Title: Once upon a December
Warning: Deathfic

In the past…

The ballroom glittered like gold, the candles flickered making the whole room seem to glow, shadows dancing on the walls. The gentle tones of a beautiful song filled the air. Even though the ball was over the music still played. Played for the two who still remained behind. Remained behind so that they could be together.

They danced slowly and gracefully. Moving together such a perfect unison that it was a beautiful sight to behold the lovers, that is if there was anyone there to see them.

One was a brown haired man, a knight of the royal court. His crimson red suit was accented by his ever present sword that hung at his side. He moved with the same liquid grace on the dance floor that he did on the battlefield. His soft brown eyes never leaving the dark eyes of the one he loved.

The other was a dark haired man, his longish hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. His black eyes seemed to shimmer with the depths of his love for his knight, as he looked deep into the brown haired man’s eyes. His azure blue suit was marked with the royal seal. He was the prince, his father’s only son and thus heir to the throne.

"After tomorrow night… there will be no more… ‘secret’ meetings." The brown haired man spoke in deep sorrow.

"Don’t think about tomorrow. Just think about the here and now. For now, just dance with me, Lancelot."

Lancelot held his prince closer. "I never want to tonight to end."

"Neither do I. But, alas time stands still for no one."

He raised his head and looked at the prince. "Then run away with me."

"You know I can not do that."

"Sorry I forgot I am but a lowly knight not good enough for a prince. Sorry, prince Keith." There was a hint of venom in his words. Lancelot tried to pull away but Keith gripped him tighter.

"This is more complicated then merely being if I want to run away with you. If I had my choice I would." Keith told him firmly.

"You made your choice by choosing to marry. Your wedding is tomorrow."

"It is not my choice and you know it." Keith said. Trying to keep the desperate plea for Lancelot to never leave from showing in voice.

"Yes, it is. You have always had the ability to make a choice and this is the choice you made." Lancelot pulled away from Prince Keith. "You made the choice not to give up this wealth and power by ‘choosing’ to marry."

"No!" Keith shook his head. "If I chose to run away with you… they’d hunt us down and they would kill you. They would claim you used witchcraft. They would burn you at the stake… my heart could not handle seeing you die… not like that… not because of me." By the end of his speech the young prince was in tears.

Lancelot gathered Keith into his arms, and held him close, gently stroking Keith’s back with one hand. "Sh, do not cry, my prince."

"I love you too much to be the cause of your death." Keith whispered.

"I know. It is alright, I know." Lancelot whispered. He swayed their bodies back and forth in a gentle dance to soothe the upset prince.

"Perhaps someday we can be together…."

"Perhaps. Though I doubt such a day will be seen in our lifetime." Lancelot said sorrowfully.

"It has to…" Keith said. His voice trembled slightly with sadness.

"No matter what I will always love you… even if we can not be together."

"And I will always love thee." Keith said. He looked into Lancelot’s eyes. "Perhaps if we can not be together in life we can be together in death."

Lancelot’s eyes widened slightly as the full meaning of Keith’s words hit him. He sighed softly, then leaned in to capture Keith’s life in a soft, love filled kiss. He pulled back slightly their faces only inches apart.

Lancelot held Keith close with one arm, while drawing his sword with his free hand. Keith wrapped his arms around Lancelot in a loving embrace. And the two lovers danced together slowly.

"I love you." Keith whispered, resting his head against Lancelot’s shoulder.

"And I love you." Lancelot whispered in return. He gently kissed Keith’s head, then rested his head against the dark hair.

Keith didn’t even flinch as he felt the tip of the sword dance across his back, positioning for a deadly strike. Though there was pain in death, there was also freedom and the knight and his prince fell to the ballroom floor, blood pooling around their still embraced forms.

~TBC - in Once Upon A December: Present~