[VenusLove]

Edwin kept his voice down low so that his father didn't hear. "No, I have not yet. I was hoping to discuss names with you at a later date." He looked over to his father to seem as if he was paying attention to his speech but wasn't at all. The crowd was full of smiles as they looked over in their direction and gave an applause after my father sat back down.

My father looked over to William. "Are you enjoying the feast that is in your honor as a knight?" He asked William as Edwin ate what was left on his plate and leaned back in his chair so that his father had more of and eye to eye contact with William. His father hated it when he wasn't able to speak to that person face to face. "Tell me how was the battle against our foe Gavalont." He asked him directly the hatred for the other kingdom in his eyes but he had a smile on his face knowing they had one.

[Iliad]

William nodded at Edwin's answer, about to tease him a bit when the kings voice suddenly turned to them.
Blushing despite himself at having nearly been caught, Will tried to quickly find a suitable answer that didnt involve a case of trench rot in the story. Some of his battle field stories not even Edwin would hear.
"I am quite enjoying it, its a feast as worthy as our victory over our enemies. It was quickly won and I am sure our foes will tell stories of the bravery of my brothers for many a summer my lord."
Will tried to smile as he played with the golden ring, something he feared would become a habit at a rapid rate, while he tried to think of any better way to try and make the battle sound less like the messy mud pit it had actually been. Though he could respect the burning fire behind the kings eyes, and the battle had been fairly cut and dry, but all the same, Will often thought some of the poets who wrote war ballads ought to visit a battle field before they picked up a lute.
"I fear I am woefully unfit to have served for so fine a kingdom or with so fine a band of soldiers, I had been telling the prince just earlier the nobility of the knightly order, its our pride to up hold the kingdom."

[VenusLove]

Edwin turned his head to his father. "You should remember how the last battle was the last time we had one. After all you were there father as well was I when we won our victory their. Your memory of it should still be quit livid in your head as well as William might still be living that battle in his head right now." Edwin said to his father as he took a drink of water that was refilled for him.
When he was done with his glass he stood up and bowed to his father. "Thank you for holding this feast father. I bid you night and a well rest." He said to his father for the last time. Tonight he and William would ride out tonight as one in order to be with each other until the baby was born. He was excited yet sad that he wasn't going to be able to tell his father what was going on but he didn't want William to be banished from the kingdom and for his child to have no father. They had to leave in order to keep things normal when they returned. He left the feast hall and went to his room knowing that he would meet William later tonight at the stables so they could leave. He just needed to get things ready himself.

[Iliad]

William stood and bowed to the prince as he left before retaking his seat, it was only polite he stay untill it ended after all.
By the time the knights began to leave, and the king had gone off, Will felt exuasted from it all, though the thrill of the night ride ahead kept his wide awake.
Grinning as he skirted down shadowy corridors, taking hidden exits and sharp turns untill finally he could see the stables just ahead, the last of the lanterns out for the night, and only the distant light of the city and the stars and moon ahead to give light in the night, as Will crept in to the silent stable.
Keeping quiet, amidst the sound of soft horse nickerings and snorts, the occassional stamp of hooves.
"Edwin? 'Win?" he called in to the darkness, his voice hushed as he moved towards the back of the stables where the royal horses were kept.

[VenusLove]

"Over here." Edwin said in a whisper and kept the horses quiet as well as helped who was accompanying them as well onto one of the horses. Edwin saw the look on Williams face that questioned the third member to their party. He lifted a hand to keep William from talking while he talked to explain who this was. "Will, this is Elaina. She's coming with us to help when I have the baby. She already knows because I had to confide with someone about the situation I was in case you never came home."
She removed her hood so that William could see her face. Brown curls fell around her face as she took her hood down. "How do you do, sir knight as well as husband of our future king." She bow her head to him.
Edwin looked to William. "You can trust her. She is of no threat to us or the baby." He said as he went over to William's side.

[Iliad]

Will was nervous about the third person, but he nodded, she seemed trust worthy and had Edwin's praise so he relented. "Allright, I cannot begrudge her then. Greetings my lady Elaina, call me Will if it suits you." He bowed lowly before the woman before going to Edwin and embracing his husband in the quiet hush of things. "Once we leave the city and reach the forest we can light lanterns, from there I know a path.... Stick close to me in the darkness and we will be safe my love." Will whispered, squeezing Edwin's hand reassuringly before pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.
Pulling away he addressed both members of the party now, brushing back his hair as he let out a nervous sigh. "Allright. I'll lead the way, after that, Edwin can follow me so he'll be in the middle and Elaina behind him so Edwin will be the least likely to get stopped, once we leave the city we can ride together untill the woods. Just let me get my horse...." Will took on the tone he used often in the battle when trying to form a plan with his fellow soldiers, smiling in the darkness he hoped his nervousness about getting through the city without being caught didnt show before turning to leave the two and get his horse.

Once his bags were loaded and the dappled grey destrier was saddled, Will led the way to the stable exit, glancing behind him to the others, and giving a hold signal before slowly trotting his hose out in to the night streets of the city, praying the clop of hooves over cobble wouldnt reach any guards men.

[VenusLove]

Edwin mounted his horse with ease and followed behind Williams horse with Elaina bring up the rear. He brought up his own head and hung his head to look as if he was someone else. Edwin was sure that if someone looked out their window it would look as if just three random people were leaving on a trip not knowing the prince was running away with a servant and his husband.
The horses trotted lightly on the cobble stones and then Edwin remember about the side gates on the west side of the town. He made his horse trot up to Williams horse so that he could tell him about it. "The West gates should be unaccompanied with guards at this time of night. We could leave through there if that is ok?" He suggested to his husband in a hush voice.

[Iliad]

William looked over his shoulder as Edwin rode beside him, he was on high alert right then, but even he had to admit that with the late hour, hardly a soul would notice them he prayed.
Nodding at Edwin's suggestion, Will reigned in his horse, using is legs as much as the reigns to guide the destrier in a tight half circle facing the west. "Allright, that'll take us closer to the woods then the north gates anyway, the path will be rougher though." the knight warned, as he began to trot his horse towards the looming city walls, watching Elaina and Edwin carfully to be sure he never lost sight of them. The thrill of freedom and a gallop over the old road towards the forest growing ever stronger the closer they got.

[VenusLove]

They made their way over to the edge of the wall. Edwin looked around and saw no one around. The guards where long gone from this part of the city, they were leaving the city with no problems at all. Edwin smiled as they trotted through the gate and raced for the woods to not be seen.
Edwin's smile grew on his face as they made it into the shelter of the woods. "We did it! We are on our way to become a happy family." He said as he rode up to be next to William. He seemed tense to him for leaving town and he didn't blame him. It would be considered dishonorable as a knight if people found out the real reason why they were leaving.
Elaina rode behind them letting her hood fall from her head again. "My lords, there is a cabin that belongs to my dead uncle that is in these woods. It would be well advise to take shelter there for the night and travel in the morning." She advised them.

[Iliad]

William relaxed once the city gates were left behind, and it seemed the night gallop did wonders to ease the tension from his shoulders, ridding beside Edwin once more the word ahead and home behind them now.
"The world is ours my love, and may nothing ever take it from us!" Will spoke happily as he began lighting his lantern, giving them some light in the dark woods.
"If you can guide us there Elaina I would thank you greatly, no need to make rough camp so soon on our journey.'' Will smiled at the woman, trying to be friendly as his mistrust ebbed away with each passing hour as the small party rode through the woods.
Will enjoyed the quiet, the hooting of owls and soft calls of other night birds the only thing of note, only once did the cries of distant wolves disturb them.

[VenusLove]

Elaina made her way to the front and lead the way through the maze of the darken woods. She flinched at the sound of the wolves and made her horse walk faster now at how close they sounded to them.
Edwin was thrilled to have William by his side now. His love for him could now be shown freely now that they were together. He looked down at his ring that William gave him and smiled remembering their short but heartfelt vows to each other. He looked over to him and smiled. "Thankfully Elaina had an uncle that didn't want to live close to town." He laughed a little not paying mind to the sound of wolves. "How much further to your Uncle's cabin, Elaina?"
She turned her hazel eyes to them. "Not much further. We should be there in about an hour or so." She said making her horse go down a small embank which they followed. William telling him to be careful to make sure that his horse made it down before he attempted the embank.

[Iliad]

Will nodded at Elaina's estimate, helping the two as they crossed the bank, and now and then when more challenging obstacles crossed their path. But for the most part the way was smooth and the horses shied little. Will was glad their first night out he had had no need of his sword or armor, though he would keep them close at all times untill he was sure both his husband and child were safe.
It was nice though, trotting their horses side by side, Will could freely reach out and hold hands with Edwin, letting their horses set an easy pace while the two newly weds talked, occasionally calling out to Elaina to join in on the conversation.
"Where are we to go? I dont suppose you have any dead uncles half a kingdom away who had spare villas?" Will joked, getting a wry grin. "I think the coast would be good, im told the ocean air is good for you, if nothing ells, I think the coast is always a bit warmer then the rest of the kingdom......"

[VenusLove]

Edwin was happy to know they had at least a destination set. "Being on the coast sounds nice. I have never been there before. Is the ocean nice?" He ask curious about it now. He heard about oceans in his lessons and in books but never had the chance to travel there. Edwin looked over to Will. "Once we get to Elaina's uncles cabin you can take off that clunky armor and prepare to become a father with me during our months of waiting for our child to be born." He said with a smile on his face happy to be with his love one.

Elaina traveled ahead of them a little ways after 10 minutes of traveling in silence they saw the cabin. "There it is. We will be safe here if you want to stay here for a couple of weeks. I can always go back into town and gather more supplies till we are ready to travel again." She suggested as they walked up to the house and she dismounted.

[Iliad]

Will nodded at Edwin's request, as nervous as he was happy about the shift from knight of the kings horse guard to a father awaiting the birth of his child. "I promise there still a man under all this steel, 'Win, but I will gladly cast it aside for you." Will responded, as they turned down the path, the cabin suddenly becoming visable. It was simple, but large enough to be comfortable, and looked well built so even the years of abandonment hadnt hurt it much.
"I think that might be just as well, they're be searching the rodes for a while... We can hide here untill the worst of the winter is over, set out in the early spring and reach the coast before summers peak?" Will offered, glad of Elaina's plan as he trotted his horse up to the cabin.
Hand resting on the pomel of his sword as he dismounted, opening the cabin door ahead of the others to be safe, war had left its mark on William though he hid it well, it showed itself in some ways.

[VenusLove]

Edwin dismounted from his horse and Elaina came by and took his and Williams horses reins into her hands. "I will put the horses in the stable in the back of the corner. Why don't you have sir William make a fire to make the cabin a bit more suitable for the night." She suggested giving him the orders instead of the other way around. Edwin didn't mind, he was after all in the care of the two people he trusted most in the world.
He entered the cabin after William gave a sign that it was all clear. He went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Elaina said that you should start a fire to keep us warm tonight." Edwin said to him giving him the instructions of what needed to be done so they didn't freeze to death. "Are you alright?" He asked concern for his husbands well being.

[Iliad]

Will jumped at first when Edwin touched his shoulder, but instantly calmed at the sight of his beloved, nodding as he was given instructions. "I'll get a fire going, and we can share a bed tonight, it'll keep you warmer so you dont get a fever or anything." Will responded, leading the way in to the living room where stone hearth stood empty and cold, though old seasoned wood was stacked beside it, along with an old couldron.
The next question wasnt so easy to answer, as the knight slowly started taking off his heavy cuirass and standard.
"I'm happier then iv ever been, this is everything iv ever wanted 'Win...... I'm scared though. I'm a knight, I dont want to die and abandon you, I dont want to hurt you with this..... Fairy-tales are made of princes who fall in love with princesses, not knights who ride to wars."

[VenusLove]

Edwin stood there for a moment and listened to him. He then places both hands on his face and brings William forward and locks lip with him for a good minute. "Do not fret, Will. We are together and I know you won't leave me. You have something to fight for that will keep bring you home to where you are needed. You won't die and you won't hurt me." He says still holding his face in his hands. For once he was comforting him instead of the other way around. It actually made him feel like the man he was. "One day I will make things right again for you to where our family won't be in the shadows." He said giving him another kiss.
Elaina then walked into the cabin. "Uhh...I will go get some blankets for us." She said as she walked across the room and went over to the other side and pulled down a ladder from the ceiling and climbed up to it what seemed like an attic to him.

[Iliad]

Will blushed when Elaina walked in on them, still not used to the idea of another seeing them without the royal guards coming to separate them, but he smiled and put one of his hands over Edwin's, leaning in to the touch. He some times forgot that he needed care as well. "One day you will be a fine king and make things right for many families...." Will stole another kiss, putting his arms around Edwin and soaking up the feeling of his warmth for a few moments before breaking apart to light the fire.

When Elaina returned from the upstairs, Will had a fire going that was crackling away and starting to catch at the bigger logs and promised to burn untill morning. "Thank you Elaina, I owe you more then I can say for everything..." Will spoke as he shifted through his travel packs, sorting out rations and supplies alike.

[VenusLove]

Elaina through down the blankets from the ceiling and then slid down the ladder. She landed softly on the blankets and looked over at him. "I am pleased that the future king informed me of his pregnancy as well as confided in me about it." She gives a bow to them. "It is my duty to help out the prince as best as I can." She says and takes the blankets up in her arms and goes over to set the bed for them.

Edwin smiles as he watches both of them. He was happy to have them both with him. He went over to William and sat down over by the fire as he watched what William was doing. "So how long would you say our supplies will last us for?" I ask him curious about what we had and didn't have.

[Iliad]

Will slid an arm around Edwin when he took a seat beside him, smiling at how easy to as to do, and the fact no one would come and stop them, not now. "I think our supplies will hold atleast a week maybe two before we need to get more, but these woods have deer and pheasant, and maybe some late winter apples still are growing." Will listed off, finishing the last of his sorting, before starting to take off the rest of his armor.
"Want to lend me a hand?" The knight asked, he could armor himself with ease, but the help would be nice and the closeness of his husband was more welcome then a thousand page boys.