A Code Geass fanfic. I own nothing.

Contains spoilers for R2.

The Funeral

Jeremiah's last order

Jeremiah Gottwald was flying. His location unknown, as it was picked out by Lelouch. The Sutherland Sieg covered a great distance, and he was now many kilometers from the Tokyo Settlement. He didn't know for how long he had flown, but it had to be at least one hour. More likely two. The counter said 235 km, south-east from the Settlement.

He knew it was in this area Zero had been declared dead by the traitorous Black Knights. He vaguely wondered about this, and didn't first notice how the Sieg was preparing to land. In fact, he had been so absorbed by his thoughts that it was quite a surprise when trees came into view instead of clouds.

He exited the Sieg, looking around.

"What made this area so important to you my King?" Jeremiah wondered out aloud.
Nobody knew about him being here. In fact, he was sure nobody knew about this place at all. The nature was completely untouched. Except the very earth on which he was now standing. It showed signs of an alien disturbance. A Knightmare perhaps? The dirt marks could have been made by one, judging by the size and depth of the marks. Jeremiah looked around. He couldn't see anything of any importance. But he could hear the ocean.

He had been loyal to Lelouch, and would continue. He planned on leaving the military, and despite the new Empress being Lady Mariannes daughter he just couldn't bring himself to serve her. Lelouch had been his last King, the last person Jeremiah would go into battle for.

He would support her, of couse. That too had been an order.
But from the ranks of the civilians. He was sick and tired of being in the military. He would retire to the countryside. He smirked. Maybe even start growing oranges...
It was Anya Alstreim, the former Knight of Six, who had mentioned the idea to him. At first he had laughed, but the idea had started growing on him.

Jeremiah started walking east, towards the sound of the ocean. As he walked, the sound of waves became much clearer by the second, but it still surprised him when the trees ended. He stopped, starring.

At last, something that gave him a clue why this place had been chosen. A small hill, obviously manmade. A primitive grave. He didn't need to look closer to find out who was buried here. Even before he saw the small locket he knew.

"You served Lelouch to the very end. Know your sacrifice wasn't in vain." He saluted the grave, one loyal soldier to another.

He never really got to know Rolo, but he knew that he had saved Lelouch from the Black Knights Betrayal. He knew the sad story behind the young boy, about him being an experiment of the order just like himself.

In fact, they were very much alike. They had both served the order, both having orders to kill Lelouch. And yet, the black prince managed to lure them over to his side.

Jeremiah bowed his head, and smiled. No, Lelouch didn't lure them. He spoke the truth, and they choose to follow him instead of the lies the Order and the old emperor had told them.

"So here we stand. I regret not knowing you, but in spite of that I'll speak of you as my friend, a loyal comrade. Because of your sacrifice the war ended. You saved Lelouch, and thus made it possible for him to overthrow the old emperor. You have my eternal gratitude." He walked back to the Sieg, and returned a short time after, carrying a shovel.

"I am sorry for disturbing your peace, little brother of my emperor. But it has to be done. When this day is over, you shall rest in peace for eternity."

This had been his final order. To make sure Lelouch would find peace, with his little brother close at hand. He had to agree, this place was perfect. An official grave would never do. No, a simple grave within the depths of the forest, with the sun rising in the east, the promise of yet another new day.

Yes, this would indeed be a grave worthy of a king.

And so he started digging.

After all, he was on a tight schedule.

I didn't really have a plan for this chapter. But I like how it turned out anyway.
Next will be out in the weekend. I think.