As Arthur began to read the next letter labeled, “The Tale of the Druid…” a knock jolted him out of his vision.

He placid the letters down on his desk carefully and neatly, on his desk. He cleared his throat as the knock echoed through his chambers once more. “Come… In!” He shouted as he stood up to greet his visitor.

It was his guard, to deliver a message. “Sir, they are here.” He spoke.

“Yes, yes. Please bring them in right away!” Arthur spoke. He grabbed his cane that was sitting behind his desk and began to walk with the guard to the door. The guard was a few paces ahead of him and reached the knob before Arthur was even there.

Once Arthur reached the door he heard a gentleman shush what sounded like young children. A smile slowly began to creep on his face as hope filled within his body once more.

His guard opened the door to a well dressed man, a young half elven girl and boy. “King Arthur I presume?” The man with darkened hair and golden eyes spoke as he held out his hand firmly.

Arthur took his hand and shook it firmly, “Yes, and I presume you to be Aurelius?”

Aurelius nodded. “And these are your grandchildren, Ruin and Amerus Isabella and I’s children.”

“Grandpa?” Ruin spoke up as she took a step forward and examined her grandpa.

Arthur nodded, “It’s nice to meet you Ruin. And you, Amerus.”

Arthur held out his hand to Ruin first. To which she took and gave a firm shake. He then gave it to Amerus and he did the same.

“Grandpa.” He said as he shook Arthur’s hand.

“Grandson.” Arthur spoke. “All of you come into my office, please.”

All of them stepped into his office. “Shut the door please.” Arthur spoke to his guard. His guard nodded and left the room shutting the door behind him.

“I welcome you to Vanguard. I hope you find the city welcoming.” Arthur spoke as he slowly walked to his chair. His cane knocked on the wood with each step he took.

He sat down carefully as he acknowledged his new found family to take a seat. He cleared his throat once they all took a seat. “May I ask something of you?” He asked Aurelius.

“Of course.” Aurelius responded.

“I would love to be able to see my grandchildren more often.” Arthur spoke. “This is my first time meeting them and they remind me so much of their mother… my daughter..” Arthur spoke as he choked back tears.

“Of course. I want you apart of their lives. Isabella loved you and would want you to be a part of their lives.” He spoke. Aurelius glanced down and saw the letters he had delivered on his desk, “I know some of it was and is hard to read Arthur, but she wanted you to know everything. Wanted you to see everything she saw.” Aurelius spoke.

Arthur glanced down at the letters and back up at Aurelius, “I didn’t mean my actions to be harsh. I know now her leaving was my fault and I needed to know that even though it did sting. I am happy that you were able to show he the truth behind my actions, which allowed us to reconnect one hundred years before she passed.”

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Aurelius nodded, “Of course Arthur. I never knew my own folks or siblings for that matter. And that was enough reason for me to do what I did. I did not want her to live a life without reconnecting to her family. As living a life without family is harsh.” Aurelius took a deep breath and held back his own tears.

“Papa?” Ruin spoke as she sensed the emotional shift in the room. She looked up at him and then at Arthur and spoke this for the both of them to hear, “Time… time heals all wounds. Today, mama may lay to rest, but our family can heal.”

Arthur smiled at her, “You sound just like your mother.”

“She does indeed.” Aurelius spoke, giving her a gentle squeeze.

Silence fell for a moment as flashbacks of their mother, wife, and daughter flashed before them. Causing them all to sniffle as tears began to roll down their cheeks.

Arthur cleared his throat once more and grabbed a cloth to clear away the tears that fell, “I know this is a big ask, but my own age is getting to a point where running a kingdom is getting hard.”

Aurelius tried to speak but Arthur stopped him, “Aurelius, I need to step down.” Arthur spoke.

“What are you suggesting?” Aurelius questioned him.

“I would like to offer my kingdom, the throne of Vanguard to one of the heirs of the Queen.” Arthur looked at both children. “That is if one of them wants it. I don’t want to push them, like I did their mother. That is if their father is okay with it?” Arthur said as he looked at Aurelius.

Aurelius thought for a moment before answering. “I will leave that choice to them sir.” Aurelius spoke as he glanced down at both of his children. “Which one of you like to become a ruler?”

Both children looked up at their father and then at their grandpa. Ruin spoke first, “I want to be like how mommy was. A pirate.” Ruin spoke.

Arthur nodded, “And I think you will make a great pirate.” He spoke.

Three sets of eyes fell upon Amerus as they all waited for his response. Amerus thought long and hard. For one he was King but he knew that would mean giving up the rest of his childhood. Afterall, he was only one hundred and fifty. His sister, based on stories, would be the ideal choice as she was closer to the actual age for a new ruler.

“I…” He began to say but paused as he continued to think.

“You don’t have to decide right now.” Arthur spoke as he saw the strain on Amerus’s face.

Amerus shook his head. He took a deep breath as the pieces came together in his head as if his own mother’s voice was guiding him… “Continue our legacy. Change the world the way I taught you. Make the world the way you want to. Become King. Become a Hero. Become who you are meant to be.” The voice in his head spoke.

He exhaled the breath he just took and looked between his father and his grandfather, “I want to become King of Vanguard.”

A smile fell upon Arthur as a wave of relief passed over him, “Thank you Amerus, I believe you will be a great King.”

“As do I, my son.” Aurelius spoke with pride washing over him as one child will keep their mother’s legacy at sea while the other will continue the royal legacy. “And you Ruin, will grow to be a great pirate like your mother was.”

“He is not wrong, Ruin.” Arthur spoke in turn.

“Thank you.” Ruin spoke.

“Since Amerus will have the kingdom, you will have your mother’s ship. The Golden Lure.” Aurelius spoke.

Ruin’s eyes began to swell with tears. “Really?”

“Yes.” Aurelius spoke, causing a great big smile to fall on Ruin’s face. Which caused a wave of pure happiness to fall all over them from a brief moment.

With his kingdom secure and his grandchild present, Arthur felt a pull of happiness in his heart. He felt a wave of peace settle over him as what time he has left upon in his lifetime, he gets to know his grandchildren and their father. He gets to know his daughter all over again through new eyes and stories to read and hear. And when his time comes, he knows his daughter’s stories and life will continue on through his grandchildren as they set sail and rule the kingdom.