#KingsArm

Henry drummed his fingers on the wall as he stared down, he had been in this stu pid tower for who knows how long? He wanted to guess about an hour or two, after sending down the message, he was sent back up here to help the doctors and nurses, but even then he got in the way and they made him sit on lookout in this blasted tower. But EVEN THEN he- ugh, he wasn’t even on lookout, he was basically just being babysat by the ACTUAL LOOKOUT.

The lookout was actually a normal soldier, but he had broken his leg in the fight and was sent back up here, his dark grey and white fur was set in long locks, and a tuft spiked on top of his head. The buck turned his head and caught Henry’s eye. Henry quickly looked away, pushing up his new glasses as well.

It was kind of weird… being able to actually see shapes, and not squinting to read everything, he wondered how the buck was, the one who gave him the wonderful glasses, what was his name? Hews? Yea. He hoped to see him again.

Henry bounced his knee and leaned forward to stare out the window, before quickly leaning back, the suspiciously creaky chair he sat in wobbled. Too high! He cleared his throat awkwardly, the silence speaking volumes.

“I don’t like this anymore than you.” The lookout grunted, his voice deep and stoic, he was much older than Henry had first thought. The pale buck gulped and turned to the other buck, their leg stretched out and bandaged firmly. “You’ve got a name?” The soldier asked.

“Uh- uhm- Henry?” He said, his voice rising higher then he had planned, squeaking out like a question.

“Is that for sure?” The buck said, still serious.

“Yea- uhm- yes.”

“Affirmative.” The buck said and looked away, resting his head on his chin and hiding a wince as he shifted in his chair.

Henry looked up at the stone ceiling, the clank of metals bouncing across the valley and a slightly muffled version reaching his ears.

“...do you want to know my name?” The buck said, curiosity touched into the solemn tone.

Henry shrugged, leaning back in his chair, rocking on his heels, “Not really, no.” He said boringly, content to be bored and not an already awkward conversation with his babysitter.

“Oh.” The buck said, tapping his crutch on the floor, “Ok…”

“UGHHH.” Henry groaned, sitting up in his chair, the legs wobbled somewhat again. “Fine. What is your name.” The brown buck gestured widely with his hand.

A pleased spark flashed in his eyes. “I’m Ein.” He said slowly, shifting in his own wobbly chair again, “From Harbone.”

“I’m from First Warren.” Henry said. He was surprised when the buck sat up quickly, too quickly in fact. Ein clutched his side but looked up at the younger buck with a new admiration.

“First Warren? THE First Warren?” Ein said, his voice oddly somber.

“Yes?” Henry said, confused.

“I’ve never been there, are the cobbled streets really a fine white? Is everyone really rich and kind? Like the stories say?” Ein marveled.

Henry stared at the grey and white buck, he thought of his life. Living in his parents' one story house, on the bad side of town, just him and his sister, and their parents. And then just him and his sister after their parents got sick two winters ago. Him giving Brielle his share of food, stolen food. The king is a lie. His voice whispered. Or just too busy, not everyone can live in a beautiful castle with servants and fresh food. The rational side yelped.

“Yea..for the most part… I guess.” Henry stated, his voice dangerously low.

Henry jumped when he heard the blast of bombs, he leaped out of his seat and rushed to the window. Leaning out he peered at the fight. He gasped.

“Eh? What is it?” Ein said from his chair.

“They… they blew the second bridge. I think they are trying to take out the last two as well.” Henry said, disbelief trickling in.

“What..? They’re going to trap us! Why would the wolves take out the rest of them? They’re sacrificing their own troops?” Ein sputtered.

Henry slowly turned around, “It's not the wolves doing… it's us.”

“Whaaat?” Ein asked.

Henry rocked on heels, something was wrong… why would they do this? It didn’t make any sense, he needed to know what was happening. Even if it meant disobeying Captain Helmer, what are they going to do? Court-martial me? He thought. He wasn’t a soldier, but they could throw him to the wolves, he wouldn’t put it past Captain Helmer honestly, but he’d have to take that risk.

He bounded for the door, “Wait! You can’t leave!” Ein said leaning forward.

“Too late!” Henry waved at the injured buck before leaping down the stairs, taking two at a time.

Racing across the white snow he emerged onto the battlefield, the snow a sickly pink. Dodging the redder areas he sped on, whisking past the heated frays he leapt up on a boulder, peering around.

There!

Surrounded by three wolves stood Captain Helmer, stood with his sword raised and at ready as two came at him at once, he blocked their attacks. But the third snuck up behind him and its bow ready to shoot him.

“No.” Henry yelped, racing down and off the boulder, grabbing a few stones he chucked them at the wolf, hitting the wolf in one eye. The grey beast snarled and backed up, Helmer turned and cut down the wolf before quickly blocking a blow that would have taken his head off.

Still running Henry jumped and hit one of the attacking wolves, a war cry escaping his lips as the wolf crumpled from the blow. Helmer joined him and ended the wolf.

Henry expected a harsh word, or a demanding lecture on why he should go back up the tower, but surprisingly instead, Helmer placed his hand on Henry’s shoulder, “We could make a soldier out of you yet, boy.” He smiled.

Henry beamed, then quickly looked over his shoulder, a grey blur was racing towards them. “Captain look out!-”

Helmer widened his eyes and quickly looked over his shoulder, he pushed Henry behind him and raised his sword to deftly defend against the attacking wolf. The wolf hacked and slashed at the fellows, making them back up more and more. Henry’s breath hitched as the wolf kicked at Helmer, hitting him in the wrist making him drop his weapon. Helmer stumbled backwards, grunting as he fell to the ground.

Henry lurched forward to help him up, but the wolf snarled a warning, “Black buck killed Captain Silverback, now wolf kill rabbit captain.” The wolf licked its chops, a sickly grin covering its ugly face. “Black buck captain dies!” It growled, placing a paw on Helmer’s chest.

“No!” Henry yelled, glancing at Helmer’s sword, just out of the captain’s reach, if he could just move it closer to him… he definitely looked up at the wolf. “Hey! He didn’t uh- do it.” He beat his chest with fist, “I did!”

The wolf narrowed his eyes, glancing at Helmer, whose eyes widened as he struggled more to escape the wolf, then looked at the scrawny pale buck. “Hmm… wolf doesn’t believe scrawny child.”

“But I did! Your eyes deceive you… you dumb dog!” He taunted, stepping backwards.

The wolf growled, its hackles rising as it took its paw off of Captain Helmer, it bunched its haunches, preparing for launch.

As the wolf released the buck beneath him, Helmer lunged for his sword, grabbed it and lashed out at the wolf. Before the grey canine could properly react, Helmer thrust the sword upwards in a single clean motion. A yelp escaped the vengeful wolf, then it shuddered and sunk down. Helmer leapt out from under the creature as it came falling down.

Helmer huffed, and crawled away from the fallen wolf, he knelt on the ground. Henry walked towards him fearful he was injured. Helmer held up a finger. “One sec bucko…” Henry knelt beside him on the cold snow, waiting for the captain to catch his breath. “That was reckless.” Helmer said finally.

“Says the one who fought three wolves alone.” Henry stated wryly, his heart still jumping in his chest.

Helmer barked out a laugh, “If you don’t get me killed first, you would make a fine soldier,” he sighed, cold exhale billowing around him, “and an even finer apprentice.” he stood up, stretching and getting ready to dive back in battle.

Henry blinked, and then blinked again, “Wait- really? Y- you mean it?” He scrambled to his feet, his eyes growing wide as twin moons. Helmer smiled at him, stepping forward to leave, he yelped then sunk to the ground clutching at his side. “Captain!” Henry yelled, running forwards and kneeling before the lord captain.

Helmer hissed out a breath putting his hand out to show it painted in scarlet before he clutched at a deep scratch on his side. “That darn wolf got me good.” He groaned, as the pain shot through him again. His world blurring and all he could feel was the pain.

Henry scratched at the back of his head, “Uhm- I can get help! Yea! What wait-” As Henry stood up he noticed the battle had come to a stall, most of the wolves were either dead or still fighting, while some were brave-or foolish- enough to try to swim across the waters. “The wolves… are leaving?” He laughed and grabbed Helmer’s shoulder, “Captain! We’re winning! Cap- captain?!” Helmer wasn’t listening anymore, as the blood spewed his eyesight went dark and he sank into the snow.

Helmer whistled and walked down the cobble streets, a paper bag in his hands as he strode towards his house, a small throbbing in his side reached him, but he ignored it and kept walking. Flurries whisked down, dotting the black rabbit and making him a mostly white buck. Shrugging his cloak closer to him he knocked on his door.

“Coming!” A young voice said, thumping across the rooms and to the door, the wooden way open to reveal a short buck, his pale fur gleaming gold from the warm fire inside. Helmer longed for it. “Master! I was starting to worry you got lost.” The buck grinned, backing to let the taller buck in.

“Only a little,” Helmer said, placing the bag on the table he took his cloak off, wincing as he stretched his muscles. “Ouch.” He murmured before placing the coat on the rack.

“Still sore after the time I saved you? Might I remind you?” Henry said jokingly, but concern flashed in his eyes, what if Helmer’s wound got infected again?

“Yea remind me for the 500th time… this week.” Helmer teased before easing into his chair, “Just a little stiff, I’m fine, Specs.”

Henry smiled at Helmer’s nickname, given to him by his younger sister and Helm. After the battle-thank goodness- Helmer had survived, they had won what was originally supposed to be a simple skirmish. Afterwards Helmer and the rest of the soldiers returned to their respective places. Helmer had taken in Henry and Brielle, at first just for the week since the soldier needed some help getting around, then permanently when Helmer had started to train Henry.

Brielle wandered out of her room, her blue-gray fur in clean locks. “Hello Master Eyesore.” The doe said, she was only a few years younger than Henry, her blue eyes wide and bright.

Helmer smirked and bowed his head, “Greetings Madame Carbuncle.” He laughed and the doe did too. The two were peas in a pod, always teasing Specs or each other. “Come over here so we can eat.”

“Eat?” Specs asked leaning to peek in the bag.

Helmer snatched it away before Specs could see. “Yes,” He sighed dramatically, “honestly Specs! If I ever go bankrupt of food, at least I know who’s the culprit.”

“The thief o’ eats.” Brie giggled as she sat down.

“Supper swiper.” Helmer retorted.

“Potluck plunderer.” Brielle flashed back.

“Snack kleptomaniac!” Helmer raised a fist in triumph over the play of words.

“Ok ok I get it!” Specs said, “I’m a food consumer, what’s so bad about that?”

“Connoisseur?” Brie fixed.

“Yea, that’s what I said. Consumer!” Henry stuck his tongue out as Helmer divided up the pastries.

After the feast, Henry smiled and leaned back, staring at the other to rabbits, then around at the warm home, with beds, and a fireplace, and food.

He was finally home.

This chapter took a shorter amount time then I thought! I wanted to wait until next week to give you this... but I couldn't wait! I also think it's unfair to make you wait MORE so here!

Question: Any reviews?