Disclaimer is in the first chapter. Let's continue with the story, shall we?
That night was a revelation to me. I had a dream. A dream of what would have happened if I had defended myself better. I could still be alive in my time and made a great reputation in the Archaeology society.
The next day, when I woke up, I went to the dresser and I really looked at myself. Wow, I really did fell deep into depression. I couldn't even recognize myself. So I went around the room looking for paper and quill. Yes, quill. Like Harry Potter. You have to remember at this time ballpen have not been invented yet. As I was searching Gwen and Morgana came in my room.
"Good morning Katherine. What are you doing?" Morgana asked in an amused tone.
"Morning Nana. I'm looking for paper and quill. Do you have any? If I am to turn a new leaf, I have to do it the way I know and that is by making a to-do list. Why are you staring at me?"
"You called me Nana..."
Oh shoot! There is something you have to know about me. When I get comfortable with someone, I tend to give them a nickname that I made myself for them. It's to show how much I like them as my friends. Morgana pulled me into her famously but unknown by all bear hug. I chuckled at her.
"Okay Morgana, you can let me go now."
"No. Unless you call me Nana again." I laughed.
"Okay, Nana. Can you please let me breath now? Your bear hug is cutting off my air supply..." When she did, i dramatically inhale and then we all laughed.
"I'm so happy that you're laughing again. You don't know how long we waited to hear that sound of laughter coming from you."
"I know Nana and I'm sorry. I promise to you that I won't go into depression, knowingly of course. If I did, you have my permission to knock me to my senses again." She smiled and took both my hands in hers.
"There's nothing to forgive Katherine. Come on, Uther and Arthur are waiting for us to join them at breakfast." Morgana went through the wardrobe and took out ankle length maroon dress with intricate gold patterns at the bottom.
"You have to wear this, it suits your skin color." And she was right, with my light brown skin, ebony waist length hair and brown eyes. The dress though looked tight fitting but it is actually quite comfortable. Furthermore, I never really liked corset and I had been very adamant about it that Morgana relented on it.
"Now let us get going or those two won't even wait for us." The guards and servants that walked pass us, greeted us and would smile happily at us. The guards at the throne room opened the door and we went straight to our seats.
"Good morning Morgana, Katherine. How are you feeling this morning, Katherine?" Uther greeted us and started to take foods indicating that we all can start eating too.
"I am well, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking. How about you, Your Majesty?"
"I am well, Katherine. And please, just call me Uther..." His eyes glanced at Arthur. "Or better yet, just call me father, right Arthur?" He smiled playfully at Arthur, who then spilled some of his drink on his lap and started to cough, glaring at his mischievous father. It was actually funny for me to see these kind of things in real life. I have always thought that King Uther was strict and sometimes cruel but clearly I thought wrong. He have a sense of humour, kind to all, understand people's hardship, and passionate about his kingdom welfare. Differences is also presents in everyone else too. It's both baffling and amazing at the same time. Looking at Arthur and the ever mischievous Uther, I decided to play along.
"If you wish it... Father." Arthur looked so ridiculous that we all burst to laughter.
"Oh, ha ha... Very funny..." He pouted, armed crossed and leaning back on his chair and it made him seems so cute.
"I'm sorry Arthur. I just couldn't help it. I'm really sorry." Smiling a bit, he looked at me and said it was alright.
"So, do you have anything in mind today, of what would you be doing?" Uther asked.
Knowing that what I had in mind would be unorthodox, I really have to think carefully of what I have to say.
"I do have something in mind, Your... Uther. It's just that I'm not sure you would agree to it."
"Pray tell what it is."
"I'm hoping you would let me learn how to defend myself."
"What kind of defend?"
"One on One fight, Swords play, Archery, that kind of defend."
"No."
"But if you would just listen..."
"No! No women in this country have ever wield a weapon. That is a man's duty to protect women and their country."
"And it was a man that killed me in my timeline!" With that Uther's head snapped up and looked at me in shocked.
"I know mans of Camelot are different but not all man are good. I want to be prepared for all circumstances. I don't want to feel helpless again. I want to know how to fight not just to protect myself when there are no one to save but also to protect others too, namely all of you. I also thought that women of Camelot should know how to defend themselves too. I know it is hard to break tradition but if it is something that could be beneficial, then why not? Why can't we women learn how to protect ourselves from man that means harm to us? Why can't we learn how to protect our loved ones and our country? I'm not asking you to knight me. I just want to have a backup plan. Something that I should have done back then." Uther just stared at me and I could see his mind is churning but he wasn't convinced.
"Besides, think of this as your secret weapon. No one would have thought that women of Camelot know how to defend themselves, others and their country. Camelot won't just be strong only because of their man, but also of their women too. Its like you have a secret army in your real army. Please, at least consider it first before you decide. If you really don't agree, then I won't bring it up again. But bare in mind, you can't always protect everyone because you can't be in two or three places at once and neither can any man in this world. Unless of course, if you have magic, then its a different matter entirely. Please, can you consider it?" I looked at him with my own weapon, the Puss-in-Boots big eyes and I know it worked wonderfully.
"Very well, I will consider it. But once I have made up my mind, it's the end of it."
"Agree, Uther. Thank you." With that said, Uther arise and went to his room. I was smiling like a Cheshire Cat. Morgana, Merlin and Gwen looked at me with awe while Arthur looked at me with disbelief.
"I can't believe that father actually fall for that look." We all laughed at that.
"Well, years of practice does that. Come on. We need to get our day productive and as I recall, don't you have your own training to do, Arthur?" He frowned and suddenly jumped off his seats and flew out of the room. Merlin just shook his head and went to follow him.
"Katherine, what you just said, it is really inspiring. I do really hope that Uther would approve. If he does, I am so taking the Archery training." Said Morgana and we all went out to the meadow where we meet the children and played there till early evening. As we were on the way home, we saw a drunken man suddenly walked out of a house while dragging a young girl by her hair and throw her to the ground.
"You useless whore. I told you to bring me more money but what did you do? You bring me nothing. I should have sold you years ago so I could be done with you but I thought that I could still use you here. Now, I should just kill you so you won't bring me more bad luck!" He then went to beat her senseless. I couldn't just stand there, so I grabbed a thick wood nearby and hit him. Morgana took the young women in her arms and told Gwen to get help. She ran towards the castle, probably to get Arthur.
As I was hitting him, he grabbed the wood and pulled it along with me and he grabbed my neck and tighten his grip.
"How dare you hit me, you piece of filth! I'll kill you!" He tighten it harder. I couldn't breath at all and I'm starting to see black spots. Suddenly he was thrown down by a force, loosing his grip and I fell down only to be caught in someones arms. I took a large breath and my eyes slowly started to focus back. It was in fact Arthur that saved me. Apparently, Gwen did not only get Arthur, but Uther is here too. He ordered the man to be taken to the dungeon. Arthur picked me up bridal style and walked towards the castle and into my room. He set me on my bed.
"Katherine, that was so reckless of you. You could've died, again!"
"I just can't let him beat that girl. That girl wad defenceless." He sighed.
"Alright. Just get some rest tonight, okay." He kissed me on my cheek and stopped go looked into my eyes. I could see a tint of blush on his cheeks and I'm sure I was blushing to because I could feel my face heat up.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." He straightened up and quickly left my room. My head was spinning. He kissed me. Albeit on my cheek, but still. He kissed me. I head was in the air until someone pulled me back down and it was Morgana.
"I saw that." She looked at Gwen and they both smiled mischievously.
"Saw what?"
"Katherine and Arthur, sitting on a tree. K.I.S.S.I.N.G." Gwen said in a singsong tone. I rolled my eyes and get of the bed and went to change to my night dress.
"So... You and Arthur huh?"
"No. There is no me and Arthur."
"Yes there is."
"No there isn't and we are not arguing about it now because I know we all are tired with all the fiasco just now. Especially me." Pointedly I looked at them.
"Fine. We won't say a thing, today. We'll say it tomorrow. Goodnight." And they left. God, they won't let it off tomorrow. Didn't want to think anymore of it, I went to bed and closed my eyes. With last thought of a certain blond with blue eyes.
The next day, in the throne room. Uther being furious is an understatement.
"Did you know that you were man handling my ward yesterday, Mr Gamming?" The frightened and sobered man just kneels there and stays quite, afraid to talk.
"Answer me!"
"No, Your Majesty. I wasn't aware of it. My apology, Your Majesty. I promised I won't do it again. Please spare me, Your Majesty." The young girl, Amara, Mr Gamming's daughter stepped forwards and kneel.
"Your Majesty, please spare my father. He just act out of heartbreak. Two years ago, our mother died of disease and he went to deep depression. Please, he wasn't thinking clearly, Your Majesty. Please spare him. I beg of you. He is the only parent we have now." Her 9 years old brother stepped forwards and kneel besides her. Moved by their love towards their father, I went towards Uther and hold his hand.
"Your Majesty, please forgive him. I forgave him already. He was clearly wasn't in his right mind yesterday." After a hard look from Uther, he finally decided.
"Very well. I will pardon you for the sake of your children and because it was my ward's request. But you will spend a week at the stock. To reflect on your wrongdoing." The man just bowed his head in relief and just let the guards take him to the stock.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"No, thank you Katherine, for opening up my eyes to see the reality and it helped me with my decision. From today forwards, any women that wish to learn how to defend themselves will be allowed to and they will be taught by our finest knight. It is not only to ensure the women of Camelot is safe but also for the better future of Camelot as a whole. So mote it be!"
Everyone is in uproar. The women are happy and while some man are unsure of it, most are welcoming the idea. I was so happy with the news, I hugged Uther, there and then. He patted my back softly. We all then realized one thing at that time. Camelot is changing, towards a brighter future.
