Camelot

February, 509 AD

"Back... back... back... Good boy!" I fed Stark a piece of carrot and rubbed his neck, my lips curving upwards at the way in which his attention always seems to remain on me even as other knights and horses ride past the arena on their way to their patrolling shifts.

Next, I asked him to stay in place and moved some steps away. His curious brown eyes followed me and his ears perked up. He shifted his weight and I could sense he was thinking about following me, so I quickly returned to his side and rewarded him for remaining in place before he could make a move. "Y'know, if Dallas wasn't so perfect and I hadn't already kinda kept 'Speare for myself, I might've thought about partnering up with you," I told the handsome bay. "I'm sure that Perci will love ya', though."

I asked him to stay once more and backed away some metres. He seemed much more convinced of his task this time around and I was able to wait a bit longer than the previous try before returning to his side and rewarding him once more.

"Astra." I started at the unexpected sound of Gwen's voice and found her leaning against the fence of the arena. "Merlin wants you to go to Gaius's chambers."

I tilted my head at the request, but still clipped Stark's lead-rope back on and led him to the gate. "Any idea why?" I asked my friend as I began to lead the horse back to his paddock.

"No. All I know is that Arthur was asked to be there, as well."

At that, a smile formed on my lips and I picked up my pace, not stopping to acknowledge a chuckle from Gwen.

I entered Gaius's apartment to find him and Arthur sitting at a table, and Merlin standing to the side. "'Sup," I greeted while approaching them. My King didn't hesitate before grabbing my arm and pulling me to sit on his lap; which earned an unrestrained eye-roll from my brother and an amused snort from the physician that he quickly masked with a cough. I ignored them both and kissed my husband's cheek.

My husband...

"You've got bits of carrot on your shoulder," Merlin noted stoically while gesturing towards my right shoulder.

I frowned and looked down at my sleeve, finding that, indeed, I had some horse slobber and little bits of carrot. I shrugged it off. Perks of being a horse girl.

Once Gaius was done judging me, he reached into his pocket and revealed the fancy coin that Arthur got from Osgar while casting me a pointed look that effectively got me to restrain a scoff.

"Do not tell me Merlin has got you believing his nonsense, too, Gaius," my King said.

"This is a runemark, My Lord," the physician responded in a cautious tone.

"That is what everyone keeps telling me," Arthur replied while sending an annoyed glance towards my brother.

"In times past, this mark aroused great fear," Gaius noted gravely. "It was given to those found wanting by the court of the Disir."

I clenched my jaw and shared an irritated look with my King while my mind seriously considered tracking down whatever the Disir is and punching him/her/it/them for daring to suggest that Arthur is anything less than good.

"The Disir?" Merlin echoed.

"The highest court of the Old Religion," Gaius responded. "Three women were chosen at birth to be trained as seers and soothsayers. Their only task was to interpret the word of the Triple Goddess... When they sat in judgement, their word was final."

"So, what, they're like the Fates from Greek mythology?" I asked.

"In a sense," the physician responded. I let out a puff.

"All this worn-out superstition has no relevance now. I do not see what bearing it has on me or Camelot," Arthur stated. I promptly nodded in agreement and squeezed his hand.

"Because, Sire, the Disir saw fit to give you this," Gaius replied, his tone gentle but firm this time. "This is the judgement of the gods against you."

"There's only one God, Pops, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't go 'round handing out coins," I shot back without missing the chance to reference Captain America. My hands were starting to get a bit fidgety in defiance of the unconcerned appearance I was trying to keep and I glared down at them for a second.

Arthur gulped. "She is right. This is... nonsense, surely?"

Gaius continued, "The Old Religion held that the runemark not only contained a man's guilt–"

"Guilty of what?! Makin' Camelot a better place?!" I cut him off in exasperation and shot up as I started to pace.

He cast me a cautionary look before finishing his statement, "But the path that the gods had chosen for him. That is why it is both a judgement and fate."

"I make my own fate," Arthur stated as he stood up as well and began heading towards the door, taking my hand as he passed by me. I was only too happy to follow him.

"Do you?" the physician's voice caused him to halt and I huffed in annoyance while squeezing my eyes shut for a second. Arthur turned back to the elderly man. "It is said that only the gods can alter a man's fate... And even then, only when he repents and appeases them."

"Well, then they're lousy gods and they're gonna get some bullets put in their heads," I growled while clenching my fists – instantly easing them up when I realised that I was still holding Arthur's hand after he made a little pained noise. "Sorry."

He responded with a gentle squeeze and turned back to Gaius as he warily said, "You do not believe any of this." The elderly man remained silent. "Gaius?"

The physician put down the coin and sat back, sighing before responding, "I am an old man, Sire. Old enough to be wary of dismissing other people's beliefs." Then he sent me a pointed look and I clenched my jaw once more.

My stomach dropped as I watched Arthur's scepticism fade away and get replaced by fear. He went to take the magic coin again and gave me a somewhat frightened look that broke my heart. I bit down on my bottom lip and averted my gaze, ice flooding my veins as I felt the metaphorical ground I stand on start to get shaky.

I love being freaking married to Arthur. He means the world to me and I wouldn't change a thing about our relationship (well, except for the fact that he still doesn't know that I technically haven't been born yet, but... details). However, there is a downside to sharing a bed with him every night, and that lies in the fact that I can't resort to watching movies and series, or playing video-games, if I ever find myself unable to sleep. Sure, I could go to my room and hide out for a couple of hours, but I don't wanna wake him up – especially considering that he has a firm grip on my waist that would be very hard to shake off. So I must endure.

Without my phone, it's impossible to tell how many hours I lay awake with my head spinning in a sea of chaos, unable to focus on a single idea as more and more things kept piling up. Like garbage being dumped and scrambled at a busy landfill.

Suddenly, Arthur shifted beside me and I let my gaze drift to his face, finding that his eyes were open. Or partly, at least. In any case, they scanned me for a few seconds. Then he sighed and asked in a sleepy voice, "Have you slept at all?"

"Yeah, I've probably spent about a third of my life doing that," I responded, earning an unimpressed look. "Just... not tonight."

He frowned and moved a hand to cover my stomach with it. "Are you hurting?"

I smiled at his concern (he found out that I'm on my period earlier when I refused to engage in... stuff) and I covered his hand with mine before shaking my head, "Nah. I'd actually forgotten about that."

Perhaps I could ask Merlin to rid me of that particular nuisance, but he'd been disturbed enough when I asked him to use magic on me so that I can't get pregnant until I want to... In ten years, maybe… And I simply told Arthur that Gaius gave me something. So I think it's fair that I deal with at least this like a normal human...

Arthur gave me a cute grin and then he moved to nuzzle into the crook of my neck, pressing a soft kiss before letting out a sigh that sent shivers down my spine as it fanned over my skin. "What is troubling you, then? Are you thinking about what Gaius said?" he asked.

I bit down on my bottom lip and quickly figured that there's no use in lying to him before breathing out, "Yeah."

He sat up a little and searched my gaze for a moment before I relented to making eye-contact. "You seemed to be set against everything he told us," he noted.

"Yeah... I just hate this talk of fate so much."

"I would hate to think that it is true," Arthur revealed, causing me to grin a little. "The idea that, no matter what I do, I will always live as a shadow of my father... A reminder of all the suffering he caused..." He trailed off with a gulp.

"But you're not like him, Artie. Not by a long-shot," I assured him while placing a hand on his cheek. "You're a precious ray of sunshine who's brought light and hope to Camelot, and I know that things will only continue to get better under your rule." I shifted slightly, suddenly feeling like I was melting under the soft stare he gave me. "So... y'know... fork whatever the stupid Disir thinks."

"You seem very certain that we should dismiss this... warning," he said.

"I'm not, really, but I have to be," I responded, earning a puzzled frown. "'Cause, y'know, 'if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything'. And I refuse to fall for the words of a bunch of manipulative beings who are tryin' to scare you into submission."

"Is that all you think this is?" he asked.

"Y-yeah. I may have sympathy for magic people, but I don't believe in the Old Religion. I mean... I know for a fact that there are powerful beings out there with the means to force history to take one path or another... But I don't think they're the same as actual God, y'know?"

I gulped under Arthur's intense gaze, feeling like a bug who was being analysed under a microscope.

"You are incredibly wise, did you know that?" he asked after maybe a minute, causing me to snort. "I am serious! You never cease to fascinate me!"

"You're cute to listen to the ramblings of a sleep-deprived nutcase," I told him with a lopsided grin before reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"Be careful how you speak about my wife," he growled, then he pressed his lips against mine. I sighed and gently stroked his jawline, enjoying the momentary break I got from my internal philosophical crazy-fest as all my senses were flooded by him. "I am inclined to believe that you are right about all of this. I hope you are right..." he stated once he pulled away.

"But you're not sure," I realised.

He sighed and averted his gaze, looking troubled once more as he noted, "Merlin has different ideas."

"I know... It sucks when he and I aren't on the same page," I responded in a mumble, feeling my stomach start twisting again.

"I am scared, Astra," Arthur confessed in a whisper, which caused my heart to shatter. "I really want to be as steady in my beliefs as you are, but... What if I really have transgressed in some way? What if I have put Camelot in danger?"

I grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it before responding, "You know that I'd never fault you for thinking differently to me, right?" He smiled softly once more and gently placed his free hand on my cheek. I swallowed my reservations and fears before adding, "If you wanna dig deeper into this, I'll be right by your side."

He breathed out a barely audible "Astra..." before he moved to lean his forehead against mine, his eyes closing as a stray tear escaped them. I reached up to wipe it away and cupped his face, moving him away slightly and gently tapping his cheek in a silent request to get him to look at me again. He did.

"Know this, though, Arthur Pendragon," I said, trying to sound stern while still keeping my tone soft, "you are objectively an amazing King, and a truly good man, and Camelot is unbelievably lucky to have you." I paused to give him a quick kiss. "I'm unbelievably lucky to have you."

Arthur seemed stunned for a second – or five, or sixty – as he kept staring at me. And I almost feared he was having a stroke, or something. Then a smile broke on his lips once more and he huffed before he whispered, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

My heart did a backflip and I scoffed, "Please, if anything, you got a crappy deal."

"You really are crazy if you believe that," my King stated and he silenced any comebacks I might've shot back with a passionate kiss that swiftly ignited every cell in my body and melted my organs. One of his hands travelled to fiddle with the waistband of my PJ pants. "Are you sure we cannot–"

I swatted his hand away as I scolded, "Arthur, don't be gross."

I was securing my duffel bag behind Dallas's saddle when I heard some shuffling footsteps behind me, accompanied by the sound of a throat clearing. I paused and turned around, startling when I found Merlin and Gwaine standing right behind me. My brother looked like he was about to punch me in the face.

I gave them a sheepish grin as I averted my gaze, cowering under their scrutinising stares.

"Look, I know what you're gonna say – I've gotta stop being so supportive," I admitted.

"No..." "Yes," Gwaine and Merlin said at the same time, then they exchanged a narrow-eyed look that caused me to giggle a little.

"In my defence," I said, "I didn't think he was gonna come up with this when I told him I have his back... And you should've seen the look he was giving me! I couldn't say 'no'!"

'This' meaning that Arthur decided that we will go looking for the Disir, as he wants to confront them about their judgement. Which is, obviously, a very dumb idea.

"Well, he won't be able to give you any looks if he gets himself killed!" Merlin snapped, making me recoil and stumble a little until my back hit Dallas's side. The horse turned to me, his ears perking a little.

"Merlin!" Gwaine scolded and he elbowed my brother's side; then he stepped forwards and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Ignore that, sweetheart. Nothing bad is going to happen to Arthur. We were just checking to make sure you are all right." He paused and sent a quick glare towards Merlin before adding in a mutter, "Or I thought that is what we were doing."

I sighed and allowed myself to smile a little as I gave my best friend a grateful look. "Well, I'm not thrilled, but it is what it is. And someone's gotta keep my himbo from... y'know... gettin' himself killed."

"Everything will be all right, kid," the knight assured me and he pressed a kiss to my forehead before stepping back and giving my brother another stern look, then he walked away and went to get Fallyn.

I let my eyes fall on Merlin once more and cowered again when I saw the dead seriousness in his stare. "Merls..." I began softly. In a flash, he pulled me into a tight hug and I felt him let out a long, shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, Astra," he whispered. "I am scared, and a little bit annoyed, but I should not take it out on you. You have done nothing wrong. It is just... the prophecy that Kilgharrah spoke about keeps coming up, and I am afraid we will not be able to stop it."

Ironically, a sigh of relief left me at that – at finding that my brother isn't really mad at me – and I returned the embrace. "S'all right. I'm scared, too," I confessed.

"Don't worry. I will protect you and Arthur," he promised. "Nothing has been able to defeat us until now, right?"

"Right," I affirmed with a small grin.

Merlin backed away a little and looked me in the eyes as he stated, "I am always on your side, Astra. Even if we do not always see eye-to-eye."

"I know you are, and I love you for it."

"I love you, too," he responded and he kissed the top of my head before releasing me. "Come on, we should go before Arthur starts to whine."

I chuckled at that and nodded before getting a halter so that I could get Tequila from the paddock.

Only a day into the three-day journey to the Black Mountains, I started to sort of regret coming along, for it turned out to be a very annoying trip. You'll possibly empathise with the reason, as it's a simple one that can be summarised in one word: blood. I'm just grateful I never get any cramps.

Still, I endured and swallowed all complaints while spending most of the time riding alongside Arthur, who didn't really say much other than giving out orders.

Finally, we made it to the location that Gaius had provided him with and the horses were left a nice distance away, for protection, as we continued on foot towards a cave that was nestled on the side of a giant, mossy rock.

"My Lord?" Merlin called the King's attention as we creeped towards the entrance.

Arthur sounded annoyed as he asked, "What is it, Merlin?"

"This place is sacred."

"It is a cave, Merlin."

"It's more than that."

"Any one cave is the same as another."

"Artie –" I interjected, "he's right. I mean, if the Disir live here, then this place has religious importance to some people."

Arthur sighed and finally gave Merlin his full attention. I got a grateful nod from the sorcerer before he addressed the King again, "You cannot go armed into a sacred place"

Maybe I should've kept my mouth shut.

"You think we should go in there unarmed?!" Arthur asked in exasperation. My brother cowered slightly, but still nodded. "Of all the ridiculous things that you have ever said, Merlin – and there has been a few – that is the most ridiculous. By far."

"Okay, how about we keep our swords, but we keep 'em sheathed. If anyone attacks us, then we can bring them out," I suggested, figuring that it's a fair middle-ground.

"I thought you did not believe in this," Arthur argued.

"I don't, but there's a difference between not believing and being disrespectful."

"Sire, if I may," Gwaine stepped up beside me. Arthur sighed and nodded at him. "I think that Trae offers a sensible plan."

"I know," my King relented in a low voice, then he slipped his hand into mine and turned around to address the rest of the party. "I believe you have all heard your queen. Keep your swords sheathed unless there is a threat."

The knights promptly put their swords away again and I reached up to kiss Arthur's cheek. He responded with a soft squeeze to my hand and then we continued walking towards the cave.

Upon entering, we instantly found a bunch of witchy-looking ornaments hanging from the ceiling, which gave me an eerie feeling as they reminded me a little too much of the shrine we encountered over a year ago – where the Druid boy ghost possessed Elyan.

"Don't touch anything, guys. We don't need another ghost problem," I called back to the knights in a whisper.

Arthur squeezed my hand again and I returned the gesture.

A short distance into the cave, we reached a bigger chamber that had some faint rays of sunlight filtering through some cracks at the top and illuminating the centre. And underneath those stood three cloaked, hooded figures that all held wooden staffs. I gulped as a chill ran down my spine and I stepped closer to Arthur, clutching his arm.

"I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot," my King spoke with authority as he addressed the figures. "I come to know the meaning of this." He tossed the coin at them.

I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. This is definitely not the way to go about this.

"The Grove of Brineved is in the kingdom of Camelot, subject to its laws, its decrees," he continued. "Every man, however humble, however noble, has the right to be judged only by his peers. Yet you judge me in my absence. Explain yourselves."

"Maybe try not to anger them," I whispered, only earning another hand-squeeze in return.

"We do not judge," one of the figures said.

"We do not condemn," a second one added.

"We are but the internuncio of the one who presides over all," number three continued.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Who sees all," number one spoke again.

"Who knows all," number two followed.

And number three, "The Triple Goddess."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes – not wanting to anger them.

"And you, Arthur Pendragon, have angered her," number one claimed.

"How so?" Arthur questioned. "Have I not been an honourable king? Have I not made Camelot a fair and just kingdom?"

I squeezed his hand again in what I hope felt like reassurance.

"So much is true," number one responded.

"But you have denied the Old Religion."

"Dismissed its faith."

"Persecuted its followers."

"Even unto slaughter."

I clenched my jaw. I think they're confusing Arthur with his dad. I mean, didn't he save an elderly witch from the pyre two months ago? And there haven't been any executions of magic users in a very long time. At least not any that have been ordered directly by him. From what I know, anyway.

"I fight against sorcery. Dangerous magic, that is all," Arthur defended. I ran my thumb over his knuckles when I felt him tense up.

"Embrace the ways of the Old Religion, Arthur," number one took it up again. "Or risk the ire of the Goddess."

"The destruction of everything you most value."

A soft gasp escaped me when my King suddenly moved me behind him.

"The end of your reign."

"The fall of Camelot itself."

"I refuse to be judged by those who do not know me," Arthur spat back, raising his voice this time.

"You are known, Arthur," number one claimed. "You have always been known!"

I couldn't stay silent anymore as I stepped up next to my King again and responded, "Well, then you're looking at him through a stained lens, 'cause any citizen of Camelot will tell you about a King with a heart of gold and a pure soul."

"Queen Astraea Aphelion," number one acknowledged and my eyes widened in fear that she would say what tends to follow – 'the girl out of time'. But she simply smirked in a way that caused my lungs to freeze.

"You believe yourself to be a genius... a hero," number two spoke.

I gulped, her words dropping on me like a tonne of bricks. I'm not that arrogant, am I?

"But even you cannot stop what is coming," number three finished and my breath hitched.

"Enough!" I flinched as Gwaine stepped forwards. "You speak of the King and queen!"

In a flash, my best friend was sent flying backwards and I watched him hit his head against a wall. My ears started to ring as I breathed out a "No" and I rushed towards him.

"On me!" Arthur called out as he unsheathed his sword, prompting the other knights to do the same.

Oh, this is a mess!

My heart got caught in my throat when I saw one of the creepy women aim her staff like a lance at my King, and I was ready to jump and push him out of the way. Only, Mordred beat me to the act as he leaped in front of Arthur and took the hit for himself.

I should've stayed quiet.

I felt my lungs starting to get heavy as my eyes darted between Gwaine and Mordred's unconscious figures, my heart racing at the speed of a sailfish on cocaine. I saw Percival throw the youngest knight over his shoulder, while Leon and Elyan teamed up to grab Gwaine.

"Astra, come on!" I started at Arthur's panicked voice near me and he promptly grabbed my hand before practically dragging me out of the cave as some rocks began to collapse.