrapped in black
cloth. Next came a troop of soldiers, their rifles all pointing backwards,
barrels facing the ground. Then the Royal Horse Artillery, eight black
horses; their harnesses jingling and glistening as they moved, towing the
gun carriage, flanked by six soldiers in Imperial Russian Guards Uniforms,
the coffin draped with the Grand Dukes Royal Standard. We both bowed our
heads as they passed, before looking back up; There he was.

I wanted to call out, but the surrounding crowd was silent. My Forts was
just feet away; he looked amazing in his uniform; I wasn't sure about his
or Dima's beards, his awards were sparkling in the morning light, his white
and silver jacket with its pale blue sash, in stark contrast to the other
dark uniforms around him; his face serious, his eyes focused forward, Dima
by his side, my God and the King, George the sixth, next to him HRH George
the 1st Duke of Kent, the King's brother, next to him Anthony Eden, the
Foreign Secretary. I felt Niki tugging at me.

`Call him,'

`I can't, not now,'

As they drew level with us, Niki called out in Russian.

`Prints Dragen, Forts my zdes,' (Prince Drageon, Forts, we are over here)

I thought I saw a brief look of recognition on his face; he glanced at
Dima, who kept looking forward. I patted Niki on the shoulder,

`He didn't hear you,'

I felt the tears start to flow down my cheeks, Niki looked up and then, in
an instant, he had sprung clear over the street barrier and was running
towards Forts. Shouts erupted as Soldiers and Police ran at him, the
soldiers bayonets drawn, I screamed after him.

`Niki no,'

The Police Officer in front of us had missed Niki's jump, but made a grab
for me instead, dragging me half over the barrier, I was face down as I
heard Niki screaming.


**


Archie continues the story


Athol was striding up and down, clearly unable to settle.

`Athol, come on, sit down, Davy will ring us when he can I am sure,'

`But he must be there by now, the funeral must have started, why didn't he
ring from the hotel?'

I had to shrug my shoulders. He strode back to his desk, grabbing the phone
out of its cradle.

`Operator, can you put me through to the Savoy Hotel in London, please?'

He stood facing me while they put the call through.

`Hello, hello, is that the Savoy? Good, can you please put me through to
the room of Mr David Thomas, I booked it two days ago. He hasn't arrived?'

Athol covered the mouthpiece, mouthing at me, "I knew it"

`Sorry, did you say his luggage is there, but he never checked in?'

`Well, when did it arrive? Half an hour ago?'

Athol thanked the person on the phone, asking that they leave a message
that Mr Thomas was to ring MacDonald of Clan MacDonald as soon as he got
the message. He replaced the receiver and plonked down in to his desk seat.

`I knew, I should have gone, what on earth could have happened to them?'


**


At that very moment, five hundred and fifty-five miles away, the funeral
procession of the Grand Duke Truorwskoy had come to an abrupt halt. To
shouts of "Protect the King, protect the King". The air filled with the
sound of Soldiers rushing to surround George the sixth and the other
guests; Niki had got so close. Now he was on the ground, face down, a
bayonet raised pointing at his back, the soldier drew back his rifle, Niki
let out a blood-curdling scream. The Soldier momentarily froze as a figure
cannoned into him; a flash of white and silver, just as he lunged forward,
the bayonet blade sent up a shower of sparks as it hit the granite
cobbles. Fort's voice was screaming at the soldier.

`No, STOP! He is my friend, he is my friend,'

Stunned faces hauled Niki off the ground, he pointed wildly towards the
figure bent over the barrier.


**


Davy continues the story


All I could hear was the Policeman shouting

`Got you, got you, you bastard,'

Next I was face down, half over the barrier. I heard the shouts and cries
of alarm, someone calling "Protect the King, protect the King" and heavy
boots running. Then a voice I recognised, before I could say anything, the
Police Officer had smashed my face into the barrier, screaming at me "Not
to move". I hung facing down, watching, disbelieving, as blood began to
drip from my face. Then a barked.

`Let him go, you idiot, he is my friend,'

The hands holding me down let go of me and I lifted my head, Forts was
standing with Niki's legs wrapped round his waist; Dima by his side. Niki
beaming and chattering away as Forts and Dima reached out their hands to
me.

                        **********************

Folks, I really hope you're enjoying the story. There is nothing more
rewarding than hearing your feedback with observations and
suggestions. Please email me to let me know. Blackscar.

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`Operation Pied Piper'              – Gay/Adult Youth
`Scream if you want to go faster'   - Bisexual/Adult Youth
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`The Extraordinary Christmas Party' – Bisexual/Incest
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