13. Coronation

Uther held his gaze firm and sure as he approached the Master of Ceremonies. Sir William had never been so busy and puffed out his chest proudly as the king marched toward him.

Dressed in his full official armour and sporting the bright red crest of the House of Pendragon, emblazoned regally across his chest, Uther looked every bit part, the boy that had knelt timidly at his Father's bedside long gone. His jaw was firm and set, his body lean and well honed from hours of training and manoeuvres with his knights, his eyes creased slightly with the weight of responsibility and determination and every citizen of Albion bristled with pride that this was their sovereign, their liege… their King. The tumultuous clamouring of their cheers and adulations rolled on and on until Sir William finally held up his hands for silence.

"Sire, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?" he asked, as an expectant hush fell over the crowd.

"I am willing," confirmed Uther loudly, his resolute voice ringing out throughout the hall.

Geoffrey of Monmouth stepped out from beside Sir William and put the ancient book of law in Uther's hands, placing the kings right hand palm down on the thick cracked leather, before returning to his place on the raised steps.

"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Camelot," began Sir William, "and to uphold the laws and customs of the land?"

"I solemnly promise so to do," replied Uther.

"Will you – to your power, cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"

"I will."

"Will you to the utmost of your powers maintain the law and customs of the land and serve the people of Camelot?"

"All this I promise to do," declared the King.

"Please approach the royal steps my Lord," invited Sir William, extending his arms dramatically and gesturing toward the stone steps before him.

Uther advanced to the steps with much sobriety, the burden of his rulership and the responsibility that was about to be bestowed upon him resting heavily on his brow. In one fluid movement, the king lowered himself onto one knee on the first of these stone steps.

Taking a deep breath the steady his pounding heart, Uther repeated the oath that he had committed to memory as a boy, but never dreamt that he would one day use, "I call upon the persons here present," he recited resolutely, "to witness that I, Uther Pendragon, do solemnly swear to fulfil my rightful station as Sovereign of Albion and carry out the duties of the crown with honour and mercy. The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep – so may the gods help me."

Holding aloft the heavy golden Imperial Crown of Albion, Sir William slowly approached the kneeling form of the king, "In sight of these witnesses and before the gods, I bestow the symbol of rulership and the authority bestowed upon you as heir apparent to Aurelius Ambrosius and rightful successor to the throne of Camelot and all Albion."

As the crown was placed gently onto his waiting head, Uther rose to his feet and returned the book of law to Geoffrey of Monmouth. From his left the master of the guard approached and placed the royal cloak of office upon his shoulders, while from his right the high chancellor presented him with the Great Sword of State, an ornate gilded blade to symbolise the power of his reign that he would wield.

"I give you… your King!" declared Sir William with a stirring cry and a deafening cheer filled the court as King Uther turned to face his subjects for the first time. With a small smile of satisfaction, Uther accepted their exaltation with magnanimous grace, before ascending the steps and taking his seat on the grand throne of Camelot, the Sword of State held regally before him.

"Now O King," concluded Sir William, "having taken your vow and claimed your place on the throne you must kiss the book and sign the Oath

The book of law was brought before him once more, which he duly kissed in symbol of his service to the people and laws that bound them all. A quill, already charged with ink, was extended to him and with a flourish he scratched his signature onto the rough parchment, sealing his appointment as King.

Uther stared out at his people with quiet pride, his eyes falling briefly on his doting wife, the new Queen of Albion. Her support and strength had been unwavering over the past few weeks and already he had come to depend upon her gentle, reassuring presence.

With a firm nod of determination the King revelled in his moment of glory, resolving in his heart to be a better King than Albion had ever known. He was not blind to the machinations of the Saxons and the villains that still roamed the country as his brother had been. He would clean the land of their rancour and build a new Albion, one dominated by peace and prosperity. The land would flourish under his rule and all would remember his name as the King that won the love and respect of his people and brought harmony to the land.

Yes, he would be King of Kings, a force to be feared and yet also admired and revered. He would have an army of sons, he thought to himself, his heart only twitching slightly as his eyes swung momentarily to Gorlois and Lonán who stood respectfully to his left. The past was the past and the future was bright he resolved… nothing would stand in the way of his vision… nothing.