Alone

Olaf now into his mid 60’s clutched his jacket, wrapping it around his body as the guards covered him from the falling snow in the highlands; the village was quiet and those who were out in the weather were staring at the luxury items that he possessed the scouts last saw Arthur here 8 years ago before disappearing off their radar. “Sir... you shouldn’t be here; it will cause trouble like the other outsider!” “Please, I have spent many years looking for a man... my son; he was slightly shorter than me and bulkier, short black hair and a start off a beard, if he looks like he once did. He wields dual blade and his skin... it sounds stupid but it glows!” the man nodded before pointing over to the mountain spoke, “He lives alone in the mountains in a cave and alone. He told us his story and we send him food but he doesn’t fit in” “Can you show me?” he nodded before offering out his hand spoke, “For some coin” Olaf nodded before offering him a few coins spoke, “The rest on completion of the job!” he nodded before grabbing his jacket spoke, “We’ll gonna need some torches”

The trek was long and hard as they **** themselves through the deep snow one slow footstep at the time; they must have been at least a third of the way up by now and looking back they could see the torches start to be lit in the village below but as Olaf looked back he stopped when the guide pointed to the cave entrance in front of him, “Part of the way in; there is an opening; he will be in there alone; who knows he may even talk to you, now my pay!” Olaf nodded before handing him the rest stepped on in with his guards taking shelter in the entrance way as the fresh snow began to fall once more. Olaf loosened his jacket when he saw the orange light from the fire drawing him to it like a moth to light. It was then when he was met by his son; head down staring into the fire, in a short sleeved shirt and the golden lines permanently shining; somewhere unaware of his fathers presence or so Olaf thought. “Olaf, what are you doing here?”

Olaf froze for only a moment before stepping forward to stand opposite him next to the fire to warm his hands up spoke, “Hello son!” the words felt weird and alien to him despite Arthur being his son and looking up into his fathers eye’s Arthur spoke as if Olaf had only be gone a few hours, “Yes?” “It’s been soo long, I didn’t know if you were alive!” “Our correspondence never reached anything worthwhile so I stopped wasting both our times!” the room fell silent as Olaf searched the room to find something to talk about but could only come up with the obvious, “So you live here?” he nodded before looking around spoke, “Not what you are used to. Not enough women or fancy food, no books or portraits; you will excuse me for not offering you anything to drink because it’s currently frozen!” “You don’t have to live here, I could find you a place back home, a trader or merchant or failing that a role in the military or even a spy” “You have done enough! Thanks to you all I live in a cave with nothing but what you see here, I sleep on a pile of rags, animal pelts and clothes, I have been rejected by everyone I meet and I hear these voices; these voices from the staff Alfred’s mother gave me!” “Voices? What do you mean!” “You wouldn’t understand!” “Then make me!” “The staff and apple communicate with me, ever since I first held the staff these lines appeared and now they are permanently etched onto my skin like an stain, they interact with the objects and they say things; some try and teach me on how to use them one being Aletheia others like Juno and Aita try and convince me to do things whilst others like Minerva tell me to ignore them; it’s an constant headache! My blood is a curse” Olaf looked down before offering his condolences spoke, “I... I don’t know what you are going through but if I can help then I will. I want to... no I need to make amends for what we did to you!” “Like I said before you have done enough; leave me be!” “I must do something!” Arthur got up before standing in front of his father spoke, “Look after Brienne and let her know that I still care for her even if my letters say otherwise!” “Please come with me!” Arthur regained his seat before stating, “It’s better if I didn’t!” “Your brother needs you!” “No he needs your guidance, do it and your problems and guilt will cease!”

The gates opened and being welcomed back by Gwendoline and his son who threw their arms up for a warm hug Olaf resisted its and spoke, “A lot has transpired in these two decades, my son!” “Father, did you find him? Did you find my little brother?” “Yes but he isn’t what he once was!” Alfred looked at the court nobles who watched their interaction gingerly before beckoning him into the briefing room asked, “Where is he? Is he coming back?” “No son, your brother isn’t!” “Well where is he? Maybe we can send him some aid or some sort of compensation; we both know I didn’t want this exile any longer than a few years, just so I could secure my position!” “Alfred...” “Maybe we can build him a house, or get Brienne to return!” “Alfred...” “Maybe we could get him business for him to run or an title!” “ALFRED!!!” “What father?” “He is alone there... he lives in a pissing cave, where he sleeps on bear skins and does nothing else! For 8 long years he has been stuck in the mountains alone and he still resents us!” “But we trying to help him!” “That’s the least of our concerns! He is also going insane... he hears voices that talk to him!” “Well wouldn’t you be if you were alone!” “No... from the item his mother left him. It’s causing his body to react and him to lose all sense!” “We should find him...” “And do what he resents us and that’s all that matters to him; I hate that but he sees us as traitors and that’s what we all no matter how much wine we drink; there was always another way but we chose that because it “made you look good” and now my son... well I just don’t know; maybe the damage is done!” “My dearest Olaf, the damage is reversible or at least preventative!” a Greek accent spoke as she not aged a day walked through with her staff, “Kassandra!” Olaf stuttered seeing her non-aged body, “Yes my lover!” “How is this possible?” “Never mind that, where is my son?” “In the snow covered mountains to the North, the path despite being treacherous is simple to follow!” she nodded before taking Cersei’s wine from the table spoke in between mouthfuls, “I may not have been around for a large chunk of his life but I can be here for him now!” “Then let’s go...” she smiled before adjusting her coat whispered with a wink, “Like we used to!” Alfred got up in agreement before eyeing this “mother” Or Arthur’s spoke, “I don’t trust you! So I’ll also join you on this trip to ensure no harm befalls my father!” “Don’t worry boy... none will, he needs to explain to Arthur who the hell I am!” Alfred searched for his sword before barking out his commands was interrupted by a barge of the doors to his throne room, “King Alfred, the South is declaring war on you, they are willing to negotiate but they want your family’s removal!” Alfred sighed before snapping, “Contact the nobles we need to gather our forces. Father I must apologise but for the obvious reasons I can’t join you!” “Just think calmly son, don’t rush into battle like so many other times...” “I’ll try, father, I’ll try!”