The Kingdom Of Asterin

Chapter Twenty

Fluttering her eyes open, Aurora woke with a yawn. She gathered it must still be night as she struggled to adjust to the dark. Blinking a few times, she found herself on top of Arthur, his light snores making her smile. She realised their naked bodies were wrapped within the thin sheets as her grin grew wider, reminiscing the events from a few hours ago.

What a night.

Reaching up, her hand slid up and down his chest, she was happy. He looked at peace. Snuggling closer she closed her eyes once more. But she quickly woke up again, there was a sharp knock at the door.

"Arthur?" Someone had called.

Arthur jolted up, scaring Aurora as he sat up. The knocking continued as Arthur furrowed his brows.

"Who's knocking on my door this late in the night?" He murmured. Aurora quickly got dressed, embarrassed by the fact she was rushing. Arthur too proceeded to put on his clothes as he called for the person to enter.

In came Caspian's servant as she explained to Arthur the King requested his presence, his face instantly dropped as he reluctantly looked at Aurora.

Did he know?

Play the song as you read

At first, this made Arthur's heart skip a beat but his duties to Caspian came first as he made his way. With a wet kiss on the head, he ordered Aurora to stay put as he left the room without another word.

He followed Caspian's servant as she led him towards the throne room. They conversed at a minimum, Arthur way too tired to be his normal, upbeat self.

The servant halted outside the doors, gesturing for Arthur to enter. He gulped deeply, his heartbeat rising once more. Without another noise, he pushed open the door. It was hard to determine what was in front of him as most of the candles had been blown out. Squinting his eyes he found King Caspian sitting upon his throne, he looked distressed like he hadn't slept a wink tonight. Was he sweating?

"My Lord, I came as soon as I could." Arthur bowed, closing the doors behind him.  Caspian said nothing as he continued his stare into space. "My Lord?" Arthur repeated.

The King solemnly rose his head, his eyes red and puffy as he finally caught Arthur's eye line. He looked terrible and he was shaking ever so slightly. He had a tight grip on the arms of the throne, almost like he was struggling to balance.

With a nod of his head, he croaked, "The bag." Between the pair and in the dark there sat a brown sack, it was covered in something wet and dark but it couldn't be made out in this light.

Arthur cursed himself for not noticing it, too distracted by Caspian's facial expressions. Arthur knelt, looking once more at the King before opening it. Inside was more than disturbing. It was as if hell itself had gifted Caspian with a present. Inside laid the head of a young boy, perhaps around the age of ten. His eyes had rolled to the back, his face covered in blood from the decapitation.

Arthur quickly closed the bag, shutting his eyes as he shook his head, trying his best to get rid of the image he had seen seconds ago.

"What kind of sick person does this to a child?" Arthur stammered as he stood back up. Caspian said nothing as he took something out of his pocket; a note he passed to Arthur. Arthur furrowed his eyebrows as he read the note:

Hopefully, you'll think twice about invading my kingdom.

"Uhtred." Arthur scowled as he threw the note into a ball on the floor. "He was an innocent, never did anything to anyone." Arthur sighed at the thought of the boy. "I don't understand." Glancing at Caspian once more he noticed the devastation and sadness on his face. "Sire?" Arthur questioned as a tear escaped the King's eye. "Forgive me Caspian but why does this affect you so much?" Arthur asked. Caspian had seen many deaths in his past, men, women and children.

"He's my son," Caspian whispered.

"What?" Arthur probed. "My Lord?"

Caspian finally faced Arthur as he looked him in the eye. "I don't understand how Uhtred knew. About ten years ago I got a woman pregnant, she was a seamstress. She refused to get rid of it, so she kept it. I offered for her to stay here in the castle, but she insisted she leave Caspian and stay with her family in a village far from here. I never got to know the boy, but she told me she wouldn't let him know I was the father. I-I was so young." Caspian stuttered. "My father had just died, and I was made King at fifteen. I stupidly agreed with her. After I had got the idea of being King, I tracked down her village, I would just sit and watch my son play with other kids until he had to go in for dinner. I vowed one day I would let him know who he was and now I'll never get the chance." Caspian sniffed.

"Cas." Arthur sighed. "Why... why didn't you tell me?"

"No one would respect a King who had a bastard son." Caspian blubbered.

"I would." Arthur bravely stated. "Everybody makes mistakes, and it seemed like you knew how to fix it." Arthur smiled sympathetically. "Uhtred will pay for what he's done, I'll make sure of it," Arthur announced.

Caspian threw a short, appreciative smile.

"What was his name?"

"Rilian," Caspian replied. "Prince Rilian."

"Beautiful name." Arthur complimented as Caspian nodded his head, staring into space again. Arthur looked at the guards standing at the doors as he nodded his head towards the brown sack on the floor. They carefully picked up the bag. "Make sure he receives a proper burial," Arthur instructed as the guards began to exit.

"Where are you taking him?" Caspian interjected as he stood up worryingly.

"To bury him, Sire," Arthur explained.

"Bury him in my mother's garden, will you?" Caspian asked.

"I'll see to it myself. Get some rest." Arthur smiled as he bowed, following the guards.

Arthur immediately made his way out of the back and into the night sky as he struggled to find a place to bury him. He settled to bury him in front of the rose bush, Caspian was always fond of roses, it reminded him of his mother. After a few moments of digging up mud, Arthur seized the bag from the guard and gently placed it within the hole.

Sighing, Arthur sensed his eyes water, "Prince Rilian, wherever you are now. Just know your father is the greatest ruler known to man. He has the greatest heart I have ever known, someone you would be very proud to say was a father. He made a few mistakes when becoming King, yet out of the occasional mistakes you were not one of them. I know that he's going to beat himself up about never introducing himself to you but just know he had intentions to." Arthur lifted his head, gazing at the stars,  "As I stand by your father's side, know I will protect him no matter the cost and in due time, he will return to you once more. Goodbye Prince Rilian." Arthur whispered as he began to place the dirt back into the hole.

He wiped his forehead as he leaned against the shovel. "That'll be all." He smiled at the guards as they walked back inside.

"Prince Rillian." Arthur smiled. "I like that."

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