1
As I walked across the courtyard I have to admit I felt a little out of place. The fact of the matter was of course that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Nobles often frequented this cobblestone so often walked by servants and peasants. It wasn't rare for the king to have visitors. It must have seemed slightly odd that a young lady dressed so royally would be walking on such stones and not on horseback, and without a single servant. I had been being escorted by a guard, but had felt more a prisoner than a guest in his presence so had snuck off when his back was turned. I was quite capable of finding the castle for myself, thank you very much. The immense structure seemed to tower over me from where I stood, taking up the entire skyline. It was quite a sight, the stony gargoyles atop the huge turrets gazed down at me almost like gods as the sun backlit them and the gold and red flags bearing the Pendragon shield fluttered calmly in the light breeze.
I had in fact already dropped my horse off at the kings stables, assuring them that I was due hospitality and would be staying in the castle tonight. Firelight, my cherished black mare had been my constant and only companion these past days and I admit without her I already felt a little lost. 'Its only a horse, get over yourself', I willed to think. I hardly felt myself dressed head to toe in the best cloth and jewels I owned. The deep brown hair that usually hung to my waist in curls was pinned back painfully atop my head with a device I can only assume was previously used as a weapon of torture. My father had insisted that making a good first impression was vital if I were to ever have a chance at attracting the princes' affections. And that was my job, my purpose here – to marry the prince.
It wasn't as if I were some impostor after money or power. My father was a wealthy man, we had estate and a few horses yet this was nothing compared to what the Pendragons owned. The match had been made purely by coincidence as the king had been travelling east past some of our land when one of his horses had thrown a shoe. My father, seeing this from one of our tenants' houses and had aided the king so quickly and kindly that an invitation had been extended for him to visit any time in Camelot.
Uther Pendragon had delighted in the knowledge of a unknown noble to the east and more still in the knowledge of a daughter of 18 years, unsullied by rumours that spread like wildfire in Camelot – there seemed to be gossip on just about everyone. No, this girl was a mystery and a beauty (as seen by the portrait my father had shown) and the perfect match for the prince Arthur – who seemed to show no interest in any of the noble women brought to court.
I glanced around and noticed a group of knights heading to the castle, the main doors looked heavy and I didn't want to make a fool of myself being unable to open them. Trying to attract as little attention to myself as possible, I followed a few paces behind them, looking at my feet, which were mainly obscured by wave after wave of delicate blue fabric. As I watched my feet drown again and again I failed to realise the gathering had stopped to convene in my path and I collided right into one of them with more force than I had thought were possible from just walking. I seemed to ricochet off all that chainmail at a very odd angle and was sent flying to the ground head first, naturally. How embarrassing.
A hand appeared shortly, waving in my face to try and help me up. Trying to continue staring at ones feet whilst getting up is never an easy feat and luckily the poor boy whose hand I took managed not to fall over as I yanked my way to standing in a manner I would describe as neither dignified nor ladylike.
Thankfully, only a few people had seemed to notice the mishap and I glanced sheepishly at my saviour. The young male servant, about my age I would have guessed, was loaded with pots of all varieties and looked amused as I hauled myself up and stumbled again into him. His messy black hair jostled as he almost fell backwards with the impact. Actually blushing he then righted me again, muttering apologies as the ropes holding his pots together tangled in the long necklaces I was wearing. Stupid father – as if I weren't already accident prone enough without wearing a death trap. Of course my dress was now streaked with dirt and I assessed this as he untangled us, I now looked like I was wearing a muddy algae ridden pond rather than the calm blue ocean effect I had envisioned going for. Sighing and trying to wipe the dirt away from my side and rear, I glanced up and found the boy staring at me. His sapphire eyes sparkled making it clear he wanted to burst out laughing but had somehow managed to restrain himself. Seeing his face I glared darkly at him, muttered a sarcastic 'thanks' and marched off without a second look back, stumbling past the knights and practically throwing myself into the huge wooden doors that beheld the entrance to the castle. Stupid boy with his stupid grin and stupid pots.
~-~-~-~-~-~
I seemed to step into the castle undetected and three knights ran out through the gap I had created hurling my self into the great doors. There seemed to be somewhat of a scurry inside these walls. Crowds of servants and a few knights running this way and that; some carrying fabric, some food, two were even carrying a large, gilded mirror. Why the knights were rushing I had no clue. Having never really made acquaintance with them before I had assumed them all statues guarding the fort, only moving when fighting or on horseback. No, everyone seemed to be almost panicking, sprinting in different directions through every door or arch in sight, only to be replaced by a new wave through another entrance I hadn't noticed – there must be something really serious going on.
Through the commotion only one man - or boy really as he looked only a couple of years older than I – seemed calm and in control of himself. He was around a head taller than me, his blonde hair just long enough to fall into his eyes, which were glancing around incredulously – a mirror image of my own only without a trace of fear in them. He looked muscular and was dressed in chainmail, his right arm and shoulder shielded with steel plates. The silver metal contrasted with the crimson cloth worn under his armour and he wore black trousers and big leather boots. He was undoubtedly beautiful, in a somewhat obvious way and I wondered how many hearts this young man had broken as he made his way up the ranks. There was self-assurance and an authority in his step made it clear he was no ordinary knight, perhaps put in charge of the rest. Nevertheless the crowd jostled us both, one shove spinning him round to face my direction.
That he was outraged was apparent, but his rage seemed to fade a little as we made eye contact and then reappear with a vengeance as he registered the outward expression of fear on my face. His reaction reminded of how ridiculously I was dressed, how delicate and ladylike I must have looked to him – a proper damsel in distress.
'STOP!' he boomed and I heard people even in rooms I couldn't see skid to a halt, everyone turning almost instantaneously to face the origin of the voice they so clearly recognised. The only sound remaining was the clatter of silverware that one servant had dropped in surprise then the scuffling as she bent to pick it all back up again.
'WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?' he shouted louder still thorough the silence and there was a moments pause as some began to regain control of their voices.
"Ah, Arthur I see you've returned" a friendly voice sounded through a large arch to the right of the hall. I started and looked around for the prince the voice had addressed. The words had carried an overruling authority and as the figure stepped through into sight, the large crown sitting atop the grey hairs on his head made it plain that this was the king. Uther Pendragon marched in a manner that suggested there was nothing out of the ordinary about the mass of shocked faces surrounding him and as he moved the crowds rushed to get out of his way, bowing as they did so. He didn't seem to notice me cowering behind a few guards though I felt I stuck out like a sore thumb. My eyes grew wide as the king strolled right over to the young blonde man and stopped facing him, looking up a little to reach his sons' eyes.
Patting him on the shoulder the king silenced Arthur as he opened his mouth to angrily demand what was going on, " We are in somewhat of a rush I'm afraid," Uther gestured around himself, " You see a short while back I extended an invitation to an acquaintance of mine in the East, Sir Beldon to come with his daughter and stay within these walls. Unfortunately, it seems he has sent his daughter alone and a little earlier than I had anticipated" he smiled as if this wasn't unfortunate in the slightest, "and so you see we are quite unprepared for her arrival."
I cowered lower behind the guards.
He paused and his face turned a little chagrined, "and we also seemed to have lost her, though I'm sure she's around somewhere." His looked disturbed as if he feared I had been conjured away rather than just escaped my knight escort a few minutes ago.
Reluctantly, I straightened up and coughed loudly before stepping out from behind my shelter and awkwardly raising my hand. The action was so childish that I regretted it immediately and shoved it back to my side and spoke, "Um, excuse me" somewhat incoherently. Great, the first time the king and prince hear me speak and I was talking gibberish. Both turned abruptly toward the only sound in the hall and I struggled to push through the staring crowd to reach them.
"Hello." I spoke quietly, making an effort to slow my rate of speaking so that it was understandable, "I am Evie Beldon, I'm sorry for not speaking up sooner, I didn't realise that I was missed." I blushed as every set of eyes continued to bore into me. There was a moment's silence before the king found his voice,
"But of course my dear, welcome to Camelot." He spoke louder than was necessary and was positively beaming as he glanced at Arthur briefly before fixing his eyes on me again. "I'm so very sorry that you had to wander alone, my sons knights aren't usually so careless." Seeming to realise that this was the wrong impression to give, he added quickly, "Arthur, you can entertain the Lady Evie whilst her chambers are being made suitable and our meal prepared."
He addressed me; "We're putting you in the south facing ward overlooking the lower town, and further away the meadows and lake. Do try to avoid believing any rumours you may here about its enchantment, I assure you there is no magic in Camelot." The corners of his mouth turned down and he paused almost as if he was willing himself to believe his statement, and then forced the smile back again, "Oh and Arthur make sure notice is sent to Guinevere to return quickly as she will certainly be needed."