Two young men burst through the front door into the hallway, they were brothers. The older one had brown hair and hazel eyes. The younger of the two had blonde hair and blue eyes. The wooden door smacked firmly into the stone wall making a spectacular bang announcing their arrival. By the empty hearth in the sitting area their mother, Helen, gave them a slight disapproving look but made no comment. Their father, Ector, walked in from the kitchen with a bit of bread in his hand.

"You boys be more careful with the door or I'll need to have its hinges replaced again." He said not unkindly. The two men looked at each other before the elder spoke up.

"Father, everything that can be harvested now has been harvested and stored away. We've also had all the arrangements made and preparations completed." Their father looked them both over thoroughly before speaking.

"I suppose I can't keep you two any longer then. Nothing I can say will make you stay and your mother has already given you her consent…" he stared at the two fondly. "Go on, take your things and get going. We don't need to make this anymore solemn." The two's faces broke into excited grins at the same time. They both hurried to their rooms and came back with carefully compiled packs that balanced perfectly on their backs. After a bit of last minute tinkering and a quick kiss on their mother's cheek they were out the door. Outside, as they were about to take to the road, their mother called out to them.

"Kay, Arthur, be careful!"

"We will mother." said Arthur cheerfully.

"Take care of each other. Don't get lost or talk to strange folk!" said their mother with concern. Arthur's blue eyes lit up with amusement.

"We will mother, don't worry."

"Kay, take care of your brother. Keep him out of trouble now."

"I will mother. We will both be fine." said Kay calmly, "We love you"

"Yes, we'll be back before you even begin to miss us" injected Arthur. "Good bye!"

Arthur and Kay walked on the southern path which led to the main road. As they turned back for a last look at their home they saw their mother and father standing side by side watching them. In the morning light their house looked golden; Its grey stone blocks took on a yellow glow and the fields were on fire with a radiant hue. That image stayed with the two of them as they travelled for the next two weeks. No matter how tired they felt after a day's walking, how dark it became on a moonless night, whenever they closed their eyes they would see their house shining in their minds.

But look back on the first morning of the first day of their journey! The weather was fair, the packs weighty and sturdy but manageable on their backs, and the road was friendly. For the first two hours or so they saw several familiar faces of neighbours and villagers of the surrounding land. Then, as the sun made its way 'til it stood high and mighty above them, they stopped by The Crooked Stream. (Which was the name of the only tavern around for 20 miles in any direction and also the name of an actual stream which flowed round back the building.) It was a popular hangout for most farmers and old men with clear ale and amber beers that flowed as cool and sweet as the stream's waters. Arthur and Kay had only been to The Crooked Stream a few times on occasion seeing as it was nearly 10 miles from their home. But none the less, it was place they knew and where people knew them. They didn't stay long though, only a cheerful greeting to the owners, quick word road conditions, dangers they might pay mind to, a half pint, and then back on the road.

"So Kay, tell me about Camelot again?" piped up Arthur as evening approached.

"I've already told you a hundred times over Arthur." replied Kay

"Well make it a hundred and one then, no harm there." Arthur smiled pleasantly.

"Fine then." answered Kay not amused. "It's the place where we are going to and why we are travelling for two weeks."

"A bit frugal with the details, that's fine. You do know that we're the only company we've got for the next long while?" said Arthur. Kay scoffed and continued walking at a brisker pace. "Don't leave me behind now!"

"Wouldn't dream of it." grinned Kay.


They set up camp that night by the roots of a giant oak. Its branches towered above them and its leafy canopy formed a roof over their heads. Kay gathered some wood and Arthur built for them a small fire, not to cook with or for warmth for they had sufficient of both, but for the company- because it reminded them a bit of home. How their mother would usually sit by the glowing hearth mending clothes or their father who tended the embers late into the night when he was into whittling his little projects. Kay rested his back against the trunk and began to doze off but Arthur stared at the flames for a while until even the moon had fully risen. He contemplated their journey ahead. When they reached Camelot things would be finally set into place. That was a feeling he couldn't shake away. He didn't know why but it felt like it was his calling to go. Ever since he heard the name in the stories as a boy the tales of the place entranced him. And then finally about 4 months back they heard the official announcement that a summer tournament open to everyone was being held in Camelot. It seemed like the opportunity to satisfy the longing. Amazingly he was able to convince Kay of his idea and even more amazing, Kay was able to convince their father into letting them go and their mother of not worrying herself to death. Everything fell into place and now he was sitting by the fireside on the first night of their first steps into destiny.

Was destiny even the right word for this sort of feeling? Well, it mattered not at the moment because his eyes were closing and his head falling back against the blanket.


A/N: thanks for reading this! And I promise that updates will not be this often. 8)
I'll be switching between characters with each chapter (or something like that) so
hopefully that won't be too difficult to keep track of. 8)'