The Tallest Tower!

Chapter 1: Once Upon a Time

A/N: So, I've finally decided to start a new multi-chapter. I was going to begin a sequel for MURDER!, but I'm having a bit of writer's block for that specific genre. I decided to take on a new direction that, quite frankly, I've never done before. This story is going to take place in, I'd like to say the 14th or 15th century, but I'm no history buff. If I make a few period mistakes, blame my history teachers, ha! This is the first chapter and I'm going to publish it so everyone can start following from the start, but if I have to make any changes and republish this chapter, I'll mention it in my next A/N. I'm going to try to write this story a bit faster than MURDER!, but I can't make any promises. Anyway, enough jibber-jabber! Read what I've got and don't forget to REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HEY ARNOLD!

xXx

"Arnold, my son," a faceless man gave a soft smile. A broad hand reached out and ruffled his hair. "We will miss you deeply."

"We'll be back soon," a feminine voice cooed. "We love you, Arnold."

"Arnold."

"Arnold."

"Arnold!"

Arnold's eyelids were heavy. His dreams had departed him too soon.

"Wake up, Arnold! There's much to be done today!"

"Good morning, Grandpa."

"How are you, Arnold?"

Arnold lifted himself from his mattress.

"I dreamt of my parents."

"Oh?"

"I wish I knew what they looked like."

Arnold could sense sadness in Grandpa's eyes.

"We used to have a painting of them."

"A painting?" Arnold asked. "But only the rich can afford paintings."

"Erm, well, Arnold, your parents had money for a painting. I'm sad to say it was taken from the tax collectors after they left."

Arnold sighed, "I wish we still had it. It would be nice to dream of them and know how they looked at least."

Grandpa smiled before ruffling Arnold's hair.

"Well, they looked just like you, of course! Now let's get a move on. Grandma's made us some breakfast before we get on with our chores. We need to collect the fees today and replace some of the thatching on the roof. Ol' Oscar has been complaining about a leak somewhere for days."

Grandpa was the proud owner of The Sunset Inn. Many people came and went, but there were a few people who were like permanent residents. They paid a fee once a month to stay at the Inn. Arnold got to keep some of the fees for working beside Grandpa.

Arnold grabbed a little blue cap from beside his mattress and placed it carefully atop his head before following Grandpa into the dining room.

"Look what I made!"

"Pookie!" Grandpa's face scrunched up at the food on his plate. "What is that?"

"Breakfast! Eat up! You'll need your strength today!"

Arnold chuckled under his breath before devouring his breakfast with gratitude. Not bad.

xXx

The roof was successfully redone by the middle of the afternoon. With time to spare, Arnold and Grandpa began helping Grandma in the garden.

"Pookie, haven't you been weeding this garden at all?"

Grandma cackled before petting a daisy near the gate.

"The king is coming, my pretty!" she declared.

"Pookie," Grandpa pulled another weed, "leave that poor flower alone!"

Arnold smiled softly at his grandma before pulling a few more weeds. Poor Grandma. She wasn't always this way. It was only in the past few years that her memory had started to slip. She could still perform her daily duties, but there were times where she would become a bit confused. Arnold had been helping her more and more as the years passed.

"Hey look!" Oscar was pointing out from the second story window. "A castle guard!"

Grandpa looked up quickly at Oscar's words. Sure enough, a white horse was carrying a heavily armored guard with the king's coat of arms on his breast plate. The guard hopped off his horse and tied him to the gate before entering the garden.

"Grandpa? Why –"

Grandpa shushed him before he could continue. He went toward the guard. His face looked very young. There were a few pimples on his nose.

"Can I help you?" Grandpa asked.

"The king has a message for Arnold."

Arnold gasped. "Me?"

The guard turned toward Arnold, who was quickly straightening his tunic. He walked towards him, his armor clinking against itself, before bringing out a small scroll from his knap sack and pulled it open to read aloud.

"King Alphonse Perrier du von Scheck has decreed that Arnold from the Sunset Arms Inn be exiled from the kingdom of Hillwood from this day forth."

"What!" Grandpa exclaimed. "Exiled?!"

"Yes, exiled, banished – by order of the King!"

Arnold thought hurriedly. How could this have happened? Was it for helping Oscar pay his fees at times? No, how could they know that?

Grandpa snarled. "I won't let you take my grandson from me!"

"The lad has no choice! King Scheck has given the order!"

"Scheck doesn't know what he's doing."

The guard gave a hard look at Grandpa before slowly pulling out his sword.

"Tread lightly, old man, or I could have you hanged for treason."

Grandpa balled up his fists and took a step towards the guard. Arnold stepped in between them, stopping Grandpa from doing any harm.

"Everything will be ok, Grandpa. I'll leave. You can get Ernie to help you around the Inn."

"Arnold, I'll go with you."

Arnold sighed before looking towards the gate, where Grandma was feeding the guard's horse some radishes from the garden.

"No, Grandpa. You need to take care of Grandma. I'll give you my life savings so you can take her to an apothecary."

Grandpa watched as Arnold went inside, his eyes welling up with tears. Arnold came out with a small bundle of his belongings tied in a handkerchief. He ran to his grandmother and embraced her tightly.

Grandma seemed to know what was happening in that moment. Her smile faded quickly and she cried into Arnold's shoulder. Arnold kissed her cheek before turning to hug Grandpa.

"Alright, Arnold," the young guard said firmly before tugging him away. "Let's go."

"Goodbye," Arnold could barely speak out.

Grandpa gave a small, sad smile, "We will always love you, Arnold."

"And I love you."

Grandma suddenly became spirited, "Don't forget to look up, Arnold!"

"Look up?" Arnold questioned.

"Look up!"

xXx

The guard, on his horse, had led Arnold to the edge of the Kingdom where the forest began.

"Here's your stop," he said. "No funny business! I could have you and your family hanged for breaking the King's law."

"I understand," Arnold said sadly.

"The Kingdom of Hillwood ends at the forest. For safe measure, I'd stay away from the clearing if I were you. Many guards don't exactly see eye to eye on the border line."

Arnold nodded. The guard kicked his horse and galloped away. Arnold watched until the guard and his horse were but a speck on the horizon. He turned toward the forest and entered, carefully stepping over exposed tree roots and overgrowth.

It was becoming dark. As Arnold treaded deeper and deeper into the forest, he collected as many tree branches as he could carry. Just before the sun was about to set, he decided to settle down and make camp. He tossed a few branches into a pile and started a fire.

"I wonder why the King wanted me exiled," Arnold thought aloud. "I didn't even know he knew who I was. Then again, he probably has records of everyone in his kingdom."

Arnold sat against the trunk of a tree and watched the flames of the fire. They looked to be dancing. Arnold had been taught how to dance by his grandmother. She used to dance so elegantly. Not like how the children danced in the streets by the Inn. He already missed her. He thought about her and Grandpa as well as the people staying at the Sunset Arms Inn. As he began to close his eyes, he made a wish. He wished that when he woke up, he would be back with his grandparents.

xXx

Oh boy! What's going to happen next? I sure hope you enjoyed this first chapter! Stay tuned for more chapters and as always, don't forget to leave a REVIEW! =]