Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2000 19:09:10 EST From: Rahleewee@aol.com Subject: Fate's Design--Prologue Fate's Design by Mariah (<A HREF="mailto:Rahleewee@aol.com">Rahleewee@aol.com</A>) Copyright 2000 Disclaimer: Last time I checked, this was purely a figment of my imagination. I don't know any of the members of Nsync, so instead I borrowed their likeness for this little creation of mine! It is not meant to reflect anything about the sexuality of the people mentioned. P.S. This is an AU fic but it's fun! :) I am a little nervous about posting because this is my first here, so I hope you like it. Feedback is always welcomed and acknowledged at Rahleewee@aol.com. ************************* Prologue The young blonde stood silently in the small room. He was unsure how long he had been waiting and was getting anxious. There was a knock on the lone door to the room and the young man fell to his knees on the rough carpet as another man entered the room. "You may rise," a smooth tenor instructed him. The young blonde raised his head as he climbed to his feet, "Bless you, your majesty." The dark-haired man chuckled, "Your majesty is one title I have never held." The younger man looked at the other in confusion, "You are not the King?" "No, my name is Christopher. I am a servant of King Joshua. And you are Justin?" "Yes, I am Justin," he answered, still confused as to the presence of the other servant. "Did you come to take me to the King?" "Not at this time," Christopher grinned at the baffled look on Justin's face. "You will meet your new master in good time, have no fear, Justin. First, we must prepare you to meet him. You would not want to make a poor first impression." "I suppose not." "I am your groom. I am one of King Joshua's many servants that act as grooms for the others. My chore is to watch over the other servants assigned to me and make sure you are clean and have all that you need," Christopher explained as he took in the young man's tattered clothes and grimy skin. "I have never had a groom before," Justin replied softly, embarrassed by Christopher's disapproving look. Christopher smiled as he reached out to brush his hand along Justin's cheek, "I understand, we have received other servants from Thriesha. You are not the first." A look of pain crossed the young blonde's face at the mention of his old home where his family still served. Christopher noted the pain in the young man's eyes but continued you on, "Justin, you will find that Kismet is very different from Thriesha. Most servants from Thriesha have grown very fond of Kismet. King Joshua is unlike your former King." "In what manner?" Justin asked, his interest piqued. Christopher sat down on the padded bench along one wall of the small chamber," Come, sit with me." "Yes, your..." Justin trailed off as he was unsure of what to call the other man. "Christopher," he smiled. "Yes, Christopher," Justin smiled as he took a seat beside the dark-haired man. "King Joshua is very different from other Kings in many respects. He is a kind man. You will find he is younger than most and perhaps that is the reason for his kindness, I do not know. King Joshua also takes good care of his servants in exchange for our loyalty and obedience. You will never wear torn, soiled clothes again," Christopher explained, nodding to Justin's attire. "These were all I was given in Thriesha, they are my best clothes." "You shall have new ones. King Joshua believes in giving his servants all that they need. He asks for very little in return. There is a basic rule in this castle. If you follow it, you shall live a happy life here, if you do not, you shall be punished." "I do not want to be punished!" Justin exclaimed, louder than was intended. Christopher patted his arm, "Then simply obey King Joshua's rules." "What are they?" "King Joshua asks that all servants respect themselves and other servants as well as your King. That is his basic rule. It is simple. He asks that you do not lie to him or other servants, do not steal, do not speak disrespectfully out of spite or anger." "That is all?" "Basically, that is all. There may be more to learn in time but you are prepared with what I have just told you. King Joshua hopes his servants are proud of themselves, the kingdom they are a part of, and of their King. If you are proud of these things, you should have no reason to be disobedient or disloyal," Christopher explained easily, as though the information was characteristic of all rulers. Justin knew differently though. His former land had been far from what Christopher now described. "Tell me Christopher, what is the punishment for disobedience?" "You should not worry about such things now. King Joshua will never inflict punishment that will cause permanent damage or harm to you. You are safe here Justin, if you perform your duties well, you will be rewarded. If you do not, you will face the consequences but you will still be cared for. This is your new life, it will be different, but I believe it will be better," Christopher smiled as he rose from the bench and offered his hand to Justin. "Shall we go now and prepare you? I know you are still eager to meet the King." Justin nodded and smiled as he took the older man's hand, his fears and worries about his new home slipping from his mind. ***** "And how is my wife?" the brunette asked as he ran his fingers along the other man's arm. "She is well Joshua. We received word from her this morning. She is enjoying her visit with her parents," he replied. "She is due back soon. I am pleased, I have missed her. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed my additional time with you, Joseph," Joshua smiled as he traced Joseph's lips with his thumb. "You have served me well." "I am pleased to have been of service to you," Joseph grinned as Joshua's lips descended on his own. "Have you seen the new servant from Thriesha?" the King asked as he pulled away from Joseph. "Yes, your highness. I observed when they brought him into the castle," he replied, pulling Joshua closer to him. "The verdict?" "He is typical of those we have received from Thriesha. His skin was stained with dirt and his clothes bedraggled," Joseph explained. "As I expected. Did he appear healthy and strong?" Joshua inquired. "Yes, Joshua. Though I still do not understand why you barter with Thriesha. The servants always come dirty and undernourished. You give away valuable gold, gems, even livestock in exchange for them. I do not understand," Joseph ponder in frustration as his hands caressed the other man's bare chest. "I am in need of additional servants," Joshua replied simply as he leaned into Joseph's touch. "Thriesha is not the only kingdom you have relations with," Joseph shot back as his hands found their way to Joshua's back. "Yet, I find Thrieshian servants to be very obedient and loyal. Many times they prove more loyal than servants who have been brought up in Kismet," Joshua shot the brunette a reprimanding look. "I am sorry your highness, I did not intend to overstep my bounds. The new servant looks to have great potential." Joseph could not help that he saw the new servant as a possible competitor for the King's attention and affection. Joseph had not faced competition since the beginning of Joshua's reign as King. Sure, Joshua had spent occasional nights alone with other servants but none of them caused Joseph to fear his position with the King. But, even under all the grime, Joseph could see the new man was different. He could see the pretty face and well-toned body under the dirt and torn clothes. The worries were not ones for Joseph to dwell upon while laying in the bed of the King. He would handle his new complication after his time with Joshua. Smiling, Joseph placed gentle kisses along the other man's neck, receiving a rewarding moan from Joshua. ***** Christopher worked a brush through the tangle of Justin's newly washed curls. Justin admired his new clothing while Christopher continued his work, "Thank you for bathing me Christopher, I feel like a king!" Christopher smiled at the energetic young man sitting at his feet. Once his fear and shyness had faded away, Justin had proved to be very charming and humorous. 'King Joshua will find him very appealing,' Christopher was angry with himself for even thinking the thought, for it held some truth. Christopher hoped his own growing attraction to the young man would develop into a strong friendship. It was all he could hope for. Christopher was making some final adjustments to Justin's clothing when there was a knock on the door. Christopher took hold of Justin's arm to keep him standing, "Do not worry, it is not the King." Christopher opened the door to reveal Joseph, "King Joshua is ready for him." Christopher nodded and smiled at Justin. The two followed behind Joseph silently, each mind filled with different thoughts. Justin worried how King Joshua would take him. He hoped that Chris' stories of Joshua's kindness held true. He would be very happy. Joseph's thoughts were not lost on the fact the Justin had cleaned up even better than Joseph had been prepared for. The older servant was not prepared to share the King with anyone though he feared that would be happening very soon. The trio came to a stop outside of a set of large mahogany doors. Joseph turned around to face the other men, "Do not make a fool of yourself. King Joshua does not waste his time with those who will make a mockery of his kingdom." Justin looked to Christopher with a glint of fear in his eyes. The groom waited until Joseph was on his way into the large room behind the doors to speak softly in Justin's ear, "Do not be afraid, he is jealous of you. I know Joseph, I see it in his eyes. Do not worry, the King will be fond of you." The two men waited outside the doors for Joseph to return. When he returned Joseph smirked at Justin's content smile, "He shall see you now. His majesty has requested to see him alone, you may return to your chambers, Christopher." Christopher nodded and turned to go back to the chambers he and Justin had come from. As he reached the end of the hall, he turned to watch his new charge. Without Christopher at his side Justin's fear returned. Joseph's tight, almost harsh, grip on his upper arm did nothing to relieve the young blonde's nerves. He wanted to turn and run back to the safety of his groom's arms but Joseph was not allowing any movement except in the forward direction he propelled the young man in. Joshua sat silently in the ornate throne watching the young man that Joseph pulled towards him. His golden curls seemed to glow in the warm light. Joshua admired the young man's body, noting that he had clearly worked to maintain himself. The only part of the young man that the King did not find desirable was the look of fear and possibly pain etched into his soft features. "Joseph, you may release him," Joshua commanded as the two stood before him. As Joseph released his arm, Justin fell to his knees in front of the King. Joshua nodded at the respectful gesture, "You may rise." Justin obeyed and stood before Joshua with his eyes focused on the thick crimson carpet he stood upon. "What is your name?" "Justin," he replied meekly. "Justin, may I see your face?" Joshua asked softly. Justin looked up, his sparkling blue eyes meeting the King's own. Joshua smiled at the young man that stood in front of him and was rewarded with a smile from Justin. A smile that seemed to light up the entire room. He knew his gold had been well spent.