Waiting isn't the easiest of things to do and people so often get bored of doing so. Poor Alethea was one of these people. She was beginning to lose patience and the will to live as she waited for the Prince. Her mind was working overtime, trying to work out just exactly what her surprise was to be. Taking to pacing the room, she felt just a little ill at ease as she realised that she hadn't been to a feast before nor did she know just exactly what happened at them. Sure they ate food but what else they did at them Alethea did not know. She guessed that she'd soon find out though. Praying that she wouldn't make any mistakes or be blamed for the past week's events, she stopped at the wardrobe where she found some battered armour lying in a heap at the bottom of it. Taking a better look at it, she realised that it was hers from when she had been under Nimueh's spell. Alethea probably wouldn't need it now but she had to smile as she realised that someone had been organised in gathering her things. She was still looking when the knock on the door came.
"Come in." She shouted before turning around to find the Prince stood wearing a tunic of the same colour of her dress. Getting to her feet, she went over to him.
"Do you like the dress?" The prince asked her as he held out his arm for her to take.
"It is beautiful. Thank you."
"Just like you then." Arthur said, making Alethea blush slightly as she took his arm.
"What am I going to do with you Arthur?"
"Love me?" he suggested, a smirk on his lips as they walked together towards the Great Hall.
All too soon they reached the oaken doors and Alethea felt herself tremble slightly with fear. The Great Hall didn't exactly hold good memories for her but that was soon to change. Arthur gave Alethea a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand before they walked through the doors and into the stone hall. Suddenly all eyes were on them but Alethea's eyes widened with amazement as they took in the splendour of the celebrations. The tables were filled with the finest and richest foods and cups were filled with the most expensive wine available. Noblemen wore their finest clothes and their ladies wore extravagant gowns. The walls were decorated with beautiful tapestries and in one of the corners a small band played music on lyres and harps. Looking to the end of the hall, Alethea found the King standing with Morgana at one side of him and Merlin at the other. Intrigued, Alethea found herself walking towards Uther with the Prince and suddenly all fell silent. Everyone turned and watched.
"People of Camelot, we are here today to celebrate our victory over the evil sorceress Nimueh. We have won the battle against the evils of magic and Camelot still stands tall. We will not forget those who fell in battle in order to save us and made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect us from the evil of magic. Without these brave soldiers who risked everything for their kingdom, Camelot would probably not be here at this moment. These men were the bravest and most courageous men I have known and many will leave behind widows and children, but these heroes will be remembered." There was a cheer for this.
"However, had it not been for three people then Camelot would still be under the control of the sorceress today. They faced real danger without a second thought for themselves in order to give us our freedom from magic's tyranny. They risked their lives and managed to save our Kingdom. I present to you Camelot's heroes, Prince Arthur, Merlin and Alethea, without whom I doubt anyone of us would be here today."
There was a massive cheer and a round of applause. Alethea was still confused and very much feeling like she was in a dream. She wondered what on Earth was going on. Did they not know that it was because of her that Nimueh had gained access to Camelot and that their men were dead? Did they not know that in truth it was Alethea who was the villain? That it was Alethea who had caused all the trouble in the past few months? Alethea didn't see herself as the heroine of the tale. She hadn't done anything spectacular. By fluke she had destroyed Nimueh but everyone seemed to think that it had been well planned and meant to be. Cups were raised in toast to her and the two young men and wine was drunk before the Prince and Merlin knelt to the floor as they were bade to but Alethea was made to still stand. Still lost in her own thoughts, Alethea didn't realise just exactly what was going on until the King had finished what he was doing, apparently making Arthur and Merlin honarary protectors of Camelot. It was then that the Prince spoke out.
"The credit must go to Alethea for without her, Merlin and I would surely be dead. She risked her own life and did not run in the face of danger. She showed courage and bravery and put everyone before herself. Even when it looked like she was about to die, her thoughts were of saving you the people rather than herself. She suffered immense torment and torture but she did not give in. She did not give up on Camelot and was prepared to give her own life should it mean saving the people. She risked everything and yet she managed to defeat the sorceress single handedly without using magic or weapons. I give to you the real hero, Alethea." The hall just erupted in the noise of celebration before Arthur let go of Alethea's hand. The college student looked at the Prince but found him whispering in his father's ear.
"Kneel Alethea of Mercia." The King said. Not daring to disobey, she did as told but couldn't stop herself from flinching as she saw Uther draw his sword. Was he going to behead her? Had this all been some trick? She really needn't have worried though as the King meant her no harm. In fact, the flat of the cold steel blade touched her shoulders on either side and Alethea's mind immediately told her that she was being bestowed a great honour. "I hereby dub thee in front of all these people gathered, Alethea, Lady and Protectorate of Camelot. Arise, Lady Alethea." There were cheers from the people as the Prince helped Alethea to her feet. The three of them were now the heroes of the people and the Protectors of Camelot. The Prince, the magician and the student. It was a weird mix but apparently one which worked. The feasting was then begun and Arthur led Alethea to her seat at the head table, sitting her on his right hand side and passing her a goblet of wine.
"Did you know about this?" Alethea asked the Prince as people began to talk.
"Maybe." He smiled, not revealing anything.
"Arthur…" she said sternly, forcing him to answer.
"Does it matter if I did?"
"Then it was worth all the silence." she smiled before realising that she had no idea as to what exactly a Lady did.
"You'd be better asking Morgana that one. She's the expert." he told her in answer to her question.
"You have no idea whatsoever?" Alethea asked, slightly crestfallen. It wasn't that she didn't want to ask Morgana, it was just that she wanted to see as much of Arthur as she possibly could. After all, she didn't know now if she'd get to choose to go home or be pulled back unexpectedly.
"None I'm afraid."
"Typical man." she sighed, rolling her eyes before noticing that Arthur was giving her a look that could kill. "It's just an expression." she added, raising her hands in mock surrender.
"Right…" he said disbelievingly before smiling at her. "So, my lady, you will have to speak to Morgana with regards to your duties. Meanwhile, I am very glad that you like the dress."
"I see you matched your outfit with mine. Honestly Arthur, anyone would think that we were in love." They both laughed at this and tucked into the feast, Alethea trying allsorts of rich food which she had never seen before.
By the time that the eating was over, Alethea was stuffed and just a little tipsy from the amount of wine she had drank to wash the meats and extravagant foods down. She had never seen so much food before in her life, let alone eaten it. Sitting back and watching as the tables were cleared, she noticed the little band of musicians in the corner strike up a tune.
"Can I have this dance my lady?" The Prince asked, offering her his hand.
"But…" Before Alethea had chance to tell him that she didn't know how to, she was being taken to the floor and the music sparked up. Unable to do much else, Alethea just copied everyone else's moves and was exceedingly glad when the tune ended. As the others continued as the next tune began, Alethea was happy to escape dancing as Arthur was wanted by the King. Alethea immediately went to find Merlin to congratulate him, only to find him talking to Gwen.
"My Lady." They greeted her.
"None of that if you please. Not from friends." she told them, shaking her head.
"But.." They objected.
"No. Now tell me Merlin, did you know about this?"
"Perhaps…" he smiled.
"Still a secret even now…" she laughed. "So tell me, do you two have any idea just what exactly I am to do as a Lady?"
"Not much. Morgana is the best person to ask."
"And where is she?"
"Just over there."
Thanks. Oh, and Merlin, congratulations."
"The same to you my la…." he began but a stern look from Alethea stopped him. "Alethea."
Wandering over to Morgana, Alethea smiled at the King's ward.
"It must be good to be given a ladyship."
"That it is but I'm curious as to what I have to do."
"And Arthur sent you in my direction did he?"
"Claimed that there was no one better."
"Then all you have to do is attend feasts and special functions and help out where you can."
"Right and…" But before she could finish the prince had returned and was leading Alethea back to the dance floor, making Morgana laugh. Alethea looked at Arthur and with all seriousness turned to him.
"Arthur I…I have a secret I need to tell you."
"You're not really a sorceress are you?" he frowned.
"No. It's much more serious than that."
"What is it?"
"I…I can't dance." she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
"Is that all? Then we'll just have to teach you." he smiled.
It was the very early hours of the morning with the moon high in the sky and the stars shining quite happily when people finally began making their way home. All quite tipsy, Arthur and Alethea watched as people staggered around. For most of the evening, Alethea and the Prince had been sat to one side just talking and drinking, catching up on everything that had gone on but as the hall began to empty, they decided that they would be best to head to bed and call it a night.
"My lady." Arthur slurred as he offered Alethea his arm which she took.
"My prince." she smiled before together they stumbled down the corridors of Camelot, both laughing as they did so. Stopping outside Alethea's room, she invited Arthur in and they sat on the bed. However, as they did, their eyelids grew heavy and soon both were asleep side by side, happy to be together.
