Three hours later the castle of Camelot could be seen in the distance. "Daddy I'm hungry," Anna complained again.
Arthur sighed, "you just had lunch 30 minutes ago. You don't need anything else and we are less then a couple miles away from the city-dale."
"Ok," Anna said sadly. Arthur smiled knowing his daughter was just bored from being on a horse all day and she was not really hungry.
"Is the castle big daddy? It looks small from here," Amhar said squinting at the castle in the distance.
"Well that's because we still have a ways to go son," Arthur said cautiously looking around the surrounding forest, growing tense. "We are at the border of Camelot's territory, so we need to be quiet for a little while until we get to the castle. There could be knight patrols about and we don't want to be spotted yet."
"But dad they have to listen to you right? Because your the prince," Amhar asked looking weary and leaning closer to his sister on the saddle.
"Yes they should but I am not in control of them right now, your grandpa Uther is. But some of the knights are still loyal to me but you never know who is on patrol" Arthur said laying a hand on Amhar to calm him.
Amhar nodded relaxing slightly at his fathers touch. He then grew silent leaning against his sister and kept his eyes open for the knights that his father spoke about. Arthur scanned the forest making sure the area was clear before steering the horse into Camelot's territory. So far so good, Arthur thought as he led the horse to the back of the castle and seeing the training grounds behind it.
Arthur then stopped the horse and slid off its back before tying it to a nearby tree. He then reached up and helped both Anna and Amhar down on the ground before grabbing his sword and putting it to his belt. Once he was done Arthur turned and knelt down on the ground looking at Anna and Amhar. "Now kids, daddy has some very important rules when we are in Camelot. First no matter what you will always stay together and never leave each other no matter what happens. Second never wander off and stay close to me unless I say so. And if I leave you with one of my knights you must listen to him and stay close to whoever is watching you. Camelot is a very big city and you can easily get lost so today you must be good and listen to everything I tell you alright? You will have plenty of time to explore later, do you understand?" Arthur said firmly looking from Anna to Amhar.
Amhar nodded with frightened eyes, "yes daddy I understand. I don't think I would want to wander off anyway. I would rather stay with you." Arthur smiled and rubbed his shoulder soothingly before looking to Anna. He knew that Amhar would not wander off, but it was Anna that he was worried about, trouble found her so easily.
"Ok daddy I will not wander off. Plus mummy said that if I did I would be in big trouble or I could be separated from you," she said and to prove her point she grabbed her brothers hand and squeezed it tightly.
Arthur sighed with relief, "Alright good girl and you too Amhar. Ok so first we are going to go and see some old friends of mine, knights of Camelot. Lets go and see if they are in the training grounds, and stay close and behind me." Arthur said before moving closer to the castle and scanned the grounds looking for the knights. He then saw Leon, Percival, Gwaine, Lancelot and Guinevere's brother Elyan practicing at the edge of the forest.
"Alright," Arthur said turning to them, "this way." He then lead them through the trees until they were a couple of feet from the batting knights. Arthur peered around a large oak tree and then looked back at Anna and Amhar who were holding each others hands and watching the knights with interest. "I'm going to go and talk to them and you two stay right here. I will call you over or come back and get you but until I do don't leave this spot. Kneel down and stay at the base of this tree until I come."
Anna nodded her head, pulling her brother down on the forest floor at the base of the tree. "Don't worry daddy we won't move," Anna said looking up at her dad.
"Good," Arthur said, scanning the forest once more. "I will be right back, but if anything, anything or anyone sees you, you run to me as fast as you can and stay together." They nodded and watched as Arthur began to make his way towards the knights. Arthur now visible and out of the open stopped a few feet from the knights and was watching their technique. They were doing a three on two combat and it looked like there was equal playing field for both teams.
"Oh ow, nice one," Arthur chuckled as Leon and Elyan put Percival flat on his back with their swords pointing to his chest.
"We'll Percival you should not attempt to take on both of us at the same...Arthur?" Leon said trailing off as he saw Arthur silently chuckling at the fighting knights.
"What?" Elyan said looking up as well. "Arth-oof" Elyan then found himself on the ground as wide Leon with Percival standing over them with both their swords pointing at them.
Percival gave a victorious laugh, "never get distracted guys...wait. Did you say Arthur?" he asked turning towards the returned prince.
"Hey gentlemen," Arthur said moving over and gave both Leon and Elyan an arm up. "How are things?" he asked curiously.
"We'll your father is still, well your father. We have training everyday we have taken charge of training new recruits. There is also a border dispute here and there but everything else has been boring since you and Guinevere left," Gwaine said coming over to the group with Lancelot and grasped Arthurs hand.
"Speaking of Guinevere where is she Arthur? Is she with you? Why have you come alone?" Elyan said looking around for his sister.
Arthur grimaced, "she is not doing so well Elyan, I won't lie to you. That's why I'm here actually, to ask my father for help to see if we can come home because Guinevere is very sick and with child. I had to do something..."
"So that's where Merlin went off to this morning," Lancelot said. "I was wondering why he left so early, but now it makes sense. He is taking care of Gwen while you are here right?"
Arthur nodded, "yes exactly. I could not leave her on her own so I called Merlin to watch her until I get black to her. But in order to do that I need your help with something."
"what can we do Arthur?" Leon asked puzzled.
Arthur was about to reply before a small scream could be heard from the forest. Arthur froze and turned around and began to sprint over to the sound. The knights gave each other puzzled looks before running after him to see what was going on.
oooo what have the kids gotten into this time? You will find out during the next chapter which will be up later tonight because I have to leave a cliff hanger for you but I couldn't resist :)
so what do you think so far of this chapter? Do you see the kids personalities showing? What about the knights? Their reactions? I can't wait to here reviews from you. And thank you all for following reviewing and reading and favoriting my fictions! Love you all and will post again later tonight!
love Arthurlover7