The White Kingdom (1/1)

Taemin was sure he was lost but the horse he was riding seemed to know where he was going. They hadn't stopped all night riding through the dark woods and the sun was just starting to raise. He rifled through the supply bags and found an apple munching on it as they got to a clearing with a small river flowing by. 'How much longer?' He wondered aloud as the horse moved on past the river and then they cleared the woods. Taemins jaw nearly hit the ground when his eyes adjusted to the light and he saw what was in front of him. It was a castle, unlike any he had ever seen. Granted he had only ever seen the Red Ones castle but as castles went this one was spectacular. The castle itself was huge the towers reaching for the sky and the stones were so white it was as if they were giving off light. Or maybe they were, as the place looked like it was glowing. It was a warm light and it felt good on Taemins face. His horse walked on and they got to the huge white gates and a guard wearing gold and white armour stopped him. He was handsome with brown hair that didn't seem to want to stay down and lovely tanned skin.He stepped forward and said, 'What do you want here?'  Taemin blinked at him and blurted, 'Jongin?! Is that you?!' The younger man blinked too and gave Taemin a weird look and said, 'I do not know you. And my name is Kai. What business do you have at the White Kingdom?' Taemin took a deep breath trying not to focus too much on the fact that a guy who looked just like his previous boyfriend was right in front of him and remember Minhos message. 'I have come to see the Queen. I have news about her brother.' Kai stepped back and said, 'What news? Has the Red One finally surrendered?' Taemin got off the horse his legs stumbling under him but he managed to stay up and he said, 'No. He's dying. And pretty fast now. I was told by a guard Minho to give the Queen a message. Please it's urgent.' Kai seemed to understand they needed to get moving and nodded to another guard and said, 'Sehun open the gates. Tell her majesty we have a visitor.' He then smiled at Taemin and said, 'Come with me. Her majesty will want to see you.' He gestured for someone to take the horse and guided Taemin through the white gates and into a huge courtyard with perfectly trimmed bushes along the pathway. 'I understand you must be tired, but with the situation as it is now the Queen will want to speak to you first. Don't worry, she's not like the other one.' They arrived at the castle doors which were gold and so shiny that Taemin could see his reflection. Kai got to the doors and they opened quietly taking Taemin through the brightly lit hallway-no red light and no creepy shadows and into a throne room. It was huge with white walls with gold tapestries hanging on the walls ands white roses at the windows. The Queens throne was simple and white with a single white rose engraved on the front. The Queen however was stunning: creamy skin, ebony hair and a white dress so sparkly it looked like the stars themselves had lent her their light to decorate it. 'Queen Tiffany.' Kai bowed to her and said, 'I bring a visitor. From the Red Kingdom. He claims he has news of your brother.'Queen Tiffany looked enough like her brother with the sharp cheekbones and full lips but she wasn't as intimidating as the Red One was. Her dress shimmered as she leaned forward and smiled at Taemin who flushed feeling a little uncomfortable that he looked all grimy after his long journey. 'What is it you want to say? Has my brother finally decided to see reason?' Taemin stood straight and bowed his head to the Queen and said, 'No your majesty. He's...he's dying.' Queen Tiffany say back in her chair and sighed looking really sad, 'I was afraid this day would come. This madness of his is finally coming for him. Did Minho send you?' Taemin nodded and said, 'Yes he did. He said he was sorry he couldn't send word to you sooner. He wanted to come with me but he knew he would be needed there.' Tiffany nodded and stood up working towards Taemin and said, 'Kai take our guest to get cleaned up and given some food. Then ask him to meet me in the library. We have work to do.' The Queen exited the throne room and Kai took Taemin out another door and he said, 'What happens now?' Kai took him up some stairs and he got a weird flashback of when him and Jongin were together and Donghae wasn't home and Jongin leading the way upstairs to his bedroom...'Are you ok?' Taemin blinked and saw the soldier was giving him a weird look and feeling his cheeks burn he stammered, 'Ehh...um yeah I'm ok. Just...tired.' Kai nodded and once they got upstairs he said, 'I was just saying that now we need to find a way to help the Queens brother in his illness.' Taemin stopped and he said, 'Help him? But he's Heartless, doesn't she hate him?' Kai smiled and Taemin couldnt help but flush again forgetting how Jongins smile always made him melt. 'Queen Tiffany does not hate anyone least of all her only brother. She has been working long and hard to try and save him.' Taemin stood there feeling a little stupid for letting his mouth ran away from him again but Kai didn't seem to mind. 'You are tired. Go on inside and clean up...' He opened a white and gold door and Taemin was brought into a beautiful room with a bed that had a gold headboard and white bedspread and Kai said, 'Washroom is through there and I'll be back in a few with some food. Rest well.' He bowed his head and then the guard left the room leaving Taemin alone. He quickly took off the cloak he had on making his way to the washroom. The bathtub in there was huge and he filled it with hot water and so many bubbles just like he would at home. He took off the rest of his clothes and climbed in feeling for the first time ever since he got to this place relaxed. His body wanted to forget but his mind didn't...all he could think about what a guard with deep brown eyes and short black hair. Was Minho ok? Was he ever going to see him again? He touched his lips still feeling the kiss Minho left him before he went away. If he got through this...he'd find him and never leave again.