Camelot

November, 507 AD

"You should allow me to try a new hairstyle one day, Astra," Gwen commented as she gently ran a brush down my hair – despite my insistence that I could do that for myself 'cause I'm not a useless idiot, or a toddler; but, apparently, she's got nothing better to do now that she's been promoted out of serving duty and onto being my 'girl-in-the-chair'.

I made a 'tsk' sound. "That's not a good idea. I mean, what if I don't look good in it? You'd have wasted an hour on nothing."

"Do you doubt my abilities?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but your fairy godmother magic can only do so much to conceal an ogre," I responded before laughing at my own half-joke.

Gwen's hands dropped from my hair and the brush clattered against the floor, her eyes widening in horror before she cleared her throat and straightened up – all while I grinned in amusement. "Your jokes will make me sick one day," she noted with narrowed eyes.

"Sorry. They're instinctual," I responded with a nonchalant shrug.

She snorted and shook her head before retrieving the brush and returning to her task.

Now, you might be wondering why Gwen is once more employing her fairy godmother gifts upon yours truly. Well, the 'Feast of Stolen Fire' will be taking place in about an hour – a festivity that celebrates Prometheus's defiance against the Olympian gods in favour of gifting mankind with fire. In other words: an excuse for the courtiers and knights to get drunk and party; considering that no one in Camelot seriously believes in Greek mythology. And, as 'future queen', I'm forced to attend.

The things I do for Arthur.

"D'ya think I could get away with wearin' PJs if I give Art a good enough puppy look?" I asked.

"I believe you could get away with anything, but that does not mean you should try to," my friend responded oh-so-wisely.

I quirked an eyebrow. "You're supposed to help me with my shenanigans, not shoot 'em down."

"I am supposed to help you make diplomatic decisions."

"I'm sorry – are you my 'girl-in-the-chair', or Arthur's?"

Gwen chuckled. "I am a friend who wants to see you become the queen I know you can be."

I let out a puff and crossed my arms over my chest. "I hate that you're so mature."

My friend giggled and returned her attention fully to her task; and, after a minute or two, she finally finished a smooth-looking french braid and started sticking small white flowers in it – something I protested at first but soon found to be a nice touch.

"I know you are going to say 'no', but I will still ask–" Gwen spoke again when she was done, causing me to raise an eyebrow, "do you need help with the dress?"

I eyed the garment that lay on my bed. Thankfully, it isn't too extravagant. The top half is white with trumpet sleeves and ruffling along the collar; the bottom half is a layered fern-green skirt; and a simple stitched-in black corset divides both halves.

"Gwennie, promise me that if I ever ask for help gettin' dressed, you'll send me straight back to Texas," I stated. "I don't wanna turn into a drooling dumbass royal who doesn't know how to work a button."

"All right. I will see you at the feast, then," my friend replied with a chuckle.

"Cool. Thanks, Gwennie," I responded with a sweet smile.

Once she was out of the room, I got off my chair with a grunt – feeling some strain in my muscles from the long morning I had working with the horses – and I begrudgingly started changing into the dress, leaving my light grey base-layer and black leggings underneath. I slipped on my black Converse, and then I ventured out of my room and towards the one next door, wishing to check in on Arthur and Merlin.

"Hey, bestie," I greeted my brother, who was working on something atop the dining table. "You guys ready?"

He glanced up at me and grinned before returning his attention to whatever he was doing. "Almost."

"What is taking so long!?" a seemingly frustrated Arthur asked from his closet, causing me to chuckle under my breath.

"It's the Feast of Stolen Fire. The king must look kingly," Merlin replied while playfully rolling his eyes.

"We might be here all night, then," I joked, earning a chuckle from my best friend.

I heard Arthur growl. "I am hardly going to look kingly in my undergarments, am I?"

"Have a little patience. Think of something pleasant," Merlin responded.

"You in the stocks?" the King muttered.

My brother rolled his eyes again, but didn't answer as he kept his focus on his task. I frowned and tilted my head as I stepped closer to him, finding that he was doing something to a belt. Trying to make another hole, I realised as I bit back a laugh that threatened to escape my mouth unrestrained.

"Wait one second..." Merlin mumbled to himself, looking annoyed that the knife wouldn't get through the thick leather.

"One," Arthur counted before stepping out of the closet, wearing a wine-red tunic underneath his chainmail... and no trousers. Lucky for my innocent eyes, the tunic was long enough to cover his underwear – though my face still got flooded with blood.

I giggled when my brother darted around to face him, instantly hiding the belt behind his back.

"What have you got there?" Arthur asked with a frown and a little bit of a pout on his cute face.

"Nothing," Merlin quickly answered, "my hand," he showed one hand, then he hid it behind his back again and switched hands on the belt, "my other hand," he showed his other hand. All while I was holding back a big bout of laughter.

Arthur gave him a sceptical look and stepped closer to him, then he grabbed his shoulders and forced him to turn around, quickly finding the belt. A frown claimed his handsome features once more as he snatched the item and inspected it for a second. He'd have to be blind not to notice the marks from the knife.

"Why are you putting another hole in this belt?" he inquired, his tone frighteningly calm while he narrowed his eyes at my brother.

"I was, um..." Merlin stuttered and he sent me a puzzled look. I shrugged in response. What can he do but tell the truth? "Enhancing it…" he finally responded with a meek smile. "For comfort... And ease of use."

I gave him a thumbs-up when he glanced at me again.

Arthur noticed our silent exchange and glared at us before asking, "Are you saying I am fat?"

"No!" Merlin quickly exclaimed. "I am saying that," he paused and tilted his head, "the belt is... one... hole... shy of ...perfection."

I giggled while the two of us stared at the King as we awaited a response.

"Ridiculous," Arthur scoffed and he snatched the belt, then he rounded his waist with it, looking strained as he tried to buckle it.

I covered my mouth as laughter threatened to storm through the barrier made up of my teeth digging into my bottom lip. Merlin and I shared an amused look at the sight of the King's fruitless efforts, which left him looking deflated like a puppy who's just been scolded.

"Don't be too hard on yourself," my brother offered, "a little extra padding goes with the job. What with all the feasts and banquets and ceremonies..."

And the barrier broke as laughter shook my body. "Merls!" I exclaimed in between chuckles, ignoring the half-bewildered-half-annoyed look that Arthur was giving both of us as his eyes darted between our figures while his hands were still battling to buckle the belt.

"Give it up, Peaches," I told him once I managed to compose myself.

He clenched his jaw, but handed the item over to Merlin anyway. "All right, Merlin, do what you have to do. Not a word of this to anyone, understand?" he commanded while pointing a menacing finger between us.

My brother and I shared another amused glance. "Trust me, if there is one thing Astra and I are good at, it's keeping secrets," he commented

Arthur gave us a nod of approval and took the belt again before disappearing into his closet once more.

"I dunno, buddy. I think it'd be rude not to let the team in on this," I whispered to Merlin once the King was out of sight, earning a chuckle and a mischievous grin.

When Arthur and I entered the grand hall fifteen minutes later, hand-in-hand, I was grateful to find that the courtiers were scattered about and conversing, too engaged in that to notice their King come in – which meant that there were no analysing or disapproving glances being cast upon my figure. Not even Agravaine's. 'Cause he wasn't even there.

I hope he's down with, like, Covid, or something.

Arthur noticed his uncle's absence, too, because he pulled Gaius to the side and asked him about it; but the physician responded that he has no idea where he may be.

I was only slightly taken aback (actually, very) when we reached the head of the table to find that there were two chairs placed on that end, rather than the usual one meant for the king.

I sent Arthur a questioning look as he pulled out the chair on the left for me, only earning a wink in return before he took the chair on the right and scooted it closer to mine, our knees touching under the table. He grabbed my hand again and placed a kiss on the back of it before looking around the room. In the meantime, my stomach was left buzzing and my heart doing cartwheels.

The courtiers and knights began to take their seats, too, and I shared a grin with Percival when he took the spot next to me.

Merlin, along with some other servants, started to bring plates to the table; setting them at the centre for everyone to help themselves to the feast. Most of it looked repulsive to me, save for a platter of rice with veggies and a bowl of mashed potatoes. That'll do.

I noticed George going around pouring wine into the cups. I watched as he switched bottles when he got to me and I frowned at him when he also poured the liquid into my glass. "Worry not, my Lady-Knight. This is only grape juice," he informed me before quickly moving on to Percival as he traded bottles again.

"Thanks," I called after him, earning a courteous nod.

I felt a burning hand on my thigh and turned to face Arthur, who sported a bright smile. "I know you do not like alcohol and I did not want you to feel left out, so I ordered it made," he said while motioning towards my cup with his head.

My heart skipped a beat as my face warmed up and I leaned closer to him a little, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, Artie. You're amazing."

He was about to reply when something else caught his attention.

"Ah! My favourite! Herb crusted caper!" he exclaimed as Merlin placed another, bigger, platter in front of the king. He seemed like a child during Christmas as he reached for a spoon so he could serve himself.

My brother and I exchanged a quick mischievous look and an even quicker nod.

"Easy, there, handsome," I warned my King with a teasing grin.

"We don't want any more holes in that belt," my brother finished and we shared a high-five.

Percival spit out some wine.

Gaius pressed his lips together as his eyes widened.

Merlin and I shared an unrestrained laugh.

"Ha-ha," Arthur mocked as his cheeks reddened. His arm shot out over me to grab the neck of Merlin's jacket and he pulled him downwards while his grip on my leg tightened – not enough to hurt me, but enough to make me tense up while he glared daggers at us. We both kept our smirks. "It is a good job you two do not have anything of any actual importance to keep a secret, is it not?" he said through gritted teeth as his fiery blue eyes jumped between us, then he shoved my brother backwards and removed his hand from my leg. I had to will myself not to whine at the loss of contact.

Merlin and I exchanged an amused look. Worth it!

One too many glasses of wine (and grape juice) later; Gwaine, Percival and I were standing atop a table while lamely dancing and singing along to the gramophone playing 'Living On A Prayer' by Bon Jovi (cliché, I know, but still epic). Most of the courtiers didn't seem at all happy with the developments, though some of the younger ones had warmed up to it. Especially the Ealdwine sisters, who were swaying to the rhythm.

"C'mon, Merls!" I called out to my best friend, who stood in a corner with Gwen and Gaius, the three watching with a mix of mortification and amusement. He shook his head and shied away, hiding partly behind the physician.

So Percival jumped off the table, strode over to him, threw him over his shoulder, and got him onto the table against all complaints.

A horrified-looking Louis ran into the room, cutting off the party as he announced that the lower town is on fire.

My heart instantly clenched and I leaped off the table and hurried to turn off the music before rushing to Arthur's side, ready to assist in any way possible as the knights huddled around him and the friendly guard.

Louis wasn't exaggerating. From the window could be seen a forest of flames and smoke that was slowly rising just beyond the castle limits, lighting up the night sky as the stars cowered into darkness, outshone by the chaos that was descending upon Camelot.

I can only pray that the horses will be safe.

"Find out what happened and help to put out the fire," the King quickly ordered.

"I'll get some buckets, but I need help," I announced as I looked around the circle for any volunteers.

"No, you are staying here," Arthur told me with a slight shake of his head and he grabbed my arm.

"No! Why?!" I protested, watching helplessly as some of the knights began to leave the room while trying to free my limb. He only tightened his grip.

"You are the future queen, I cannot have you out there risking your life," he replied sternly. I clenched my jaw. "I am staying here, too. To keep the people at ease. And I will need your help with that," he added, his eyes burning holes into mine.

"But–"

"Do as I say for once, Astraea. Please!"

I narrowed my eyes at him, but stopped struggling and dropped my shoulders in defeat as he dragged me back to our seats at the head of the table. Once there, he announced to the courtiers that everything is under control, but that they will have to wait a while before they can go back to their homes.

Meanwhile, the monster that is anxiety began to claw at me as the minutes ticked by without any news from the knights. As my heart pounded against my chest like Hulk trying to get out of a cage, I wondered if I could make a run for the door and escape Arthur so that I could aid the efforts. What good is a queen if she's just gonna sit back and let others do the hard work, no?

Anxiety morphed into dread as the warning bells shook the castle and panic broke out in the room.

I jumped to my feet, ready to run, but Arthur quickly grabbed my arm again as he, too, stood up; a worried look on his face.

Gwaine stormed into the grand hall as he called out, "Sire! We are under attack!" I gulped. "They are within the city walls!"

Arthur sprung into action as he took off his cape and he grabbed a sword, then he passed me another one.

"Merlin – get everyone to the inner chamber," he ordered. My brother instantly obeyed. "Gwaine – secure the armoury! Astra and Percival – with me!"

I gradually shook off the dress I was wearing as we sprinted out of the room, ignoring the chill that tickled my bones as the single layer between the cold November weather and my skin proved to be too little to keep me comfortable. But I didn't protest as I pushed my legs to run harder, doing my best to keep up with Arthur and Percival.

At some point down the corridor, Arthur ordered the taller blond, along with some other knights, to split from us while we kept going straight.

We went down a staircase and we reached the ground floor. Arthur wrapped an arm around my waist and pressed the both of us against the stone wall, motioning for the soldiers joining us to do the same, before he peeked out and assessed the situation.

A large wave of men in silver and black carrying torches flowed towards the castle.

My breath hitched. An army that big... I'd be dumb to assume they aren't going to pass through the equestrian facilities. And when they do, I doubt they care much for horses. They could injure them, or worse!

"Split up, cover as many doors and archways as you can. Do not let them get upstairs," Arthur ordered the knights before turning to me. "You are staying with me."

The plan was immediately set into motion and Arthur led me towards a corridor that leads to the armoury.

"Art – wait," I said as I grabbed his arm. He looked down at me, his lips parting. "I... I have to get to the horses. I-I need to make sure that Dal won't get hurt."

His eyes widened. "Astra, you could get hurt!" he protested. "Or worse," he added in a strained whisper.

"Artie, please..." my voice broke for a second, "you know what he means to me. I can't let anything happen to him."

He let out a shaky sigh and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest. "I know," he whispered and he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "I know."

My body trembled against his as I held onto him, praying that it won't be the last time.

Before long, he pulled away; only to cup my face in his hands and bring his lips down to mine in a sweet kiss. I lifted a hand to his hair and ran my fingers through it, trying to engrave into my mind every wild and, at the same time, calming sensation he provokes in me.

"I'll see you soon," I told him when he finally let me go. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Please be safe," he whispered.

"Always."

I sprinted down the corridor and towards a back door that I know could give me an easy path towards the paddocks.

I gripped my sword tightly as I pressed my back against a wall, peeking around to observe my surroundings. The smoky atmosphere caused me to recoil and hold back a cough as I covered my mouth and nose with the sleeve of my base-layer. I tried to hold off on breathing as I peeked around once more.

Screams and shouts could be heard in the distance, but there wasn't a single soul in sight. Almost as if they've neglected this part of the castle and are, instead, focusing on the main entrances. Well, lucky me!

I let my eyes scan the perimeter one last time before I rushed out of the building, trying to stick to the walls and remain hidden in the shadows as I ran along the cobblestone path, doing my best to land softly on my feet so that no one would hear my hurried footsteps.

My throat itched from the smoke that was pouring in through my nostrils, but I didn't let that hinder me as I quickly climbed over a fence and accelerated towards the horses. I could hear some nervous whinnies as the fire continued to burn nearby; the flames big enough that they would, no doubt, find the browning fields in no time.

I scrambled to open the latch of the gate to Dallas's paddock, then I pushed it wide open and whistled for him. He was by my side within seconds and I quickly threw my arms around his neck, planting a kiss on it before moving to rub his forehead.

"Get outta here, Dal," I paused to cough. "I promise I'll find you." I kissed his muzzle before stepping out of the way. He exited the paddock... but remained by my side as his herd-mates joined us at the gate

I huffed. I had not considered the fact that he's wired to follow me, which prompted his herd mates to stay with me, too. I shrugged before moving on to open the next paddock. The horses in it were quick to run out, not caring one bit for me as they galloped past the gates and into the forest, away from the fire. Tolkien and Gaius's mule were a bit altered by them, but they remained close as Dallas continued to calmly move behind me while I went towards the next paddock.

The horses in that one were quick to run away as well, as were the ones in the fourth and final one.

Screams and yells continued to fill the atmosphere and I paused to eye my surroundings again. It seems surreal that no one has found me yet. It makes me wonder if there could be anyone lurking in the shadows, ready to strike… But it seems I remain on my own... Plus eight horses that refuse to follow the rest. I'm not complaining. They're the best companions anyone could ask for.

A shiver travelled down my spine and my mind quickly reminded me of the duffel bag I keep in the tack-room. I ran towards the small stone and wooden building, with the horses trotting behind me in pursuit of Dallas's lead, and they remained outside as I went in.

I quickly retrieved the duffel bag from where it was hidden atop a support beam and opened it, then I pulled out the black hoodie that was in it. I threw it on and then I closed the bag again before flinging the strap over my shoulder.

My heart dropped to my stomach when I walked out of the tack-room to find a group of five enemy men walking my way. I'm not sure if they spotted me, but I'm certain that they spotted my equine friends.

I can hide, but what if they hurt them? I can mount Dallas and run away on him, but what if they follow us and hurt him while trying to get to me?

So I stepped out of the shadows and did something I never thought I'd ever do. With an excruciating pain filling every cell in my body and tears pooling in my eyes, I grabbed a lead rope and shooed Dallas away, prompting him to run towards the gates and into the forest. My internal organs churned when he seemed confused at first, and hesitant to move away even as I made violent moves with the rope. But, eventually, he took off running and so did his herd. Just in time for the invading soldiers to reach me.

With a half-blurred vision caused by the water that kept spewing out of my eyes, I engaged the men with my sword, knowing very well that I was fighting a losing battle. But that doesn't matter because Dallas is safe.

"F*ck," I muttered when my weapon was easily knocked out of my hands and two men quickly apprehended me roughly, their nails digging into my arms. A third man brought his face dangerously close to mine. I scrunched up my nose and recoiled at the disgusting sweat and rotten eggs smell that radiated off him. He grabbed my face with one hand, squeezing my cheeks painfully.

"What shall we do with this pretty little thing?"

I kneed him in the nether-regions, causing him to groan and let go of me. A fourth man slapped me hard across the face. A small whimper escaped me, but I didn't let that affect the glare I sent his way.

"Careful. This is Camelot's very own Lady-Knight and future queen," the fifth man announced with a mocking chuckle. "Our Lady will want to see her alive."

"Unhand her!" A familiar voice appeared out of nowhere and my eyes widened when I turned my head slightly to find Merlin running towards us.

A relieved sigh left me and a small grin formed on my lips – though it was quickly wiped away when one of the enemy soldiers apprehending me put a knife to my throat.

Unfortunately for the bastard, my brother has magic and isn't afraid to use it against ass-butts. His eyes glowed gold and, in a flash, all five men were unconscious on the ground. Or dead. I didn't stop to check as I ran towards him and jumped to hug him, clinging tightly to his torso despite my trembling body.

He kissed the top of my head. "Come on, we have to get out of here," he said as he grabbed my hand and began leading me towards the forest.