#hero-corn

That strange fae-thing has been here before, he thought. The male kept his eye on this new stranger, but couldn’t help his intrigue. Still, better safe than sorry. He will keep his distance, but not hesitate to talk and craft a friendship. Mostly, he watched the winged creature from afar. He spoke generally, like he would to anyone else, but the fae was all smiles and flattery and…something of a silver-tongue. Hero wanted to hear more, speak more, but he wouldn’t let his excitement show.

So it was to his amazement that he found the fae in his dungeon, one night. There was something sad about seeing him chained there, but Hero had no idea what had happened. He approached with caution. “Morpheus?” he asked. The fae looked over, and he could see the wear on his face. The poor male was exhausted, pale, and his wings were beginning to droop when they had always been so twitchy with energy. Hero almost rushed forward, but paused. “Can you speak? What happened?”

The tired creature lowered his head, but was indeed able to respond. “I wandered down here looking for you, but the iron isn’t…” he paused for a deep breath, “Iron is harmful to me, and I got weak. I think someone was just playing around, but they chained me up. They probably didn’t know it could hurt me, but…” He looked up at Hero. “It’s my own fault, really. I should’ve mentioned it…” His head hung again, the speaking having taken too much effort.

Hero wondered if he could trust him. He could be lying, and actually be in trouble. He pondered that as he approached anyway, and began freeing the fae. “Well, you’re lucky I came to check the doors. Are you going to be okay?”

The fae nodded. “The moonlight will give my strength back.” He watched himself be freed, but couldn’t move fast enough to catch himself properly. The ground hit hard. The unicorn helped him back up, and noticed the burns on his wrists. How long had he been in here? Is he going to die?

Hero helped the fae outside, glad he came down before bed. The moon was low on the horizon, now, but it still spread a cool white glow over them. The fae sat back on his hands, having closed his eyes as if he could physically feel the moon’s light. His wings were still limp. “Thank you, Master Hero. I’m certain this is an odd end to your night.” Morpheus’s voice was clear and strong again, though the wounds hadn’t healed yet.

“Odd, yes. The oddest, no. And, it’s not like it’s bothersome to help you.” The young unicorn looked at the winged daemon, then looked at the moon. “I’m sorry that you were suffering down there for however long it was.”

“Heh, it’s your dungeon, but not your fault. And you saved me, so I’m grateful.” The fae fell silent, and Hero couldn’t think of a reply, so he also remained silent. Morph spoke up again. “Thank you. And… You surely heard me mention my prior knighthood, right? Well… I know I would gladly serve the Castle as a knight, but I owe you my life. I can’t pretend I am not indebted to you. Would you… Would you let me repay you by being your knight?” The fae’s brilliant blue eyes opened and were directed at Hero, now. “It’s all I can offer.”

Hero was immediately thrown off by the request. “What? Um, there’s no need to repay me. I couldn’t just leave you there. I’m not royalty, either, so I probably shouldn’t have a knight.” He laughed, but it wasn’t one of pure amusement.

The fae smirked. “I think you’re rather princely. Yes, you’re definitely well-loved by everyone. And certainly respected. I respect you.” He pushed himself up to move in front of Hero, now. He knelt down and put his fist over his heart. “I swear my loyalty to you, and, before I vow to heed your every order, let me order you not to refuse.” His smirk was now better visible to Hero, who couldn’t ignore how the man’s eyes seemed to shine. It must be his magic.

“Oh. Well, okay, I guess.” He stammered only slightly. He didn’t know what to say! Nobody ever swore themselves to him like that. His heart was sped up, and he was reminded of how easily he got nervous. But then, he saw those blue eyes again, and his heart beat less out of fear and more out of hope. Could this knight have sworn his loyalty in more ways than one? Or was he just getting his hopes up? He swallowed hard. ‘Guess I’ll find out at some point,’ he thought. And it didn’t really scare him as much as he thought it would.