Camelot

April, 505 AD

My stomach was once again twisted into knots and my mouth retained a faint taste of blood as I plopped down beside Arthur at the grand hall, my shoulders instantly slumping and my back hunching just a little bit as I tried to make myself as small as possible; the ravaging guilt and fear for what was coming taking up most of my energy.

I glanced at the Prince's handsome face from time to time. I haven't had the guts to face him since my conversations with Elena and his father.

He must have noticed my deflated state because he once again placed a hand on my knee under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze that made it really hard to restrain my impulses to acquire further proximity.

"Are you all right?" he asked in a whisper.

"Never better," I responded while faking a smile. He grinned in return, and I dropped the act as soon as he looked away.

Finally, Lord Godwyn and the Princess entered the room. She took a seat on the Prince's other side, and her father sat right next to her.

My eyes connected with Elena's and she gave me a small reassuring smile, which made my lips curve upwards again, this time genuinely, and I felt myself relax a little. No matter how this goes, she's on my side. And if Uther realises what I did and banishes me, perhaps her father could adopt me…

Speaking of Uther, he stood up as soon as everyone in the room was seated, sporting a proud grin on his lips.

My heart slammed against my chest as it blasted off while I watched him intently. This is it.

"I am honoured to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend, Lord Godwyn, and his wonderful daughter, Elena," Uther said in a clear and joyous voice. "The people of this kingdom are very dear to me. This place is my life. And I hope that one day, when I am no longer here, my son will carry on my good work with the support of a great woman."

Arthur tensed up beside me and his grip on my knee tightened, though not enough to hurt me. I placed a hand over his and laced my fingers with his in an attempt to ease him up.

"Arthur – is there anything you wish to say to Elena?" Uther questioned, not dropping his smile even under the stern glare that he sent.

The Prince's jaw clenched and his hand tensed up again. He glared at his father for a second, and two, and three… not saying anything while everyone around watched him with expectant gazes. I hate that I put him in this position! But it's too late to try to change things. So I gave his hand a gentle squeeze, hoping that it would be encouraging.

"Is there something you would like to say, Arthur?" Lord Godwyn pushed with a small smile. Arthur's eyes jumped from Uther to him, and his gaze softened slightly.

He gently slid his hand out of my hold and he stood up. My heart raced at a speed where I feared it would burst out of my chest like in that episode from 'Supernatural' where cartoon moments were becoming real.

I gulped as he cleared his throat.

I looked past him to share a wide-eyed look with Elena. Either we're geniuses, or this is about to backfire badly.

"Yes… Something I should have said a long time ago…" Arthur said, his tone not quite as loud as it should be for everyone in the room to hear. His eyes darted around for a moment, halting on his father for a second before they stopped on Elena. I held my breath. "Elena, you are a wonderful and beautiful woman… but I cannot deny my feelings..." he trailed off and gulped.

"You do not love me," she filled in for him in a nonchalant manner.

I released a relieved sigh and my shoulders instantly relaxed. I leaned back against my seat and had to fight hard to restrain a smile that was threatening to take over the poker face I'd put on.

"And I think you do not love me either," Arthur continued, his eyes not leaving the Princess.

She instantly shook her head emphatically. "No, I do not."

I took a glance at Uther and my breath hitched again at the sight of his furious gaze, which was fixed on his son.

My attention returned to Arthur as he spoke again, now addressing Lord Godwyn, "I am sorry to have wasted your time, sir. But this marriage cannot happen."

To my huge surprise, the man smiled. "You are an honourable man, Arthur. Thank you."

I allowed myself to grin a little as the two exchanged nods of understanding. Can we make Godwyn King of Camelot until Arthur's ready to take the throne?! He's so cool!

Arthur sent a pointed look towards his father, then he let his eyes fall on me for a second, and then he left the room without another word.

I released a shaky exhale as I watched him go. I wish I could run after him! But it would make things too obvious…

I slowly turned my head towards Uther again and found that he was already looking at me, a puzzled expression on his still red-with-rage face. I gave him a sheepish smile and a shrug before dropping my attention to the fruit bowl before me. I guess I should eat something while I wait for an appropriate amount of time to pass so I can go after Arthur without raising suspicions…

The room fell mostly silent, except for the speculative murmurs of the courtiers, and I exchanged small amused grins with Elena from time to time as we ate our breakfasts.

I felt a mix of elation and shame. Sure, everything worked out in my – our – favour… But I kinda treated the guy I love like a piece in a chess game, y'know? I just hope he's not mad at me for it…

Once breakfast was over, Elena grabbed my arm and gave me a wink as she tugged me out of the room. "I know you are dying to see him," she whispered as we slipped past the doors, and I felt myself blush.

As soon as we were away from prying eyes, I jumped to hug her. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you!"

She laughed as she returned the embrace. "I did not do anything, it was all Arthur."

"Yeah, but you gave me the idea of what to do to end all this," I said as I pulled away.

She shrugged. "I am glad it worked out. I did not want to marry him."

I snorted. How can anyone not wanna marry him?!

Oh, crap, did I just admit to myself that I wanna marry him?!

I mean, I guess eventually… In a couple of years… When the thought of engaging in husband-and-wife acts isn't so terrifying…

"Go," Elena said as she gestured towards the staircase to the royal apartments, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I sucked in some air to try to ease my nerves and nodded. "Yeah. Okay. I'll see ya' around, sister." I said and squeezed her arm before taking off sprinting down the corridor and up the stairs.

I knocked on the door to Arthur's room and entered rapidly when he replied with a muttered, "Come in."

I found him lying on the bed on his back, his hands crossed over his abdomen and a stoic look in his eyes as he examined the very interesting ceiling.

"It's just me," I said sheepishly, keeping my head low as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie while awaiting a reaction to the manipulative game I just played.

His head instantly snapped my way and his lips curved upwards. "Astra," he said softly.

"That's my name..." I mumbled and nodded, my feet seemingly glued to the floor.

"Well, come here!" he demanded in a cheery tone while outstretching an arm in my direction.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and slowly walked closer to him. I yelped when he suddenly grabbed my hand and tugged me onto the bed. I barely managed to catch my upper body by placing a hand on either side of his head before I could fall fully on top of him. My eyes widened and my breath hitched in sight of the compromising position we were in. He simply grinned up at me and placed his hands on either side of my waist.

"Woah," I breathed out, the direct sight of his gorgeous eyes making me feel as if my skin was suddenly melting while my heart started to perform a Broadway musical inside my chest.

"Did you set my father up?" Arthur asked.

I bit down on my bottom lip and averted my gaze towards the duvet below us.

"Because it was brilliant," he stated.

"I thought you'd be mad that I cornered you," I whispered, daring to look back into his captivating blue irises. So pretty…

"I wish you had told me about your plan earlier," he replied. "But, honestly, I needed the push."

I tried to force a smile, but fell short as guilt continued to twist my intestines.

He wrapped an arm fully around my waist and held me against his chest as he shifted to sit up against the headboard, then he carefully moved me to where I was sitting sideways on his lap.

I tensed up as the Broadway performance turned into a Podrace. Part of me wanted to run away from the unfamiliar sensation; the other part wanted to freeze the moment and remain there forever.

Arthur started to gently brush his fingers up and down the side of my ribcage and he continuously pressed kisses to the side of my head. The feeling of his vibrant heart beating against my torso, and his soft exhales fanning over my head, and his safe arms around me soon caused my body to start relaxing and I melted against his chest.

The guilt in my brain remained, though, and I started to chew on my bottom lip.

"What is wrong?" Arthur asked in a whisper.

I let out a sigh. "I feel guilty that I played you n' your dad like that… Now there's a strain in your relationship and, well–"

"You let me worry about that," he cut me off and kissed my cheek.

"He's gonna be really mad," I pointed out in a mumble.

"It will pass," he assured me and kissed my cheek again. It made me smile genuinely this time and I returned the gesture before letting my head drop to his shoulder while raising a hand to rest on his other shoulder.

I felt him take a deep breath and he tightened his grip on me while moving to rest his head over mine.

I couldn't fight the sleepiness that began to take over me and I closed my eyes, feeling like I had been transported into a VIP section of Heaven.

A startle caused by a booming knock on the door sent me flying to the floor and I groaned as my shoulder took the hit.

Arthur was quick to help me to my feet and we scrambled to make ourselves look as if we hadn't just been sleeping cuddled together before moving to sit at his desk – him on the chair and me on the table – while putting on a casual attitude.

The knock sounded again, along with a growled "Arthur!" from Uther.

"Yes?!" the Prince called out.

Uther entered and his eyes widened as they landed on me, then he raised an eyebrow.

Oh, fork, he's onto us!

"I'm tryin' to talk some sense into him!" I spewed out. "The stubborn mule just won't listen! Have fun trying, though!"

I leaped off the table and ran out of the room, not acknowledging the King's puzzled stare as he watched me blaze past him.

I literally ran into Merlin just a metre before I could reach my room. He gasped and steadied me before I could fall to the floor again and I gave him a sheepish look, earning a snort.

"I was just coming to look for you," he said.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Well, I have the potion for Elena, but I need a way to give it to her without her finding out the truth…"

I pressed my lips, pondering my options. I don't really feel like lying to my new friend, especially after what she just did for me, but I guess it'd be distressing for her to find out that she's been possessed by a dormant evil fairy since birth.

I let out a puff. "We can pour it into a glass of wine," I suggested. "I'll get one for me, too, n' give it to 'er as an invitation to hang out."

"You don't like alcohol," my best friend pointed out while raising an eyebrow.

"I know, but it'd be sketchy to give her wine and have water for myself. I'll just avoid drinking it."

We went to the dining room, grabbed two glasses, and stole a bottle of wine. We poured the wine into the glasses, and Merlin placed the drops of the antidote into one. I made a mental note to remember that Elena's glass is in my left hand and mine in my right; and we walked towards her room.

Merlin hung back so that he wouldn't be seen and I went to knock on the door. Then I realised that my occupied hands wouldn't be able to do that without spilling the wine and I huffed.

"Elena?" I called out.

"Astra!" she replied excitedly from the other side.

I heard a crash and squeezed my eyes shut.

"Uh, hi," she said sheepishly as she finally opened the door, stepping aside to let me in.

My eyes widened when I saw the mess she'd made. She'd somehow knocked down the wardrobe, and I had to restrain some laughter as a smile broke through. I turned to her and asked, "Are you okay?"

She beat me to laughing. "Yes. It happens more often than I would be willing to admit."

I couldn't hold back anymore and joined her in laughter.

"Oh! This is for you," I said as I remembered the glasses of wine in my hands when a little bit of it splashed onto my hand, and I gave her the one I knew was hers. Left.

"Aw, thank you, sister!" she replied with a smile and she moved to sit on a chair at the dining table. I hopped to sit on the table and watched with a raised eyebrow and a small grin as she gulped down the entire glass of wine within seconds.

I gasped when her eyes suddenly rolled backwards and she fell to the ground.

"Elena!" I exclaimed and rushed towards her side to check her wrist for a pulse. I released a shaky sigh when I found that she's still alive.

I jumped back when she began to convulse and my breathing grew agitated while tears formed in my eyes. What the heck is happening!?

"Merlin!" I called out.

He bursted into the room a second later and his eyes widened when they fell on the Princess.

Her skin turned blue-ish for a second. Then a glowing ball of blue light flew out of her mouth and it began to dart around the room like a tipsy fly who had a sip of… wine.

Merlin used a magic staff (which I think he stole from that fairy dude Aulfric who tried to sacrifice Arthur) to zap the blue light and it dissipated into nothing.

"What the f*ck just happened?" I breathed out and dropped my head as I tried to catch my breath.

Elena stirred and a wave of relief passed through my nervous system, easing it. Her eyes opened seconds later.

"Hey, you all right?" I asked gently when our gazes connected. "I think you drank that a bit too quickly n' fainted…"

"Fainted?" she echoed. "Oh, I feel amazing!" she exclaimed as she sat up without any help. "I have not felt this good in years!"

Merlin and I shared a grin. "That's good to hear," I said.

We helped her to her feet and she looked around, a smile gradually forming on her face even if she seemed a bit disoriented.

"Hey, have either of you seen Grunhilda?" she asked. "I have not seen her since last night."

I exchanged a sheepish look with my best friend. "I will look into it," he assured the Princess before exiting the room.

Elena grinned and moved to sit again. Her movements were more graceful and elegant now. I wonder if I could also be possessed by a fairy and that's why I'm always getting dumb injuries…

"So, sister," she said as a smirk grew on her lips. "How about one final horse race before I leave?"

I smirked, too. "Sure – if you're not tired of losing!"

"You are too confident, Lady Astraea," she stated.

"Well, you've seen Dallas," I responded with a wink.

She laughed and stood up. "Meet me at the paddocks in ten minutes?"

I nodded eagerly and sprinted out of the room.

I stood between Arthur and Merlin at the bottom of the staircase to the main entrance as the final preparations for the guests' departure were being made around us. I bounced on my heels, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction that had me energised. Am I gonna burn in hell for jeopardising what would've been a great alliance for Camelot? Probably. Am I gonna be proud of myself for it, anyway? Heck yeah! I'm awesome!

Lord Godwyn and Uther appeared atop the staircase, chatting amicably as they took their time descending it. I still think we should set them up… But I guess this era won't allow for it… And Godwyn deserves better than the grump that can be Uther.

Elena exited the castle moments later and she caught up with her father, with whom she shared a smile.

"There is something different about her," Arthur commented, frowning as he scanned the Princess.

"Well, she recently got this huge weight off her shoulders," I replied, earning confused looks from the two boys. "The weight of thinking she would have to marry you!" I joked with a giggle while nudging Arthur's side.

"Is that why you are so clumsy?" he asked in a whisper.

My eyes widened, I felt a hurricane of blood rush to my cheeks, and my heart began to race. Then I slapped his arm and sent him a glare, earning a cute chuckle that turned my guts into melted marshmallows.

"No, she was already like that when I met her," Merlin piped in, making me nod in agreement. "You are not changing your mind, are you?" he teasingly asked Arthur.

"Of course not!" he responded rapidly as his eyes widened for a moment.

"Good, she deserves better," I stated with a smirk.

"And you do not?" Merlin questioned, which caused my smirk to fade and my eyes to widen again.

I need to learn to think before I speak, 'cause there is no better than Arthur… And even if there was better, I wouldn't want it.

Elena appeared before us. "I wish you well, Arthur Pendragon," she said kindly. "I hope one day we both find the love we deserve." Her eyes darted towards me and she sent me a wink. I gave her a playful glare while my cheeks warmed up again.

The two royals shook hands, and then the Princess turned to me again.

We hugged.

"I'm gonna miss ya'. It's been nice havin' another girl around," I said. "But I guess I'm stuck here with all this testosterone…" I pulled away and motioned towards the two boys while faking a grimace.

She frowned. "Tes...roster...what?"

I snorted and clarified, "Male energy."

She giggled. "Well, you are welcome at Gawant if you ever get tired of them – or anytime you want, really!"

"I might just take you up on that," I responded with a grin.

"Please do," she answered and she hugged me again. "Oh, and please write!"

"Only if you write back," I replied.

She pushed away from the hug and smiled, "Of course, sister."

"All right. See ya' around, sister."

She squeezed my arm and then turned towards Arthur again while pointing a menacing finger, "Take care of her, or you will answer to me."

You know what? I'm really glad that this whole marriage mess happened. I got an amazing friend out of the deal! I wish that fourteen-year-old me could see where we ended up!

"She is in good hands," Arthur assured her and he gently nudged my side, causing me to blush yet again.

With that, Elena and I shared one last smile and she moved to climb onto Pearl.

I watched as Uther and Godwyn turned to look at each other with fondness in their eyes when they reached the bottom of the staircase, and they shared a tight hug.

"Y'know, Art?" I whispered. "I think there's still room for a union between Camelot and Gawant…"

I tossed a cookie in the air as I reached the royal apartments following a raid to the kitchen after a long day of working with the horses. I miscalculated my moves trying to catch it in my mouth and it hit me in the forehead, causing me to grunt. Luckily, I managed to catch it with my hand before it could fall to the ground and I quickly ate it.

I started when I heard a snort and I looked ahead to find Uther watching me with an amused expression.

I swallowed the cookie and gave an awkward wave, "Hello…"

"Astraea, a word," he responded.

"Good job, Utah. Astraea is, indeed, a word…"

He glared at me, but said nothing as he gestured for me to move closer. I sighed and complied, walking into his room behind him. He closed the door and let out a long exhale.

I gulped as I scanned his face, trying to read his now stoic expression. What does he want? Is he onto Arthur and I?! Did he figure out that I played him to end the whole wedding thing?! Is he gonna kick me out of Camelot?! Did he make some sort of arrangement with Lord Godwyn's unmarried son?!

"Breathe, Astraea," he ended the silence. "Do not look so worried."

"I'm not worried…"

"I simply wanted to thank you," he stated.

I raised an eyebrow as I recoiled, "Thank me?" He nodded. "For what?"

"For trying to help me to secure the alliance," he responded. "I wish Arthur had the same sense of responsibility that you do."

I had to turn my back to him to be able to shield the fact that I was very close to bursting out laughing as I bit down on my bottom lip and slapped a hand over my mouth. Metaphorically, I just turned his chessboard upside down and flung it out the window… and he's thanking me for it!

"And, on top of everything, you went to him even before I did to try to get him to change his mind. I am very grateful for everything you have done. Your loyalty towards this kingdom and to myself is unmatched."

Oh, fork, I'm gonna break! I can't break! He's gonna figure me out in a second if I break! Just breathe. Deep breaths. Think of sad stuff. Bobby Singer's death… The end of 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'… Tony Stark's death…

Okay, that's better.

"Astraea?" Uther pressed.

I finally turned to face him again.

"Yeah, well. You know I love Camelot," I responded with a nonchalant shrug. "And you're my friend."

"Guardian and King," he corrected.

"Chess buddy."

He scoffed and shook his head. A smile creeped upon his lips. "You are a wonderful young lady, Astraea. I am pleased to have you as an ally," he stated.

"You're not gonna set me up with a random Prince, are you?" I questioned while raising an eyebrow, only partly joking. I mean, I know that I made him promise he'd never interfere in my love life when I agreed to become his ward… but he's the King. He could change his mind anytime he wants…

"Of course not," he assured me. "That would mean sending you away. You are much too valuable for that."

"Okay, cool!" I chirped.

Uther dismissed me shortly after and I resumed my journey towards my room.

My mind began to replay the scene, and I soon found myself giggling in the middle of the corridor like a madwoman. I should tell Arthur what happened!

So I knocked on his door, still giggling.

"Artie, you're not gonna believe this," I said when he opened the door and I pushed in before anyone could see.

"I will believe anything you want me to if it makes you smile like that," he replied sweetly.

I dropped face-down onto his bed, letting the duvet muffle the giggles that were quickly escalating into unrestrained laughter.

My lungs were soon filled with Arthur's scent, which should be somehow bottled up and sold as an anti-anxiety remedy because it easily relaxed me and caused me to sober up enough to be able to speak. I sat up and crossed my legs.

The Prince was now leaning against a bedpost, watching me in a way that made colourful butterflies fly around my nervous system.

"Your dad just thanked me!" I revealed. I bursted out laughing again and fell backwards.

The bed shifted and Arthur lay down beside me, body facing me as he propped his head up on one hand. His other hand grabbed one of mine and he began playing with my fingers. "What did he thank you for?" he asked.

I kept on cackling like a stoned hyena for a minute or two until I was able to find the composure to speak again. "For being so loyal to him and tryin' to help make the marriage happen!"

He joined in my laughter and the sound caused my heart to warm to a billion degrees.

"He has no clue, Artie!" I threw in; and we kept laughing together

Suddenly, something shifted in me. Laughter is a double-edged sword.

"Fork, I gotta pee," I whispered in a mumble as I shot off the bed and I took off running towards my bedroom.