Gwaine wasn't sure why he had come back. Maybe it was because Camelot was his home now. Although he was angry, he couldn't any longer give up everything he had at last gained. With his own efforts he had created something new, not following his father's steps. Gwaine grinned. If anyone would know about his father… Even Merlin didn't knew everything.
Merlin.
He missed him.
It hurt to thing about the whole mess. He walked through the castle trying to avoid everyone, but the place was full of people, busy with the feast preparations. Gwaine decided to take short cut through the servants route through which perhaps was a mistake but still the quickest route to his own room.
Then he ran into one.
"Oh, be carefull! Damn that hurt." The man gasped.
This one wasn't servant, or nobble.
"My mistake, sorry." Gwaine muttered.
The man looked him from head to toe and Gwaine sifted nervously. Those eyes were piercing. But then the man smiled and his entire essence chanced and it made Gwaine even more nervous.
"Ah, sir knight, can you maybe help me? I have to find the great hall. I'm supposed to take part in the feast, but I get lost."
Gwaine grimaced. He didn't really wanted to go anywhere near the place of celebration today.
"I guess I could develop a spell to find the road, but in general I avoid unnecessary tricks. You see, these last couple of decades I have had to watch out and now..." The man looked bit of confused.
"You took part of the magic tournament?" Gwaine asked when they moved away in order to give way for busy servants.
"I attended. And I won! Can you believe it! "
Gwaine honestly couldn't answer.
"But my shoulder got burned. I didn't dodged well enough. But that young lad who saved the king, he was really fast. I have to admire him. And that thunder!"
Gwaine hadn't seen any of this, but he certainly had heard.
"Allan?" He asked and the man nodded. "Took out that other boy, Richard. He was actually my opponent."
"But you won?"
"Yeah, got lucky."
They both grinned.
"So, do you want to be the next court sorcerer?" Gwaine couldn't think this man being part of the so serious court members.
"Me? No way. I was there just part of curiosity." The man sighed and again his essence chanced. "It was odd…" He looked serious and thoughtful.
"What was odd?"
"That Richard, something was wrong with him." The man shook his head then his face brightened again. "Ah, we are here, thank you sir knight."
Gwaine looked around. Damn, without him noticing they had walked right into the great hall and middle of the feast.
"So where I'm supposed to sit?" The man muttered when Gwaine noticed Leon hurried over. Gwaine winched.
"Gwaine! We have waited you!"
Bleddyn watched how Sir Gwaine was dragged away and turned to again watch the great hall. Everyone tried to find their place. He noticed Iseldir talking with Allan.
"Bleddyn Couch?" Nice woman voice asked behind of him and Bleddyn turned to see the queen.
"My Queen." He bowed and looked the young woman's sad eyes.
"I have tried to find you whole day." The Queen smiled.
"I'm so sorry, I got lost." Bleddyn apologized. "But what makes the Queen look for me?"
"I want you to be my guest today." The Queen said. "Would you?"
"If that's your wish your majesty." Bleddyn bowed again and The Queen offered her hand. "Then call me Gwen."
Beside Iseldir Allan watched how Bleddyn walked with the Queen and sat beside of her. Allan's place was king's left side.
"I think I have to go." Allan said to Iseldir who nodded, also noticing that the king has arrived with the Queen Annis. Iseldir was also placed on the head table beside Annis.
Each cups were filled with speed, however, Allan found that Bleddyn refuses and asked water. Eventually, the king stood in his place and looked around, waiting patiently. Silence descended gradually, and the guests sat down to wait. The king stood, and at that moment Allan for the first time felt it. The power and the authority. This king wasn't just anyone. This King was the Once and Future King.
"My people." The King started. "Today we end this week what had been full of surprises. Among us are now lot of new knights, securing this land's borders and protecting its people." Arthur paused and raised his cup.
"The courage. The virtue. The truth. Do not ever forget those. The knight is sworn to courage. His heart knows only virtue. His sword is to defend the helpless. His power will support the weak. He says nothing but the truth, and his anger will destroy evil. But never forget the love. The love will unite everything and everyone. Above all, protect those who you love. To the knights of Camelot!"
Cheers filled the hall when the dishes went up, but Arthur felt a bitter taste in his mouth when emptying the cup. He had forgotten those words which now burned in his mind. He had forgotten to protect his friend.
"And now, I want to present to you our new Court Sorcerer."
The silence filled the hall.
"Bleddyn Couch, will you stand and protect this kingdom?" Arthur asked and turned to see the sorcerer. "Or do I say, Emrys?"
Never saw the movie Dragon Heart? Part of Arthur's speech was from that.