Brad and Orlando meet

[palace-brad.livejournal.com]

Brad strolled through the gardens, re-reading the Illiad. There was something about this book that he really liked, although he couldn't put his finger on it. Milla sat on a bench and watched him as he paced around reading. He finally took a seat on a bench near her. He reached over and scratched at his cast before returning to his book.

Orlando was standing in what he thought was a secluded part of the gardens, as far away from people as he could manage. He wasn't one for over extensive exercise, which is why he had taken up archery. He pulled the bow tight and let another arrow loose into the target he'd set up against the wall.

Brad continued to read. It was getting to the good part now, he thought. Paris had just found Achillies with Hecter's cousin. He flipped the page completely oblivious to anything around him.

Orlando poked his tongue out a little and pulled his bow back again. He took a deep breath, and sneezed.

Brad suddenly felt a sharp pain in the heel of his foot. "Gods!" he screamed as he fell off the bench and to the ground, dropping the book. He looked down to see an arrow protruding from his foot. Milla heard him and rushed to his side.

Orlando looked up and swore loudly. He heard the commotion over to the side and rushed over, dropping his bow on the way.

Milla turned to look at the young man approaching them. She turned as if to fight him off. "Wait." Said Brad grabbing her by the ankle. "That's Prince Orlando." Milla froze and looked down at Brad. She relaxed and let him approach. As he drew nearer, she could see the sorrow and fear in his eyes.

Orlando bit his lip. "I am so sorry!" he mumbled. "I'm such a klutz."

Brad looked up at Orlando "You shot me, you fucking shot me." Milla looked from one man to the other. This assignment is going to be the death of me she thought to herself as she shook her head.

Orlando went pale. "Look, I'm really, really sorry! I can't believe it myself...I'm such an idiot..." He mumbled, crouching down.

Brad just looked at Orlando, pain etched on his face. He tried to say it's ok, but no words came out. "I need to get him to the infirmary." Milla said as she scooped Brad up in to her arms. "I am sure this is just an accident, but you know I will have to tell Anna about this." She said as she stood and looked down at Orlando.

Orlando paled even more, his eyes wide. "She's gonna fuckin' kill me." He said. "Look, uh...would you mind if I came? I'm really sorry, I wanna make sure he's okay?"

Brad reached out and took his hand in a manly grip. “Sure, if you want.” Milla replied. "Don't worry", Brad whispered. "I'll make sure Anna doesn't hurt you, she's a good friend."

Orlando grinned. "She'll still kill me!"

"You’re probably right. She will try and kill you, but I'll tell her it's not your fault." Brad grimaced as he spoke.

"No, it was my fault." Orlando shook his head. "I was practicing, and I was tired and I sneezed, ferchristsakes."

Brad smiled at him. "No, I know how your sister can be. I'll just tell her I was in the wrong place at the wrong time." He smiled at Orlando. "You would like to live to see your brother get married right?" Milla just shook her head as she carried Brad with Orlando right beside them.

"Yeah, true." Orlando giggled. "I'm Orlando, by the way. You already knew that, but I need to introduce myself properly."

"I'm Brad." His voice broke as Milla slammed his foot into the wall accidentally as they turned a corner. "I'm the one who gave your brother and David the ferrets." Brad managed a smile through the pain.

Orlando smiled, ducking out of Milla's way. "Are you? Oh cool!" he smiled. "They're cute. Evil, but cute."

Brad managed a smile just as they reached the infirmary. "Evil but cute huh? Yeah; that's them all right. Oh, and I will try and smooth things over with your sister. I promise."

"Thanks. Last thing I need is all of my stuff torched." he grinned.

Brad smiled at him as Nicole came out and greeted them. "Oh, Brad. You poor sweet dear; two visits in as many days?” She said shaking her head and putting her hands on her hips. “What am I going to do with you?” Brad just smiled at her.


*NOTE: The Troy references are from movie cannon.*