Calls became loud and the alarm bells rang. The council meeting was almost over when a knight pushed open the doors to the throne room and said in a strong voice: "My King, forgive me the disturbance, but a dragon was seen in the sky.
Arthur turned questioningly to Merlin, who could only shrug his shoulders helplessly. "What color is the dragon?" Arthur asked.
The knight answered promptly: "White. It is a white dragon."
A murmur went through the hall. A white dragon? How could that be?
Arthur ordered his thoughts and asked: "Where exactly was the dragon seen? Was it alone? How far away is it?"
"Forgive me my king, but as soon as I saw him, I rushed to you," the knight replied, overwhelmed.
Arthur wanted to speak to Merlin, but stopped moving when he saw the distracted look away from him. "The council meeting is now over. Leave the hall. Make inquiries about this dragon. Attack him only in an absolute emergency, hurry."
Much more quietly he addressed his knights: "Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Leon and Sir Elyan, stay. Be patient for a moment and please do not distract Merlin."
The four knights looked at Merlin simultaneously. He seemed untroubled by all the excitement and smiled foolishly. But his face suddenly twitched and it looked as if he was arguing with himself in his thoughts. Sir Gwaine was just about to put a hand on Merlin's shoulder when it was intercepted by Arthur and the King shook his head, his eyes also turned back to Merlin.
A few minutes passed when another knight came into the throne room and reported: "It is a white dragon. He is a little smaller than the great dragon and seems to be younger. He flies very low and in addition constantly in circles. It neither attacks nor flies away. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but its location is such that you can only see it when you are at the height of the castle.
Arthur clipped and said resolutely: "As long as the dragon does not attack, it will not be attacked either. If anyone should resist this order, he must justify himself to me and he will not like the consequences".
The knight swallowed and said, "But sire, it's a dra..."
Arthur cut him off brusquely and replied loudly, "Yes, a dragon, damned. I have ears and have heard it several times. Pass on the order! The dragon will only be attacked if the dragon attacks first."
Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine, Sir Elyan and Sir Percival were also restless. Sir Leon finally took the floor and asked with astonishment: "A white dragon? The dragon that is allied with Morgana? Why don't we make everything ready for an attack?"
Arthur was spared an answer as the doors opened again and Tea came running in. She did not slow down her speed at all and shouted from afar: "You must not attack her under any circumstances!
All but Merlin started the girl in perplexity.
Sir Percival was the first to ask, "Who shall we...?", with Sir Elyan interjecting, "You? Who?"
Neither of them could finish their question, as Tea - albeit out of breath - arrived. "The Dragon! You mustn't hurt her," she said helplessly.
"I have just given this very order to my men, but I don't know myself if it is right. Is it?" Arthur expressed his question and turned to Tea.
"Yes!," she shouted effusively.
"Yes, but why?" Sir Gwaine finally asked.
"Why don't you just ask Merlin? I'm sure he can explain it better," she suddenly said defiantly.
All pairs of eyes turned back to Merlin. Just at that moment, he said softly, "Thank you. His eyes became clear and focused again. He looked at Arthur and smiled half tortured, half happy.
He could only look back questioningly.
"I have just experienced a lot. It's good news, but it's also very worrying news," said Merlin and took a break. He took a deep breath and began to explain: "The white dragon we can see in the sky right now is Aithusa. She wanted to get my attention so that I would search for her in my thoughts. The great dragon actually succeeded in teaching her to communicate with me. He learned from her that Morgana had forced her to forge a sword in the dragon's breath. So Morgana, like you, Arthur, possesses a sword with deadly power.
Probably only such a blade can kill Morgana herself. But you have to keep in mind that a strong wound, beaten by one of these swords, cannot be healed by magic either. The swords could even kill the already dead. Unfortunately this is not the only bad news. Aithusa warns us that a huge army is marching on Camelot. She didn't know a word for it to describe the right size, but the strike power seems to be gigantic. If I understand her correctly, Camelot cannot withstand her, no matter how skillfully and bravely the knights of Camelot fight. The Great Dragon strongly advises you to send messengers to the neighboring kingdoms to ask for help, or Camelot will surely fall. The Dragon Lady feels guilty because she could not prevent such a mighty sword from falling into Morgana's hands and wants to stand by us. She didn't dare to fly to the castle because she didn't want to risk having her wings pierced with arrows. She wants to support us and that also in battle. If you decide to let her join the fight as an ally, we have to get the knights and also the people used to the sight of her as soon as possible, so that no panic breaks out and in a deadly moment none of the knights is distracted by her appearance.
_
"You want to announce to the people that you have not only changed the law regarding magic, but that you want to ally with a dragon, since a great army is on the way?" Sir Leon asked again.
"Do you have a better suggestion?", Arthur replied tiredly. He had discussed the dangers with Gwen, Merlin, and again with the council. Meanwhile, there were also some reports from scouts who confirmed the news of an army marching on Camelot. The description of how overwhelmingly large it was was more than intimidating. As they lacked time, they needed a decision quickly.
_
"People of Camelot. It always fills me with love and pride when I look at our beloved Camelot. To be king of this very same one fills me with pride, but also with humility. I always try to be a just ruler and make wise decisions. It is true that a great army is coming our way at this time. I can only assume that this force is hostile to Camelot and that the Lady Morgana has a hand in it. Even before this threat was revealed to us, changes have been made that affect the practice of magic in Camelot."
A murmur went through the crowd and everyone hung on the King's lips in suspense.
Arthur sighed, gathered courage and continued: "I once made a promise and I will finally fulfill it. I promised that druids would be treated with respect in the future and that the witch hunt would literally end. Since my reign I have deliberately not persecuted and executed any druids, because this approach is not fair. People should be judged by their deeds and not by their power. The practice of magic is no longer punishable by death in Camelot. However, anyone who uses magic to cause great harm, to seriously injure his opponent or to use magic for other evil purposes must continue to answer to me and the law".
Although the courtyard was filled with people, it was deadly quiet.
Arthur already began to doubt whether it was really the right decision to change the laws so suddenly and questioned his decision to announce the next incredible change as well.
Gwen noticed his emotion, squeezed his hand and nodded to him. He noticed a movement and was amazed to see his people kneeling one by one, silently and unanimously paying respect and surrender to him. A few minutes later the people rose and a 'Long live the King' was shouted over and over again and repeated a hundred times.
Arthur was moved by tears in his eyes. Encouraged by this behavior, he spoke again: "We are facing a new enemy, to whom we are far inferior in numbers. I have already sent messengers to other kingdoms to ask for their support. Camelot has the additional opportunity to gain another, unusual ally. The sighting of a white dragon has been on everyone's lips for many hours. The fear and anger gradually gave way to the question why the dragon did not attack. I have an answer to this question by now. The dragon wishes to ally himself with Camelot."
Sharp inhalation was mixed with laughter and wonder. Isolating
voices were raised, which demanded the death of the dragon.
"Yes, I can understand this wish only too well, because the fire, the pain and the fear were present everywhere when the great dragon attacked, and this encounter is etched firmly in the memory of each one. But the question is, are there sensible alternatives? Assuming we don't try to form an alliance with the dragon, then we are facing an army alone for the time being and in the worst case the dragon can turn against us and we have to resist not only an army but also the attack of a dragon. It's not without risk, but that's never the case with making an alliance. It is possible that the dragon will soon approach the castle. It is important that everyone behaves absolutely predictable and passive to avoid misunderstandings and accidents. The dragon would be a guest here in Camelot and therefore he is under my protection. We..."
Arthur was killed by a shrill 'Dragon! He's here!' interrupted by a shrill 'dragon!
With a loud 'HOLD ON!', he was able to suppress the first panic. "Go slowly back and clear the castle courtyard."
To his knights he said: "Get ready. Swords outside, archers with arrows in place. But only on my order will action be taken! Understood?! Under no circumstances do I want to risk an avoidable fight. I will go to the courtyard of the castle."
"And I will accompany you," said his wife, without any argument.
"Gwen, please, I," he tried to change her mind, but he saw her determination. He turned to Merlin. "Are you sure this is not a trap and we can really trust the Dragon Lady?"
"I am quite sure, and if something unforeseen should happen, I will be at your side as always. If I am caught casting spells, I won't face the death penalty anymore and don't forget that I am a Dragonlord," Merlin replied with a broad grin.
Arthur couldn't quite understand the cheerfulness of his servant, but he didn't have time to think about it now.
"Hurry up, Aithusa is about to land in the courtyard! Arthur did not waste another second and set off with his cloak blowing. He was just entering the courtyard when he saw the dragon's elegant landing. The people had retreated. Occasionally curious people looked out of their hiding places. Arthur walked upright and without hesitation towards the dragon lady and stopped a few meters in front of her. Unfortunately he had not thought about how to go on. Very slowly Aithusa bent her front legs and lowered her head. Had Arthur been able to observe his people, he would have seen many with big eyes and amazed looks. He himself, however, had concentrated his gaze on the dragon. The dragon lady slowly rose again.
Arthur addressed his word loud and clear to the dragon: "Welcome, Aithusa.
The dragon almost seemed to grin and replied: "I greet you also, King Arthur, the former and future King of Albion. Some time has passed since our last meeting."
The people of Camelot were surprised not only by the dragon's words, but even more by the fact that he could speak at all.
Arthur needs a moment to catch himself. "What is your desire?"
The Dragon Lady pondered and found the right words: "Protection - I want to protect and be protected."
Arthur could watch at the edge of his field of vision as a blond girl steered towards the dragon. She stumbled and was about to fall on her face when a wing gently caught her. Everyone in the castle courtyard held their breath. A bell-like laughter could be heard and the girl said, as she stood upright again, "Oh, thank you, Aithusa. That would have hurt. I am Tea. May I come closer and touch you again?"
Aithusa then looked at Arthur and he understood that the dragon lady was waiting for his permission. Arthur nodded and Tea led her away and carefully placed a hand on Aithusa's neck.
Little by little the people dared to come out of their hiding places and approach the dragon. They were still afraid, but the curiosity was simply greater. Nobody wanted to miss this spectacle. The atmosphere had relaxed a bit until a call from the crowd rang out: "What are you waiting for, kill the dragon. This is your best chance."
The dragon turned off the speaker in the crowd, fixed him and asked: "Why are you asking for my death?
The man had to swallow hard, but said, distorted with rage, "The great dragon killed my son then."
"I am sorry for your loss, but as you yourself have admitted, I am not to blame for this death," she calmly explained.
"Dragon remains dragon," the man replied with hatred.
"And man therefore remains man. So that would mean that, if a man attacks me and wants to kill me, I am therefore to repay all men whom I meet with equal coin?"
A tense silence arose, which was broken by the whirring of an arrow. Suddenly several things happened at once. Aithusa turned as fast as lightning and could embrace King Arthur with one of her wings, Tea with the other. Several archers took aim at the dragon, knights came running with drawn swords, Merlin lowered his eyes and his eyes glowed golden. Gwen raised her hand and shouted, "Don't shoot! Stop!"
Everyone stared only at the arrow, which had stopped just before Aithusa and seemed to get stuck in the air. With a loud clatter it fell to the ground. Aithusa released Arthur and Tea from their wings. Arthur looked a bit dishevelled, but was unharmed. Tea, on the other hand, laughed, bouncing around enthusiastically on the floor several times, putting her arms around the dragon's neck and saying, "Thank you. Are we friends now?"
The dragon's body trembled and it looked as if the dragon lady was laughing too. "Yes, I would be happy about that."
Arthur, on the other hand, looked in the direction from which the arrow came and shouted, "Who shot this arrow? I have expressly ordered that the dragon should not be attacked!"
At first no one moved, but little by little the other shooters made way, so that one of them was in the foreground. This man trembled and sweated heavily. "Forgive me, forgive me, me," he said.
"Guards, take him into custody, I will deal with this later."
A whisper went through the crowd. Again and again the question was asked how the arrow was stopped. Magic and sorcery were called out more often. Gwen noticed that the mood could change at any time. She looked at Merlin questioningly. He quickly whispered some sentences to her. Gwen hardly showed her astonishment and cleared her throat. "The white dragon did not harm us and showed us clearly that she really had the intention to protect us and not to kill us. But it is not only the dragon lady Aithusa who stands up for our protection, but also a magician known to the druids as 'Emrys'. This wizard has probably been secretly directing the fate of Camelot for years, protecting the king and the people. Even though my husband is an excellent fighter, he cannot do magic. But how do you encounter magic where the sword proves useless? Courage, determination, strength and love are valuable, but in some situations magic is needed to triumph. Little by little we hear stories in which magicians have secretly helped people. It may have been a seriously ill child who was healed, or a convalescent knight who had been seriously injured. It turns out that beings with magic are not necessarily evil. Even people without magic can cause great suffering and commit atrocities. From now on we will look at deeds and not at the magical ability. It was high time that this law was changed. I too have suffered under this law. My father, a good and honorable man, found death through this, because he unwittingly consorted with a magician. It fills me with hope that little by little the wounds can heal and the suspicion on our side and on the side of the magicians and druids will subside and a peaceful coexistence will be possible".
So I hope everyone had a great week. I was very busy with working on the market garden, get ready with some flowerpots and flowers, so I hadn´t really had the time for writing, because we have a big saison for flowers, so they need to get ready for the upcoming winter. But anyways, here are some more tips of mine for a relaxed weekend. Oh, and this week a cute Bus driver was smiling at me, because I made him a portrait drawing for him:) Keep thinking about making others proud, if you cant make yourself proud, then make others proud. It will definitely chance something in you.
1. Get your art supplies and try a new art style, if you are an artist, or you want to become an artist. Try something new:)
2. Watch your favourite show on Prime, Netflix Hbomax etc, and chill out with a cup of tea:)
3. Write down all the good and bad thoughts you had this week and look at them. Then start to make a bucket list and try to finish it until your next birthday.
PS: Something on my bucket list was (Make a busdriver smile and draw a random person you see every day) I just finish two steps in one step for that this week:)