More than one is GOOD. Thank you! *hugs*

For: xharryxtomlinson

DISCLAIMER: This is based on a prompt picture and the request for it to be filled. This wasn't my idea, but I like it anyway :) This fic is set in the past, and the characters have a more matured look about them (Like present day 1D). Yea, there will be historical inaccuracies, because there just are and language, but oh well. Just go with it, yea? Okay, (hopefully) enjoy! PS: Sorry in advance if it's shitty. I never proofread, and I'm kinda shit at writing.

AU: Where Louis is one of the more intelligent royals around , and Harry is the illiterate peasant that hides from the world through his sister.

Louis sat in the comfortable silence of his room. He was dressed is his nighttime attire, a black silk robe fastened at the hip with string. The light provided by the single candle on the table accompanying his bed provided enough light for him to quietly read, but was dim enough so that he might not be detected awake at this hour. He pushed his slipping glasses back up his nosebridge.

He had just started reading Gulliver's Travels, a book recommended to him many times by peers and fellow nobles as himself, when a knock sounded at his door. Three soft taps and soft kick. Louis closed his book and went to open the door.

He was greeted by one of the more enjoyable people in this place.

“Gemma!” he whispered excitedly, pulling her into a warm embrace. She laughed quietly and returned his hug. She pulled away and ruffled his hair. “Hey, Tommo!” she whispered excitedly, entering the room.

Louis shut the door promptly, yet quietly, going over to join Gemma at the foot of his bed. She removed her bonnet from her head, letting her long brown locks fall free. She sighed rolling her shoulders and shaking her hands. Louis' smile was quick to fade to a frown.

“Rough day?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her thin frame. Se nodded tiredly. “Yes. I had to run back and forth across the castle because your sister refused to speak to your mother.” Louis rolled his eyes at her response. Sometimes his family annoyed him with their blatant disregard for anyone other than themselves.

“And that's not even the last of it. I had to reorganize Lord Tomlinson's entire study according to genre, author, and date. Danielle helped, but still!” Louis' frown deepened. “Why?”

Gemma responded with, “Well, because yesterday when I drew the Lord's bath, the water wasn't warm enough. But the journey from the kitchen to the Lord's bedroom takes a while. I had to make seven trips, and by then, the water wasn't hot anymore.” She rolled her eyes and blew a strand of her mahogany locks from its position in front of her eyes.

“Well Gem, you know how I feel about him. He's a right prick,” Louis added. He rather didn't like his father. He was demanding and haughty, and he always thought that he was correct about everything. Gemma yawned and rubbed at her eyes. “Well, Lou. I'm going to head out now and go home,” she said, standing up and dusting off her apron.

“At this hour? It won't be long before daybreak, Gem!” Louis reasoned, not wanting her to make the journey, one reason being it was January, another being this late. Gemma smiled sadly. “I've got to get back to Harry, and you know that.”

Louis whined, “But Gemma, he's-” Gemma cut him off. “I know, I know, Lou. He's almost twenty, but he's still my baby brother. I've got to look out for him.” Louis sighed. He lost this argument every time. He stood wordlessly and made his way over to his wardrobe. He removed one of his better coats, and gave it to Gemma. “Lo-”

Louis put a finger to her lips. “No. Just wear it, okay? In the morning, leave it in the stables. I'll get it.” Gemma nodded and gave Louis one last hug. She left with a small wave, kissing him on the cheek. When she left, he sat down on his bed.

A smile made its way onto his face. He loved Gemma. He had known her since he was thirteen and she was fourteen, when she first made her way into the castle. Their mother had fallen ill, and she had been a maid here. After her passing, Gemma didn't know what to do. Her bother, Harry, was only ten, and she had to find some sort of income, and fast if they were going to make it.

So she had come here, begging to see Lord Tomlinson, and at first, her father paid no attention to her. To him, Gemma had just been some lowly peasant girl. As she was leaving, with tears running down her face, she ran into Louis. He had listened to her and begged his father to hire her. He finally agreed, and they have been inseparable ever since.

And here, nine years later, even with Gemma and Harry working, they were barely able to manage. That irritated Louis. His family was high up in social status, but they couldn't make major changes, like the King and Queen. If that were the case, things would be much different in Doncaster.

Before he could get too worked up over things he couldn't control, he dove back into the world of Lemuel Gulliver.

* * * *

Louis jumped with a start, awoken by a knock on his door. He had fallen asleep with his face in his book, his glasses crooked on his face. He looked up when his door was opened by a tan girl with curly hair. “Morning Danielle, he yawned, stretching his sore muscles.

“Yea yea, get up, ya' lazy ass. It'll be breakfast time in a bit, I already drew a bath for you.”

Louis rolled his eyes. “Rude,” he muttered and was rewarded with a flick to the forehead. “Ow!” he groaned, rubbing the sore spot.

“Yea, yea. Just get up, I don't really want to hear anyone's mouth because you were late for breakfast.” Louis laughed and got up form his bed. He stretched again, his muscles still stiff from his awkward sleeping position.

“Louis,” Danielle moaned, exasperated. He walled past her and pat her bonnet covered head. “Love you too.” He pushed past her into the hallway. He heard Danielle straightening his room. He sighed. Danielle was one of his best friends, one of the people he'd grown to love living here. She shouldn't have to clean up after him, servant or not.

Louis went across the hall to the bathing quarters, stripping immediately. He sank into the warm water, scrubbing the little dirt that was on him away with the cloth provided. He sighed. When he was satisfied, he lifted himself out. He used the thicker rectangle of material to dry himself off. He cursed when he remembered that he didn't bring his clothes or his robes.

He wrapped the material around his waist, and checked the hall. When he was sure that the corridor was clear, he dashed to his door. He entered and quickly shut the door. He was surprised to see Gemma staring back at him with wide eyes.

She covered her face. “Oh, the horror!” she cried sarcastically, laughing. Louis scowled. “Oh come off it,” he grumbled, opening his wardrobe. “Oh I've already got your clothes laid out for you, Lou.”

Louis ran a hand down his face. “Gemma. How many times have I told you that you don't have to do that?” he questioned, walking over to his bed. Gemma turned so that her back was facing him. “Sorry Loubear. It's my job,” she said shrugging.

Louis snatched her bonnet off of her head. “I know, sadly, young Gemerald.” Gemma turned around and reached for her bonnet. She tried to grab it, but Louis held it just out of her grasp. She huffed in annoyance and pushed him.

Louis laughed. “Give it back!” Gemma whined, reaching for it again. Louis chuckled and gave it back to her. She looked at him with an incredulous expression etched onto her features. “Never. Again.”

Louis' laugher immediately died down. He cocked his brow. “Don't ever, ever, ever ch—no try to chuckle ever again. Ever. This is not one of those books that you always have your nose stuck in.”

He just rolled his eyes and flicked her forehead. “Young Gemerald, you have lots to learn about life.”

He put his black frames on his face and made his exit. Halfway down the corridor he heard, “And I'm older than you, ya knob!”

Louis ignored her. He descended the stairs to the first level and entered the dining hall. He didn't even understand why they had a dining hall. A dining room would have been fine, but no, dad—excuse me—Lord Tomlinson always had to flaunt around his wealth while everyone else around them was in exiguity.

He took his seat next to his sister Charlotte. She preferred to be called Lottie, but Louis and the rest of his siblings were the only ones to really call her that. As he sat, a plate was immediately placed in front of him by Danielle. He gave her a curt nod. “Thank you,” he said. She gave him a bow and scurried off to attend to the rest of her duties.

Louis' father cleared his throat. “You're late to breakfast.” Louis remained silent for a second. “Yes. My apologies. Last night I lost track of the time, so my morning was a bit delayed.” Louis hated talking to his father, honestly. Everything always felt too formal, too rehearsed. Almost like they weren't even family.

“Very well. But don't let it happen again. As a family--” Some family, Louis thought. “--we are to eat meals together. Understood?”

Louis' grip on his fork was so tight; his knuckles getting paler by the second. “Yes Sir.” His father nodded, and the proceeded to eat. Meals were always quiet at the Tomlinson estate. He atmosphere was always so tense, and whenever someone tried to break the ice, their efforts were usually in vain.

This time was usually when Louis would let his mind meander. He always wondered about the rest of the kingdom. He knew that the King wasn't doing anything about Doncaster's situation. He honestly didn't want to turn up like most of the adults in his life. Being said, he was an adult himself, but he was still young. By the time he got to take over his father's legacy, he wanted to help change the situation.

He honestly felt sick eating his meal now. He felt awful sitting there with any and everything he would ever need and so much more, when there were people within walking distance starving and dying of disease.

He had been spoiled his entire life. He was sick of it. He realized that now he was just shoving his fork into his mouth with no food on it. Louis kept his position. He knew that even if he tried to dismiss himself, he would be call right back.

After the all of the Tomlinsons had finished their meal, Louis left. He went outside, to the stables, where he found Gemma feeding the horses. He was about to go over and talk to her, but he realized that she wasn't alone. She was with Danielle, and they seemed to be having some sort of debate.

“I just feel so stupid, Dani! How did I not notice?” Gemma said, sounding close to tears.

Danielle gave Gemma a bucket before replying, “Well, these haven't exactly been the best years, Gem. You can't blame yourself.”

Gemma sighed. “I just feel like such a failure as a sister...” she trailed off. “I mean, how did I not figure it out? He's nineteen and he doesn't know how to read and can barely write his own name.”

Oh. So that's what this was about. Harry. He continued to listen. He was definitely not eavesdropping. He was curious. “-what I'm going to do. He got laid off his job at the Payne (Liam?) stables. I don't know what we're gonna do,” Gemma's voice cracked, it sounded like she was sobbing.

“Oh, Gem. It'll be okay,” Danielle said. Gemma's crying muffled, so Louis assumed that Danielle pulled her into an embrace. Well, curiosity did kill the cat.

Louis couldn't handle this anymore. He let himself be seen. “I think I can help with that,” he said clearing his throat. Gemma jumped up. “Lou! H-how long have you been there?” she asked, wiping her face.

“Long enough. Look, I'll make you a deal.”

* * * *

And that was how Louis found himself outside Gemma and Harry's small cottage that night. It was late, but Louis promised Gemma. He always kept his promises. He dismounted his horse, Liberty. He put a blanket around her and tied her to a tree not too far away.

He walked up to the door, his boots crunching in the snow. He knocked their traditional code knock. Three taps and a kick. The door opened and he was greeted with Gemma's smiling face. “Oh Lou! You actually came!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

“Of course, you know I wouldn't do that to you.” Gemma ushered him in. Their house was nothing fancy, to most it would look quite shabby, but Louis didn't mind. This was Gemma. She led him to a table by the fireplace where a small fire was already going.

He sat down and opened his pack. He pulled out some books and some paper. He also had writing utensils ink. “Wait a moment, I'll be right back,” she said. She left the room and came back a few moments later, but she wasn't alone. Louis looked up and—oh. Oh.

“Louis, this is my brother, Harry.”