The Michael Arram stories are now beginning to appear together at: http://www.iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/arram
This story contains graphic depictions of sex between young males. If the reading or possessing of such material as this is illegal in your place of residence please leave this site immediately and do not proceed further. If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so.
XI
Henry, Ed and David decided to go out into the cathedral square as night was falling over Modenehem. The great church's west front was lit up by floodlights, and the square was bright with TV lighting. The world's media had finally woken up to the significance of the Rothenian elections and German, American and British camera teams were in the square interviewing. A huge TV screen in front of the Radhaus was showing the crowds surging round the capital's Rodolferplaz. Henry squinted, it seemed to him that the only banners showing there were red and gold -- no Unity, RSDP or Christian Democrat colours could be seen, which was very odd.
The crowds were less in Modenehem and there were many RSDP banners, but even here red and gold predominated. Henry noticed that even some of the RSDP supporters had the Elphberg colours tied to their arms. He nudged Ed. `There's something going on here that they haven't expected.'
`What are they shouting, Henry?'
`They're shouting "The English Prince", Ed! I think that Will, Oskar and Maritz have put a match to a much bigger firework than they expected. I think that events have overtaken them. They're riding the tiger, and it's gold and red, not gold and black. The people want their king back.'
`It's fun though, isn't it?' David said, with a smile.
`Seems more of a party than an election night,' Ed said. The hotdog and burger sellers were doing a roaring trade and the cafes were full. Some groups were singing national songs.
The boys were fortunate to find a table in the big gasthaus, and a party of youngsters next to them were eager to talk. They spoke good English and told them they were lucky to be in Rothenia this weekend.
Henry was intrigued why the young people of Rothenia wanted the monarchy restored. He's so good looking,' one girl giggled, he makes your Prince William look ordinary. And he's a red Elphberg -- that was always good luck in the old days.'
Her friend gave her a cold look, `It's like this. The Second Republic was cobbled together when the communists were thrown out. Boring and talentless men with no feel for the people. I suppose Maritz is a nice enough man, but he'll never set the world alight, and us Rothenians need passion in our leaders -- and that applies to German Rothenians and Slavic Rothenians both. We all want our king, and he'll be a glorious Elphberg, a Rudolf. He'll be the soul of Rothenia. He'll bring us back to life.'
David asked, `Don't you think you'll be asking a bit much from a seventeen year old boy?'
He is no ordinary boy,' laughed a lad, he's an Elphberg. They have the devil's hair and the devil's luck.' Henry whispered to Ed that that was true enough.
David asked, `What do you think will happen in the election?'
The second girl smiled, `Does it matter? The politicians haven't got any choice this time. They have to bring the monarchy back.'
Henry was getting a little annoyed with all this gushing Rothenian emotion. It didn't appeal to his English pragmatism. What about the German problem?' he asked. They don't feel that they get a fair deal from Rothenia. A king in Strelzen may make them feel better, but what can he do about discrimination?'
`He's an Elphberg ... have you got any idea of the power of that name in Rothenia? If the king thinks his people are being badly treated he will make sure that it is put right.'
Henry sighed, `A nation of romantics.'
The girl smiled rather nicely, `Short and merry lives are what Rothenians pray for, English boy.'
As they strolled back to the Tarlenheim house, Ed said, `They aren't English, Henry. There's no point getting annoyed with them. Think of their history: continual wars and occupations. They only have their own sense of identity to console themselves with; they've earned the right to live in the past, if that's what they want.'
Henry suddenly noticed that people were passing them in increasing numbers, talking excitedly. As they got to the little square in front of the Tarlenheim town house, they found it already packed, with people crowding in from the all sides. Police were forcing their way through the mass and lining up in front of the house's tall railings. The street traders had been very alert. Big yellow flags with rampant red lions were being waved above the crowd along with national tricolours. The cameras were already being set up in raised parts of the square and reporters were talking into the lenses. There was a general buzz of conversation. Henry listened in.
`Guys, they've heard that he's here. They want to see Rudi!'
The crowd had hemmed them in and was now pushing them forward, towards the house. Chants began: The English prince!', but increasingly, We want the king! We want the king!' All the lights were on in the Tarlenheim house, and figures were moving at the windows. Henry wondered whether Oskar and Will would try to tough it out and deny that Rudi was there, but the tall window above the front door opened and a tricolour was draped from it. The crowd realised what this meant, and for the first time in his sheltered life, Henry heard the roar of a crowd of humanity in full throat. It sent prickles all over him and brought tears unbidden to his eyes. They began shouting endlessly, `Long lebst der Kung!' Henry found he was doing it too, as were his friends.
At last a tall redheaded figure in a smart suit appeared in the window and if Henry had thought that he had already heard how loud a crowd could be, he found he was wrong. The cries were redoubled, but they were eventually swamped by the rising wave of the national anthem sung by tens of thousands of voices: a very moving sound. It broke up in cheering and vast applause. Every time it looked like Rudi was leaving the window, the crowd roared again, their flags waving frantically.
After about fifteen minutes of this, someone inside realised that the crowd would stay all night unless they were talked at. A bullhorn had been found for Rudi, and as he raised it a quite uncanny silence fell as tens of thousands of people concentrated on picking up what the youthful voice was saying. Henry made out most of it, People of Rothenia! My people! (a roar broke out at that point) This is an important night for us. Today's vote will dictate the future of our country. We await your verdict, the people's verdict. But one thing I know now. The people want a king in Strelzen, and I ... I am an Elphberg!' A huge roar broke out, echoing back from the house fronts of the square, with renewed shouts, this time Long lebst Kung Rodolf!'
The crowd was satisfied, and although quite a few seemed to determined to stay the night, thousands more began breaking away and heading home, singing. Candles appeared in hundreds of hands, and those who were determined to keep a vigil for their king settled down in a small sea of flickering flames. The police formed little knots of blue uniforms, as excited as the people, some lit up cigarettes.
As they were picking their way towards the gates, David said, `Wasn't Rudi brilliant? Where did he learn to speak like that? He must have improvised it. He really seemed like a king.'
`Genetics,' Henry concluded. He went up to a police commander who had moved to block their way. Henry explained that they were English guests of the prince, caught up in the crowd. The commander listened and since they were self-evidently English, he went through the railings to ask at the door. He listened for a while, and signalled to his officers to let the three boys through. A lot of people stared at them as they went through the police cordon and in through the front door.
Terry was in the hall looking concerned. `No problems, babes?' he asked.
Just a lot of excitement ... awesome,' smiled David. You were right Terry, we're seeing history unroll. What was going on in here? -- the crowd took you by surprise didn't it?'
`Certainly did. But it was a fantastic boost for the Elphberg cause. Have you seen the crowds in Strelzen and Zelden?'
`What's going on there?' Henry asked.
`Big and spontaneous monarchist demonstrations, they estimate half a million on the streets in the capital. President Maritz issued a statement confirming that if his coalition survives the night, he will declare the restoration of the monarchy as soon as the result is confirmed.'
`Bloody hell!' the boys gasped.
`Just as good news is that the RSDP have said they will "work towards the restoration of the monarchy and examine all options", which hasn't satisfied the crowds. Bermann got booed in his home town when he announced it. He looked taken aback and shifty. It won't do him any good.'
`So what's happening next,' asked Henry.
`Babes. Our work here is done, so me and you are taking the school van and heading south to Strelzen. The army towed it to the engineers' workshop in the Guards depot and it's as good as new. The Head will never guess it took three bullets.'
`What about Rudi. What's happening with him?' Henry pursued.
`He's planning his own arrival in the capital. But he's not our concern now. He's got lots of advisers to help and direct him ... Rudi's left our commonplace sphere, babes. He will be a king before the end of the week.'
`Double bloody hell,' said David.
`Come and have a drink, babes. The kitchen's empty, even if every other room in this house is like an anthill, and if you want something alcoholic, I ain't going to stop you.'
Given the option, the lads decided to go for cokes. Henry burped and said, `Are Justy and Nate coming with us to Strelzen?'
Oh yeah ... Justy and me got some business in the capital.' Henry looked a question and Terry continued Iss sort of private, Henry. Maybe I'll tell you later.'
`Don't mean to be nosy,' Henry said.
`No s'OK, I wasn't annoyed or anything. I spect you're ready for bed. We gotta double up. You two couples are together in the servants quarters upstairs, and Davey's with me again, in one of the first floor guest rooms.' David looked a little pleased, Henry noticed, and then he noticed something else, that Terry had a new expression on his face, looking through his lashes at their friend.
When Henry and Ed were snuggled together in bed, they found it very difficult to sleep. They were in the front of the house and the murmur of the crowd outside was constant. Henry told Ed how much he loved him, and kissed him deeply as a thank you for his spontaneous gesture of protection: throwing his body over him when the bullets flew. Ed got a bit shaky as he told Henry that he would much rather that he was hurt than his little lover should get so much as a stubbed toe. There was a long silence ended by a giggle from Henry.
`What is it, little babe?'
`Nothing ... just watch Davey at breakfast.'
David was definitely preoccupied at breakfast. He abstractedly put a spoonful of sugar on his toast. Ed looked at him and then looked a question at Henry, who just gave a faint smile.
`Sleep well, Davey?' Henry asked.
David all but jumped, `Er ... yeah, fine, no problem.'
`Awesome bloke that Terry, isn't he?'
`Yeah ... totally awesome. Scary, funny and so, so kind.'
`Kind?' Henry raised an eyebrow.
`Y'know ... I mean he cares about everyone he knows. He'd do anything for a mate. That sort of bloke.'
Henry looked at Ed, and then back to David, `Anything you want to tell us?'
David gave an embarrassed laugh, `Is it that obvious?'
`You've fallen for Terry, haven't you?'
`Er ... big time. What a fantastic guy ... and the age difference, it's not that big. He's just twenty four!'
Henry grabbed David's hand. `Stuff the age difference, Davey. Go for it.'
`But why would a bloke like that care for a kid like me? He could have his pick. And anyway, his boyfriend's only been dead for a month or two. He's still grieving. It's a bit indecent even to think he'd be interested.'
Ed pursed his lips. `If you don't mind me asking, what did you two do last night?'
`We lay together on his bed and talked. I told him about how I came out, and he told me his experience ... wow, some experience too. He seems to have shagged half Wiltshire when he was my age. He was kind ... we sort of snuggled up. Then when I woke up he was hugging me, spooned up behind me. Fast asleep, mind, although his dick was hard up against my bum.'
`Were there clothes involved in this scenario?' Henry asked, desperately curious.
David went red. I had my boxers on, but he was naked.' Then he burst out. Wish he'd taken my ass, but he just smiled and gave me a kiss in the morning. Didn't even rub my hard on, like you do Henry. And he said that was the first night's sleep he'd had since Ramon died.' David looked almost tearful, and then a memory made him grin. `The size on his dick ... nine inches if it was a centimetre, and curved upwards. Very muscular. The thought of that in me .... Ooh.'
Shut up David,' said Ed, you're getting Henry excited and me feeling inadequate.'
Terry appeared at this point, looking a lot more cheerful than he had done for a while. He ruffled David's dark hair and greeted them.
`Rudi - I suppose I'd better still call him that - wants to see you before you go. He's in the command centre place with Will, following the final election results.
The three Medwardine boys shuffled into the front reception room. There were now Rothenian secret servicemen on the door, who scanned them in an unfriendly way. Terry had said that the president had assigned them to Rudi that morning. Rudi and Will were alone in the room watching the wide screen TV mounted on the wall. Will had a notebook open.
`How's it looking?' asked Ed.
Not too bad,' Will responded. Husbrau's gone for the RSDP big time, but Husbraueners would vote Social Democrat if they had an ape as candidate -- and this time they more or less did. But nationally they've been unimpressive. The Unity party's done best, which makes an interesting dynamic. The Christian Democrats are more or less unchanged. If Unity and Maritz get together, the new coalition won't need the little parties. Bermann's day is done, at least. Maritz and Trachtenberg will meet at midday in Strelzen to iron out a deal. There will be a deal, it's almost certain. My guess is that although Unity is the smaller party, Trachtenberg will head the government. The people are tired of Maritz and Trachtenberg's brilliantly-timed call for the restoration of the Elphbergs made him wildly popular, even with non-Germans.'
Sir,' said Henry to Rudi, for that form of address seemed appropriate now, what about you?'
Rudi smiled, `I think that I'll be king by tomorrow, Henry. I'm going down to Strelzen. It's already arranged. Trachtenberg will head the government as chancellor, not president. The pre-1917 constitution will be revived by a special session of parliament.'
`What about your homework?' Henry grinned.
Rudi gave a barking laugh, `I'll be back at Medwardine for the upper sixth, Henry. Mother's just been on the phone telling me that if I thought I was getting out of A Levels by getting myself crowned, I was to think again. Also, that I wasn't to duck university either. No, we'll be seeing a lot of each other yet.'
Henry was delighted, and before he could stop himself, he did a very Henry thing and hugged Rudi, who hugged him back hard. There,' he said, my bodyguards are crap. You should be dead by now.'
`Will we see you before we go back, Rudi?'
`I hope so, lads. You've got my mobile number haven't you? It still works. Make sure you're in the Rodolferplaz tomorrow for midday. It may be quite a sight. Oh, and believe it or not, I have an emergency appointment with a tailor, so off you go.'
They loaded the school minibus round the back of the house, as the square at the front had filled again with people. The police had kept the back lane closed off however, so they made their exit without much trouble. Justin and Nathan were having an argument about something when they got on, and Nathan was plainly a little cross with Terry too, but he wouldn't say why. They cheered up when they hit the autoroute to Strelzen, however. Henry and Ed amused themselves by giving David a run down on their favourite city. Traffic was heavy and they hit a tailback well before the outer city ring road. But Henry, as ever, was on the case. He took them off the motorway and on to the boulevards down through Bila Palaz.
`Look lads! Look!' Along the main roads, workmen were putting up hangings of red and yellow on the lamposts, and portraits of Rudi were everywhere. Most windows had tricolours or Elphberg flags hanging from them. Strelzen was getting ready to welcome its king.