The Once and Future King:
The King of Vale was a title held by many over the course of thousands of years. It wasn't until the last Great War that the ruler fell in battle, and his relatives absconded with the next heir. In their absence, a new form of system was created, the council based upon the ideals of democracy. Still, the throne sat empty for much time, awaiting the next heir as the first council decreed. But now that that heir has been found, things are becoming much more complicated.
0-0-0-0
"I... am not ready for this." the young man on the throne sighed to himself quietly, gazing out onto the marble floor in front of him.
It was true, he was no king, nor did he ever want to be one. King Jaune Ozymandias Phadrig Zoroaster Arc sat upon his throne, decorated in his ceremonial armor and left alone for the moment to think. Not a month ago had he been a simple farmer, his family's legacy of ancient heroism more a bit of interesting trivia than anything of note. His family had not taken up a sword in some time, and he had no desire to either.
Jaune was a simple man, he wanted the simple life of a farmer. A wife, two kids, and a nice house with plenty of family, not to be king of an entire kingdom. He lacked knowledge, and he lacked any sort of skill, but the ancient decree had been settled centuries ago and he had little choice.
"King Arc," a middle aged man in a suit bowed deeply before righting himself. "Word from Atlas has come, their representative wishes to speak with you soon."
The man paused, awaiting a confirmation from his king. It was all very uncomfortable for Jaune, having the power to allow or dismiss an ambassador from a kingdom like it was his god-given right.
"Y-Yes, did he say a time?" his response felt lacking, no regal tone or confidence in it.
If the man noticed, he did not say so. "He hoped to visit sometime tomorrow, is this acceptable?"
"Of course, please make sure he is treated well." pantomiming the words and expression of a real king, that's what it felt like.
"Of course, your majesty."
The man left quickly, and Jaune was alone with his thoughts. Even now, a small army of advisers and government officials scuttled tirelessly to cement his position, train him, mold him into their king.
It was agonizing, in a way. To be called King and yet given little freedom with what to do with that title. He felt guilty, a common occurrence these days, his family had been torn up by its roots and given a similar treatment to himself. Taken away from their old life of simple farming, and placed upon a pedestal for all to see. The Arcs were not extroverts by nature, no more than he was a real king.
With his father's passing years ago, Jaune was the patriarch of the family and had a responsibility to his siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins. A responsibility he was failing now that the entire kingdom was hellbent on dragging them out of their lives and into new ones.
"...We're doomed." King Arc sighed to himself, there was already talk of him taking over as commander-in-chief for Vale's army.
"You think so?" a voice questioned, coming up to his side.
"Headmaster, good to see you." King Arc replied wearily, not lifting his head from his hand to greet the esteemed hunter. "And yes, we are, without a doubt, doomed."
"You know Jaune, a King that doesn't believe in himself will drag his people down with him, no matter the circumstances."
"I am not a King."
Headmaster Ozpin sighed, his green and black suit standing out among the pristine white and gold of the throne room. "You are now my lord, and for better or worse you must strive to be one."
"That's a lot to lay onto a man, don't you think?"
"Yes, but the council knows this and are attempting to secede control to you in bits. As to not overwhelm you."
Jaune lifted his head, and sighed mournfully. "I have been going to meetings and hearings nonstop for the past seventy-two hours, and I know no more about leading a government than I did when I was a farmer."
"King Peleus thought so too, when he was crowned king as a child and yet he ruled successfully for over sixty years." Ozpin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Huntsman and huntresses have always been allies to the king, even before the creation of the huntsman academies. We will be there to help you, my king."
"I hope so Ozpin, because without your assistance the city will be lost..." their conversation came to a halt as the doors opened once more, a man in a ceremonial robe entering.
0-0-0-0
"How did your meeting go?" Saphron asked, putting a plate in front of her younger brother turned King.
"Alright, I think. My adviser did most of the talking, honestly it felt more like an interrogation where my lawyer answered the questions." Jaune sighed, lines of fatigue beneath his eyes. "How are Adrian and Terra?"
Saphron knew her brother didn't want to be reminded of his newfound kingship, so she nodded and gave a warm smile. "Good, a little trouble settling in but Adrian seems to like all the colors. And Terracotta enjoys the bed, she says it's probably the nicest part of our new home."
Saphron knew the exquisite house they had been given was an attempt by Jaune to allow them some breathing room from the stuffy atmosphere of the palace, something she was deeply thankful for even if it was still a thousand miles ahead of their previous life.
"I'm glad she enjoys it, say hello to Adrian and her for me." Jaune stood up from the table of the dining room, a weekly ritual for them by now. Seeing her brother at least once a week and cooking him a dinner he barely ate. "Gerrick requests my presence at the council's chambers, something about foreign relations. Apparently, as the king, I cannot miss it."
Saphron sighed deeply, but managed to give her brother a smile and a reassuring nod as he left. "The work of a king is never done then?"
Jaune managed a weak smile. "Aye, not in the slightest."
Not thirty minutes later, Jaune appeared inside the council's chambers, his entrance shushing most of the heated debates between the royal advisers and the councilmen. As one, they stood and saluted him before Jaune waved them down, taking his seat at the front of the room, his position elevated above everyone in the room.
"The council recognizes Jaune Arc, sovereign King of Vale." the speak of the council addressed, passing the proverbial mic to King Arc.
"I am to understand that this meeting is to discuss the trade deal between the SDC and Vale?"
"Aye, your majesty," Councilman True nodded, his bushy mustache wiggling. "Reports indicate that while Jacques Schnee is eager to push the deal through, the Atlas council has been continually stalling it."
"The reason?" intoned, his voice having taken a much more rough, commanding edge to it.
"Well, sir, there's been ongoing tension between the SDC and the Kingdom of Atlas. The SDC seems to have been pushing their influence more into the international political stage, without the blessing of the Atlesian government. Our spies indicate that the council is beginning to suspect the SDC of attempting to usurp, or otherwise manipulate the system for their own edge." another councilwoman explained, rail thin and hawkish features that reminded him of his third grade teacher.
"Has Atlas given any demands to us?"
"None so far, m'lord, but there's concern that Atlas is merely applying pressure to the deal in order to show us their... position of such a thing." one of his advisers mentioned.
Jaune leaned back in his seat, quite frankly he had no clue as to the depths of this tension between the SDC and the Atlas council. However, it worried him; he knew that if things escalated it would only make his job harder, and he wouldn't risk involving his subjects into any martial conflicts with another kingdom.
"We... need this dust." King Arc began, rubbing his temple tiredly. "With this whole Torchwick business and the repeated dust robberies from the White Fang, we can ill afford to cave simply because it may rustle the Atlesian council. For now, we ignore them and go through with the deal."
"As you wish," the man next to him, Gerrick (his top adviser apparently), nodded. "Next on the list: the ongoing skirmishes between the White Fang and multiple Valechan militias, especially along the southern borders."
Jaune watched the floor squabble with eachother, the moderates arguing with the radicals arguing with the loyalists and so on and so forth. Perhaps it was arrogant of him to think so, but viewing it from on high he was reminded of ants, or dogs yapping at eachother.
Jaune had little interest in politics before he became king, and now that he was immersed in it he found it strikingly clear as to why nothing seemed to get done. Bureaucracy was the antithesis of efficiency, or so it seemed.
It wasn't that it didn't matter to him, because it did. These decisions would affect his subjects, as well as the lives of countless others and to take anything at face value would not only be a gross misuse of his authority, but also an irresponsible choice for someone of his standing.
But having no clue which way was up, added into a lack of sleep, and a nigh-unending headache that seemed to pulse in his mind, Jaune, or King Arc rather, found it difficult to muster the energy to care.
But he had no choice, by virtue of being king he had no other option than to run himself into the ground if need be to protect his people. Occasionally a council member or adviser would ask his opinion, and he'd give it after somewhat lengthy deliberations between himself and Gerrick.
Finally, the list drew to a close, and any tabled issues would either be set aside for another day, or else forgotten to time. Jaune would have preferred the latter, but King Arc had to take the former more often than not.
As the members filed out, leaving only the King, his most trusted adviser, and a single paige to run errands for him alone in the lofty chambers. King Arc sighed deeply and turned to his adviser, a man he had come to depend on.
"Gerrick, I am not suited for this." he started, ignoring Gerrick's all to familiar look. "I am terrified I will make a mistake, and it will cost countless individuals their lives."
"Such is the burden of being King, m'lord."
"A burden I never asked to take on."
"Yes, but one rarely chooses to take on a burden willingly. Most often, we must simply struggle forward and do the best by those we have a responsibility to." Gerrick answered wisely, typing away at some document that would no doubt never be seen by his lord.
Jaune took stock of the man, thin, balding, and rather lanky the man seemed more suited to be an accountant were it not for the gold and purple robes he was adorned with. The man's tireless patience was something to be awed at, and something Jaune had taken to emulating these days. It was comforting, to be have an anchor he could compare himself to, to check his emotions.
"My responsibility is to thousands of people, how can I ever be expected to make the right decision for all of them?" King Arc whispered, more to himself than his friend.
The older gentleman stopped typing, seeming to chew on that before he nodded and spoke. "Sometimes, my king, a leader must make a decision for the majority rather than accounting for the needs and wants of every individual. Each person who you rule over is allowed rights and a voice, but they are also expected, by that same principle, to sacrifice when necessary for the good of everyone. No matter how many may view that as tyrannical, or otherwise foolish."
"Do you think it is? Foolish or tyrannical, I mean?"
Gerrick turned to face the King, a neutral expression on his face. "I think they have never been king, m'lord."
Jaune let out a halfhearted chuckle, shaking his head and leaning forward. His green cape pooling around his ceremonial vestments, black and green trousers, jacket, and undershirt. A veritable collection of medals and symbols adorning the front of his jacket, a symbol of his authority he was told.
"Have you eaten sir, you look rather peaked."
"A few bits of salmon, from my sister." I responded, already knowing his response.
"Denim, go fetch the king something to eat." Gerrick addressed the young boy below them, a lad of maybe twelve or thirteen having been made to stand there for over an hour by this point.
The boy nodded and stepped forward. "What would you like, your majesty?"
Despite himself, King Arc smiled. He felt like a grandfather addressing his grandson, perhaps he looked it as well. "Anything lad, perhaps something with seafood. I rather liked the salmon cakes I had for lunch last week."
The boy nodded, and left posthaste. Jaune leaned back in his seat, listening to the typing of his friend in the otherwise silent council chambers, allowing his mind to momentarily clear of all thoughts. A technique his health adviser had helped him master, "to reduce stress" he had been told.
He would need to give his health adviser a raise.
It was broken all too soon, the young king feeling, rather than seeing, the new presence in the room.
"You have something for me, Gerhard?" King Arc addressed the man in a dark cloak as he moved from behind the curtain.
"You noticed me quickly, you are getting stronger." Gerhard, my royal bodyguard mentioned as he strode up to me.
He made no noise as he sauntered up beside him, letting the young king get a good look at him. He was older than Jaue, like everyone else really, but he was probably younger than his father. The black and gold mask that covered the upper half of his face made it hard to tell, but the times he had seen him without it he resembled a gruffer, neater version of his father.
"More people are no doubt coming to accept me as their king, more followers everyday." Jaune nodded, closing his eyes and reaching out to his, power, the light of his soul, his semblance.
It burned there, like an inferno where it had once been an ember. Gaining strength and power everyday, with each new subject that came to accept the new king it boosted his abilities.
"Hmm, have you been doing your aura exercises? Training?" Gerhard asked, drawing Jaune out of his stupor, his voice deceptively soft and light despite his undeniable amount of deadly skill.
"Aye, Master Gunther has been training me exceptionally well." He stood up from his seat, stretching leisurely. "It seems I have knack for swordplay, something my father mentioned to me a long time ago. Though I'd doubt he'd have expected it to be coupled with such power."
At that, he concentrated on his aura, calling upon his semblance, and a bright blue-green light flickered to life in the palm of his hand. It seemed to struggle for a moment, before suddenly surging forth until it illuminated the room with such intensity that Gerrick momentarily ceased his typing to shield his eyes.
The light died down after a moment, and Jaune turned to Gerhard with a wry smile. "You seemed rather tired Gerhard, allow me."
Before he could speak, Jaune gestured his hand toward him and the length of his arm up to his elbow was covered in an rippling glow, like that of water being disturbed. A moment later it washed over his bodyguard, cloaking him in its effect. A moment later, Gerhard seemed to straighten and let out a sigh of relief.
"My thanks, sir." he bowed humbly. "I will admit, my previous endeavors left me a bit drained."
"Speaking of, how did your infiltration go?" while politicking was the bane of his existence, the subtle art of espionage and subterfuge played right into King Arc's tactical and patient nature. "I assume you have something to tell me about our friends?"
Gerhard's smile was not kind. "Aye, the White Fang I managed to interrogate told of their plans to spread into Vale. Though they had no idea as to the reason behind it, all they were able to tell me in depth was that they were being led by a man named Adam Taurus."
He nodded, rubbing the stubble of his chin. "Adam Taurus, a dangerous man to make an enemy of."
"No match for you sire," Gerhard snickered, perhaps it had been meant as a lighthearted barb though Jaune could not tell what was funny.
"Mind your tongue, Gerhard." Gerrick chided, his voice lacking any heat. "That is still your king, and you will respect him."
Gerhard cleared his throw and bowed, though the grin stayed on his face. "My apologies, m'lord."
He waved him off like he would a child. "Go Gerhard, take some time off. Visit your family, I think they would like to see you."
"As you wish, sire." Gerhard bowed, and, in a moment, he vanished. Retreating into that pocket dimension of his.
"My lord, what should we do about this whole White Fang nonsense?" Gerrick asked, sounding as though he were discussing a spot of unpleasant weather.
"Simple, a man should never chase after a cat. He is simply not built to withstand that kind of chase," King Arc's smile mirrored Gerhard's earlier one. "We are ambush predators my friend, so we will do what we do best."
"Take care of business, my lord?"
"Aye, when is the this year's Vytal Tournament scheduled?"
0-0-0-0
There we have it folks, finally a chapter! This one actually got the blood pumping, something that I haven't had for RWBY in a long time. Seriously, Volume 6 was better than Volume 5, but that's like saying a three care pile up is better than a ten car pile up.
Rest in peace Adam Taurus, may you rest easy while we mourn the death of any good character development you might have had.
Fuck Blake, and fuck Bumblebee.
XOXOXO
CoffeyJoe
P.S. also be on the lookout for NobleDarkHunter as he may be adopting my "One Man Army" story, he already has a fanfiction out, so make sure you check that out as well.