Chapter Text
Queen Chantal was a fair and just queen, traits which made her well loved by the people of her adopted home, Slovenia. She was also beautiful and kind, traits which had drawn a young Prince Miha to the Dutch princess many years before. She was as talented as she was witty, as graceful as she was intelligent - all traits which she had passed down to their children. The eldest had also inherited one of her slightly less beloved qualities and it was that stubbornness which fueled the current screaming match taking place in the middle of the king’s great hall.
“I don’t care that I’m the crown prince!” young Prince Kris bellowed. “I want to be allowed to fight the giant just like every other would-be hero in the land! You can’t keep me locked away forever - you have to let me prove myself just as you once did!”
“I created an entire army of knights just so that you would never have to go through what I did!” King Miha yelled back. “Slaying monsters is a dangerous job best left to those professionals who have been trained for it, not the heir to the throne!”
“But how can people respect me if I just sit back and let others risk their lives for me?” Prince Kris demanded. “That would make me a coward!”
“That would make you a king!” King Miha retorted. “Which dying to a giant would never do!”
“I’d rather die young and a hero than live to old age a scared wimp!” Prince Kris declared.
“I’d rather you live to an age where you can look back and understand what a fool you’re being!” King Miha raged back at him.
“And I’d rather you both stop screaming at each other in public,” Queen Chantal sighed, rubbing her forehead. “You’re making a scene and worrying your advisors - and, most importantly, you’re giving me a headache. Kris, darling - you can’t run off to fight a giant all on your own.”
“But Mam!” Prince Kris started to protest but his mother held up a hand, silencing him.
“Which is why you’ll take a squad of heroes - four others should be plenty. And you,” she turned her gaze to her husband. “You’ll let him.”
“Chantal!” the king protested.
“Miha,” his wife replied calmly and all the fight left him.
“Fine,” he reluctantly agreed, interrupting his son’s cheering to explain, “but I’ll pick who goes with you.”
“You’ll have final approval of who Kris picks,” Queen Chantal corrected gently and her husband sighed and nodded, knowing she would get her way in the end and that it was simply easier to agree now than fight her when she’d made up her mind. “And Kris - no picking idiots who you’ll ditch the second you’re outside the castle gates. I’m requiring all of your companions to report back to me when you’re done and if any of them let me know that’s happened, you’ll never be allowed out of my sight again - understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Prince Kris sighed, exchanging a weary look with his father.
“That’s my boys,” Queen Chantal praised, smiling fondly at them both. “Now, Kris - go pick your companions and once you’ve sent them to us for approval, start packing. Miha, dear - that poor man has been waiting with his petition for at least thirty minutes. Don’t you think it’s time you heard him out?”
“Yes, Mam,” Prince Kris sighed.
“Yes, Chantal,” King Miha echoed.
“I want to be just like mom when I grow up,” Princess Maja whispered to Prince Maks who nodded fervently in agreement.
—-
A few hours later saw Queen Chantal surveying her son’s selected companions, nodding in approval at his choice. Sir Jure while a bit… hyperactive… was an incredibly capable knight and if even half the stories about him were true, he was exactly who her son would need should he find himself in an unusual pickle. Sir Martin had one of the steadiest heads in the realm and she was certain he wouldn’t let her son run off and do anything reckless. He would also be instrumental in controlling Sir Jure so she considered him a doubly good choice. Sir Jan was no surprise - he and her son were thick as thieves and always had been ever since they’d picked up swords for the first time together - but Sir Nace would have been, had it not been for the speed at which he’d worked his way into her son’s innermost circle. Queen Chantal had no reservations about him, either, as he’d more than proved himself on quests and in practice.
“I don’t like this,” King Miha grumbled from next to her and she sighed as he raised the same objections he always did whenever Kris picked his friends to accompany him on some errand. “Sir Jure is too unpredictable, Sir Jan too lazy, Sir Martin too passive, and Sir Nace too new. He should be taking loyal, steadfast, seasoned knights with him.”
“Like who, Sir Žare?” Queen Chantal challenged.
“Sir Žare is a fine knight who has served me well for many years,” King Miha defended. “It’s not his fault he’s a bit… caustic.”
“He made Vita cry when he declared her portrait of him less artful than what a dog might pee on snow,” Queen Chantal reminded him. “And Kris has not forgiven him that slight against his friend so he would not trust him to have his back.”
“I suppose you’re right,” King Miha sighed. “What about Sir Gregor? Kris trusts him.”
“Kris may,” Queen Chantal agreed. “But I don’t. I read the reports from the other knights when they go on tour - I know how he treats the girls at the inns and I do not want my children associating with such a person.”
“He can be a bit… brutish…” King Miha allowed and his wife snorted at him.
“Miha my love, the last patrol he went on one of his fellow knights stabbed him instead of the troll they were fighting because he confused the two,” Queen Chantal reminded him.
“Which was incredibly irresponsible of him,” King Miha said, frowning at the memory. “Perhaps Sir Kiki needs new corrective eyewear.”
“After having seen the troll, I understand his confusion so perhaps you need to sign me up for an evaluation as well,” she said mildly and her husband wisely dropped it.
“Um, can we go now?” Sir Jure asked, bouncing from foot to foot. “Only, Kris - Prince Kris said he wanted to leave by 7 and if we’re to pack…”
“Yes, dears - you may go,” Queen Chantal nodded. King Miha just sighed, not daring to disagree with his wife once she’d made up her mind. “But remember, don’t let Kris go off on his own, understood?”
“Yes, my Queen,” the four bowed then hurried out of the room.
“I still say this is a mistake,” King Miha grumbled but Queen Chantal took his hand, and he quieted.
—-
“I can’t believe your mom let you go on an adventure like this,” Sir Jure enthused. He and Sir Martin rode ahead of the Crown Prince while Sir Jan and Sir Nace took up the rear, ostensibly in a protective formation but those two trailed far behind as Sir Jan had gotten distracted by a butterfly and Sir Nace by Sir Jan. Sir Jure was not best positioned for defense either having practically turned completely around in his saddle to converse with the prince.
“Me either,” Prince Kris agreed. “I think she’s just tired of having all of us underfoot all the time. Things will be better when Maks goes back to training and Maja starts finishing school.”
“I still can’t believe your dad is making her do that,” Sir Martin said and it was a mark of just how close the five were that he felt so comfortable saying something at all negative about the king. “Maja should be training to be a knight, same as you did and same as Maks is now. She’s the one with the natural talent for the sword - no offense, but you know your mind is more for tactics, like mine.”
Prince Kris nodded. “No offense taken. They’ve worked out a deal,” he confided. “Maja is being allowed to continue her lessons while attending finishing school and will get to choose afterwards what path she wishes to take.” Sir Martin let out a low whistle, drawing Sir Nace and Sir Jan’s attention.
“That is an incredible gift given how valuable she would be as a bride,” Sir Martin observed.
“Oh, she’ll still likely have to marry for an alliance one day just like the rest of us,” Prince Kris said dismissively. “But at least this way she has the opportunity to acquire the skills that will allow her to position herself to launch a coup if she someday finds her eventual husband lacking.”
Sir Jure blinked at him. “I am really, really glad I’m not part of your family right now because the way you think is terrifying,” he informed the prince.
“Thank you, Jure,” Prince Kris beamed at him. “That is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
—-
The group traveled for several days before they reached the giant’s lands. “We should set up camp here,” Sir Martin advised. “The clearing is big enough for our tents and the river is nearby so we may bathe away the stench of the road.”
“A wise choice, Sir Martin! Let’s us set up camp,” Prince Kris agreed. It was not long before the tents were pitched and horses cared for. “I am going to go bathe,” Prince Kris informed them, surveying the group. “You may join me if you wish or see to whatever other tasks you have.”
“I am going to start dinner,” Sir Jure said.
“I will help you,” Sir Martin offered.
“I will start digging for the latrine,” Sir Nace said.
“Sir Jan will help you,” Prince Kris assigned.
“Why do you always pick the worst jobs?” Sir Jan grumbled as they made their way into the forest to laughter from the remaining three.
Prince Kris gathered his necessities and made his way down to the stream. Sir Martin had not wanted him to go alone but as the river was within easy shouting distance, he’d allowed it. Prince Kris carefully stored his items and clothing and had just found a rock to sit upon in the water when another figure emerged from the trees on the other side. “Halt!” Prince Kris called out imperiously. “Who goes there?”
The man - or boy, Prince Kris thought, given his height - froze immediately. “I did not expect to find anyone out here. I have only come to bathe, like yourself,” he explained.
“Are you aware this is a dangerous area?” Prince Kris asked.
“This is a small stream,” the man assured him. “It will not sweep me away.”
“I am referring to the giant which has been terrorizing the area, not the size of the stream,” Prince Kris said with a roll of his eyes.
“I have neither seen nor heard of such a creature,” the man denied.
“Perhaps you are new and simply haven’t run across another to inform you yet,” Prince Kris suggested.
The man shook of his head. “I have lived here for my entire life - there are no giants in these parts. Only me.”
“That’s impossible!” Prince Kris scoffed. “We have received many complaints of a giant terrorizing these lands. The king has had to pay much to the people who live here to help them rebuild.”
“And who are you to know better than a local the happenings of these lands?” the man challenged.
“I am Prince Kris,” he informed him, chest puffed up proudly. “I serve on many of my father’s committees, including the one for disaster restitutions.”
“Oh, well, if a prince says there must be a giant then who am I, a humble woodsman who has lived on these lands for 25 years and has never seen a single sign of a giant, to disagree?” the man teased.
Normally, such an attitude would bother Prince Kris but there was just something about the man’s smile that had him smiling in return. “We have sent patrols to confirm the damage before paying, of course,” Prince Kris said. “We know the giant has been slipping into towns and burning down people’s homes in the dead of night.”
“That doesn’t seem like much of a giant-like thing to do,” the man mused. “Aren’t they more FE-FI-FO-FUM I WILL STOMP ON YOU AND SMASH YOUR VILLAGE? Arson just seems a bit… unusual a choice.”
“Hm - you may have a bit of a point,” Prince Kris conceded. “We have been traveling for at least half a day in these lands and I have seen none of the usual signs of giants - no ripped up trees or clearly hurled boulders, no deep scars in the land. Tell me then, woodsman - what do you think is destroying these villagers’ homes if not a giant?”
“I would be happy to tell you my theory - may I join you?” the man asked, gesturing to himself. “Only, I would like to bathe while there is still light out.”
“Oh! Of course!” Prince Kris nodded. He found himself watching as the other stripped and waded in, surprised at the other’s beauty when he drew nearer.
“Oh - you found my favorite rock!” the man said with a pleased grin. “May I share it with you? It is more than big enough for two.”
Prince Kris nodded and moved over so the man could join him. “Your theory?” he asked as the other set to washing himself.
“Oh, yes! Greed and jealousy,” he declared. “There has been a lot of petty infighting happening since one of the young men stole another’s maiden for his wife. Theirs was the first house to go up in flames - and her former beau has made himself scarce since. They knew the jealous ex lover would not repay them the cost of the house so his father helped him stage it to look like an attack and off they went with their petition. When they returned with twice the value of the house granted by the king, some others realized the opportunity and suddenly - giant attacks everywhere,” he said, spreading his arms wide.
“But that would be fraud which is punishable by death!” Prince Kris protested. “Who would risk such a thing over mere money?”
“Spoken like a man who has never wanted for any,” he said pointedly and Prince Kris found himself blushing. It wasn’t common for him to find his station left him ill prepared for some aspect of life but this was certainly one such occurrence.
“But we have received many reports from several towns and all of the descriptions of the giant have matched,” Prince Kris pointed out.
“The other villages started being attacked about a week after the first?” he guessed and Prince Kris nodded in surprise. “Every Saturday there is a local fair of sorts where artisans and farmers may bring their goods to exchange between the villages. The other thing most commonly exchanged? Gossip. When a young couple who the week before were crying destitute due to their house burning down suddenly had money to burn, if you’ll forgive the pun, well, that sort of thing attracts questions.”
“And potentially copycats,” Prince Kris murmured and the man nodded.
“You are very fortunate in your timing,” he said. “Seeing as how today was Saturday, I should expect some news of more - ahem - giant attacks come morning. There is a village about a day and a half day’s ride from here which has not seen any attacks yet - but I heard at the fair that a negligent farmer lost half his flock to wolves two days ago so I would not be surprised if we learned his barn had been destroyed by the giant come morning.”
“This village is a day and a half day’s ride?” Prince Kris asked eagerly. “Which direction?”
“Over that way,” the other replied, pointing. “It would normally only take the better part of a day to get there but the road washed out last rainstorm so you would need to take a detoured path. I could show you,” he offered. “In return for payment, of course.”
“Of course,” Prince Kris replied stiffly. “I have gold, back with my party-“
“I didn’t say I wanted gold,” the man corrected him.
“Then what do you want?” Prince Kris asked, frowning with confusion.
“A single kiss,” he said boldly. “They say royalty have the softest lips - I would like to know for myself if that is true.”
Prince Kris stared at him in shock, his first thought tumbling from his mouth. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Bojan,” the other said, leaning in.
“Payment will be granted upon receipt of services,” Prince Kris said quickly, leaning back far enough that the other had to grab him so he didn’t fall from their rock.
“How do I know I’m not going to be cheated out of it?” Bojan asked, not looking the least bit bothered by Prince Kris’s scramble and even taking the opportunity to rub a small circle on his arm before letting him go.
“You’re just a country bumpkin so you’ll be forgiven for questioning my character like that,” Prince Kris said haughtily. “This time. Don’t do it again.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess,” Bojan grinned at him and Kris hoped he wasn’t blushing too badly. He feared his face must be betraying him for the other’s grin widened. “Perhaps you should bathe so we can get back to your companions,” he suggested.
“We?” Prince Kris echoed, trying not to sound too hopeful. “Are you joining us now, then?”
“It’ll be easier for us to set out in the morning that way,” Bojan said reasonably. “If you’ve room for me, that is. If not, I can sleep under the stars - it would not be the first time.”
“There is space in my tent,” Prince Kris said, definitely blushing at the look the other gave him. “The others are all paired off already. I can ask them to swap around if you’d rather-“
“No, I’d definitely rather sleep with you,” Bojan said, giving him a wink.
“I’m starting to regret agreeing to your conditions,” Prince Kris said, trying to pretend he found the other’s flirting annoying.
“Well, we can always come up with another form of payment if you can’t wait for that one,” he teased.
“You should retrieve your things so we can head back,” Prince Kris directed.
“As you wish, Princess,” Bojan stood and sketched a cheeky bow. “I have a few things to retrieve and then will join you - have you set up camp in the large open area just South of here?”
“We have,” Prince Kris nodded, standing himself. “I am relieved to see you know the area so well.”
“Of course I do - what kind of woodsman would I be if I didn’t?” Bojan gasped.
“Nonetheless - I am glad my trust is not misplaced,” Prince Kris told him and the other’s eyes softened.
“If you believe one thing only,” Bojan said sincerely, taking his hands. “Believe this - no matter what happens, I will not betray your trust. I will serve you in whatever capacity you need me to, to the fullest of my ability.”
“Because I am the crown prince and you owe me your allegiance,” Prince Kris said, trying not to sound disappointed at the idea.
“Because you are the most beautiful boy I have ever laid eyes on and I would follow you to the ends of the earth for just the chance at that kiss,” Bojan said, taking his hand and staring earnestly up at him.
“You and your flowery words have the potential to be dangerous to a man’s heart,” Prince Kris admitted.
“Guess I’ll just have to make sure to never injure your heart,” Bojan said.
“See that you don’t,” Prince Kris told him.
“Yes, Princess,” Bojan said with a cheeky salute.
Prince Kris rolled his eyes and dropped his hand. “Well, I was going to give you a kiss on the cheek - partial payment up front, as is custom - but if you’re going to act like that…”
“I’ll be good,” Bojan promised. “Please, can I-“
Prince Kris leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Your down payment - since you asked so nicely.”
“Thank you,” Bojan breathed. “I - I need to go get my things. I will meet you shortly. Your highness,” he sketched a quick bow then fled, leaving Kris worried he’d somehow messed up… whatever was happening between them.
—-
“So let me get this straight,” Sir Martin said as he spooned soup into a bowl then passed it to Prince Kris. “You went bathing - alone, despite my objections - and found a stranger who you invited to sleep with you?”
“Not like that!” Prince Kris protested. “He’s going to guide us to the village and mine is the only tent with space!”
“We can swap around,” Sir Jure suggested. “I can share with Jan, Nace with you, and Martin with this new guy so he can’t hurt you!”
“Bojan isn’t going to hurt me,” Prince Kris said, shaking his head. “And I don’t want to inflict you lot on him and scare him away before he’s rendered unto us the service I am paying for!”
“Oh, well, if you say Bojan isn’t going to hurt you then I guess we should just believe your entirely unbiased opinion,” Sir Martin said wryly, the others snickering along with him.
“Is that him?” Sir Jan asked, nodding at a figure coming out of the woods. “Because if so, I can definitely see why you’d want to be the one to pay him for services rendered…”Prince Kris threw his chunk of bread at his best friend who deftly caught it with a grin. “Thanks for the seconds.”
“You’re such children,” Sir Martin complained, standing to greet the woodsman as he walked up to them. “Hello - I’m Martin. Prince Kris has been telling us about you.”
“Bojan,” the shorter man greeted, giving him a warm smile as he accepted his hand. “Hey, Princess,” he said, giving Sir Martin a look up and down then turning a teasing grin on Prince Kris. “I think I found your giant.”
“Martin isn’t that tall - you’re just very short,” Prince Kris huffed at him.
“Princess, huh,” Sir Jan muttered and Prince Kris reached over to slap his arm.
“Jure!” the blond knight greeted. “And that’s Jan and Nace. Kris you’ve obviously met already. Are you hungry? We’ve enough to share, if you are.”
“That would be fantastic!” Bojan beamed at him. “I did not have a chance to eat before I left so thank you.”
“Do you really need so many supplies for a short trip?” Prince Kris asked, eyeing the woodsman’s large pack.
“Well, I wasn’t sure how formal an affair dinner would be or what sort of attire you would demand since I’ve only ever seen you naked,” Bojan winked.
“I was already bathing when he got to the stream - of course I was naked!” Prince Kris defended, blushing.
“I thought I’d stumbled across a woodland nymph,” Bojan said in a stage whisper to Sir Nace.
“And then you realized it was just the creature from the Black Lagoon?” Sir Jan replied back the same way.
“That’s it - I’m going to bed early,” Prince Kris huffed.
“Oh no you’re not,” Sir Jure said, grabbing his arm. “The rest of us haven’t bathed yet so you’re on dish duty.”
“I hate dish duty,” Prince Kris whined, starting to gather the finished bowls.
“I can help you since I did none of the set up or preparations or anything,” Bojan offered. At Prince Kris’s acceptance, the dinner broke, everyone setting off for their evening tasks.
—-
Night had long fallen by the time Prince Kris and Bojan found themselves retiring to their tent. Prince Kris had insisted on being added to the night watch rotation when they’d originally set out so when he’d settled in for his first shift, Bojan had stayed up with him. Conversation flowed easily between them and soon they found themselves intrigued by far more than just the other’s appearance. Their tent was cold and Prince Kris found himself shivering as he stripped down to his night clothes.
“Take my blanket,” Bojan offered softly. “It gets cold here at night - colder even than it is now. You’ll sleep better if you’re warm.”
“And what, have you freeze? I can’t do that,” Prince Kris denied, shaking his head.
“Then what if… what if we shared?” Bojan suggested. “We could fold yours out and use mine on top- it’s better insulated against the cold night air. And we could, you know, huddle together - just for warmth, of course.”
“Of course,” Prince Kris echoed, grateful the other couldn’t see his blush in the darkness. “For warmth. That seems, um, very reasonable.”
“Okay! Great!” Bojan said and they both laid there quietly for a few minutes before he pointed out, “you need to get out of your blankets so we can spread them out.”
“Oh. Right!” Prince Kris quickly got up, shivering at the cold. Bojan made quick work of setting up their bedding and soon they were both sliding under the woodsman’s blanket, Prince Kris on the far outer edge of their bedding.
“I won’t bite, you know,” he whispered.
“I know. I just - I’ve never actually shared a bed with anyone before,” Prince Kris admitted. “Other than my brother when we were very young.”
“So I’m the first to have the pleasure of your company?” Bojan teased. “I’ll make sure it’s good for you, bejbi.”
“That’s it,” Prince Kris grumbled, sitting up. “I’m going to go join Martin and-“
“No, wait!” Bojan exclaimed, grabbing his waist. “I’ll stop making fun of you so please stay. Just - come a little closer, so we can conserve warmth, okay?” he wheedled until eventually Prince Kris conceded and allowed him to pull him down closer to him. Bojan immediately snuggled up against his side, arm across Prince Kris’s waist. “Is this alright?” he asked.
“Um, yeah, yeah - it is,” Prince Kris breathed.
“Then relax,” Bojan said, hesitating only a moment before leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Go to sleep, Princess.” And he did.