Where did Arthur go?

Gustav, Apsel's neighbor, left Apsel silent for a moment. He didn't even know what he had been doing to his master based on Gustav's words. Then, finally, he insisted that he didn't feel that way and left his neighbor without an answer.

"Apsel! Apsel! Where are you going, you?! I haven't finished talking to you yet!" Gustav exclaimed as he watched Apsel pass by.

Again, Gustav's question was ignored by Apsel. Let alone answer, turning to her was reluctant. It turns out that, in addition to Emmett, the villagers of Tanee have also behaved strangely recently.

Some residents who have left Tanee village don't know where they are. With prayers and hope, they walked the hill against the cold air to find a safer place to live.

"Dad, where are we going?" asked one of a child to his father.

"I don't know, kid. But, I'll make sure we find a place to live as soon as possible."

The boy smiled innocently when he heard his father's answer. He does not doubt that the father has promised from the heart.

****

Tonight is a special night for the Howard family. Various dishes are arranged on a large stone carved lengthwise like a table. The meal with all family members and closest friends is always held at least once a year for Rudolf's birthday. Although Arthur's father did not know how old he was, he must have held a simple dinner as a form of gratitude.

"Mr. Rudolf, where did Arthur go? It feels like I haven't seen it since then," said Volka, sitting sweetly impatiently eating the dish.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him since the morning. Let's find him in his room, Volka," Adolf ordered.

"Ok, Sir."

Without lingering, Volka moved out of her seat to meet Arthur immediately. But instead, he saw his best friend sitting pensively looking outside the cave without knocking. Not having time for Volka to say a word, Arthur had already said something until he left Volka with his mouth open.

"It was Rudolf who told you to come here, didn't he?" said Arthur.

"Yes, of course. Besides, today is your father's birthday event. So why are you still staying here?' asked Volka in surprise.

"Volka, do you think I'm going to stay like this?" asked Arthur, responding to Volka's question.

"What do you mean?" asked Volka incomprehensibly.

"I have made various attempts to put this curse on, but they have not succeeded. Had it not been for encountering the wrong person, something would have happened when implementing the plan. The more I think if my family and I are destined to be like this for good," said Arthur.

"Maybe, it all happened by chance alone. Besides, if fate requires you to be like this, there is nothing wrong with it. In my opinion, being a Jotun is quite fun. You can control the territory with just one growl. You don't have to struggle to fight for something because your opponent will be afraid first," said Volka, who tried to comfort Arthur.

"I admit that part was indeed fun. It's just that, you know if I want to avenge Gilda."

"Ah, never mind. No need to think about the girl. Let's put it this way: if you find the comfort of being a Jotun, you have to live it. After all, Gilda and the rest of humanity hate you for your actions too, right? So, they won't behave like that for no reason," Volka retorted again.

"But, living a life like this is not as easy as you think..."

"Come on, Arthur, can we discuss this next time? I'm already very hungry. Lest because of this conversation, I ran out of food to eat. Since the beginning, I have been eyeing roasted deer with your aunt's signature seasoning," said Volka.

Arthur snorted irritably. Then he walked out of his room without replying to Volka's words. Seeing Arthur's strange attitude, Volka shrugged her two shoulders up and down, a sign of indifference.

The dinner in Howa's cave took place in great harmony. The Jotuns and relatives enjoyed the meal with great joy. However, behind the song, a smile was utterly invisible on Arthur's face. It's not just him. Gus is the same. The difference is that Gus still had time to smile, but he looked like he was holding the weight of his mind in his head. Volka was already very full and didn't realize that her two best friends didn't talk to each other. Since now, he has only been busy with the roasted deer that he has been looking forward to since he first came.

"Where else are you going, Arthur?" asked Rudolf as he watched Arthur move off the chair with his massive body.

"I'm already sleepy. After all, my stomach is not close to exploding if it is filled with food."

"Alright. Don't forget, tomorrow is Friday night. We have to act as usual in the village of Tanee. Therefore, " Rudolf ordered.

Arthur nodded a wordless plan.

Rudolf looked surprised at his son's attitude, which was very different from usual. And also, there are other oddities that he discovered. For example, that is Arthur's food, whose portions are still intact even if utterly untouched by his child. What happened to Arthur? Why is he behaving like this? At least, that's what's in Rudolf's mind.

"You didn't finish your meal, Gus?" asked Volka at the ancient rabbit, who looked gloomy.

"I'm full," Gus replied in a flat tone.

"Huh? Is Arthur the same? It's even worse than you. He didn't touch the food at all. Gosh, what happened to you?!" said Volka.

Gus looked around to confirm the circumstances. Later, he was noisy at Volka that he and Arthur had not spoken to each other since their return from the journey to the southern forest. He expressed his guilt for Ivar but has not dared to say an apology directly. Not because it's arrogant, but apologizing for Gus is shameful, especially if it is done to Arthur. However, he must do so so that his and Ivar's friendship relationship is ok.

"Then? Wait, what else?! Go to him and say sorry that you feel guilty," Volka suggested.

"I shouldn't have done this. I told you, at that time, I was worried about the condition of the Dark forest. So, there's nothing wrong with my attitude. But, somehow, I was like being haunted by guilt for him. So, even though it's something I've never done, I'd better apologize to him quickly for his failed mission," Gus said.

"Then you don't talk much before it's too late."

"Late? What do you mean?" asked Gus.

"No, I just said just anybody. But, wouldn't it be better sooner?" suggested Volka again.

"Yes, you're right. All right, I'll see him."

Although some dishes have begun to run out, the Jotuns and fellow forest dwellers still talk to each other. Without waiting any longer, Gus went to see Arthur launch his intention to say an apology.

Arriving in the room that became Arthur's room, the door made of cave rocks was wide open. Gus looked into it, and no one was there.

"Is it possible that he is at the mouth of the cave? " I'd better just look for it now," Gus said.

Step by step, Gus combed all over the raven cave. However, Arthur was not anywhere. He often confirmed and looked for clues from the monster's footprints, but the result was none. Arthur was not in the vicinity of Howa cave.

What made Gus quite panicked was Arthur's completely invisible footprints around the cave. This indicates that Arthur could not have left this cave. For the umpteenth time, Gus tried to be sure despite doubts. Although he had surrounded the territory of Howa cave, the bridge of Arthur's nose did not appear there.

"It seems something went wrong. I have to tell Rudolf about this!" muttered Gus when he realized the situation was not ok.

Gus also ran fast to meet Rudolf's father. Then, in the crowd of Jotun who was partying, Gus finally met Rudolf and immediately jumped onto Jotun's shoulders.

"Master Rudolf, it seems that Arthur disappeared!" hissed Gus.

"Disappeared? What do you mean?" asked Rudolf with a small smile as if in disbelief at what he heard.

"Arthur has completely disappeared, Sir! I've been around Howa cave, but I never found it," Gus said.

"You're sure you've searched all the territories? Do you know that Jotuns like us will find it difficult to hide because of our big bodies? So, if it's true that Arthur disappeared, he may be on the other side of Howa's cave."

"Sir. Otherwise, we'd better find Arthur together so that you believe what I said earlier," Gus said.

The sentence about the ancient rabbit sounded very serious. Nevertheless, Rudolf followed Gus's advice without telling the rest of the family. He did this so that the others would not feel panicked if Arthur disappeared.

"Well, I'll look for it. But, keep this news only for the two of us. At least for a while. Because I'm sure Arthur won't go anywhere," Rudolf said.

"Ok, Sir."

To prove Gus's remarks, Rudolf followed the ancient rabbit's direction. Room after room, he wrote but true, there was no sign of Arthur's presence there. The longer it took, the more panicked Rudolf became and quickened his pace. Finally, he extended the search area to the Dark forest area along with Gus.

Although he has made various efforts, the result is still the same. Arthur has not been found without a trace. Finally, Rudolf begins to panic, and he returns to Howa's cave to order his flock to look for his son. after hearing Rudolf's order, the Jotuns swiftly spread to the forest area to search for Arthur.

"It's impossible for my son to hide in this forest. Therefore, you must go home with good news without bare hands! Arthur must still be around here!" concluded Rudolf at his flock.