"Excuse me?" Arthur asked, sure he couldn't have heard him right.
"I've done so many things." Uther began, "Things that I said I had to do. Maybe they were right, maybe they were wrong. I don't know anymore." After a moment he looked at Arthur, "But you—you're not exactly what I wanted, but –you're more moral than I've ever been."
"That's not really a qualification!" Arthur exclaimed, started to panic, "Well, I mean it helps, you probably don't have to worry about me trying to see the future in kids entrails of throwing random people off of cliffs, or impaling them in stakes, but—but-but I'm still not ready. I lack experience, I lake judgement. I set a crazy witch on my sister because I tried to reason with an undead rage zombie!"
"You—you're more ready than you think are." Uther told him, "I—I've considered everything you just said, and while yes, you do lack those things, you do have the ability to inspire loyalty. You've said it yourself, half the people who do actually attack us, attack us because I've angered them. As for your points, you'll have advisors, you'll even still have me. There are a few things I've done that I still stand by. Just—don't take advice your maternal uncle that's currently still alive, Agravaine. "
"Yes, you've already explained how most of mom's side of the family hates both of us." Arthur reminded him, "But I'm—I'm not even Crown Prince yes. We never did that."
"Well, that's a situation we need to rectify." Uther declared.
Merlin was at the table with a metal wash basin, rubbing cloth in the bottle when suddenly the door opened and shut. He turned his head to find Arthur just standing there, looking like he was in a shocked stupor. "Oh, no, what happened?" He asked, know Arthur was supposed to have a meeting with Uther.
"I'm going to king this time next year." Arthur responded before collapsing against the door.
The next days were a whirlwind of planning. Planning, document signing, contacting foreign dignitaries that needed to at least be invited, menus to plan. And dignitaries weren't the only one who needed to be contacted…
Arrietty lept off the horse. She never thought she'd actually be happy to see this place again.
Remember what Arthur said about being discreet. America reminded her in sign, before the family went towards the back-entrance Arthur had instructed him to use.
Arthur was waiting for them at that back interest. "Was your trip okay?" He asked, hugging mother.
"A bit bumpy, but uneventful." America told him, "Daisy made sure we were safe."
Arthur looked up to Daisy. "Thanks."
"No problem." Daisy responded, falling back so he could talk to Arthur, "And Uther was actually okay with this?"
"Not at first." Arthur admitted, "But I was able to talk him into it, provided no one knows who they actually are, and they don't know certain—details."
"What details?" Daisy asked.
"I'll explain it you later, I promise." Arthur assured her.
At least it was the day of. Merlin was helping Arthur get ready. "You nervous?" Merlin asked.
"Me?" Arthur responded, "No."
Merlin sighed. "Arthur, I thought we were past this."
Before things could continue, there was knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Arthur called out.
"It's Gwen." She called back.
Surprised, Arthur's eyes darted around the room. "Come in, I guess."
Gwen stepped inside, her stomach in knots.
"Are you okay?" Arthur asked, "You look pale."
"Yes, I'm fine," Gwen told her, feeling and looking like she was about to puke, "It's just…"
"Merlin, can you leave us for a minute?" Arthur requested.
Merlin silently left, leaving the pair standing there, staring at each other.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Arthur asked.
"Yeah," Gwen assured, "This sounds so silly now, but-" She pulled white handkerchief out of her dressed, "I wanted to give you this. Erm…I thought you might wear it…for luck."
"Well, without track record, I'd say I need all the luck I can get." Arthur smile, taking it from her, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Gwen responded, "I take that means your nervous."
"No," Arthur first denied, "Well, maybe a little." If Arthur was being honest, he spent half the morning praying and then other half throwing up. "Big day."
"True," Gwen admitted. If she was going to do something she should do not. But for some reason…she couldn't. "Well, I won't keep you." With that, she turned around.
Realizing this could very well be his last chance, Arthur reached out, spinning her around and fierce kissed her on the lips. When they parted the pair stared at each other for a moment. "Did we—" Gwen began.
"I guess we did." Arthur admitted, smiling.
"Arthur, you know—" Gwen began.
"That you're Morgana's best friend?" Arthur cut her off, "Well, if you wanted, we could talk to her, I'd sure she'd understand?"
"I meant you know I'm her maid?" Gwen finished.
Arthur froze. Even with everything, Uther wouldn't stand for it. "If you feel the way I do— "Arthur began finally, "We shouldn't let that come between us. We could meet in secret, or something." After a beat, "I'm sorry. I picked a horrible time to spring this one you."
"Well, it wasn't like I don't feel the same way." Gwen assured, "Will talk about it later then?"
Arthur reached out, taking her hand. "Yes, we will."
Meanwhile, America was pacing around the family's guest chambers, as she put her earrings in.
"Honey, you're doing to walk a tunnel into the floor." Toby told her.
"It's stone, I don't think I'm going to do that much damage." America responded, "Sorry, I'm just really nervous. Our boy's literally about to become next line for a monarchy."
"I think he's actually been next in line since he was born…" Toby began.
"Well, now's it official." America insisted, "He's probably so nervous right now. I should check up on him. I should sneak up there and…"
"America," Toby cut her off and gently put his hands on his wife shoulders, "He's a big boy. He's going to be fine. Just breathe in, breathe out."
America followed his instruction, inhaling an exhaling.
"But yeah, maybe sneak down there." Toby added, "I'll handle Arrietty."
"Thank you." America breathed before running off.
American ran past Gwen. "Sorry." She called out causing Gwen to turn around.
"So, what was that all about?" Merlin asked, returning to the room.
"Nothing." Arthur lied awkwardly, tying the handkerchief to his wrist.
"You sure?" Merlin asked, concerned.
"Please, Merlin, it's not important right now." Arthur insisted.
Realizing he should just let it go for now, Merlin changed the subject. "So, erm, what do you need to do next?"
"I actually think we're about done." Arthur told him.
Just then there was a knock on the door. "Arthur's it's me."
"Come in." Arthur told her.
America walked in. "Oh, hi Merlin."
"Hello, Mrs. Finch." Merlin repeated.
"Is everything okay?" Arthur asked, immediately assuming something had gone wrong somewhere. That was usually the norm.
America smiled. "You always did go for the worst."
"Well, the worst is usually what happens around here." Arthur countered.
"I just wanted to check on you." America assured him, "Merlin, could I have a minute alone with my son?"
Merlin left, once again leaving Arthur alone with his visitor. America walked over to him and begin straightening up his cape. "Mom, that really isn't necessary."
"I'm not having my son going out in front of the whole of Camelot with a cock-eyed cape." America declared.
"It's not really…." Arthur began before giving in, "Alright."
After a beat America clammy annoced, "So, Daisy told me what's really going on here."
Arthur froze for a minute.
"Don't worry, your father and your sister are completely in the dark." America assured him, "So, how are you feeling about all this?"
Arthur let out a long breath. "I honestly don't know," Arthur admitted, "Part of me's not even sure he'll go through it, but…what if I screw this up? I know people have somehow got this idea in their head that I know what I'm doing because I got lucky a handful of times, but really that was all it was. I got lucky. What if I screw a whole kingdom up?"
"Arthur," America began, "When I look at you, you know what I see? I see the kid who always looked out for his sister. I see the kid who went through—so much cap. The boy who's first instinct was going into the guardsmen because he wanted to help people, protect them. I see the kid that's literally been leading an army for five years. I see the kid who's fought witches and monsters and crazy shield obsessed knights just to save the people he loves. I think you got this. And remember, you have people here for you."
Arthur smiled. "I'll try to keep that in mind. Now, not that it's not been good seeing you, but you probably need to go before someone notices."
"Right." America agreed, "I know you're going to make me proud out there."
In the Hall of Ceremonies Merlin stood next to Gwen as they waited for the coronation to begin. The doors opened and Arthur began to slowly, soberly walked down the hall, making eye contact with his family as he pasted them, then with Bores the Younger and Kitty, then Gwaine and Lancelot and Percival, who also all wound up being aloud in, the Leon, then finally, as he got nearly to front, Merlin and Gwen, who nodded. Morgana was closet to Uther. She gave Arthur a smile before he bowed before his father.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this Kingdom and its dominions according to the statues, customs and laws laid down by your forbears?" Uther asked.
"I do sire." Arthur vowed. Well, most of them at least
"To your promise to exercise mercy and justice and your deeds and judgements?" Uther continued.
"I do, sire." Arthur agreed.
"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, and now for as long as you shall live?" Uther hit the climax of the ceremony.
"I, Arthur, Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples." Arthur declared.
"Now, being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot." Uther finished.
The crowd applauded and Arthur stood up and faced it.
"That's my brother." Arietty whispered, this time rather than shouted, smiling.
After the ceremony there was a cerebration, and Arthur just stood in the corner as everyone socialized and danced, at least until Merlin and Daisy found him. "You know, I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's good form to be standing in the corner at your own party." Merlin noted, taking one side of Arthur.
"I concur with my replacement on this matter." Daisy stated matter of factly, taking other side.
"I'm not—" Merlin began at the same time Arthur began, "He's not—"
"Guys," Daisy began, "I'm just joking." Daisy never resented Merlin's growing relationship with her best friend. They were all adults, and hey, apparently destiny was involved and who was she to argue with the higher power?
"And I'm standing in the corner because somebody needs to be on the lookout when the other shoe drops." Arthur stated.
"What other shoe?" Daisy asked.
"For a sorcerer to attack, or an undead rage zombie, for the bloody dragon to break out and try to roast everyone." Arthur answered.
"Arthur, there's not going to be another shoe." Merlin assured him, "The dragon's done with us, and we're done with him, Nemiuah's been defeated, your sister is relatively okay—"
"And, the rein of Uther 'Kill Anyone Who Even Bumped Into A Sorcerer' Pendragon is almost over." Daisy pointed out in low voice, brightening as she added, "Everything might finally be coming up us, praise the Lord." Taking his hand, she added, "And these problems aside I think we both taught you well."
Grinning Arthur added, "That we won't run and we won't run and we won't run. None of us will."
"Ah, I don't understand what's going on here." Merlin stated.
"Oh, just an inside joke." Arthur told him.
Meanwhile, a young girl with dark, wavy hair was walking through the crowd, seemingly loss, seemingly looking for someone. A well-meaning young noble man in scarlet surcoat asked, "Excuse me, my lady, are you quite well?" Unfortunately, Arrieta couldn't hear him.
Seeing her Morgana came up to her. "Have you seen Arthur?" Arrietty asked, signing as she talked over.
"Over there." Morgana pointed him out, signing and finger spelling as well.
Making the "thank you" sign, Arrietty walked off, leaving Morgana and the noble man alone.
"You must be the Lady Morgana," They young man declared, "I saw you with the king and prince. I'm Duke Geoffrey, from Merica. The King wasn't feeling well, but he sends his regards."
"And after being falsely arrested the last time he visited he didn't want to come back." Morgana guessed.
"Yes." Geoffrey admitted, after moment, "May I ask, what were those symbols you were making?"
"It's a form of language the deaf use to communicate." Morgana explained.
"Really?" Geoffrey asked, intrigued, "Can you show me?"
Morgana shot him a questioningly look.
"My nephew, it's been discovered that he can't hear." Geoffrey explained, "He's two."
"I'll introduce you two later." Morgana promised, her eyes glancing over to where Arrietty was currently engulfing Arthur in a hug, "Right now I think she's a little occupied."
"Dance with me." Arrietty was requesting of Arthur, awkwardly signing and pulling him on the dance floor.
"I don't think you're giving me a choice." Arthur commented, as she pulled him into the crowd.
Still at the sidelines, Merlin and Daisy exchanged looks. "So, Gwaine took off after the ceremony." Daisy informed Merlin, "What do you say, co-Lionheart? Be each the proxies for our significant others?"
"I'm not sure what that means." Merlin told her, "But alright."
Noticing Gwen seeming somewhat preoccupied in the corner, Leon approached her. "I don't know what's wrong, but would a dance make it better?"
"Actually, thank you, Leon, that would be lovely." Then they walked out onto the dancefloor, but her eyes were on Arthur.
They all danced, somewhat awkwardly, not exactly what you could call gracefully. But there was joy, excitement in their movements, a glow everyone could see. As they all danced, they let themselves hope they were dancing into a brighter future.
AN: I know I've already written this once, I but I mean it this time. I believe I've reached the conclusion to this story. Next week will be an epilogue that will bring this story. Thank you for your wonderful support and I hope you've enjoyed this story.