The South: Uther – Arthur – Merlin – Lancelot – Gaius – Leon – Morgana
The West: Anthony – Elena – Henry
The North: David – Sebastian – Anette
The East: James – William – Charlotte
''They're here,'' Lancelot announced when he opened the door to Arthur's chamber. Arthur was already standing by the window and observed as the gates opened and a carriage, surrounded by some horses and men, appeared. This was an important day.
''Smile,'' his father said as soon as Arthur took his side, and he placed a forced smile across his face.
''Ah, welcome!'' Uther exclaimed before he opened his arms towards the arriving guests.
''Uther, my dear friend,'' an older man replied. Arthur observed the man and understood by his crown that it must be Anthony, King of West.
''What are you doing on that horse, Anthony? I thought you hated to ride?'' Uther frowned, but kept the smile he had remaining. Anthony moved a little uncomfortably in his seat before clearing his throat.
''Oh, you know me, fresh air... this is Henry; our royal knight that I've talked about,'' Anthony said and directed the attention away from the initial question towards the man behind him. Arthur was alerted by his nervousness and he noticed how his knights seemed to have shared the same observation as glances were exchanged.
''It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Henry. I have heard great things about you. And where's your daughter, Anthony?'' Uther didn't seem too bothered by the tensed atmosphere as he now locked eyes on the carriage.
''Mmh, yes... Elena dear?'' Anthony said as he struggled his way down from the horse that gave away a snort in frustration, not seeming to appreciate the sudden movements. Arthur frowned again and looked at his father to get some kind of confirmation, however Uther continued to be unbothered on his face expression to read.
''Let me,'' a man said, he was standing beside the carriage and was now heading towards its door. By his movement, Henry stepped down from his horse, not doing or saying more than that.
The door to the carriage opened and it took some seconds before a leg appeared, and stepping out of the carriage came a woman. Arthur widened his eyes by her beauty, she was breathtaking. The young woman had brown hair, deep brow eyes, and both a face and body that had to be sculped by the gods themselves. Another man followed her out of the carriage and was now standing behind her. Arthur's attention turned to the man and the unpleasing feeling in his body came crawling back.
''My oh my, look at you,'' Uther exclaimed and smiled at the young woman. She looked at him and tried her best to smile back, however it looked more like she was about to cry.
''It's an honor to have you all here. You must be exhausted after the trip, let us go inside,'' Uther continued and turned to walk up the stairs. Arthur waited for the guests to follow, but no one moved from their spot.
''Something's wrong,'' Lancelot whispered and Arthur gave away a nod. Uther that made his way up the stairs stopped when he noticed that no one was following him. He turned his gaze towards Anthony and arched his eyebrows. Anthony looked back at him, clenching his jaw.
''Republicans!'' Anthony eventually yelled as he ran towards Elena while Henry and some other guards turned to attack the men that stood next to them. Elena screamed as the man behind her pulled her closer and placed a knife against her throat.
''Stay there!'' the man yelled and Anthony stopped. Everything had happened so fast, but Arthur and Lancelot were already sided with Anthony; swords in hand.
''Come now, let her go. What do you want? Gold? I'm sure we can come to an agreement,'' Uther said and the man started to chuckle. Arthur growled in anger at the unplayable situation they were in. He looked over at Lancelot to see if he seemed to have any ideas, but by his body language to read he as well was uneased by what they could do without risking the princess's life.
''We're listening,'' Henry now spoke and took one step forward. Elena looked at him and saw how he in the movement made a slight, almost not noticeable, nod. She knew what that meant and shifted her eyes to his left hand. Arthur that was looking at her noticed how her gaze moved and tried to understand what she was focusing on. He noticed how Henry's fingers slowly moved one by one – a countdown, he realized just as the three came. Elena threw her head backwards and knocked the man in the face. He screamed in pain and she managed to twist herself out of his grasp before throwing herself on the ground. Henry ran past her and attacked the man who tried to capture her again, as five guards surrounded Elena; creating a shield to protect her. Arthur had not quite comprehended everything but managed to stay focused on the situation and attacked as well.
It didn't take long before they defeated the introducers and Arthur looked around after striking down what seemed to be the last one.
''Is she okay?'' Arthur asked while the five men that had protected Elena slowly but surely started to move away from her. Henry was quick to her side and Anthony was not far behind him.
''She'll be fine,'' Anthony replied as he stroke her head. She was still in shock.
Uther, Arthur and Anthony were now sitting around the royal table while Anthony tried to explain what had happened. Henry took Elena to her room and Arthur had instructed Merlin to stay close to them.
''So, they ambushed you at night? Cowards,'' Uther growled as he slammed his fist on the table. Anthony gave away a nod to confirm his words.
''They had Elena in their custody before anyone had the chance to react and... we were hand tied,'' Anthony sighed and Uther started to shake his head.
''They have become more and more vicious, the republicans,'' he said.
''I'm truly sorry I put you in such danger-'' Anthony started to apologize but Uther interrupted him.
''You had no choice, I fully understand. If it was Morgana... I don't know what I would have done. I'm sorry this happened to you,'' Uther assured him and Anthony gave away a grateful smile.
''Let us rest, it's been a long day for everyone. We can talk more tomorrow,'' Uther continued and with that they parted ways.
Arthur offered to walk Anthony across the castle to show him his chamber, it was in the same hallway as his daughter's room anyway.
''I have to say, Sire, that I was very impressed by how your men handled the republicans,'' Arthur said and Anthony now turned towards the young stately man that he hadn't had the chance to look at properly.
''Yes, Henry deserves all the credit for how he trains the men. It's very important for him to keep Elena safe,'' Anthony replied after a while and Arthur nodded. Arthur was impressed over that everyone knew what to do and where to be, even Elena herself.
''Here's your daughter's room, and there's yours,'' Arthur said and pointed towards each of his sayings. Anthony observed the two doors before turning towards Arthur.
''Thank you, Arthur, I'm grateful for this,'' he replied before he enterer his daughter's room. Merlin walked out of the room Elena was staying in and joined Arthur in the hallway.
''How is she?'' Arthur asked him.
''Shaken up, but she'll be okay,'' Merlin replied and Arthur more or less expecting that answer.
''She's very pretty,'' Merlin continued, making Arthur frown at him.
''Merlin, I find it very unlikely that she would be interested in you,'' Arthur mocked with a smile on his face.
''Oh, yeah? Well I find her too beautiful for your ugly face too,'' Merlin replied as he and Arthur usually annoyed each other in this way. However, to his surprise, Arthur's smile slowly faded as he turned his gaze away from Merlin to see if someone had heard what was said.
''What?'' Merlin asked insecurely and frowned.
''It's strictly forbidden for royalties of each kingdom's to... get involved with one another. A proverb that reads 'the law is the law','' Arthur said as formally as he could. Merlin blinked confused at him and frowned once again.
''I don't understand? Aren't you all in an alignment?'' Merlin objected and Arthur quickly covered his mouth with the palm of his hand.
''Merlin, I advise you to shut up,'' Arthur hissed as he looked around again to ensure himself that no one was listening to them. Merlin eventually nodded to confirm that he understood the seriousness of the topic and with that, Arthur removed his hand.
''The four families don't like each other and want nothing to do with one another. However, we are all well aware that without the support and power form the other families, we will not be able to uphold the monarchy. 'The law'-proverb is a cover to make sure it sounds non-questionable to ordinary peoples ears,'' Arthur explained and was careful to keep his voice low.
''So, no more jokes about you and the princess again. Sorry,'' Merlin said and Arthur nodded before placing a hand on Merlin's shoulder.
''Good. Now, clean my armor,'' Arthur changed the subject, causing Merlin to laugh.
