Camelot
July, 509 AD
Even in the middle of the war of our lifetimes, the Camelot-Gawant-Sussex alliance found a way to turn existence into a massive casino; and the light-hearted atmosphere that this created was a very welcome contrast to the long days of heavy planning we've powered through over the last week.
Francis's tavern was packed to the brim on a particular Saturday night in which a bunch of us decided to let down for a while and have fun. Mind you, a tavern isn't really my idea of 'fun', but I didn't want to be a party-pooper.
I was engaged in a very intense match of chess with Benjamin (who has taken to the game spectacularly well), while Camelot's mightiest heroes, Cynebald, and some of the foreign knights placed bets on a simple game of dice that was purely reliant on luck. Their constant cheers and butt-sore arguments made it a little hard to concentrate on strategy, but I was still confident in my ability to best the Prince of Gawant.
I smirked to myself as Benjamin made a greenie mistake in moving a knight to take one of my pawns, leaving a couple of spots unprotected that could easily help me check-mate the king. I quickly moved a bishop that threatened a rook, which, if moved, would leave the Prince's king exposed to one of my rooks and my queen
Benjamin puffed and leaned back on his seat. "You are good," he acknowledged while taking a single glance at me.
"I know," I responded with a wink, earning a huff.
I tapped my fingers on the table as I waited for the Prince to make a move, which seemed to be taking him a very long time to calculate.
"Astraea!" I suddenly heard Arthur's voice from across the room and I turned my head to look at him, finding that he was about to compete against Sir John of Gawant.
"Yeah?"
"Come and cheer me on!" he demanded.
I scoffed, "Artie – the moment you start playing something that actually requires skill, I'll be right there to be your number one cheerleader. In the meantime – have fun losing money!" I didn't let my gaze linger on his falling face, nor did I fixate on the hearty laughs that echoed the room, as I turned back to the chessboard, noticing that Benjamin had made his move. "Finally!" I chirped before making my own move.
Some ten minutes later, I won the game, earning a long groan from the Prince.
"You did well, buddy," I assured him while patting his arm.
"If you say so," he grumbled in response, which made me chuckle. "But I think I will try my luck, now," he added before standing up and walking over to the dice people.
I sighed in disappointment, but packed up the chessboard anyway and joined my friends, hopping to sit on a table next to my brother and Gwen, both of whom seemed to be enjoying watching the rounds.
Arthur drifted to my side and he wrapped his arms around my waist as he kissed my cheek. I recoiled and scrunched up my nose when I noticed that he smelled a little bit like alcohol. "Have you finally come to cheer me on?" he asked.
"Nope. Just here to watch," I responded with a little grin, earning a narrow-eyed look.
I started when a halfway-drunk Leon cheered loudly, and I giggled and rolled my eyes playfully when I saw that the reason for his excitement was that he beat a pouty Cynebald at the game.
"Who is next?!" Percival called out.
"Oh! I have a fun idea!" Gwaine claimed as a smirk formed on his face. "What if Arthur takes on Merlin?"
Arthur scoffed and raised an eyebrow. "Merlin?"
"I'm in," my brother stated with a nonchalant shrug.
"Yeah, buddy! Kick his butt!" I cheered him on while patting his back excitedly.
"Hey!" my King whined as he turned to me, looking offended. I gave him an innocent grin and kissed the side of his jaw.
"All right!" Percival chirped. "Place your bets! It is the King against his servant!"
A reluctant Arthur and a smug-looking Merlin moved to take a stand on either side of the table that was being used to play the game and I grinned at my brother's demeanour. Gwaine shuffled to stand beside me and he and I exchanged a knowing glance, while Gwen looked slightly unnerved.
"Do you think he would dare?" she asked us in a whisper – obviously referring to the idea of Merlin using magic to win the game.
"He better! I just put all of my money on him to win!" Gwaine responded, which made me burst out laughing.
My King's expression turned proud as he grabbed the cup that contained the two dice and he did some pathetic moves as he spun it around his head before confidently calling out, "Three!" as he let the dice fall to the table.
Wouldn't you know it, he rolled a two and a one, earning some cheers from around the room.
"Feel free to retire at any time," he told my brother as he raised his eyebrows challengingly while gathering the dice back in the cup.
"Likewise," Merlin sharply responded.
"It is no, uh... disgrace for a servant to lose to his King," Arthur continued arrogantly.
"Or a King to his servant," my brother shot back, and he chuckled when that earned him a bunch of laughs and 'oooh!'s from around the room. Meanwhile my King appeared to hold back a grin as he stared at Merlin intently.
Merlin pulled a bunch of coins out of his pocket and placed his wager in a nonchalant manner before grabbing the cup with the dice. Instead of rattling it around like a clown, he shook it a little and brought it up to his mouth, appearing to press a kiss to the back of it. I swear I saw his eyes flash gold.
"Ten," he said and let the dice fall. Sure enough, two fives appeared and part of the room cheered again.
"You go, Merls!" I exclaimed and offered up a high-five, which he quickly moved to deliver.
Arthur looked enraged as he clenched his jaw and glared at me for a moment. I gave him a little wink. He turned back to my brother and whispered something I couldn't catch. I might have to lock myself in my room tonight, or he might tickle me to death...
My King rolled again and called a twelve... but a three and a one fell on the table, earning a bunch of displeased noises from the crowd. Merlin stroked his chin smugly as he let out an 'oof'. "You put me off," Arthur accused him.
"What are you talking about?" my brother questioned.
"You just coughed," the King stated, making some people chuckle.
"Someone's a sore loser," I murmured to Gwen and Gwaine.
Merlin gestured towards his neck as he responded, "I was clearing my throat."
"You just coughed, deliberately," Arthur declared.
"Ahh," my brother said while shaking his head in mock disappointment. "I knew you'd discover my secret in the end. There is just no fooling you, My Lord."
My King seemed very taken aback when that produced a hearty boom of laughter from around the room and I felt a little bad for him. He's too precious for this world... I didn't feel bad enough to keep myself from giggling at my brother's excellent use of sarcasm, though.
"Right," Merlin turned serious again and he pulled out some more coins, which almost doubled the stack upon the table.
"It's like that, is it?" Arthur questioned in a raspy tone. Merlin nodded nonchalantly in response. So the King took out some coins as well and he doubled his own wager.
My brother rattled the dice yet again, he brought them up to his mouth, and he said, "Twelve," as he let them fall on the table – producing two sixes!
The room exploded in cheers and I doubled over laughing at the very embarrassed (and adorable) look on Arthur's face.
I closed my eyes and clutched my Spider-Man pillow tighter as I heard the door to the room creaking open, indicating that Arthur was back from the tavern. I returned home earlier because I felt exhausted from the intense dose of socialising; however, I haven't been able to fall asleep because... well... I've kind of gotten used to having him with me and I couldn't get comfortable on the bed by myself. Spider-Man wasn't much help. Still, I have to pretend to be miles into dreamland, or I'll surely have to endure some consequences for having sided with Merlin during the dice game – which usually involves some long minutes of a tickle attack. Followed by husband-and-wife stuff... Which I can live without if it means avoiding torture.
The sound of shuffling footsteps let me know that my King was moving about and I felt myself tense up when the noise got louder, indicating that he was moving closer to me.
I couldn't help but scrunch up my nose at the renewed scent of alcohol on him when he leaned down to kiss my forehead and he let out a faint chuckle, which only intensified the scent. "I knew you were awake," he whispered.
Oh, well. Cat's outta the bag.
I moved Spider-Man up to cover my nose. "How much did you drink?" I asked, my voice muffled by the pillow.
"Not enough to make me drunk, do not worry," Arthur responded gently.
"Good, but you still stink," I noted.
My heart blasted off when, in a swift move, he ripped Spider-Man away and he had me on my back with one of his hands pinning both of mine against my chest. He grinned and said, "If you think that will get you out of trouble..." I gulped when he trailed off. A nanosecond later, he was attacking my ribs.
"No, please," I cried as I squirmed, unable to stop myself from laughing.
"You chose my servant over me!" he accused in between chuckles as he slid his hand under my PJ top, now directly tickling my stomach as I fought fruitlessly to free myself.
"He's my brother!" I defended. "And you know I like underdogs!"
Of course, that did nothing to stop the tickling attack and laughter tears began to escape my eyes as I continued to laugh and wriggle in Arthur's grasp. An electric shiver travelled down my spine when he began trailing kisses on my neck.
"No! Gross! You stink!" I instantly protested. "At least shower first!" And I somehow managed to get a knee up to his stomach, pushing him away.
He huffed and rolled off to lie down next to me. I instantly snatched my pillow off the floor and nuzzled into it again while giving my King an expectant look.
"It is three in the morning, Astra. I am not going to take a bath right now," he stated. Then he lazily sat up and said, "I'll get changed and brush my teeth, though."
"Good boy," I quipped and reached over to pat his arm, giving him an innocent smile when he replied with a playful eye-roll. With that, he got up and disappeared into his bathroom while I curled up and closed my eyes again.
It wasn't long before Arthur returned to the bed and wrapped me in his arms. I took a deep breath and grinned when I found that he smelled almost normal again. Which is good enough, I guess, if I don't wanna sleep alone.
He let out a soft chuckle and kissed the top of my head. "Better?"
"Much," I responded before reaching up to kiss his cheek. "I love you, Artie."
"I love you more, Astra."
"Impossible, but you're welcome to dream."
The next day wasn't so fun as some of the knights, led by Leon, Gwaine and Percival, returned home from a routine patrol visit with multiple wounded men; a sole survivor from the village – a woman, who seemed to have taken a liking to Percival; and looks of terror that sent a chill through my bones. Gaius, Merlin, Daegal and Gwen were quick to jump to deal with the injuries, while Leon asked to gather the council so that they could explain what happened.
The council room was embarrassingly crowded thanks to the extra overflow of knights from Sussex and Gawant; but I can't complain because I'm incredibly grateful that the Princes found it in their hearts to join forces with Camelot.
I was practically vibrating with anxiety on my seat beside Arthur, my knee bouncing up and down restlessly while my hands fiddled with his fingers and the 'Skylo' bracelet on his wrist – something that he graciously allowed without any resistance.
"A force of rogue Saxons," Leon began to explain, which caused Cynebald to let out a low growl. "They crossed the northern border last night and attacked the garrison at Stowell."
"They march under Morgana's command?" Arthur inquired.
"There can be no doubt about it, Sire," Gwaine responded. "It's not men we faced, but sorcery." His wary eyes found mine and I gave a little grimace.
Low chatter broke out around the room as the knights worried about the implications of my best friend's revelation.
"We should not be surprised," Arthur spoke firmly, ending the hushed conversations. "She has been massing an army for weeks... Now with Stowell taken, she has a base at our northern border, which can only mean one thing – she means to take Camelot."
Some murmurs could be heard again, which caused me to frown. Are people honestly so stunned by the news? I thought it was common knowledge that she's after the throne...
"Well, then she has already made her first mistake," Percival noted softly.
"We have sufficient time to prepare our defences, Sire," Leon said. "We can make our stand here. However great her army, the walls of Camelot will hold – the citadel will not fall."
A ball of ice struck at my chest as my eyes widened. "What about everyone outside the citadel?" I asked while looking up at Arthur.
"I will not forsake the people of this land while we take refuge here," he declared.
"But we can protect them, Sire, in Camelot itself," Percival said.
"I don't think the entire population in the kingdom can fit inside the walls..." I pointed out.
"Exactly," Arthur backed me up. "Countless, men, women and children will be left behind. People who we have vowed to protect."
"We cannot save everyone, no matter how much we may wish it," Leon said in a gentle tone.
"It's our job to at least try," I argued.
"How?" Prince Benjamin wondered.
Arthur took a deep breath and he straightened up, pausing to look around the room before he finally spoke, "There is a way, one way alone... We ensure that she never makes it this far."
"We... ride out and meet them," Percival deduced with a frown.
"Man to man," my King responded with a nod.
"Or, y'know, woman," I mumbled under my breath, earning a gentle hand-squeeze.
"But, Sire, Morgana commands an army of thousands," Leon noted, looking awfully worried.
"Nonetheless, it is our duty as protectors of this land," Arthur retorted. "We cannot stand by and let our citizens be slaughtered. Those are not the values that Camelot was built on. Whatever the outcome of this battle, my sister cannot and will not desecrate those values...
"A war has begun."
A smaller meeting took place only some thirty minutes later in Arthur and I's room, this time including only what is left of the original round table (minus Gaius, because he and Daegal are still dealing with the injured men) and the two foreign Princes.
Atop the table lay a big map of Camelot, which aided the most handsome King ever in explaining his proposed strategy.
I wasn't sure whether to feel terrified at the thought that we're kind of like the Howling Commandos planning an attack on the Nazis, or feel wondrous at the thought that we're kind of like the Howling Commandos planning an attack on the Nazis. I mean, we've fought battles before, this isn't my first rodeo – but it's never been to the extent we're anticipating this time around.
"To reach Camelot, Morgana will have no choice but to cross the White Mountains," Arthur said, then he paused to lay down a second map over the first one. "Now, the pass that gives passage to an army that size, is here..." He pointed at a spot on the paper.
"I know it well," Percival commented, making all eyes fall on him. "The path is bounded by cliffs on either side."
Sounds like the perfect spot... to get ambushed and slaughtered.
I shared a wary look with my brother.
"That is where we will meet them," Arthur stated. "Now, we may be outnumbered, but if we do not let them outflank us, then we can hold the pass."
"How long?" Leon questioned. "Morgana has no care for the likes of her men."
"She cannot supply for an army that size indefinitely. Not isolated by the mountains," Arthur responded. "If we can hold out long enough, she will be forced to retreat."
I shared another concerned look with Merlin. I don't like our survival depending on an 'if'... but I guess this is still better than letting the witches tear through half the population of Camelot to get to us.
My King then turned to Percival again. "Percival – at what point is the pass at its narrowest?"
The tall blond pointed at a spot on the map. "Here, Sire."
"What do they call this place?" Arthur questioned.
"Camlann, Sire."
I accidentally began to choke on saliva as I felt an invisible force shake my guts as if they'd been placed inside a blender. Hearing the name felt as if a Costco building had collapsed on top of me – though Kilgharrah did say that the war cannot be averted, only its outcome... I guess it'll be a tight finish.
"Are you all right, my darling?" Arthur questioned with a half-amused look as he drew me closer to his side.
"Yeah, sorry," I waved him off, "carry on."
He nodded and gazed around the room once more. "Then it is at Camlann, that we make our stand," he stated.
Gwaine, Gwen, Merlin, and I exchanged frightened looks.
A third meeting took place in the physician's chambers, this time only with those of us who know about Merlin's magic – minus Daegal, who stayed behind to keep an eye on the wounded men because he doesn't need to know about the distressing rollercoaster that is the act of trying to keep Arthur alive.
"I hoped to never hear that name again," Merlin mumbled as we all took a seat at the kitchen bench.
"You cannot go. You will have to persuade him," Gaius stated in a grave tone.
"We have to go," I countered, taking a short break from making my bottom lip bleed. "Otherwise we'll be puttin' the people in danger. The plan is a good one, as long as we can keep Art alive."
"How?" the physician inquired.
"We will do everything in our power to protect him," Merlin said.
"We pull all the stops," I threw in. "Make sure that everyone prioritises his safety... I can bring my gun... We can get the telepathy potions... Maybe even ask the dragons for help..."
"And I will use my magic, no matter the cost," my brother continued.
Gwen gasped, "Are you two sure?"
"This is the fight of our lives," I noted with a small shrug, earning a bunch of pensive nods. "And we're going to win," I added as I glanced around, a small smirk forming on my lips. "Whatever it takes."
"That's from 'Endgame'," Merlin noted while quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, and it gives me chills every time."
Gaius's eyes darted between the two of us, a sceptical look on his face.
"You believe in us – don't ya', Pops?" I asked softly.
"Of course I do!" he instantly responded. "But there are things that are beyond your control. There are many unexpected ways for him to get hurt."
I let out a puff, conceding, in my mind, that he raises a great point. The only way to entirely avoid Arthur getting hurt, would be to skip the battle... Or to, like, chain him to the bed and leave him there while the rest of us do the heavy work; but I'm not sure if the knights would follow Gwaine, Merlin and I. Unless they had no other choice...
An idea formed in my head and my eyes snapped towards the physician again as I asked, "Remember that potion thingy you gave us to keep Gwen asleep when she was possessed?"
"Yes..." he responded as he took a cautious look around the room while my three best friends stared at me in curiosity.
"Well... what if we put some in Arthur's breakfast the morning before the battle begins...?"
Gaius's eyes widened in shock. "Then he would not be able to fight!"
"Exactly! Morgana can't hurt 'em if he's not there," I pointed out. "You'll keep him hidden in the medical tent, where no one will think to look for him, and you'll keep him asleep 'til everything is over."
"Astra – you're a genius!" Merlin praised, making me smirk.
"And slightly insane, but I like it," Gwaine piped in.
"This is borderline treacherous, Astra," the physician stated before sharing a wary look with Gwen.
"I know," I conceded with a small nod. "But the job is to keep him alive, right? Whatever it takes?"
"And who will lead the knights?" Gaius questioned.
"I can do it... Kinda," I responded, grimacing a little at the idea, but I didn't backtrack. "I mean... I'm the queen, after all, right? And I'll still have Ben and Baldy."
"But this is crazy! Even for you!" Gwen argued.
"I shouldn't even be here – unless it is for a reason," I replied. "I'm not crazy, guys, I just finally know what I have to do. And I know, in my heart, that it's right."
Merlin quirked an eyebrow again. "That's from 'Iron-Man'."
"Dude – I might die in a couple of days! I have to get 'em all out!"
My brother scoffed and shook his head. "You are wrong, you are crazy," he stated, making me puff. Then he turned to Gaius and Gwen, "But the plan about the potion... It may be our best chance to guarantee Arthur's survival."
"Yes, I suppose you are right," Gaius relented and he let out a long sigh. "Very well, I will help you."
A big smile formed on my lips. "Thanks, Pops, you won't regret it."
"Will not Arthur be enraged when he finds out?" Gwen worried.
I gave a nonchalant shrug. "Probably, but I can deal with that afterwards."
If I survive, that is...
I gulped.
"All right, then," Gwaine said while drumming his hands on the table. "Let us save Princess Peach!"
"Actually, I guess it'll be 'Sleeping Beauty', now," I commented and smiled widely when that earned me some chuckles.
With that settled, I said 'good night' to everyone and went upstairs to my room, where I hurried to change into my PJs, brush my teeth, and go over the contents of my duffel bag in anticipation of the journey tomorrow; before heading over to Arthur's room.
I was stunned when I entered to find it littered with white candles and blue petals – a sight reminiscent of our wedding night. I froze at the door and scanned over the room for a moment. Arthur was leaning against his desk, dressed in a simple white v-neck and brown trousers. The mere sight of him caused my heart to blast off.
I raised an eyebrow when our eyes connected and I questioned, "What's all this?"
He promptly walked up to me and gently placed his hands on my waist. "This might be our last night here," he said softly, "so I thought I might make it special."
My heart skipped some beats, both in fear and an overwhelming feeling of love.
"Don't be such a Negative-Nancy!" I scolded while gently poking his chest. Then I stood on my tippy-toes to press a kiss to his lips and I whispered, "This is very thoughtful, though. Thank you."
Things only got 'MA' from then on... so I'll spare you the details.