The Prince of Denmark and his Knight of Strategy
A Hamlet/Horatio AU story
This is an AU story I wrote where Horatio was born from a long line of knights and was trained as a knight but he had more of a passion for literacy/education so he took that route before he was officially knighted. He's still a really good knight tho
Horatio slid the blade into its sheath and grabbed his long tan jacket. He had a bad feeling about this duel. He knew this wasn't going to be a fair fight. He knew his sweet prince was in danger. So he took precautions. He put on the long coat and headed out to the throne room where the fencing duel would be held. He arrived just as the duel began. He stood a fair distance away from the two. Not too close to be suspicious, but not too far away so he couldn't run in the fight fast enough. The duel started off ok, but Horatio felt uneasy the whole time. About halfway through, the king offered Hamlet and only Hamlet a drink which the prince declined. That certainly didn't help Horatio's suspicions. His hands stayed at his waist ready to strike when needed. Horatio saw the anger spread to Laertes’ face as he held his fencing sword up in a strange way while Hamlet's back was turned. That's when it clicked in the scholar's brain. That wasn't a normal foil. Horatio removed his belt from his coat and ran towards the two pulling out his own sword and using it to stop Laertes. The loud clashing sound caused Hamlet to turn around quickly. Laertes pulled his sword back and stared at Horatio shocked and angry. And a little confused. Horatio slowly lowered his sword and held it back towards Hamlet. “My Lord, for a moment please.” Hamlet slowly grabbed the sword as Horatio removed his tan coat revealing a set of silver armor. He took his sword back and held it out in front of him preparing to duel Laertes.
“Horatio? Wh..”
“No time my Lord. Just know a knight must always protect his prince in a time of danger. Now go!” He motioned his head towards the king signaling Hamlet that now was the time to kill him. “I'll take care of this coward who dares to hurt thy prince.” Hamlet stared for a moment before nodding and stepping back the same distance Horatio was. He was trying to figure out ways to kill his uncle as he watched Horatio take his place in the duel. An idea sparked when Horatio managed to make Laertes let go of his sword. It slid all the way to Hamlet's feet and he picked it up. He figured something was wrong with it so he used it against the king. He ran with all of his speed and struck his uncle in angry fury. He dropped it once he saw the effects taking place. After this, Hamlet slowly turned around to Horatio, who had his own sword up to his opponent's neck who was now on his knees on the ground. “Sweet Horatio…” He breathed out as he walked towards him. He stood behind the knight and stared at the terrified man on the ground.
“What do you think? Should I spare him?”
Without a word Hamlet lowered Horatio's hand that held the blade. He gave Horatio a look before taking the same foil he used to slash Claudius and did the same for Laertes. Afterwards he dropped the poisoned metal and locked eyes with Horatio.
“So...doth thou care to explain why you're in a full set of armour?”
Horatio sheathed his sword and chuckled. “Long story short, I was born into a long bloodline of knights. My father was the top knight in the royal guard back home. So I had to follow suit. Back home they used to call me the Knight of Strategy since I was so intelligent and strategic in the battlefield. Yet my true passion was education. Hence why you met me at Wittenberg. Plus, I was never officially knighted back home so I was allowed to get away with it.”
Hamlet smiled. “My I must say, I respect thee more. Thoust very impressive wi-” He was interrupted by a loud sound outside the castle doors. “What warlike sound is that?”
-------
After a 48 hour long battle, maybe even more, Prince Hamlet and Horatio had won and now Prince Hamlet would become King Hamlet II of Denmark. On the same day Hamlet would be crowned, Horatio would be knighted for the royal family of Denmark. Hamlet also had a surprise planned for the future knight. Hamlet was crowned first in a very loud celebration. Once everyone had finished cheering for the new king, Hamlet called for Horatio. Horatio, wearing the same set of armor as he did when he saved the now king's life, walked up onto the stage in front of Hamlet who held a thin sword.
“Horatio..due to your bravery and everything that you have done selflessly for the country of Denmark, I am proud to take this sword and officially knight you.” Horatio knelt and bowed his head as Hamlet placed the sword on each shoulder and his head. Once he was done, Sir Horatio looked up at King Hamlet with loving eyes and a soft smile as he slowly rose. The crowd began to cheer but Hamlet quickly put his hand up to silence them. “One more thing. A king cannot rule alone. He always has a beautiful queen by his side. This king, on the other hand, would rather have a handsome knight on his side. Sweet sweet Sir Horatio,” He held his hand out to the knight. “I prithee, willst thou take my hand to be wedded?” A wave of gasps and aws swept through the crowd. Horatio's face was extremely flustered.
“M-my Lord! B-but we're…” He started stuttering out.
“I'm the king, I can make it so we may be wed. And I promise, from now on, people like us, men who love men, women who love women, will be free to wed their true loves, and will be protected under my order.” A few cheers radiated once more. “So, Sir Horatio, I shall ask thee one more time, w-”
“Yes!” Horatio blurred out interrupting the king. He immediately looked embarrassed for doing so. “I-I'm sorry..I got impatient.” He let out a breath. “Yes. I will wed thee.” He smiled at his now fiance for which he smiled back. They both gently kissed each other once again causing mixed reactions. They pulled away and stared at each other with soft smile and love filled eyes. It didn't take long for the two's wedding since both grooms were very impatient when it came to this. Denmark was finally in a state of peace and Hamlet was truly happy since the death of his father.
