I am back with chapter two! So, I've been researching the royal siblings and, from what I've gathered, they aren't related fully and had to win/ survive some dark bad shit to be royal children. Pretty brutal for the babies but, that will be a big part of the first few chapters and how our boy connects some with the siblings. *cough* lives through it *cough* Fair warning, like the rest of Nohr, things will be dark and not easy. For chapters containing things that might be triggering I will put a warning so do not fret. I gotchu. To the plot!

Chapter Two: Windmire City and Castle Krakenburg

Ascalon roused himself as George landed where Arcturus told him to. It had been a week-long journey and the group of men and women already adored the stray child, amazed at his skill with the dragon and that he could even lift the lance he had. He clung close to the captain though, shy for and quiet for most of the trip, but was ever grateful when it was meal time. The capital city, which he had been told was called Windmire, was not exactly what he had been expecting. It was large and beautiful at parts however, and uncomfortable gloom had hung over the expansive area, darkening the sky and making the new comer uneasy. Ascalon stayed on his dragon at that point, feeling more comfortable there, and only came down once they reached the intimidating Castle Krakenburg.

Sliding off his best friend's back the boy was caught and lowered to the ground by Arcturus, who gave the scared child a warm smile and took his hand. "We're going to walk George to his stall and then I'm going to introduce you to the king, okay?" He told him, using a reassuring tone to help the kid's nerves.

All he received was a nod and the child speaking in the odd tongue again to his dragon, explaining what was going to happen. George did not seem pleased at the idea of being separated however, gave an affirming snuff and nuzzled the child's side gently. They set off after that, passing through what appeared to be a landing bay of some kind as it was large enough for everyone. A bit further inside was a massive side chamber, with corrals that housed many wyverns, all of them sniffing the air in confusion at the new comer who walked into their home. Ascalon reassured his friend everything was alright, even saying they might be his friends once they warm up to him, as they continued through the large passage and stopped at an empty one.

"Alright George, this will be your new sleeping spot until we come back. We won't be too long alright." Arcturus told the nervous dragon who eyed the area cautiously.

Eventually, with some convincing and after five large blankets were laid down, the dragon agreed, giving one last affectionate nuzzle before stepping inside. He circled four times and then rested on the floor, shutting his large green eyes and sleeping. The child gave his friend a kiss on the snout before following the man, staying close to him as they navigated the castle and its interior together. They went through many rooms, and as they progressed more and more, the pair drew quiet a lot of attention and whispers tailed after them like dust behind a shooting star. It was when they approached a pair of oversized yet elegant doors that Arcturus came to a halt, going into a crouch so he was eye level with the kid.

"Okay, so behind those doors is the King of Nohr. His name is King Garon and when we enter inside, we'll both bow deeply to him." He explained as he straightened up the child's clothes and hair.

"Is he your boss?" Ascalon asked, clearly anxious.

"He is the big boss. Everyone answers to him. Don't ask any questions, unless given permission, and do not ask about his wives. When answering him, address him as 'Your Majesty' and be clear, concise, and don't take long okay?"

"What does concise mean?"

Exhaling he replied, "It means being honest and quick. Now, deep breath. Exhale. Most importantly, do not show him that you're afraid. He will be a bit scary but don't show it, okay?"

"Okay. Be brave, right?" Ascalon questioned, giving the man a small smile.

"Exactly. You'll do just fine. Follow me."

Together the duo entered the throne room, a man announcing the guard as they did so. Sitting on the throne far ahead of them was the king, black armor shining in the torch light and eyes fixating on the small blue haired child. He watched the pair like a falcon its prey, almost amused that he even brought the kid here. However, his physical traits were odd, not common in Nohr or Hoshido. They reached the base of the stairs when Garon decided that was far enough, raising his hand to signal to them to stop their advance. Halting the two kneeled down and bowed their heads, awaiting the king's words with a brave face.

"Captain Arcturus, you were sent to go resolve an issue. You came back instead with a child and, from what I've heard, a large beast. Explain." King Garon said, words straight to the point and colder than the snow outside.

"Yes, your Majesty. As it is, the beast is in fact a dragon, one this child hatched and raised. The pair were hiding in a barn on the outer edge of the town. He is talented for his age and can communicate with the creature. Ascalon, this boy, has no family so, in order to fix the issue, I brought him here. I was going to ask permission to let him live here in exchange for him working." Arcturus explained, close to no emotion in his voice so he would not add any hidden intentions to his words.

"Hmmm. Child come forward. Only you."

Ascalon answered with a simple 'Yes your Majesty' and rose to his feet. Keeping back his fear he ascended the stairs and walked over to the king, noting his gray skin and spiked crown. Of all the things he had faced in life, which was a lot for the few years he had been around, this might have been one of the toughest things to do. The towering man he approached glared down at him and looked as if he had had a piece of him recently torn away. Perhaps it was his happiness, but he couldn't be sure. When he was ten feet away the king told raised his hand and he stopped where he stood.

Slowly the king walked over, stopping two feet in front of him, and began to circle the small lanky child. He took in his odd features, rubbing a few locks of the navy hair between his fingers, surprised by how soft it was for an orphan. Garon gave one nod and stood in front of the kid, gazing down at him and watching as he tried his best to keep still and not fidget.

"Look up at me. I want to see your face and eyes." The king commanded, pleased as the child immediately did as he was told, gold locking onto gray. "Hm, your eyes are an odd color. Who are your parents? What happened to them?"

"I-I don't know your Majesty. I can't remember who they are, or who I am." Ascalon answered, keeping a straight face despite the faint scowl that settled on the king's face.

"Oh? And where was it that you last remember being?"

"A big creepy valley with lots of lightning and wind. My head hurt, and I had George's egg with me and my lance. George is my dragon your Majesty."

"You hatched this dragon?"

"Yes, your Majesty. I kept him nice and warm."

King Garon pondered this for a moment, finding the child was being honest, and looked back to him again as he had one more question. "Are you willing to do whatever it takes to earn your place here at my castle?"

Ascalon paused, response caught in his throat as he thought about what he was agreeing to. In the end, he had no memories of family, no one or where to go, and discovered there wasn't much of a choice. Looking the king in the eyes he replied, "I will do what it takes, so long as I can live and keep George. May I have that, your Majesty?"

With a grin he told him, "Yes, you may. You will be assigned as part of the wyvern troops and work with them within a week's time. Now, leave this hall and wait under the chandelier outside. I must speak with Captain Arcturus."

Ascalon bowed and left the hall, movement rigid and cold so as to hide his panicking emotions that fluttered about wildly. As he passed Arcturus, he gave a small smile, only briefly in passing. Then the child swiftly exited the area, leaving behind the man that saved him and his new king.

[Outside with Ascalon]

The moment he was under the chandelier that King Garon had spoke of Ascalon let out a shaky breath, entire body relaxing and quivering as he was finally out of the presence of the terrifying man. He felt sick and like he had just agreed to something that would end badly eventually. Wrapped up and consumed in his thoughts he hardly noticed a group of children huddled behind a pillar not too far away, all of them whispering to one another. At last one of them, a girl about the same age as Ascalon with long lavender hair, stepped away, frustrated with her siblings, and walked over to the scared child. She approached him with a sweet smile and tapped his shoulder gently. Still the blue haired child was surprised, leaping back a few feet and giving a small yelp.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you sweetie. My name is Camilla." She told him, worry clouding her face for only a second before it returned to its normal smile.

"Uh, sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have jumped; I could have hurt you. Please forgive me." Was all that Ascalon could think to stutter out as he gave her a deep bow in apology.

"Oh my! It's alright, it was an accident and I did scare you. All is forgiven. What's your name?"

"…It's Ascalon. Do you live here? Arcturus told me there were other kids at the castle that were my age."

"Yes, I'm a Princess, well, I will be. My brothers are back there behind the pillar. The tall one is Xander and the pouty one is Leo. One of my sisters looks kind of like you. Do you know Azura?" She asked as her exasperated brothers stepped into view and joined them.

"Azura? No. I don't have my memories though so maybe I knew her. I'm not royal though. I'm an orphan."

"He does look like her though. Just darker. My name is Xander. Yours?" The eldest asked as he extended his hand to the new person.

"Ascalon. It's nice to meet you. And you too Prince Leo…right?" He replied, shaking both brother's hands.

"Correct. Why is father letting you stay here? He doesn't normally take in random orphans." Leo questioned, eyeing him closely and unsure what to make of him.

"Sorry. I have a dragon that I hatched and raised. I can speak with him; his name is George. Oh, I'm joining the wyvern troops, so I can earn my place here!"

At the mention of joining a troop, at his young age, and hatching a rare creature, Leo laughed and shook his head at the ridiculousness of it all. There was no way this peasant could have accomplished so much, no way in heaven or hell. Yet as he quieted down, he found his other two siblings glaring at him while Ascalon hung his head shamefully. Neither of them were happy and surly he would be scolded by at least Camilla later.

"I believe you Ascalon! I'm sure Xander does too! You must be very brave to have been able to hatch a dragon and raise it. You have a lance too, right?" Camilla said, saving the day and cheering him back up. "I'd love to see it all if that's alright? Once you're settled in of course. I love wyverns actually, and I want to join that group too when I'm older."

"Really? That's amazing! It would be an honor to work with you."

"Oh stop! You're so nice!" She said, giggling lightly and giving him a gentle push in the shoulder. He laughed as well, hardly noticing the large doors opening.

[Arcturus's conversation with King Garon]

"Rise Captain. I want you to look at me when we speak." Garon ordered, watching the young man rise from the floor and make eye contact.

"Yes, your Majesty. What do you wish to speak of?" Arcturus asked in a steady tone.

"The boy. I know all that he told me was true. He couldn't lie even if he wanted to. The town you found him in though, how close to the Bottomless Canyon is it? I need to know if he may potentially be an enemy later on."

"My King, he cannot be any older than eight. Yes, he was found near that canyon, but I doubt he is a threat."

"Can you vouch for him? Are you willing to take that risk? Because if he does turn out to be a traitor it will fall on both of you, and both will die. Tell me Arcturus, do you wish to end up like your parents?" Garon pressed, drawing a flinch from the captain as he recalled the dead people mentioned. Sighing the King sat in his throne and rested his head on his closed fist, saying, "I have given you much slack, and have watched as you've grown and proved to be a valiant and honest man. I'm sure you can understand my discomfort at you finding a stray, who looks similar to one of my own children and has odd items with him, and he has no memory to add."

"I do understand my King and if you wish it, I will claim full responsibility for the child and his actions."

"And if he turns traitor, he will be given a traitor's execution, regardless of age. You will be given the same. Do you understand?" King Garon asked, almost exhausted with this situation.

"Yes. I understand and accept the consequences should the worst occur. Is that all your Majesty?" Arcturus asked, heart skipping every other beat as he agreed to his own death should he be wrong.

"No, you are free to go. Let him know, if he harms any of my children or disobeys them, they are free to punish him as well. He is the lowest rank here and needs to work his way up, if he wants to not deal with this. Now leave captain."

Heart heavy at what the child's life was going to be Arcturus left, holding his head high and putting on a brave face once again. As he opened the doors, he saw three of the royal children flitting about Ascalon excitedly, watching with a bittersweet smile as Princess Camilla told the boy about how they might work together one day. Determined to give the child the best chance he could he told himself not to bend or break. One day this odd orphan would be the best damn soldier Nohr had seen, maybe even be able to bring peace to the land. Arcturus would make sure of it. He had to. He just had to.

Walking forward with a smile he said, "See Ascalon, I knew you would make friends here. Now, you can see them later. We have lots of stuff to do and many things to learn. Tell them goodbye."

"Goodbye your majesties. I will see you later…?" He told them, unsure about the end.

Camilla stepped forward and gave him a tight hug, happily saying, "Of course. You're our new friend. Besides, you told me you'd let me visit George."

"Yeah, that's right. Have a good day." He replied, giving a bow and then following Arcturus. Together they left and went to the barracks, Ascalon asking when they were halfway there, "Is everything going to be okay? I didn't do anything wrong, right?"

Steadying his voice, to keep away any sign of what he had just agreed to out of sight, the captain kindly looked at the boy whose eyes shinned so brightly and answered, "No. No, you did nothing wrong. You were perfect, better than perfect, and the King agreed to let you be here. From this day on, you are a guard of Nohr and my child, if you're alright with that?"

"Your child? Like father and son?"

"Yes, if you want that. I will be your family, keep you safe when I can, and raise you. You are my responsibility and I won't abandon you."

Without a word the boy threw himself at the captain, crying and hugging him as tightly as his small arms could manage. In response Arcturus scooped the child up of the floor and held him close, feeling an odd warmth run through him and cause his heart to beat quickly. They were family, and he would do everything in his power to keep that.

So that is chapter two. I know, not too much excitement or action. I gotta get them characters and plots set up though. Anyway, thank you for reading and chapter three should be up soon.