2. Celebration

After the crowning, the crowds dispersed and the city continued it's celebrations. Parades littered the streets, pubs and brothels surged with patrons and even the food carts flourished. The city felt alive. Mary and Lucy returned to the heart of the city to find their friends and thoroughly swoon over the ruggedly handsome King. He was the type of man all women dreamed about. Just enough facial hair, a stern but gentle face, and a nicely toned body that walked with confidence and strength. He made every single women in the city put on their best clothes, in the off chance that they meet the gorgeous King.

Lucy began to wonder, did she even have a shot with the King. There was a thousand more women who were prettier than her. There were 100 more women richer than her. There was even a few dozen more that were going to meet him long before she did. Suddenly Lucy felt stupid for even trying. But he had looked at me, he had seen me. She had thought. She remembered that she had indeed locked eye contact with the most beautiful man in the world. That alone was enough to give her hope and she smiled to herself, the King had seen her.

The girls had found their friends a short time later. Immediately Morgan, Brooke, and Elizabeth began gossiping about the new king. They had all settled at the local pub where the beer was cold and a minsteral played in the corner.

''You guys got to see him! You must tell us what he is like!" Brooke had yelled excitedly, unable to contain her glee.

''Oh he was so gorgeous. He held his sword for the whole kingdom to see!'' Mary raved.

''I wish he would hold me like that.'' Elizabeth pouted.

''Wouldn't that be just the grandest wedding though, marrying the new king?'' Morgan asked. ''Everyone would want to attend.''

''How many people can the castle hold?'' Mary asked.

''At least a hundred right?'' Elizabeth guessed.

''More, the old king used to throw all sorts of parties. That what ma said anyway. Probably 250.'' Morgan stated.

''What about a wedding on the cliffside behind the castle. The whole kingdom would be able to watch.'' Lucy said after daydreaming about it for a minute or so.

''Well that sounds lovely.'' Replied a deep and smooth voice from behind the girls. They all turned to see King Arthur standing in front of them. The whole bar became silent and directed their attention to the scene unravelling in front of them.

''Please tell me your name?'' Arthur asked Lucy, reaching out to retrieve her hand and greet her.

She presented her hand and he gently took it and kissed the back of her hand.

''Um...'' This must be a dream there is no way this is really happening. ''Lucy.'' She answered.

''Lucy. What a pretty name for such a beautiful woman.'' He said, making all the girls around him swoon. Lucy was frozen in a state of disbelief. How did he find her?

''Thank you.'' She barely breathed out. Her heart was racing at a million miles a minute and she was sure he could hear it.

''Would you care to accompany me back to the castle?''

''Not at all.'' She smiled at him. This was beyond a dream come true.

Suddenly Lucy woke up from a dead sleep. She rubbed her eyes and groaned. That was the 3rd time this week that she had woken up from that dream. She couldn't believe she was still swooning over the king.

She glanced out her bedroom window which revealed a dark night sky. It was probably still in the hours of early morning. She got out of bed and walked over to the window. She stared up at the night sky and wondered about her purpose in this life. She wasnt destined for royalty or riches. She wasn't especially beautiful or exceptionally talented. She was a nobody and a man of stature would never be interested in a woman like her.

Just then she saw a shooting star go by and she couldn't help but wonder what being with the King was really like. She went back to her bed and tried to go back to sleep hoping this time her dreams would bring joy and wonder.

When Lucy woke again it was daylight out. She smelled eggs and ham that seemingly her sister was preparing. She dragged herself out of bed over to the wash basin where she freshened up before picking out a dress for the day. She decided that her cream and indigo colored dress was a suitable choice and put it on. She then braided her hair into a long sweeping braid and admired herself momentarily. She could admit she wasn't ugly but nothing about her seemed gorgeous either. Her teeth werent perfect, her cheekbones were too high, sometimes making her cheeks look sunken in. Her eyebrows were a tad too long and she had near nothing on her chest. How could she expect a man who could have anyone to choose her? It was ridiculous of her to even try. She left the mirror before becoming too depressed and met her sister in the kitchen where breakfast was just served.

''Morning Lucy,'' Mary greeted cheerfully.

''Morning sis,'' Lucy replied sleepily, followed by an extended yawn. She felt restless dreaming about something that could never be. She scolded herself for even thinking about him now, yet somehow he was always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

''So I was thinking I would go shopping today after I get done at the pub.'' Mary shared her daily plan like always.

''I wish you would get a different job.'' Lucy sighed hesitantly, knowing she was probably starting an argument.

''And do what? Become a poor seamstress like you? I like my job and I like the money, if you don't like it then I can move out.'' Mary ranted, instantly becoming enraged by the topic.

''It's not like that, I just think that you're really smart and could be doing something better than what you are doing now.''

''Just say it Lucy, you don't like the idea of your sister being a prostitute.'' She said harshly then got up and left the house.

''Mary.'' Lucy pleaded for her sister to come back but she was already gone. Lucy just wanted what was best for Mary, but somehow she managed to push her even further away instead.

But life goes on, and she can't chase after her sister forever, knowing that at some point she will have to grow up. Lucy managed to take few bites of the food that Mary had to graciously prepared then made her way to the shop to open up for the day. She had a few appointments for the day which she still had yet to prepare for, meaning she was expecting a long work day ahead of herself. It was worth the hard work as a respectable profession that was already starting to boom again. The new king meant good things were happening and life could only get better from here.

With great power comes great responsibility. The fight to overcome Vortigern was a strenuous one, but he knew his responsibilities had just grown ten-fold. He had no doubt that he, his knights, his birth right, and his kingdom could handle anything that comes their way, but for how long could he do that.

The castle had thrown a party in celebration of the crowning. Not only was it customary but very victory was worth rewarding. The newly crowned king and his knights sat around the newly built (and thoroughly made fun of) round table. They all chatter and laughed amongst each other, celebrating their victories and the peace that was bound to follow. Arthur smiled and laughed with his men, but deep down there were two things that he was thinking about.

1. The fight was far from over, a bigger storm was brewing.

2. Who was that girl in the crowd?

While everybody else was celebrating Arthur was letting his reality set it. He was a boy from the streets, raised in a brothel. He knew nothing about running an actual kingdom. The entirety of Britain was much larger than the streets of Londinium. While he knew he could handle this responsibility alone, he'd rather share it with someone like the girl from the revealing. The way the sun shined down on her made her seem like a blessing sent from up above. Who was she? Where was she? He'd inquire about it later, for now he celebrates with alcohol and good laughs, as tomorrow he resumes his responsibilities.