Man-Made Fate

Anthony did nothing to ruin the sanctity of the town's precious and sacred drawing. Well, that's not exactly true. But it's not like he rigged it or something. He simply made sure that the right person was chosen. Granted, he did have to sneak past four guards to do so, but it was his duty. It was for the good of all parties involved. He and Rembrandt were destined to be together, he just knew it. And if he had to influence things a little, well, then so be it.

Anthony stood in line with several other young men and women in the town square. The seasons were changing, spring to summer, which meant it was time for the yearly partnering ceremony. It was town tradition that if a person had reached the age of twenty-five without finding a life partner, then he or she would be partnered off by an eligible member of the community.

This year there were only three people that had reached the age of 25 without being partnered, Rembrandt and two women that recently moved to the town. Rembrandt and the two women each had their own bowl. Each bowl was filled with pieces of parchment that read the names of every single town citizen between the ages of 18 and 24. Well that's what they were supposed to be filled with. Rembrandt's bowl was filled with fifteen pieces of parchment that read "Anthony."

Anthony had been planning this moment his entire life or what felt like his entire life. He had met Rembrandt when he was a child. This town has always been very close-knit. Anthony could name every citizen and tell his or her life story. Anthony remembers the day that Rembrandt appeared, the mystery surrounding the young child. Within days it was found out that he was being sponsored by a local lord. Rembrandt ended up being the stranger amongst family. He was never included in the games; he was ignored by the other children. And for a short while, Anthony is ashamed to admit, he was one of those "other children." He followed the example his friends set. But he resist temptation for long. The boy with dark blonde hair and light brown eyes intrigued him. He had a quiet nature about him that didn't come off as standoffish or shy, just quiet. And he never let the fact that he was pretty much ignored bother him, at least outwardly at least.

The first time they spoke was during a fair in the town square. Anthony had seen the other boy sitting on the dirt ground, leaning against the wall of a building. He had walked over and sat next to him. He pulled out the small loaf of bread he had bought from one of the vendors and offered half of it to Rembrandt. And the smile he received for that was so bright and so unexpected. And, well, Anthony would say he fell in love in that moment, if children that young could fall in love. They've been friends ever since.

And, here he was, about to be chosen as Rembrandt's life partner. Anthony listened as they called Rembrandt to the front. The tall blonde stood behind the bowl that was assigned to him. The man's adopted father, the lord that had sponsored him as a child, stood next to the bowl. He reached in to pull a name.

"Anthony." The lord looked up and his eyes connected with Anthony's. He gave a soft smile of recognition. They had met a few times. Anthony looked at Rembrandt and his eyes were still widened in shock. Anthony walked up to stand next to Rem and they watched as the next two women were partnered. The ceremony was completed and the people began clearing the square.

"Father and I had planned to have dinner with my new partner, if that's alright with you?"

"Of course, Rem. It's good to see you again, Lord Fahler."

"Likewise, Anthony. Although…well, never mind. We should be going."

"Yes, we probably should." Rembrandt still seemed a little shell-shocked. But the three men walked to the horses tied at the edge of the square. "You can ride with me."

"I have my own horse, Rem."

"You rode your own horse here? Isn't that against tradition?" It was against tradtion, the eligible cnadidates were supposed to arrive with no possessions. But…

"When have you ever known me to go without Blue?" I put on my best authoritarian voice. "Tradition be damned!" That got the soft laugh and wide smile I expected it would. The laugh and smile that made almost anything worthwhile.

"Ah, yes. I should have known. Where is Blue?" I pointed to the dark black horse several yards away.

"I'll go retrieve her and meet you at your place." He raised an eyebrow at that.

"Meet me?"

"Sure, I'll race you. I'll even be a gentlemen and give you a head start."

"How very generous and unnecessary of you Anthony. I'll be waiting at home for you." And with that Rembrandt mounted his horse and took off, leaving his father and Anthony behind.

"You better hurry or he just might beat you."

"Oh I knew he would win before I challenged him, he always does." The older man smiled at Anthony.

"Well then, you wouldn't mind walking with me."

"Of course not, sir. Let me retrieve Blue." The two men, on their horses, started a slow walk.

"I know what you did Anthony." The younger man would later swear that his heart stopped at this moment.

"I'm not sure what you mean, sir. I've done many things."

"Each piece of parchment read 'Anthony.' Am I supposed to believe you had nothing to do with that?"

"I didn't say I hadn't."

"The partnering ceremony is supposed to be about destiny and fate."

"With all due respect, sir, relying on things to just work out on their own is foolish. Destiny and fate are all well and good. But sometimes destiny needs a little push."

"You go after what you want."

"Sometimes you have to."

"I think you'll be good for Rembrandt, Anthony. He talks fondly of you. I know he doesn't have many friends." Anthony chose to ignore the second half of that statement, not knowing how to respond.

"I think fondly of him as well, he's a good man. Shouldn't we be on our way? I'm sure he's waiting for us."

"I'm sure you're right." With that the two men took off. When they arrived, Rembrandt was waiting outside for them.

"Father, do you think you could take care of the horses while I spend a moment alone with Anthony?"

"Of course, son." The two men walked into the entranceway. Rembrandt led the younger man down the hall to the master bedroom. Rembrandt sat on the bed and pulled Anthony down next to him.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad that you did what you did." Anthony's eyes widened in shock. "I wouldn't have wanted to be with anyone else."

"I didn't want you to be with anyone else either." Anthony watched as Rem laughed before the older man leaned over to press warm lips against his own.

"Thank you."