Olaf stood proudly before his king. King Lot was an aging man, he was now in his late forties and his large bushy beard was more grey than black. His hair although thinned he had retained, keeping his hair unlike most of the men his age.
King Lot had once been a great man, a brave fighter and great leader. However in recent years he had fallen prey to insecurities, his trust in his council was too great and it made him weak.
It had all happened after the great purge. Camelot looked towards Caerleon to be their allies King Lot had not wanted to agree. Before the purge Caerleon had been a land thriving over the joys of magic, it brought money and prosperity and built the kingdom. King Lot knew how much these people did for the kingdom and they caused no problem for Caerleon unlike Camelot.
However his council had disagreed, they had warned him that refusing to become allies could bring war to the kingdom- a war that they could not win under the might of Camelot's feared knights.
King Lot had regretfully agreed and although he had executed only ten sorcerers since then, thousands had been made to leave. He had given them what he could but the guilt of forcing them from their homes and the affect it had on the Kingdom had shaken his judgement. He was a guilt ridden wreck.
"What is it Sir Olaf?" King Lot boomed from his jewel encrusted throne. Sir Olaf stepped forward and sunk into a deep bow at the Kings feet. "There is no need Olaf." Olaf slowly stood up and faced the King, looking him in the eye and past the wrinkles.
"The western side of Carleon especially the Lyonesses' lands have been struggling of late and I have come up with a plan in which we could improve the productivity of that side of the lands and open up new trade routes." Olaf said. King Lot seemed to mull over this information before gesturing for him to continue. Olaf couldn't help put sigh in relief when he did and he called his servant forward to show the King the very detailed plans drawn up by himself and Leonie the day before. Every detail was painstakingly inked, they had done it in a way that it appeared Leonie had nothing to do with it.
The King read the plans for several long minutes; sweat had started dripping down Olaf's back making his light shirt stick to him. His hands were quivering slightly so he clapped his hands together behind his back and thrust his chest forward in an act of confidence.
After a long time the King spoke.
"These plans are quite…" He paused "Impressive." He licked his lips and rolled the plans back up "I will have to talk to my advisors first, but then I shall decide."
"Sire, if I may." Olaf said bravely "I do not see why you need your council- I only need the go ahead. The plans are in place I am simply looking for your permission."
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" King Lot boomed in fury. "I am your King and you should show me some respect!" Olaf hastily bowed again.
"Sire I am simply saying I am one of your most trusted knights, I will not do anything to harm your kingdom. I just thought that you would be more aware of that than your council."
"I do trust you. But these matters should be discussed."
"There is no need. I am asking for nothing. Not for money. This is not a matter of council. This is a matter of me asking you, for your trust. I just want you to advise me as a friend to if you think this could work. You are the greatest strategist in the four kingdoms my lord." Olaf simpered. He pulled it off perfectly, enough complimenting to convince the stubborn awkward man into doing what they wish without coming across slimy.
"I have not seen plans this great in years Olaf, this will go well for you and for the Kingdom. You have my support." The King said after a minute. He sounded pleased and Olaf couldn't help but think it was because he had finally made a decision by himself for the first time in eight years.
"Thank you sire. Good day." Olaf bid farewell, he gathered the papers and left hurriedly. He couldn't help but smile once he left the castle. They had done it, the hardest bit was done they only had to do the actual job now.
Olaf met up with Leonie on the path for Caerleon citadel to his home. She was wringing her hands and rushed over to him the second she saw him. Her pale blue dress flapping around her ankles in her hurry.
"So?" She asked breathlessly scanning his face for her answer. Olaf purposefully kept his face blank before a smile broke through.
"He said okay."
"Oh Olaf!" Leonie said beginning to cry "This is amazing, thank you."
"Now we have a lot of work to do."
"Don't we always?"
A/N Very short one. I'm going to be honest here, the response to this story has been pretty pants to be honest and it's a shame because I really liked this story and hoped you guys would too. So if you do like it, if you do want me to continue leave me a review to let me know. Else I might as well delete it really.