They collected morgana on their way with the trio in silence, probably all wondering what was happening with Gwen and merlin trailing behind them. the guards were on full display some carrying banners, which to Elaina indicated the arrival of a guest which Arthur must have thought too, as many flanked the corridors, much more than usual.

Inside the great hall, there were some courtiers that had probably noticed something brewing and thought to join in on it, but their idle whispers didn't give anything away as Elaina listened out for them.

They bowed before Uther taking their designated spots, however before Elaina could join Arthur's side, the king waved his hand to get her attention.

"no Elaina, come here," he commanded, offering the position morgana originally occupied, urging her back one step behind Elaina. Morgana obliged but Elaina paused confused as his favourite and heir were always who have flanked him for years, ever since Elaina and morgana came to the castle to live. Never had that changed, yet suddenly out of the blue Uther was changing a unwritten rule, unsettling her, because she couldn't see why he would do that.

Arthur glanced warily at her daring elaina to question the king afraid she'd make a scene, but cautiously, she did as she was asked feeling her skin crawl being so close to uther.

It was times like these Elaina doubted her decision to surrender her powers as Grimoire, which granted her visions of past future and present, because had she not, her gift of foresight might have prepared her for what was happening, which was the difficult part in being nosy.

A trumpet sounded, signalling the arrival of what Elaina had guessed correctly in there being a guest, who Uther obviously wanted to impress.

Elaina even thought to have caught Uther inspecting her from top to bottom. But when she tried to return his stare, he had flittered it away to look expectantly ahead at the doors.

A guard could be seen reading off a paper. Documents of identification before being presented before the king, then he marched once satisfied with their authenticity back into the room, bellowing, "presenting lord Erik of house Amsberg!"

He walked with a deliberate step, slow, even and unhurried, sure in where he was going as his buff arms swung at his side with a sort of swagger. A sword hung at his hip, verifying, if muscles hadn't already, that he was a fighter and while he came to a standstill before Uther, he clasped his hands together where Elaina could see the rough and reddened skin of someone weathered, with his fingernails almost black. The rest of him glistened where the rain had drenched this lord Erik during his travels and he would often slick back the golden hair that fell onto his gruff face, the pieces being longer on top while the sides where shaven short.

"your majesty!" he exclaimed with a bow, his accent thick and northern, which surprised them all. A noble usually no matter where they were from, tried to adapt their tongues to being more gentrified, he instead embraced his accent for what it was, "it is a pleasure and an honour to be invited into your great kingdom!"

Elaina rolled her eyes as the man fed into the king's ego, but Uther always lapped it up and smiled fondly at him, "the pleasure is all mine lord Erik, I trust you had a good journey?"

"tiring my lord," he replied honestly and the bags under his eyes and paleness of his skin could vouch for that, "so I must excuse my appearance, the weather wasn't favourable but then we northerners are used to a little rainfall."

"I hope you have not brought it with you to stay, the city is always a delight when the sun shines. In fact, it is one of the lady Elaina's favourite past times, a walk through the market."

Elaina didn't understand why she had been singled out, as morgana was part of that hobby too, yet he made no mention of her, who was in fact the beauty of his kingdom to flaunt.

Judging by the silence, they were waiting on her to reply and she rambled out, "Camelot has much to offer to keep you occupied lord Erik. I can assure you."

although her statement was meant to separate herself from the issue, she failed, as the man smiled softly at her through his beard he kept closely cropped to his strong bone structure, "oh, I have no doubt of that my lady, perhaps you could be my guide?"

Elaina's entire body tensed as she gritted out her teeth, "perhaps."

it didnt take much for Uther to pick up on her discomfort, since he was often the perpetrator of it to be able to know and he immediately thought it best to usher the guest away before she might say something more, or her attitude caused offence.

"please lord Erik, allow my servants to take you to your chambers. Some rest before dinner I think?"

"that would be much appreciated," He bowed again before departing, lingering his bright blue eyes on Elaina whose instincts had instilled a feeling of dread, stiffening her back and draining the colour out her cheeks.

The king gave it a few beats then raised his hands for all to listen, "if everyone could vacate, I wish to discuss something with Elaina."

No questions asked, people obeyed now that they had a new topic of gossip to keep themselves busy with, whilst Elaina's friends wanted to be with her, fearing what might transpire if left alone with the king as their track record was not good. however, as servants they could not object to the kings will and slowly exited.

Arthur was the only one brave enough to linger behind until his father sharply spat, "that includes you Arthur."

Apologetically, he reached and gave Elaina's hand a squeeze, almost warning her to keep calm and she knew that after Uther said his piece, Arthur would be quick to come find Elaina, if he wasn't waiting behind those doors as they shut behind him.

Now ward and guardian were alone, and it was unsettling for them both.