Sitting down upon the soft grass in the Elder Tree garden that once belonged to his precious Arthur, Alfred stared at the strange little girl before him who had now revealed herself to be Guinevere, the very Elder Tree that sat in the centre of the garden, named by Arthur himself. It seemed hard to believe but after everything Alfred went through it all made sense. This whole time she had been the spirit of the very Elder Tree that existed in that very garden. It was strange that somehow he already knew who she was, he just never put it all together.

Guinevere stared at him sadly before sitting down next to him. “Are you alright?”

It seemed like stupid question to ask but Alfred responded by sniffling a little and nodding. “As good as I can get,” he muttered.

“I see.” Guinevere sighed as she brushed her hair back. “Are you... are you angry with me?”

“Should I?” stammered Alfred bitterly. His response was met with silence.

“I know you’re upset, but I need to tell you everything Alfred,” she said, “I need you to understand-...”

“Understand what!? That I was never going to see Arthur? That the whole thing was just a twisted game for you!?” Alfred glared at her. “You were sending me to him, knowing all of this! You knew how we felt about each other! You knew we were a hundred years apart! How the hell did you think it was going to turn out!?”

He wanted to continue shouting and screaming at her, only just realising that she too knew the truth about Arthur. However seeing her startled face wracked with guilt was enough to snap him out of his rage.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“It’s alright,” she sighed, “I knew you were going to be upset. Human emotions are still beyond my comprehension, but I assure what I did I did for Arthur.”

“How can you say that!?” Alfred cringed when he almost unleashed his anger again, though what she had said made no sense to him. “This hurt him more than me, and you know it!”

Guinevere looked down and fumbled with her hands. “It... got out of hand.” Looking back at him, her strange eyes looked ready to overflow with tears. “We were young, foolish, and blind to the dangers we brought on ourselves... and unfortunately we dragged you and Arthur into all of it.”

“We?”

“My brothers and I... all we wanted was to grant Arthur’s wish no matter what... I should start from the beginning.”

She readjusted her sitting position and wiped her eyes.

“When I was just a seed, my four brothers and I were taken from the Forest of Eternity by five daughters of Titania. Their task was to plant us in sacred lands so we would sprout and grow to spread our influence, far from the reaches of mortals. However they were young and naive, the five of them were caught in a trap set by an trickster. They were brought before what they believed was the Queen of Spades as a gift. They hoped that she would free them. However we were brought before a false Queen.”

Alfred didn’t even need to guess. “Maria Somerset?”

“Yes, the one you called the Last Queen decided to keep them as her own personal trophies, hoping that they would somehow make her disgusting beauty grow immensely. Thankfully she knew not of what the five daughters carried and merely kept them imprisoned in her chambers. They cried out for help, but no one could hear their cries... only one person did.”

The tale sounded familiar and it dawned on Alfred that he had heard the story before, only it came from Arthur.

“Arthur told me about this... but I thought it was just a fairytale he made up.”

Guinevere smiled sadly. “Yes, Arthur has told you this tale but it wasn’t completely fiction. Whilst trapped in his garden prison he heard the cries from the five daughters, and at the risk of his own safety he stole them away from the false Queen and freed them. In gratitude the five daughters gave him us, five Elder Tree seeds. He planted us in his garden... he gave us names... sang to us... he treated us with such love and affection that we had never known before. He wanted nothing in return other than to watch us grow in his beautiful garden.”

With a nostalgic smile she looked up at her true body, the Elder Tree that loomed over them. “We feed off magic to grow and because we fed off his magic he temporarily lost the ability to see us. We saw his sincere kindness and we became grateful for all that he had done that we desired to grant his wish.”

Alfred followed her gaze and stared at the tree. “His wish?”

“Despite living in the splendour of his garden, Arthur was terribly lonely. He would cry in the night, and cry during the day. Terrorised by a wicked King and mistreated. He tried to escape into his fantasies but as the days went by it became a difficult task to do. Since he was young he dreamed to be the star in his own fairytale where he would be rescued by a dashing hero. He even fantasied of becoming a Queen of a Kingdom and to live alongside a King who loved him, ever since he was little. Only he was living in a Kingdom that chose to ignore his existence, cursed with a destiny that doomed him to be the Queen of a King who loathed him. Arthur’s wish was for a King that would love him like the King’s of his dreams did.”

So that was Arthur’s true wish; to be loved by a King, to be cherished as a Queen. Alfred clutched his own chest as he realised that it had sadly come true.

“Since we were in the Spade Kingdom we were able borrow the power to look forward in time. It was painfully clear to us that the current King would never love Arthur, so we looked forward in time to find one who would. We looked and looked until we saw you; a King who longed for a Queen, only a hundred years in the future. You were perfect and we wanted you to meet Arthur.”

“How did you do that?” asked Alfred, who was still confused with how he went back in time without realising it.

“It’s... complicated,” sighed the girl, “you see I had to work with myself from your time. We couldn’t just pull you back in time without disrupting the laws of time and space so we had to put restrictions on you and pull off certain actions in order to keep balance. When my siblings and I pulled you back in time, we made it so you were unable to interact with anything from the past. The only one who could see and hear you was Arthur. Then to make certain that your timeline would remain stable, my future self would halt time during your visits. It was actually quite a perfect plan.”

Alfred felt the whole conversation wash over him, but from she said she had been working with her siblings and herself his current time period. Whilst she and her brothers pulled him back to Arthur’s time, her future self paused his time so that no one would notice his disappearance. It sounded complicated but it was, like she said, the perfect plan. Time travel wasn’t as easy as it sounded, there were many laws one had to obey such as not messing up the timeline by causing major actions in the past. Arthur seeing him and speaking with him was not really something that would affect the timeline.

“We were worried at first, but you two developed a beautiful relationship that we had not anticipated. We watched you as you both spent time together in the garden, and every time we brought you Arthur’s spirits would raise. We were all so happy. However we were so focused on you two that we blinded ourselves to the danger we put ourselves in.”

Guinevere then frowned bitterly. “As you know the King from Arthur’s time... murdered my brothers. He hacked them to splinters before my very eyes. He was unable to touch me... but...”

“He chopped them all down.” Alfred could only imagine how horrifying it was to witness the demise of your own siblings.

Guinevere began to weep. “I tried... Arthur tried, but we couldn’t stop him. Robbed of their physical bodies my brothers were transformed into vengeful spirits, who only desired to end the world to free them from their suffering. I remember how their love was twisted into spite and rage. It was awful. I couldn’t do anything but watch. I knew that the world was doomed but I was so lost in my own grief that I cared little for it.”

Alfred knew that feeling and patted her head comfort. She sniffled a little before continuing.

“Arthur reacted quickly... with the physical bodies of my brothers destroyed he regained most of his power, and sealed my poor brothers deep within my roots. It worked and they remained trapped to this day, but I knew that Arthur’s seal wouldn’t last. I didn’t know what to do and it would be centuries before I developed the power to do anything. The only thing I knew who could do anything was our mother, the one you call the Grand Elder Tree deep in the Forest of Eternity. I didn’t have the power to call out to her... so I asked... I...”

She looked up at Alfred with eyes full of regret. “I asked Arthur to go and plead to her to calm the spirits of my brothers.”

Alfred felt stunned upon this reveal.

“I had to,” sobbed Guinevere, “I knew he wouldn’t be able to return but he was the only one who could. I told him what he had to do and he agreed, knowing the dangers. I was certain he would be able to do it... but... but I waited and nothing happened... eventually I had to accept that Arthur... that he failed.”

Alfred felt like his heart went into a vice. “He... he failed?”

Guinevere shivered. “My brothers are still trapped beneath me. The seal is shattering with every second. The door is close to opening. If Arthur had succeeded then we wouldn’t be in this predicament. My brothers spirits would’ve been calmed and the world safe from their influence... but it never happened. The only conclusion that I came to... was that he failed.”

Alfred suddenly felt sick and he hugged himself tight, hunching over in pure agony. Arthur willingly went into the Forest of Eternity, knowing full well he’d never be able to escape once he entered. The sole purpose was to try and appease the Grand Elder Tree rumoured to dwell deep within the forest... and he failed. It filled him with a miserable sense of dismay that Arthur, his dear sweet Arthur failed in what he set out to do. What happened to him? Did he... end up wandering the forest until he... Alfred didn’t want to think of it but the thought was still there and it made him tremble. To think he was trapped in there... all alone... he wanted to cry out in anguish but he couldn’t, it was like his voice was stuck in his throat.

“I only had one option left... you.”

He looked over at Guinevere, the poor thing looking completely wracked with guilt. “I waited and waited. During that time the garden was rediscovered by a new King and he refurbished it into what it is today. Arthur’s room was sealed away and forgotten. Time passed on. I approached the King in his sleep and convinced him to start a ceremony where a Queen would sing to my sleeping siblings to sleep, in order to keep the seal from breaking too soon. I waited and waited... until you finally became King.”

Hearing all this just made Alfred feel worse than he already did. “Why were you waiting for me? What... what the hell can I do?”

“Finish what he started!”

Guinevere stared at him with desperation in her eyes. “During the years I waited for you I realised sending Arthur to the Forest of Eternity was a mistake. He would’ve never been able to convince my mother to calm my poor siblings. Only you can do this, as you are the King of Spades.” She looked away as the tears fell down her face. “A King of Spades committed the crime, thus a King of Spades must pay the price.”

Alfred jumped up and started pacing around, his brain trying to process it all. It wasn’t so much that he had to go himself, it was what Guinevere just admitted. “So... do you mean to tell me that Arthur went in there for nothing!? He... got trapped in there because you made a mistake!?”

“I’m sorry,” stammered Guinevere, “I truly-...”

“I don’t wanna hear it,” barked Alfred, his rage resurfacing. “I... I would’ve been content to know that he lived a good life, but you... YOU sent him to die alive in that forsaken forest, and for what!? Nothing!”

“I know you’re upset but I needed you to be committed. If I had told you sooner you wouldn’t be ready, you-...”

“Is that why you wouldn’t tell me!? Because you needed me to be committed? You knew the whole time, you all knew. You, the Jokers, you all played me for a fool! Do you have any idea how much this hurts? I lost the man I loved forever and you knew the whole time and kept it from me!”

“Please Alfred, I’m really-...” Guinevere suddenly kneeled over, crying out in pain as she clutched her gut.

His rage subsiding upon noticing her very real pain, Alfred quickly calmed himself and bent down to check on her. “What’s wrong? Are you ok?”

Guinevere looked back up, her face twisted in pain. “I can’t hold them back any longer,” she groaned.

Before Alfred could ask what she meant, he suddenly felt a terrifying surge of energy from the Elder Tree, and for a split second he was certain the ground around them shook as if something underneath them was trying to claw its way out. That same fear he felt in his dreams began to resurface and he could’ve sworn he heard a distance banging sound with the rattling of chains. He looked back down at Guinevere, the poor thing looked like she was going faint from the wretched discomfort she was enduring.

“Alfred... you have every right to hate me for what I did,” choked Guinevere, struggling to right herself, “But Arthur did all of this to ensure your future would survive. He was content in giving up his life if it meant you would live. So I beg of you Alfred, for Arthur and your world... please finish what he started. Please go to the Forest of Eternity and beg the Grand Elder Tree for forgiveness.” She forced herself to stand up. “Arthur did this all for you. He wanted to save you no matter what. Please Alfred... don’t let his sacrifice be in vain.”

She stumbled forward, collapsing against him. As she wept into his coat, Alfred reflected on what she shared. For a hundred years she had been waiting for him, keeping the seal that Arthur made intact to prevent the vengeful spirits of her deceased siblings from laying waste to the world. He felt emotionally numb, his dear sweet Arthur had gone through so much and for what? To save a world that didn’t even know he existed. Ended up dying alone in a forsaken forest. It wasn’t fair. He hated it, he hated that both he and Arthur went through all of this. None of this was their fault so why did they have pay? Why did Arthur had to suffer? It would’ve been best if he... if he never met him. Then Arthur would’ve been able to live out his days in his own garden, and he would’ve known this horrible heartache.

However Guinevere was right. Arthur gave his life in an attempt to save both him and this wretched world. It wouldn’t be right to just ignore all that, it just wasn’t right. If he was truly the one that could prevent all of this, then he should do what he had to do. Besides it would be fitting for him, carrying out an heroic act to redeem his rotten legacy. Venturing into a forest he’d never be able to leave to convince an ancient being to prevent a catastrophe, it sounded like it would make a fantastic story. Arthur would’ve loved it.

He looked down at Guinevere and his anger at her was replaced with an overwhelming sense of pity. “You’ve been alone all this time? Carrying this with you all this time?”

Guinevere nodded. “I have.”

“You must’ve been so lonely,” sighed Alfred, bending down and pulling her into a hug. “Carrying all this guilt and pain, knowing I was going to get angry at you.”

“It’s my punishment,” replied Guinevere bitterly, “I foolishly meddled with the lives of two innocents, I toyed around with time itself, and in my stupidity I allowed myself and my dear brothers to suffer. All I desired was to grant Arthur’s wish... but I ended up failing. Now you have to pay the price.”

Guinevere continued to cry and Alfred pushed her back gently, forcing to bear his charismatic smile. “Hey now, I’m a hero. Heroes do this sort of thing all the time. Besides Arthur would be pretty pissed at me if I don’t.”

He was trying to be optimistic but he was doing to fool both her and himself. He was still feeling very bitter about the whole thing, but if doing this meant he could save the world and put Arthur’s soul to rest, then he was ready to do it. Even Guinevere sensed it, but she wiped her eyes and suddenly pulled a strand of her hair off her head. Taking Alfred’s hand, she removed his glove and wrapped it round his finger like a ring.

“When you enter the forest, use this as your guide as it should lead you to her. It will protect you but... it can’t lead you out.” Her eyes flooded with regret. “You’re going to enter the domain ruled by my mother, thus I have no true power there and I can’t see you once you go. You’ll be alone until you find her.”

Alfred stared at the silver strand wrapped round his finger and felt a peculiar energy from it. He looked back at her, the poor thing appearing more pale than ever.

“Alfred... I’m truly sorry. Please do what needs to be done. Please finish what Arthur started. Please...”

And then just like that she vanished before his eyes.

Looking around the garden, Alfred sighed heavily before standing back up. Looking down at the ring upon his finger he knew what he had to do. It was a strange feeling. He knew he wasn’t going to come out of all this and be celebrated as a hero, he knew that his fate wasn’t going to end well, but he found that he didn’t care at all. He didn’t care that he was going to his doom. He was actually quite content with it. All had to do was save this horrible world and then... he could reunite with Arthur in the realm of the dead. It was selfish to not even hope that he could return to his Kingdom after it was all over, leaving his dear friends behind, but Alfred couldn’t bear to live without Arthur. The pain just felt too unbearable. He wondered if Guinevere sensed these dark emotions of his. Did she even care anymore?

“Alfred!”

Hearing his name, he looked up to see Yao dashing over to his side. The poor man looked at his wits end.

“Alfred what happened? What was that letter? Was it... was it from Arthur? Are you alright?”

Alfred listened as Yao continued to pester him and couldn’t help but smile. Yao had been there for him all this time, shouldering all the responsibilities that were forced upon him wether he wanted it or not. He was too good to be a mere Jack and he deserved to serve a King who didn’t treat him like an accessory.

Placing his hands on Yao’s shoulders, he silenced the Jack before declaring, “Yao, I know how to fix all of this now.”

Yao blinked in surprise. “You do? How?”

Alfred sighed heavily. “A King of Spades committed the crime so a King of Spades must pay the price.” He looked up over the walls of the garden. “I’m going to the Forest of Eternity.”

“W-WHAT!?” Yao jumped back in shock. “You’re joking right!? You can’t go in there, it’s a death trap!”

“Yao, the Elder Tree has been guiding me this whole time. I have to go and plead with the Grand Elder Tree to spare this world, it’s the only way. Even if I offer up my life to it, I have to do this. It’s the only way to prevent the catastrophe.”

He had hoped that Yao would be more understanding, but he instead appeared mortified by this revelation.

“You... you can’t. You can’t do this! You can’t just throw your life away! Your Kingdom needs you!”

“My Kingdom needs me to do this in order to survive. It was my predecessor that did this to us, so I have to take responsibility for it.”

“By killing yourself!? That’s what you’re going to do! Alfred, not even you can leave that forest, it’ll be your tomb!”

“What choice do we have? If I don’t then we’re all dead anyway! You always said that I had to be the King we all need, and right now this is what I need to do to save us all!”

Although it was the truth and clearly the only path he could take, Yao was still unable to accept it. To see him deny it was strangely amusing for Alfred, if not sad.

“There has to be another way! There has to be another way!”

Knowing he didn’t have a lot of time left, Alfred places a single hand upon Yao’s shoulder and shook him gently. The Jack looked up at him and Alfred gave him his signature smile.

“This will be my last command to you. Tell the other courts what I have to do and ensure they remain safe until I’m done.” He then patted Yao reassuringly. “You’re a great Jack you know Wang Yao. I only hope that the next King who comes along treats you better than I did.”

He then stepped back and Yao immediately knew what he was going to do. The Jack reaches for him desperately but Alfred already warped away, far from his reach.

“Sorry Yao.”

Alfred sighed heavily as that hurt him more than he realised. Yao was a good man and Alfred only wished he had more time to tell him that. He had wanted to say farewell to Francis, Kiku, and the rest of them including Ivan as well, but he knew that they would’ve held him back. It hurt but Alfred had no time to dwell on this new pain. It was too late now anyway and he looked around and found himself standing before the great forest.

He had never been this close to it before but he could feel the overwhelming terror the forest produced. All around him were signs, warning anyone who read them not to enter the forest. Worn down fences blocking off anyone who dared grew curious, but there were painful signs that it didn’t do its job. He stared up at those ancient trees with trunks thicker than anything he had ever seen before, bearing hundreds of branches that blotted out the light and beyond them was a darkness like no other. It wasn’t like any other forest, for any other forest would be full of life and welcoming. This one felt like he was staring into the gateway into the netherworld. It filled him with a sense of dread and his body automatically took a step backwards.

“Did you feel like this Arthur? Did this place scare you? You walked in anyway but why? For this world that chose to forget you? For me who was beyond your reach?”

Staring back into the forest, Alfred took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Wait for me Arthur. We’ll be together soon.”