Fic: Blood On The Snow (2/6)
Title: Blood On The Snow (2/6)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Mel/Johnny, FDR, J. Edgar Hoover, Carter Baum, Clyde Tolson, Doris Rogers
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: AU, Fairytale, Romance
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Not really.
General Summary: The Grand Duke is charged by the King to bring in the Rogue Knight…but the fairest Knight in all the land falls in love with him instead.
Chapter Summary: When Sir Melvin returns from the Forest of the Snows, a sullying of virtue awaits him.
Date Of Completion: August 22, 2009
Date Of Posting: November 17, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1191
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: I’ve written straightforward fairytales before in other fandoms and got an idea for this one, but then my Muses threw me a curve and insisted that this story become a hybrid of classical fairtyale and 1930s, so that’s why you’ll see Kings and Knights but greatcoats and fedoras instead of armor, and cars instead of horses. Hopefully it works! Enjoy! ;)
All chapters can be found here.
II
PURE AS THE SNOWS
With conflicted heart,
Sir Melvin returned
Once the snows melted
To the Shining City
On The Hill,
Its glitter masking
Its dark
And corrupt
Heart.
Lady Elsinore Allen
"Blood On The Snow:
The Legend Of The Rogue Knight
And His Dark And Beautiful Knight"
Sir Melvin returned to the Castle of his liege as the snows melted, and the hunt for the Rogue Knight and his Band of Merry Men continued, the Duke raging and ranting as Sir John robbed bank and train, a perfect gentleman with ladies and gentlemen alike.
The King looked askance at his Chief Knight, who said that his Dark Knight was the best in the land, and would slay the Rogue Knight, or at least bring him to the King’s Justice, as he had done with the Pretty Boy.
“See that he does, Duke Edgar. This Rogue Knight has highwayman dash and style (I like his fedoras), but we cannot let him rob unchecked.”
& & & & & &
The Legend of the Rogue Knight grew as his moves became bolder, and the town criers extolled his charms and graces.
They also sang the praises of the Dark Knight, he of grace and beauty in the finest raiment.
Several times Sir Melvin came close to the capture of the Band, but they were as elusive as quicksilver, slipping out of his manicured grasp.
& & & & & &
“Mel?”
“Come in, Carter.”
The younger man closed the door behind him as he entered the chambers. “We are fresh out of leads on the Rogue Knight and his Merry Men.”
“They are elusive, to be sure.”
Carter nodded. “I have a letter for you today.”
Their eyes met, and Mel said, “Thank you, Carter.” He took the letter.
Carter nodded and left, smiling as he whistled merrily down the hall.
Back in Mel’s chambers, he eagerly broke the seal of the envelope and pulled out the pale yellow vellum, reading every word of the elegant, flowing script.
& & & & & &
March 6, 1934
Dearest Mel,
My love for you is a pure as the snows in the Forest.
I yearn for you with all my heart and soul. My body sings, my heart soars, and my soul leaps for joy when your name passes my lips.
I will always love you,
Your darling Johnny.
& & & & & &
Mel sighed happily as he read the letter again.
& & & & & &
The Lord High Chamberlain came to see Mel the day after the latest escape of Sir John from capture, and Mel inquired, “Yes, Lord Tolson?”
“The Grand Duke requests an audience.”
Mel saw how surly he looked, and wondered at what was to come.
He presented himself in the grand chambers, the furnishings of the highest quality, the paintings and sculptures of the finest art as befit a Grand Duke. The Duke was grim.
“Sir Melvin, yet again you have allowed that knave to escape.”
“I beg forgiveness, m’lord.”
“Bah. I wish you to beg for more than that.” The Duke stood and came around the desk. “If you wish to keep your high position as my Favorite, I wish to know you…better.”
Swallowing, Mel took a step back. “Suh, I wish to serve in honor, not…”
“What?” Edgar’s smile was generous but his eyes hard.
“I come to no man’s bed unless of free will.”
Edgar smirked. “You will come someday. And it will be your choice.” He returned to his chair.
Mel left the grand chambers swiftly, sorely shaken.
Lady Doris looked up as he returned to his outer chambers and rose. “Sir Melvin, what troubles you so?”
“It is of little consequence, Lady.”
He swept into his chambers with his usual grace, but she saw the way his face was troubled. She glanced ‘round and saw everyone busy at their tasks, so she entered the chambers of her liege.
Closing the door, she said, “It is of grave consequence, m’lord. You are greatly troubled. Do you not trust me to keep your counsel?”
He turned, distress in his eyes. “Of course, Doris! I just…” Misery was heavy upon his lovely face.
She reached out her hand and touched his arm. “Oh, Mel, my friend, what did the Duke say to you?”
Shame flooded his face and her heart contracted, anger seething below her lady’s mien.
“He…he…”
“He wants you in his bed, does he not?” At Mel’s surprised expression she laughed grimly. “Oh, dear Mel! I can see it in the way he looks at you, in his beady eyes. He lusts after you and only your shining reputation has kept you safe so far. But, alas, it appears as if Duke Edgar has made his move.”
“What can I do?”
She squeezed his arm. “Keep your honor wrapped around you like a cloak most dazzling-bright. He dare not sully it, at least for now.”
“I must keep myself pure, for I am…” He blushed.
She cocked her head. “You have changed since your return from the Valley of the Snows. You glow with an inner joy.” Her eyes widened as she smiled. “You have found love!”
He nodded shyly, and she drew him into a hug. “Oh, that is wonderful, Mel!” When she drew back she kept her hands on his shoulders. “You must keep yourself pure for your Beloved. Are ye betrothed?” she asked, using the Old Formal language.
“Not in formal vows, but in our hearts.”
Doris’ dark eyes sparkled. “How romantic! And whom, may I ask, is your Heart’s Desire?”
“I…uh…”
Doris studied him carefully, then she gasped. “Oh, Mel! Not the Rogue Knight!”
He nodded silently, looking a little apprehensive.
“How wonderful!”
“You…you really think so?”
“Oh, yes!” Doris’ eyes sparkled. “He’s so charming and handsome! And so dashing! He and his Merry Men are certainly giving the Grand Duke fits!”
“Yes.” Conflict warred in Mel’s eyes. “How can I serve honorably, Doris, if I am in love with the man I am charged to bring to the King’s Justice?”
“Oh, darling, no wonder you worry so! But I have faith that all will work out. You know that his heart is true?”
“It is, of that I would shout from the rooftops.”
She smiled. “Then it will be fine. Love such as yours will always be rewarded.”
“I would sweep all the stars from the heavens and present them to him on bended knee if I could.”
Doris laughed softly. “Such a romantic, my dear!” She hugged Mel again, then said, “Keep your distance from the Duke. He will play cat-and-mouse for a time, and that will give you a reprieve, but someday, my dear Mel, you will have to go to your Johnny so that you may remain unsullied.”
Mel nodded as he grasped her hands in his. “He said he would come for me someday, but if I must, I will give up all to join him.”
Doris smiled. “Follow your heart, Mel, and you will be happy.”
She left the chambers and Mel dreamed of the stars in Johnny’s eyes.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Mel/Johnny, FDR, J. Edgar Hoover, Carter Baum, Clyde Tolson, Doris Rogers
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: AU, Fairytale, Romance
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Not really.
General Summary: The Grand Duke is charged by the King to bring in the Rogue Knight…but the fairest Knight in all the land falls in love with him instead.
Chapter Summary: When Sir Melvin returns from the Forest of the Snows, a sullying of virtue awaits him.
Date Of Completion: August 22, 2009
Date Of Posting: November 17, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1191
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: I’ve written straightforward fairytales before in other fandoms and got an idea for this one, but then my Muses threw me a curve and insisted that this story become a hybrid of classical fairtyale and 1930s, so that’s why you’ll see Kings and Knights but greatcoats and fedoras instead of armor, and cars instead of horses. Hopefully it works! Enjoy! ;)
All chapters can be found here.
II
PURE AS THE SNOWS
With conflicted heart,
Sir Melvin returned
Once the snows melted
To the Shining City
On The Hill,
Its glitter masking
Its dark
And corrupt
Heart.
Lady Elsinore Allen
"Blood On The Snow:
The Legend Of The Rogue Knight
And His Dark And Beautiful Knight"
Sir Melvin returned to the Castle of his liege as the snows melted, and the hunt for the Rogue Knight and his Band of Merry Men continued, the Duke raging and ranting as Sir John robbed bank and train, a perfect gentleman with ladies and gentlemen alike.
The King looked askance at his Chief Knight, who said that his Dark Knight was the best in the land, and would slay the Rogue Knight, or at least bring him to the King’s Justice, as he had done with the Pretty Boy.
“See that he does, Duke Edgar. This Rogue Knight has highwayman dash and style (I like his fedoras), but we cannot let him rob unchecked.”
& & & & & &
The Legend of the Rogue Knight grew as his moves became bolder, and the town criers extolled his charms and graces.
They also sang the praises of the Dark Knight, he of grace and beauty in the finest raiment.
Several times Sir Melvin came close to the capture of the Band, but they were as elusive as quicksilver, slipping out of his manicured grasp.
& & & & & &
“Mel?”
“Come in, Carter.”
The younger man closed the door behind him as he entered the chambers. “We are fresh out of leads on the Rogue Knight and his Merry Men.”
“They are elusive, to be sure.”
Carter nodded. “I have a letter for you today.”
Their eyes met, and Mel said, “Thank you, Carter.” He took the letter.
Carter nodded and left, smiling as he whistled merrily down the hall.
Back in Mel’s chambers, he eagerly broke the seal of the envelope and pulled out the pale yellow vellum, reading every word of the elegant, flowing script.
& & & & & &
March 6, 1934
Dearest Mel,
My love for you is a pure as the snows in the Forest.
I yearn for you with all my heart and soul. My body sings, my heart soars, and my soul leaps for joy when your name passes my lips.
I will always love you,
Your darling Johnny.
& & & & & &
Mel sighed happily as he read the letter again.
& & & & & &
The Lord High Chamberlain came to see Mel the day after the latest escape of Sir John from capture, and Mel inquired, “Yes, Lord Tolson?”
“The Grand Duke requests an audience.”
Mel saw how surly he looked, and wondered at what was to come.
He presented himself in the grand chambers, the furnishings of the highest quality, the paintings and sculptures of the finest art as befit a Grand Duke. The Duke was grim.
“Sir Melvin, yet again you have allowed that knave to escape.”
“I beg forgiveness, m’lord.”
“Bah. I wish you to beg for more than that.” The Duke stood and came around the desk. “If you wish to keep your high position as my Favorite, I wish to know you…better.”
Swallowing, Mel took a step back. “Suh, I wish to serve in honor, not…”
“What?” Edgar’s smile was generous but his eyes hard.
“I come to no man’s bed unless of free will.”
Edgar smirked. “You will come someday. And it will be your choice.” He returned to his chair.
Mel left the grand chambers swiftly, sorely shaken.
Lady Doris looked up as he returned to his outer chambers and rose. “Sir Melvin, what troubles you so?”
“It is of little consequence, Lady.”
He swept into his chambers with his usual grace, but she saw the way his face was troubled. She glanced ‘round and saw everyone busy at their tasks, so she entered the chambers of her liege.
Closing the door, she said, “It is of grave consequence, m’lord. You are greatly troubled. Do you not trust me to keep your counsel?”
He turned, distress in his eyes. “Of course, Doris! I just…” Misery was heavy upon his lovely face.
She reached out her hand and touched his arm. “Oh, Mel, my friend, what did the Duke say to you?”
Shame flooded his face and her heart contracted, anger seething below her lady’s mien.
“He…he…”
“He wants you in his bed, does he not?” At Mel’s surprised expression she laughed grimly. “Oh, dear Mel! I can see it in the way he looks at you, in his beady eyes. He lusts after you and only your shining reputation has kept you safe so far. But, alas, it appears as if Duke Edgar has made his move.”
“What can I do?”
She squeezed his arm. “Keep your honor wrapped around you like a cloak most dazzling-bright. He dare not sully it, at least for now.”
“I must keep myself pure, for I am…” He blushed.
She cocked her head. “You have changed since your return from the Valley of the Snows. You glow with an inner joy.” Her eyes widened as she smiled. “You have found love!”
He nodded shyly, and she drew him into a hug. “Oh, that is wonderful, Mel!” When she drew back she kept her hands on his shoulders. “You must keep yourself pure for your Beloved. Are ye betrothed?” she asked, using the Old Formal language.
“Not in formal vows, but in our hearts.”
Doris’ dark eyes sparkled. “How romantic! And whom, may I ask, is your Heart’s Desire?”
“I…uh…”
Doris studied him carefully, then she gasped. “Oh, Mel! Not the Rogue Knight!”
He nodded silently, looking a little apprehensive.
“How wonderful!”
“You…you really think so?”
“Oh, yes!” Doris’ eyes sparkled. “He’s so charming and handsome! And so dashing! He and his Merry Men are certainly giving the Grand Duke fits!”
“Yes.” Conflict warred in Mel’s eyes. “How can I serve honorably, Doris, if I am in love with the man I am charged to bring to the King’s Justice?”
“Oh, darling, no wonder you worry so! But I have faith that all will work out. You know that his heart is true?”
“It is, of that I would shout from the rooftops.”
She smiled. “Then it will be fine. Love such as yours will always be rewarded.”
“I would sweep all the stars from the heavens and present them to him on bended knee if I could.”
Doris laughed softly. “Such a romantic, my dear!” She hugged Mel again, then said, “Keep your distance from the Duke. He will play cat-and-mouse for a time, and that will give you a reprieve, but someday, my dear Mel, you will have to go to your Johnny so that you may remain unsullied.”
Mel nodded as he grasped her hands in his. “He said he would come for me someday, but if I must, I will give up all to join him.”
Doris smiled. “Follow your heart, Mel, and you will be happy.”
She left the chambers and Mel dreamed of the stars in Johnny’s eyes.