The Fauxly Grail

(A/N: Second deleted scene here. Third won't come until some time later in this series. This scene starts in section three and goes for four sections. It ends when Arthur an co are racing back to Worcestershire.)

"You have to find what?" Shrek asked.

"The mystical Holy Grail. It's a journey from which no knight has ever returned, so they say," Arthur said, bowing his head. He looked up again. "But I can't do it alone. I need help."

"So get together a posse or somethin'," Donkey replied.

"Yeah, because I have enough friends to make a posse," Arthur replied, rolling his eyes. "Look, all I have is you guys. Aunt Lillian's too old, Sir Ector is too protective, Kay is too Kay, Morgan could care less about a cup, so it's just down to you three. I know it's asking a lot, like I said no one's ever come back, but just… Please."

"Senor, you have my most humble services," Puss promised, bowing to him.

"Sure, what's the worst that could happen?" Donkey said.

"A horrible, painful, slow death?" Shrek dryly replied.

"Shrek, not in front of the kid," Donkey hissed.

"No, he's right," Arthur said. "But I still have to try. I need to prove that I'm worthy to be king! That I'm strong enough. Determined enough! …Good enough…" He breathed a sigh. "If I never see you again, it's been fun."

"Now hold on, Artie," Shrek said.

"Bye guys," Arthur replied, heading out.

Puss and Donkey gave Shrek 'the look'. "Of for crying out loud. Artie, wait up!"

"Alright! The three caballeros off on another adventure," Donkey said.

"Hey, you say a Spanish word! I am so proud," Puss said, sniffing and wiping an eye.

"Yeah, yeah, don't let it get to your head," Donkey replied.

KAK

"Let's see, so far we've come across two wild boar, four bears, and about nine other groups out searching for the Holy Grail, including Lance's posse. Who, might I add, are way ahead of us. Aren't we productive?" Arthur said with a disgusted scoff. They'd been searching all day and well into the night!

"Senor, you are searching for an ancient treasure that has been lost for centuries. One cannot expect to find it in a day," Puss pointed out.

"I don't have years, Puss," Arthur replied.

"Then their expectations are unrealistic," Puss said.

"So why would Baudwin even give the task, then? There's something to this, I know it," Arthur replied. He just wished he understood what. "I'll stay out looking until I have no other choice but to go back. Then I'll head out after the coronation and try again, maybe."

"You seen anyone from your school out lookin'?" Donkey asked. "I mean, besides that Lancelot guy and his friends?"

"A few," Arthur replied. He found it a bit surprising Bors had been tagging along with Lancelot. Neither Lionel or Hector were, so Arthur would have assumed Lance would leave Bors behind too. Maybe he had forbid it but Bohort had just followed. After all, judging by Lancelot's expression the jouster hadn't wanted his cousin to be there. It seemed Lance had planned to specifically avoid bringing any of his family with him. Which meant odds were Bohort had snuck himself into the party, determined not to be left behind, and only been discovered recently. He guessed he kind of got why Lance had wanted to leave his family at Worcestershire. It was probably the same reason, the actual reason, that he hadn't wanted to bring Ector or Kay. Lancelot was a creep, but he was still human. That meant he probably really loved his family, Arthur guessed. Though it pained him to think Lancelot even had that much decency.

"Look kid, the sun's setting. We'll make camp then get an early start in the morning. You'll be back at Worcestershire by tomorrow night," Shrek said. At least he'd better be.

"You think?" Arthur hopefully asked.

"I know," Shrek replied.

"Yeah. Okay. I am kind of tired," Arthur replied with a sad smile. He sat on the grass, yawning and stretching, then laid back on it. "Night guys," he said. Closing his eyes, he was soon fast asleep.

"Shrek, why'd you tell him we was gonna find the grail by tomorrow night?" Donkey questioned when they were sure Arthur was out.

"Because we will! It just might not be the Holy Grail he expects," Shrek replied. "Look, odds are no one's ever seen it, right? So, we make something or find another fancy, schmancy cup, put it in a cave, have Arthur head inside, and all our problems are solved. Arthur gets a grail, he gets home alive, he's crowned, everyone wins."

"I don't know, Shrek. That seems kind of wrong," Donkey replied.

"It's for his own good," Shrek defended. "Now come on, boys. We have planning to do."

KAK

The sun rose gradually in the sky, gently warming the field and bathing the sleeping young king in light. "Artie," a soft voice said in Guinevere's tone. Arthur stirred slightly, a smile pulling at his lips. "Artie," it repeated a little louder, and Arthur stirred more, rolling onto his back in a half-awake state.

"Gu-Guinevere?" he mumbled hopefully, opening his eyes.

His heart skipped a beat as he saw a vision of her, standing over him with a smile. She leaned over. "Artie, what are you doing? Let's get out of here," she added with a bewitching smirk.

"Y-you mean it? Just you and me?" he asked in awe and hope.

"Who else, kid?!" a voice decidedly not Guinevere's demanded. Arthur jerked fully awake with a gasp only to see Shrek leaning over him. He nearly cried out in disgust before preventing himself. "Now come on, we gotta go."

Arthur rubbed his eyes to erase the vision and sat up. "Huh?" he replied, confused.

"The Grail, Artie! I found the cave, now rise and shine," Shrek replied.

"Rise and shine?" Arthur asked, confused.

"You don't want Sir Shmansypants to get there first, do ya?" Shrek asked.

"No, but-but they were already ahead of us!" Arthur said, still trying to orient himself as he stood, slightly hopeful. Bors had really been tearing it up with the clues, more excited to find it than Arthur had ever seen anyone.

"Not anymore," Shrek replied.

"B-but where's-where's Puss and Donkey?!" Arthur called as he ran to catch up.

"Puss and Donkey, Puss and Donkey," Shrek said, grimacing and trying to come up with an excuse. "Oh, they're up ahead scouting about like they normally do. It's just normal, totally normal!" Arthur stared at him weirdly. Was he okay? "They're gonna give us the old cuckcaw, cuckaw if they see anything we should worry about, okay? Now let's just focus on the task at hand, alright?"

"Sure, yeah, but-but we were lost! How'd you find it?" Arthur questioned.

Shrek walked up to big shrub, parted the leaves, and gestured through it. "Luck's on our side, kid," he replied with a grin. Arthur peered curiously through the bushes and caught his breath, eyes widening. Whoa… Shocked, he stepped from the bushes and walked towards a humongous cavern, kind of terrified.

"That's nothing. Just think of it as a, you know, a giant door leading to a fire-breathing beast protecting its giant treasure," Shrek said. He picked up a bucket, tearing a strip out of it at about eye-level, then plunked it down on Arthur's head like a helmet.

"Uh, Shrek…" Arthur began.

Shrek ignored him, picking up a barrel lid, and said, "Catch!" He thrust it at Arthur, who caught it. The force with which it hit him knocked him back onto the ground with a yelp. "Well, at least you know what you're up against," Shrek said with a smug smile, handing over a pitchfork for Arthur to use as a weapon. Arthur stood up in disbelief, taking the 'weapon'. Oh Shrek had to be kidding. "You look great kid," Shrek said.

"Thanks Shrek," Arthur replied, grimacing.

"Now get in there, battle the beast, grab the grail, beat the bullies, love that lady, and become the king," Shrek said. Well, the love the lady part sounded good at least, Arthur decided.

KAK

The cave was large, gaping, dark, and terrifying. Definitely seemed like a place the grail would be, Arthur noted. He must seem so tiny walking in. "H-hello?" he called out nervously. He walked in a little further and glanced around. "Hello?!" he called a bit louder.

Hello, hello, hello.

He shivered at the echo and walked forward slowly, looking around fearfully. Oh this was so creepy. His breathing was heavier than he would have liked to admit it was. He walked around a corner carefully and stopped, gasping. There, on a pedestal of rock surrounded by a pit, was a golden cup with light streaming down on it from a crack in the cave. "Shrek, I see the grail!" Arthur excitedly called out. At least, he believed it was the grail. He'd have thought it would be a bit more elegant, but whatever. Just then he heard a weird groaning growl sound. "Huh?" he said, quickly turning. He saw nothing. But there was something in here, he knew there was. He didn't know what it was. Was it close? Was it dangerous? Was this the end?! He held out his pitchfork, swallowing. "Yes, I can do this," he willed himself out loud. He held his pitchfork out and at the ready, turning around constantly and keeping his eyes open for whatever was here with him. He froze with a terrified gasp. A bony hand was starting to come up over a ridge! He broke into a cold sweat, mouth dropping slowly and eyes wide as a silhouette, a very large silhouette, began to creep up the wall. "I can do this. I can do this," Arthur willed himself in terror, knees shaking. Slowly the beast emerged from around the rock and… Arthur stopped shaking and stared at it in disbelief. This was it? It wasn't even a fraction of the size he'd thought it was! And it looked ridiculous! Well, the skull head with antlers was kind of creepy, but what was with the moss body blanket? It continued growling and groaning. Suddenly it seemed to trip and fall, splatting on the ground with a cry. Arthur couldn't believe it. "What the heck is that?" he asked out loud.

Shrek, meanwhile, was peering from around the corner in disbelief. Oh boy. Slowly the creature stood back up. "What are you doing you clumsy burrow?" a voice hissed.

"Hey, you got the eye holes, man, do your thing," another hissed back. Arthur stared. Was it… talking to itself? What even was this? The creature hissed. Arthur kept staring, unintimidated.

"Uh, that did no work so good. Now what?" the first voice asked.

"I don't know. Charge him!" the second said. With a battle cry the creature charged at Artie determinedly. Arthur narrowed his eyes, standing his ground as it got closer and closer. He got ready for a stab… and then promptly realized how close he was to the edge of the pit and casually stepped aside. Hey, less work for him. The creature charged right on by, toppling into the hole with cries of alarm.

Arthur stared after it in disbelief. "Ugh, this is so lame," he said with a groan.

"Oy yoy yoy," Shrek said, face-palming. He looked at Arthur. "Alright Artie, way to take care of business! Now go get the grail and let's go. Arthur looked over at the grail and ran off to get it. The skull head poked over the edge, followed by Donkey poking his head over. Shrek looked at the two and frowned at them, eyes narrowing. He pointed his finger down, subtly cuing them to get back down. They gave him apologetic looks and shrank down in embarrassment.

KAK

Artie walked carefully across the rock outcropping, heading for the pedestal. He grabbed the grail and turned. "I got it!" he called to Shrek.

"Good going, Artie! Now let's get back and measure your head, because someone needs to be fitted for a crown," Shrek said.

Arthur grinned and headed back across the pit. He was just walking away from it when suddenly there was a loud stomp sound and the ground shook. Arthur froze. What was that? Artie swallowed and started to look back. A huge, monstrous head poked out from the pit.

Shrek looked and gasped. "Artie!" he shouted, reaching out for the boy.

Arthur spun around and gawked in horror. From out of the pit climbed a dragon! In shock, Arthur dropped the grail. The dragon let out a furious roar. Arthur numbly raised his pitchfork and shield, knowing full well they'd do crap all against this thing. It made to lunge with another roar. Just then Shrek raced over, pushing Arthur out of the way. Artie skidded across the floor and looked up with a gasp. The dragon suddenly head-butted Shrek, sending the ogre flying.

Arthur scrambled to his feet, picking up his pitchfork. The dragon breathed a wall of flame. Arthur gasped, throwing up his makeshift shield. Immediately it caught on fire and Arthur cried out, tossing it to the side. Oh no. The dragon began approaching as Arthur fearfully moved back. Until he couldn't. He gasped. He was cornered! He looked at the dragon again, shakily raising his pitchfork - for all the good it would do - and fully believed he was going to die.

Suddenly a hand popped up over the dragon's head and Arthur gaped as Shrek climbed onto the beast's head. He grabbed the horns immediately, trying to distract the creature, and suddenly they heard something cry out, "Ooga booga, booga, booga!" Arthur looked over in disbelief as the creature from before raced in front of him waving its arms frantically, trying to distract the monster. The dragon looked confused. So did Arthur. So did Shrek. Like none of them could believe what they were seeing. Arthur had an idea of what this creature was now, and he was none too impressed. Of course, that wasn't his biggest concern at the moment, so he let it go. There was a beat, but it didn't last. Suddenly the dragon roared. The 'monster' roared in return and fled right back to the pit, leaping in. Arthur nearly face-palmed. Great. He'd picked a crack team, hadn't he?

"Ugh, I'm so dead," he muttered out loud.

The dragon looked after the other creature then turned back to Arthur and roared again, preparing to breathe fire. Shrek gasped and jerked its horns backwards as hard as he could, raising its head so the fire went over Arthur's. The dragon threw its head back and Shrek lost his grip, falling with a cry and tumbling down the scales like a set of stairs. He reached the tail and the dragon flicked it back, sending Shrek careening across the cavern and into a wall with a sickening crack. He fell to the ground, unconscious, and now it was only Arthur and the beast.

KAK

The tail swooped at Arthur. Arthur dove out of the way quickly, losing his helmet in the process but managing to hold the pitchfork. The dragon came at him with its teeth. Arthur backwards rolled out of the way and crawled farther from the jaws, cornered again. He cursed under his breath. It came at him but he shot to his feet and darted under the dragon's body determinedly. He wasn't being lunch today, thank you! The dragon, surprised, looked under itself. Arthur raced to the tail and began running up the scales to it's back where it couldn't reach. The dragon tried to bite and snap at him, but he was just out of range of the neck. It shook itself and thrashed its body all over, breaking down pillars and causing rocks to start raining down as the cave was destabilized.

Shrek, groaning, came to and saw what was going on, the dragon rolling and writhing and Arthur keeping his balance like an old hand. Finally, though, it shook the boy king. Arthur went flying off with a cry, his pitchfork sticking into a pillar and leaving him hanging from it far above the ground. Arthur held on tightly. The dragon swished its tail around, trying to crush Arthur's body against the rocks. Arthur gasped, pulling himself up in a chin-up and missing it. The tail smashed into the pillar instead, and rocks began falling more rapidly. He looked up. Okay, this was as unstable as it would ever be. He had one chance at this. He just had to wait for the right moment. The dragon came at him with its jaws, and he decided this was as good a moment as any.

"Artie!" Shrek shouted in fear.

Arthur set his jaw, gritting his teeth with eyes narrowed at the dragon. With a grunt, he pulled himself out of the pillar, dropping. The dragon crashed into the column which all but shattered, the rocks tumbling in boulders down on top of it as Artie slid down the base with a determined expression and rolled out of the way of the caving in pillar, looking back with a scowl to make sure the dragon was well and truly dead. It was, and Arthur, breathing heavily, began to calm down. Shrek could only gawk in disbelief along with Donkey and Puss. Arthur turned and saw the grail. He smiled, snatching it and standing before heading towards Shrek. Puss and Donkey, from the side, numbly removed their costume and headed over too while Shrek continued gaping in shock.

"Shrek, I did it!" Arthur said excitedly and proudly, beaming. Shrek stared at him for a beat. Whoa…

"You… did it," Shrek finally managed to say in disbelief.

"Come on, we've got to get back," Arthur said, grinning widely. He turned, clutching the grail proudly, and headed out as Shrek watched after him, mouth still hanging open. He turned to Puss and Donkey.

"I bet you feel really good about this one," Donkey sarcastically bit.

"Sure, uh, why not?" Shrek replied, shrugging. It certainly had given the kid a confidence boost, if nothing else.

"You are not going to tell him the truth?" Puss asked.

"We'll be on our way home before anyone's the wiser," Shrek defended. Like Puss had said, no one had found the grail for centuries. He doubted today would be any different than all the others. It would more likely than not stay undiscovered, and hey, maybe it would save some lives if they believed Arthur had found the real one. Fewer knights going out and getting themselves killed over a cup. Puss and Donkey gave him the look. Shrek winced. "Come on," he said, heading quickly after Arthur. Puss and Donkey rolled their eyes and followed.

KAK

Arthur, grinning from ear to ear, raced back to the school excitedly. He'd done it. He'd found the Holy Grail! "Dad, dad!" Arthur called excitedly out, spotting Ector and Meliot ushering back in the groups of students who had headed out to try and find the grail too. Another staff member was with them, Sir Bors. He was Bohort and Lionel's dad. Arthur lit up even more when he saw that the ones the teachers were welcoming back now were Lancelot and his party. Score! He could finally rub something in. "Dad, I found it! I found the Grail! It was in a freaky cave and guarded by a fire-breathing dragon and everything!" he exclaimed, showing it off proudly.

Ector spun, eyes wide, as did Lancelot's team. Lancelot's eyes widened as well. "No way!" he said. But how?! Artie found it?

Ector grabbed the cup, gawking at it in shock, before processing what Arthur had said he'd had to face and quickly turning to his foster son. "Are you alright?" he demanded.

"I'm better than alright! I found the Holy Grail!" Arthur said.

"But that's not the Holy Grail," Bors the Younger protested.

"There, there, Bors. I know how much you wanted to be the one to find it, but it's not the end of the world," King Bors the Elder said in a soothing tone.

"I'm not upset, da. That's just not the Holy Grail," Bors said.

"Bors, what have I taught you and your brother about being happy for other people when they accomplish things?" Bors the Elder chastised.

"The Holy Grail is a bejeweled treasure, not a mug made of wychwood and overlaid with gold," Bors insisted. "Me and Percival have researched everything to do with it. That's not it."

"Well then why was a fire-breathing dragon guarding it?" Arthur challenged.

"Because it's another priceless treasure cup?" Bohort answered like it was obvious. "Da, da, I think he found the Nanteos Cup!"

"The Nanteos Cup? Wasn't that one of the cups suspected of being the holy grail?" Ector asked.

"It was, but they decided it wasn't it in the end. I'm telling you, that's not the Grail," Bohort stated, pointing at it. "But it's probably at least three quarters as important. The Nanteos cup is a big find itself. Like I said, it's a treasure too," he triumphantly finished.

"Shrek, where'd you find a treasure?" Donkey whispered.

"I didn't. Puss found it," Shrek replied, pointing. Puss tensed and looked at them before giving a guilty grin and shrug, nervously chuckling as they glared. Stolen, no doubt. They didn't even bother asking.

Lancelot cruelly laughed. "Figured you'd screw something as important as a quest for the Holy Grail up, loser," he taunted Arthur, who looked stunned and more than a little upset, staring at the cup he'd brought back in disbelief. But-but he'd almost died for that thing!

"Enough, Lancelot! Get inside," Sir Meliot sharply ordered, pointing. Lancelot started, frowned as he debated whether to throw out a defiant answer, then decided it was probably in his own best interests if he didn't push Sir Meliot farther. Grinning tauntingly at Arthur, he walked off laughing with the rest of his posse, say for Gawain who was shaking his head, and Bohort who was too busy being relieved he still had a chance to be the one to find the grail.

KAK

Arthur's shoulders slumped and he bowed his head. Shrek cringed. "Sorry, Artie," he said, definitely not wanting to tell the truth now. "But hey, it's a treasure too, right?"

"Arthur, what you did was amazing. Do you know how often people have gone in search for this cup?" Sir Ector added, trying to help Shrek cheer the boy up. "This was no small accomplishment."

"Still isn't good enough. Baudwin said I needed to get the Grail if he was going to agree to crown me king, and now… What's even the point, sir?" Arthur said.

"I'll go with you to explain, if you want," Ector gently offered.

"Because that'll do wonders for my reputation," Arthur replied. Ector cringed and Arthur bit his tongue. "Sorry," he said.

"If you'd prefer, I can meet you there," Ector said, sounding a little disheartened.

Well now Arthur really felt like crap. "It's okay, dad. You can come with me," he assured, smiling at Ector. Ector smiled back, relaxing a little, and nodded. Arthur smiled then headed off. Ector lagged behind him a little ways. Arthur wasn't complaining. Ector glanced at Shrek guardedly, who stared back, then awkwardly cleared his throat and headed after Arthur with the ogre.

"So… you're Arthur's father then," Shrek said.

"In every way but blood," Ector answered. "And you're… the ogre who came to take him away from Worcestershire."

"Uh… yes," Shrek replied.

Ector nodded. There was silence a moment. "You realize that if I'd been there you would have been as good as dead, right?" he soon asked. "Considering I'd thought you a threat."

"Yeah. I got it," Shrek flatly replied. He looked at Arthur. "You raised a heck of a kid, you know."

Ector smiled gently. "More than anyone knows. Thank you," he answered. "And thank you for getting him to Far Far Away alive. I wish I'd been there to send him off." Shrek smiled, loosening up a bit. He guessed that was approval.

KAK

Arthur approached Bishop Baudwin cautiously, visibly nervous. He paused before he was seen and swallowed, looking back. He was glad, now, that he'd allowed Ector to come. And the guys too. Ector nodded at him. Arthur turned back to Baudwin and approached. "S-sir?" he said.

Baudwin turned. "Well, if it isn't the young King. Have you found the Grail already?" he questioned.

"N-no, sir… I thought I had, it was being guarded by a fire-breathing dragon in a dark cave and there was this huge fight and it was so cool! But then it turns out it wasn't," Arthur replied, producing the cup. "I'm sorry I failed. I guess… I guess this means no coronation, huh?"

Baudwin tilted his head. After a moment, he gently squeezed Arthur's shoulder. Arthur looked curiously up at him. "Arthur, the purpose of the task wasn't the Grail. I could care less about the Holy Grail. It will be found when fate decrees it will. What I wanted to know was how true your heart was towards becoming king. I wanted to see how determined you were to take up the mantle. I wanted to see what you were willing to risk and give for it. Being a king is a very, very large responsibility, one you couldn't possibly have been ready for. It would have been so easy for you to run instead of even trying to find the grail, but you didn't run. Here you are. You came back. You could have given up and handed the crown back to Lillian, but you came back. You didn't come back empty handed either. You risked life and limb itself to try and prove to me that you truly wanted this, and by extension showed everyone that you were willing to risk the same to protect and lead them too." He released Arthur's shoulder, stepping back, then kneeled before him, bowing his head. "It will be my deepest honor to coronate you, your majesty. Forgive me the test I gave you. Tomorrow you will be crowned king."

Arthur could only gape in shock. "R-really? Thank you, sir!" he said, a grin spreading across his face. Baudwin smiled and rose. Ector beamed lovingly at his adoptive son. Shrek, Puss, and Donkey all smiled affectionately.

"Now that's what I call a happy ending," Donkey declared. "Let's bow to the king, baby!" Arthur grinned widely as those with him all bowed proudly. Maybe everything was starting to look up after all…

Coronation Day

Arthur stared at himself in the mirror nervously, checking over his appearance for the last time. Today was the day of his coronation, and he couldn't remember ever being this nervous in his whole life. "Come along, son. It's time," Ector said.

"I'm afraid," Arthur replied.

"I know… I'm here, Arthur. So is your aunty, and your brother and sister, and your friends," Ector assured. Arthur swallowed nervously then smiled weakly, nodding. He turned, drew a breath, and followed his father out into the courtyard.

KAK

Arthur stood before them all, pale but trying to hide his fear and uncertainty from all the subjects gathered to witness the event. There was all manner of men who tried to pull the sword one last time in hopes of proving the claim Arthur was king wrong. None of them succeeded. When finally every defiant knave and knight who wanted to test their worth had tested it, and when finally all egos were thoroughly squashed, Arthur stepped forward at Ector's gentle prompt and approached the sword wordlessly as all eyes watched. He stared at Caliburn a long moment. "We meet again," he murmured to it with a small smile, too quiet for anyone to hear and assume he'd lost his mind. Arthur drew a breath and reached out, wrapping his hand around the hilt of the blade. He swallowed, prayed this worked, then pulled.

The sword slid out as if he'd drawn it from soft butter, and shone brightly in the sun as Arthur held it up for all the people to see. There was stunned shock and awe as they gaped in wonder at the glistening blade held in the boy's hand. All at once they broke into applause and shouts of joy. Fiona, Shreak, Puss, Donkey, and the Fairy Tale Creatures beamed widely, whistling and hooting. Fiona wiped away a happy tear. The people cried out, "We will have Arthur unto our king! We will delay him no more, for we see that fate wills he shall be king, and he who holdeth against that fact we will slay him!" More than a few of his schoolmates looked suddenly very uneasy. Arthur grimaced at the words of the people. He thought their threat was kind of extreme and almost shouted out that there would be no slaying, but a firm warning glance from Lillian silenced him, and he bit his tongue.

All together the subjects knelt as once, both rich and poor, and begged for his mercy because they'd delayed him for so long.

Arthur was totally bowled over. This was the exact opposite of what the reaction from Worcestershire had been, and judging by the shocked expressions on the faces of the students, only now were they starting to truly and genuinely comprehend just how serious Arthur's pulling the sword from the stone and anvil was.

And Arthur forgave them and took the sword between both his hands and offered it on the altar, and so was made knight…

And then the next thing he knew, they were on their way up the Mountain of Kings to carry out the final rites. Did this mean he got to skip school, he hopefully wondered? He got to be a knight without attending Worcestershire, after all! Kind of. Sort of… In title, maybe, but title was what mattered, right? Ugh, he was only kidding himself. He wasn't holding his breath they'd let him off that easily.

And so anon was the coronation made…

Arthur stood on the high cliff overlooking the land in shock and awe, only starting to register now just how serious and severe this role he had taken on was. When he was told to kneel he knelt, holding his breath and valiantly trying to hide his subtle shivering. He caught his breath as he was given the speech and the actions were carried out, and soon Bishop Baudwin gave him Caliburn once more. Arthur rose, looked over the land, and knew he was supposed to hold it out over it to claim it, but terror was starting to grip him again. He wanted to run. Run as fast and far away from here as humanly possible and never look back. He swallowed, looking around for an escape route. Instead he met Kay's eyes, and Lucan's. Kay gently and reassuringly smiled at him, nodding, as Lucan motioned for him to do it, and Arthur remembered a promise he'd made to Ector long ago when he'd first pulled Caliburn from the stone as a kid, probably only twelve. It was too late to go back. He couldn't run from this like he had tried to run from other things, he knew that. He didn't like it, but that was how it was. He looked out over the land, swallowed, and stretched out the sword with a shaky breath.

And there was he sworn unto his lords and the commons for to be a true king, to stand with true justice from thenceforth the days of his life…

Uproarious cheers rang out as people hollered for him and cried out. He hated the attention so, so much. He didn't deserve this. What right did he have to rule them? He just… He took a breath. He needed to calm down. All he could do, now, was his best. And hope his best was good enough for the first time in his life…

(A/N: This is the end of Act 1, so now I pose a question to my readers. Act 2 might take a bit of time to edit, but hopefully not too long. It just might not be up for a few days, maybe a week. So should I post Act 2 in this story - which admittedly is a bit short as just one act - or post it in a new one?)