Chapter 78 - Birth Of A Dream
The founding of Camelot was heralded throughout the lands of Logres and beyond, as the product of a series of miracles with no equal, beginning with the Drawing of the Sword of Selection from the Stone and the Slaying of the One-Armed Giant, and culminating with the Duel of Londinium.
To the Saxons, it saw the death of an evil dragon, the Deceiver that had misled their warriors and abused their friendship, by the Boy-King of the Britons and his companion, a man who could have only been Siegfried reborn.
To the Britons, it saw the dethroning of the Usurper King, the retaking of Londinium, and actual talks between them and the invaders from across the seas, as Hengist and Horsa, along with Sir Kay of Sutton, Sir Ector of Logres, King Pellinore of Listenoise, and the renowned Magus of Flowers made for the destroyed throne room of the ruined Citadel of Londinium, and met with King Arthur and the Red Huntsman.
Many things were discussed in the throne room that day, and oaths were sworn, and pledges taken, between the two peoples who had been at war for over a decade, but eventually, as the Hero-Kings re-emerged from Londinium, terms were had between them.
Finally, after years of chaos and bloodshed, there was peace between the Saxon invaders and the native Britons.
The demolished Citadel of Londinium, formerly the stronghold of the Usurper King, was rebuilt in a week with the help of the fairies, and became the Castle of Camelot, Court of the Rightful King of the Britons, and marked the nominal boundaries between the lands of the Britons and the lands of the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes.
And with peace followed prosperity.
It began slowly at the start.
Wandering Knights with no lords, displaced peasants from the war seeking a place to settle, and holy men who came to witness the miracle of Londinium were the first groups to make their way to Camelot.
The holy men would leave, inspired by what they saw, and continue heading eastwards, acting as missionaries to the pagan invaders.
The Knights stayed, finding in the King of Knights a liege worthy of pledging their fealty to.
And the farmers found rich and fertile soil around the castle, thanks to the magics of the Red Huntsman and the Magus of Flowers, protected from bandits and raiders by the ever-growing knights of Camelot.
And as the fledgling city that cropped up around the castle grew, so too did its populace.
Nobles and lords began to visit Camelot, from both the Saxons and the Britons, in order to greet the High King of the Britons and Siegfried Reborn.
Artisans and craftsmen began to arrive, seeking to practice their trade and perhaps find patronage from the assembled knights and nobles. It is said that the Red Huntsman was one of the first to use their services, commissioning roads paved roads between Camelot and its surrounding villages, just as the Roman Legions once did.
And so did traders and merchants begin to arrive, looking to peddle their wares, and to buy the exotic (and profitable) goods of the other peoples from the other lands.
And when spring came, and with it that first bountiful harvest?
Many villages found themselves with a massive surplus of crops, which soon translated into a great profit.
Truly, a mere year after its founding, the city of Camelot was known as the the city of miracles, a bustling city with a booming population of prospering people, free of sickness, with rich fields and clean spring waters aplenty.
It was a time of heroes, as Knight-Errants wandered the lands, protecting the people, battling beasts and injustice alike, and righting wrongs as the bards sang of their tales.
And at the top, overseeing the growth of the city from the castle was the young High King, Arthur Pendragon, the King of Knights.
The Dragonslayer, the Red Dragon Who Defeated The White Dragon, the One Who Drew The Sword In The Stone... many were the names and accolades which were given to him.
Of course, as his legend grew, so too did the whispers.
Some concerns were reasonable, like the fact that the Boy-King hadn't aged a day since he'd drawn Caliburn.
Others, like the wandering merchants and dissatisfied nobles who spoke of how the king never smiled and showed emotions...
Well, as the knights and servants would attest, those people had clearly never seen the young king during mealtimes, or interacting with the Magus of Flowers, Sir Kay the Sharp-Tongued, and the Red Huntsman, those original founding members of the Round Table.
Of course, to be fair, it was the knights and servants of the castle who truly saw how hard the king worked everyday, and thusly appreciated his efforts.
And so, on that day, a day like any other, when they saw King Arthur wandering the castle purposefully, with the majestic lion Saber by his side, they wisely chose to make way for their king, merely giving him respectful nods as he passed.
Artoria Pendragon, having been raised among commoners as much as she'd been groomed to be a King, reflexively returned their gestures, even as she stalked the halls of the castle.
Saber, casually strutting next to her, paused, and a low rumbling sound emerged from his throat even as he began sniffing at a certain door.
"Did you find him, Saber?" Artoria inquired, kneeling by the sixteen-month-old lion cub, who despite having another year and a half to reach full growth was already the size of a donkey.
Saber meowed and proudly nodded, before stepping aside as Artoria gently opened the door.
The room appeared empty, with a table covered in sheets of paper and a book.
Artoria wasn't fooled in the least, and snapped her fingers.
Immediately, the young lion bounded into the room, before pouncing on something behind the table.
"Gah!" A voice shouted, as hands instinctively shot up to catch the playful cub, which immediately began wrestling with the figure on the floor. "Wha- Sabyr?!"
"And a very good morning to you too, Jaune." Artoria said drily, as the blonde man slowly got off the floor, ignoring the lion as it leaned its full weight against him, trying to pin him back to the floor even as it gnawed on the Aura around his neck. "Had a good sleep."
"... I was, until somebody sicced their pet lion on me." Jaune pouted, glaring at Arthur even as he ruffled Saber's mane in mock surrender.
She simply met his gaze.
Saber, wondering why he wasn't getting more attention, began nibbling on Jaune's arm.
Artoria's composure cracked first, but soon they were both laughing out loud, even as she helped remove Saber from Jaune, who proceeded to toss him a piece of jerky.
"So, what were you working on this time?" Artoria asked casually, leaning against the desk even as she studied his papers.
"Eh, nothing much." Jaune shrugged, even as he closed his Wasteland Survival Guide, and began sorting his notes before Saber could drool on them. "Just looking into building a proper highway between us and Kent."
Artoria simply sighed and shook her head in fond exasperation, before chastising him: "And that occupied so much of your time that you missed dinner yesterday and forgot to retire back to your quarters?"
Jaune sheepishly scratched the back of his head, before defending himself: "To be fair, Arthur... there's not much else for me to do here."
"Uh huh." Artoria simply folded her arms and nodded sarcastically, before drily adding: "And that's why you keep sneaking out of Camelot."
"And that's why I keep sneaking out of-" Jaune nodded in confirmation, before freezing and blanching, as he felt Arthur's glare intensify. "Uh... I mean..."
"Jaune..."
"I have most certainly not been sneaking out of Camelot." Jaune denied vehemently, refusing to meet Arthur's eyes.
"Jaune..."
"And even if I have, I'm a free man. I can leave whenever I want!" Jaune pointed out.
"Jaune." Artoria sighed, before she walked up to him and helped to smooth his tunic, explaining all the while: "You are indeed, not a prisoner. But at least bring an escort when you leave!"
"Come on, Arthur!" Jaune whined. "I'm only an advisor! I can't just impose on the other knights like that!"
"The other knights would be more than happy to assist a fellow Knight of the Round Table." Artoria declared.
"I'm not even an official Knight, for Oum's sake!"
"Because you keep refusing to let yourself be knighted, Jaune." Artoria rolled her eyes, even as her hands softly lingered over his shoulders, adjusting the thin fabric there for the hundredth time.
"Well, it wouldn't be fair to the rest who started out as a Squire..." Jaune replied.
"You helped me slay Vortigern, Jaune. I'm pretty sure that deserves an exemption." Artoria finally pulled away, looking him over once, before nodding in satisfaction. "And you're not just an advisor. You are the Steward and Chancellor of Camelot, Jaune, and you need to be more mindful of your position. If anything were to happen to you, I... the realm would suffer for it."
"Come on, Arthur... you know how tough I am." Jaune reassured him. "If anything, you should take more care of yourself, Mr. Leads-From-The-Front. You're still so small and scrawny."
"You know that's because of Avalon!" Artoria whined, pouting at him. "I can't age, and I can heal from almost any wound. It's only pragmatic for me to lead any charge."
"But even with that, you're not invincible." Jaune pointed out.
"I'm not, no." Artoria shook her head, before glaring at him. "In any case... we're not talking about me. We're talking about you."
Jaune gulped, and from the side Saber merely chuffed in amusement, as he failed to turn the tables of Artoria.
"You know you're not invincible either, Jaune, even with your Aura." Artoria chastised him. "After all, you told me about your deaths."
"Alright, alright, I get it." Jaune held up his hands in surrender. "But I really haven't been sneaking out recently, and even if, hypothetically speaking, I did, I haven't run into anything too dangerous."
"Oh, really?" Artoria was skeptical. "What about the Addanc of Llyn Barfog?"
"... in my defense, you're the one who told me I needed more riding practice." Jaune said shiftily. "And it wasn't that bad..."
"Llamrei left hoofprints in solid rock, Jaune." Artoria countered drily. "The locals have even built a shrine over it, and are trying to have it declared a holy site."
Jaune blanched, but Artoria continued on: "And I'm sure the people of Aberdyfi were only imagining a blonde man on horseback hauling a beast out of the lake?"
"..."
"And what about when Kay fell ill, and you disguised yourself as him and entered a joust-"
"Come on, you know how much that joust meant to Kay!" Jaune immediately protested, feeling like that instance had been justified. "Hengist's daughter was present for that one!"
Artoria merely sighed, rolling her eyes. It was true that Kay fancied Rowena, and a political marriage between the Britons and the Saxons would only serve to strengthen ties between the two peoples. And she'd definitely have rather seen Kay get married to Rowena than whoever Hengist was trying to push her towards.
But at the same time...
"And if she had found out who was really under the helmet?" Artoria challenged, folding her arms and huffing.
Hengist and Horsa had made it clear that they didn't mind if she ended up with the "Reincarnation of Siegfried" rather than the Boy-King of the Britons, but she wasn't prepared to give up her familiar just yet.
Things would have been only further complicated if Rowena had found out that Jaune had been the champion of the tournament, and been offended by his duplicity (or, God forbid, charmed by his prowess)!
"Merlin helped cast an illusion spell." Jaune shrugged.
Artoria only raised an eyebrow.
"... yeah, that sounds even worse, when I say it out loud." Jaune sheepishly admitted, knowing Merlin's character. "Anyway, I get it. Next time I want to go out, I'll invite you or the others, alright?"
"Good." Artoria nodded, pleased that her familiar was finally seeing sense.
"Anyway, what's the rumor spreading around this time?" Jaune inquired curiously. "There aren't any more pilgrimage sites, right?"
"Surprisingly, not this time." Artoria giggled, even as she pulled out the missive. "It says that a certain mysterious knight was responsible for slaying the... "Legendary Black Beast of Argh". Sound familiar?"
"... nope, wasn't me this time." Jaune shrugged.
Artoria spared a moment to study his face, but found no trace of a falsehood.
"Anyway, were you looking for me for any particular reason?" Jaune asked, deciding to get the topic back on track before Artoria could ask about what other times he'd snuck out.
"No, I just wanted to remind you that Merlin, Kay, and I will be leaving for the Kingdom of Gwent, to celebrate the the prosperous year Camelot has been blessed by." Artoria informed him.
Jaune took a moment to study Arthur's face, before rolling his eyes, and adding drily "Oh, just wanted to remind me that I'm definitely not invited?"
"It's not like that, Jaune..." Artoria began.
"I keep telling you, Arthur, you need to have more confidence in yourself." Jaune grinned, slapping him on the back as he teased: "I'm sure Lady Guinevere won't spare me a second thought with you around. I'm not a rival or anything, Arthur!"
"It's not like that!" Artoria wailed, mortified by his misunderstanding.
"You know, Kay's been talking to me more about you finding a consort." Jaune added idly in a stage-whisper. "I think your brother's also getting worried..."
"Jaune!" Artoria's face burned with embarrassment. "I do wish you could attend as well, truly, but someone needs to remain here and run the city!"
"I know." Jaune said simply, deciding he'd had enough fun. Kneeling down in front of Artoria, he asked: "So, want me to teach you more dance moves again? I'm sure you'll impress Guinevere with them!"
Artoria squeaked, and looked away, torn between mortification at the fact that Jaune kept assuming she was an eligible bachelor who was interested in the hand of the daughter of King Leodegrance, and an odd temptation to accept his offer, despite the lack of time.
Fortunately (or perhaps not), before she could come to a decision, the door flung open, and Kay barged in.
Taking a look around, and seeing that his baby sister was still a coward, he couldn't help but click his tongue in frustration.
Saber yawned and got up, moving to investigate the newcomer even as Artoria jumped away from Jaune, who waved at him: "Morning, Kay."
"Morning, Huntsman." Kay nodded back. "Arthur, Gawain and Bedivere are ready. It's time we set out for Gwent."
"Of course. Thanks, Kay." Artoria nodded back smoothly, quickly regaining her composure. "Then... I'll see you when we return, Jaune?"
"Yep." Jaune grinned at Arthur. "Just tell me if you ever want my help as a wingman, Arthur!"
Artoria merely rolled her eyes and left the room in frustration, Saber following her as she did so, but Kay lingered for a moment.
"..."
"... is there something you need, Kay?" Jaune cocked his head curiously, as he noticed Kay wasn't making to leave the room.
"... may I ask for your opinion on a certain matter, Huntsman?" Kay finally asked.
"Uh, sure." Jaune found himself intrigued. What on Remnant could Kay want with him now? "Go on."
"It's... well..." Kay wondered just how best to phrase his question. "What are your thoughts on warrior women, Jaune?"
"Uh..." Jaune took a moment to try and understand the question. "What about them?"
"I mean... what do you think, about being in a relationship with a strong warrior woman, Huntsman?" Kay coughed, even as he cursed Artoria's name. Bloody useless baby sisters...
"Oh..." Jaune found himself finally understanding. "This is about you and Hengist's daughter, isn't it?"
"What?!" Kay choked in shock, before hastily coughing, and covering up his slip-up. Oh, Artoria would pay for this! "I mean, of course, yes! How did you know? Anyway, answer the question, please."
"I mean, well... what about them?" Jaune shrugged. "Warrior women are still women, no?"
"So you see absolutely no issue being with one?" Kay pressed.
"Kay... I grew up with seven older sisters, my first partner was a girl and the strongest Huntress of the year, my best friend was a prodigy Huntress, the Dragonborn who could break walls with her voice was a woman..." Jaune's voice trailed off, and he blinked.
"... just how many women do you know, Huntsman?" Kay asked warily. "And were you ever... close, with any of them?"
"You know, I honestly can't count..." Jaune murmured, before shrugging. "And if you mean, were we close friends... I guess?"
"No, I mean..." Kay sighed. Lord have mercy... "Did your relationships with them ever go beyond mere friendships?"
"..." Jaune took a moment to realize what Kay was getting at, before he started laughing. "Oum, that's a good one. No, it was made very apparent to me that I was in no way appealing or attractive, thank you very much."
"Truly?" Kay couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Eh, it is what it is." Jaune shrugged self-deprecatingly. "Besides, I'm sure I'd know if there was a female out there who was interested in me."
"..." Kay simply rubbed his temples, wondering what he had done to deserve this. "Thank you for your time, Jaune."
"No problem, Kay." Jaune said, even though he still felt lost. "Sorry I can't help you with dating Rowena."
"It's fine." Kay simply waved him down, even as he made to leave. "See you when we get back from the feast, Huntsman."
It was a frustrated Kay that met up with Artoria, as she mounted Llamrei and they prepared to ride off for Gwent.
"Ah, Kay." Artoria nodded at him. "What took you so long?"
"Just helping you investigate a few things, Arthur." Kay rolled his eyes, taking note of the other knights around them, before he leaned forward, and whispered: "So, when the hell are you finally going to start courting Jaune?"
"Ghrk!" Artoria choked and coughed, before hissing: "I beg your pardon?!"
"Artoria." Kay shot back, deciding to try a different method. "You've known him for six seasons. Don't you think it's time you at least tell him your secret?"
"..." Artoria looked away, before finally admitting: "I don't want to change things between us."
"Cowardly brat." Kay retorted in fond exasperation. "Good news, baby sister? Your awesome brother actually helped you lay some of the groundwork."
"Truly?" Artoria's eyes widened.
"I asked him how he felt about warrior women and being with them." Kay elaborated. "According to him... he knows, and has worked closely with, more than he can count."
"..." Artoria found herself torn between relief and frustration.
"So, you should probably start courting him before one of his old partners, with more 'nads than you, shows up and tries to claim him." Kay pressed, pleased to see she wasn't immediately denying it out of hand.
To his surprise, Artoria merely snorted, and pointed out: "Those were all people he knew from his previous lives, right? There's no reason for them to show up."
"Lord, you're a coward." Kay groaned, before shooting back: "And what about all the ladies here, who have also shown interest in him? You remember Pellinore's feast?"
Artoria bit her lip, unable to talk back to her older brother. For some reason, that mental image of her familiar enjoying the company of another lady caused her great distress.
But on the other, how could she, a King who was also pretending to be male, enter a relationship with her familiar, who was definitely male? What would the people say? What would her subjects and retainers think?
Finally, she weakly pled: "... we'll discuss this further when we return from the feast, alright?"
"Fine, fine." Kay held up his hands in mock surrender, knowing that was the best he was going to get from his stubborn sister. Then a smirk appeared on his face, and he whispered: "Lord knows you'll need to conserve your strength until we get back; with your familiar gone, the camp cook will be Sir Gawain."
Artoria blanched, and Kay couldn't help but laugh as he ruffled her hair, even as he put the subject out of mind.
After all, he'd made more progress than he'd expected, and it wasn't like there were many courtesans or ladies-in-waiting in Camelot to try and steal a march on Artoria, right?
-CAMELOT, LATER THAT SAME DAY-
"Sir Jaune." Agravain knocked on the open door to Jaune's office, alerting him to his aide's presence.
"Agravain..." Jaune sighed. "I keep telling you; just call me Jaune. I'm not that old yet!"
"I cannot show such disrespect to the Steward and Chancellor of Camelot, and one of the original Knights of the Round, Sir Jaune!" Agravain protested immediately, before continuing: "In any case, Sir Jaune, you have a visitor."
"A visitor?" Jaune's eyebrow shot up. Why would anyone seek an audience with him? "Send them in."
Agravain nodded, and stepped out, before showing the newcomer in.
An armored woman with dark brown eyes and sandy-colored short hair stepped in, eyes gleaming with curiosity and admiration as she beheld the office of a Knight of the Round Table, and an original member at that.
"Welcome in." Jaune smirked drily, and she jumped, realizing she'd been gawking. "How may I help you?"
The woman took a deep breath, before announcing: "My name is Sir Velvet of Caerbannog, Slayer of the Legendary Black Beast of Argh, and sister of Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, and Sir Gaheris! Please, let me join the Knights of the Round Table!"
Author's Note: And here we go, with another time skip, and the long-overdue introduction of the RWBY character of this dimension; the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog herself, taking the place of Sir Gareth to Jaune's Lancelot.
No, I could not in fact resist that pun. And that isn't even the worst one yet! Save the stoning for the end.
Fun fact... Lothian and Ardtalnaig actually aren't that far away from each other. Not that it would have stopped me from making that pun, but its a fun fact.
As a side note... as I've mentioned before, Jaune keeps himself occupied because he's essentially trying to distract himself from realizing just how much he's lost. But, since Camelot's pretty peaceful now, and there's not much in the way of entertainment... Jaune's getting bored. And, so, he's either throwing himself into coming up with more policies and ideas, or sneaking out and helping out the people whenever he can.
Something something hate dialogue something something no frequent updates something something too much fluff.
