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sheenianniTitle: Out of the Dungeons
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sheenianni
Word Count: ~ 15,100 in total
Characters/Pairings: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke, Elizabeth Mitchell, Sara Ellis, Curtis Hagen, Charles Ruiz, Gordon Taylor, mentions of other characters
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, hurt/comfort, adventure, friendship
Spoilers: None
Content Notice: Suicide attempt; mentions of torture, violence, pre-story deaths of several characters
Beta-credit:sherylyn
Summary: AU. Years ago, Lord Peter Burke saved Neal Caffrey’s life and brought him into the Queen’s service. Now that a turn of events led Peter into the dungeons, Neal isn’t going to let a terrible fate befall his friend – even if it means making deals with the devil and confronting old fears. It’s time to get creative.
Set in a 17th century-ish European-like country (not historically accurate).
A/N: This is a story fortjs_whatnot, written as a part of ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
fandomaid for the Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser (I’m only a little over two years late… ). I’m also using it to fill the Wild Card on my Gen Bingo card.
PROLOGUE
There was an audience coming the next day.
After the trial, he had (mostly) done what they told him: he had stopped (postponed) his plans and waited (almost) patiently until the King said his final word.
(He couldn’t just sit by the sidelines. He had contacted people; he started gathering resources and information; he made inquiries – but quietly. He was very careful, and very quiet, because an error would be deadly and there was too much at stake here.)
Frowning, Neal stared at the incomplete map in front of him before sighing in frustration.
He had spent a good part of six years trying in vain to forget the place that still haunted him in his nightmares. Yet now that he needed those memories – now that his torment might finally be good for something – his recollection remained spotty and vague.
Maybe the King will show mercy. Maybe another option will come up. Maybe pigs will fly.
Either way, he would find out tomorrow.
He rolled up the map and hid it back in his drawers.
* * *
Sitting on the stone ground, Peter toyed with the soup in his hands, poking a piece of vegetable with his spoon, trying to get his hands warm from the still hot bowl.
His stomach croaked in protest. Giving up his reluctance, he drank the warm liquid and then picked at the bigger pieces with the spoon until the whole bowl was empty, leaving him still a bit hungry but no longer starving. He would be okay, he thought; he just needed to remain patient and wait.
The latest bit of news said that his cousin’s son had requested an audience with the King. Sooner or later, Peter’s luck would turn around… it had to. Everything was going to be all right.
He placed the bowl on the ground and leaned his back against the wall, trying once again to get some rest.
* * *
The audience went about the way she had expected.
The pair in front of them tried to make their case to the royal court, but they were only minor gentry with no real power. Even if they had been eloquent speakers, it was painfully obvious that the King wasn’t inclined to listen to their pleas.
“…Your Majesty, I sincerely beg you to consider the circumstances. Our relative has served the Crown loyally in the past–”
“That will be enough,” the King interrupted, effectively cutting off the squire’s speech. “I am displeased that this matter has been brought before me again. My decision stands. You’re dismissed – I won’t hear about this anymore.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
She felt a stab as the couple bowed and left; their intervention on behalf of their noble relative a miserable failure.
Suddenly, the King turned towards her. “Dear, that was unpleasant. But, past services or not, there can be no mercy for traitors and criminals. I hope you understand my decision, my Lady.”
“You are a wise King, my Lord,” answered Queen Elizabeth with a polite smile. “As you said before, justice must prevail.”
“I’m glad you agree with me,” said her husband seriously. “After all, Lord Burke used to be a friend of yours once.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “The judge said that he insidiously attacked and murdered your advisor. His punishment should be appropriate for his crime.”
The King nodded. “Then we are in agreement.”
Raging inside but wearing a bland smile, Queen Elizabeth listened as her husband confirmed Peter Burke’s death sentence.
And behind her mask, she plotted furiously until she came up with an idea. Now all that was left was to put her plan in action.
Part I
Author:
sheenianniWord Count: ~ 15,100 in total
Characters/Pairings: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke, Elizabeth Mitchell, Sara Ellis, Curtis Hagen, Charles Ruiz, Gordon Taylor, mentions of other characters
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, hurt/comfort, adventure, friendship
Spoilers: None
Content Notice: Suicide attempt; mentions of torture, violence, pre-story deaths of several characters
Beta-credit:
sherylynSummary: AU. Years ago, Lord Peter Burke saved Neal Caffrey’s life and brought him into the Queen’s service. Now that a turn of events led Peter into the dungeons, Neal isn’t going to let a terrible fate befall his friend – even if it means making deals with the devil and confronting old fears. It’s time to get creative.
Set in a 17th century-ish European-like country (not historically accurate).
A/N: This is a story for
tjs_whatnot, written as a part of fandomaid for the Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser (I’m only a little over two years late… ). I’m also using it to fill the Wild Card on my Gen Bingo card. ___________________________________
PROLOGUE
There was an audience coming the next day.
After the trial, he had (mostly) done what they told him: he had stopped (postponed) his plans and waited (almost) patiently until the King said his final word.
(He couldn’t just sit by the sidelines. He had contacted people; he started gathering resources and information; he made inquiries – but quietly. He was very careful, and very quiet, because an error would be deadly and there was too much at stake here.)
Frowning, Neal stared at the incomplete map in front of him before sighing in frustration.
He had spent a good part of six years trying in vain to forget the place that still haunted him in his nightmares. Yet now that he needed those memories – now that his torment might finally be good for something – his recollection remained spotty and vague.
Maybe the King will show mercy. Maybe another option will come up. Maybe pigs will fly.
Either way, he would find out tomorrow.
He rolled up the map and hid it back in his drawers.
Sitting on the stone ground, Peter toyed with the soup in his hands, poking a piece of vegetable with his spoon, trying to get his hands warm from the still hot bowl.
His stomach croaked in protest. Giving up his reluctance, he drank the warm liquid and then picked at the bigger pieces with the spoon until the whole bowl was empty, leaving him still a bit hungry but no longer starving. He would be okay, he thought; he just needed to remain patient and wait.
The latest bit of news said that his cousin’s son had requested an audience with the King. Sooner or later, Peter’s luck would turn around… it had to. Everything was going to be all right.
He placed the bowl on the ground and leaned his back against the wall, trying once again to get some rest.
The audience went about the way she had expected.
The pair in front of them tried to make their case to the royal court, but they were only minor gentry with no real power. Even if they had been eloquent speakers, it was painfully obvious that the King wasn’t inclined to listen to their pleas.
“…Your Majesty, I sincerely beg you to consider the circumstances. Our relative has served the Crown loyally in the past–”
“That will be enough,” the King interrupted, effectively cutting off the squire’s speech. “I am displeased that this matter has been brought before me again. My decision stands. You’re dismissed – I won’t hear about this anymore.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
She felt a stab as the couple bowed and left; their intervention on behalf of their noble relative a miserable failure.
Suddenly, the King turned towards her. “Dear, that was unpleasant. But, past services or not, there can be no mercy for traitors and criminals. I hope you understand my decision, my Lady.”
“You are a wise King, my Lord,” answered Queen Elizabeth with a polite smile. “As you said before, justice must prevail.”
“I’m glad you agree with me,” said her husband seriously. “After all, Lord Burke used to be a friend of yours once.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “The judge said that he insidiously attacked and murdered your advisor. His punishment should be appropriate for his crime.”
The King nodded. “Then we are in agreement.”
Raging inside but wearing a bland smile, Queen Elizabeth listened as her husband confirmed Peter Burke’s death sentence.
And behind her mask, she plotted furiously until she came up with an idea. Now all that was left was to put her plan in action.
Part I
