"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs, and laws laid down by your forebears?" Uther asked as he stood over Arthur at the coming-of-age ceremony to declare him Crown Prince of Camelot.
"I do, sire," Arthur answered.
"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?"
"I do, sire."
"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot now and for as long as you shall live?"
Arthur placed his hand on the sword in front of him. "I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service, and to the protection of this kingdom and its peoples."
Amara smiled as she watched on. Arthur had been so nervous about this, but he was doing an excellent job. Uther reached over for the crown he was to present to Arthur. "Now, being of age and the heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be the crown prince of Camelot," he declared as he lowered the crown onto Arthur's head. Amara's smile widened, it was over and she clapped her hands together enthusiastically to congratulate her brother.
"You're proud of him," Leon smirked from beside her as he looked at her beaming face.
"Of course I am. I was running through the ceremony with him earlier and he couldn't get it right," she sniggered.
Leon smirked, "he's good for the kingdom, the people respect him."
"I couldn't agree more," Amara said before being cut off by the sound of smashing glass. A rider on horseback had come smashing through the stained glass window of the hall.
"Stay behind me," Leon warned, pushing Amara back so he could stand in front of her. All knights in the hall had drawn their swords in defense.
"What in the devil's name?" Uther exclaimed.
The rider came further into the hall on his horse as everyone remained frozen to watch him. As he approached he threw his gauntlet down on the ground, issuing a challenge. Arthur put away his sword and went to bend down to pick up the gauntlet but another knight beat him to it.
"I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge."
"Single combat, noon tomorrow. To the death," the black knight declared before turning his horse around and exiting the hall.
"Who was that?" Amara gasped.
"I have no idea," Uther said quickly as he walked towards her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I think that concludes the ceremony for tonight. Sir Owain, you will need your rest. Arthur, escort Morgana back to her chambers. Sir Leon," he said, beckoning the knight to follow him just out of Amara's earshot. Everyone in the Hall of Ceremonies began clearing out, whispering to each other about who the black knight could be. Uther whispered with Leon, briefly looking back at Amara.
Leon nodded and bowed to the king before walking back over to Amara. "What was that about?" she asked.
"I am to escort you back to your chambers and you are to have guards stationed out your chambers for the duration of the challenger's stay."
"What? Why?" Amara asked alarmed.
"I'm not aware of the reason."
"Father?" Amara asked, walking up to Uther.
"It's just a precaution, Amara. Do what Sir Leon instructs," he ordered as he stressfully ran a hand down his face.
"Are you alright?" Arthur asked as he came into her chambers later that night. "Why are there guards outside the door?"
"I'm not sure," Amara scowled. "Father said I had to have them as a precaution. Are you ok?"
"I was escorting Morgana back to her chambers and making sure she was ok," he sighed as he sat down at the table.
Amara came and sat down opposite him. "Sir Owain? He's so young," she asked.
"He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet," Arthur argued. "The challenge was issued to me."
"Is there any way to stop it?" she asked.
Arthur shook his head. "The challenge has been taken up. The fight cannot be stopped, you know that. As soon as Owain picked up the gauntlet there was nothing I could do. You know that I know that and he knows it."
"What if he dies? It's a fight to the death. It's not right."
"I know," Arthur said sadly. "Wine?"
Amara nodded at Juliana who was standing in the corner and she came forward and filled their goblets before stepping back. "Did you see father?" Amara asked. "He reacted very strangely when the black knight entered."
"Everyone reacted strangely Amara, he came through the window," Arthur rolled his eyes.
"I know, I know. I'm not sure," she said as she sipped her wine. "I think he might know who he is."
"I've never seen that crest before," Arthur shrugged. "Maybe he's not from Camelot?"
Amara looked at him in the eyes. "Arthur. Do you think Owain can win?"
"I don't know, Amara. I don't know," Arthur said sadly as he drank from the goblet.
Amara followed Uther into the fighting arena the next day. Uther paused in his step and took a measure of the black knight before taking a seat, allowing everyone to sit down after him. Arthur then came escorting Owain into the arena.
"The fight shall be to the knight's rules and to the death," Arthur instructed them as he opened the fight.
Everyone in the arena sombrely watched Owain prepare himself for battle as Arthur came and stood on the other side of Uther. Amara leaned past their father to look at Arthur, he was staring ahead with stony eyes. He didn't have faith Owain could win. Owain took hold of his sword and both he and the black knight swung their swords up, ready to fight.
"Let battle commence," Arthur declared, taking his seat as the black knight immediately lashed out at Owain. Owain's shield was being pounded by the black knight's sword and he could do nothing but defend as the crowd grimaced. Owain darted around and finally was able to gain enough space to attack with his sword. Owain only managed to get in a few good hits when the black knight kicked him to the ground. Sending Owain scrambling back to his feet.
"One well-aimed blow!" Arthur yelled in frustration.
As though inspired by the prince, Owain struck forward and pierced the black knight's abdomen with his sword. Amara jumped in relief before freezing, the black knight was not hindered by the attack. Owain stepped back up to his feet and the black knight continued his assault as the crowd gasped in shock that the black knight hadn't fallen. The black knight attacked more ferociously than before, managing to knock Owain in the head, sending him sprawling to the ground. Amara's hands flew to her mouth as the black knight raised his sword. He then brought the sword down into Owain's body, making Amara gasp and look down in disgust. The whole crowd was gasping in shock.
The black knight walked towards the royal box and Leon took a step forward from behind Amara's seat to stand slightly in front of her protectively. Amara looked to see her father also holding his arm out towards her in an attempt to shield her from the black knight's view.
"Who will take up my challenge?" the black knight asked as he threw his gauntlet on the ground. Arthur immediately jumped up to accept when Uther pulled away from Amara and grabbed him, stopping him from leaping out of the box.
Before Arthur could move any further, Sir Pellinor stepped out of his seat and picked up the gauntlet. "I, Sir Pellinor, take up the challenge."
"So be it," the knight accepted before his head whipped towards the king. Amara tilted her head and looked at her father who was glaring at the black knight. The black knight then turned and walked out of the arena, no one in the crowd moved, still too shocked to process what happened.
Uther turned to Amara, "we're going back to the palace. You're not to leave my side until we are safely inside the inner castle. Do you understand?" he asked. Amara nodded and shakily stood up from her seat and followed her father out.
"Do you know who he is?" Amara asked as they entered the palace, having walked in stony silence for a few minutes. "I can see you recognized him."
"I don't know who he is Amara," he denied and Amara knew not to push him further. Amara turned to look behind her as she heard footsteps hurrying behind them.
"Why did you stop me?" Arthur yelled as they entered the council chambers.
"We have to give our knights the chance to prove themselves," Uther explained.
"Have you seen how this stranger fights?" Arthur asked incredulously as he stormed after the king, leaving Amara to stand at the side of the table, watching them both pace the room in anger.
"And Sir Pellinor is more than a match for him," Uther argued.
"He's not recovered from the wounds he suffered at Othanden."
Uther turned back to look at Arthur. "I can't help that."
"So you send him to his death?" Arthur challenged.
"It was his choice to take up the gauntlet. I am not to blame," Uther snapped. "Don't let her out of your sight until the black knight is dead," Uther ordered Arthur. "I need to be alone," he said, storming out of the room.
"I've never seen anybody fight like that," Amara said shakily as Arthur came to stand next to her.
"Neither have I," he said sadly.
"Sir Pellinor is no match for him."
"I know."
"Neither are you," Amara frowned. "This knight isn't like anyone I've seen. I swear I saw Owain land a fatal blow but the knight did not even falter for a moment."
"You must've seen wrong. Come on," he said touching her back. "I have to work with Pellinor and apparently you need to stay with me."
Amara had watched Sir Pellinor train with Arthur for a few hours to match the fighting style of the black knight, and it had paid off. Sir Pellinor had the upper hand on the black knight in their fight later that day. The crowd was getting excited as they anticipated revenge being enacted on the black knight. Pellinor had managed to block every blow and attack at every open opportunity. Pellinor struck the black knight true in the chest for the whole crowd to see. Everyone in the crowd exclaimed in delight as they watched Pellinor remove the sword. The king leaned forward in his chair with glee as he waited to watch the knight fall. But fall he did not. Everyone yelled in shock when they saw the black knight straighten up completely unharmed.
"I saw it, he ran him through, no doubt," Amara stuttered to her father.
"I saw it too," he nodded, reaching over to place his hand over hers in comfort.
The black knight then struck out and pushed his sword into Sir Pellinor, sending him crumbling to the ground. The knight then removed his sword and attacked one last time for good measure. Amara choked out a cry and looked away. Uther looked over at her to comfort her before quickly jumping in the opposite direction, only he was too late, Arthur had thrown in his own gauntlet.
"I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you," Arthur issued.
"No," Amara breathed as she looked over at her brother who had just signed his own death sentence.
"So be it," the black knight agreed.
"Single combat, noon tomorrow," Arthur specified. The black knight nodded and exited the arena. Arthur didn't stay around to get yelled at. "I'll see you in the council chambers," he said quietly before scurrying off.
"Father," Amara cried, her eyes full of tears. "He can't…"
Uther looked at her in anger, "foolish boy," he hissed. "Come," he said, ushering her away from the arena.
"How could you be so stupid?" Uther snapped as the doors to the council chambers opened and she and her father stormed in there to confront Arthur. "I'll revoke the challenge."
"No," Arthur refused. "The knight's code must be upheld. That's what you told me."
"This is different," Uther argued.
"You saw Pellinor land a blow to the knight and he did not stumble. Do you really think you're capable of beating him?" Amara yelled in rage.
"Once a challenge has been laid down, it cannot be rescinded. The matter has been decided," Arthur declared, not looking at his sister or father.
"You are crown prince," Uther pleaded.
"You have a responsibility to the people of Camelot, you cannot compete," Amara added.
"There cannot be one rule for me and one for all the rest," Arthur said, finally looking over at Amara and Uther.
"I forbid you to fight," Uther decided.
"You want me to prove that I'm worthy of the throne. I cannot do that by being a coward," Arthur countered.
Amara scoffed, "you cannot do that by being dead either!"
"No, Arthur, this will be your death," the king breathed.
"I"m sorry you both have so little faith in me."
"Arthur!" Uther yelled as Arthur walked off.
"Don't walk away," Amara hissed as she stormed after him. "You pig-headed arrogant fool. You are walking into certain death, how can you do this to the people of Camelot! How can you do this to our father! How can you do this to me!"
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
"You're being a selfish fool. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge. No one will think differently of you for rescinding the challenge. You'll be letting down the entire kingdom if you compete. And that's just selfish," she growled before stomping off.
Amara took a deep breath as she watched the black knight through the window. "You saw Sir Pellinor strike him didn't you?" she asked Juliana.
"I did my Lady," Juliana nodded as she turned down Amara's bed.
"It has to be magic. Have you ever seen anyone with that crest? A white phoenix?"
"I have not. It is very unusual," Juliana said as she came to stand next to Amara at the window.
"There must be a record of it though?"
"Perhaps in the royal library," Juliana suggested.
Amara looked over at her maid, "you're right," she gasped. "Let's go," she said taking Juliana's hand and exiting her chambers.
"Your royal highness," the guards outside her room protested.
"Stay," she ordered. "I'm going to see my father. I will be back shortly," she lied.
"We're not going to see your father?" Juliana whispered as they walked through the corridor.
"No. But they won't leave me alone and I'm not having guards follow me to the library," Amara scoffed as she and Juliana raced through the corridor.
"Any luck?" Amara asked as she and Juliana looked through the catalog of family crests. Juliana didn't respond so Amara looked up. "Juliana?"
"This isn't possible. It has to be a mistake," Juliana whispered, looking up at Amara with wide eyes.
"What is it, Juliana?" Amara asked. "Show me!" Amara demanded, grabbing the book to look at it. "Oh my god," she gasped. "No, no, no. I have to go," Amara said, quickly standing up to race out of the library only to run into Merlin. "I'm sorry Merlin," she apologized as she went to move around him.
"Are you alright my lady?" he asked.
"Fine. Just fine," she nodded with tears in her eyes. "Juliana you're dismissed for tonight," she called to the girl still sitting in shock before she ran off towards the inner chambers to seek out her father. As soon as she reached the inner chambers she threw open the doors and stormed in to see her father standing in shock, staring at the wall. "Tristan de Bois!" she exclaimed as she stormed in.
"Wait!" Uther yelled, holding up his hand, making her freeze in the doorway.
"What is it?" she asked alarmed.
Uther looked back over at the wall before sighing. "She's gone," he muttered quietly. "Come in," he said, beckoning her closer with a wave.
"The crest! The white phoenix crest of the black knight. It's the crest of Tristan de Bois! How is that possible?" she asked as she raced up to him.
Uther grabbed hold of her arm softly as he moved her to sit down. "How did you find out?"
"The royal library. I went through the book of crests until I found it," she explained, not wanting Juliana to get in trouble. "You knew it was his crest. I saw it in your eyes when he came in on Arthur's ceremony. But it can't be him. He's dead."
"It's sorcery," Uther told her as he took a seat at the head of the table and dropped his head into his hands. "Gaius believes him to be conjured from the dead. Those who practice magic only know evil, Amara. They will seek to destroy the kingdom I have built."
Amara's eyes widened, "what is he here for?"
"That doesn't matter," Uther said quickly.
"Uncle Agravaine told me he was a kind man."
"When did Agravaine talk to you about Tristan?" Uther asked worriedly.
"The summer that I stayed at Uncle Agravaine's, he told me about his brother's generosity and kindness to the people. He wouldn't tell me much but he told me that."
"I wouldn't place too much importance on what Agravaine tells you," Uther scowled and Amara looked down.
"Arthur can't beat him," she said after a moment's silence. Uther stood up and sighed before he leaned down and kissed Amara on the forehead. "Father?" she asked confused.
"There's something I need to do. Meet me in my chambers in half an hour," he said as he walked out of the room.
Amara stood in her father's chambers looking out of the window, staring at the figure of her late uncle. "Amara," Uther said as he came in.
"What's going on?" Amara asked. "I need to see Arthur before he goes to bed so I can't stay long."
"Come, we shall visit him together," Uther said and Amara nodded and followed him out of his chambers. "You are so dear to me. I just want you to know that."
"I know father," she frowned. "Are you ok?"
"You're so like your mother, in many ways. You're growing into an excellent young woman," he said blinking back tears.
"Father?" she asked confused.
"I'm sorry to have to leave you," he said as he placed his hand on her cheek. "My sweet Amara." Amara stared, at him, extremely confused as to what was going on. "Gaius," Uther said as he saw the physician leave Arthur's room.
Gaius nodded at him and walked towards them. "Sire, my lady. Amara, I have a new tonic for your headaches," he said holding out a bottle. "I suspect you will be getting one shortly," he smiled softly.
"Ok, thank you," she said softly taking the bottle from him.
"I recommend you drink it now," Gaius added. Amara looked over at her father who nodded at her.
"Alright," she agreed as she opened the bottle and drank it, handing the bottle back to Gaius. "Urgh," she groaned. "Gaius I'm sorry but that tastes awful." Amara looked up to see both Gaius and her father watching her. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Perfectly fine my lady," Gaius replied.
"Woah," Amara explained as she wobbled on her feet.
"Now sire," Gaius instructed and Uther swept his arms under her legs and picked her up.
"It worked quickly," Uther said as he carried his semi-conscious daughter towards Arthur's room.
"And it'll keep her asleep until the fight is underway. She won't witness anything, my lord," Gaius assured.
"What's going on?" Amara groaned groggily as Gaius opened the door to Arthur's chambers.
"She'll be safe in here. I'll lock the door and neither of them will be able to leave."
"Arthur?" Amara groaned as Uther laid her down next to Arthur who was lying passed out on his bed.
Amara's eyes began closing against her will, she'd been drugged. Uther bent down and kissed her on her forehead one last time before he raced out of the room just as Amara's eyes finally shut.
"Amara!" Arthur yelled as he shook her. "Amara get up!"
"What?" she groggily groaned as her eyes opened.
Arthur jumped up from his bed and ran to the window. "The fight Amara! I'm missing the fight!" he yelled as Amara managed to fully wake herself up.
Amara jumped up from Arthurs bed and ran to his side only to see a full crowd already assembled and the black knight fighting a knight of Camelot. "Gaius drugged me!" she realized.
"Me too," Arthur growled as he ran over to the chamber doors and tried to open them. But they were locked. "Help me!" he cried desperately and Amara ran over and they both tugged on the door as hard as they could.
"It's locked!"
"I know!" Arthur snapped as he smashed his fists on the door.
"Guards!" Amara yelled, trying to summon someone to release them. "Oh my god," she gasped as she put together the meaning of what her father said last night. "Our father's fighting. Arthur!" she screamed.
"What?" he asked, freezing as he turned to look at her.
"He told me last night, I didn't understand then, but he's fighting! GUARDS!" she screamed as she smashed on the door. No one was coming.
Amara sat tapping her fingers on Arthur's table whilst they waited for someone to unlock the door and explain to them what happened. After a while, they heard a key enter the lock on the door and they stood up anxiously as Merlin came in.
"The king won," he explained. "He fought well. He defeated the black knight."
Arthur stood up and marched past Merlin. "Thank you," Amara muttered as she followed Arthur out.
"He won it's ok," Amara said to Arthur as they stormed their way to the council chambers where their father would be.
"It is not ok. The knight's code said I was to fight him. And if our father can beat him, I most certainly would of," Arthur snapped as he threw open the doors to the council chambers. The two siblings walked in and saw Gaius make a hasty retreat out of the room.
"That should heal pretty quickly. I'll redress it tomorrow," Gaius said as he raced out of the room.
"Thank you, Gaius. Thank you for everything," Uther called after him as his children stormed up to him.
"You had Gaius drug us!" Arthur exclaimed angrily. "I was meant to fight him," Arthur snapped, banging his hand on the table.
"No, you weren't," Uther groaned.
"But the knight's code is very…"
"Be damned," Uther said standing up to look at the two of them. "I believed you would die and that was a risk I could not take. You are too precious to me. I was not going to allow you to fight and I wasn't going to let her watch me die either," Uther said pointing to Amara. "You both mean more to me than anything I know, more than this entire kingdom and certainly more than my own life."
Arthur gaped at Uther, "I knew you felt that way about Amara. But I've always thought…"
"What?" Uther asked.
"That I was a big disappointment to you," Arthur finished and Amara looked up at him sadly.
"Well, that is my fault and not yours. I love you both equally," Uther said placing his hand on each of their shoulders. "You are my only son and you are my daughter."
Arthur stared at their father before clearing his throat and stepping away. "I heard you fought pretty well."
"Thanks," Uther smiled as he leaned on the table.
"You should join us for training," Arthur smiled. "I'm sure even Amara could give you pointers on your footwork," Arthur smirked.
"I'll be there," Amara laughed.
Uther scoffed as he smiled at his children, "I'll show you footwork," he laughed as he jumped up and started chasing them.
Arthur grabbed Amara and pulled her in front of him, "you'll have to get her first if you want to get me," he laughed.
"Do it," Amara smiled at her father. "It'll be worth it."
Uther smirked and flung out his leg, kicking around Amara and knocking the back of Arthur's legs. "Ooft," Arthur smiled, letting go of Amara.
"Got you!" Amara yelled as she jumped on Arthurs back and rubbed her knuckles on his head.
"Not very ladylike Amara," he groaned.
"You're only saying that because you're losing Arthur," Uther laughed as he watched his children wrestle with a smile on his face.
