Like a Circle in the Water
30 Days of Writing - A Drabble A Day Challenge
Warning: This chapter contains character death.
Summary: When the announcement is made, Gilbert is the first to volunteer.

. . .

Move

. . .

A total of ten bandits had been rounded up the night that Brandt had died, six of whom had been found due to information gained from the capture of their leader.

Now it is time for the men to answer for their crimes in the court of justice; for that to occur, they must be escorted to the capitol without incident to appear before Lord Magistrate for trial.

When the announcement is made, Gilbert is the first to volunteer.

Neither Ludwig nor Alte Fritz are surprised when he tells them, and he is thankful for the support they offer even through their obvious concern. Arthur only nods grimly at the news as though he had expected no less. They haven't spoken of the morning they had spent together on the threshold of his home, silent in their grief; Gilbert intends to keep it that way though he will never forget.

It had given him the strength to relay the tragedy to his family without breaking and had kept his resolve strong when Arthur had had to return to the castle to avoid getting into any more trouble than he was already sure to have earned for disappearing at such a time.

It had enabled him to hold Mathias back when he had returned from his post in the village to find out had held him through the rage, and finally through the grief.

Gilbert can see the way it almost physically pains Mathias to be staying behind; if not for the responsibilities he has to his family, he would most certainly have been right behind Gilbert when volunteering. The journey to the capitol of the kingdom is not short, however, and Mathias cannot afford to be away from them for such a length of time.

As the time to depart draws near, the two of them find themselves back in the courtyard that they often use for drills. The ranks that are to escort the bandits have assembled.

He listens to the instructions given attentively, his face set in grim determination. When dismissed, he turns to find Mathias leaning against a wall nearby. They clasp hands for a moment, and then Mathias pulls his shorter friend into a quick hug. The sharp thump Gilbert feels jar his shoulder brings a small smile to his face.

When he glances up, the action is almost involuntary. Sure enough, Arthur is framed by one of the windows of the castle. Gilbert gives a small wave. Arthur lifts his own hand to return the greeting but starts in surprise before he can complete the gesture.

Arthur ducks his head and hurries away out of sight. Gilbert heard from Ludwig (who had heard from Feliciano) that both of the Baron's sons had been reprimanded for being out so late on the night of the raids, but Arthur in particular had been sentenced to confinement to the castle until his father decided otherwise for his vanishing act.

According to the castle's serving staff, Arthur's unapologetic shrug and lack of explanation had only aggravated his parents further. While Gawain had been able to mitigate some of the damage done with some quick thinking, Arthur can no longer come and go as he pleases.

In the stables, it's Ludwig who is shoving the reigns of a horse into his grasp. He knows that he doesn't need to check the tack; his little brother is the best of the castle's stable boys after all. Still, he looks over the saddle and bridle under Ludwig's anxious gaze before swinging himself straight into the saddle without pause. Grinning down at Ludwig's look of delight at a job well done (and his brother's seal of approval), Gilbert leans down to ruffle his little brother's hair one last time, then follows his fellow soldiers out of the stables.

As they approach the edge of town Gilbert looks back at the castle; it will be quite some time before he next sees it, and he can't help but wonder how much will change before his return.

—

Arthur remembers a time when having to sit beside his father as he conducted Petty Court had been the cruellest possible form of torture to exist. He and Gawain had been particularly vocal when expressing their extreme dislike of having to participate and Arthur guesses that it is for this very reason that his father has incorporated his attendance to be part of his varied list of punishments.

Arthur hides a smile behind his hand. The mornings that he now spends sat at his father's right hand are endlessly fascinating – the problems that their people put forth are diverse, and Arthur finds himself relishing the challenge presented by solving them. His time with Gilbert, Mathias and Brandt has given him a unique perspective on city life; the discussions he has had with Alte Fritz give him scope that the other nobles seem to lack, and the suggestions he makes are met with delight by the city dwellers and pride from his father.

Arthur suspects that his father is well aware of the way this aspect of his punishment has become a source of enjoyment for him, but apparently the Baron sees this as a testament to the maturity he has gained. His insightful solutions endear him to the common folk and earns him a permanent place by his father's side as he addresses his people's grievances.

Word of Arthur's regular appearances at Petty Court spreads throughout town. Arthur listens to each grievance brought to his attention seriously, and the news of his fair and well thought out responses brings more folk out of the woodwork. One morning he finds himself opposite a familiar face – it's the barmaid with the ribbon in her hair from the ale house who often slips him extra lemonade.

He can see the spark of recognition in her gaze, but she does not betray any surprise as she speaks to them, calm and confident. It is as she is striding away and the next person in line steps forward that Arthur allows himself to wonder; will this cause her to treat him differently the next time they meet?

It isn't a question that he has ever really needed to explore before – at first, this is because the only people with whom he regularly associated had been nobles who knew his station, whose opinion had never really mattered to him.

Now, of course, things are different.

He can only hope that revealing this part of himself – his lineage, his family – will not taint her views of the 'Artie' she has come to know… though is will not consider giving up his position for her – or anyone else's – approval.

Just as Gilbert and Mathias (and Brandt) do their part to protect their home, so too will Arthur. He realises that there are some things that only he can do; years of dealing with Sean, listening to the on-going squabbles in the capitol and seeing what the good and bad side of humanity has to offer has taught Arthur one thing:

Ultimately, it is the people with power that have the most influence. If the fact that he has been born to a Baron of the realm will enable Arthur to protect his friends and home, he will use it.

If there is one thing that Arthur has learned from his friends, it is to use what you are born with to your advantage – to use everything at your disposal to protect what is most precious to you.

And Arthur intends to do just that.

~Hollyrose~

Notes:

Again, this instalment is completely unbeta'd so if there are any mistakes/typos, please feel free to point them out! This is a little bit of an interlude as duty calls for the two of them and the boys separate for a while. If this feels a little choppy (which I think it does) it's probably because a chunk of the middle was written while I was on the plane to Rome