Eckhardt

Eckhardt is nervous, timid and a cautious individual. When Eckhardt was a young child, he was sold to the palace where Adrastos resided, as a slave. Both boys being so young, Adrastos' parents decided to give the slave to the prince as a gift. Because of this, Eckhardt barely remembers his family and home.

RELATIONSHIP WITH ADRASTOS

When Eckhardt and Adrastos first met, the slave was told that he would be the new servant of the young prince. Upon hearing this, Eckhardt had already felt numb, but this destroyed the slave's world. Ripped away from his family only to be sold to a royal palace to become a servant; the boy was sure this was a nightmare. Instead it was a cruel reality. Eckhardt wanted to scream, cry and run back home to his family. The slave, now servant, said nothing though and did what he was told.

Eckhardt expected Adrastos to treat him like a tool or used napkin, but was shocked when the young prince wanted him to play rather than work. He thought he would only get glares or pity. Only bright eyes and wide smiles were used towards the servant from Adrastos. In fact, the young prince called him friend rather than servant or slave. Eckhardt never knew how to think or feel around the prince, he only knew he was not used to this kindness. The servant never had a friend previously and the idea of one warmed his heart. Eventually, the young prince did become his friend, his first friend.

The friendship between the two boys continued as they grew up; until the day Adrastos' parents realized what the servant and prince had been doing. Furious, they took Adrastos away and lectured him about the relationship between a slave and master, that it must not be friendly. A master must not become friends with their slaves for it could cause gossip within the castle and create shame on their family. And to the prince's dismay, they "taught" Eckhardt his lesson to stay in his place. They threatened the young prince that if their friendship were to continue, they would dispose of Eckhardt. With tears in both boys eyes, they went to their sleeping quarters that night in utter despair.

For a while after that night, the two had barely talked to one another. Adrastos had barely called for him, and if he did, it was always kept short. This hurt Eckhardt tremendously. The only friend he had was now cold and distant, and the servant knew it hurt the beautiful young prince. He could see the pain in his eyes.

Over time, Adrastos' parents started to back off their son. They believed that the young prince had learned and matured more since their previous scolding. They had also put Adrastos in private lessons that would teach the boy how to properly act like a true prince. When the prince felt less tension from his parents, he called for Eckhardt one night. When the other arrived to serve his master, he was surprised to be alone with the young prince. But he was even more shocked when he was greeted with a tight hug and a sobbing Adrastos. Eckhardt began to console his master, confused as to why the prince was in distraught. That was when Adrastos told him all the sadness and loneliness he felt when he had to drop their friendship. It had been eating the prince up inside and he needed to actually be with his friend.He needed to tell the other how horribly sorry he was and sobbed into his friend's shoulder. Eckhardt had never seen the prince in this state, not once in the time he had served him. He no longer knew what to say to Adrastos, so he only held onto the other, and petted his head softly.

After some time, when the prince had calmed down, he let go of Eckhardt so suddenly it made the other panic. Until the servant seen Adrastos' eyes lit with a weird mixture of sudden ideas and determination. Before Eckhardt even got the chance to ask, the prince had unwrapped his scarf from around his neck and looped it around his friend's. Sensing Eckhardt's confusion, he explained it was a gift of promise that the two would run away together to far away lands were no adults could stop them from playing. Eckhardt looked from the blue and brown scarf to his mast-, friend. He could feel the prince's warmth not only within the scarf, but also within heart. After that night, Eckhardt would be almost constantly called upon by the prince as if he needed assistance, but would be pulled aside to play secretly instead. And even though this worried the servant, as long as he wore the scarf his friend gave him, he knew deep down everything would be fine.

Over the years, both's feelings secretly grew for the other. No longer did they feel just like friends, they wanted something more. Eckhardt tried to hide these feelings, knowing if a relationship between the two boys, especially a queer one at that, were to happen, and others had found out, they could be shamed or worse. Adrastos on the other hand, hid them as well, but only when in front of family or the public. Alone, the prince did nothing to stop what he felt towards Eckhardt. Adrastos let every big and little emotion out and showed his affection clearly for the servant. Eckhardt did his best to stop the prince at first, but as it kept happening, even he started to cave in to emotion as well.

As they grew up, the two boys often talked about running away together and exploring the land. This being originally just a fantasy or a dream, is now a reality. When the time is right, both boys plan to leave the royal palace and live their life together free from judgement.

RELATIONSHIP WITH NIAMH

Adrastos' little sister; Eckhardt had been called for several times by the prince while the princess was in his presence. Unlike other royal members within the palace, Niamh would make little chats with the servant, and spoke with soft words. She treated Eckhardt kindly and often checked up with the boy to be sure he was well nourished and in good health. If he was sick, the princess would make herbal teas and medicines and give them to the prince to deliver to Eckhardt. This made Adrastos feel easy, for if something went wrong, Niamh had their back.

LINKS
Gijinka made by my friend Lukas