This is the Once and Future Queen Episode. We really don't know how much time has passed since the Previous episode, so I am going to make a guess and say two weeks. That sounds like enough time for me... Not a lot has happened, Mika hasn;t even started teaching anyone yet. Too much time resources were being dedicated to the reconstruction of Camelot. It only took two weeks because they were so used to dis-taters caused by the Royal Family.
Also, you all that have seen the series know why this chapter is funny... the Next chapter, In Canon, Morgana starts to discover her powers and starts to go down the dark path. My Story literally has eradicated that path as a possibility... Still, I have to ask... do you all want to see the Witchhunter Versus Mika? You all know who I am referring to.
Also, Why the hell did Merlin Poison Morgana? Yes she hated Uther, but loved Arthur... She would have willingly taken the Poison to save him and their kingdom... Merlin is an ass. More so, both he and Gaius thought the worst of Morgana even before she aligned herself with Morgana. She wanted to dethrone Uther but never had the means or intentions to cause harm, Morgouse Took advantage of that... still Morgouse loved Morgana, I truly believe that.
Also, isn't it odd that Merlin does not want to kill Uther but kills almost all of his foes? Most of which use Magic... Hypocrite.
" Who in all Seven Hells made such a disgusting and Pointlessly Violent Sport?" Mika Sneered at all of the idiots gathering to shove massive poles into each other's chest while on horse back. " Why would any king waste so much money on this kind of sport, wasting my time when I could be starting my apprenticeships." Mika nearly spat in disgust as he turned his gaze towards the newly restored Castle. " We just finished repairing that bloody building yesterday morning, and I just patched up the last of those injured in the attack and reconstruction an hour ago... how did we have time to plan this? And why do I have to be the one to patch these idiots up after they hurt themselves... "
Morgana, who was sitting next to him, laughed loudly at him. " You are really unhappy about all of this." Her tone was brimming with amusement as she said this, getting him to scowl lightly. " If you are this upset about the Training and Setup, I can't imagine you being happy for the actual tournament."
Mika sighed, deep disgust clear in his tone. " Broken Ribs, Bruised and Damaged Organs, Torn Muscles, Dislocated or Jammed Shoulders... This is a nexus of pointless injuries waiting to happen." Mika's eye shifted to Arthur, whom he knew heard yelling at them to treat him like everyone else. " Then there is that... No one would ever fight him with their fullest skills, unless they wanted to kill him. This Tournament is a Joke... Though I might be forced to fight Arthur in the Next Swords tournament so I could kill him."
" That would be fun to watch." Morgana's chuckle was cold, cruel and unendingly amused... however her eyes turned distant as she focused connecting with the Fragment of Kilgarah's essence they felt reaching out to them.
" This Event is vital to Athur's Growth as a Man and as a King." His tone was rough, hurried like he was having trouble breathing. " I know that you all desire to kill him, however he could be a vital tool for your take over. Or, perhaps he could act as a Puppet king?"
Mika bit his lip but shook his head. "No, Arthur possesses too much love for Uther, even if he wanted to personally remove the restriction of Magic, his love for Uther would forbid it. More so, Arthur has a weak Mind and even weaker convictions... though perhaps a temporary solution. We could use him to harness the loyalty of the Knights until they can be directed towards a more... pliable path... "
Morgana gave Mika a strange look. " And how would you do that, Arthur is too much his father's son as you just said." Oddly enough, her tone was sad, regretful and tinged with pain. She had grown up with Arthur, so despite their plans it had to hurt that he would more then likely be dead by the time their plans went through.
Smiling, Mika sent a wave of comfort to the girl. " Just watch..." Mika jumped down from the stands and marched towards Arthur. " My Lord, if you wish to act like a Normal, Non Royal Individual... work at my shop for one day. You will get to see why there is a lot more to being Non Royal, other then being treated like an equal."
Arthur, clearly not expecting such an offer, gaped at Mika for a moment before nodding. " Very well, I will be there" He went to march off, but Mika wasn't having it. Grabbin Arthur's hand, Mika pulled him backwards and gave him the same look he would give to any disrespectful Employee.
" You will be there before Dawn, working Under Morgana and Gwen. You will help to set up the shop, chop the firewood, start said fire, kindly greet my patients and obey every word to the Letter." Arthur went to protest, when Mika reached up and grabbed his Jaw, much to the shock of the Other Knights. " No Arthur, you don't get to protest. If you work for me, you listen to my words like they are the orders of your King. In my profession, ignoring my orders can cause death or disfigurement. I expect total obedience, Just ask Morgana and Gwen. " He move Arthur's head towards Morgana who, despite being very amused, nodded seriously.
Arthur gulped, but clearly wanted to go through with this, so he nodded. " Alright... Um... Sir." He was not at all used to such acts, it was almost amusing. " Um... are you going to be here during the Tournament?"
Mika nodded, smirking lightly. " So will you." Arthur looked confused. " Morgana, Gwen and I are going to be here When the Tournament starts which is after Twelve. However before that, we are going to be in the Shop. I have at least six Expecting Mothers, five infants and two toddlers that need be examined, a Blacksmith who needs his bandages changed, and a dog that has a splint to be removed."
Arthur gaped at Mika in horror. " All before NOON?"
Mika just chuckled at his Naivety. " All before Nine." The Prince paled lightly, before turning to Merlin, who was hustling from where he had been standing off to the side. Mika did not want that boy anywhere near Arthur or His Shop, he didn't want that kind of negative influence. " Oh no, Merlin is going to be helping Gaius to prepare, and after that... Well I am sure he could help the other knights and participants to get ready. You are a Normal person, so no Servants. You have to do everything for yourself... .in fact you will be staying the night with me, and I will teach you how to cook. But first we will need to change those clothes... hmmmm, I am too short for any of my clothes to fit you, and Merlin is far too thin for any of his clothes to fit you. Perhaps one of your knights have something you can wear?"
Morgana's loud laugh drew everyone's attention, getting Arthur to Scowl and the Knights to look uncomfortable. Merlin just looked deeply angry..." I am sure Gwen has something you can Wear, She still has some of her father's clothes." Merlin, Arthur and several of the Knights cringed at that reminder. Such a wonderful man, killed for something he wasn't even aware of. Mika had never met Tom, but even Kilgarah spoke highly of him. His Death still stung a lot of people around Camelot, even under all of the other Pointless Deaths Uther had caused.
Still, Mika knew why Morgana had done this. While Subtle, it was a blatant reminder of the Cruelty and pointlessness of Uther's actions, stirring the dormant guilt they all felt for following orders.
" Wonderful, Arthur I expect you at my Shop by sundown. You should probably tell your Father, honesty is the best policy, especially since I don't want to be burned at the Stake or Hanged for something out of my control." Another Cruel Reminder that caused Flinches all around.
Merlin wanted to Panic, to rip Arthur away from Mika..but he knew he couldn't. Mika was a Court Physician, comparable to a Knight in terms of Power and influence. Yes, he was only recently made a Court Physician, but still. If Merlin tried to make even the slightest public move against Mika, he could be put in the Stocks. Of course, he was sure Mika would prefer to punish him personally..
Shivering at that thought, Merlin followed Arthur to their tent where Arthur began to speak. " Until the Tournament is Over, I want you working with Gaius and the Other Knights."
" But Arthur I-"
" NO Merlin, I have to do this. I am tired of everyone treating me like I am special, I need to see what it is like to be a normal person." Merlin wanted to sigh or lash out but knew well enough that he could do nothing. Besides, Morgana would be there with him and she would never allow something to happen to Arthur, even if she tried to kill Uther once before.
Merlin's eyes suddenly brightened at that thought, and thus he switched tactics. " Very Well... So, can you imagine what it will be like to have to obey Morgana's Orders?" Arthur's pride had always been a major weakness, and that is exactly what he was focusing on.
Arthur scowled. " Unpleasant thought... but She hasn't been working Under Mika for Much time, so she can't be that much ahead of me. I will probably surpass her before the Tournament is Over." His scowl turned into a Smirk, making Merlin sigh at that failed attempt.
" How about Gwen, she works along side them both, and you have to listen to her as well?" He was getting desperate, but he had to get Arthur away from Mika. The boy has no boundaries, and he was a powerful and skilled sorcerer skilled in the Mental arts. Who knew what he could do to Arthur?
" That wouldn't be too bad.." Arthur Mumbled out as a tinge of red crossed his face, making Merlin sigh. This was going to be far more difficult then he imagined...
..
Several Hours Later
" ABSOLUTELY NOT, YOU WILL NOT DISGRACE THIS HOUSEHOLD BY ACTING LIKE A SERVANT!" Uther's bellow shook the room, much to Gwen's annoyance. A welling of hatred bubbled in her chest, freed by her alliance to Mika and Morgana, their kind words and honest actions being what she needed to tap into that side of herself. It of course helped that Uther was an easy person to hate.
Turning her soft gaze towards Arthur, she smiled and nodded, encouraging him silently. She knew he liked her, and to be honest she felt the same towards him most of the time... however she knew that he would more then likely be dead by the time the Pendragon Dynasty was over. It hurt but she understood why, most of the time anyway.
Arthur took in a deep breath before speaking once more. " Father, I am tired of being treated special, How can I test my true self and my true skills if all of my opponents are forced to hold back?" Gwen sighed here, pride in such events only caused problems.
Uther sneered at his son. " By doing the work of a servant, you are the Prince of Camelot, above all of that. More so, you have proven yourself against many opponents, outside of the Castle. None of which held back."
" Actually, They probably did." Mika's cool, logical voice drew everyone's attention. " If they knew he was the Prince, he would honestly be worth more alive as a Hostage, then dead. More so, they risked war if he died." He then sighed through his nose. " On another note, My Lord, I think him working under me would be beneficial."
Uther turned to him with a cold look." Nonsense, my son is a Prince, working as a servant would only allow others to look down on him."
Mika raised an eyebrow in a calm, cold, surprisingly intimidating look. Even Uther looked mildly uncomfortable. " My Lord, The People see the Nobles as Leeches, who do little to nothing to help." Uther looked furious here, but Mika would not let him stew in that emotion. " They are not to blame for that, so much happens outside of their eye sight. Having Arthur working in a public forum, like my shop, helping others... it would further cement that the Crown does indeed care about the people and increase general loyalty to the crown and kingdom. It would show that he is not any different then those that do not posses Royal Blood."
Gwen was surprised at how easy it was to listen to Mika, his voice drew you in and his words kept you still. Everyone looked agreeable, even Uther seemed softer and more open to Mika's suggestion.
"Uh... Well, then... Very well. Arthur, you may, uh, Perform this test of yours. Only until the Tournament is over, once it is you will return to your Normal Duties." Uther seemed very uncomfortable, and that made Gwen Happy.
Perhaps Morgana was right, and it was okay to enjoy the Suffering of your Enemies, so long as you do not lose yourself to such emotions...
" And Yet so many lose themselves to such thoughts..." Gwen jumped at that sudden voice, cursing her actions and thanking that no one was paying attention to her. " Ah, my Dear Girl, I am very sorry. My Name Is Kilgarah, I am sure Mika and Morgana have already spoken to you about me?" Gwen sighed, nodding as she pulled even further into the shadows to keep all eyes off of her.
" Yes...umm, Lord Dragon?" She whispered out, getting loud chuckles in her head.
" Call me Kilgarah, It is my name my dear, and you only have to think for me to hear it. "
She frowned lightly. "I didn't know that Non Magical Beings could speak with their Minds."
Kilgarah sighed. " You can't, but I can speak and listen using My Mind. It takes twice as Much power, but it is very much worth it. You are very much worth it Guinevere." She blushed and started to mentally stammer.
" But I am just a loyal Servant, a Blacksmith's daughter."
Kilgarah snorted loudly before giving her the impression of him shaking his head in exasperation. " You are much more then that my dear, had Mika never interfered, you would have married Arthur and lead Camelot after his first Death. Causing an Age of Peace, Happiness and much more balanced Laws." She gaped, never having believed such things. " As it is, you have an important part to play, perhaps even Greater then Mika, Merlin, Morgana or Mordred's."
She froze, not at all believing that, not even being able to comprehend it. " How... How could I have a role Greater then theirs? They have Magic, they heal the sick and battle famine, they are willing to die to make the Kingdom better...They are worth far more then I." And she believed that entirely...
" Yes, they are gifted, powerful, and Willing to do what it needed.. however you Guinevere have something neither of them have. Mika is blinded by his goals and is willing to do anything to achieve them... Morgana's Compassion Fuels her Dark side making her potentially more dangerous then even Uther... Merlin is too light, to loyal to Arthur and his Destiny to see whom he is hurting... I hold a Grudge against Uther that blinds me far too often and almost made me Exactly like Uther. But you Guinevere... you have a Heart of Pure Gold, you Love with every fiber of your Soul and would do anything to better your Kingdom. You have no extra goals, no Greater Personal Ambition, No Grudges or inner Hatred. You will be the Glue that holds the Kingdom together, that allows the Low Borns a Pure voice in the running of things, that helps to heal the wounds of those Uther has betrayed, opening them to the Possibility of change.
Unlike the Others, you are entirely selfless... and that is a Gift just a powerful as magic... more so in the right hands. However, Mika and Morgana bring Balance by allowing you to see necessary sacrifices and Evils. And that is why I beleive in you Gueinivere... that is why you are important... without you, they will Fail. You are the Light, the Balance they need... the Balance we all need."
Chapter End, tell Me what you think in the Reviews. Next chapter, which will be coming soon, will show how Gwen has taken to being on Mika and Morgana's side... The Steps they are all taking.. and maybe even the Freeing of Kilgarah. Not sure so much...
Did you Like Mika's Deal with Arthur, and my Views on Gwen? Those are my Views by the way.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.