The Prince and the Dragon - Chapter 4
The Prince and the Dragon
-Chapter Four-
Author: DaraDaraDara12
Pairing: Jaemin
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, AU
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
The castle town was the biggest municipality in the entire kingdom. Its streets were always busy with merchants selling rare spices and everyday clothing, noisy children running around, or a few monks asking the citizens for money. All year long, the streets were colored with ribbons and curtains hanging from the roofs and walls. The city was alive with the incessant chatter and laughter coming from the energetic citizens, the holler of the merchants and the numerous animals waiting to be sold. The market place was the busiest part of town. However, once you left the market and headed to the temple gardens, the noise diminished until it became a faint background buzzing. The gardens were grand, with exotic scented flowers that filled the air with a honeyed aroma, little streams and cascades that made a clear and soothing melody of falling water and trees to give shade to those who came to rest their minds and bodies. Inside the temple, the monks were always silent, meditating in front of statues and incense sticks. Past the temple area was the castle itself. It was tall and magnificent, ancient but strong. It was a symbol of the kingdom’s wealth and power as it could be seen from almost all around the kingdom. Surprisingly, the prince’s favourite location in the castle town was the market. It was always very dirty, since there was only so much that the city caretakers could do, but prince Jaejoong loved it anyway. There were so many things to do and all festivals and attractions happened there. Often, the prince was offered free food or clothes from the merchants, and he politely accepted those marks of kindness and respect.
The sun was high in the sky, casting almost no shadows as the prince and the dragon walked side by side down the noisy place. Changmin’s real appearance was hidden by his human form and he was wearing some of the prince’s clothes. He was everywhere all at once, smelling the food from the merchants or looking at the buildings and people with impressed eyes. It made Jaejoong laugh a little, seeing Changmin like this. The prince showed his friend all the interesting spots, teaching him about human behavior and the town’s structure. As usual, Jaejoong did most of the talking, Changmin only asking a few questions. Sometimes, they stopped to listen to an ambulant musician or watch a small circus. The prince also bought the dragon his own human clothes. As they were sitting near a shop, an old man came towards the prince and bowed low to him.
-Your highness, Prince Jaejoong, said the old man with a shaky voice due to his age.
-Hi, brave man. May I help you?, asked Jaejoong with a smile.
-Oh no, I only meant to offer your highness some fried squid. Would you and your friend like some?
-Yes, please. We would love some.
The old man gave them the squids and left after blessing Jaejoong and Changmin’s families. Changmin put a squid in his mouth and tried to swallow it whole, but only ended up choking and coughing. Jaejoong patted his back while trying not to laugh too hard.
-What were you trying to do?, he asked. Chew before you swallow, stupid!
-Well, I usually don’t need to. This body is so lame, complained Changmin.
-Oh, sorry about that! replied the prince, half joking. If you don’t like it in this form, I understand if you’d rather stay at the beach for the other days and miss my awesome company!
-Quite frankly, I’m not so fond of this body. It's weird, but I’ll manage. I’d rather enjoy your awesome company every day. Plus I can shift back when I return to the beach at night. And if I'm tired of chewing, I can always transform back and eat a few people. Some of them look so yummy... not!
Jaejoong smiled and was about to reply somthing concerning Changmin's sense of humour when he suddenly heard his own name from an angry voice coming towards them.
-Kim Jaejoong!
It was prince Yunho, walking right in their direction with a reprimand ready for him and it took Jaejoong only a second to remember that it was past the time for his sword classes. He muttered a curse under his breath.
-What in our father's name are you sitting here for?, asked Yunho. No, wait and let me show you my briliiant reasoning: you forgot, now did you not? It seems that you would conveniently forget your sword lessons, being so inapt in them! And who is this young man sitting with you?
Changmin seemed on the verge of jumping and biting Yunho without even bothering to transform, so the prince had to place a hand around his shoulders to maintain him down.
-Hyung, meet my new friend Changmin. Changmin, this is my older brother, prince Yunho. Please, hyung, understand that my friend is from a little village not so far, and it is his first time in the castle town. I was merely showing him around and forgot about the time. I must apologize to you and the teacher. I should have showed up on time.
-Indeed, replied the eldest. I am pleased to meet you, Changmin.
Either Yunho was somehow unaware of the killing look Changmin was giving him, or he was simply hiding it, thought the younger prince.
-I see. Since you have a new friend with you, I will overlook your attitude for today, said Yunho. However, you must come to the castle and apologize to our teacher. Introduce your friend to our father, and show him the royal caste while you are both there.
The heir to the throne turned away from the fuming prince and the dragon, walking straight and authority oozing from his every pore.
-I hate him!, groaned Jaejoong when he was sure his brother was far enough and would not hear him.
-Your brother’s an ass, replied Changmin in between his teeth.
-Yeah, replied Jaejoong. Still try and cope with him, will you? Come on, I'll show you the castle.
Jaejoong rose and extended his arm, palm open towards the other and Changmin took the hand in his own.
The prince showed the dragon around the castle, Changmin’s eyes glued to the precious materials and ornaments surrounding them. The younger seemed enthralled by the gold and the silk, and Jaejoong remembered stories about dragons living in caverns and sleeping on a pile of gold pieces and jewels. He was not sure if those were true, and tried to imagine Changmin sleeping in a pile of gold as big as him. That would be a lot of gold...
They turned around the corner and Jaejoong stopped dead in his tracks. In front of him was Park Yoochun. Jaejoong felt Changmin’s hand still in his and released it quickly. He was going to get teased mercilessly.
-Hey there, Jaejae!, grinned Yoochun.
-Hi Yoochun, muttered the prince.
-So you’re Changmin, right?, said Yoochun, turning towards the youngest. Jaejoong told me everything about you two.
There was a small flicker on panic on Changmin’s face, but it disappeared as fast as it had come to be replaced by a snarky smile.
-Jaejoong told me you’re a douche.
-Jaejoong told me you’re his bitch.
Before things degenerated, Jaejoong interposed himself and said:
-Ok! That’s it! Both of you! Minnie, don’t listen to Yoochun. He says shit all the time!
Changmin smiled, a glint in his eyes.
-Your friend and I are so gonna get along!, he said to Jaejoong.
-Can you keep him? I like him, said Yoochun.
-What? You shitheads can't team up on me just like that!, protested Jaejoong.
A loud deep voice echoed in the corridor and made the three of them spin around to look in the voice’s direction. It was the emperor.
-Kim Jaejoong, are my ears getting old or are you really speaking such foul language?
-Uhm, I am sorry, father, said the prince nervously. I… let me introduce you to my friend Changmin.
-Hi, simply said Changmin and Jaejoong cursed himself. He had told Changmin that his father was the emperor but had not mentioned how he should talk to an emperor. Both Yoochun and the king were now looking at Changmin with big eyes, and Changmin looked at Jaejoong for support.
-Sorry for my friends manners, he told his father. He is from a poor family, he does not have much education. It is his first time in the castle.
The king frowned, silent, then told his son they needed to have a talk. Yoochun proposed to take Changmin to the door and Jaejoong had no choice but to agree. He was left alone with his father, head hanging low.
-You have missed sword lessons today, said the emperor in a serious voice.
-Yes, admitted Jaejoong. This will not happen again. I apologized to the sword master already.
-Good. You need to strengthen yourself, son. You are too frail. I do not want to see you hurt.
-I know, father.
-Look at me, son.
Jaejoong lifted his head and met his father’s eyes. They were softer now.
-I want you to do so in order to protect yourself. That is all I want, to make sure you are safe.
-Thank you, said Jaejoong, smiling a little.
-One last thing, son.
-Yes?
-That new friend of yours, I do not like him. There is something about him, about the way he eyes at the castle’s wealth, something in his look and his manners, which make me distrust him.
Jaejoong opened his mouth to protest, but his father was faster.
-Simply be aware near him, will you?, he asked.
-Changmin is not…
-Will you?, repeated the emperor in a stronger voice.
-I will, said Jaejoong, looking down.
When he went outside the castle, Changmin was gone already. He resisted the urge to go to the beach and meet him there. He thought about his father’s seriousness, about Changmin’s innocence and trust in him, about all that could go wrong. If someone discovered the truth, they would kill his dragon, his baby, his friend, his confident, his… Changmin. They were both risking so much by bringing the dragon in town…
That night, while everyone was asleep and the moon lighted up the peaceful kingdom, prince Jaejoong took his sword from a dusty corner of his room and went outside to practice. His father wanted him to protect himself, but the prince was not training to protect his own life. If things went wrong, he would be the only one to protect Changmin from all the others, from his father, from the army and from the world if he had to. Changmin may be strong with his claws and teeth, but men had traps and spears and war machines specifically made against dragons. As long as they were together, it would be alright, just the two of them. Maybe they could tell Yoochun, later when he got closer with Changmin. Both of them seemed to get along, so they would have an ally. That night, Jaejoong trained until all his muscles burned and the sun started to shine on the horizon.
AN: Hello guys! Next chapter is only half written, but I feel like it's been some time since I posted anything, so here is chapter four! Hope you enjoy it!
-Chapter Four-
Author: DaraDaraDara12
Pairing: Jaemin
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, AU
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
The castle town was the biggest municipality in the entire kingdom. Its streets were always busy with merchants selling rare spices and everyday clothing, noisy children running around, or a few monks asking the citizens for money. All year long, the streets were colored with ribbons and curtains hanging from the roofs and walls. The city was alive with the incessant chatter and laughter coming from the energetic citizens, the holler of the merchants and the numerous animals waiting to be sold. The market place was the busiest part of town. However, once you left the market and headed to the temple gardens, the noise diminished until it became a faint background buzzing. The gardens were grand, with exotic scented flowers that filled the air with a honeyed aroma, little streams and cascades that made a clear and soothing melody of falling water and trees to give shade to those who came to rest their minds and bodies. Inside the temple, the monks were always silent, meditating in front of statues and incense sticks. Past the temple area was the castle itself. It was tall and magnificent, ancient but strong. It was a symbol of the kingdom’s wealth and power as it could be seen from almost all around the kingdom. Surprisingly, the prince’s favourite location in the castle town was the market. It was always very dirty, since there was only so much that the city caretakers could do, but prince Jaejoong loved it anyway. There were so many things to do and all festivals and attractions happened there. Often, the prince was offered free food or clothes from the merchants, and he politely accepted those marks of kindness and respect.
The sun was high in the sky, casting almost no shadows as the prince and the dragon walked side by side down the noisy place. Changmin’s real appearance was hidden by his human form and he was wearing some of the prince’s clothes. He was everywhere all at once, smelling the food from the merchants or looking at the buildings and people with impressed eyes. It made Jaejoong laugh a little, seeing Changmin like this. The prince showed his friend all the interesting spots, teaching him about human behavior and the town’s structure. As usual, Jaejoong did most of the talking, Changmin only asking a few questions. Sometimes, they stopped to listen to an ambulant musician or watch a small circus. The prince also bought the dragon his own human clothes. As they were sitting near a shop, an old man came towards the prince and bowed low to him.
-Your highness, Prince Jaejoong, said the old man with a shaky voice due to his age.
-Hi, brave man. May I help you?, asked Jaejoong with a smile.
-Oh no, I only meant to offer your highness some fried squid. Would you and your friend like some?
-Yes, please. We would love some.
The old man gave them the squids and left after blessing Jaejoong and Changmin’s families. Changmin put a squid in his mouth and tried to swallow it whole, but only ended up choking and coughing. Jaejoong patted his back while trying not to laugh too hard.
-What were you trying to do?, he asked. Chew before you swallow, stupid!
-Well, I usually don’t need to. This body is so lame, complained Changmin.
-Oh, sorry about that! replied the prince, half joking. If you don’t like it in this form, I understand if you’d rather stay at the beach for the other days and miss my awesome company!
-Quite frankly, I’m not so fond of this body. It's weird, but I’ll manage. I’d rather enjoy your awesome company every day. Plus I can shift back when I return to the beach at night. And if I'm tired of chewing, I can always transform back and eat a few people. Some of them look so yummy... not!
Jaejoong smiled and was about to reply somthing concerning Changmin's sense of humour when he suddenly heard his own name from an angry voice coming towards them.
-Kim Jaejoong!
It was prince Yunho, walking right in their direction with a reprimand ready for him and it took Jaejoong only a second to remember that it was past the time for his sword classes. He muttered a curse under his breath.
-What in our father's name are you sitting here for?, asked Yunho. No, wait and let me show you my briliiant reasoning: you forgot, now did you not? It seems that you would conveniently forget your sword lessons, being so inapt in them! And who is this young man sitting with you?
Changmin seemed on the verge of jumping and biting Yunho without even bothering to transform, so the prince had to place a hand around his shoulders to maintain him down.
-Hyung, meet my new friend Changmin. Changmin, this is my older brother, prince Yunho. Please, hyung, understand that my friend is from a little village not so far, and it is his first time in the castle town. I was merely showing him around and forgot about the time. I must apologize to you and the teacher. I should have showed up on time.
-Indeed, replied the eldest. I am pleased to meet you, Changmin.
Either Yunho was somehow unaware of the killing look Changmin was giving him, or he was simply hiding it, thought the younger prince.
-I see. Since you have a new friend with you, I will overlook your attitude for today, said Yunho. However, you must come to the castle and apologize to our teacher. Introduce your friend to our father, and show him the royal caste while you are both there.
The heir to the throne turned away from the fuming prince and the dragon, walking straight and authority oozing from his every pore.
-I hate him!, groaned Jaejoong when he was sure his brother was far enough and would not hear him.
-Your brother’s an ass, replied Changmin in between his teeth.
-Yeah, replied Jaejoong. Still try and cope with him, will you? Come on, I'll show you the castle.
Jaejoong rose and extended his arm, palm open towards the other and Changmin took the hand in his own.
The prince showed the dragon around the castle, Changmin’s eyes glued to the precious materials and ornaments surrounding them. The younger seemed enthralled by the gold and the silk, and Jaejoong remembered stories about dragons living in caverns and sleeping on a pile of gold pieces and jewels. He was not sure if those were true, and tried to imagine Changmin sleeping in a pile of gold as big as him. That would be a lot of gold...
They turned around the corner and Jaejoong stopped dead in his tracks. In front of him was Park Yoochun. Jaejoong felt Changmin’s hand still in his and released it quickly. He was going to get teased mercilessly.
-Hey there, Jaejae!, grinned Yoochun.
-Hi Yoochun, muttered the prince.
-So you’re Changmin, right?, said Yoochun, turning towards the youngest. Jaejoong told me everything about you two.
There was a small flicker on panic on Changmin’s face, but it disappeared as fast as it had come to be replaced by a snarky smile.
-Jaejoong told me you’re a douche.
-Jaejoong told me you’re his bitch.
Before things degenerated, Jaejoong interposed himself and said:
-Ok! That’s it! Both of you! Minnie, don’t listen to Yoochun. He says shit all the time!
Changmin smiled, a glint in his eyes.
-Your friend and I are so gonna get along!, he said to Jaejoong.
-Can you keep him? I like him, said Yoochun.
-What? You shitheads can't team up on me just like that!, protested Jaejoong.
A loud deep voice echoed in the corridor and made the three of them spin around to look in the voice’s direction. It was the emperor.
-Kim Jaejoong, are my ears getting old or are you really speaking such foul language?
-Uhm, I am sorry, father, said the prince nervously. I… let me introduce you to my friend Changmin.
-Hi, simply said Changmin and Jaejoong cursed himself. He had told Changmin that his father was the emperor but had not mentioned how he should talk to an emperor. Both Yoochun and the king were now looking at Changmin with big eyes, and Changmin looked at Jaejoong for support.
-Sorry for my friends manners, he told his father. He is from a poor family, he does not have much education. It is his first time in the castle.
The king frowned, silent, then told his son they needed to have a talk. Yoochun proposed to take Changmin to the door and Jaejoong had no choice but to agree. He was left alone with his father, head hanging low.
-You have missed sword lessons today, said the emperor in a serious voice.
-Yes, admitted Jaejoong. This will not happen again. I apologized to the sword master already.
-Good. You need to strengthen yourself, son. You are too frail. I do not want to see you hurt.
-I know, father.
-Look at me, son.
Jaejoong lifted his head and met his father’s eyes. They were softer now.
-I want you to do so in order to protect yourself. That is all I want, to make sure you are safe.
-Thank you, said Jaejoong, smiling a little.
-One last thing, son.
-Yes?
-That new friend of yours, I do not like him. There is something about him, about the way he eyes at the castle’s wealth, something in his look and his manners, which make me distrust him.
Jaejoong opened his mouth to protest, but his father was faster.
-Simply be aware near him, will you?, he asked.
-Changmin is not…
-Will you?, repeated the emperor in a stronger voice.
-I will, said Jaejoong, looking down.
When he went outside the castle, Changmin was gone already. He resisted the urge to go to the beach and meet him there. He thought about his father’s seriousness, about Changmin’s innocence and trust in him, about all that could go wrong. If someone discovered the truth, they would kill his dragon, his baby, his friend, his confident, his… Changmin. They were both risking so much by bringing the dragon in town…
That night, while everyone was asleep and the moon lighted up the peaceful kingdom, prince Jaejoong took his sword from a dusty corner of his room and went outside to practice. His father wanted him to protect himself, but the prince was not training to protect his own life. If things went wrong, he would be the only one to protect Changmin from all the others, from his father, from the army and from the world if he had to. Changmin may be strong with his claws and teeth, but men had traps and spears and war machines specifically made against dragons. As long as they were together, it would be alright, just the two of them. Maybe they could tell Yoochun, later when he got closer with Changmin. Both of them seemed to get along, so they would have an ally. That night, Jaejoong trained until all his muscles burned and the sun started to shine on the horizon.
AN: Hello guys! Next chapter is only half written, but I feel like it's been some time since I posted anything, so here is chapter four! Hope you enjoy it!