Chapter Text
A long, long time ago, in a beautiful kingdom filled with light, where the harvests thrived, and the people always smiled lived a young prince named Arthur.
Arthur was beloved by his people, for he was strong yet a kind soul, a compassionate prince and under his father’s rule had come great prosperity to the kingdom.
Word of his feats had reached the ears of children who’d listen to his legend with awe, of peasants who’d retell his stories with embellishments to them, of the great prince who’d destroy entire fortresses and taken down giants to save princesses!
And with words came brides, for kings would offer their princesses and sometimes princes to the boy who would one day become king. But the prince refused them all, as they were not the one he was looking for, a prickle on his juvenile heart remained.
"Oh father, listen to my plea, for my heart aches for a bride whom I've yet to meet but dream of".
The king understood his son's plea but could not allow his son to remain unwedded. But Arthur once again pleaded.
"Father, I beg of you, until the day I meet this person, let me free of any promise. And if that person does not exist," Arthur bowed his head to the ground, "I will do as you ask".
The king agreed, but he knew the empire would need an heir, so instead of keeping his agreement with the prince, he arranged in secret a marriage between a princess of a nearby kingdom, vast in wealth and his son and asked the court's mage to erase his son's memory. The Mage agreed but warned the king.
"Oh my king, to erase your son's memory is to erase his heart itself!"
But the king dismissed the mage, saying "It is a king's duty to govern their people, to give them an heir! And it is a father's duty to protect the wellbeing of their child!"
The mage warned him once more.
"I will do as you say, for you are my king but know this: even if you seal the memories of the mind, you cannot seal the memories of the heart!"
The king was taken aback by the response of the mage, but his heart remained unmovable. His duty was to his people, not to some promise of times old. So, he ordered the mage once again "Erase my son's memory, make him forget of that promise!"
And with that, the mage disappeared in a whirlwind of petals.
During the night, the mage sneaked into prince's room, who peacefully slept in his bed, dreaming of his beloved in a garden. Even under the king's orders, he could not comply, for he knew what a terrible curse forgetting was. So instead, he touched his forehead and uttered these words:
"My once and future king listen to my words, your memories of promise will not be erased for one can fool the mind, but the heart is another matter. Instead your precious promise in that rose garden will be sealed away. And when the day comes, remember your vow, for it will come to your aid".
And with that, Arthur's memories where sealed.
Years passed and Arthur grew up and so did his fame as a brave knight, brave soldier who would stand up for the people and fight injustice, to protect the weak and to bring honor to his kingdom.
But as Arthur grew, so did the king who grew old and sick, his final words being a final decree: his only son would wed his bride to be and inherit the throne he was promised.
"I will, my king, my father" and with that, he held the king's hand one last time.
Time passed and Arthur had been crowned king, yet he had turned down his bride to be, for his heart ached not only for the loss of his father, but for someone who was not there. His promise of old still engraved in his heart.
“Oh, mage of flowers, my dear friend Merlin” a twirl of petals appeared in front of him, the man in front of him all sweetness and smiles.
“My king, what is it that afflicts you?”
“There is an ache I cannot calm, as if my heart misses someone who I’ve yet to meet”
“My king, the mind may not remember but the heart will” the mage smiled and continued “I will let you know that your bride awaits you”
The king perked up at his friends’ words as he continued:
“Behind the silver mountain, follow the golden hill, in a garden of roses there you will find your bride to be!” and with those words, the king set travel to find his beloved bride.
He climbed the silver mountain and walked along the golden hill until he reached his destiny, his heart aching as memories of past slowly came back to him. Memories of
playing with a boy with hair like the sun, eyes like rubies, of promises and sorrowful departures.
And he’d run, toward the beautiful garden full of roses where he’d share so many memories of his deceased mother, of the boy that comforted him, of their last promise.
“When I become king” he had said “I will take you as my spouse!”
“And I will take you as well” said the boy, his smile prickling his heart like the thorn of a rose. And there he was, now a fully grown man, still holding onto that promise of old, still waiting for him with open arms and all smiles in that garden.
And the king ran towards him, embracing his lover as he felt the same thorn he’d called love.
“You’re late, mongrel”
And the king laughed.
They say when the king came back, bride or rather groom, in arm, the kingdom celebrated for seven days and seven nights and the kingdom continued to prosper.
And they lived happily ever after.