Here it is; a much awaited sequel to my story Camelot; a new chance
WARNING; do not read unless you have read the above story otherwise it will make no sense
A guard on the wall saw them and sounded his horn in a signal. The leader placed his fingers and whistled once in acknowledgment before pointing the force onwards toward the castle. Their charges hung back on the hill; a raven-locked knight and his equally black haired daughter.
"See Morgana" the knight pointed to the turrets "Queen Igraine's flag flies once more, like me she has returned from apparent death."
She frowned "Queen Igraine?" the name meant nothing to her
"Uther's wife, Prince Arthur's mother" A slight smile curled Gorlois's lips and he kicked his mount forward, indicating the conversation was over.
A scuffling noise and mumbles followed the knock.
"Come in" the queen's voice was about an octave higher than normal. He put his head in to see figures behind the screen, obviously in a panic
"Are you nearly done? I want you preened, polished and down in that hall by five minutes."
"Alright Uther, I know" her tone indicated that he was distinctly unwelcome at that moment
"Five minutes maximum" he exited smoothly. As the door clicked shut Ruth reappeared round the screen, dressed only in her petticoats.
"I still don't see what all the fuss is about these visitors"
"They're old friends of Father's sweet, so we must look good" Igraine's patient voice floated through silk and wood "Now come here!"
Miserably Ruth allowed herself to be pulled back and silk pulled over her head "you do realise I hate this dress."
"Yes Ruthie I do." Gwen sighed "Unfortunately that means it's your smartest dress because you never wear it"
The princess grumbled and muttered curses, which turned to yelps as Gwen started to pin up her hair "Ouch, get off me. Stop it!"
"It's your father's orders Ruth, I did try to overrule him" Igraine breathed out hard "You look older than your years dressed up like that. But Uther is being stubborn as a dragon, there's no questioning when he's in that mood"
Ruth wasn't the only one grumbling. Arthur stood still as Merlin tugged his best armour on; cursing and muttering when one of the buckles stuck. The prince twisted his head as some less than called for expressions escaped
"What's up Merlin? I thought you liked Morgana"
His servant looked up "I did... when she was one of us. No she's a Lady of her own right and will no doubt be spoilt rotten" a nudge promted him on, Arthur guessed there was more unsaid "And I'm worried for Gwen, what if Morgana takes her away from Camelot to serve in Cornwall?..."
"Father won't let her" sharpness and determinedness highlighted those words "Gwen is the only maid Ruth has ever known, she's too young to understand the politics of it anyway"
A guard rapped on the door
As they were led up the corridor Gorlois hissed instructions to his daughter "You must always act as though Igraine was here when you were, show her and the young princess the respect they deserve"
Morgana nodded coolly seconds before the audience chamber doors were thrown open before them to revel the Pendragons, the knights and Camelot Court
I hope you enjoyed that. Please review if you want more