AN: I have this story posted on my LJ, as I type it. It'll take a bit for all of it to get out, because I have no idea what I'm gonna do with these two... well, I have a slight idea, but that's about all...

Edit: I like to confuzzle people. :D So, I’ll mark which is past with “then” and the future as “now”, sound good? Thanks, JM!

Edit #2: I'm making this into chapters now, so, sorry for the inconvenience.

-As it happens now-

“Prince Consort!” The door burst open as the red headed servant leaned against it, panting heavily.

The prince consort gazed at his friend with repressed fear at the news he brought. Slowly, he stood and motioned for the younger boy to enter his domain. The redhead bowed clumsily and moved closer to his prince.

“The Warlord has been captured,” he whispered on a breath, finishing with, “The Bodyguard has been injured.”

Lips parting in surprise, the prince consort’s legs gave way under him and he sank into the plush couch he had previously been lounging upon.

“Damn him,” he whispered. “If he had allowed me to go with him...”

The servant’s eyes widened. Then he gathered his nerve. “Prince Consort, you might have been captured, also.” The prince consort’s blue eyes turned to his companion.

“Perhaps. But there is nothing to do about that now. Who knows the Warlord has been captured?”

“Only those closest to him, a select few, yourself, and I.”

The prince consort nodded and stood, turning to the otherwise empty room. “I want one of the men, of the Warlord’s size, to be brought here. He is to speak to nobody and wear this.” He handed the dark-skinned servant a helm. “Keep his head lowered and make him pretend to have a sever injury. Bring the Bodyguard here with him. Tell the others to speak naught of the Warlord, in fact, keep them separated from any contact with anybody.” The servant nodded and turned to rush out. “Oh, Rem?” The boy turned. “I want you to do this yourself. I trust nobody else.”

Rem smiled, “Thank you, Prince Consort.” Then he was gone.

The prince consort gazed at the closed gilded door after him. “How many times do I tell you to call me by my name?” he murmured.

Once again sinking into the couch, the prince consort’s mind raced on the plan he had come up with in this time of panic.