AN: A friend of mine, JoeToon, got me into Armello and I've never stopped getting into it. The concept is amazing and I'm shocked that there is so little content of the series both in terms of fanart and fanfiction. Well, this is my attempt to help bring interest back to it with this story. 3/4ths of the story is already completed so I felt it was safe enough to start posting the chapters. A chapter will be posted every Saturday until the story is finished. I also want to thank JoeToon for helping me with the story as well.

Please share this to other Armello fans and fansites or even the reddit site. Thank you and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Armello

After twelve years of living in the Royal Castle in Armello City, King Thane still hadn't gotten used to the warm summer it was famous for. Even though he had traveled for many years, long before the Reign of the Rotted King, he never got quite used to sleeping in warm temperatures. Growing up in the frozen lands of the Northern Needles had made the wolf warrior-king more accustomed to the cold, bitter winds and soft touches of frost at the windows. Still, a king needs to rise when needed, and Thane had to get used to being needed all the time.

Smacking his lips, the noble wolf rose from his bed to look outside and see the sun shining bright on another typical day. It was hard to believe that twelve years ago, this part of Armello was cast under darkness from the works of a mad king and the abomination that had taken over his mind. Nor could one forget the final battle where Thane led the final charge with the united armies of all the clans and his friends through the most brutal battle of his life. So many died that day, but it was worth it just to have this peace.

And here I am, King of Armello, Thane thought with a smile. He wondered how his father would see him now if he was still alive. Hopefully, he looked down upon him with the pride Thane had always wanted to give him, but his young and bold nature had always caused more than one argument. His death at the hands of his cursed brother, Fang, ruined any chance of fixing that relationship. At least I got to avenge you, Father.

Kinslaying was the greatest sin a wolf could do in the eyes of the clan, but killing a kinslayer was all but considered a duty. Especially when you were the son of the one that was slain. He should have taken Fang's head the moment he did the deed, but Thane couldn't do it and banished him instead. That was a weakness on his part. Fang had become nothing but a monster who killed so many that it would forever haunt the young wolf. Thankfully, he corrected it during his adventures. Thane would never forget his dying brother's look before he took his head. There was nothing but pure and utter hatred. Not even a hint of love or remorse from the beast Thane once called his elder brother. There was always a part of him, buried deep inside, that wished he could have found some way to save his brother, but he was too far gone. All Thane could do was hope that, wherever Fang was, he was at peace from his darkness.

Movement from the covers beside him made the wolf king smile as his wife and queen, Amber of the Rabbit Clan, rose from their bed and smiled warmly at him. "Morning, Love."

"Good morning, beloved," Thane whispered as he leaned over and kissed his wife. They continued to keep their mouths locked for a few minutes, wishing they could go on longer, but a knock on the door alerted them that they had company present.

Sighing, Thane ordered the interrupter to come in. Sure enough, walking with his armor speck and shined, was Sir Horace of the new Kings Guard. Despite once being a member of the Bandit Clan, Thane and Amber both knew there was no knight more honorable than Sir Horace. He was the only one of the famed Order of The Rose who spoke his mind against the Rotted King's actions and was exiled. He had joined the Bandit Clan because he had nowhere else to go, and when the fighting was over, Thane had asked him to become the head of his new King's Guard to protect his family. Horace, who had missed his old duty, had accepted with honors.

"Good morning, your Majesties," Sir Horace greeted with a deep bow. "How are you?"

"We're fine, Sir Horace," Thane answered before turning to his wife, who was rubbing her slowly growing belly. "All three of us."

"The young Princes and Princess are already waiting for you to fast," Sir Horace notified them with a smile. "Better hurry before they eat all the eggs."

"Ugh, now you've made me hungry for benedicts with carrot juice," Amber moaned as she got up and rang the bell for the morning servants to come with their clothing. "Maybe with some relish and berry jam with it. Red jam. Not black."

"I'll be sure to let the cooks know," Sir Horace said before bowing and leaving them to be.

"I bet the kitchens will be happy when you're finally done being pregnant again," Thane replied as he walked over to his wife, put his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek to make her giggle. "Seriously, four children, I think, is enough. Don't you think so?"

"You obviously forget how big bunny families can get," Amber teased as she poked his nose before wincing and holding her stomach. "Ohh, I need the bathroom. I'll meet you down for breakfast."

"Alright, I'll see you then," Thane replied as his wife hurried to their toilet chambers. He sighed and quickly dressed in royal regalia before opening the door to let his wife's maids inside. "She's in the bathroom. Baby's acting up again."

"We'll wait out here, your Grace," A rabbit maid replied with a smile and nod.

Thane nodded before exiting his chambers and heading into the halls of his palace.

My palace. Still can't believe this is mine, Thane thought as he walked down the halls. The guards and servants all bowed as he passed them with reverence in his eyes. Even after all these years, they still saw him as a hero who saved their kingdom from the Rot.

And yet I didn't do it alone. Thane paused in his steps as he looked outside one of the more oversized windows to the palace gardens where grand statues stood in place in a particular area he and Amber commissioned in their first year as the King and Queen of Armello.

The Garden of Fallen Heroes.

Many good heroes had died in those dark days. Some were friends, others were family, and a few were rivals.

Sana, Priestess of the Wyld, sacrificed her life to cast one final spell to tear down the palace's defenses before succumbing to her wounds. Her wisdom and knowledge of the Wyld had been valuable in fighting the evils of the Rot.

Elyssia, the Warden of Wardens, died from an arrow while defending the Rabbit Clan's home from the King's final gambit to thwart their forces. Even after she perished, her fortifications stood firm as a testament to her abilities.

Guppy, Squire of Amber and one of her closest friends. He had died at the hands of thieves during one of her and Thane's adventures into a tomb. Amber had been in a state of sorrow for days after his death, and she all but made the statue in his honor upon the coming queen.

But the one that brought the most grief in Thane's eyes was the one in the center: River. River had been many things to Thane: rival, friend, companion, comrade, and sister. His eyes closed as he thought about that day…

***Twelve Years Ago***

Thane threw his sword on the ground as he rushed into the camp. They had finally broken the final fortress of the king's army, and the palace was all but open to attack. Yet the moment Thane heard what had happened to River, he nearly felt it was a defeat instead of a victory. He all but sped into the medical tent where the sick and dying were in their agonizing states, but the only one Thane cared about was in the right corner.

"River!" Thane screamed as he was beside her at once and gasped. The wound in her stomach was deep, the bandages all but red as it continued to drip out despite the mouse nurse's attempts to stop the bleeding. The wolf prince looked at Sana, looking at Thane with sorrow. "Do something! Heal her with your magic!"

"I cannot," Sana whispered with regret as she looked down upon the paling and gasping she-wolf. "I'm afraid that the wound is too mortal. It was a killing blow, Thane. I'm sorry."

"No…" Thane held his kin's paw and squeezed as he looked into the dying River's eyes. Yet, despite her state of being, there was no fear in her. Merely accepting the end of her life. "River, hold on. I will find something to heal you. I don't care what it takes. I will-"

"Thane…" River whispered, her voice weak and scratchy. "Stop being an idiot. I'm…I'm done for…"

"You can't give up, damn it!" Thane practically screamed as his tears began to get moist. "You have never given up in your entire life, River! Never once!"

"No, that is not true," River whispered as she looked at him with regret. "I gave up on you. I thought you were unworthy of being a leader. I thought you couldn't do it…but you proved me wrong. All of this. This alliance. It's because of you. You brought us together…."

"... I've made mistakes," Thane admitted, something he wouldn't have said before his journey. Back then, he had been so confident and cocky that it took numerous downturns to make him humble and wiser.

"And yet you realized them and corrected them," River whispered with a weak smile. One of the few rare ones Thane had ever seen. "I was wrong…you are worthy of following…and I am proud…p-p-proud…" River coughed as blood came out of her mouth, much to Thane's horror. Yet she continued to weakly smile at him. "...proud-d to have died fighting for you."

"...River… I'm so sorry…." Thane whispered, unable to hold back his tears as Sana put her huge paw on his back.

"It's okay…I am ready…." River whispered as her eyes started to fade and her grip became weaker. "Promise me you will survive…Be a great king…And make us proud." She snorted. "If not? I'll shoot you in the rear from Heaven."

Thane couldn't help but laugh at that, even if it was weak. Still, the sorrow in his heart continued to fester, and he knew that he needed to do something–anything–for River before she died. Finally, it came to him as he slowly let go of her hand and drew his sword. Holding it in his face, Thane whispered, "I, Prince Thane of the Wolf Clan, hereby knight thee, River of the Wolf Clan, worthy of the title of knighthood." He pressed the flat end of his blade on one back of her shoulders each. "I deem thee strong in body." Then he touched the top of her head. "I deem thee just in mind." And finally touched her heart gently. "I deem thee noble in spirit. I hereby dub thee Sir River, Ranger of the Winds. May you live and die in honor and be remembered forever more as a true knight of Armello."

Tears dripped from River's eyes as she gave one last bright smile before closing her eyes and whispering with her last breath. "Thank…you…my…King…"

And so passed Sir River and Thane wept before her silent body.

After making sure that there was no rot on her corpse, Thane ordered River's body returned back to their homeland. He made sure that she looked worthy of eternal rest as he looked at the glass casket holding her body. She had been cleaned and properly groomed to look as if no damage was done to her while wearing the cloak and armor she had won proudly as a ranger. In her folded paws rested her bow, along with flowers of blue and white which she not only held but surrounded her like a bed to sleep on. She would have wanted to be buried in the snow so that her spirit could still look over the land she had defended her entire life, even in death.

Once everything was set, he signaled the carriage drivers carrying the fallen hero to go. He watched in silence, his friends beside him, as the casket carrying River left the camp to return home for a proper burial. Thane wished he could be at the funeral to speak on River's behalf, but there was still a rebellion to win and a duty he had to achieve. He would see her resting place afterward and speak to her again, this he swore. But not before he fulfilled her wishes.

Wishing to be alone, Thane walked over to his tent and slowly shed his armor before falling to his bed and crying. He buried his face deep into his pillow to prevent anyone from hearing him. It would do no good to have those he led to see him in such a state. Even if they could understand it.

He didn't know how long he sobbed into his pillow, but eventually, he felt a warm furry touch on his back. At first, Thane thought about yelling at them to leave him alone, but he knew her touch. He knew her touch when they made love in Summer Fields at night. Rising his head, he saw the sympathetic and gentle eyes of the one he loved so much.

"Scarlett," Thane whispered as she slowly put a finger on his lips. Usually, this would be the part where she teased him, but the look in her eyes assured him that this was not one of those times. Instead, she gently pushed him to his bed and kissed him warmly. Thane closed his eyes and continued to weep, but he brought her closer to feel her full touch on his body.

He needed her.

He wanted her.

If only to help dull the pain with their love.

***Present***

"Your Majesty?" Thane nearly jumped out of his fur upon hearing his title being addressed. He turned around and saw one of the wolf Royal Guards looking at him with concern. "Are you okay? You were staring outside for a long time."

"I…apologize," Thane said, clearing his throat. "I was just lost in a memory."

The Royal Guard nodded and soon returned to his post as Thane recomposed himself and moved forward.

And doing his best not to think of a particular vixen he hadn't seen in twelve years.

One of the most challenging things that Thane had to do was find a wife worthy of him for being not just his queen but for giving him strong heirs. Naturally, the Alphas of the Wolf Clan wanted it to be one of their own, but Thane knew that it would only create problems in the long run. Despite working together, peace was still fragile as the clans had been fighting each other for succession once the Rotted King would either be dethroned or die of his corruption. The former by Thane was forced to happen when it was clear that the madness would only get worse.

Nobody would deny Thane had earned the right to rule after uniting all the clans, with aid from his friends, and slaying the Rotted King personally in the toughest fight in the wolf's life. The problem was that he needed a queen that would rule not just as an equal but as one he trusted. Sadly, the first choice that Thane had wished for disappeared right after the battle was over. No goodbyes or anything. Not even Horace had seen Scarlett before she left with most of the Bandit Clan, including Twiss. Oh, they still heard of her from time to time. The Bandit Queen was not one to fade into shadows forever. Yet every time he did, Thane yearned to see her again and asked why she did not stay for him.

Why did she not stay for them?

He didn't care what anyone would say. Scarlett was the one Thane loved all those years ago, and he would have made her his queen in a heartbeat. She was intelligent, brave, and knew the common folk better than most. She was a hero to the commoners and had risen from disaster to greatness in her own way. Even now, she is admired for her ability to lead and change the fortune of the downtrodden.

Yet, she had left him.

Thane had searched for her, but it was to no avail. Not even his spymaster, Mercurio, could find her.

Thus Thane was forced to take another as his queen to continue his legacy. The only other one he could ask was Amber. She was a perfect choice, not just because she had been his friend the longest in their journeys. Amber had made connections with practically every clan with her ability to trade and exchange income. Economics and diplomacy were to Amber what the sword was to Thane, and with her mind, she could help him keep the clans together and restore the nation's wealth. Amber knew of his love for Scarlett, and she never once held it against him for missing her. Yet, in the years since their marriage, they had grown to love each other deeply.

Scarlett might have been the one Thane had loved all those years ago, but Amber had replaced that love by never leading Thane's side. And their children were the proof of that love.

Thane smiled upon seeing his three children happily eating at the royal table until they saw him and quickly swarmed him with hugs.

"Morning, Papa!" said Thane's eldest seven-year-old son, a white wolf named Snow. Standing tall, Snow proudly stated, "I managed to get through all my current sword exercises faster than last time."

"Very well done, Snow," Thane said, rubbing his paw through his oldest son's hair. "We can spare later today."

"Where's Mama, Papa?" asked Thane's five-year-old child, a female gray rabbit named Riverfoot (named after River herself). "Is my new brother making her sick again?"

"It's natural, Riverfoot," Thane answered with a chuckle. "She was the same when she was with all of you."

Feeling a tug on his cape, Thane looked down and happily picked up his youngest son, the two-year-old gray wolf known as Eddard. "Hello, Little Ned. Did you sleep well in your new room?"

His shy little pup nodded before hugging his father and kissing him. "Heh, okay. Just as promised. You can sleep the next night with your mother and me. But then, your new room by yourself again, okay?"

Eddard clapped his hands and let out a small howl.

"Howling this early, are we?" Amber asked as she walked in, dressed in her royal outfit and regalia, before noticing her youngest child reaching out for her. Smiling, she took him from her husband and nuzzled his nose with her own. "How's my growing puppy? Did he act brave last night?"

"I don't see what the big deal is," Snow said as he rolled his eyes and walked back to his seat at the table. "It's just sleeping in his own room. It's not a huge deal."

"Says the one who didn't stop wetting the bed when he was my age and was all proud when he finally had dry sheets that he was presenting to the court," Riverfoot teased, which made her brother blush in embarrassment.

"I didn't pee in them that much," Snow muttered as he crossed his arms.

"Alright, pups," Thane said as he helped his pregnant wife sit down. "Enough teasing. We need to eat our fast and get ready for a long day ahead of-"

"Your Majesty!"

Thane sighed and looked to his left, where an otter messenger rushed over with a worried expression. "You need to see this, King Thane! Urgent!"

Taking it, Thane expected it to be another invitation to some ball a lord was hosting, only to have his eyes widened upon seeing a familiar seal on it. Amber noticed it too and quickly stood up to rush over to her husband while carrying a confused Eddard. The seal was one neither of them had seen in twelve years.

The Seal of the Bandit Clan.

With shaking hands, Thane opened it and read the letter that made his heart stop:

Thane,

Rot infestation in Winterblossom Woods. Banes everywhere. I need your help. Please.

-The Bandit Queen, Scarlett.

P.S.: Tell Amber yellow doesn't look good on her when she's pregnant.