Summary: Cast from the world twice Arthur finds that he can always get into the world that is rightfully his home. But, a threat of war is upon the land and Arthur must find away to help the ones on the good side. A true adventure awaits him; as he becomes a pirate, goes off to fight, finds the a lost friend, falls in love, and discovers his lost past. Will everything end up alright in the end?
This story has a slow start because I want a long and decent plot. I do promise it will live up to it's M rating at some point later in the story.
Hey guys well here it is the first chapter of my NanoWrimo project. So chapters should be coming out quite quickly. I 'd love to hear any suggestions you have for this fic to keep my thoughts going for this long fic.
Chapter beta'd by the lovely OKFan here on . Go check out her stuff!
CHAPTER 1
In the world known as cards, there is a country called Spades. The country of Spades does not lie on the ground, but floats in the air isolated from the world's other countries. The land is hidden within the clouds making it difficult to find by eye.
The land of Spades has a queen and a king just like any other country in the world. But, this country was far from perfect. Every day it would rain and sunlight was scarce, though the land was the most vibrant green anyone had ever seen making it the color of the royalty's eyes. The King and Queen had four sons, but only the third had the green eyes needed to rule the land. The older brothers of the small baby grew jealous of their brother. Angry, they took the baby and threw him in a dried well. Though, when they looked down the well the baby never hit the bottom, he just disappeared.
Years passed and the kingdom grew weak with the death of the King. When one of the brothers tried to step up to take over after the Queen grew ill after a visit to Ace, they were banished to the floating islands surrounding the mainland of Spades.
As the Queen took her last breath, she made the Jack of the land promise that they would wait for her son to return and never to lose hope; and with that her green eyes fell shut as she went into her eternal slumber.
Arthur sat in the foster home's attic, feet pulled up to his chest while he cried quietly. The young boy, not even ten yet, felt alone. No one liked him at the house, saying that he was too weird; but, the old man who owned the house and was their foster parent was kind to him and looked at him with respect.
A light hand touched Arthur's head making him jump. Looking up, he saw a small fairy. She glowed a bright yellow which gave off warmth. A bright yellow leaf was wrapped around her body as a form of clothing, and she had bright green eyes that were half covered by her wavy brown hair. But, Arthur's favorite part of the fairy was her beautiful, almost clear, wings that seemed to sparkle. "What is wrong Mister Arthur?" The fairy's voice was like a bell, so very kind and comforting.
Arthur gave the fairy a soft smile and wiped his teary eyes. "Just Max and Joel were picking on me again." Arthur looked down at his sock clad feet and wiggled his toes. "They said you aren't real and that I should grow up and stop talking to thin air." Arthur clenched his fists as more tears streamed down his face. "You are real, I know it!"
The small fairy patted Arthur's head, "They just don't believe because they can't see me."
Arthur gave her a small smile, "I guess so," his voice grew quiet, "I just wish I lived somewhere where I'd not get made fun of for talking to you."
Arthur stood and began to walk around the attic. He never really came up here unless he desperately needed to hide away from his foster brothers.
The attic was a large room filled with different odd things that were covered in sheets. Looking at a mirror, Arthur didn't take notice of where he was walking and soon ran into a large sheet covered object in the room. Stumbling backwards, Arthur reached out and pulled the sheet off of the object. His butt hit the floor with a soft thud. Reaching back, the boy rubbed his lower back. "That bloody hurt," he mumbled scrunching up his face in pain.
Looking up he saw a large door standing in the center of the room. Standing up, he brushed himself off before looking back at the door curiously.
He pointed at the door then looked over to the fairy who was floating close by. "What would a door be doing here?" He poked the frame it was standing in, "If you open it, it would just open to the other side of the room. Kind of pointless, don't you think?" he chuckled. Reaching out, he opened the door only to have his laughter die. On the other side of the door was not the other side of the room, but a long corridor. Shutting the door, he walked around to the other side and opened it again. He was met with the same corridor. Stepping through the door, he looked around. The large corridor had a wall of high windows all allowing light to stream through. He looked up, marveled by the large ceiling.
"You're dressed funny."
Jumping, Arthur looked to his right and saw a small messy haired blonde boy who was looking at him curiously. Behind the boy was another long corridor that had a door on the other side. Looking at the boy, Arthur pointed at the younger child, "No, it is you who is dressed funny."
The boy looked down at his clothes pulling at his long red tunic. "But, this is the fashion of Ace."
"Well you look as if you were dressed as a knight from the middle ages." Arthur stated, walking further into the long hall.
"The middle what?"
Arthur turned to see the confused look on the younger boy's face. "You don't know about the middle ages? It is an interesting era in history."
The younger shook his head, "No, and I am kind of good at history," the boy smiled, "I know all about the Spades invasion of Hearts and the time period when Spades found Ace!"
Arthur blinked at the boy, "I have no idea what you are talking about." Arthur snapped his fingers, "It is probably because of your accent! You're American aren't you? They do things different in America."
The boy looked up at Arthur, "Not sure what this America is, but I am not American, I am Alfred of Ace!" The boy smiled, blue eyes sparkling up at Arthur, making his heart melt.
"Well Alfred of Ace, I am Arthur of...England." Arthur decided to humor the boy with his game of pretend.
Alfred's smile widened and from then on they became friends.
Months passed and everyday Arthur snuck into the attic and through the door. He never really got to see a lot of the castle he was in or meet any of the other inhabitants, because only nobles were allowed into the castle.
The two usually went into one of the large open rooms and played happily, both talking about their worlds. Looking down at his watch one day, Arthur sighed, "I best be getting home, Alfred." The younger boy always pouted, but knew he couldn't make Arthur stay.
Walking down a corridor, Alfred stopped dead in his tracks and quickly bowed. "Hello, your majesty," his voice was very formal, but his eyes showed a nervousness that confused Arthur. Looking at the person whom he had addressed, Arthur looked up at a very beautiful woman.
The woman wore a long purple dress with a large Spade symbol on the skirt of the gown. She had long messy blonde hair, and bright green eyes that watched Arthur. Arthur stared at her, dumbfounded, until Alfred pulled him down, "You have to bow Artie."
Nodding Arthur bowed, "Sorry," his voice came out meekly.
The woman chuckled, "Prince Alfred, there is no need to bow. You have already greeted me upon my arrival." Arthur listened to her speak; her voice was calm yet regal. It soothed him.
Before he knew it, he was being pulled down the hallway, "Come on Arthur we got to go!"
He never saw the woman gasp in shock and tears fall from her face as she watched him leave.
Stopping outside the door to Arthur's world Arthur stared at Alfred, "You're a Prince!"
Alfred blushed, and looked away, "Yeah, I am, sorry I didn't tell you."
Arthur raised a brow, "why though?"
Alfred's blush deepened, "I just wanted you to treat me the same. No one treats me like a normal kid! I hate being a prince."
Arthur smiled, "I won't treat you any different, okay?" Alfred smiled up at Arthur and watched him leave.
Weeks later, Alfred gave Arthur a large golden clock, "I got it on a trip to the land of Spades!" He said smiling. Arthur examined the clock on its white face Arthur noted that the large hand didn't move, but the small hand did. Noticing Arthur's curious look, he pointed to the clock.
"Once this is taken from the lake in Spades, the hands will work, but if the king or queen dies then their hands stop working." He pointed to the large hand, "The King died a few years ago, so the large hand doesn't work."
Smiling Arthur held the clock with more care, "Thank you Alfred, but why didn't you get yourself one?"
Alfred shook his head, "I did get one! It's in my room though." Alfred smiled, "they can be our friendship clocks!"
Arthur nodded looking at the clock, "that sounds like a good idea."
Sadly, things never last. About a month later, tragedy struck.
Arthur was left in the castle's library when Alfred burst through the doors out of breath. Running over, he grabbed Arthur's hand. "You got to go."
Before Arthur could even ask why, Alfred had the both of them running through the castle halls.
Reaching the corridor that held Arthur's door, the boy turned around only to see smoke covering the large windows opposite the door.
Alfred looked at Arthur seriously, the ten year old boy seemed so much older at that moment and it scared Arthur a little. Reaching into his pocket Alfred pulled out a Spade shaped clock, Arthur noticed both hands were unmoving. "The Queen of Spades died last night." A pause, "Hearts made an attack on the land. Now Clubs is here to try and take Ace," Alfred choked back tears, "they killed my dad and are now after me and Matthew. You're not safe here!" Alfred began pushing Arthur closer to the door. Arthur pushed back, something in him drawing him to this world. He felt grief and a longing to help.
"I will not leave." He said standing to his full height above Alfred. He was older by a year and there was no way he'd let Alfred boss him around.
Looking up, Alfred pushed again knocking them over. As they fell and twisted, their lips met. Eyes wide, the two boys stared at each other not breaking apart. It was something that just felt right and it scared them.
Scrambling off Arthur, Alfred stood up and grabbed the older boy. "I am sorry," he said before opening the door and pushing Arthur through. Once Arthur was gone, Alfred slammed the door shut and began to beat the doorknob off with his Spade clock. Once the thing was smashed enough, he fell to the floor holding the clock. "I am so sorry, Arthur," tears fell down his cheeks. Looking down at the clock, he noticed a crack in its glass face, but what he really stared at were the moving hands.
Arthur fell through the door and onto the attic floor. Hearing a slam, he turned around to see the door closed. Quickly reaching for the handle, he opened the door. But, sadly Arthur didn't see the long castle corridor. He saw the other side of the attic.
Shutting the door, Arthur ran to the other side, attempting get through to the castle again. Opening the door, he was met once more with the sight of the attic.
Arthur cried, and from then on, for five years, he tried opening the door, and not once was he able to get through. When he turned sixteen he gave up, believing that he would never get back to the one place where he felt like he belonged. A place he may have been able to call home.
"Happy sixteenth birthday, Arthur," a brown haired man said smiling at his foster son.
The man was aged, but more by wisdom rather than looks.
The man placed his arm around Arthur's shoulders. Arthur looked over to the man. His brown eyes showed a youthful spirit that was trapped in an old man's body.
"Please do get off of me, Romulus."
Romulus just smirked before spinning the teen around. "Come on Arthur, it is your birthday!"
Arthur just scowled, making Romulus pout. "You used to be such an energetic boy. Though a little grumpy, but still an adventurous and curious boy."
Arthur pushed off Romulus, "I have grown up."
Romulus shook his head, walking back to the kitchen, "There is a difference between growing up and losing one's youthful spirit."
Arthur just shrugged before walking up the stairs to his room. This day seemed to depress him even more than the anniversary of the day when Alfred threw him out of the world of cards. Today was his birthday and it was the day when he had come to the orphanage.
Sitting on his bed, he looked toward the blank wall opposite him.
He felt empty. Placing a hand over his heart, he felt the soft pounding of the organ to give him a sense of peace.
This day, like any other day, he went through like a robot . He didn't fight back as his foster brothers teased him. He watched the news on the television, blew the candles out on his cake, did his chores, and went to bed.
Lying in bed, he tossed and turned that night. That night, he could hear the soft ticking of the clock Alfred had given him so long ago. It made him feel sick. Drifting off to sleep, he heard the sound of footsteps above his head.
Crashing sounds startled him awake. Sitting up, Arthur rubbed his eyes and looked around his room. The only light visible in the room was coming from the window and a dim glow from his bedside drawer. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed he reached for the drawer.
Green eyes widened as he looked inside. The only thing inside the drawer was the clock that Alfred had given him. The clock he had not looked at since Alfred pushed him through the door.
His eyes were fixed on the glowing clock face as he became mesmerized by the moving clock hands. Reaching out his hand, he let his fingers gently trace over the hands which were ticking slowly. Hearing another crash, Arthur grabbed the clock and made his way out of his room and down the stairs.
The kitchen light was cast into the hallway showing two shadows of the people standing in the room. The first voice he recognized as Romulus, the second however was unfamiliar. The unfamiliar man spoke in a quiet, but stern voice.
"You must come back."
He could hear Romulus slam his hand down on a counter, "you are the one who betrayed me. Cast me away and now you come here to beg for me to come back, back to you and that world."
Arthur's breathing sped up.
"I made a mistake," the unfamiliar man spoke, voice becoming quieter.
"Alfher, how can I trust you? You were supposed to be my body guard. You took my kingdom and nearly killed me!" Romulus shouted startling Arthur.
Arthur knew Romulus to be a bubbly man who wouldn't hurt a fly. Yet now, Romulus sounded as if he were ready to kill the other man in the kitchen.
Hearing more crashing sounds, Arthur ran into the kitchen to see a long blonde haired man pinned to the kitchen counter as Romulus glared at him.
Stepping closer, Arthur's foot hit a pan that lay on the floor, its noise made both men look toward him. The blonde haired man stared wide eyed at Arthur's hand.
"Where did you get that clock?" Looking down Arthur held it to his chest. Romulus looked at Arthur just as curious, but he didn't speak.
The blonde haired man stepped toward Arthur, who took a moment to really look at the man. He was tall with piercing blue eyes, yet the thing that was most noticeable was his pointed ears and his worn cloak.
The man stared at Arthur for a few more minutes until he turned to Romulus. "Why is he here? He should be dead!" The blonde haired man gabbed Romulus's shoulders, "how did he get into this world? He doesn't belong here."
"What do you mean this world?" Arthur looked to the man curiously.
The blonde man went to say something, but was stopped, "Alfher," Romulus said standing up to his full height next to the man, "you do not speak of that world here."
Arthur looked to the blonde man once more before he looked at his clock. The man had recognized it which meant. His eyes widened as he realized his thoughts.
Arthur took off running up the flights of stairs and ignoring Romulus's desperate shouting for his name. Reaching the attic door, he flung it open. The door that had once been sealed stood open, emanating a bright green light from inside. Not caring, Arthur ran forward and through the door.
It felt like forever as he ran through the light and finally reached the other side, where he crashed and fell unconscious on the ground.
Sun beamed down on his face as the smell of sea water made him scrunch up his nose.
"Where'd you find him Cap'n?" Arthur heard a man ask.
"Lad was lay'n on the ground where the old castle of Ace was."
Arthur sat up instantly and looked around. He had to blink a few times to realize where he was. He was on the deck of a ship in the middle of some ocean, and some crazy looking read head with a flamboyant hat stood over him.
"Welcome to the Elizabeth lad." The man smiled down at Arthur, his golden capped teeth sparkling in the sun. Arthur felt his mouth go dry as he wondered what he had gotten himself into.
Arthur scowled at the pirate captain who stood at the wheel of the ship. The man forced a mop into his hand and told him to swab the deck of the ship that looked like it came straight out of a history book, or from inside some glass bottle.
It had large white sails that caught the sea wind. A higher platform which stood atop what he assumed was the captain's room. Beside the captain's door was another where he had seen the crew exit and enter from. It most likely led to below the ship.
Looking down at the deck, he swept what they called a mop across the ship's uneven wooden floorboards.
Arthur ignored the quiet chattering amongst the crew that worked on the ship's deck. A tall man with an emotionless expression stared at Arthur from across the ship. The man had dark blue eyes and short spiky blonde hair. His height and emotionless expression made him look terrifying.
Realizing that he was staring at the other, Arthur quickly looked away and continued with his task.
Truth be told, he was scared. Scared because when he came to this world years ago, he was only ever in Alfred's castle. Now he was somewhere on a ship. On a sea so far out that he could see no land.
He shuddered when he heard a scream. A woman ran up the stars and onto the deck of the ship. She looked petrified as she attempted to jump from the ship and into the sea.
Arthur watched her. She looked just like a normal human, except for the pointed ears. He watched as she screamed and was dragged back inside of the ship. When the door closed and the screaming died down, most of the men atop the deck broke out in laughter. Looking around, Arthur watched as many crew men laughed along with the captain.
It made Arthur feel sick. What kind of ship was this? What the hell had he gotten himself into?
Somehow he didn't want to know.
Sitting at one of the small tables in the ship's dining hall, Arthur ate his food, or what they called food. It was a glob of green soup like mush. Grimacing at it, he poked at the blob with a wooden spoon.
Hearing some clattering beside him, Arthur looked up to see the blonde man from up on deck taking a seat beside him. Upon closer inspection, Arthur could see the faint lines of the man's glasses.
The man pointed toward Arthur's food, "if you don't look at it, it will taste a lot better," the man's voice was deep, but he talked in such a hushed tone his words were almost not clear.
Arthur nodded his head, "Thank you...um?"
"Berwald Oxenstierna, from the land of Hearts," the man said bowing his head slightly in show of good manners.
Arthur bowed his head as well, "Arthur Vargas, and I really am from no land in this world."
Berwald stared at Arthur, "your last name is Vargas?"
Arthur nodded, "yes, but that is the name of the man who takes care of me. I never knew my true family. I really am unsure of my true last name."
Berwald nodded, "and your clothes, they are from your world?"
Arthur looked down at himself and saw his wrinkled and dirty pajamas. He looked back up at Berwald and noticed the almost scrutinizing gaze. Arthur lowered his head, "you must think me crazy, but I am telling you the truth."
Berwald nodded, "I will get you some clothes once you have finished eating." Berwald ate a spoonful of the green stuff on his plate, "I also have a free hammock above mine which you may take."
"Thank you." Arthur lifted his spoon to his mouth. Once it was inside his mouth he made a disgusted face. Berwald looked at him with high amusement.
The ship docked the next day. Arthur stared in wonder at the land beyond the ship. "Welcome to Hearts, boys!" The captain yelled walking toward the bow of the ship.
The land of Hearts was lush and green. The houses along the shore town were tall stone buildings that must have taken years to build.
"Berwald, you are in charge of the new one today. Do not let him escape," the captain said glaring at Arthur. Arthur ignored the man in favor of looking out at the city which was of more interest to him.
The sound of a plank hitting against stone made Arthur look over the side of the ship, a lower compartment door had been opened. Watching, he saw two crew men walk out. They looked back into the ship and made a few hand gestures before stepping to the sides of the plank. Men, women, and even children began walking out of the ship. All of their hands were shackled together as they marched along the boat docks. Some were crying, but none struggled. Looking at them, Arthur noticed the majority of the people were blonde, but all had the same pointed ears.
Looking up at Berwald, Arthur was about to ask what was going on when the tall man gave the other a saddened look.
"Genocide of the Elf people."
Arthur stared horrified at the people marching to their demise.
"Why are they?" Arthur stared at the Elves as they got further away.
"It is not a good thing to show any compassion for them here in this kingdom. You'll be killed instantly if you do." Berwald looked out toward the sea, "I do not like it either, but I was forced onto this ship and cannot leave."
Arthur nodded, his eyes still wide as he looked out into the city. Pulling on his tunic sleeves, he shifted uncomfortably, "I think I need to go lie down for awhile, if you don't mind." Berwald shook his head as his only answer.
Walking down into the ship, he found his and Berwald's hammocks; climbing into his, he picked up his old pajamas and rolled them into a tight ball before using them as a makeshift pillow. Lying on his side, he stared at the ships wooden wall.
The slow rocking of the boat did nothing to help him fall asleep. His mind was too tormented by what he had found out today. He was stuck on a boat that transported Elves to their deaths. Just the thought made him sick. Just when he thought this was some normal kind of pirate ship that only raided other passing ships. No, he was on a ship that now reeked of murder. He clenched his eyes shut and tried to think of better thoughts.
"Arthur?"
Opening his eyes, he saw a familiar face. It was the brown haired fairy from his childhood. Carefully sitting up, he watched as the fairy landed on his lap, "I haven't seen you in years," Arthur said looking down fondly at the fairy.
The fairy looked up at Arthur with kind eyes, but a concerned face. "I was locked here when Alfred shut the door too quickly. I am sorry."
Arthur shook his head, "I was worried you had truly not been real when you never showed up again."
"I am so sorry, I never meant for you to think that, ever!" The fairy flew up close to Arthur's face so the teen had to go cross eyed to see her.
Arthur sighed, " it wasn't your fault."
The fairy shook her head, "No, now you are here and treated like some low life." The fairy floated down to sit on Arthur's legs again, "they are killing so many." The fairy wiped her teary green eyes. "I can hear their cries every night. Everyone can."
The fairy looked up, "but, they say that I cannot tell you anything to help get you off this ship. Just like how I cannot tell you my name yet," the fairy shook her head.
Arthur tilted his head confused, "who do you mean by they?"
The fairy shook her head again, "I cannot tell you much, but they are the ones who look over you because you are-" the fairy smacked both of her hands over her mouth her green eyes going wide. Lowering her hands she connected her eyes with Arthur's. "I almost said too much. Just please stay strong Arthur. Everything now is happening for a reason. The indigenous wolves of a far off land have predicted it. They will wait for you." She looked up at Arthur, "promise you will stay strong."
Arthur nodded, "I promise. Though, I cannot promise that for my stomach. Seeing all those people wailing toward their deaths made me sick."
The fairy nodded, "I feel the same way. But, things will only get worse before they can get better. A great war shall break the land before it can be whole once more," she said sighing. Looking up, she smiled at Arthur, "you have really grown up though. You're turning into a handsome young man."
Arthur smiled, "thank you."
The fairy beamed, "I must return to a land across the sea, but I will be back." She fluttered her wings and took flight. Hovering, she looked at Arthur with a serious expression, "trust is a valuable thing. Do not give it to just anyone, especially the ones who are in charge here," and with that she disappeared.
R&R guys!