beware the lionheart

Arthur Belfast | Knight | Blacksmith | 24 | Achilles "To achieve great things, we must live as we were never going to die."

[elwinnargo]

mayhem || arthur&elwinn

[arthur-belfast-blog]

elwinnargo:

μοιρίδιος (moiridios) destined, doomed | for inspiration, listen here                                                         Rumors of figures on the ruins of the Keep have pulled both Elwinn and Arthur to the site. Although caught off guard by the appearance of the other, soon, they sense something else on the air: a dark rage that permeates the space around them, creeping beneath their skin and causing a spark of violence on their tongues. With such a feeling, they see distant figures themselves. A god’s curse, the rumor finishes. Beware.

@arthur-belfast​

Elwinn was running out of sacred patience. The research was proving itself useless. None of his knights or commoners would bring him anything useful - only rumors heard around the city in ruins. All he wanted was to know what was stopping him from going back to the silent darkness of the North, and so he decided to do the work himself. 

He stood in front of what used to be the mighty castle of the Vitello dinasty, now reduced to stones, filth and ashes, showing the real nature of the inhabitants of the region. Lord Argo clenched his jaw at the overwhelming hatred he felt towards them all, as if they had just commited a fault against him. Yet there was nothing. Only dust. The man quickly turned around at the sound of steps, as an intense glare studied the intruder. 

There were only so many things Elwinn Argo could force himself to endure, but to tolerate a grown man sneaking behind his back was not one of them, and today was not a day to test Lord Argo’s self-control.

But something distracted him, if only for a brief moment. A strange figure, vague, as if it was formed by snowflakes in the wind, and spoke in whispers. 

‘Beware.’

There was only so much he could tolerate.

“Get out of my sight if you want to keep your skin on.” 

It wasn’t really like he had been planning on venturing back to the Keep. And he certainly didn’t want to do anything that was dangerous because Pierce had made it very clear that he wanted to steer clear away from all the violence. But that faint whisper of some people passing by the workshop had mentioned people or creatures skulking about at the ruins. Call it curiosity or old habit, but Arthur only hesitated a few hours before making his way to all the rubble himself.

When he first spotted the highborn, the blond had simply thought he was one of the figures the people were gosipping about. He looked suspicious from where he was, which was why he tried to conceal himself belatedly. This lead to a perfect situation for misunderstandings to ensue, but that sudden rage that struck the both of them...

Surely that was not normal. Arthur might have thought harder about it had his blood not boiled in his veins. Had the older man’s voice not grated on his ears. He frowned, crossing his arms and standing his ground.     “This isn’t your land and I have not sworn fealty to you; so I’ve no obligation to follow your orders.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

“You’re a stubborn ass, that needs to be said.” Pierce huffed playfully, knowing that he would have to be the one to drop the argument. That way he’d at least save their dinner, even though he didn’t appreciate the casual way Arthur mentioned starving when there were many on that situation. He tightened his arm around the other man and thanked whatever god was out there that they were able to find new jobs.

On happier matters, he opened his mouth to correct Arthur on how they were still joined at the hip, one way or another, but his clever partner beat him to it, so Pierce simply grinned. “I was afraid you’d say there’s something that can torn us apart now.” Nothing could. Not even death, for they would follow each other into the next world. That’s why it pained more than if the injury had been on his own body, seeing Arthur brought down like that. “You’ll be okay. You were born for more than just the battlefield.”

Arthur chuckled, shrugging slightly at the comment.  “I guess I am, but so are you. Or perhaps the correct description would be that you’re tenacious or patient for dealing with me all these years? It must be nearing twenty or so years now, right?”   It was crazy to think that they’d known each other for so long ––––– practically their entire lives, really. And for them to not have been at each others throats? Purely, a miracle.

“That’s ridiculous. We’ve been through so many battles together, yet here we still stand. If that’s a testimony to our undying connection for one another, I don’t know what is,” he mentioned, smiling over at the other man. His tone dropped at the mention of his birthright however and he carded his finger through his hair awkwardly. Arthur didn’t want to argue about what he thought he was really born for. It couldn’t be anything glorious as he had hoped for in his youth.  “Yes... I’m sure you’re right.”

[briennes]

“Patroclus.” Achilles did not slur my name, as people often did, running it together as if in a hurry to be rid of it. Instead, he rang each syllable: Pa-tro-clus.

graphics, tecnically — the song of achilles + text  as asked by @jonsnuw

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

“Ah, I see, you’re avoiding giving me your word, but I’m expecting dinner tonight either way.” He said with a casual shrug, not at all worried that Arthur would refuse that simple task. Regarding his true calling for a profession, Pierce hummed in consideration. “I could have, but I don’t regret my choice. Someone had to watch your back on the battlefield and my poor soft soul couldn’t take the thought of you facing danger without me.” He said lightly, rubbing along the curve of Arthur’s shoulder. “You have the strength for that kind of work. I’ll admit it soothes me to know that you’re taking a safer trade. How’s your arm?”

"Well then, I suppose that we’ll have to starve tonight then, won’t we?”  Arthur wasn’t planning on letting up, even if the other man knew he was lying out of his ass.  He looked around; the once bustling streets of Westedell were full of impoverished people... good people forced to steal food because they just didn’t have the money to pay for it anymore...  And now, they were all scared of what was beyond the city limits ––––– what beasts lay beyond?  The blond turned his head to give Pierce a smile when he felt that gentle squeeze on his shoulder.  “I honestly don’t think anything could have torn us apart when we were boys.  Practically joined at the hips, we were.”   Arthur chuckled.  “Of course, that’s still true but in an entirely different interpretation.”  He gave Pierce’s waist a little squeeze, as if to make his point and shrugged in response to the brunet’s question.    “It pales in comparison to fighting in battles, but it could be worse.  My arm... it still trembles and I fear I may never wield a sword with this hand again.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

“Hypothetical cooking doesn’t put food on our table. Don’t turn back on your promises, Belfast.” Pierce admonished, so soft and caring that anyone could tell it was an affectionate comment. When it was time to go, they went side by side, as it used to be when they trained or took patrols together. Their work had changed but they were still together by the end of the day. Pierce wrapped an arm loosely around Arthur’s shoulders, fingers curled. “I’ve always preferred healing over hurting, you know that. I have to help people in some way.” He sighed. “How was your day?”

Pierce’s quip drew out a soft chuckle from the blond, to which he raised his hands in a feigned sign of surrender.   “I didn’t exactly make any promises, did I? I don’t remember doing such a thing,”  he joked.  Arthur had already smoked the meat he’d procured from the butcher prior to stopping by the infirmary.  The arm around his shoulder was comforting –––– familiar.  So familiar that it was almost like nothing bad had ever happened.   “I do. Sometimes I wonder if you should have just trained to become a healer instead of a knight. You’re a fair fighter, but you’ve got such a soft soul... Perhaps now you can focus on your real calling. As for my day, it was spent sweating over the fireplace while my mentor hammered the basics of blacksmithing into my head. Hard work, but it pays.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

Pierce’s smile widened, and it’d already been very bright to begin with. “Are you cooking for me? I can never say no to that.” He knelt down so he could work on his patient’s leg, redoing the stitches that couldn’t hold the wound closed. He had to focus on that task for a moment, but just having Arthur there, waiting to go home with him, was enough to brighten up his mood. He covered the stitches and gave the man something to lessen the pain.

“Ah, she’s here.” He was washing his hands when the other healer arrived and he stopped to talk to her for a brief moment before turning to Arthur. “Alright, I’m free to go with you, love.”

"Well, no. Remember that this cooking this is all hypothetical.”  There was honestly no reason for him to turn around and lie about his plans because he’d revealed them himself.  Even if he denied his intentions, he was also pretty certain that Pierce would see right through him in a matter of seconds... which is why he chose to focus his attention onto bandaging up the poor man’s arm instead.  Arthur spoke to the man, trying to distract from the pain.  And when he was finished, he sat back and watched Pierce do his work.  The sight of blood never really made him squeamish; in fact, he was more fixated on watching his lover’s lithe fingers threading that needle and stitching up the injured man’s leg.  It was delicate work and strangely aesthetically pleasing.  When the healer returned, Arthur stood and smiled.  “You do great work here,” he said, reaching around the brunet to press a palm to the small of his back ––– a subtle show of his affections.

[moirainedamodred]

Name one hero who was happy. You can’t. I can’t. I know. They never let you be famous AND happy. I’ll tell you a secret. Tell me. I’m going to be the first. Swear it.  Why me? Because you’re the reason. Swear it. I swear it. I swear it. I feel like I could eat the world r a w.

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

Pierce rolled his eyes fondly. “You lack the patience, I’ll give you that. But you have steady hands.” And he was sure that at least half of those fine people would be okay with Arthur treating them, although he didn’t say that much. He considered the offer with a look around, then shook his head. “No need to move them. You can bandage this fellow over here.” There was another man in need of new stitches on the next table and Pierce stopped by his side. “You’re eager to go home early today.”

The blond refrained from correcting Pierce and saying that his hands weren’t so steady anymore following the injury because he didn’t want to wipe that pretty smile off of the brunet’s face.  Instead, he glanced over at the man Pierce pointed out and headed over to treat him.  It was only bandaging; how hard could it be?   “Well, wouldn’t you be if you planned to cook dinner for me?”  Arthur quirked a brow as he grasped a roll of cloth in his hand and lifted the injured man’s arm.  “I thought I’d give you a break.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

His expression brightened up at the sight of the other man, his faithful companion and keeper of his heart. They had gone through a rough patch following the war and Pierce still questioned what their actions had brought to the kingdom, but they’d managed to find some balance. “You can always help, you’re just as skilled in this work.” He said with a smile, nodding to tell Arthur to follow him across the tent.

“Thankfully we don’t have many serious cases and the other healer should take over soon.” He commented as he picked up a concoction for an old lady.

"Only if it involves heavy lifting. I was never as skilled with memorizing the medical facts as you were. Just the basics of: if it’s bleeding, bandage it. If it itches, don’t itch it... I doubt any of these fine people would want me to treat them.”   Arthur smiled, gesturing towards the people in the room.  “If you have anyone you need to have moved around, that’s the job for me. Just order me around, honestly, if that’ll get you out of here sooner.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

“Please, wait a moment,” Pierce said to the person approaching the healing tent, signaling with his hand for them to pause. He was leaning towards a cot, changing the dressing on a woman’s arm. “You can apply that ointment and press down with a fresh cloth every morning, that should heal in a week at most.” He secured it firmly and then got up to face the other guest.

“And what can I do for you?”

Arthur had finished his job early.  It was odd working at a different place from Pierce, but it was what their lives had come to.  The war had changed much ––– the kingdom, their occupations, their social standing.  It seemed like the only thing that hadn’t changed was their loyalty to one another.  “Well, I was hoping that you were free to go home with me, but I see you have a few more injured people to tend to...”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

He waited,wondering if Arthur would try to steer him away from the serious conversationor actually talk about he was doing. It turned out that the man could do bothin a few sentences, it was an impressive ability. “You’re always up to no good.” Pierce said,lips quirking up. He was curious over what kind of information Arthur thought he would get hiding in the shadows and following random men. This time it shouldn’t be about the wildlings, as it was easier to find them in the woods. 

“No, never.” Pierce said seriously, a hand carefully placed on his lover’s arm. “Your concern is heartwarming, but you know that I have weighted our options for weeks, right? I had to choose the right thing, Arthur, even if it puts me in danger.”

Pierce’s little quip elicited a smile from him and he rubbed the back of his neck almost bashfully. “Fair enough. I do give you quite a lot of trouble, don’t I?” He often felt guilty when faced with the revelation that he probably put Pierce through hell with all his crazy antics and impulsive decisions. Arthur felt that same pang of guilt now as she stared into the brunet’s eyes. After all, he was lying by omission.

He reached for the hand on his arm and held it between his own. Arthur fidgeted with Pierce’s fingers, as if inspecting them but it was all an excuse not to address the heavier conversation they were about to have. With a sigh, Arthur gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I just don’t want to lose you... regardless if it’s for a just cause or not. Perhaps that’s cruel of me to say, but it’s the truth.”

[mastrkell]

Book Meme - [2/6] Ships - Achilles / Patroclus 

“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

He raised his eyebrows, knowing what that little smile meant. He had seen it enough times when Arthur was aware that he was doing something Pierce wouldn’t approve of. He just couldn’t fathom what it was this time. The cloak and general skittish attitude made him more curious to find out and he tilted his head when his lover admitted that he’d been doing something secretive. He trusted Arthur with all his heart, but that concerned him. Not even the firm hand on his lower back could relax him completely.

“If everything is fine, why didn’t you want me to see you?” His tone remained soft, as not to sound too accusing. “Well, I would, but you just indirectly said that you weren’t working. Why lurk in the shadows?” An educated guess came to mind. “You’re still trying to see what both sides are up to.”

He tried to make his actions seem natural, but he couldn’t remember how exactly to accomplish that. After all, nothing has been natural or normal for quite awhile, has it? Yet he persisted, trying to charm his way out of this tricky situation. “Well, I look like someone up to no good, don’t I?” he asked, pausing to tug at the dark hood. “I’m collecting information and in order to do that I need to keep out of sight... but yeah,” he admitted. “I’m trying to weigh our options. Can you blame me for wanting to keep you safe?”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

things we lost to the flames

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

He turnedonto his side, arm stretched to drape over the warm body that was supposed tobe next to his. Light sleeper as he was, he blinked his eyes open when thefound the other side of the bed empty. It wasn’t common for Arthur to leave himin the middle of the night without explanation. Pierce sat up and looked aroundthe room, spotting a shadow just outside. He got up to his feet to leave theroom, pausing when a careless movement caught his friend’s attention.

“It’s justme.” He said softly, walking up to wrap an arm around Arthur, careful, loving. “Are you alright?” Itwas a stupid question directed to someone who had left the bed in dark hoursand startled at the faintest sound, yet Pierce needed to find out what waswrong. “I hope it’s not too warm in bed.”

Arthur relaxed considerably upon realizing it was Pierce behind the sudden noise. He leaned into the man’s warm embrace, sighing and trying not to sound too upset. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you? You didn’t have to come outside looking for me. I just wanted to get some fresh air.” For once he was thankful for the darkness, because in all that shadow, Pierce wouldn’t be able to see the pained expression on his face. Was it Pierce? OR PATROCLUS? He felt waves of heart-wrenching pain resonating from the nightmare he had. A part of him hoped that it was just that and nothing more — a silly, terrible dream.

Yet there was a part of him that knew that wasn’t the case... and he couldn’t help but turn enough so that he could wrap his arms around the brunets waist. Arthur buried his face in the crook between his neck and shoulders and breathed. Just breathed. His heart raced against his chest and though he was holding onto the other man, Arthur couldn’t shake the feeling that he was slipping through his fingers. "... You know that I love you, right?”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

sommersofkindness:

The eeriecalmness that settled over the Keep didn’t unsettle Pierce anymore now that hehad a goal in mind. He had stopped struggling between two sides and confirmedhis alliance with the free folk, although it should remain a secret until theright time called for the reveal. He knew that Arthur was still distrusting ofboth parties and he wouldn’t force anything. He only wanted to have hispartner’s support. Finding Arthur in the middle of a busy street was pure luck,brightening his day, even if it took a moment for the fellow knight to see him.

“Ihave to say your face is pretty recognizable to me.” Pierce said with alittle smirk. “I would recognize you anywhere.” The fondness in hiseyes became more serious as he took note of their surroundings. “Iseverything alright?”

Arthur smiled almost bashfully upon recognizing his lover, half-embarrassed that he hadn’t spotted Pierce first and half-bothered by the fact that Pierce had caught him in the midst of scoping out the battlefield. If he was being perfectly honest with himself, he couldn’t care less about which side they were on so long as Pierce was safe. Arthur felt inclined to take his side immediately and join the wildlings, but he was skeptical of the group. The blond placed a hand on the small of the brunets back and lead them to a less occupied part of the street. 

“Sorry, I just meant—well... I didn’t mean for you to see me like this. Everything is perfectly fine. You wouldn’t be willing to believe that I’m working, would you?”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

cullengrieves:

Cullen frowned as he followed the men, trying to keep his head down. He had no idea how he had gotten himself into this mess. All he wished was for a bit of peace, and now… Now he was in shady alleys and back streets, trying to dig up anything he could, find about anything, free folk or magic. The tension in the air seemed more palpable today, making everyone skittish. However, if what he had heard was right, those men might know about one of the two topics on his plate. He went to move closer, but a body was standing in the way, one he recognized as his old student, Arthur, who he hadn’t seen since his return. Cullen followed his gaze, seeing that he was watching the same men. “Yes, truly unfortunate,” Cullen said with a frown. “Now, what are you doing here? And where’s Pierce?” He found it strange, especially since he couldn’t truly remember a time when the two of them were apart.

Arthur gathered himself quickly, tugging at the hood draped over his head to make sure the men he was watching didn’t see him. He was surprised to see his former trainer tailing the same men, let alone willing to bring up Pierce in conversation. Well, he was pleasantly surprised at the latter bit; he was often seen with the brunet at any given time of day after all. So it was normal for the two of them to be coupled together, but it was strange talking about him and stranger still to hear that familiar tone of voice that made him feel like he was a young squire being scolded again. He blurted out an excuse, choosing not to address the query as to what he was doing there. “He’s got rounds on the other side of the capitol, ser.”

[arthur-belfast-blog]

For the past few weeks, Arthur had spent most of his free time surveying the streets. He was curious as to what the public opinion was on matters surrounding the kingdom and the wildlings. There was a storm brewing and everyone could feel the tension high in the air. This awkward period of peace wasn’t going to last long. Today was no different. Arthur was staring at two men exchanging rather suspicious banter when he nearly collided with someone. “Damn. Thought I wouldn’t run into anyone who recognized my face.”