Chapter Text
Welcome home.
Lehnsherr's words echoed around Charles's mind, and he looked away, unable to meet the intensity of the other man's gaze. His own hands reached up to his throat, feeling the skin there, the sudden loss of pressure dizzying. He squeezed slightly, where the metal had been, staring down at the small puddle of metal which had now solidified.
For five years, his power had been taken from him, and now this man, the enemy ruler, had given it back. He dared to glance up again, saw the concern on the other telepath's face, Lehnsherr's own expression inscrutable.
"Thank you sire," Charles whispered, and his voice was shaking. He had never dreamed this could happen when they had been taken from Westchester. He hadn’t been sure they would survive the journey. Gaining his powers back was nothing short of a miracle.
"It's alright. Like I said, this is your home now my prince." Lehnsherr reached out, supporting him, and Charles realised he had been swaying slightly where he stood, his feet uncertain. Lehnsherr gently lowered him so that he could sit on the ground, and he drew his knees up towards his chest, taking a few deep breaths.
"What's wrong?" Lehnsherr asked his companion, a beautiful telepath dressed in white. She just shook her head, moving to crouch in front of Charles.
"You're safe now," she told Charles, and he nodded, not able to believe her. But he could feel the walls that she had put up within his mind, the sparkling diamond that was reinforcing the cracked stone of his own shielding. "I'm getting him some water." You just get your breath back sweetheart.
Charles watched her walk away, hunching up slightly, shoulders up in an attempt to stop the way his throat felt so bare. He was crying. He was being stupid, he tried to tell himself that. He had been brought here as a prisoner, and yet... that constant weight was gone, and his powers were back with him. He felt a sudden flicker of fear - in case the loss of the collar was only temporary.
"You're frightened." Lehnsherr sat before him, reaching out and gently taking Charles's chin in his hand, directing him to look towards him. "You're projecting it a little."
"Sorry-"
"No. It was monstrous, what those humans have done to you. It will take time to recover your control."
Charles nodded as Lehnsherr released his grip.
"But you are frightened?" Lehnsherr asked, his Westchesterian carefully spoken. "May I ask what it is you fear? For yourself or-"
"I fear for my people. I've heard a lot of stories about you and your troops, and in none of those stories have you been merciful. I've already seen you kill, and I've seen your telepath..." Words failed him as he remembered how the woman had made puppets of his step-father’s soldiers.
"There's no place in that world for generosity or sweetness, not for those who would throw it back at us. They understand only violence, and violence they will get." Lehnsherr shook his head. "But they are not here. And they won't be allowed in my kingdom. I mean your people no harm."
"There's very little that... a lot of those you took as prisoners are children, or... they're not going to be able to fight for you, sire. Not for years, some of them not at all. One of the boys is blind-"
"Prince," Lehnsherr cleared his throat. "Look at me." Reluctantly, Charles raised his head.
"Listen, and tell me if I am lying. I swear to you on the lives of those I hold dear, that I did not bring your people here to harm them. I brought them here because our people should be united, because they were treated as animals by humans when they should be admired. I knew when I invaded that many of those who could be warriors had been killed. And I killed in their honour. Tell me, was a word of that a lie?"
"No," Charles whispered, staring at him, meeting the fire of that gaze. "You were telling the truth."
"I'm glad. So put your worries aside."
"What will happen to my people?" Charles asked nervously, trying to reach out for further lies.
"They will be welcomed here. We will try and find those with similar powers, who will be able to teach them, and raise the children, help the adults, but they are welcome to make families of their own. This place should be a haven for them."
"Thank you sire." Charles murmured, looking down and then feeling the approach of the other telepath. She handed him a flask of water which he took gratefully.
Thank you Ma'am.
Emma. And you're welcome. Emma smiled at him.
"Your people need to recover from their journey. Today we feast, and they can celebrate. Tomorrow, we will start to discover who it is we have amongst us." Lehnsherr stood, and then offered a hand to Charles, lifting him to his feet. Charles stumbled slightly, seeing Lehnsherr frown, but walked with him back to the others.
"Charles. There you are. Are you alright?"
Raven walked up to him, blonde hair shining in the sunlight, her arm around his waist a familiar support as she guided him back towards where his people stood, a small and ragged group in the middle of a large open space, with strangers around them.
Yes. Please, Raven, don't worry so.
He felt her amazement at hearing his thoughts in her head, but she cleared her throat.
"It's good to have you back, we need your translation skills."
He smiled, letting her help him keep his balance as he walked back over to his people. He could sense their nervousness, and their trust in him. He cleared his throat, knowing he had to get this right.
"The Genoshans are offering us the chance to join them." He glanced at Raven, and managed a fragile smile. "And we shall accept."