A king's return
Chapter 7 more questions
Arthur was leaning against a tree just outside of the arc residence waiting for one Qrow Branwen to finish up with the last part of his conversation with Jeremiah. Arthur had decided that it would be best to speak with the old crone alone seeing as he had some questions to ask the man that were better to be asked without the worry of Jeremiah or the others hearing.
While someone eavesdropping wasn't a real worry for the former king he still thought it would be best not to get others involved in this matter. Though he still felt slight regret about Lily knowing about him and his situation he steeled himself and prepared to put his plan into motion. While he still had a day or two he was going to put the plan to work to the best of his ability.
He heard footsteps come from his right as he turned to see Qrow walking down the path waving goodbye to Jeremiah who was at the door to the house waving off the old crone before going back inside. The knight waited a few seconds before moving out from the tree line as he stood at the edge of the path so the old crone could see him.
The old crone noticed him as the former king came into view and quickly took a swig from his flask before making his way towards the former king. As the old crone closed in coming to the side of the former king with a small wave.
"So I take it you want to talk."
The old crone said with a flat tired tone as he ran a hand through his hair. The former king rolled his eyes at the man as he shook his head.
"I do wish to talk, but don't act like it's such a hassle." The former king said as he crossed his arms as he watched the old crone just shrug.
"Fine, whatever let's get started." The old crone said as he waved the former king on as he took out his flask again and took another swig. The former king just stared at the old crone questioningly before shaking his head.
"If you wish." The former king paused as he rubbed the back of his head as he continued to watch the old crone down his flask. 'This man certainly knows how to drink.' He thought before shaking his head and bring himself back on topic.
"Alright let's start with if you learned anything from Jeremiah."
The former king began.
"Sorry but all I got from Jeremiah was the same stuff you already told me last night about the new Beowulf as we call those shadow hounds and the murders. Well everything but what you said about the weird skull face assassin dude, but other than that you and he were on the same page for most of it."
The old crone said as he put his flask away as he then stretched his arms above his head waiting for the former king to continue. Arthur turned from his cupping his chin in thought as he went over what the old crone said. From what he could put together with that it seems Jeremiah was making the same connections about the whole ordeal with his own investigation.
While anyone would come to the same conclusion seeing as that was what all the for lack of a better word evidence would point to. 'At least he doesn't know about assassin.' The former king thought as he turned back to looked at the old crone.
"If that's what you learned that is fine. Now tell me what you know in full about the murders outside of the village in the surrounding villages and this city of yours."
The former king said as he waved a hand to the old crone. Qrow just let out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head giving Arthur a questioning look. Arthur could see the man was doubting whether he should tell or not. 'Not surprising seeing as he has no trust in me, just as I have no trust in him.'
The former king thought as he waited for the man to talk. In truth if Arthur was in his place he would be acting just like him. Though he needed answers, and he was going to get them. He could not just wait he would take action. He took a deep breath before stepping forward towards the old crone.
"I understand that you have doubts about me but I will not stand by and let you lie to me so I will stop you now from even thinking one up. So tell me the truth."
The former king said as stepped up to the old crone locking eyes with him. The old crone stared wide eyed for a second as he thought about what to do. Arthur knew he was making a rash decision with what he just did but he also knew he could only do so much with such little information. He needed to make his position clear he will not be used. He had a goal he had a reason to act, so he will not let anyone stand in his way of bringing Jaune back.
"W-well, you see I am not at liberty to give you the full information remember what I said about you interfering."
The old crone said as he held his hands up at his side. This got a reaction from Arthur who gave a small smirk.
"Now I would believe you had I not dug into the accusations you made against me last night." The former king paused as he saw the former king as he flinched slightly. "You see Jeremiah is a resourceful man seeing as he wishes for all his children to be well informer by giving them books to learn from. It doesn't matter what subject he informs them with, he even had books on law."
The former king said as he saw some of the color drain from the old crones face at that.
"W-wait, you don't mean…"
The former king was stopped by Arthur as he raised his hand before him.
"You see Sir Brawnen, You said I was impeding your investigation, but from what I read to impede in your investigation I would have to have the intent of doing so. You made accusations that you won't even be able to corroborate seeing as from your actions and what I have heard from your conversation with Jeremiah you don't seem to be a proper Hunter."
The former king said as Qrow just stared completely shocked by his words. The old crone began to mimic a fish as seemed to be lost on whatever to say giving the former king the chance to continue.
"Now if what I put together from what I have heard from Jeremiah and you adding in what I have seen of you I can say you are but a shadow pawn. You say you serve the people as a huntsman but from all I have seen from you is a man slinking in the shadows taking the role of an assassin."
The former king said as the old crone just stared off in utter shock as he found no words. Qrow did his best to shake off his shock as he began to talk.
"N-now hold on, I am not an assassin I am trying…"
"Trying to help the people, how does one help the people when they hide themselves in the shadows just like an assassin?!"
Qrow was interrupted though as the former king snapped at him. This time Qrow didn't pause from shock as he shot back at the former king.
"Now listen to me, I am not an assassin and whether I act out in the open or in the shadows has no value I am acting in the interest of the greater good!" the old crone snapped in Arthurs face who simply stood and watched him as he stepped up and got right in front of him leaving only a few inches between the two before starting again.
"Do you want to know why I act in the shadows, do you want to know why I keep people from knowing what I do!" the old crone's remark seemed to intrigue the former king who just raised a brow at the man with a small smirk.
"And do tell why are so secretive."
The former king pushed the topic as the old crone growled in displeasure at him.
"I act in secret because if the world knew of what is really happening they would be in panic the people will start being afraid of everything and that fear would end up feeding the Grimm making them stronger! So why would I let the people know of what I do if they would begin to fear everything and that fear would destroy us!"
That got a reaction from the former king who took on a questioning gaze before realization hit him as he brought his hand up to cup his chin. 'I remember reading that these Grimm feed on fear and negative emotions. If they feed on negative emotions that would mean if people started to panic the Grimm will indeed become stronger.'
The former king thought as he saw the old crone still glaring at him. He just let out a tired sigh as he saw the old crone was about to start ranging again.
"Wait stop right there."
The former king said raising his hand up stopping the old crone before he could begin. The old crone was about to start but Arthur stopped him.
"Look I understand now." The former king said as he took a step back and bowed to the man. "I am sorry for the accusation I have made I was only worried about whether to trust you or not seeing as you kept so secretive, I was only worried about what you were trying to do so I couldn't trust you." He paused as he let out a sigh.
"I still don't trust you but I have reason to start trusting you now that you have told me this."
Arthur said as he stood back up from his bow and looked at the man. The old crone had a confused look as he slowly pieced together what happened. The former king stood as he even thought about what he had said. While his words seemed to have taken effect on the old crone he had not really been expecting them to work.
He was worried that everything he had read would not add up. While yes Jeremiah had books on law for his daughter Clarisse seeing as she had a want to do something in law. He had been worried that the man would take that as reason to just turn on him. Though the former king was only taking a long shot with what he learned but he could now see that it was working.
'Thank god I wasn't wrong now if he only believes I was testing him.' The former king thought as he watched the old crone's eyes widen as he now stared at him like he was insane.
"What is wrong with you, why the hell would you do something like that I thought you were serious?!"
The old crone shouted at him as he rubbed a hand over his face. The former king felt a wait leave his shoulders as he saw the old crone take a drink from his flask.
"You should be more careful when you try and test someone like that what if I was an assassin like you said I could have slit your throat, what would you have done then."
The old crone questioned only to get a laugh from the former king.
"Now I wouldn't need to worry about that. Even if you were an assassin do you really think I would test you and not be prepared for if you were an assassin." The former king said as he waved his left and as the old crone noticed there was a distortion as the air in front of him shifted to reveal a spear of air flouting before his face.
The old crone gulped as he finally noticed the weapon of air. 'How did I miss that?' The old crone thought in shock as he looked back to the former king who just laughed lightly at the man. While yes he had reason to believe some of what the man said he has yet to trust him so if he was indeed an assassin he would never take the chance of letting him kill him.
The old crone turned to the former king who just gave him a small smile as he dispelled the "invisible air".
"You see I was a king so I am no stranger to assassin's cheap tricks."
Arthur said as he turned and looked up at the sky as clouds passed overhead. He let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair as he gave a sideward glance to Qrow who just took out his flask and drank from it again. 'This man drinks far more than anyone I have ever known.' The former king thought as he let out a small chuckle.
"Why are you laughing?" Qrow asked as Arthur just waved off handedly.
"It is nothing." The former king paused as he realized he had gotten off track. "Listen Qrow I have to make a request."
Arthur said taking a more series tone catching Qrow off guard. The old crone put his flask away as he looked over the former king questionably.
"Alright what do you need?"
The old crone questioned. While he wasn't really sure he could do much to help him he still felt it would be best to hear him out as he waited for the former king's request.
"I would like for you to take me with you out of Eden."
The old crone paused as he stared at the former king with slightly wide eyes as he stared at him.
"You want to join me in my travels?"
The old crone questioned slowly as he watched the former king nod. That left Qrow with more than a few questions till he remembered what happened with the assassin threatening Jeremiah's family. Arthur was the reason for that. With that in mind the old crone now understood why Arthur wanted to join him.
The old crone was going to need to work on this. He couldn't bring the former king with him but he still had doubts about the man with everything that's happened and with what he's seen he could tell the man didn't trust him and to be honest Qrow didn't trust the former king as well. Though he wanted to keep Jeremiah and his family safe just like the former king did so Qrow let out a deep breath.
"I guess I understand why you want to leave with me but I have to know, are you leaving because you want to protect Jeremiah and his kids or do you want to leave because you don't care what happens to them."
The old crone stepped forward into the former king's space as he stared him done. The old crone watched as Arthurs eyes hardened as stepped forward just like Qrow did to him leaving only two inches between the two.
"I want to protect them, I would never put them in danger." The former king paused as he took a deep breath before continuing. "I understand that I am the one that put them in danger, but I didn't do it willingly so don't you dare question me like I am some criminal."
The former king said as he glared at the old crone who glared back before let out a sigh and running a hand through his hair as he took a step back from the former king.
"Alright, I believe you." Qrow paused as he looked back to the arc household. "Do they know you are going to be leaving?"
The old crone questioned as he gave a small nod to the house as Arthur gave a small glance to it.
"No, but I will tell them now." He paused as he saw the skeptical look the old crone gave him. "I was holding off on telling them because I didn't know if you would agree to my request, s would you be kind enough to wait till I come to talk with you."
The former king said as he saw the realization hit the old crone who started to nod slowly as he gave a small nod before he looked up to the sky. 'Well the day could have ended far worse.' The old crone thought as he took out his flask again and started to drink. Arthur just looked up at the roof of the house to see Lily sitting on it starting at the sky.
'If only things could be different.' The former king thought as he let out a tired sigh as he began to plan for what was going to happen when he told Jeremiah and the others.
Four days later.
Arthur was walking down the main road of Eden heading towards the inn/tavern Qrow had told him about the four days prior. He was dressed in a red long sleeved t-shirt with a black coat on over top of it as well as black jeans and black boots, he also had a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder with a white sheathed sword with a blue leather wrapped handle.
He was on his way to leave Eden with Qrow seeing as he was finally allowed to leave after he convinced Jeremiah and the others to let him go. It took Arthur some time to convince Jeremiah to let him go and then some to convince the others. Arthur had the most trouble in convincing Isabel to let him leave seeing as she didn't want her son to go away.
Arthur had also thought that she was worried that when he was gone she would realize that her son was really gone. Not metaphorical but literally. In truth he couldn't blame her seeing as she did lose her son and was in denial. So seeing as now that Arthur was really leaving her and the others would be forced to face the truth.
Though the former king had little he could do seeing as he had to leave or put them at even more risk. He didn't want them to face the truth but he couldn't stay, he had to leave and if that meant them finally coming to terms with reality and he could only let it happen. While after convincing the old hunter and his family to let him go they threw a party as a farewell party.
It was weird seeing as it was Jeremiah's idea and the others were clingier not really wanting him to go, all but Lily that is seeing as she knew the truth about who he was. She stuck to him like the others but was more willing to let go. Although she did keep saying he didn't have to leave. She was the closest to Jaune and she would always compare Arthur to him so he could understand why she wanted to convince him to stay.
Although he could tell she was willing to let him go she was still like the others, she wanted to live the dream her brother was still around so it was understandable that she would try and convince him to stay. While Arthur was fine with that he knew he couldn't stay so he did his best not to let them sway his judgment.
While he had enjoyed the party it was what happened afterwards that had left him somewhat confused. Jeremiah had taken Arthur away from the others to talk in his study. While in the study he explained things about his family going on about family tradition. The old hunter had trouble going over the tradition filling in the parts he didn't know with gibberish seeing as he wasn't sure what the traditions were really about.
It was funny to tell the truth. While Jeremiah went about the explanation when he finally started to get to the end he went over to a long wooden box that sat on the bookshelf at the very top. Jeremiah started to say his goodbye as he opened the box and handed the sword to the former king. Arthur was still confused by the words Jeremiah left him with.
"Look I wasn't really ever going to give this to you, but now that you are leave I guess I don't have much choose it's a tradition. Now my dad gave this to me and he said someday I will give this to my son. Looks like that day has come at least… well you should just take it." The way Jeremiah had phrased that showed that he had doubts about who Arthur was, but was more concerned about trying to keep his family traditions a love along with his son.
Though Arthur was confused at why Jeremiah gave him the sword that he now carried with him. The former king reached up and pulled the sword from the duffle bag as he walked and look at it. The former king found the weapon quiet beautiful for such a simple weapon. From what Jeremiah had told him it seems that the sheath also turned into a shield.
While Arthur wasn't one to use a shield he still knew how and seeing as the weapon would make a great back up or even the weapon he use when he is low on mana and can't keep up the "invisible air" to conceal Excalibur. As well as hide his identity even better by using the weapon. He remembered the name of the sword from one of Jaune's memories.
It was called Crocea Mors. It seemed the sword was a very important part of the young man's past being the subject of many of the young boy's memories. In most of them Jaune would always talk about how one day he would carry the sword just like his father. That was a nice thought seeing as Jaune held his father in very high esteem. Though Arthur felt some guilt when he thought about the way Jaune saw his father and how Jeremiah had seen him.
It was the complete opposite of how Arthur had seen his son. He didn't hate Mordred but he never did show him how much he cared about him. He was his son and all Mordred ever wanted was to prove he was worthy of being his son. Of being his successor. And in all truth Arthur had wanted him to be his successor.
Arthur knew Mordred was more than worthy but he couldn't get over the fact that he was also Morgan le Fay's son. He was born from a sin, and Arthur had let his regrets show through as distain for his son. In the end he didn't even look his son in his eyes when he killed him because of the regret he felt over everything he did to him and he couldn't bring himself to even look at the mistake he made.
That was what pained Arthur most. It wasn't the fact he killed his son but the fact he thought of him as a mistake. While he wasn't the son he had planned to have especially the fact that he was born between him and his sister. It was nothing but a sin for him at the time, but now all he can do is hope he can repent for what he had done.
He wished he had more of a relationship with Mordred like Jeremiah had with Jaune. The former king truly wanted that seeing as if he had such a relationship with Mordred maybe his life would have been better and he wouldn't have been the cause for his kingdoms downfall. With that thought the former king let out a sigh as he decided to leave that train of thought for later as he looked up to see if he was still on the right path to the Inn/tavern Qrow had told him about.
When he looked up he could see the people walking around taking care of their daily lives heading from stand to stand and shop to shop buying what they need. It was nice to see such sights it reminded him of Camelot. With that final thought Arthur saw the tavern he was told about with Qrow sitting in the front of it downing a pint of beer. 'Why am I surprised?'
The former king thought as he shook his head as he came up to the old crone. The former king pulled a seat out across from the old crone as he watched him.
"Well you took your time."
The old crone said as he waved to the server to come over as he raised his pint signifying he needed a refill. The former king just let out a tired sigh as he looked at the old crone with a dead pan stare.
"Do you really think I wanted to take so long to leave?" The former king paused as he let out a sigh before continuing. "I had to try and convince Jeremiah and the others to let me leave."
The former king said with a slight chuckle as he remembered how clingy the girls were again. The old crone just rolled his eyes at the former king as he took a swig from the pint and slowly put it back on the table.
"Well whatever, it looks like you are ready so give me a minute to finish my pint and then we can go."
The former king raised a brow at the man as he looked at him as he picked up his pint to take another drink.
"Fine but tell me where will we be heading when we leave?"
The former king asked as he leaned back into his seat as the old crone put the pint back down with a sigh.
"We will be heading to a town called Right, I have been told I could find some leads there to an investigation I am working on."
The old crone said as he reached into his shirt and pulled out what looked to be strange plastic cards. He counted them before putting two of them on the table as he took another drink from his pint with a smile. Arthur just gave a confused stare as he thought over what the man said.
"Why would anyone name a village called Right, that's such an odd name." the former king paused as he took a second to think over why he should really follow the man. "I take it you want me to help you."
The former king said to withc the old crone just laughed as he put his pint down.
"Sorry but no, you have no idea what I am investigating so don't worry about helping me."
The old crone said to which Arthur just nodded contently.
"If you say so." The former king said as he leaned back and looked up at the sky. 'Well at least I don't have to worry about having to deal with anything that doesn't concern me.' He thought as he decided to wait for the old crone to finish up his pint and leave to start his journey.
END.
AN/ yeah new chapter, this took some time but it should be worth it so I hope you people like it. Also leave me a review. I need to know what you think about the story so please to leave your thoughts it helps me to know that you guys like the story. Also I want to know what I could fix while I am still a new writer I do hope I can get better and I have a beta who will be coming through fixing the grammar so don't worry I that should get better in time.