Chapter 84 - Go Big & Go Home
"Is it really alright for me to be here?" Velvet asked nervously, from her seat between Gawain and Agravain, as she stared with awe at the legendary Round Table.
"It's fine, it's fine." Agravain reassured her. "I made sure to ask the King."
"Ah... thanks, Agravain..." Velvet's smile became a bit forced at the mention of the King, as she recalled the revelations her mentor had imparted upon him.
That all of his tales had been true.
That he'd come from another world, and died many times.
That he'd been taken from the afterlife by force, and was serving the King with seemingly no end in sight.
Even now, she wanted to ask him a few questions.
Was he happy here?
Did he ever miss his old home?
If... if she could offer him his freedom and rest, with her mother's help...
And speaking of her mentor...
"Have you seen Sir Jaune?" Velvet inquired, fighting to keep the urgency out of her voice, as she looked around the table, for any sign of the Knight of Compassion.
"Not since the feast last night, Velvet." Agravain replied, after a moment's thought. "I doubt he would have snuck out of Camelot, though, especially not with the King's return."
"I still can't believe you asked him to be your mentor over me, Velv!" Gawain grumbled, pouting at his sister, unaware of the thoughts running through her head. "Your own brother!"
"Well, seeing how Gaheris turned out..." Agravain muttered under his breath, before speaking out loud: "Well, you were out with the King when she dropped by and asked to join. I'm sure that, if you'd been here..."
"... really?" Gawain turned to Velvet, eyes hopeful.
"... of course, Gawain!" Velvet lied through her teeth, glaring daggers at Agravain as she did so. Quickly changing the subject before he could catch on, she asked: "So, do you have any idea why a meeting of the Round Table was called at such a timing?"
"It certainly isn't common..." Agravain noted, looking out the window, towards the early morning sun.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon." Gawain reassured them with a grin, before their ears prickled as they heard footsteps approaching.
"Presenting... King Arthur!" Sir Bedivere shouted, as he opened the doors, and the gathered Knights of the Round (and Velvet) all immediately rose from their seats, before genuflecting as the majestic King of Knights strode into the room, flanked by Sir Kay to her left and Saber to her right, body fully covered in her regal blue fur cloak.
"Please rise, my knights." Artoria spoke magnanimously, as she took her place at the head of the Round Table, with the lion laying by her feet and Kay remaining standing, while Bedivere closed the doors and took his spot at the table.
Taking a moment, Artoria looked around the table, studying the faces of her loyal Knights.
Her gaze fell upon Sir Velvet.
Well, no time like the present.
"Before we begin..." Artoria spoke up, before she suddenly bowed her head towards the young squire, to the surprise of everyone in the room. "I must apologize to Sir Velvet, for my conduct last night, during the feast to celebrate her accomplishments."
"..." Velvet's jaw hung open, but she frantically shook her head, and said: "Ah, no, it's fine, King Arthur! Sir Jaune explained to me that something was on your mind yesterday..."
"Even so, I must still apologize for my faults." Artoria insisted, before explaining: "The truth is, the Picts and Scots we fought at Listenoise were mercenaries, acting under the instruction of my sister to lure us away, so that he could be attacked by Aelle of Sussex, using the Crocea Mors."
Whispers and murmurs rose throughout the private chambers, and Velvet shifted uncomfortably, remembering what Aelle had said, about them acting under the guidance of a crone.
Agravain, meanwhile, looked to Gawain questioningly, and he merely nodded, his jaw tight, confirming that the information was true.
Just what was their mother up to?
What had she done?
None of the siblings could answer that.
"I hope you can understand, Sir Velvet, that I was naturally wary to find Jaune in the company of a stranger holding the Crocea Mors." Artoria continued on. "In any case, please allow me to reassure you, as well as Sir Agravain and Sir Gawain, that I have little doubt as to where your loyalties lie. And for the act of protecting my subjects, Sir Velvet, you have my thanks."
Applause, cheers, and whistles erupted from the table, and Gawain gleefully clapped his stunned sister on the back.
Artoria waited a moment, for the din to settle down, before rhetorically asking: "Now, on to other business. I imagine you must all be wondering why I have gathered all of you here, this early in the morning?"
As noises of affirmation rose from the Round Table, Artoria took a deep breath, and gave Kay a quick look, who jerked his head up and down minutely.
A small gesture of support that she didn't miss.
If only Merlin had been here to help as well...
Unfortunately, that useless pansy still hadn't returned from "checking his wards".
Oh well, it was now or never.
"My Knights." Artoria began, rising from her seat. "I... have a confession to make."
Her hands emerged from her cloak, and one reached for the bun that she tied her hair in, while the other reached for the clasp of her cloak.
With a swift movement, she released her hair, letting her golden locks catch the morning sun freely, even as she unfastened her cloak, and tossed it to the side.
There was silence in the room, as the Knights of the Round Table, all heroes and veteran warriors in their own right, were simply too stunned to speak.
Before them, where King Arthur had once stood, was instead a young girl, in an elegant two-piece white dress, decorated by a few dull green ribbons that complimented her vibrant green eyes.
"I apologize for the deception, Knights of the Round Table." The voice of their King, the King of Knights, came out of the young woman's mouth, even as she bowed her head to all of them. "While I am still the one who drew the Sword of Selection from its stone, and I am still the Heir of Uther Pendragon... my name is not Arthur, nor have I ever been a man.
"I am Artoria Pendragon, and I am a woman." Artoria concluded, forcing herself not to look at her knights, to see the disappointment and betrayal that was sure to be on her face, even as she elegantly introduced herself, exactly as a knight did.
The silence stretched on, as the occupants digested this new information.
Finally, Kay bluntly spoke up, giving his opinion: "Well, Merlin said the sex of the King doesn't matter."
Bedivere was next: "... even if you are a woman, it does not change your deeds, your reign, or the fact that you are the Rightful King of the Britons, my liege."
"Well said, Sir Bedivere." Percival chimed in. "This new revelation does not change our oaths, our fealty, or our loyalty, my King."
"My Knights..." Artoria was touched by their reception to her, which was better than she could have ever hoped for.
"... are you sure you're a woman, cousin?" Gawain asked, taking a closer look at Artoria. "Your chest is so- GHRK!"
"Please forgive our lout of a brother." Agravain apologized, taking a moment to compose himself even as Velvet withdrew her fist from Gawain's gut. Unlike the other Knights of the Round Table, his feelings towards the news was far more complicated, though he at least intellectually understood that was due more to his experiences with his mother souring his perception of women, rather than Artoria's deceit. "If I may ask, though... why all the deception?"
"That was my father's decision." Kay spoke up gruffly behind Artoria, answering for her. "She was raised as a male because Sir Ector believed that the best way for her to understand the heart of a knight, would be for her to be raised as a knight herself."
Artoria remained silent, having been told all of this by Kay, when they'd formulated their strategy for the morning.
Once again, she felt blessed, to the Knight of the Silver Tongue as her elder (foster) brother.
Agravain nodded, seeing the logic behind Kay's words, and sat back down as Bedivere inquired: "Then, my King... is there a reason why you have revealed the truth to us now?"
And there it was.
Artoria took another deep breath, to steady her nerves.
She was already in too deep; time to see it through.
"My Knights..." Artoria began. "Recent events have shown me, that I am no longer able to call myself your King.
"Please allow me to finish, before you raise any complaints!" Artoria pleaded loudly, as the Round Table immediately erupted in protest. "My Knights, look at everything we have accomplished! Look at how far we Britons have come, compared to how we were even two years ago! We have made peace with the Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes! We have retaken Londinium from the Usurper King, and rebuilt its ruins into a city whose prosperity could rival even the heart of the Empire's!
"And that is why, I can no longer call myself your King. I went to draw the Sword of Selection during the Joust, because I wished to put an end to the suffering of my subjects, and in that regard, we have succeeded! The people have been saved. Now, it is time to lead them to happiness and prosperity.
"And I... am not the one who can do it. There is another, far more worthy in this respect than me. In fact, it was his words last night, his advice on how I should proceed, that convinced me that this was the only course of action I could take."
Velvet's heart began thumping loudly in apprehension, as she recalled Jaune's words.
"He wanted me to help him become a good King."
"Maybe there's no such thing as perfection. Maybe this whole "familiar" gig is until "death do us part". Or maybe there's still something Arthur needs help with."
"Cousin, who is this man you speak of?" Gawain demanded, looking around at the other Knights. "It's not Merlin, is it?"
"Of course not." Artoria snorted. "I haven't seen him since he left to "check on his wards"."
"Then who is it?" Bedivere asked.
"The man I speak of is Jaune." Artoria answered firmly, a warm and gentle smile on her face as she confirmed Velvet's worst fears. "He is another capable individual, chosen by Caliburn itself, and his achievements should speak for themselves."
Most of the Knights exchanged looks, unable to raise any protests, with the revelation that Sir Jaune, the Knight of Compassion, had also been judged worthy by Caliburn itself.
"So what do you intend to do now, my King?" Percival called out. "While we who have served closely by your side can comprehend your emotions, I am not sure if the people will be so understanding..."
"I understand, Sir Percival." Artoria nodded, looking back at Kay. "While I can trace my lineage to Uther Pendragon, Jaune has no connection to the royal bloodline, and with Caliburn gone I have no way of proving his worth.
"And so, I intend to court, and eventually wed, Jaune." Artoria firmly declared, her cheeks turning pink as she did so.
A great weight was lifted from her heart, as the words left her lips, and the deepest desires of the young girl who'd been buried by responsibility finally came out.
Immediately, the Knights began whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
Agravain, in particular, was floored by this revelation, as it put the King's dislike of Jaune interacting with other females in a new light.
Kay, for his part, merely smiled with pride.
"With me by his side, his rule would be legitimized." Artoria continued on, deciding to only voice the benefits it would bring to the kingdom for now. "And he would thus be be free to lead the kingdom as he should, to improve the lives of our subjects, and bring happiness and prosperity to the lands."
Gawain wolf-whistled in response, and waggled his eyebrows suggestively, though Artoria's mood was unaffected by her nephew's antics.
Unnoticed by the other knights in their cheers and excited and animated talks, however, was Velvet, who merely stared at the Liar-King, processing her words.
No.
No, this wasn't right.
Sir Jaune didn't deserve another burden, he deserved to rest!
It wasn't fair!
Why did she get to throw away her responsibilities, once her task had been done, while Sir Jaune was forced to continue working and toiling beyond his death?
"Does Sir Jaune know of your intentions?" Velvet couldn't help herself.
Fortunately, Artoria missed it, riding on cloud nine as she was.
"No, he doesn't." Artoria answered. "I came here, to tell you the truth first, and ask for your blessings, before I speak with him privately, later-"
The doors flung open, interrupting the conversation.
"Arthur!" Merlin called out, holding a piece of paper in a book, too distraught and worried to realize that Artoria was openly wearing a dress. "We have a problem! It's Morgan!"
-JAUNE'S ROOM, AFTER ADVISING ARTORIA-
The first thing Jaune noticed, as he stepped into his room, was Merlin lying motionlessly on his bed.
Then his Aura-enhanced instincts flared up, and he immediately reached for his sword, as a veiled figure stepped out of the shadows.
"Jaune Arc, the Crimson Knight." The figure spoke first, even as Jaune warily watched her, standing next to a helpless Merlin (as far as he knew). "The Red Huntsman. The First of the Round Table. The Knight of Compassion. Our meeting has been a long time coming."
"Who are you?" Jaune demanded. "How did you get in here? And what did you do to Merlin?"
"I am Queen Morgan le Fay." Morgan easily obliged, much to his surprise. "Sister of King Arthur. Wife to King Lot. Mother to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Velvet. And the Rightful King of the Britons."
"... right, Arthur mentioned you." Jaune murmured, unsure of how to process all of that. "Said the two of you don't get along, or something...?"
"Well, I am behind him losing Caliburn." Morgan admitted with a shrug. "And the attacks at Listenoise and Badon."
"Wait, that was you?!" Jaune's grip around his sword tightened. "Innocent people died there! Velvet almost died there!"
"Yes, and you have my thanks, for saving my daughter." Morgan inclined her head towards Jaune, before explaining: "You were supposed to face the Crocea Mors at Badon, and die, while she destroyed the Frankish and Germanic mercenaries."
"... you are... very forthcoming, about wanting me dead." Jaune observed.
"Well, you strike me as a frank man." Morgan replied. "I have calculated that being upfront with you has the best chance of success."
"And you couldn't have tried that before hiring mercenaries to try and kill me?" Jaune asked.
"And to answer your other questions..." Morgan continued, ignoring the sarcasm. "I snuck in by seducing Merlin, and casting a spell on him."
"... Oum damn it, Merlin." Jaune groaned, looking back at the comatose man, completely unsurprised. "Wait, aren't you married?"
"Yes, and very happily, at that." Morgan confirmed. "... no, I didn't sleep with this womanizing incubus, if that's what you're asking. I didn't cheat on Lot, and even if I would, I do have some standards."
"Ah." Jaune could only say, even as his sword slowly inched out of its scabbard. "And why are you doing all of this?"
"Draw that sword and conjure one of your fancy ice walls, and Merlin will never awaken." Morgan warned, lying through her teeth, not missing the action. Truthfully, it was taking almost all of her prana, just to keep him unconscious for half a day, and that was without harming him and triggering any of his defenses, especially since Camelot was his place of power.
Fortunately, she knew that the Huntsman in front of her had little knowledge of magic, not being from this world as he was.
"And as for why I am doing this... it's not fair, don't you think? I am the elder sibling, I possess far greater power, a far greater claim to rule this island than Arthur. The Will of the Island itself has selected me!"
"Sounding a bit like Vortigern, there..." Jaune murmured.
"And yet, why is he the King?" Morgan continued to rant. "Why was he able to draw the sword? Why does he get all the love and adoration, and not me?"
"Maybe it's because he's not as petty as you?" Jaune suggested. "You know, seeing as how you've apparently been trying to screw him over? Seriously, have you even tried talking to him first? Also, what does this have to do with trying to kill me?!"
"..." Morgan stared at the Red Huntsman, surprised by his absolute audacity in the presence of a Queen. Then she growled at him, and sniffed: "You would do well to remember your standing, boy."
"I've died thrice, lady." Jaune stood his ground. "You really don't scare me."
The two glared at one another, each refusing to break their gaze first.
Then Morgan laughed.
"I can see why Arthur keeps you around." Morgan observed. "Petty, am I? Perhaps... in any case, I have a proposition for you, boy. I will allow Merlin to awaken, and I will swear on my power to never take another action that interferes with Arthur's Kingdom and him... on one condition."
"Name it." Jaune had a really bad feeling about where this was going, but he had to ask anyway.
"The law of equal exchange, Jaune Arc." Morgan explained. "I will fling you through time and space, and you will never again step foot on this island, which should suffice in ensuring that you can never interfere with the affairs of Camelot again."
"..." Jaune stared at her, digesting her words.
To buy some more time to think, he asked: "How do I know I can trust you?"
"I will allow you to send a final message, telling of what happened, and I will allow you to watch Merlin waking up, before I banish you." Morgan countered. "Now, do we have terms?"
Jaune couldn't help but hesitate, as he took a look around, at his room, and the city outside the castle's windows.
Did they?
He felt pretty confident that he could survive an attack by Morgan, at least long enough to raise the alarm.
After all, if Morgan truly could have killed him that easily, she wouldn't be trying to negotiate with him, right?
... well, sure, he tried negotiating whenever possible, but something told him Morgan wasn't quite as averse to killing as he was.
But what about Merlin?
What about any innocents that got caught up in it?
What about Gawain, Agravain, and Gaheris?
What about Velvet?
He doubted they were involved, since she'd thanked him for saving Velvet, and Velvet didn't seem anything like Morgan...
And most of all... what about Arthur?
The poor boy did not need to deal with Merlin getting abducted and/or killed, especially not by his older sister.
Jaune spared a glance at the odd crest on the back of his right hand, and made up his mind.
Well, he'd been summoned to help Arthur be a good king, right?
Looking around, he could safely say he'd succeeded.
It wasn't often that he was allowed the luxury of choosing how he left worlds (and he had little doubt that this would be his departure; he knew the drill by now).
Sure, this world hadn't been all bad.
In fact, he could almost say he'd enjoyed his time here, helping people, playing with Saber, teasing Arthur with Kay and Merlin...
A wave of nostalgia rushed through him, as he recalled their time spent adventuring throughout the lands, before Arthur had become King.
But in the end, the choice was clear.
He was just Jaune Arc, the guy who wasn't even supposed to be here.
He wasn't dense enough to say that he and Arthur weren't close friends, after a year and a half.
But the useless pansy on the bed was Arthur's godfather.
And at least Arthur would still have Kay and the other Knights of the Round to support him.
In exchange for his departure, Arthur wouldn't have to deal with his sister, a petty witch who was apparently powerful enough to take out Merlin.
"We have terms." Jaune finally agreed, looking away.
"Excellent." Morgan grinned, already drawing up a geass.
The pair wrote without speaking, Jaune writing a letter explaining what was going on, what he had done, making it clear that the only persons involved were him and Morgan, and writing notes about future inventions and potential policies, while Morgan wrote the terms of the magical contract.
Finally, long enough that the Sun had already risen, Jaune finished his account, and placed it within the Wasteland Survival Guide, before looking unwaveringly at Morgan.
"Show me the contract." Jaune demanded.
She complied, knowing her time was running out.
Jaune quickly scanned through the document, making sure that everything was as they had agreed to.
Good.
It seemed that Morgan, at least, wasn't trying to trick him by sneaking something in at the last minute.
He would be banished from this world by magic ("flung through time and space" was written on the contract, but he could guess how things would go), she would at least make sure no harm came to him through the direct effects of her spell (so she probably wasn't going to fling him into a volcano), and he would never be allowed to step foot on this land once again.
In exchange, she would allow Merlin to awaken, and never again interfere with the affairs of her sibling's Kingdom, and her sibling by extension.
Jaune took a moment to pack a pouch with the essentials for surviving (including food and a few seasonings), and grabbed his gun and red breastplate, before signing on the line she pointed to.
Morgan grinned, and dispelled her simple spell over Merlin.
Immediately, the Magus of Flowers shot out of the bed.
"Wha-!" Merlin exclaimed, seeing a vacant-eyed Jaune and a triumphant Morgan staring at him, a geass floating between them.
"You and Kay take care of Arthur for me, Merlin." Jaune had time to say, unable to keep the sorrow out of his voice, before the spell kicked in, and he disappeared in a glow of blue light.
A cackling Morgan followed suit a moment later, teleporting out of Camelot entirely, leaving behind only the sounds of her victorious laughter to echo madly through the room.
Author's Note: Sorry folks, but it looks like there will be no King Artoria and Queen Jaune this time.
Morgan... I honestly can't get a good grasp on Morgan, which is probably intentional, since Morgan le Fay's apparently just a third of the greater personality that is the true Morgan? But, in any case... since this is only two years after the sword has been drawn, presumably the division between personalities isn't as deep yet, and she's not as vengeance-crazed as she was when she ended up conceiving Mordred. At least, that's just the hand-wave excuse I'm working with. She's still nuts, though.
And as I've mentioned multiple times before... this will, indeed, be the final world, before we return to Remnant. Sure, if I did this story in an omnibus format, me implementing everyone's suggestions would be more than feasible. But this is all a singular interconnected story. There's a limit to how much I'm willing to throw at Jaune. More importantly, though, there's a limit to how much I can properly balance, while trying to develop all characters and their relationships.
Also seriously... why do I keep torturing myself by writing so much dialogue-heavy chapters...
6 Sept 2021 Edit: Added a line from Merlin's perspective that I forgot. Reaaon will become apparent soon.
