How were they found so quickly? After realizing the magnitude of the task facing him, Narsus had reluctantly awakened Elam. He needed the boy's help to prepare the house for his absence. He'd explained what was happening, and where they were going, and then found himself the recipient of his charge's joyous hug when he'd also explained the nature of his new relationship with Darun. Together, they'd tackled the downstairs of the house, cleaning, picking up and putting things away, sorting through the food in the kitchen. Figuring that they could pack and care for the upstairs after their guests had awakened, Narsus had sent Elam outside to see to the stable and the care of the horses. He'd just sat down in front of his easel, hoping to steal a few moments to finish that painting when the clomp of hooves and the jingle of tack had alerted him to more unexpected visitors.

Narsus had watched as Elam, showing a great deal of bravery but very little sense, tried to prevent the approach of the Palsian soldiers. He'd carefully controlled his anger when Elam was forcefully brushed aside. Somehow, he was able to greet his new 'guests' impassively, though their entry resulted with Elam falling to the floor practically at his feet. The more the soldier spoke, the greater Narsus' anger and alarm grew. Knowing that Darun was undoubtedly awake and aware of the soldiers' presence, Narsus prayed that his lover would control his temper and remain concealed along with the Prince, especially when the gory death of Darun's Uncle Vaphreze was described in such loving detail.

All of which led him to where he was now, watching from the window as the soldiers rode away and wondering how they could have possibly thought to search for the missing Prince in an as out of the way a place as his sanctuary. With the beginnings of a completely new anger, Narsus turned from the window, intending to find Darun. He suspected he knew the answer to that question, and the answer definitely did not please him.

Darun had awakened early, sadly still alone in his love's bed. Seeing that the sun was just rising, he stole back to the room that he and his Prince had been given. After dressing, he straightened the only slightly rumpled covers of his bed, smiling at the thought that it had remained unused. He'd just been turning to wake his Prince when the sound of horses had drawn him instead to the windows. The sound did the job Darun had intended, waking the Prince and bringing a sleepy Arislan to his side. While Darun concealed their packs, Arislan dressed, and by the time the soldiers entered the house, they were perched in a vantage point among the rafters so they could hear and observe.

Thankful that his Prince had been there to moderate his fury and prevent him from giving away their presence, Darun left the rafters for the roof as the soldiers left Narsus' house. From there, he hoped to observe the direction in which they left. As soon as they were out of sight, he and Arislan made for the ladder that would lead back down to the main level of the house. He hoped Narsus had used the early morning hours wisely, for they had to leave as soon as possible.

Fighting a painful mixture of anguish, fear, and rage, at his Uncle's senseless and unjust death, at how quickly they'd been followed, again at the betrayal of their forces, Darun was unprepared for the sight of Narsus stalking towards the ladder he descended, anger simmering in his eyes and in every line of his body. Suddenly remembering how he'd purposely let Karlan's men see the direction he and his Prince took as they left killing field Atoropatene had become, knowing that eventually the soldiers would be led to Narsus' hideaway, Darun sincerely hoped that his love's anger was not directed at him.

Damn him! The only way Karlan's men would know to look in this direction is if Darun purposely traveled by the main road. Narsus was intensely angry. He felt sure that Darun had never intended to leave him any choice whatsoever about joining them. His anger drove him to immediately confront the man as he climbed down the ladder from the roof, Arislan close behind him. Actually proud of how mild his tone was, Narsus waited only until Darun set his first black clad foot on the floor before asking, "Darun? By which road did you travel on your way here? I don't suppose that someone as experienced as you would have allowed themselves to be seen on the main road, eh?"

Oh, damn! By Narsus' tone of voice, Darun knew he'd miscalculated, both the wisdom of trying to coerce Narsus and his love's reaction once Narsus figured out he was being manipulated. Trying to placate the stiffly tense man confronting him, and unmindful of the presence of either his Prince or Elam, Darun held out one hand in entreaty. "Narsus, we were in terrible danger, and we needed to travel as quickly as possible." He never had a chance to continue as Narsus interrupted, narrowed emerald flashing.

"Darun, you son of a.... I don't believe you for an instant! It would have been so incredibly simple for you to avoid being seen if you'd chosen. Was all that sympathetic concern over my decisions last night an act? You never intended to give me any choice in the matter, did you?" Narsus was beginning to feel as betrayed as Darun must have when he'd discovered Karlan's treachery.

Perhaps it wasn't the most intelligent thing he could have done, but Narsus' frontal assault provoked an answering anger in Darun, and without thinking, he defended, "No, Narsus, you know that's not true. I mean, yes, it's true that I didn't want to leave you with any choice, but that's..." He broke off in frustration as Narsus partially turned away. It was like last night all over again with him pleading and Narsus determined not to listen. "Damn it, Narsus, you know I need you, we need you. You're invaluable, you're a master strategist, you're destined for greater things than wasting yourself on those silly paintings of yours and I wanted..." Again, he was cut off before he could finish as Narsus spun back to face him, his anger seeming to rise to new levels.

Was all last night a lie, some elaborate charade created just to gain his support? I never should have believed, should have known better than to hope! In minutes, Narsus had fallen from the highest high back to the lowest low. Last night, had he only seen what he'd wanted to see, only heard what he'd so desperately wanted to hear? How could he have been so completely fooled? Bitterly, he applauded Darun's ability as an actor. It seemed as if he'd learned quite a bit in the years they'd been separated, for years ago, Narsus would never have believed Darun capable of such deception. Three years ago, Darun had been nothing if not forthright and honest.

But there Darun stood, once more so clinically stating that Arislan and their cause needed him, so disdainfully criticizing the life he'd chosen and the art that meant so much to him. Damn you, Darun, you said you loved me! Sick at heart, unable to hear more, Narsus overrode Darun, shouting, "That's it! All bets are off, Darun! I won't be manipulated and I won't be coerced! Get out! Just get out of my house and leave me and my worthless art in peace." He stared at Darun, willing the other man to just turn and go. His anger gave him the strength he needed not to fall apart in front of them, but it also blinded him to the wounded shock in the blue eyes he stared into.

For just a moment, Darun was completely unable to speak. Stark fear suddenly replaced his anger and frustration. He'd never seen Narsus this angry, not even last night. Once more Darun damned himself for how he'd hurt Narsus so long ago, damned himself for their current misunderstanding, damned the fact that it would take more than one night of love to completely heal the damage he'd caused. It was his fault that Narsus couldn't trust him. He floundered, trying to find a way to salvage this situation.

Finally, Darun stepped forward, grasping Narsus' arms at the elbows and holding tightly when his love briefly fought his grip. Though Narsus turned his face away, refusing to look at him, and though Elam looked as if he was about to try to take him apart, Darun spoke quietly, but forcefully. "Narsus, you have to listen to me. It's true that I tried to manipulate you into joining us, but that's only because I hoped to buy myself time."

Wha? Time? Time for what? Narsus felt his anger die a quick death, only to be replaced with confusion. Oh, Goddess, no. Replaying the entire ugly confrontation in his mind, Narsus began to fear that he'd overreacted and completely misunderstood his love. Again. But, what if he hadn't been wrong? He didn't know what to think, and was afraid to hope again. Very, very quietly, he asked, "Time for what, Darun?" There was no one else in the room but them as far as Narsus was concerned. He stood poised at the brink of a cliff, his existence depending on Darun's answer. He kept his face averted, afraid of what he might see if he looked in those blue eyes, afraid of what he might not see.

At the quiet question, a sense of great relief flowed into Darun. Narsus had calmed, was no longer fighting him, and seemed ready to listen. As softly as his love had spoken, he explained, "If nothing else, I thought that if you were forced to join us, I'd have more time to set things right between us. Though I prayed it would be so, I didn't know if just one night could heal the hurt I caused you."

Oh, hell. I've been an idiot. Narsus damned himself for being so quick to take offense, for being so suspicious of Darun's motives, for not even giving his love a chance to explain. "Apparently it hasn't, Darun. And I've been an incredible fool who's jumped to incredibly foolish conclusions." Narsus finally raised his eyes to meet compassionate blue. He rested his hands on Darun's forearms, feeling the tension flow out of him. "I'm so sorry, Darun. I should not have doubted you."

Darun's relief mixed with a certain sadness. "Because of our past, you have every reason to doubt me, but if you'll just give me time, I'll prove that you can trust me and believe in everything that passed between us last night."

Though Narsus was smiling softly, Darun felt compelled to ask, as he had the night before, "Are we all right?" He held his breath as emerald darkened, then released it as Narsus simply nodded. He grew conscious of the eyes watching them, so resisted drawing Narsus into his arms, resisted the draw of those smiling lips, and instead quietly asked, "Will you join us?"

Before he could reply, Narsus' attention was dragged from the face of the man he loved to the figure of his Prince as Arislan stepped up to them.

"I wish you would join us willingly, Narsus. I'm prepared to reward you generously if you do so."

"I will not be bought, Highness." Narsus felt just a touch of anger rekindle in him at the thought. He pulled his arms from Darun's lax grip, and stepped slightly away. Perhaps he'd misjudged the young Prince after all? He sincerely hoped not.

"No, Narsus. I can see how much your art means to you, so what I propose is to appoint you Imperial Artist after my throne is secured and I am King of Palse."

Oh no, don't encourage him. Even as his love dissolved into amused laughter, Darun couldn't help but protest, "Highness, appointing Narsus Imperial Artist would be disastrous!" As much as he loved the man, in Darun's opinion, Narsus couldn't paint to save his life. As he realized how bad that sounded, Darun nearly swallowed his tongue trying to take his words back, until he realized that instead of taking offense, Narsus simply laughed a little harder.

It was just too much. And it was the last thing that Narsus had expected to be offered. His young Prince, so dignified and earnest, the horrified expression on Darun's face, Elam's utter confusion. He couldn't help but laugh, and felt so much better for it. He was well aware that Darun had never liked his paintings and had never kept that fact a secret from him, so his love's comment didn't bother him in the least. Somehow regaining enough control to speak, Narsus shot his lover a look and admonished, "You hush, Darun. I'll forgive that comment since you always have been and always will be ignorant about art." He smiled reassuringly into blue that looked altogether too relieved, then turned back to face his Prince. "As for your offer, my Prince. Before I can accept or decline it, before I can decide if I will join you, I must ask something of you."

Remembering his pledge that he wanted the entire world to know that Narsus was his, Darun stepped up beside his love before his Prince could reply, and quietly said, "And I must tell you something, my Prince."

Darun met smiling emerald, and at Narsus' graceful gesture for him to go first, he turned to face puzzled blue. "Highness, I need to-, I mean we," Darun lifted his hand to Narsus' shoulder, gave it a brief squeeze, then lowered it, "We need to tell you that last night, we became a pairing..."

"Why, that's wonderful, Darun. I'm very happy for you both." Arislan, smiling widely up at both of them, stepped forward and laid one hand on each of their shoulders. "I wish you all the best together..." He trailed off at the look the two men exchanged. "Oh." One single, subdued word. How could they be together if Narsus didn't come with them?

"Exactly, my Prince, which leads me back to what I must ask you." Narsus gazed into his Prince's wide blue eyes. Could his Prince accept him as he was? Could Arislan perhaps someday become a friend as he seemed to be to Darun? Needing to be sure of Arislan, Narsus bluntly stated, "I'm through with court politics, Highness, and the playing of roles that accompanies them. Out here, I've enjoyed the freedom of being no one but myself for far too long to be willing to become again the creature of politics and intrigue I once was. You said last night, my Prince, that I could speak openly with you, and I warn you that if I am to counsel you, I will do just that. I will not dance around any subject with you, Highness, nor will I temper my words so that you may hear only what you wish to hear. I will speak my mind, my Prince, and if I am to guide you, I will tell you what I think you need to know, whether you like it or not. All I ask is that you listen, and do not discount what I say simply because it is something unpleasant or something that you disagree with."

"Like my Father."

Narsus nodded at Arislan's quiet statement. Still gazing into wide blue, Narsus felt he already knew his Prince's answer. If he had once worn far too many masks, Arislan wore hardly any at all. His thoughts could plainly be read in his open expression. "Exactly so, my Prince. And know that I'm well aware that I'm not infallible. Our relationship will work both ways, for I'm more than willing to listen to you as well."

"I am not my Father, Narsus, and I'd like to think that I've learned a great deal from his mistakes. I value honesty, Narsus, and I pledge you that I will always listen and that I will never attempt to punish you for speaking openly to me."

And that was that. Narsus believed his Prince, trusted what he saw in those frank, earnest eyes. It was a relief to finally feel free to do what he wanted to do anyway. Concern allayed, Narsus offered his Prince a smile before turning back to face his love. Laying a hand on Darun's shoulder, he murmured, "Then it looks as if I'll have plenty of time to punish you for your deceitfulness, and cure your ignorance concerning art, Dar." He couldn't help a laugh as Darun's eyes grew as wide as Arislan's had been. He wondered if it was because of the promise of punishment or the promise of art lectures. Narsus let his smile grow a little wicked. Either way, he could think of many interesting ways to carry out both promises. Before Darun could reply, their Prince was speaking with a youthful exuberance that was so far removed from his quiet dignity of a few moments ago that Narsus couldn't help but laugh again.

"Does that mean what I think it does? You'll accompany us, Narsus?"

Looking over his shoulder at his Prince, Narsus smiled, "Yes, my Prince, I think I will, and I'll accept your promise of an appointment as Imperial artist gladly." He smiled wider at the choking sound that came from behind him, and swung back to face Darun who was smiling as widely as he. Moving a step closer to Darun, he murmured into the joy radiating off the other man, "I'll be at your side for as long as you want me." Narsus felt the last of three years of hurt finally heal when Darun mouthed the word 'forever'. He would never doubt this love again.

As much as he wanted to just go to Darun, pull his love's arms about him, and forget the rest of the world existed, Narsus resisted. They were in danger, and needed to put as much distance as possible between themselves and this house before the soldiers returned. Reluctantly, he turned from Darun and gestured Arislan and Elam towards the stairs. "Come, we need to finish closing the house, and Elam and I need to pack."

Darun moved up to Narsus' side as their companions obediently moved towards the stairs, and laid a restraining hand on his love's arm when Narsus made to follow them. When the two youths disappeared from view, he pulled Narsus into his arms. Feeling a kind of wondering joy as his love melted against him, Darun buried his face in that silky hair so he could softly murmur into one ear, "I love you." He gasped slightly as the arms around his waist tightened convulsively, then pulled back only enough so that he could brush his lips against those of his love in as simple a kiss as the one that had nearly destroyed them both three years ago. But unlike that ages past kiss, this one was fully backed by Darun's heart and soul. With this one, Darun accepted all that he'd denied so long ago, and offered in return a promise as deep and complex as the man in his arms. Forever.