CH5: Papa!

AN: Hello again! I've come with another installment of The Once and Future King. Reading reviews I never knew that Ruby was the character people wanted most for Arthur/Jaune to forgive first. Sorry bout the late post yet again. I'd been running on fumes for the past few days and working 9 hour shifts doesn't help expedite that at all.

Hints! Pyrrha gets more hints herself! You'll see how they're dealing with being reminded about Jaune. The first wave of reinforcements and Moedred are getting their screen time! Ozpin is getting his much deserved screen time as well! Anyway, onwards!

(Mordred POV)

As soon as the bull head landed Mordred shot off like a rocket. Completely ignoring that stiff Bedivere. She didn't care if they were gonna take of her in her papa's absence. She was on a mission, to give her papa the bestest hug in the world. She felt so bad for him. He must've missed her so much. It's okay Papa! Your little knight is here, and I'm gonna protect you from all those nasty and mean women. I won't let another Mama hurt you. With a determined gaze she made her way into the school.

(Team PARN Dorms)

"Hi! This is Jaune Arc! Sorry if I can't answer now, please call back later!"

"Jaune! Please, pick up! It's me Pyrrha! I'm sorry, please pick up! I'm sorry. . ." her arm fell limply by her side and she dropped her scroll on the floor. This was the fifth time today. She then fell against the bed trying futilely to hold back her tears. He must hate me now. Why should he answer my calls. I only just left him for three years. A little voice in her head told her. But, he wasn't suited to the lifestyle, She tried to rationalize to herself, but it rang hollow even to her ears.

"Babe? You ok?" She shot up quickly brushing away any tears she had on her face. She watched as her boyfriend of two years walk in. Alistair looked concerned,

"Pyrrha have you been crying?"

"N-no," She denied half heartedly

"I can see your tear tracks," The boy deadpanned. Making her huff lightly and pout looking away.

"C'mon Pyrrha, tell me what's wrong" He asked.

"I-it's nothing Alistair, don't worry about it,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you Alistair," She then kissed his cheek smiling at him.

"Alright, I'm heading to the library want to come?"

"That sounds wonderful," She smiled at him. I have such a nice boyfriend. But, a flash of gold hair, an awkward smile, and bright blue eyes stopped the smile in its tracks. Frowning slightly, she took the offered hand but still the image painted in her head haunted her. Looking at the intertwined hands she felt as if something was missing.

(Team RWBY Dorm)

"Is she still moping on her bed?"

"Yes Yang,"

"Aw c'mon, It's been two days damnit! I know we've forgotten him, but it's Jaune. The noodle with a heart of gold damnit. He's probably just gotten a new scroll and we don't have the number for it," The blond growled.

"I don't think so, Pyrrha tried calling him a total of thirty times not including the five she sent out this morning," Blake interjected.

"This isn't helping at all," Weiss walked over to her team leader, who was bundled up in her blankets.

"Ruby, please get up and come with us to the library," She asked the lump curled up in the middle of the bed

"Mmf," The lump replied shaking in a negative manner. Weiss sighed.

"Ruby we know where he lives, we can go visit his hometown after the Vytal festival okay?" The lump shifted slightly revealing a silver eye.

"Promise?"

"Promise, now get up it's unbecoming of the leader RWBY to be moping about in a lump," The heiress affirmed. Ruby slowly got out of her blankets, and came down. She then began to gather her clothes and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

(Team CHAL Dorm)

The room itself was devoid of occupants save for a lonely scroll sitting by the post in a charger. It was obvious that it hadn't been used in some time. It was scratched, cracked, and chipped in various areas. But, it was obviously an object that the owner kept close to their heart, and if you looked closer. You would see thirty five missed calls from one Pyrrha Nikos.

(Headmaster's Office)

Looking into the headmaster's office you would see two figures sitting in the room. One grey haired and wizened, and the other blonde and young.

"How are you today Arthur?" Ozpin stated as he took a sip of his coffee.

"I'm doing fine sir, but it's a little hard being so close to them" Arthur replied.

"I know it is, but all I ask is for you to hold out a little longer. After this is all done we can focus upon other, more important things" The man replied understandingly.

"It just hurts sir. I thought I'd be over it by now, but. . . " The boy trailed off looking through the window. Memories flashing through his head.

"Do you regret it Arthur?" The man started.

"No, never. It may hurt, but I'll never regret the path my life had been set on," Was his immediate retort. He took a sip of the coffee that Ozpin had set before him. Ozpin looked on fondly at his student. For just a second he saw the younger version of Arthur once again, it wasn't the broken boy that just had his team leave him. No, it was the Arthur that trained day in and day out, the woke hours before anyone else to go train, and poured over books of strategy and combat when everyone else was asleep. He couldn't help but give a small smile at the boy who was sipping at his coffee.

"This is good,"

"Thank you Arthur, I do try my best," The man replied taking a sip of his own cup yet again. The two enjoyed a comfortable silence for quite some time before Arthur said his farewells and left for the library.

(Beacon Library)

Arthur strode in calmly eyes darting about taking in the familiar scenery before him. Memories of better times flashed in his head. Life was simple back then wasn't it. He thought to himself basking in the nostalgia that came with being in the place that held many fond memories of his younger years. He then slapped himself thinking Oum, I sound old. I'm only twenty for Monty's sake. He shook his head and strode forward not noticing the emerald eyes following his very movements. I swear, I know him from somewhere. The amazon told herself, not paying attention to the others before her. She continued to stare at the hooded leader of team CHAL until a hand appeared before her face.

"Hello? Earth to P-Money. You there?" The blonde inquired. Shaking her head Pyrrha looked over at Yang who had a teasing smirk on her face.

"What do you need Yang?" She asked. The smirk on the other girl's face widened a bit more.

"I was just asking if your team wanted to go to the city with us, but you seemed a bit too interested in Mr. Hero that I was beginning to reconsider," Her smirk now a grin as she watched Pyrrha start to sputter out denials.

"I'm kidding girl, but I was serious on you guys coming with us to the city though," Watching amusedly as the red head composed herself she continued.

"So why were you staring at him so intently P-Money? Could it be that you're tired of Alistair? Looking to bag Mr. Hero over there? I don't blame you, we don't even know what he looks like, but he's already got quite the following," She teased mercilessly.

"I overheard he's quite handsome actually, with golden blonde hair and glowing blue eyes to match. Apparently, the girl he helped out caught a glimpse of his face as he was healing her," Blake interjected. Time seemed to freeze for Pyrrha Blonde hair? Blue Eyes? It can't be. . . She thought.

"Damn, and here I thought he would have black hair, golden eyes, and a beauty mark" (AN: Anyone get the reference?). They watched as Arthur walked towards his team talking to them, before the rest got up and followed him out. Pyrrha continued to ponder on who the leader of CHAL could be. I know you from somewhere, and I'll figure out who you are somehow.

(With Team CHAL)

The four were calmly striding down their way to the cafeteria ignoring the various comments from the following they had gained.

"Pst Camie, it's them!"

"I know girl!"

"It's obvious Lancelot is the best,"

"No way! Gawain is, he's super nice and everything"

"Bull, have you seen Hector? The man is Beautiful, with a capital B"

"I for one like Arthur the best, he's got that mysterious aura going for him," Hearing the comments Gawain gave an admittedly nervous smile.

"Captain, fangirls at our seven"

"I know Gawain, just ignore them. Hopefully they'll go away" Arthur answered, they kept walking simply chatting about how beacon was compared to knight academy. Until, they heard a young voice yelling out.

"Papa!" Immediately Arthur turned towards the sound of the voice. A large smile on his face. Everyone that was currently in the courtyard immediately turned towards the source of the voice, to their shock there was a little girl around the age of eight running towards Arthur with her arms spread wide open. Their jaws dropped even further when Arthur himself got on one knee and spread his arms out. When the girl came within leaping distance of him she jumped into his awaiting arms with a giggle, a giggle that turned into the sounds of clinking bells as Arthur stood up and spun her around in his arms laughing himself. When they stopped the little girl pulled back slightly.

"Papa! Did you miss me? Did you?!" She inquired. Making Arthur's smile widen even further.

"Of course I did Mordred, what kind of father would I be if I didn't miss my little knight everyday," Poking her slightly in her stomach making her giggle. If one would pay attention, many of the women in the courtyard had mysteriously turned into statues and you could hear the sound of glass breaking if you paid close attention. PAPA!? They then saw four figures running up to the group of five. A silver haired male, a blonde man, and a pair of laverderettes that had a surprising resemblance to the second in command of team CHAL.

"Lady Mordred, please allow us to catch up at least," The silver haired male started before he caught sight of in whom's arms was Mordred in.

"Good day Bedivere," Arthur greeted with a small, but warm smile on his face.

"C-captain!" Bedivere stuttered out at the greeting. Immediately, the four got on one knee.

"Greetings knight captain Pendragon!" They said in unison much to the chagrin of the man in question. Hearing the courtyard begin to explode in murmurings and whispers.

"So much for keeping a low profile," He muttered. Mordred hearing the words her father spoke started giggling.

"Rise, please. For the love of Oum," He sighed out. The four got up and began to intermingle with the other four.

(With Lancelot)

"Hello Sir Lancelot," The duo stated softly towards the older lavenderette. Only for them to get dual chops to the forehead. Holding their heads tightly they looked tearily at Lancelot himself.

"What did I tell you two to call me?" The older knight began. The duo began to blush and fidget slightly.

"Well?" Lancelot continued, making them fidget even more.

"H-hello big brother/Hi big bro," He then gave a large and warm smile bringing the two into a warm hug.

"Good day to you two as well, Galahad, Mash" the man stated warmly.

(With Arthur)

"Hello once again Kay, Bedivere," Their captain stated with a smile.

"Good afternoon/Sup Captain," The two replied.

"We'll talk further when we're all back in the dorms, but for now how have you two been?" He inquired

"We've been well sir,"

"That's good, I apologize if Mordred caused you any undue stress." Making the two panic slightly.

"N-no captain, Lady Mordred has simply been a treat, well behaved, and good mannered," Bedivere tried to say. But, Arthur just threw his head back and gave a warm laugh.

"It's fine, I know my little knight is quite the handful without me. You don't have to worry."

"Oh? Really captain, then she was a right pain in the ass," Stated Kay. Making Arthur shake his head and laugh just a bit harder.

"Uhm, Arthur?" Alice the freshman came up to him.

"Yes Alice?"

"So that's your daughter?"

"Yes, Alice"

"So who's the mother," She inquired. Seeing his face begin to set in a frown she quickly started apologizing.

"I-i'm sorry I didn't know that it was a sensitive topic-" Arthur just gave her a soft smile.

"It's fine Alice, you didn't know," His face set in a frown, he continued.

"Mordred here is adopted actually, I rescued her a few years ago on my first mission. And, we've been inseparable ever since. I actually don't like the subject of her mother being brought up, she wasn't a good person." His mind drifted off to when he first met Mordred.

(Two Years Ago)

A younger Arthur was sent on a routine patrol to keep the borders of the town he was stationed in safe when he heard a soft cry. Quickly making his way to the source of the voice he saw a little girl in rags, rushing over to her he began pulling out a small first aid kit he kept in a satchel as his back.

"Hello little one, why are you crying?" He inquired as he reached towards speaking distance of her. She looked afraid as she saw him striding up, so he slowed his stride and held his hands in the air.

"It's okay little one, I'm not going to hurt you. I promise," Arthur continued to stride towards her, as he looked closer he noticed various bruises and welts that had dotted her entire body. Feeling himself growing angry he quickly suppressed that anger in favor of reaching towards the little girl. As he reached his hand out, she tensed up even further. Confirming his suspicions on her being and abuse victim.

"It's okay, I just want to see how badly are you hurt," Arthur stated as he finally reached out completely to her.

"So, little one how did you get all these bruises?" Arthur inquired gently as he inspected the various wounds that her little body held.

"Mama said that I was a bad girl, and bad girls get punished. Please don't make me go back." The girl muttered out. Arthur felt sick, her own mother was the one beating her to the point where she was more bruise than unharmed flesh. He quickly grabbed her and brought her into a tight but gentle hug. The girl struggled at first, but eventually relaxed as she realized he wasn't going to hurt her.

"This feels good Mister What do you call this?" His mind reeled in shock, she had never had a hug? He just held her a little tighter, swearing that the Bitch that did this would eat a full serving of steel in her gullet for this.

"It's called a hug little one, it's used for when someone is sad or scared,"

"I like hugs Mister hugs don't hurt," the little girl stated holding onto him just a little tighter. He just held her there for Oum knows how long before slowly pulling back.

"Little one, I'm going to heal you now okay?"

"Okay, mister" Getting the confirmation Arthur held his hands in front of the little girl. Focusing his aura to his hands he placed it on her arms pushing the aura through her healing her. Once he finished his healing he decided to ask if the girl would like to come back to the barracks with him.

"Little one,"

"Yes mister?"

"Would you like to come with me?" Seeing the little girl nod her head vigorously he offered his hand to her. Taking it the duo began to make their way to the knight barracks.

"Say little one, do you have a name?"

"My mama called me Mordred mister, what's yours?"

"You can call me Arthur,"

AN: Argh, I teared up when I was writing the memory sequence cause my adopted brother was much the same. But, anywho how did you like my fleshing out of the cast so far? I know this was a dialogue heavy chapter, but I felt as if it's something that was needed. We'll continue the memory sequence next chapter! Please review! I need to be fed! Anyway, til next time!

KG12