Arthur had summoned all his under kings back to the castle at Camelot for the big announcement. Announcements. He was exceedingly nervous, Arthur couldn't sit still, he had been pacing and jumpy for days. Morgana had already told her, so she would need to feign her surprise. In truth, she was more than a little happy, not that she could let her Dark Queen see. This whole mess was going to work itself out, better than Morgause had dared hope.
All the noble and royal guests, the courtiers were left waiting in the Great Hall a long time. Hundreds of guests in all. All of Arthur's knights, and Alvarr and herself were left to stand at the double wooden doors leading to the Large Throne Room, to keep order as the crowd became increasingly restless. Finally, the stiff, oak doors creaked as the light streamed into the room and Arthur appeared. The high king was dressed in all his finery, his golden crown glistening on his head.
"Come, my honored guests," Arthur gestured, leading the guests inside.
There in the center of the throne room, was a large wooden round table. He'd had three carpenters working on it for the last half moon turn. It was a thing of beauty, made of heavy oak, polished, ornately carved with runes. Each piece a wedge that had been fitted together, forming a small circular space in the middle. It could seat about ten people easily, with chairs arranged around the outside.
"It has been a practice of the Old religion for a long time," Arthur began, "Not to have the ultimate rule of a single individual…"
The pews were also set up in the room, in rows, with an isle left down the middle leading up to the new table. Arthur walked around and sat at one of the places around the table, facing the benches, that were now filling with courtiers.
The silence of mouths in a crowded room, left only the shuffling of boots to echo off the stone floor.
Arthur continued his speech, "… but to discuss, among the wisest, those leading, those responsible for defense of the realm, to each put forward their ideas, to provide the king with counsel about the best course of action, and to make decisions based on the highest level of agreement."
Arthur explained, "A round table is the symbol of such rule, no place of authority, no throne for the king to sit above everyone else, a circle, has no high and no low places."
The high king stared out at the crowd, genuinely engaging them in his vision of the future, "Everyone is equal, and ruling together."
Morgause glanced at the kings and queen to gauge their reactions to Arthur's proposal. They all looked interested, if surprised by his notion.
"King Bayard, King Rodor, Queen Annis, King Alined, and King Olaf," He used each of their names and titles to demonstrate respect, "While I know you each have your lands that you will continue to rule," Arthur said to his kings and queen, "I wish each of you to supply an adviser to remain at Greater Camelot's court to help rule with me."
Arthur gestured to the table, and demonstrated his will by humbly seating himself at one of high backed, polished oak chairs, facing the crowd. The high king motioned for his under kings to sit around the table with him. None moved immediately, as if still considering this new way. Morgana was first, sitting next to Arthur on his left. Agravaine slowly moved to sit at Arthur's other side. Gaius and Geoffrey of Monmouth, stood behind Arthur's Uncle, while Ninianne stood behind Morgana.
"You will always have my ear, and a say in all my decisions," Arthur spoke with kingly confidence, "My advisers will be free to speak to their ideas and I will listen before making decisions."
An excited buzzing went through the room. This was certainly a completely different way from the iron clad rule of kings, their divine right, bestowed by God.
Arthur sat at the table, no more prominent than anyone else as he continued to deliver his speech in front of the crowded room, now full, with nobles, courtiers and a few commons, sitting in rows at the wooden benches, looking on at this momentous occasion.
"I do not command, but cordially ask, each of you to join with me," Arthur said, his tone modest, "Together we can rule this land with fairness, and justice, peace and prosperity."
Cheering could be heard coming from the back of the room.
King Bayard was the first to stand, he took a few paces toward Arthur and held out his hand. Arthur gladly accepted and they shook on it. Clapping could be heard from the crowd of onlookers. Then Bayard took the seat next to Agravaine. Rodor sat at the next seat, Queen Innis next to him. Olaf came next, and finally in a rather bold move, King Alined very publicly and deliberately took a seat at the table, a symbolic gesture of Cumbria joining Greater Camelot whose significance was lost on no one. The last two seats that would have completed the circle coming back to Morgana were vacant, probably waiting for the final two kingdoms, Cenred and Odin, that remained outside of Arthur's high kingship, to join in their alliance.
That was the easy part, Morgause thought.
"To my royal and honorable guests, esteemed nobles," Arthur began his rehearsed speech, "I, King Arthur of Greater Camelot, summoned you here to announce a most happy event," He paused, apparently for dramatic effect, "I am to be wed."
A quiet murmur went through the room, no doubt speculation about which princess had won the heart of the King of Greater Camelot. Morgause watched Morgana. Her face gave nothing away.
Arthur spoke loudly, "I am to wed Guinevere."
Sighs, gasps and whispers went through the audience.
Morgana remained impassive. Morgause was trying not to smile outwardly, but she couldn't help but be happy. Morgana had foreseen it weeks ago, her lover was obviously still crushed, but at least she wasn't blindsided. Arthur had told her himself, privately, a few days ago as well.
"No doubt," Arthur silenced the whispers, "Many of you are wondering, who is this Guinevere? And of what noble house does she come? Why have I not heard of her?"
Arthur didn't seem concerned about the mounting disquiet, "You haven't heard of Guinevere because she is of common birth, specifically she is the daughter of a blacksmith."
Stifled gasps and shocked utterances rumbled throughout the room.
Arthur didn't let it bother him, "I marry her not because she will bring me powerful alliances, with strong armies, or riches, but because I love her."
Morgause could feel the tension in the room. It was her sworn duty to watch the king, but she had no illusions what her duty here really was.
This was when Arthur nodded to Gwen who was off to the side, not far from the round table, next to a group of Arthur's knights. Morgause was on the other side standing with the rest of Camelot's knights. Gwen was dressed in one of Morgana's white gowns. A wedding dress was being sewn for her day and night, but she had no clothes fitting of her new position, so Morgana's wardrobe was sufficing at present. Morgana mostly wore her black priestess robes anyhow. But not today.
Gwen blushed meekly, she smiled kindly at the audience, she took Arthur's extended hand, that he now held up for everyone to see his approval of her. Rodor fumed in his seat. Bayard's face pulled taut in anger. Alined seemed unphased, but he was the scheming type, so who knew what he really thought. Bethany cried silently next to him. Neither Mithian, nor Arya seemed as upset as might be expected at being passed over for a maid. The feelings of Arthur's under kings were offset somewhat by the prior announcement about how Arthur would rule. Clearly done deliberately to throw them a bone, before he disappointed their hopes.
It is good for The Isle, excepting if he'd married one of us, of course.
Gwen is no zealot, she comes with no force to threaten The Pact. Arthur will have more need of The Isle's support if he continues to keep his under kings offside.
Arthur continued his speech to this stunned crowd, "To celebrate this most joyous occasion a fortnight hence. There will be a Christian service in the morning, after which time there will be a great tourney to celebrate my marriage."
Arthur seemed so excited as he spoke, "My legacy as King of Greater Camelot shall be this; ability over birth."
Morgause couldn't help but be moved. Arthur was keeping his plots very close to the chest at present. Morgana didn't even know if his intent. Morgause felt a certain pride, Arthur was embracing the way of The Isle. She was herself, a child born under suspicion of being a bastard of adultery. Nowhere but The Isle would she have been able to rise and learn all that she had. To Vivienne she was eternally grateful. The Christians left children like her in nunneries to be forgotten.
"Presently, only those who are of noble blood may become knights," Arthur paused to let the next part of his speech sink in, "But what about the talented? The strong? The quick, the brave and the clever? Why should being born a peasant or a commoner preclude a man from the opportunity to better himself if he proves himself worthy?"
A rumble went through the room.
This is a most serious break with tradition.
Geoffrey of Monmouth came forth handing Arthur a scroll that he presented to the onlookers.
Arthur seemed oblivious to the discontent, "Which is why, I, King Arthur of Greater Camelot, sign this royal decree declaring that knighthood shall no longer be the preserve of the nobility alone, that commons and peasants will now have the opportunity to win knighthoods based on their talent and effort to better themselves," Arthur allowed for the room to hear those most groundbreaking statements, before he continued to explain.
Arthur sincerely connected with the people in the room, looking out and speaking as if to everyone personally, "This new way will begin at my wedding tourney, anyone may enter the lists, those who prove themselves worthy will be welcome to train beside my knights until they show the requisite skill and knightly morality."
The common people will love you forever, Arthur.
But, not this audience.
Arthur announced, "I will be knighting Morgause and Alvarr of The Isle of Mists on my wedding day."
Really? That's news to me! The Church are going to excommunicate you, Arthur! But I thank you.
The high king said, "Both have been training beside my knights and have proven…"
"Arrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh," A scream of guttural hatred rang out echoing off the walls, coming from just behind Morgause.
Morgana.
She immediately tried to pull her own sword, but her hand burned with cold and the blade was stuck. She didn't bother wondering what had happened, Morgause instantly lifted her hand to use magic.
It was Sir Aldro. He had drawn his sword and had sprinted past her, towards the large wooden table.
Wind, she thought. But nothing happened.
She grabbed the sword of the knight beside her, and was off before he could object.
"You did this!" He cried in a fit of anger.
Arthur grabbed Gwen beside him, and pushed her behind him for safety, while his hand moved to his sword belt, finding it empty. He hadn't thought to wear Excalibur to court today. He took a few steps back, using his chair as a barrier.
Morgana is the intended target, not Guinevere.
Morgana had been listening to Ninianne who was leaning over whispering something in her ear, which was why they were both caught unaware. Morgana raised a hand to use magic to stop the knight, Morgause saw the glint of gold flash in her lover's eyes, but nothing happened, yet again.
"Die witch!" Sir Aldro screamed, honing the point of his blade towards her chest.
Aldro was picking up speed as he ran, his sword was outstretched in front of him a yard from Morgana, who was desperately trying to flee, but had only at this time managed to push her chair out from under the table.
No!
Ninianne stepped in the path of Aldro's sword. The blade pierced her gut and slid in so far. It was very quiet, except for the scream of pain that escaped the High Priestess' lips. The sight was sickening as the steel came out the other side dripping with blood, the tip of the blade touching Morgana's breast.
Ninay!
Morgause, despite her slow start, was only a few steps behind, but too slow to prevent Ninianne's impaling. The Lady of the Lake was slumped in Morgana's lap now, Morgana was too shocked or scared to move, she covered her mouth and shrieked in horror at the blood pouring from her mentor's grievous wound.
I'm so sorry!
Sir Aldro hastily pulled his weapon out of the High Priestess taking a huge backswing, on an arc that could leave no illusion as to his intent, which was to behead Morgana. Her eyes became large with fear as she lifted her arm to shield her face.
Arthur had began to run forward now, realizing it was Morgana who needed protection, to stop his crazed knight, even though the king still had no weapon.
Morgana!
A collective gasping of breath of the shocked audience could be heard.
Before Sir Aldro could bring the sword down for the killing blow, Morgause ran him through with the blade in her hand, piercing him between the shoulder blades.
Die you retch!
For all the good it will do!
Ninianne is worth a 1000 of you!
His sword clanged loudly on the floor. His hands reflexively went to his chest, holding the steel tip that was sticking out his front. He tried weakly to pull it out, his mail was rapidly covering with blood. He screamed, as he fell forward to his knees before collapsing at Morgana's feet, covering Ninianne whom had slumped to the floor by then.
Morgana stood now, but she was still screeching in terror at the sight before her. Morgause stood before Arthur, heaving, blood dripping from Leon's blade that she had pulled from Aldro's chest, she felt the hatred course through her.
She yelled, "These are the men whom you call honorable knight!"
Arthur had the same shocked look on his face as Morgana, and couldn't take his eyes off the gruesome sight at Morgana's feet. He was jolted by her words. He looked at her with dismay and began to shake his head slowly, still too shocked to form a coherent thought.
The crowd were stunned, most remained seated, some had jumped to their feet at the threat of violence, but everyone was more or less paralyzed watching the grizzly events unfold.
The dying knight kept yelling abuse but stopping to gasp for breath, "She did this… that witch enchanted our king… we must stop her!"
Morgause wasn't done raging either "Is this what you think of The Pact!" She challenged Arthur's other knights.
The other knights seemed to have been slow to react, she was farther away than most, but was the only one to come to Morgana's defense. Alvarr was one the other side, blocked by the table. Those same useless knights were now moving to surround Arthur and Guinevere.
Sir Aldro continued to wail, "She's making him do these things… spitting on his father's legacy…" He spat vitriol and blood, "Uther would die of shame… if… if he knew Arthur was marrying a maid on the say so of that lying, whore, witch!"
Gaius made a quick assessment that there was nothing to be done for either wounded party. Morgana was crying and begging Ninianne to hold on, screaming for Morgause to fetch Caellan. Her Love was kneeling now, she couldn't take her eyes off Ninianne on the floor in front of her, who was gasping and turning an unnatural shade of white.
Morgana held her hand and reassured the dying High Priestess that they would use magic to save her. Ninianne managed to wrap a weak hand around her forearm, shaking her head.
Her voice was shaky, "Do not, child… the sacrifice is not worth it… you must rule after me."
Morgana knitted her brows, "It's not your time, don't leave me, I'm not ready."
Morgause was on the floor now, holding up Ninianne's chest and head. The Lady of the Lake saw her, the closest thing she'd had to a mother since Vivienne had left The Isle to wed Gorlois when she was five years old.
Morgause was too distraught to say much, she raged, "Mother, we must save you."
"You cannot," Ninianne insisted her gaze fixing on Morgause, "You know the price… and you are both needed for what is to come."
Ninianne began to spit blood, she said some unintelligible words. Morgause leaned with her ear to her mentor's lips. And Ninianne whispered her last message.
Four words.
Four words that changed everything.
Ninay, how could you know?
She hadn't given it a thought in years!
Morgause was dazed. She nodded her understanding to her mentor. Ninianne, whom had been holding on to pass on her last pieces of crucial knowledge or foresight, now let herself go. She fell unconscious and didn't wake up. Ninianne was so powerful in every sense of the word. A fierce leader, capable of making hard choices, wise, clever, one of a kind. To think her life could just be taken… Hatred welled within her.
How dare they!
Morgana's sobbing filled the hall. Alvarr stood next to her, sword drawn, ready to defend them if need be.
Sir Aldro was bone pale now, his lips blue, and huffing and shivering as his life's blood drained away, "Knighthoods are for the noble and Godly…" He gasped, his mail and the floor covered with red, "You knight savages… they are not fit… to serve beside me!"
His voice was getting quiet now, it would not be long, "You mock God!"
Is this the justice we can expect in Greater Camelot?
Aldro screamed, "And, I'd do it again!"
How dare they kill our leader!
This is the behavior of the nobility! And they dare call us savages!
For a moment Morgause wanted to believe there really was hell, the way the Christians conceived of it, just so Sir Aldro could burn for all eternity.