The Fisher King's Heir.
Everyone in Camelot felt her presence before they saw it. Powerful, seductive- people began chasing the white horse toward the castle as if mesmerised. The woman in question rode quickly, her dark blue cloak flying in the wind. As her hood fell for everyone to see, they saw her thick light brown hair fall down her back and flow with the rhythm of her riding.
Finally she reached inside the castle walls, and a Camelot guard adorned with the regular chain guard and red cloak with the Pendragon logo stitched in gold on the front helped her off her horse. She stood before the steps which led up to the main castle, praying that the King would be merciful, to grant her refuge where no other had. Camelot was her last choice, magic had been allowed back into Camelot, but only recently in comparison to the other Kingdom's she tried. They had sneered at her in disgust and feared her power the moment she uttered her name: Artemis of Corbenic. She was the one and only heir of the Fisher King, a man she had only met in her dreams.
With his magic he was able to impregnate her mother, who offered herself to him with the promise that her infertility would disappear. So it did, and weeks later my mother felt a child inside her. In Artemis' dreams her father apologised to her. He told her how weak he was and how he dreamed of teaching his child and heir magic and how to control it in person. Instead, he guided her in her dreams and for many years she practiced alone.
Her mother died many years ago and she was left orphaned, and for what seemed like an eternity she carried on running her mother's farm. Until one day, she felt her father's presence in her mind midday. He was saying goodbye to her, that the sorcerer Emrys had collected his golden trident from him and that he was finally being granted what he had wanted for many years now: death. She understood, she felt his pain through their connection and it made her flinch often. She remembered his last words to her fondly:
'You were not destined to run a farm, my Artemis. Go, travel this land. Maybe one day you can restore my kingdom to its past glory. I love you, daughter. Be safe.'
She had been looking for Emrys for so long, and after searching many towns, seeking him out, she concluded he must live in one of the castles. So she continued searching, and now she was in Camelot- the last place on her map, the place she was most reluctant to go; and as she watched the doors fly open, she felt her heart skip a beat. King Arthur was stood on top of the steps with a few of knights behind. His hand was clutched tightly on the handle of his sword as he gazed down at her warily. Concluding she wasn't a threat, he sauntered down the steps with his knights in tow to greet her. Artemis curtsied politely, before gazing back up into his blue eyes.
"My lord." She greeted.
"Welcome to Camelot," The King started. "How can I be of service miss?" His eyes watched her closely, waiting for her to reveal her identity. Artemis took a deep breath and looked to the ground, preparing herself for the worst.
"My name is Artemis of Corbenic… I am the only heir of the late Fisher King." She swallowed the lump in her throat, before daring to look back up at the King of Camelot. His eyes were narrowed as if he didn't believe her, so she reached into her satchel and grabbed her certificate of birth, naming her parents.
She slowly passed it to him, but was distracted by a radiating power which made her stagger backwards.
Her eyes slowly gazed upward, where she noticed a serving boy was stood, watching her intensely.
'Emrys?' She whispered in her head, and she noticed his eyes grow wide with wonder. He cocked his head to the side to gaze at her.
'How do you know my druid name?'
'I am Artemis, daughter of the Fisher King. The druids know me as Nia.'
'Here, I am known as Merlin.'
"Well," Her connection with Merlin broke as Arthur spoke once more. "How can I be of service, Lady Artemis?" She bowed her head as she spoke.
"I only seek refuge, my lord. I have nowhere else to go, my mother is dead and the homelands of my father remain a wasteland. I will pay my way, whatever it takes, my father left all his treasures for me. Also, I have come to see my father's trident. Whispers from around the Kingdom claim that you have it in your possession." Arthur quirked a blond eyebrow up at her.
"Do you have magic?" He said slowly. She sighed.
"I do have magic my Lord, I will not lie to you. I use my magic for good as did my father- he has taught me well." Arthur glanced to Merlin who nodded once, before the raven-haired Warlock continued to stare at the fair-haired girl, fidgeting with nerves.
"You are more than welcome to stay here, in Camelot. As you are in fact the Princess of the Fisher King's wasteland with no man to govern you, you shall remain here as my Ward, unless you have any objections?" She shook her head quickly with a small smile.
"Thank you, my Lord. Your kindness will not be forgotten." She curtsied once more as the King smiled down at her.
"You have come to us with impeccable timing my Lady, as tonight is the feast to celebrate my triumph in the melee tournament. Camelot has this tournament every year. I'd be delighted if you attend." He beamed with pride, and Artemis smiled with him.
"It would be my honour, sire. But I fear I have nothing suitable to wear for it."
"Merlin, will you sort out the Lady Artemis' belongings?" Artemis gazed back up at Merlin, who was watching her with a small smile.
"Of course my Lord." He started stepping down as she and Arthur went up, and their arms grazed against one another. She felt the spark of magic between them. Her cheeks flushed with wonder and his grin widened, before he continued on his way toward her horse.
"As my ward Artemis, it is my duty to care for you- by this evening; you will have many fine gowns to wear. Gowns suitable for a Princess."
"My Lord I could never accept such gifts when you are already giving me so much-"
"Nonsense, you deserve to live and look like a Princess my Lady, and that's exactly what you shall get."