The horses were tired. And so were the men. They have been galloping for more time than they could bear. This may have been the reason why everybody felt excited when the wall of the town of Corinth was drawn on the horizon. The soldiers exchanged rousing murmurs, however, it only took one over-the-shoulder look from their king and general to quiet them down. They all returned to their stoic silence and waited for the whole army to reach the outskirts of the town.
“The men are tired, it is to be expected. They are moved by the sight of hope and a good place to rest for a while.” said James, making his horse ride at the same pace as Remus's.
James Potter was the only general who wasn't afraid of speaking in such a manner to Remus the Great. Partly because he was his best friend, and partly because Remus was a reasonable man and knew his friend's words were true and came with good intentions.
“We shall all rest once we arrived, that is assured. And the men will have time to do as they please.” responded Remus, calmly. Although it must be known that he was not feeling clam at all.
Remus, as well as the rest of the army, had heard about the great philosopher who lived in Corinth. Sirius Black, the dog. That's what they called him. Remus didn’t know anything about him except that he had been captured many years ago by Remus's own father, the previous king, but Sirius had made such an impression that he had walked out of the palace as a free man. Lyall Lupin, had warned Remus about the man's intellect and Remus was eager to meet him.
At the time of their arrival, the whole town was waiting for them. They bowed before the greatness of the king. They offered bread and wine. Furthermore, they threw coins and jewels at the young soldiers. James was enjoying himself, he was waving at every single person, and Remus couldn't help but smile at the sight of the happiness of his most beloved friend. He, on the other hand, was searching with his gaze through the crowd.
“Your majesty, all mighty king Remus the Great.” greeted a little chubby man once they were on the centre square. “It's the highest of honours to have you on our humble town. My name is Peter Pettigrew, I am at the service of queen Lilly of Corinth, I am here to give you the warmest of the welcome’s and provide you with anything that might be of your need or desire.”
James, who had jumped down from his horse with the dexterity only a well-trained warrior could have, looked at Remus with confusion in his eyes, as Peter was bowing in front of him. Remus shrugged and James gave a little chuckle, for he knew his king was not offended by the misunderstanding. Even if Remus was serious most of the time, James knew the kind heart that laid underneath the surface of the calm king.
“I am king Remus.” clarified Remus, dismounting his own horse.
Peter yelped. He looked at Remus. He threw himself to his knees, apologizing profusely for his foolishness. Of course, that was Remus the great. He was wearing gold robes and a red fabric acting as a sort of cape. His long, strong limbs displayed battle scars and his beautiful face was framed by a helmet embedded with bright red gems and a golden crest that made him resemble a lion.
Remus put a hand on Peter's shoulder. The young boy must have been around the same age as James and Remus himself, but he definitely wasn't a warrior. A warrior, thought Remus, would never have carried himself in such manners, all jumpy and nervous. But the king himself was feeling nervous when he opened his mouth once again to ask:
“I was told in this town lived the philosopher Sirius Black. I came across the knowledge of his wit and intelligence, and I wish to know him.” Commanded Remus.
“Your highness. It is not in doubt Sirius Black is clever as a sphinx and I wish not to put in doubt the credibility of your informant, however I must warn your greatness that the philosopher does not live by the common rules of the people in this town. Among the honourable people of Corinth, he is known as the dog for his extravagant ways. I wish not for your majesty to be shocked with the behaviour of this man”
Remus exchanged an exasperated looked with James. Remus's father wish, had been for Remus to find Sirius and learned from him, if possible Remus was to return to his kingdom with Sirius as his mentor, galloping at his side. Remus and James had spent their childhood being educated by a great woman, Minerva McGonagall, however she had only been gifted in the art of war and had a decent grip on politics. But Sirius Black was famous for being an exceptional polymath.
“I can assure you we are well-prepared for any behaviour we might encounter. While the soldiers wish to rest, my king has done an extensive journey to meet this man. If you will be so kind to take us where his residence is, we will gladly repay your kindness.” Intervened James, polite but determinate. Remus, as always, felt extremely grateful.
“We do not wish to offend Queen Lily of Corinth by not presenting ourselves to her palace immediately. However, it is of urgent matter for this meeting to take place” added Remus keeping his tone as monotone as he could.
“Right, if those are your wishes Great king, we shall seek out Sirius Black. I will instruct a messenger to head out to the palace, and we shall fulfil your majesty request.”
To James and Remus's surprise, Peter guided them to a hill far away from the town. Both soldiers thought this was suspicious, however they had the upper hand in case of treason.
They were walking up a hill when Remus saw it. It was a small cave made out of wood. And just outside it there was a man lying on the ground. Remus stopped abruptly, and James followed his lead, confused. All the air had been taken away from Remus's lungs.
Remus had read a million books, he had heard the most beautiful descriptions of both, men and women. He had travelled around all the Roman Empire. He had seen mounts of gold and gems, he had seen beautiful landscapes, but nothing had ever prepared him for this sight that was exhibited in front of his eyes. Remus wished he had a crown of olive to put on the stranger's head, for only a god could have this impact on someone´s soul by the mere sight of his beautiful body and graceful face.
Remus walked closer to the stranger. This was no longer a stranger, this was Sirius Black. He had heard so much of him, but nothing about how his jet black hair fell from his shoulders like a silk cascade. Remus noticed the man was asleep, Sirius must have been one or two years older, but Remus could tell he was still taller than Sirius. His long dark eyelashes made a small shadow to his high cheekbones. His body, even relaxed as it was now, was defined. This man was a beautiful creation, all angles and toned muscles. He definitely could be a warrior. He was barely cover by a cloth that, under no circumstance, could be called a tunic. The words could not leave Remus mouth, he wasn't even sure his brain could put a sentence together at this moment, but Peter and James were looking at him expectantly.
Remus, who could not think of anything else to said, quoted his favourite book, the Iliad, and spoke the words said by the Divine Dream to Agamemnon:
“To sleep the whole night through ill befits a man of counsel” he recited out loud, trying to impress his soon-to-be mentor.
“Who has people to watch over and a multitude of cares” responded Sirius, half-asleep.
Remus chocked on the voice of the other man. The nymphs on the mounts shall envy the voice of this man who could recite the Iliad in his sleep.
Sirius sat up and rubbed his fist in his eyes to get rid of the previous state he had been found in. When he finally opened his eyes, Remus had to put a hand on James's shoulder to steady himself. Amber eyes met silver one's. Remus was astonished by the sight. He was sure there could be nothing more precious than the man that sat in front of him, that is, if he even was a real man and not an angel-like creature. His eyes, previously opened, were now a portal to pure chaos, to nature itself. And then…
Sirius smiled at Remus.
A smiled that no one ever dare give to a king. A mischievous smiled, head tilted to the sight and a carefree look in his eyes. Remus felt enchanted. His heart desire for nothing more than to keep Sirius smiling, and he was willing to give up his entire kingdom in order to accomplish this. He felt scared at his own recklessness. Remus who had learned to be calm in the face of adversity was now flying into the brightest of the suns, he was falling deep on the feelings his heart guarded.
“I am Remus the great king” presented himself.
Remus heard Peter and James gasp. When, after presenting his tittle, he got down on his knees. He felt subdued by the mere sight of Sirius Black.
“I am Sirius Black, the dog” answered Sirius looking up at the king. And when the sandy haired man asked what he had done to be called dog he added “I fawn on those who give me anything, I yelp at those who refuse, and I set my teeth in rascals”.
He looked far too pleased with his answered. And this last part he said while looking over at Peter, who made a move as if to hide behind James. He laughed, throwing his head back and placing a hand on his stomach. James didn’t miss the look of complete adoration that took over Remus semblance.
“I'm here because I wish you to be my mentor. I am willing to put everything you need at your service” Remus sounded a bit more longing than he intended to. “The arcs of my palace are filled with treasures. The army I command is well-prepared and have come out victorious from numerous battles, my kingdom has exceptional views and a weather lovely to every traveller. If you wish for anything, you just have to name it, and it shall be yours. Clothing, goblets, gems, horses, anything you want you shall have”.
When he finished, he felt a bit embarrassed. Not by his promises, but to have Peter witnessing the whole interaction. However, Remus was willing to anything if it meant he could learn and spend more time wtih this brautiful boy sitting in front of his eyes.
When Sirius looked at him sceptically, smile gone, Remus added hesitantly
“Is there? I mean, is there anything I could do for you? I'll do it myself”
Sirius chuckled.
“Stand aside. Stop blocking the sun”
This abrupt response took Remus by surprised. Even James stared with his mouth hanging open. Peter was apologizing repeatedly for the rudeness aimed at the king. Remus himself was not displeased.
He had, by Sirius request, stand aside. He looked taken aback, but soon his face was adorned by the brightest and most genuine smile James had ever seen on his friend's face. Sirius seemed too noticed to because he gave a little sight and stood up with an amused smile.
“So? When are we leaving to this magnificent kingdom of yours?”
It is safe to say that, Remus, James and his army didn’t stay in Corinth too long. And on the way back, no soldier, except for James, ever approached the king and the philosopher, who seemed to be immersed in their own universe, always debating, both of them actively learning and teaching the other one, in their own way. The soldiers were impressed. Their king had entered the walls of Corinth with a perpetual mask of stoicism, and now he galloped lively with James and Sirius on his side, bearing a smile that crinkle his eyes and on the best days, they heard him laughed. Sirius Black never failed to make him laughed.
“Of all the things you could have asked for, Sirius” laughed Remus as they galloped together in front of the legion. “To stop blocking the sun. No one had ever talked to me like that”
“Remus" called the raven haired boy, with that carefree tone and a fond look in his eyes.
No titles, no formalities. And the king was beaming.
"I only wish for you to stop blocking the sunlight” he snorted, punching Remus slightly – another thing, no one had ever done to Remus, not even James - “I think about what I want at the moment and I simply take it.”
“It is that simple?”
“Yes, my needs are usually very simple.”
He remained quiet for a brief period of time.
“I had a nap on the hill almost every day, and almost every day I wished only for the sun”. Sirius took Remus hand and gave his knuckles a light kiss. “And now, the gods have gifted me with you.”