Camelot Falls

Sent to the court of Arthur, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger must live as Sir Rognvaldr and Princess Vivienne until they find the reason for their journey. All they know is there are two kinds of magic in this world: The magic of love and the magi of hate. Classic intrigue meets time-travel, betrayal and obsessive love Potter-style.

Preface

The red headed knight ran over the hill: His red cape billowing behind him. He felt like he'd been running for hours; running since Camelot's recent destruction. Armed only with the sword Excalibur he ran to meet his destiny. Merlin, known at many at Hogwarts has the Prince of Charms had finally recognised the power of his wife. Then, truly he'd met his match.

Queen Morgaine had fought her battle well. Her petites frame had stood her ground and saved many. It was only her once beloved Merlin that she couldn't stand anymore. Devoid of the love and caring that had characterised their relationship in the past. He'd been for so long the man that gave meaning to her life again. The knight had stood back and watched the final battle unnerved.

How could a love so intense and magical have ever changed? Really, he didn't need second sight to know the reason for that: betrayal. Merlin had loved Morgaine since they'd been at Hogwarts. He'd stayed away from her, knowing it was wrong for his family and hers to mix. She was a muggleborn Ravenclaw and he was a Slytherin prefect. His great-cousin Salazar had forbidden it.

Now, thirty years later the truth had been discovered by chance, luck and commitment. Lies had transfigured love to hate. Now with their child dead and the King gone Camelot had fallen. Merlin and Morgaine's final battle had been enough to flatten the Camelot place and much of the old village. However, before the battle he'd received a message.

My daughter will go into the mists at sunset. Then, the doorway will be sealed. Say goodbye. M

The message was still secure within his fist as he sprinted endlessly. Limited training and reduced magic meant he was only able to Apparate short distances.

He was close now as the noon day sun beat a rhythm in his soul. Say goodbye! Just say goodbye or everything is lost. She had been his everything for half his life and more. But how could he say the words? Soon he would find out because there, on the edges of Avalon's woods was the Princess.

Her long bushy brown hair shined light. Her white robes covered her petite figure and he could tell she was armed.

"Sire Knight!" she greeted him relieved before asking. "How is my mother?" There was no exchange of pleasantries. Like her mother, the Queen and now 'evil sorceress', she was direct. Sometimes this led to her being called bossy by the knight but today she didn't care.

"Princess Vivienne" the tired knight panted kneeling before her. "It's the worst. Your mother's battle with her husband Merlin has cost Camelot its walls." Vivienne rested her hands on Rognvaldr sweat stained brow. As he continued she gave him an Avalon's blessing. "I don't know what's happened to either of them. As you are aware; some of us aren't gifted with second sight!"

"Oh, don't be like that my love!" Vivienne snapped as she removed her hands and placing them on her hips. The gracious lady and heir to Avalon's lands and magic was herself again. The mantel of royalty always melted away when they were together.

So it had been during their childhood – when as Merlin's adopted son, he'd visited the isle of Apples. So it had been when her father, Lancelot had run away with the queen and they'd heard the news together in Hogwarts Great Hall. So it was again, as their worlds had collapsed; and the King had decreed that his closest aid and sister, so long in love, should wed.

"My love, am I?" Rognvaldr said amazed. The emotional truth had always been obvious but never spoken.

"Of course you're my love!" she exclaimed embarrassed. "You're my..." her sentence was hushed by his finger on her lips.

"Don't use it." He implored. "Don't name me truly or I shall have to name you and then the kingdom is lost?"

"The kingdom Camelot has always been doomed!" Vivienne muttered to the ground. "Since the beginning of history Camelot because..." Then, his finger touched her chin and urged it to look at him. "It was built on a foundation of love and betrayal."

"I like the love part" he admitted with a lopsided smile. The Princess truly looked upon him for the first time in years. She grinned to see her beloved Knight had lost half an eyebrow.

"Now, you like the love part!" Vivienne teases with a wry smile. "Not when we were children and the King told us we'd be wed. Not when your magic was repressed and our parents married..."

"Merlin isn't my father!" Rognvaldr spat, his ears going red. He stood up suddenly and wanted a fight. For the past year, they'd been unable to see each other and constant letter writing hadn't eased their separation. "Merlin is responsible for my true father's death and Arthur gave me into his care as penance."

"But he loved you, Ronald" she countered without thinking. Her hand instantly went to her mouth as if that would undo her mistake. He gave her a withering look but she boldly continued. "Why else would he have betrothed you to me? Sent you to Hogwarts? Then had you made a Knight!"

The now truly named Ronald closed his eyes. He was Ronald Weasley youngest son of Molly and Arthur. He had five brothers, one sister and one best friend called Harry James Potter. It was nine years since he'd known that to be true. He was in love with Her... Suddenly, he didn't want to see her brown eyes, inquisitive and longing. He breathed in deeply and then smiled.

"Oh my lady and my love!" he sighed as he opened his eyes and gazed down at her. Finally, ready to make his brave but foolish move. "You cooked!" he mocked before whispering "Hermione!"

Her eyes closed and like a dream reawakened; memories resurfaced. Before she'd been here, she'd been Hermione Granger. It had been night, she'd been alone with Ron, in their sixth year at Hogwarts when something had happened and she'd become Vivienne.

Meanwhile, from the corner of his eye he could see the cabin they'd played in as children and a picnic lunch on the table. He grabbed her hand and proceeded towards the feast.

"Ronald, you've finally named me truly" Hermione smiled snapping out of her dazed. The mantel of Vivienne the Princess vixen finally removed. "My wonderful house-elf, Matilda cooked actually! Goodness why do I have a house-elf! Anyway, stop avoiding the question!"

"I was there when your half-brother, Prince Gwydion was died" He admitted reluctantly. "He killed his adopted father the King and as the King killed him: just as the legend says!"

"Actually, Mother... Morgaine was able to rescue the King. Even now he rests within the Mists but he can never return to the muggle world." Hermione confessed. "Accordingly that is what set off my mother? I mean, Queen Morgaine of the fairies and Arthur King of Camelot mourns for Gwydion their son. Not together by the flesh but by love."

"Mione" Ron murmured. "Do you know why we're here?"

"Yes" she smiled. "And what's more – I can get us back to Harry and OUR Hogwarts!"

30th Oct 2011

This might seem like a chaotic beginning (and maybe it is) BUT this chapter popped into my head this morning. As did this complicated and amusing story about Ron, Hermione, Merlin and Morgan. (This is NOT a crossover with the BBC television series.)

It is also the first fic of mine not to TOTALLY tie in with the rest of my own R/Hr shipping Potterverse (although there will be echoes). Let me know what you think and whether I should continue.

JustSuperMione

Aka

She-who-must-be-reviewed.