Camelot
September, 506 AD
I moved one of my pawns a square forwards and leaned back on my chair with a grin tugging at my lips as I stared at a slouching and slightly pale King Uther. My heart pounded steadily against my chest while I inwardly prayed that this would get a reaction from him. But he made no moves. His focus seemed lost in whatever mental multiverse of madness he was immersed in
"Your turn, buddy," I pressed, then I gave him a minute or two while keeping my gaze fixed on him.
Growing antsy, I sighed and decided to keep going. "Right, so, usually you just mirror me for the first few moves," I mumbled as I reached to move his own pawn, then I moved another one of mine and waited again.
Nothing came, so I copied my move again with his pieces. "Then I bring out my knight," I narrated as I moved one of my knights to the front. "And you get intimidated and bring out your queen 'cause you've learnt nothing," I said as I moved Uther's queen forwards. I slid one of my bishops to threaten her and leaned back again, hoping that the menace would snap him out of his trance. But he remained stoic.
My body jolted when Gwen entered the room unexpectedly, carrying a tray with tea and some pastries on it.
"Any luck?" she asked as she set the tray down on the table, right next to the chessboard.
"Nope. He's like a forking statue," I replied in a mumble. I rapidly ventured to clap my hands in front of Uther's face. Gwen jumped with a slight gasp, while he remained unmoving.
I huffed, "Y'know, I almost wanna hire a sorcerer and have them turn his hair pink. That's bound to get a reaction." Gwen's eyes widened in horror, causing me to laugh. "But I could just do that myself," I noted and I laughed harder when her jaw dropped.
"You would not dare!"
"Is that a challenge, Gwennie?" I asked with a smirk.
"Do not answer that. She will do it," Arthur's voice suddenly entered the conversation, causing my heart to skip a beat.
My eyes darted towards the door to find him leaning casually against the threshold, a playful grin curving his lips as he watched me with amusement dancing in his pretty eyes.
I raised a mischievous eyebrow. "You think it'd work?"
"I am not answering that, either," he responded while pointing a stern finger.
"I'm taking it as a 'yes', then," I stated as my smile grew.
"No, it would not work," Gwen quickly stepped in.
"Well, there's only one way to find out," I countered.
"Astra – you are not going to colour the King's hair pink!" Merlin seemingly materialised at Arthur's side and he gave me a serious look.
I pouted and dramatically slumped in my chair while crossing my arms in fake anger. "Fine. I'll figure out something else soon."
"I know you will," Arthur said, causing me to drop the grumpy act and smile once more.
Merlin playfully rolled his eyes and went to change the sheets on the King's bed while Gwen moved to make her daily attempts at getting him to eat. I let out a frustrated sigh and packed the chessboard, realising that I'm not going to fix the depressed man today.
"Care to join me for a ride?" Arthur asked as he accompanied me to my room so that I could return the game to its place among my other board games.
"Heck yeah!"
About half-an-hour later, we were standing on top of a small hill that overlooks the castle after having raced each other up it. Obviously, Dallas and I won and it wasn't even close.
The light stone towers reached proudly towards the partly cloudy blue expanse above them, proclaiming Camelot's power to the heavens. The leaves on the trees all around swayed gently, producing a calming swooshing sound that blended with the chirping of birds and the occasional whistling of the wind. The air smelled of a pure, raw nature that will never be found in modern cities. In summary – it's pretty close to paradise.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Arthur packed some snacks and we sat down on the yellowing grass after letting the horses loose to graze.
"Thank you," he said after a few silent minutes of us simply contemplating the beautiful late summer landscape. I turned to him with a questioning look. "For everything you are doing to try to help my father."
I smiled and shrugged nonchalantly. "I have a PhD in bein' annoying. Something's bound to make him snap back to life."
"A Pee-dee-what?" he questioned as his face cutely scrunched up in confusion.
I dropped my head and sighed before trying again, "Just... annoying is my specialty."
He snorted and gently nudged my leg with his. "I do not think you are annoying."
"What? Of course you do!" I argued. He shook his head. "Not even a little?" I asked while narrowing my eyes in scepticism.
"No."
"You're lying." He laughed. "C'mon, admit it. I'm annoying," I pressed purposely to try to prove my point.
"Stubborn," Arthur offered instead.
"That, too. But also annoying. Say it," I kept going. He shook his head. "Say it – I'm annoying!"
He promptly shut me up by placing a hand on the back of my neck and pressing his lips against mine. It took me by surprise, but I quickly allowed myself to get lost in the kiss, unable to help but melt in his naturally warm arms as they circled my waist and pulled me closer to his body.
"That's cheatin'," I accused once we separated.
Arthur laughed and squeezed me to his side before sliding his hand down to rest it on my hip. I leaned my head against his shoulder and let out a contented sigh as I looked down at the kingdom again.
Everything seems so small from up here. So beautiful. So fragile. I can't imagine the weight that Arthur must be feeling at the prospect of taking over his father's duties in ruling the lands. It's quickly becoming a very real possibility, seeing as Uther's spirits were broken down almost completely by Morgana's betrayal. The responsibility must be terrifying for him.
"Everything that the light touches will be yours, Simba," I whispered while raising a contemplative eyebrow.
"Who?" Arthur asked as he frowned down at me. I waved him off and he chuckled. "Not just mine. I will need a queen to rule by my side, when the time comes," he noted as his thumb rubbed circles over my hip and sent sparks through my skin.
My heart sped-up at the implications.
I can't take care of a whole population! I can barely take care of my own self on a good day!
I hummed while restraining the internal panic. "I'll help ya' find one," I replied, only half-joking.
Arthur chuckled and he kissed the side of my head, causing me to instinctively move closer to him.
"I have something to give you," he stated and he pulled something out of the pocket of his leather jacket.
A small, dark blue, velvet box.
My breath hitched in my throat.
Not yet! Not yet! Not yet!
A metaphorical layer of ice coated my lungs as he opened the cube to reveal a thin silver ring with a small, white, heart-shaped diamond in the centre and one smaller, silver heart to each side of it.
"I am not asking you to marry me. I know that you are not ready, yet," Arthur said. I couldn't help but sigh in relief and I gave him an apologetic look. He responded with a small smile. "Think of this as a place-holder. A promise that I will wait for you, however long it takes," he continued. My heart continued to accelerate as he gently slipped the ring onto my finger. "And, when you are ready, I will be delighted to exchange it for the real one."
I gulped as I looked up at his soft cerulean eyes, my mouth suddenly unable to form words as he smiled down at me.
I still can't believe I got so lucky to find someone like him! Arthur freaking Pendragon. The legend in the making. It doesn't make sense at all! Why me?! Why him?! I don't deserve him! He needs someone who's strong, and stable, and can rule by his side effectively! Not a crazy girl with anxiety and an obsession with superheroes! But, for some insane reason, he wants me. So what else can I do? other than be grateful for him, and treasure him, and make sure he knows how insanely much I love him. 'Cause I'm certainly never gonna let him go.
"I love you," I finally blurted out and I jumped to hug him as tightly as I could, tucking my face into the crook of his neck.
"I love you, too, my girl. So much."