I fought back a smile as I looked over at Samantha who was still nervously clinging to Arthur's back. I could vaguely remember the day when our parents had decided to take us horseback riding and Samantha, like the graceful butterfly that she was, was flung off the back of her horse. I did not share her nervousness for riding. In the past I had actually found it kind of calming and relaxing.
We rode up to what I assumed was Camelot and I was immediately stunned. It was a less worn down version of Pierrefonds. Earlier I had just assumed that Merlin and Arthur were a part of some elaborate cosplaying endeavor, but now I could not be certain of anything.
As we entered the citadel I began to hear the sound of people going about their days. This sound was soon drowned out by the sound of the horse's hooves clapping happily on the cobblestone beneath us. For a moment I was not worried about where we were or what was happening to us because I was too caught up in the sights. Something about this place felt like home.
I glanced over to Aleya as we entered the great city and she had the same look of bewilderment on her face as I did. The castle was nearly identical to the one we were on a tour of, but it was less worn out. We made it into what I assumed was the courtyard and Arthur effortlessly slid off of the horse. I sat there for a moment, I was not really confident as to what my next course of action should be. I took a deep breath and slid off the horse, none too gracefully, and landed roughly on the ground. Horses were definitely not one of my favorite things.
"So, where are you two from?" Arthur asked as he led the way up the steps. I looked to Aleya who was biting her lip, clearly deep in thought as she tried to think up a suitable lie.
"It's a small place, I doubt you've heard of it. It's called Gallifrey." She said confidently. I had trouble not smiling at the reference which no one for another few hundred years would understand.
"Our father was a lord." I said. I thought that I should make this as convincing as possible and being nobility certainly was a nice perk.
"Really? So you're of noble blood?" Arthur said.
"Yes" Aleya said looking at me in shock "our kingdom fell a few years back and we have been travelling alone ever since." Aleya finished giving me a nod.
We carefully sewed our web of deceit to implicate that our mother had died shortly after giving birth to Aleya who was the youngest and our father had been slain in one of the many battles for our kingdom. When it fell we were forced to flee. I thought that it was a rather convincing and extremely entertaining tale. Arthur had agreed to get us an audience with the king, who was coincidentally his father.
I was shocked by how well that Samantha and I fell into our little lie. I even started to believe it myself, the fact that we were now for all intents and purposes of noble blood made it even better. We were led into the council chambers to speak with King Uther Pendragon. We were greeted by a stern looking man. His hair bore a grey color and his face was scarred just above his eye. I heard Samantha take a gulp as she looked at him. I tried to hold back my fear and remain confident.
"Father these are the two girls that I told you about. Aleya and Samantha. They're kingdom fell a few years ago." Arthur said. The king looked us over. I tried to look as though I belonged here although I knew I did not.
"Is this true?" Uther asked. I looked into his eyes. They were cold and calculating.
"Yes, my lord." I said. I had watched enough documentaries to know how to talk to royalty. I could only hope that Samantha would follow suit.
"I am sorry to hear that. Have you any family?" he asked. There was a sudden warmness to his voice that was hidden by his authoritative tone.
"No, my lord." Samantha said falling into character wonderfully.
"You will stay in Camelot indefinitely." He said. "I will not have you two running about in the woods any longer." I was shocked I could not speak. I certainly did not expect such kindness from him.
"Thank you, my lord." Samantha said.
"Arthur, you will show them to their chambers." He said. Arthur nodded and motioned for us to follow him. After doing a quick bow Samantha and I walked out silently.
Arthur lead Aleya into a room and then me. Before he walked out of the room he turned back to look at me and said
"I'll see that you get some decent clothes to wear."
"What's wrong with what I have?" I said before I realized that my clothing was indecent by their standards.
"It isn't proper." He said sounding shocked.
"Right, thank you." I said. He slipped out of the room and I heard the sound of boots clicking from down the hallway. I began to look around. The room was fairly large and far nicer than the ratty hotel room that Aleya and I had been in. I walked over to the window and took in my surroundings. It was massive. It was also beautiful. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. I saw Aleya poking her head in.
"Sam?" she said. I turned and motioned for her to come in.
"We're in Camelot." She said after a moment of silence.
"Yep." I said.
"I am now Lady Aleya and you're Lady Samantha." She said almost cracking a smile.
"I met prince Athur!" I said unable to contain my enthusiasm for any longer.
"Wait, this is great and all. I just want to know how we got here." She said.
"Good question." I said I looked into her eyes. There was a mixture of fear and excitement.
"Wibbly wobbly." She said.
"Timey wimey." I said.
"We might as well stay." She said.
"What about my mum?" I asked.
"If you want to leave….. I'll go with you I suppose. If you do we'll find a way." She said. I smiled and then looked down at the floor.
"If there were a way to go back, we have no way of finding it." I said. "What do you say we go pick out a dress? I've never wore a corset before." I said in a lighter tone. This might be a good thing, for both of us.