Days before his coronation was to take place, crowds flocked into the city. As Lord Brutollë had anticipated, the crowds brought in a steady cash flow which was made even more abundant by the fact that noble houses paid a silver coin per head.

For the first time in a long time, the city was bustling to the seams as travellers, traders, entertainers and noblemen all made their way to the city so they could witness the grand event that was about to take place.

The castle halls were decorated with fine ornaments, even grander than those that had been put up on previous days to accommodate various nobility that had graced Atlantis with their presence.

Arthur himself was subjected to hours of rehearsals and dressings. He endured it all without any complaint. Not that it mattered whether he complained or not. He had long since given into his fate. There was no going back now. His life as he had known it was over. Now, unfortunately, he had to begin a new life as a new person.

It was now two days before the coronation, as the sun moved towards the west, he had just completed his final rehearsal and was now trying out his completed coronation ensemble. It consisted of a maroon coat with golden embroidery, black breeches and boots and to top it all of he would wear a  cape made of  thick brown fur.

Madam Brutollë beamed as she studied him, pleased with the work of her hands.

"You look majestic, your Grace. Everyone will be awed." She said with a gleaming smile.

Arthur simply nodded in acknowledgement.

"I have also finished your ensemble for tomorrow." She continued.

"Tomorrow?" He asked in confusion.

"It's the honorary hunt." She replied, looking at him as if he was some strange animal.

"Oh, that." He said.

"Shall I show it to you?" She asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. I trust your judgement." He replied. "Don't let me keep you here. I'm sure you have other duties."

"Serving you is my greatest honor, your Grace." She replied.

"No, really. I insist." He said.

"Very well, your Grace." She said as she bowed.

She turned to the young girl who was always with her.

"Hurry up and bring the racks." She said to her in a harsh tone.

"Actually, I wish to speak with her, Madam Genevieve." Arthur said. "She'll join you shortly."

"As you wish,your Grace." Madam Brutollë said, albeit with a strained smile.

With that, she walked out and left the two of them alone.

The girl looked at him in absolute confusion but stayed behind as he wished.

"What is your name?" He asked her.

"Jacquie, your Grace." She said to him.

"Jacquie, there's no need to be frightened." He reassured her. "I didn't ask you to stay behind because you did anything wrong. I simply wanted to ask you something."

"I understand." She said but she still did not relax.

"How long have you served your mistress?" He asked her.

"For as long as I can remember, your Grace." She replied whilst fiddling with her thumbs.

"I see. So you were born into her house as a servant." He said.

"Yes." She replied with a guarded expression.

"Have you ever thought about what you wanted to do if you were given the choice?" He asked.

She looked up at him in confusion. She could not understand his question. In her head, it was a trick question. No one would ask such a question without a reason and to her head that reason was probably to test her loyalty to her mistress.

Arthur could see that his question caused her great discomfort. She didn't trust him but he hoped to change that.

"Please, I don't mean you any harm. It's just, I couldn't help but notice how harshly she treats you." He said to her in a soothing tone. "I may be new to all this but I'm pretty sure her being your mistress doesn't give her the right to mistreat you."

Her eyes went wide with surprise as she realised that he was genuinely concerned.

"I'll ask again. What would you do if you had the chance?" He continued.

"I would .... Uhm - I've always wanted to uhm - I've always wanted to be an astronomer." She said as a blush spread across her cheeks. "My grandfather, he chartered maps for a number of sailors using the stars. I would love to follow his footsteps. If I get the chance, that is."

He gave her a warm smile.

"I see." He said to her. "I am not able to make my own dreams come true but I would be happy to help you achieve yours. If you let me, that is."

She didn't reply immediately but simply blinked up at him.

"Why are you being nice to me?" She asked him.

"Because someone once told me that a single act of kindness can go a long way into making the world we live in a better place." He replied with a far away look.

In actual truth, it was Henry who had shared that wisdom with him. He didn't know why he had remembered those words at that time but they were words he had come to believe very strongly. They seemed to help because he saw her visibly relax for the first time.

"I'll let you think about it." He said to her. "Tomorrow I'll introduce you to one of the scholars. Then you can tell me your decision."

She bowed before she left.

Time went by quickly after that. He had dinner buy he couldn't remember any of it. Even that night when he slept, it was a peaceful one. Even when he forgot them, he had troubling dreams. When the sun came up, he was up and ready to begin the new day.

There was a knock on his door and when he opened it, he found the commander behind the door.

"Your Grace," he said with a bow.

"Is it time?" Arthur asked.

"Nearly." The commander replied. "I've come to help you prepare. Madame Brutollë  is on her way here."

"I see." Arthur simply said as he turned away from to stare at the rising sun through the window.

"Everything will be fine." The commander said reassuringly, earning a scoff from Arthur.

"Please don't try to give me hope." Arthur said to him.

Before another word could be uttered, Madame Brutollë made her way in. She had dozens of servants with her, and they all hurried about to help him prepare.

As the seamstress had promised, his ensemble was elegant in its simplicity. It consisted of a white shirt,  leather jenkins, waistcoat and boots with a dark riding cape. Of course he knew it was only this simple because he had insisted. He had no illusion that the seamstress would have garbed him in dazzling gold tapestries if she were given the chance.

By the time he was all dressed and ready, the sun had risen, sending its rays into his chambers. His kitchen staff waisted no time bringing in his food and as they began to serve him his breakfast, the seamstress and her servants began to recede. Arthur motioned for young Jacquie  to remain behind. When she did, he turned to the commander.

"Commander, this is Jacquie. Could you please take her to the chief scholar. I had arranged that he take her under his wing." Arthur said to him. "I'll make sure Madame Brutollë is informed of this as well."

Commander Boulivir gave him a smile of approval before bowing and turning to lead the girl to her new mentor.

Arthur was served his breakfast and when that was done, he was led to the stables to his mount. Before he left, he had stumbled across the golden tag Grand Master Falone had given him. He remembered their conversation and for a moment hesitated before deciding on taking with him. Tucking it safely into the inner pocket of his jacket, he followed his escorts to the stables.

The horse he was given was a strong, handsome black stallion that was said to be the best stead. Only a little short tempered. Luckily, Arthur had no trouble soothing horses. He talked gently with his stead, calming him down. When the horse was calm, he quickly mounted it and led all the riders on their way to the forest.

He had escorts, and a vanguard with him and of course his liege lords formed the rest of his company. However as he noted only three of his lords had bothered showing up. He had no doubt it was attributed to the fact that the other four were on Miraz's side.

Lords Edmund, Zander and Caspian seemed to like him well enough. That or they were bound by the honor of their houses to serve him, the true heir of Atlantis.

He was to meet with the other three companies deep in the forest. It was a vast forest at that and this meant he had a bit of a journey to go and plenty a conversation to initiate.

"My Lords." He greeted upon meeting them.

They also reciprocated his greeting, bowing their heads slightly in respect.

"And the rest of our company?" He inquired, although he already had a vague idea where they were.

"I'm afraid they have refused to join us your Grace." Lord Caspian, the older and more wiser of his lords replied.

"Well, that's regrettable." Arthur said.

He knew sooner or later he would be expected to establish his authority over the rebellious lot. The thought unsettled him but he had been advised to tale action before things got out of hand.

Well, might as well as get it over with. He told himself.

"It was in duty and by decree that they were instructed to join me in this hunt." he said to the lords that rode with him. "By refusing the instruction and choosing to stay away then they are in open rebellion.

I may be knew to all this but I know I cannot deal kindly with rebellious persons."

"Indeed, your Grace." Lord Zander said in agreement.

He was the most robust of the lords. A true warrior with a warrior's appetite. If anything, Arthur figured that Lord Zander loved the idea of conflict and would gladly rushoff to a fight should there ever he one.

Of course Arthur was hoping it wouldn't come to that but he was glad that should it come to that, then he had a loyal warrior by his side.

His company proceeded forward on their way to meet with the others. He slowed his horse until he was riding alongside Lord Caspian. The elder lord dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement.

"Your Grace." He said.

"Lord Caspian, if I may have a word." Arthur said.

"As you will, your Grace." Lord Caspian responded.

"I have no experience running things." Arthur began.

"Well, one would call you a quick learner." Lord Caspian pointed out.

"Maybe that is the case but it still doesn't change the fact, my Lord." Arthur said with a sad smile. "I need help and I will only accept it from honest and honorable men. Like yourself, my Lord."

"Me?" Lord Caspian asked in confusion.

"Yes. I need a new Master of Law.I can think of no one more fitting." Arthur said.

"Your Grace, it would be my honor." Lord Caspian said as he dipped his head in a bow.

"No, my lord, the honor is mine." Arthur said with a warm smile.

For a moment, everything seemed calm, peaceful. Serene.

Until it wasn't...

Everything happened so fast he didn't know how it all began. At one moment he was seated on his horse, the next he was being pushed to the ground to keep him out of harm's way.

"Ambush!" He heard someone shout.

He watched in a daze as arrows flew all around him. Some even over where him been. Even his horse was struck. He fought to push the heavy dead body that was pinning him to the ground off of him.

His eyes widened in shock when he realised who the dead man was. Lord Caspian.

A battle had erupted all around him and men in dark garb emerged and attacked his company. They were assassins, he knew, and they were here to kill him.

"Protect your King!" He heard another of his men shout.

"What? No." He started to say.

He would not let anyone else die because of him. He stood up, eager to fight his own battle but someone grabbed him before he could put himself in harm's way.

He tried to break free of the soldier's grip but he couldn't.

"Stop. Let me go!" He said, trying to break free but the man never loosened his grib as he ran deeper into the forest, dragging Arthur behind him.

He couldn't see the man's face as he was hooded and he said nothing at all.

It was only when they had ran quite a distance that the soldier  slowed to a walk and released him. If course when he did, Arthur stopped in his tracks.

"Why did you do that? Those people back there are in danger. I could have helped them!" He said in frustration. "I'm going back."

"You will do no such thing." The man finally spoke.

However, when he did, Arthur realised he knew that voice. Henry.

"You? What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise.

"What I've always done. Protect you." Henry replied sadly.

"But those people back there..." Arthur began.

"Will be just fine." Henry interrupted. "They are seasoned warriors, the whole lot of them and they understand their duty. Now, it is yours to stay alive and honor their sacrifice. They knew it would end this way one way or the other and they accepted it."

"But why? Why do people have to keep dying because of me?" Arthur asked as he felt a rage so powerful slowly rise within him. "I don't want to be king. I never did! Miraz can keep the throne for all I care!"

"Don't ever say those words again!" Henry chastised him. "You are the rightful heir to the throne. The true King of Atlantis. All who die in your service are happy to give their lives for you.

It is your duty as their King to honor their sacrifise and to continue being the King they believe you to be!"

Arthur bit back whatever retort he had. He knew Henry was right. It hurt him to admit it but he did. Before he could say anything else, the sound of the rustling of leaves caught his attention.

"Get behind me." Henry instructed.

"I know how to defend myself!" Arthur snapped at him as he unsheathed the sword Nymeria had given, Dragon tooth.

The sword had a warm glow to it as Arthur held it out in front of him in a defensive position but neither of them noticed. Instead, they were more focused on the four assassins that emerged from the bushes and promptly surrounded them.

They wasted no time attacking. Henry tried to keep Arthur out of the fight but with little success. Alone he stood no chance against them. They were younger and more fierce warriors than he was. It was only together that the odds were evened out.

Together, they managed to neutralise the threat and kill the four men.

"We have to keep going. There will be others I suppose." Henry said to Arthur.

Arthur nodded in agreement and was about to voice it when he noticed the blood that now stained Henry's side.

"You're hurt." He pointed out.

"I'm fine." Henry said, stubbornly. "It's just a scratch."

"You're not fine. You're bleeding." Arthur insisted. "We have to clean that wound and dress it before it's infected.

He took out the flagon of water he had with him and, beckoning Henry to expose the wound, urged him to seat down as he proceeded to clean the wound. When that was done, he tore a strip of cloth from his cape before Henry could protect and used it as a bandage.

"There. That wasn't so hard now, was it?" He asked with a half smile.

Henry opened his mouth to respond but stopped as movement on the periphal of his vision stopped him.

He acted quickly and on instinct, shielding Arthur with his body before he could comprehend what was happening. He felt it as the blade was plunged deep into his back. A pain so excruciating it took all the breath from his lungs. However, even as he knew this was the end for him, he was glad.

Glad he had kept his promise till the very end.

Arthur stood there, frozen in place as he felt the body of the man he had called father his entire life grow cold in his hands. He wanted to believe it wasn't real. That he would wake up only to realise it was nothing ore than a terrible nightmare but of course it wasn't.

Even as he knew that the assassin who had killed Henry would go on to finish the job he had been sent to do he could not get his body to move.

He felt the pain and anger, the hatred and despair flow through his veins like hot molten lava and it burned him. He embraced the pain, let the fire consume him and he felt his bones melt and remold themselves.

He felt his rage erupt from within and with it he felt a power he had never felt before. As more  assassins emerged he watched as they all cowered from him in fear.

Your fear will not save you. He heard a voice within him say. A voice he knew not but recognized as a part of him. As he moved, he could tell he was changed. He was no longer the weak and frightened boy he had been before and looking into their eyes, they knew it too. Could see it.

But he didn't care to investigate any of this. For now all he cared about was hurting the people who had taken his only family from him. He wanted to scream at them. To rip their heads from their shoulders and feed their remains to the birds.

The rage he felt was all consuming and his new for demanded him to release it. And release it he did. It left him, a raging fire that engulfed his enemies as they cried out for mercy.

Mercy? How dare they ask for mercy when they had showed none to his people. To Henry the only father he had ever known. If anything, their pleas only served to ignite his fury. He watched as their bodies burned to ashes but knowing the assassins were dead did nothing to quell his anger.

He heard footsteps behind him and he watched more of them approach. Some threw spears at him. He knew he should have been hurt but he wasn't. The spear wounds only stung a little but he didn't care for that. He watched in satisfaction as his fire consumed them until there was nothing left of them but ash.

No one else came. He had killed them all. Burned them all off the face of the earth and yet this knowledge did not make him feel better. Didn't take away the emotions that threatened to consume him.

The pain. The rage. And the loss.

He let out a cry of pain as he felt his bones snap and shrink but all he heard was the feral roar of a beast. He wouldn't dwell on that, couldn't, as the pain washed over him.

Maybe this is how it ends for me, was all he though as he welcomed the darkness that soon consumed him.

...