Rothenburg town centre

It was a lively place, filled with busy merchants selling their colourful and quite often questionable goods, there were street magicians, one tried to make his nose disappear before a gawking crowd but only managed to make hair grow out of his nostril - at least it was nice hair, shiny and groomed. The ugliest creatures he'd ever seen were also strolling around and flirted with the maids, who, oh so very strangely, flirted back with all force. Alfred made a face. At least the town centre was surrounded by a beautiful sound of music, it was surely the harp of a wanderer, and yes, he could hear the melodious voice, which tells the tales of a faraway land.

So here they were, a knight and his king. The last time Alfred met the man, he was still a prince and Alfred himself only an eight year old child of a noble family. He didn't know if his king remembered. Memories of a party, a small Alfred was bored and stomped out of the palace; he was sulking, for mother was too busy socialising and refused to play with him. So he took his bunny by the ear and dragged the stuffed animal with a sour face outside. The royal palace's garden was large but boring, just plain grass, too neatly cut and killed all adventure. So he just followed the cold walls of the castle whilst mumbling sounds of a battle kawoom, fshaaa, you are not keeping the princess, witch for I will save her woooosh.

Then his sky blue eyes widened at the sight of a wall made of thick leaves at the backside of the castle. Inside was another garden, he discovered with racing heart beats, excitement built up in him. It was a nice garden and it was fond of roses. Somebody took care of it, he figured; still it was simultaneously wild, leaving space for adventures, because there were trees and high bushes, a pond with frogs and fishes. There was an elegant white bench, on it was a book, young Alfred hadn't yet learned how to read fluently.
And amidst the rose garden was a boy, significantly older than him, crouched and grooming the blooming flowers, he was smiling and seemed to talk to the roses.

And that older boy looked up and smiled at him. His eyes were green as yonder garden, he remembered. And that was the first time and also the last time Alfred met his present king.

He was brought back to the present by a hen fluttering in front of his nose. He cursed.

"Majesty, why did you ask me to follow you?"

Walking alongside the hero obsessed knight, Arthur felt somewhat better out here in the town. The Tavern was too crowded, he didn't like it very much and he should have known better than to go in there. Although it was just as noisy out here he didn't look half as suspicious to the other people in the town.

Seeing a hen fly past, followed by hearing a curse and his amusement, then hearing that question a second time, Arthur looked over to the knight, trying to place him back home, but nothing came to mind, surely he would remember someone such as him, bragging about being a hero. Maybe back even further....

"Hmm, Why? Simple, it was not very clever of me to go in there, too many people knew and I could do without that. And that man, I didn't catch his name, with the dragon ... there was something I did no trust about him. Though you did seem especially taken with his pet! You also seemed bored, and surely a hero does not wish sit in a tavern being bored when his king is asking a simple request?!"

Hero. His king called him hero. He did nominate himself as hero but frankly nobody ever called him that. No matter how many people he helped out or even saved from whatever kind of deadly dangers. And now he was just feeling...accomplished. Blue eyes became even brighter. He shoved the annoying hen aside and walked or rather stumbled towards his monarch until they were side by side again. He couldn't help but grin even brighter at him.

"How considerate of you my king, I'm sure I can be of any help? If you need protection...ah I'm not saying you're weak...but yeah," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "What I'm trying to say is...count me in?"
Maybe he just wanted an invariable, steady assurance that he was needed. He also felt indebted to his king, because that day he received a rose from the royal heir. It was just a rose, but it coloured his boring evening, didn't it? The symbol of trust in that country eventually wilted.

"Call me off if you wish...I don't want to be a bother," he stammered. Shoot, it wasn't easy to keep that polite and humble all the time, but he didn't mind if it was him.

Looking now at the bright blue eyes and the even brighter smile, images flashed of a time when he was much younger and being in a garden and handing over a newly cut rose to an even younger child who eyes and smile had brightened just like that! Well maybe...

"Count you in eh?!" At that point, he tightened his cloak and smiled, " I wouldn't consider it protection, I would consider it a help should the situation present itself! But I'm sure you will have no problem with that!" Arthur them grimaced, remembering the offering of food earlier, he should have taken it if he had had the chance.

" I also have no intention of calling you off when i called you out here with me, and you are most certainly not a bother!" A grin slowly came back to his face, "Although I can tell it is bothering you speak so formal and polite all the time, it isn't necessary you know!"

Alfred was overjoyed, he actually jumped and pumped his fist in the air.
"Thank you so much!" He shook king Arthur's hands with much vigour, now free from all restraints. "You have no idea, I have always wanted to be under your service! Always since that day! Thank you!"

He let go of Arthur's hands and stalked off happily with jumpy steps until he eventually tripped over the growing hair sprouting out of the street artist's nostrils. "Ouch."

His face flushed red because of embarassment. "Oh fuck," he muttered.

All of him shook with the vigorous hand shake from the other, Arthur wondered if saying that was best.. But he found it too amusing. Even more amusing, as he watched with wide eyes, when Alfred tripped over.. what was that anyway.. nose hair? Oh my god!

Arthur calmly walked towards the loud blonde splayed on the floor and offered his hand with a light laugh." I believe it's me who should thank you then! That day? It was you wasn't it?!"

He was definately better this way! Definately!

Alfred took the hand offered to him gratefully and rubbed his sore nose. Meanwhile people were laughing hysterically, they actually mistook him as part of the performance and were now dilligently throwing their money into the magician's hat.

"Hey, he better share that money with me..." was his weak protest.

He was standing savely on his own feet again and sighed, looked at his king apologetically. "I'm sorry...that was kinda unawesome." He held his breath at Arthur's words and stared wide eyed.

"You...remember?"

"Oh I don't know, the people here seem to think it was very, as you say, 'awesome'!". Arthur noted as he watched the people continue to throw their money! " Although I don't think you will be getting a share of your hard earned money there!"

Arthur continued to walk on, only to be stopped by that question. He turned his head to look at Alfred, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Remember? I am assuming you are referring to that day with the extremely dull party, and the garden yes? why do you ask?"

"Yes! The party! You really do remember!" He smiled brightly and swayed his head playfully. Then he began to rub his chin and seemed to think about how he should explain his answer in the best way. "Of course I would ask, because you're a king and I'm just somebody. It's self-evident that I would remember you, but you've surely met so many other awesome people (not that I'm not awesome, I'm probably more awesome than them). It's like...hm...ah! It's like I met Tom Cruise and naturally I would remember but Tom Cruise wouldn't remember me as I'm just one fan out of millions, right?"

He seemed content with his explanation.

Arthur laughed and shook his head, " Of course I remember. Of course you forget things.. boring things from time to time, but certain things you are certain to remember. The quieter times like that, I remember quite well!"

As the town around them seemed to quieten down with the distance they walked. Arthur turned to the knight, a serious look on his face. " I believe you asked me earlier why exactly I was here, maybe I could explain a little now with nobody quite of interest around..."

Alfred gave a subtle smile. And said nothing else. He just...smiled.

It was a small alley quite far away from the lively market place, the voices and noise were merely audible as distant sounds. Alfred felt his breath stuck in his throat. Was it okay for him to listen to something that classified? He gulped and nodded.
"I'm all ears. S-so why are you here?"

Dropping the hood of his cloak for the first time since arriving here and glancing to the end of the alley as a couple walked past.

"There is not really much I can tell at the moment, because I'm not too sure myself. But I have heard talk of the trouble building between the Sun Kingdom and the Rhynland, I do not know the reasons. The Woodland Realm is of course well protected, I made sure of it myself when I left to see what else i could learn and help prevent any trouble. But I have heard more rumours to get more Kingdoms involved. Of course that could be nothing but talk... and now, I am extremely exhausted!"

A tired sigh followed the small useless explanation.

Alfred listened in silence and watched his ruler. How tired he looked like and Alfred wished to be able to do something against it.

"You...you want to protect your kingdom, don't you?" It was no question. He'd always seen a king as an icon of a kingdom, someone to protect, a symbol for a country, and he never really saw the necessity of that position. But seeing Arthur like that changed his mind, even though only for a tiny bit. But it had changed. And he wanted to support his king.

"I want to help you..." his voice was merely a whisper.

Arthur smiled at the question. " Of course I wish to protect it, and I refuse to sit around and wait for any trouble that may come. Though many disagreed with me leaving alone. I think that is enough of that conversation for now, we should head back out"

Heading towards the town centre once again, failing to remember the hood to his cloak, Arthur turned his head to face Alfred again

"Another thing that may concern me, I'm afraid I may have been followed. I Will be greatful for your help in any way at all!"

Alfred nodded determined and stepped closer. Just before the other could step back into the light, he stopped him.

"Your Majesty," he called.

Hearing Alfred call him, Arthur turned around and walked back into the alley.

" Is there something wrong?"

Slowly and charily he stepped closer, with his eyes he asked for permission. A gentle flick of his wrist and Arthur's hood was back on his head covering most of his face.

"Don't forget your stylish hood, Majesty. Your eye colour is rather... prominent," those were green of another kind.
His king was followed? That was problematic and brought up many new unanswered questions.

"Hardly stylish but thank you and i am sure hardly anyone out there will pay any attention, much more prominent things to pay attention to!" After watching as the other had had pulled the hood back over his head, he turned to head to the centre again!

"We should leave now, somewhere to sit down for a while. Not crowded and noisy like that Tavern! Speaking of which, are you happy leaving your brother there?"

He shrugged and followed his new, was it appropriate to call him that, companion. "I'm sure there are less crowded places to sit in, I'm hungry again."

He was sure he saw one near the market place, it was small. It looked cosy and worthy enough for a king...not that Arthur seemed to care.

"Why should I not be okay? Matthew is with his friends. That little animal tends to be invisible but he always draws people in, don't know how he does that. It would be nice if I had the same talent. Hahahahaha."

"Well as long as you are sure!" Continuing to walk on, not really where he was going. "I am also hungry, I wish I had something to eat before!"

Looking around for any places to eat, looking to his new companion. "Maybe you know this town better than me? For some place to relax and for food?.. And also, I think you draw people in, just in a different way!"

Arthur then smiled and gestured for Alfred to lead the way!

Alfred flushed at that comment, embarrassed. And he really didn't know how to answer. "Well yeah, coz I'm awesome!"

Actually, he didn't know the town at all, but the tavern he spotted earlier should do its purpose. He bade king Arthur to follow him.

It was indeed small and it was pleasant. It was an artistic place, the walls were adorned with complex paintings telling the history of Rothenburg. It also smelled nice. Alfred was pleased and he hoped the same applied to his king.

Arthur followed the knight and looked around when they walked into the small room, it seemed a pleasant little place, it smelled delicious, nice and quiet, hopefully not too much attention here!

" It seems much nicer here, how about something to eat and drink then? I'll pay of course"

That was one way to buy Alfred, give him food. He practically jumped his way to the next vacant table and waved at the waiter.

"Let's be buddies, your Majesty!" He said cheerfully.

(( Im so sorry T_T! I never got any notification to say you had replied T_T ))

Arthur followed Alfred to the table and sat down, watching as the waiter walked over to take their order. Something was still concerning him though.

"Buddies?.. Oh you mean friends? Really?!" To say that surprised him was an understatement, when you are a king the word 'friend' from other people is always suspicious, and certainly never true. Making his order to the waiter, he again looked around with unease.

He sat and leant back, and played wrestling with his fingers. At the surprised reaction he looked up and frowned in confusion, tilted his head.

"Friends as in going on adventures together, fighting evil, trying to survive under extreme circumstances where money is thrown away, because it's too heavy and not feeding us and keeping us alive. Friends as in saving each other's ass. Friends as in having a fight over the same girl..." He noticed the other's unrest. "Is everything okay?"