Camelot
December, 508 AD
"This is Castiel," I said to introduce the handsome buckskin Iberian-style horse that stood beside me to Mordred, who was very eager to finally get paired up with an equine as part of his knightly training. "He's only six, but he's super level-headed. Not to mention – he can run."
The young knight grinned and stepped closer to the horse, gently placing a hand on his forehead. Castiel's ears perked and he blew out some air, but remained still as Mordred began to run his fingers through his black forelock.
"He has a kind energy to him," Mordred commented in a soft voice.
"Yeah, he's a friendly guy," I responded with a small smile.
"Can I try riding him?"
"Of course!"
I left Castiel with Mordred so that he could get started on grooming him, and hurried to get Dallas from his paddock. I gave the cremello a quick rub down and then I helped the young knight to saddle his potential companion. I was surprised to learn that he's never really been around horses. But I guess that it's not so crazy, given the low-profile life he's had to lead until now.
Now on horseback, I led Mordred towards the riding arena and rode beside him as he tried out Castiel's responses to the simplest voice commands: 'walk on' and 'woah'. The little buckskin was patient and attentive as usual, and my heart warmed when I saw how happy the young knight looked as he started to discover what it means to have a partnership with a horse.
"Wanna try trottin' a little?" I asked once I noticed that Mordred was starting to get a bit more confident.
"Is it safe?" he asked.
I dropped my jaw in feigned offence. "Buddy, please! I trained him! Of course it's safe!"
Mordred chuckled and freaking apologised, then he asked me what he's supposed to do to get the horse to trot.
"Just say the word with decisiveness and he'll take off," I explained. "Be careful to keep your weight on your legs and not to bounce, though, or he'll get uncomfortable."
The young knight seemed hesitant as his eyes darted between Castiel under him and me, so I gave him a reassuring look and moved Dallas in front of the pair. "Just follow my lead, buddy. You've got this," I told him gently.
"All right."
And with that, I asked my horse for a trot and he instantly delivered. Mordred got Castiel to move behind us and it wasn't long before he managed to match the horse's rhythm with his seat as we moved together along the fence of the arena.
"What d'ya think?" I asked while taking a glance backwards. The wondrous smile on his face warmed my soul.
"This is incredible!" he responded.
I chuckled and gradually brought Dallas back down to a walk, allowing Castiel and Mordred to catch up with us.
"So, do you have a horse?" I asked with a smirk as I reached over to ruffle the buckskin's mane.
"I believe I do," Mordred responded with a big grin while looking fondly down at Castiel.
Gwen seemed to be finishing arranging the day's paperwork on my desk when I returned to my room after a very long and tiring day of working with the knights and their horses (not that I'm complaining – it's a nice distraction to keep me occupied while Arthur and Merlin are away on a stupid hunting trip). I inwardly groaned at her presence, not wanting her to notice the unfortunate consequence of a dumb minor accident I had while returning Dallas's equipment to the tack room.
It wasn't long before her eyes did, indeed, land on my slight limp and she asked, "What happened this time?"
"I tripped over a bucket..." I responded sheepishly.
She snorted and instantly tried to cover it up with a cough. I narrowed my eyes at her and crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned against the door frame.
"Has Gaius taken a look?" she questioned.
"Nah, it's not necessary. I'll probably be fine tomorrow," I waved her off and limped towards my closet so that I could get a change of clothes in preparation for a well-deserved bath.
She followed me with her eyes, a sceptical look upon her face; but she said nothing and got back to looking over the papers while I locked myself in the bathroom and hurried to take a bath.
Once I was done, I sat at the desk with Gwen and we teamed up to go over the documents more carefully. Her help has become indispensable for both Arthur and I; seeing as she's, admittedly, a lot more in-touch with the average citizen of Camelot than we are, which means that her insight into day-to-day stuff that goes on with the people is incredibly valuable.
I snorted while looking over a particularly amusing (though sad) document in which a man asks for help in convincing a recently widowed woman to marry him in favour of another suitor she has. "What the heck is wrong with people? Let ladies mourn in peace," I muttered, recalling a similar situation I helped Uther to deal with once.
Gwen gave me a curious look and I handed her the paper.
"I can't imagine ever wanting to marry anyone else if..." I shuddered at the thought of losing Arthur. "In fact, I'd probably take the express train to the after-life n' join him instantly. Like Romeo and Juliet."
"Do not think like that, Astra," my friend told me with a gentle nudge to my arm.
"You're right. There are probably better alternatives," I pointed out while raising an eyebrow. "Like necromancy."
"Astra!" Gwen scolded, her expression turning bewildered.
I bursted out laughing and gave her a wink before motioning towards the 'junk pool' on the floor. I got a disapproving look from my friend – she still hates my organisational system – but she complied with tossing the document aside. I reached for my pen and notebook so that I could make a note to send the widowed woman some economic aid and a written promise to put her 'suitors' in the stocks if they become a nuisance.
"Hey, Pops. Long time, no see," I said, trying to sound as casual as possible, as I entered Gaius's apartment the next morning.
He looked up from whatever potion he was working on atop a table and quirked an eyebrow as he reminded me, "You were here only yesterday."
I blinked rapidly for a couple of seconds before responding, "I know. I wanted to see if you remembered. Y'know, with your age and all."
Gaius gave a mock laugh. "Very funny, Astra. I take it your minor sprain is not so minor after all?"
My jaw dropped. "Wha–"
"You did a poor job of covering for it yesterday. And Gwen told me."
"That little traitor," I muttered under my breath.
"Stop behaving like a child and let me take a look at it," Gaius demanded.
I rolled my eyes, but complied and jumped to sit on a table. "Fine. Just 'cause you asked nicely."
I would've gone to Doctor Merlin, but he and Arthur aren't back yet.
Gaius promptly began inspecting my ankle after I took off my sock. There was some slight bruising around it and it was a little bit swollen. Nothing to worry about, really. I wouldn't have bothered to come to him, but I want it to get better as quickly as possible so that I won't have to miss many days of training with the horses; and I know that one of his magic ointments will do the trick.
"I wish you would have come to me sooner, dear girl," he commented as he moved towards some cabinets, extracting a jar of something and a bandage. "You are too stubborn for your own good."
"I wish I could take you to the future," I grumbled in response. "One minute in a modern hospital and you'd understand why I hate doctor stuff so much."
He sent me a quick sympathetic look, but said nothing as he went to rub a mint-green ointment on my ankle. I swiftly stole the jar from him and completed the task by myself, earning a half-amused snort.
"Y'know what? I'll make you watch 'House, M.D.' one day. Then you'll get it," I added.
"Right," Gaius responded under his breath as he began to wrap the bandage. I sighed and resigned to letting him handle my foot.
"Give it a week to rest and you should be as good as new," he instructed once he was done.
I raised an eyebrow. "And 'rest' in this context means..."
He puffed. "No riding, no training, no running around the castle. You can stay in bed and play that dizzying cubes game you like."
I laughed hard at his description of 'Minecraft'.
"Can I come here and watch 'House, M.D.' with ya'?" I asked once I sobered up, hope rising within me. The idea of making him watch that is way too amusing to pass up on the chance!
Gaius chuckled. "Sure. You can do that."
I was about to reply when the door to the apartment bursted open and, to my great surprise, in came the two people I love most in the entire universe!
"You're back!" I exclaimed and leaped off the table, only wincing for a moment, before I rushed to jump into Arthur's waiting arms, instantly wrapping myself around him and tucking my face in the crook of his neck. He let out a breathy laugh, holding me tightly.
"Astraea! What did I just tell you!?" Gaius scolded.
"No one likes a party-pooper, Pops," I muttered while glancing back at him with a glare.
"What happened?" Merlin inquired.
I got myself back on the ground – not wanting to make him or Gaius uncomfortable if I kept clinging to Arthur like a koala – and I used my King for support as I averted my gaze and mumbled, "I tripped over a bucket."
Merlin laughed and I grinned up at him.
"She sprained her ankle, Sire," the physician complemented. "Nothing serious, but she needs to rest it for a few days." He sent me a pointed look and I gave him an innocent smile.
"Yeah. Anyway," I turned to my two boys, "how was your hunt?"
Arthur glared at Merlin, who looked down as a small – dare I say proud – smile formed on his lips. "We did not catch anything because someone kept on sneezing and scaring away the animals," my King replied through gritted teeth.
"Attaboy," I praised my brother and offered a high-five, which he readily reciprocated.
We got a disapproving look from my King, but he didn't comment and instead motioned towards Merlin's satchel bag, which hung from his shoulder. The sorcerer sighed and retrieved something from it – a horn that looked like it had probably belonged to some kind of bovine, now adorned with silver pieces.
Gaius's mouth fell agape as he reached for the item with cautious hands, and he examined it thoroughly while twirling it around. His inner Wikipedia threw out a name, "The Horn of Cathbhadh."
I noticed Arthur's pretty face turning pensive and slightly concerned as he listened to further explanation from the physician.
"When Uther attacked the Isle of the Blessed, the horn of Cathbhadh was smuggled to safety before the temple fell. It has not been heard of since."
"Where d'ya get it?" I wondered as I looked up at my King.
He sighed and made eye-contact with me as he responded, "We saved an old woman from being burnt at the stake and she gave it to me as a gift to thank me."
My eyes widened as many more questions flooded my mind. But, for now, I think we should focus on the horn.
"She said it could be used to open a door to the spirit world," Arthur added as he looked at Gaius again.
I winced as I thought back to the horrible ghost-banshee nightmare that culminated in losing Lancelot.
Gaius nodded, "I have seen it with my own eyes." I exchanged a wary look with Merlin while the physician continued to explain, "Long before the time of the Great Purge, I took part in such ceremonies. Each year at Beltane, the High Priestesses would gather at the Great Stones of Nemeton and summon the spirits of their ancestors. It holds powerful magic." He handed the item back to Arthur as he cautioned, "You must keep it safe."
I'd be lying if I said I'm not intrigued by the prospect of trying out the horn. It'd be nice to see the friends we've lost again…
I wonder if its powers can transcend time... Could I possibly contact... I don't know... My parents? I gulped at the thought and quickly shoved it away. No, that'd be crazy.
"Well, I've seen enough ghosts to last a lifetime," I broke the momentary silence that befell the room. "I say we put it in a rocket n' blast it to the moon."
"Put it in a what?" Arthur questioned.
My eyes widened as I realised my mistake. "Nothing. Doesn't matter. It was a bad idea. Don't mind me," I spewed out.
"Heeey," I dragged out as I returned to Arthur and I's room following a bath two nights later.
My ankle's doing much better, thanks for asking.
Arthur looked up from where he was sitting at his desk, and his previously mournful expression dissipated a little – just enough to allow for a small grin to form upon his soft lips.
"Are you okay? I know you hate today," I said as I walked up to him and I wrapped my arms over his shoulders before kissing the side of his head. He sighed and rounded my waist with his arms, easily pulling me onto his lap. I gave him a small smile and kissed his cheek.
You see, we're a half-hour away from beginning the celebration of the second anniversary of his coronation, which also marks the second anniversary of Uther's death. And I know very well how much it sucks to go through troubling 'celebrations' like this one.
"I will be as long as I have you by my side," he stated sweetly.
"Well, you're in luck, 'cause there's nowhere I'd rather be," I responded while giving him a grin.
He leaned his forehead against mine and tightened his grip on me as he claimed, "You are amazing."
"I try," I answered, then I gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Arthur hummed and protested, "That is not the proper way to do it." A second later, he had a hand on the back of my neck as he held me in place for what I suppose is a 'proper' kiss in his opinion. Not that I'm complaining.
"Sorry, can you show me again? I didn't quite get that," I joked once he pulled away.
He laughed heartily and kissed me again while one of his hands slipped under my three layers of clothing and he gently rubbed his fingers against my skin, igniting a series of fires. I ran my fingers through his golden locks, enjoying the softness of them.
"I love you, Astra," he whispered when our lips separated once more.
"I love you three-thousand to the three-thousandth power," I responded with a smirk.
Arthur rolled his eyes playfully and he gently squeezed my side. "Do not start again," he scolded with a chuckle.
"Tired of losing, huh?" I asked teasingly. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Sorry, handsome, but ya' can't win against the luckiest person alive."
"What makes you think you are that?" he questioned.
"You. Duh!"
That earned me another prolonged kiss. See?! Lucky me!
"As much as I would love to take this further," Arthur said afterwards, "we have a feast to get ready for."
Good to see he's not trying to blow it off this time.
"Later then," I winked at him and gave him one last kiss before getting to my feet and semi-limping back to my room, where I knew Gwen would be waiting so she could perform her fairy-godmother miracles on yours truly.
The grand hall was grandly decorated for the party. A table that ran the length of it gave room for every courtier, noble, and knight present to seat; and it was stacked with plates containing all sorts of food – including more pizza, because Arthur loved it! Almost everyone donned Pendragon crimson and gold, showing their support for their King.
In a corner of the room sat the gramophone atop a table, which was currently playing 'All You Need Is Now' by Duran Duran. I could hardly hear it over the ridiculously loud chatter in the room, though, which was slightly (very) annoying. I would give anything for a quieter, more private 'celebration'; and I know that Arthur would, too.
Speaking of the most gorgeous King to ever live, he sat beside me with a faraway expression on his handsome face as he stared off in the distance. I slipped my hand into his under the table and gave him a soft squeeze, effectively catching his attention.
"You okay? Need a breather?" I asked in a whisper.
He sighed and looked around at the people.
"Most of 'em are zonked. I doubt they'll notice if you sneak out for a minute," I added.
"Would you join me?" he inquired.
"If that's what you want, of course."
We slowly slid out of our chairs and kept our heads down as we went around the table. I stopped beside Gwen for a second and let her know that we needed to get some air so that she could manage things if anyone started asking for the King. Then Arthur and I left the room.
A cool breeze of wind hit me and I instantly started to shiver. Arthur noticed and gallantly wrapped part of the cape he was wearing around my shoulders, keeping his arm over them so that the cloth wouldn't slip. I gave him a grateful smile and rested a bit of my weight against him – both in search of more warmth and to make walking easier on my still sore ankle.
I didn't really pay attention to where we were going until I found myself in the burial vaults.
My heart twisted when I realised what Arthur wanted to do and I kept a careful eye on him as he led me towards Uther's tomb. A shaky sigh escaped me when I saw how life-like the statue atop it is, but I remained silent otherwise, allowing my King to do whatever he needed to do and think whatever he needed to think.
I felt a pang in my chest when I glanced up at Arthur to find that his eyes were teary and I reached to grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze that I hoped conveyed that I'm here for him.