A/N: Love this series, and Just wanted to write this idea, even though I have mid-terms tomorrow that I ought to be studying for...
He couldn't believe it. It was his boy, his son Jaron, right in front of him, looking sulkily out from under bangs that were definitely too long for a prince. The fact that Jaron was alive was… amazing. That the pirates didn't kill him… for the first time the king found himself blessing the rebellious spirit that he had cursed many a night before. He had so often wished the boy could be more like Darius… but now not for anything. Because his rebelliousness had kept him alive.
As Eckbert looked in joy upon is son, a thought suddenly clouded his mind. A thought and a way to keep Carthya safe if his fears were confirmed. Of course it was a heavy burden for a boy young as he to bear… but it had to be done.
They sat in the pews to talk, and though Eckbert's attempts at conversation were rather one-sided, he could sense his son was listening intently as he told of his foolish dreams of being a musician. Then he kind of blew it by saying that he didn't think the title of Prince suited Jaron. The King of Carthya winced inwardly as soon as the words left his mouth. What a stupid thing to say. The boy simply shrugged.
Trying to soften the blow of what was to come, he asked his son about life as a commoner, and hinted of hard times ahead. Then Jaron said "I want to come home."
That simple sentence, those five words, almost made the king's composure break, but he kept his crumbling façade together. He could not let his son know how hard it was for him to do this. He was king for Heaven's sake. In as solemn a voice he could, he said "You cannot come back."
If King Eckbert had expected his son to look hurt or sad, be was sorely disappointed; because Jaron set his jaw forward, as if fighting to keep his anger in-check. "This is my punishment for running away? To be disowned?"
"You're not disowned and it's not a punishment. It's what your country demands of you now." He almost winced at the words he was speaking to a boy who had barely escaped death not too long before. But Jaron just rolled his eyes.
"I'm to become a commoner, then? Shall I call you King Eckbert, or forget your name entirely?"
This hurt the King, but he struggled not to show it. He was probably hurting his son a lot more right now. "You are always my son," he said. "But the situation with the pirate has changed everything. Everyone believes you are dead, and I cannot allow that belief to change."
There was silence for several seconds, the only sound the wind outside. Finally Jaron spoke. "If I came back, would you declare war on Avenia for sinking that ship?"
Eckbert was happy his son understood, however much or little he did. He sighed heavily as he outlined the fact that yes, indeed he would have too, since Jaron could prove that it was indeed Avenian Pirates.
"If I remain missing… would you have to declare war?"
"If you remain missing, I can tell my people that I will not declare war until there is proof of your death."
"Then we both know what has to happen," the boy said very matter-of-factly, as if he'd expected this. The King guessed he very well might have. He was smarter than he let on. Then he asked the question that he himself had only half-answered. "What about Darius and Mother?"
Eckbert hesitated. "Darius… misses you. But he knows there are sacrifices we make for the good of Carthya. Your mother doesn't know you're been found. Obviously, she would want you to come home to her, but she doesn't see the enemies that surround us, not like I do."
"We've always had enemies at our borders." That surprised the king a little; that his rambunctious son had paid enough attention to his lectures to pick that up, when the tutors seemed to, in his experience, skate over that particular topic.
"But not all at the same time. Since you're been missing, they have backed off our borders, Royal courtesy in out rime of mourning for you, But the news is worse." And… here came the dangerous speculation and fear. The one Jaron would have to guard against. "I have enemies within Carthya, within my own castle. There are regents who look at my throne with greedy eyes. If I declare war in vengeance for you, they may not support me. They are the ones I fear."
"Do you think they're a danger to you?"
That was the million-gold piece question, wasn't it? He forced a smile at the fact that his son may be just a little concerned about him, despite that the King would be leaving him, a ten-year-old boy, at the mercies of a cruel world. "Regents are always the greatest threat to a king. But I have Darius. If they get to me, the royal line must continue, of else Carthya will destroy itself in civil war. That's Darius's duty, Jaron." And yours… he added in his head. "Do you understand yours?"
"Mine is to remain missing. To never come back."
It killed Eckbert that his son knew so well what was expected of him, at such an early age to be cast out.
"Do you understand that you cannot reveal your true identity out here? You must change everything about yourself that you can." He went on, listing things Jaron could do to make him not… Prince Jaron. With the boy chipping in the bit about changing his dominant hand back to left, saying he preferred that anyways. That almost made the king grin, that he'd made his son practice with his right, saying that left was not proper, and here his left would save the boy's life. He recommended him to an orphanage not far from the Carthyan boarder, run by Mrs. Turbeldy.
Eckbert noticed his son's eyes glassing over, as if tears struggled to fall. Doing his best not to show that he knew how this hurt the boy, he handed him a handful of silver coins. "Come up with a story to get yourself into the orphanage, Say you stole these of whatever excuse you'd like, but they will buy your way through the front doors."
"I can fake an illness when the coins run our," the boy said. "Let her think she's got the truth from me."
Eckbert could feel the corners of his mouth tugged up in a smile. "You used that truck often enough on your tutors. What an irony that it may keep you alive now, There is always the possibility of Mrs. Turbeldy trying to sell you into servitude," The king tried to keep that possibility scarce in his mind," but I don't think she'd find any buyers."
"No, I'm too difficult for anyone to want me." Eckbert tried not to let that show either. His son really knew how to make him feel guilty.
"Exactly," Then he winced. What a horrible thing to say, even for a king. "I have a small gift for you, the best of anything I could offer. There is a letter instructing you on how to use it."
Jaron looked at the satchel, and then closed it again. Please… the king thought. Please understand, you are the last hope, and you may need that if that becomes the case.
The king stood, but Jaron placed his hand, so small and slender, so precious, and said quietly, "Stay a little longer."
As much as the King wanted to say yes, as much as he wanted to stay with his youngest son, he said "if I do, the priest will grow suspicious."
"This is real, then?" The whimper that barely made an appearance in the boy's voice almost broke the King's resolve. "When you leave, I'm no longer Prince Jaron; I'll be nothing but a commoner. An orphan."
"You will always be royal at heart," Eckbert said, letting the tenderness through, if only for a moment. "There may come a time when you must be Prince Jaron again for your country. You will know if it does come." He really hoped it didn't, but since when did the best of luck fall upon kings?
"Am I alone?"
The king shook his head, a crack opening in his resolve, enough to let the promise slip from his lips. "I will come in disguise on the last day of each month to the church nearest Mrs. Trubeldy's orphanage. If you ever need to see me, I'll be there." Quickly he left, before the crack could widen and let though any more promises.
A/N: SO... originally just a one-shot, but I have ideas for other POVs, like Darius, and maybe some later POVs, like after a few years. ANyways, If you want me to write those, review that you want it, just so I know.