Somewhere in medieval Britain

May, 507 AD

The Staffordshire Terrier-sized baby dragons flapped clumsily around the grassy field as they fought to catch the dark blue frisbee that Merlin threw in the air. "Mine, mine, mine!" they squeaked. Like the seagulls in 'Finding Nemo'. They said their first words not long ago, and are steadily learning to speak – which is the cutest thing ever!

I smiled as Phoenix gallantly relented the prize to Aithusa, who snatched the toy in the air with her little clawed hands. "Win!" she squealed as she rushed to return it to Merlin. He praised her for a few moments while rubbing her head before throwing the frisbee again. This time, the male dragon was much quicker to follow after it and he left his sister in the dust as he caught it with a reptilian smirk.

"You seem troubled, Astraea," Kilgharrah stated, his head turning slightly so that he could look at me rather than at the babies. He was lying on the ground and I sat beside him with my back propped up against one of his giant arms.

"Just thinkin'," I mumbled in reply, which caused me to notice an iron-y taste in my mouth.

I quickly ran my tongue over a sore on my bottom lip to clean it.

"Anything I can help you with?" the big dragon asked in a soft tone.

I shook my head. "I doubt you know anything about being a Queen, do ya'?"

A smile formed on his lips... Wait, do dragons have lips? I don't think they do... A smile formed on his mouth; and he claimed, "The fate of Albion is eagerly awaiting the moment when you finally take your place at Arthur's side on the throne."

I shivered as a chill ran down my spine. I mean, of course I wanna marry Arthur. But the part about becoming an important authority figure alongside him... of having so many lives placed at my command... It's an incredibly scary concept. I'd probably be better off trying to fight Darth Vader with a corn dog.

"That's what he's hoping for, I think," I responded, my voice almost a whisper.

"It is your destiny, after all," Kilgharrah stated, making me roll my eyes.

"I'm gonna marry him because I choose to," I protested through gritted teeth. "Not because of some dumb fate nonsense."

"Fate and destiny are not the same thing," the dragon said. I raised an eyebrow. Then I decided that I don't care because it's stupid either way, and I shrugged. "Destiny or not, you will marry him, will you not?"

"I'd be stupid not to," I replied a bit more calmly.

"But you do not feel ready to do so," he wisely pointed out.

I let out a long sigh. "No, of course not. It's a big responsibility. How am I supposed to take care of an entire kingdom when I can barely take care of myself?"

"You have already been doing it, Astraea," he responded. "For quite some time, your future has been shaping towards it."

"K, I love you – but if you say one more word about this preconceived fate bull-manure, I will descale you," I threatened with a clenched jaw.

He seemed to find my words amusing, for he chuckled. I huffed and crossed my arms.

"All right, but allow me to say this, Astraea." I narrowed my eyes at him. "You are ready for this, even if you do not believe it. And, in time, I have faith that you will become the greatest queen that Camelot has ever seen."

"More like the biggest con artist," I mumbled, earning a pointed look from the dragon. I averted my gaze and went back to watching Merlin and the babies as they continued to play something akin to 'fetch'. "Thanks for the convo," I said and patted the great dragon's scaly arm before standing up, wishing to join the game.

"Heed my words, Astraea Aphelion," Kilgharrah told me as I walked away. I gave him a pressed smile and a thumbs-up in response.

Camelot

Oblivious to the fact that the love of his life and his manservant were currently committing treason by hanging out with a bunch of dragons (he'd been told that they were going on a trip to gather herbs for Gaius), King Arthur Pendragon sat at his desk with his eyes fixed on a small silver object that he was twirling in his fingers as he thought about Astraea.

His Astraea.

With her unintelligible jokes, her enchanting forest-green eyes, her soft wavy hair, the constellations of freckles upon her face, her noble heart, her great intelligence, the way she can instantly disarm him with a couple of sweet words and a dazzling smile...

A grin formed on his lips as his heart skipped a beat.

Even after all the years he has known her, he still thinks her to be the most intriguing and complicated puzzle ever. An entire lifetime with her won't be enough to figure her out completely; but he's eager to try anyway.

And he's ecstatic to have gotten her cousin's approval to marry her!

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice his uncle enter his room; and he started when he suddenly lifted his gaze to find the man standing right in front of him, watching him with a frown.

"What have you got there?" Agravaine inquired, his gaze finding the twirling object.

With a sigh, Arthur held it up. Then he quickly snatched it away when the man reached to grab it. As much as he loves his uncle, he doesn't want him to touch something that has become almost sacred to him.

"A ring," Agravaine realised.

"It is for Astraea," Arthur replied sternly as he cautiously eyed him. He knows that Agravaine doesn't approve of his choice in romance – he has made it clear before – but it doesn't matter to him. There is no one else for him. And he had his father's approval – so who cares what his uncle thinks?

Agravaine's dark eyes widened in surprise and his nervous system froze over for a moment. Morgana and Thanata will freak out! "You plan to marry her, My Lord?" he asked while being mindful not to let his voice quiver. Quite successfully, much to his relief.

"When she says she is ready," Arthur responded.

The man swallowed a lump in his throat and he stated, "I do not think this is a good idea, Sire."

The King clenched his jaw, but said nothing; feeling morbidly curious to hear what arguments his uncle could possibly give against Astra.

"She is childish, reckless, irreverent–"

Arthur cut him off as he spoke passionately, a loving glint illuminating his eyes, "Astraea has a unique sense of humour and can create light in the darkest of moments. She is brave and loyal unlike anyone. She is, I admit, a little strange and unpredictable. But she is incredibly smart and wise beyond her years, and she has proved herself invaluable support and true counsellor to my father and I these past few years. Most importantly, I love her with all my heart, as she loves me."

"You do not need a woman for support, Sire. I am your counsel," Agravaine argued weakly. He has known, for a while, that Astraea is the one person he'll never be able to overpower for his nephew's mind. A true thorn on his side.

"I fear you have rather too much stubble to be my wife," Arthur joked, but his uncle didn't find it funny and remained stoic, so he turned serious again. "Loyalty, good counsel, solid support, and love – they are exactly what I need. I do not want a queen who spends her days floating around the castle agreeing with my every word, and the people do not want that either. Astra challenges me like no one else. She makes up for my weaknesses…"

Agravaine gulped as ice coated his lungs while Arthur kept rambling on like a love-enchanted poet. He's screwed. Morgana is going to kill him.

"…Astraea will be my Queen, and I want you to accept her as such," the King finished.

Agravaine has no choice, at the moment, other than to drop his head and nod. He's certain that Morgana can find a way to break apart the happy couple and get rid of the troublesome foreigner before it's too late.

June, 507 AD

The world around me felt partly faded as my mind fixated upon the story contained within the book before me – 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' – while I was curled up on Arthur's bed with my Avengers blanket around me, wasting time away while he dealt with... something on his desk. I don't know, like I said, I was too fascinated by the novel in my hands.

That is until his heart-warming voice broke my focus as he asked in alarm, "Why is your name on the registration form?!"

I glanced at him to find that he was holding up a long paper parchment. His eyes were wider than usual and his jaw was clenched.

Oops. I was hoping he wouldn't notice until it's too late for him to do anything about it…

"I'm a knight. Knights joust," I explained simply while shooting him a little innocent grin.

He dropped the paper and crossed his arms. "I do not get it – you are always complaining about how the tournaments we hold are 'stupid' and 'senseless'."

"They are, but I want another shiny trophy in my room," I replied as my smile widened, then I huffed when he ran a hand over his face in frustration. "Oh, come on, Artie!" I whined, dropping my book and standing up. "It's just an internal thing! You know that the guys wouldn't hurt me!"

"Accidents happen, Astraea. I will not see you hurt for a chance to win a stupid trophy."

"Aha! So you admit it's stupid!"

"Yes, it is stupid," he agreed, making me smirk. "Will you drop out, now?"

"Nah, I still want a trophy."

He glared at me, I returned it – though mine was completely playful – and we held a staring contest for a few moments. Obviously, I have a big advantage: I could happily get lost in those cerulean blue eyes all day. Mine are nothing interesting and he's bound to get bored.

"I will buy you the biggest trophy I can find if you drop out," Arthur gave a very lame proposal after a minute or so.

"What's the point if I don't work for it?" I questioned. He threw his arms in exasperation. "Please, Artie! You know I've been practicing! I'm gettin' good!"

I mean, I'm gonna do it in any case and there's nothing he can do to stop me without causing me physical harm himself – but it'd be nice to have his support.

"Your squishy tubes are not the same as an actual lance," Arthur argued.

"They're called pool noodles," I mumbled under my breath, earning another glare.

I nibbled on my bottom lip as I considered my options. Should I drop out and then sign on again with another name? But I don't want this to end in a fight... What if there's a way to guarantee my safety? Internal gasp. What if there's a way to guarantee his safety? My eyes widened. What if there's a way to guarantee everyone's safety?!

"What if we ditch the lances and everyone uses pool noodles for the tournament?!" I finally suggested as a big grin grew on my face.

He raised an eyebrow before arguing, "We would look ridiculous!"

I scoffed. Says the guy who allowed a bunch of literal clowns to strap him to a spinning wheel, shove an apple in his mouth, and throw knives at his head.

"Besides, the score is kept according to the shattering of the lances."

I looked away from him as I thought of a way around that second objection. The first one isn't even worth refuting because it's the dumbest excuse ever.

"What if we dip the tips in paint?" I proposed. "That way clear marks will be left on the armour and make scoring possible."

Arthur leaned back on his chair with a pensive look.

No way! He's actually considering it!

"Please?" I pressed.

Silence.

"Please with a side of cheese?"

Silence. And the ghost of a grin.

"Please in the name of Socrates?"

A chuckle.

"Please..." I paused to think of something else that rhymes, "against the breeze?"

A hearty laugh.

"All right, fine. I will make these changes known," Arthur finally relented. I cheered and ran to hug him.

"I cannot believe you got him to agree to this," Gwen commented with a chuckle while she was helping me to fasten some clasps I couldn't reach on the back of my armour. She graciously stepped up to be what I've dubbed my 'girl-in-the-chair' for the tournament, since Arthur refused to surrender Merlin.

"I can be very persuasive," I replied with a smirk, then I watched in confusion as her eyes widened in a way that made me think that she had been stabbed by an invisible person, which made me snort. "Chill, it's not like I poisoned him and withheld the antidote until he agreed. I simply annoyed him into doing so."

I jumped at an unexpected voice right outside my tent – "Lady-Knight Astraea, your first match begins in five minutes."

I recognised it as George's.

"Thanks, Georgie!" I called back.

Shortly after, I left the tent with Gwen following behind me.

Dallas, who'd been grazing just outside while I got ready, nickered when he saw me and he walked up to me.

"Hey, handsome. Ya' ready to kick butts?" I asked him while gently scratching his neck. I let the love flow for a minute or two and then I grabbed a stool so that I could get on his back.

I definitely do not recommend riding in armour. It's super constricting and it heats up very quickly, leaving you feeling like you're burning alive in the tenth circle of hell. But, on the other hand, it makes me feel like Iron-Man. Well, a crappy stiff Walmart version of him without JARVIS or FRIDAY, but still.

"Are you not forgetting something?" I heard Arthur ask just as I was reaching for the stirrup. I turned around and stumbled thanks to the heavy metal suit, then I fell off the stool with a yelp. He ran the last few steps towards me and helped me up, an amused grin forming on his lips. "It is not too late to withdraw, darling."

"Why? Scared I'll beat ya' at your own game?" I challenged while choosing to ignore the fact that I just fell like a dumb domino.

He placed a warm hand on either side of my face and then he leaned down to kiss me. "I have no doubt that you will be a worthy opponent," he whispered, our lips faintly brushing against each other in the process. My insides melted. Though that could've been due to the heat that was already taking over the stupid armour.

The sound of a trumpet cut me off just as I was about to reply with something playfully snarky.

Arthur kissed my forehead before letting me go. "Good luck, my future queen," he said with a wink.

My heart blasted off like a rocket on drugs, but I endured the sensation and gave him a mock salute before turning to Merlin, who quickly pulled me into a hug. "Show them how it is done, Astra!"

"I will," I responded with a smirk and finally returned to Dallas, actually managing to get on him this time.

Gwen swiftly handed me my helmet and my pool noodle.

The pool noodle is baby-blue in colour, and I spent a good part of yesterday decorating it with a black sharpie. Most of the drawings I made (which include the Avengers logo, the anti-possession symbol from Supernatural, a triskelion in honour of Teen Wolf...) turned out pretty badly and barely intelligible, but I'm proud of them nonetheless. I smirked as I looked it over for a moment and I then pulled down my visor.

My 'girl-in-the-chair' walked with me towards the arena and she held up a bucket of white paint so that I could dip the pool noodle in it. I gave her a nod in thanks once I did so and then I aligned my horse with the cord that divides the sandy field.

I made eye-contact with my opponent across the arena, Sir Landon, and smirked as I gave him a wink.

More than ready to get this show on the road, I pressed down on my stirrups and arranged my hands so that my left was loosely holding onto Dallas's neck-rope while my right held the pool noodle.

As the armour continued to warm up, I thought about how we could've done all this with simple riding helmets and safety vests; but I guess Arthur wouldn't want to take away anything else from the tradition.

The trumpet blasted again and my brilliant Thoroughbred surged forwards as I lifted my butt off the saddle, making it easier for him to stretch into his powerful strides.

Despite the high speed that Dallas reached, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I waited patiently, my eyes carefully watching Sir Landon as he and his mare charged towards us, and I aimed for his helmet. I noticed that he was aiming for my shoulder and made a mental note to tilt my torso as soon as we were within striking distance.

Slap! I heard as my noodle collided with the ginger's helmet, making me feel a slight pull on my right arm. I instantly looked down at my chest and laughed when I realised that there was no red paint on it. I glanced backwards to see that there was a stroke of white on my opponent's armour.

We won!

Dallas knew to slow down as soon as we reached the other side of the arena and I lifted my visor, still laughing while the spectators cheered. I raised my pool noodle in victory, causing the public to get louder, and I used my other hand to gently scratch my horse's neck.

Agravaine, who's in charge of judging, begrudgingly removed Sir Landon's crest from the scoreboard and moved mine – which I made up last night – one spot ahead.

With a triumphant smile playing on my lips, I led my horse out of the arena, instantly finding Merlin and Arthur on the other side. Both of them were smiling widely.

"You did amazing!" my brother cheered while he fed Dallas a carrot as a reward for his incredible effort.

"Thanks! It was fun!" I replied, still smiling as I hopped off my horse.

I got a tight hug from each boy and then they walked with me back to my tent, where I reunited with Gwen. She helped me to get out of the stupid armour and then I untacked Dallas, leaving him to graze again, before joining Merlin and Arthur by the arena so that we could watch the next match.

Sir Carwyn stepped up on one side, and someone I couldn't place stepped up on the other. I frowned when I noticed that the unnamed knight was riding Tolkien. I haven't had the heart to reassign the trusty grey horse to anyone –and I don't think I ever will – so I was positively puzzled and slightly enraged to see that someone took him.

"Who on Earth is that?" Arthur questioned, frowning as well. I'm not sure if he recognises the horse, too; but his reaction tells me that he doesn't know who the knight is, either; and that makes me nervous. Is there an intruder in Camelot? Another assassin, perhaps?

"I have no idea," Merlin mumbled in reply.

Before we could even try to investigate, the knights took off towards each other with their pool noodles in hand, and whoever was riding Tolkien got a nice hit on Carwyn's chest, who achieved nothing during the run.

Seemingly ignoring the applauding public, the mysterious knight rode towards Merlin, Arthur and I, and he stopped the horse and pulled off his helmet to reveal an all-too-familiar brunet... who isn't supposed to be here.

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped while my heart got a violent electrocution.

"Lancelot?!"