With time and training, Miroïr was cured. He could now walk, run, and move normally. Jäwell became one the best blacksmiths in the country. The army was even ordering special weapons from time to time for their officers.
They were together and very content with their life. The country was stable, the little battles to maintain the borders didn't harm the Kingdom, and the King was planning his return from the front very soon. It was a rumor that the King was humble and discreet, nobody knew with exactitude what he looked like or when he would return.
That night, Jäwell was working hard late in the evening. He had a project to finish and he couldn't sleep as long as he was thinking about it. He heard steps in the street approaching. He wondered why someone would come to the blacksmith at night. When the man approached, Jäwell let out his hammer and paid attention to him.
It was a very tall man, he was muscled but still very elegant. His face was wide and imposing respect, his long hair was attached by a simple leather thread, and locks of hair were running wild in the light wind. The man smiled at him.
"Come with your brother tomorrow."
Then he dropped a coin on the table and left. Jäwell didn't understand at first, but then he saw the coin carefully and recognized it.
It was the royal seal. This man was supposed to be the king. That was impossible, the king was ruling for at least five hundred years. He couldn't be their age. Something was wrong, but only the King could carry such a coin.
Jäwell completely forgot his project and went back to his room, he placed the coin on the table. Miroïr watched it carefully.
"The king wants to see you, brother?"
Jäwell took a deep breath.
"The King wants to see us. He mentioned you too."
Miroïr became even paler than usual. They both tried to sleep without success after this. They finally sat on their bed watching each other in silence waiting for the next day to go to the castle and meet the King.
Miroïr was searching in his memory if someone could see him practice what he called his art but he always paid extra attention to being alone before doing anything. That couldn't be for that. As for Jäwell, he flirted with so many women that he started to think that one of them must be the king's concubine and he would die for sure. Pearls of sweat were running down his face and he was shivering thinking about it. They only whispered at the same time in fear "We are dead."
As they saw the first lights of the day they decided to leave. They spent their night in silence, thinking of what they could have done wrong.
They assembled their stuff and left. As they closed the door they thought it was the last time they saw this room and said goodbye.
They walked the main path to the castle. They both had a low head, they seemed like they were going to their death. Some people started to stare at these strange young men. When they arrived, Jäwell gave the coin to the guard and soon his former commander went to search for them. The man was surprised to meet Jäwell's brother, Miroïr was very discreet and only a few people knew him. They were the opposite of each other and it always was a bit strange for people at first to understand that they were real brothers.
Jäwell was a bit relieved to see his former commander and not some unknown person. Still, everybody was very tense. They followed him through a long spacious corridor. Jäwell never was into this part of the castle, it was reserved for the elite.
They were prudent to touch nothing, then they arrived in a gorgeous room. The commander showed them sofas to sit on, and they obeyed. They never sat on such a comfortable thing before. They even let out a moan after sitting. Jäwell was spreading his legs all over, sliding his body on the pillows.
"Oh Wow Miro, if we have to die, I would die happy just for this."
Jäwell heard Miroïr laughing at it. He laughed too... Before he realized that Miroïr was in front of him, standing while the laugh came from his back.
He stood up as fast as possible and bowed to salute the person.
"It's ok, you can stay sitting both of you. I only want to talk."
That was the King. The King himself came to meet them. Jäwell and Miroïr sat as he said, they tried to be as obedient as possible. They didn't want to finish in jail or worse. The King served them a glass, at first, they didn't dare to accept but since he was insisting they took it. The King was even taller than Jäwell, it was the same man that gave him the coin the day before. Jäwell didn't understand how he could look so young. The King was laughing, amused by his expression.
"Young men, I have seen your talents. Both of you. If you agree, I wish to adopt you."
Miroïr's glass fell on the floor. As it broke, he started to shake, losing himself in apologies. Jäwell also had wide-open eyes. They thought they understood it wrong. The King repeated himself.
"I invite you to become Princes. Jäwell being a soldier would be the heir to the throne. As for you Miroïr, I have other plans that you may like which are more adapted to your talents."
Jäwell was the first to open his mouth.
"We would be honored, we just," he stopped himself in shock and had to swallow to find his words again, "What, why? Why us, my King? We are born poor peasants from the farmland."
The King smiled at him mysteriously.
"Let's say, I have my reasons. You are the kind of filial person I want by my side. I want you to protect me with the same energy."
The King turned his face to Miroïr. He had a strange expression that Miroïr could not describe and understand. It was something very special, a mixture of surprise, sadness, and joy. He couldn't figure out what the King was thinking at this moment.
"You have time to think about it, I'll let you have the week. When you feel ready, come to me to give me your decision, you have the right to refuse. If you prefer your calm life, I would understand it perfectly and support you. If you join me, we will have a lot of work to do all together."
The King stood up first and left, he had a hand on the door when he turned himself to them.
"My name is Zarkhaïm. Not your Prince. Not for you."