Camelot
March, 508 AD
There aren't many things I still miss about the twenty-first century. In fact, I barely think about it most days; and when I do, it's usually because of some guilty sentiment that dares to strike at me while I'm around Arthur. However, every Wednesday is laundry day. And I despise laundry days. Mostly because of all the time it takes up. Precious time that I could spend doing other things. Like continuing to educate Gwen on Marvel movies, or playing games with the knights and my brother, or hanging out with the horses, or being with Arthur… So yes. I miss washing machines and dryers. A lot.
I was absolutely relieved to find that the clothes I hung to dry at midday were completely devoid of dampness when I went to check on them at around 18:00. The warm spring sun is an excellent ally for the inhabitants of the pre-electricity world and I'm grateful for the solidarity it showed me today even as it began to hide behind the tall mountains in the far distance.
With a small smirk dancing on my lips, I hastened to take my things off the hangers and I stuffed it all into a large straw basket before I began the walk towards my bedroom.
Even if I don't sleep in it anymore, I decided to keep it 'mine' so that I can have my own closet and bathroom without taking up half of Arthur's space, and so that I can keep my electronic devices hidden. Also, he refuses to let me move my Funko collection to his room because he doesn't want them 'staring at us' all the time. The same thing applied to my shaped pillows, sadly; and he tried to extend it to my blankets, but I drew the line at my special Avengers one.
My heart nearly stopped for a moment when someone – namely Gwen – suddenly snatched the basket away from me. I turned to her with a raised eyebrow that silently questioned her strange actions.
"You are the queen. You cannot be seen carrying this," she stated in a slightly scolding manner as she fell into pace with me.
I scoffed and promptly snatched my basket back. "I don't think anyone cares."
"It is not proper for you to be doing any laundry," she argued with a pointed look that caused me to narrow my eyes at her.
"Did Artie put you up to this?" I questioned. "He's been nagging me about gettin' a maid."
I stopped to unlock my door and allowed her to come in behind me.
"It is the custom everywhere, Astra," she claimed.
"Well, not here. Not anymore," I responded with a wink before flipping the basket upside down and letting everything in it fall onto my bed.
Gwen crossed her arms and leaned against the bedpost, her displeased gaze fixing on the side of my face.
"Can I fold my stuff, or d'ya wanna complain about it first?" I quipped.
"You are my friend, I am trying to help you," she responded with a pointed look. "You did make that my job."
I sighed as I willed myself to let go of the attitude and I began to fold a shirt. "Thanks, but I'm fine. I don't wanna stop being independent just 'cause my husband," a smile betrayed me at the mention, "came with a dumb crown."
"You will not lose your independence if you hire a maidservant, Astra," Gwen claimed. "You would just stop having to attend to tasks that are beneath you."
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that cleaning up after myself is beneath me. It's basic decency. I think you've been around royals for too long."
She sat down on my bed as her expression softened.
I continued to explain, "Look, maybe it's the twenty-first century lens talkin', but I think it's kinda embarrassing how they don't know the first thing about sweeping a room, or making a bed, or even dressing themselves! I was raised to do all that on my own from the time I could walk and I'm not gonna change now."
At that, she nodded in understanding. "I can see your point, and I think it is noble… I am not sure that Arthur will understand, though."
"He did put you up to this!" I exclaimed.
"He was alarmed to find that you have been helping Merlin to clean his– your room," Gwen responded.
I threw my arms in the air – and accidentally sent the sock I'd been holding flying. "Oops." I ran to retrieve it. "So, what? Are you like a double agent now?" I asked my friend and let out a snort.
My eyes widened and I froze for a second before turning to face her as the realisation hit me.
"You are a double agent! That's why he agreed to make you my 'girl-in-the-chair' without asking a single question!"
That explains many things! Why she mom-ed me when we went to Elena's wedding, with sternly overseeing my packing, and teaching me to curtsy. Why she's been keen to help me organise my schedule (even if I never stick to it). Why she's often acting as 'the voice of reason' when I wanna do 'crazy' stuff like try Roman riding or install a zip-line from one extreme of the castle walls to the other (which would be a very handy thing in a time of war, mind you!). And why Arthur suddenly gave me a day off training when she'd been the only one I'd told about having a slightly painful strain on my shoulder. And why Arthur was extra-sweet and praiseful on a day when I coincidentally had a mini breakdown while going through a disturbing case of murder that left me wanting to throw my dumb crown in the toilet!
Gwen dropped her head, which silently confirmed my theory.
"I can't believe this!"
"It is not what you think, Astra!" she defended. "He simply asked me to watch out for you and let him know when something might be wrong!" I made a 'tsk' sound and shook my head. "Please do not be mad! I could not say 'no' to the King! And he worries about you!"
I huffed. "Don't worry, I'm not mad at you," I assured her. "Prince Charming, on the other hand..." I trailed off and smirked as a very childish idea formed in my mind. Childish, but hilarious.
"What are you going to do?" Gwen worried.
"Well, he hijacked my Ned with a 'Training Wheels Protocol', so it's only right if I get my revenge a la Spider-Man."
"Oh, no."
Merlin and I exchanged a proud smirk and a high-five as we stood outside Arthur's room while admiring our latest masterpiece. It's easily one of the dumbest things we've ever done.
The centre of the room was invaded by a large army of white thread that had been systematically arranged to form a big, tangled web; using the columns and some furniture for support.
Is it incredibly childish? Totally. Am I proud? Completely.
Besides, I helped the kingdom's economy by buying so much thread.
"I think you might have gone overboard," Gwen, who stood to my brother's other side, stated as she bit down on her lip.
I raised an eyebrow at her. "He secretly gave me a babysitter. I think this is fair."
"And we have to ensure that he never tries it again, if we want to keep our secrets safe," Merlin pointed out with an amused look.
"I never would have told him anything in regards to that!" Gwen promised, suddenly looking horrified.
"We know that," I reassured her.
"But another spy might not display the same courtesy," my brother continued.
"Which is why we need to make a loud statement," I said.
"A loud, tangled statement," Merlin added.
"I trained you well," I praised him while patting his shoulder, earning a look of incredulity. Then we shared a chuckle.
"Can you not simply talk to him like an adult?" Gwen questioned me.
"I will," I assured her. "But first, I wanna have fun."
"My Knight-Queen!" George called out as he sprinted down the corridor and towards us. "King Arthur is about to enter the castle," he informed us in between pants.
A smirk took over my lips again. "Show time!" I chirped before turning to Gwen. "Remember – act surprised, cover for us before Pops has the chance to turn us into drunkards again, and smack Art if he's rude to George."
"I am not going to smack the King!" she protested.
"Fine, kick him."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Scold him?"
"I will defend George to the best of my abilities," she said.
"Good enough," I nodded and turned to the aforementioned servant. "Georgie – you know what to do."
"Suck up."
"Attaboy!"
I high-fived him, which he seemed amused by, and then I grabbed Merlin's hand as we took off running down the corridor and towards the staircase by the knight's quarters, a path we know will ensure we don't run into Arthur.
I'm really not cut out to be queen and I think that this dumb prank is proof of it, but it's too late to backtrack.
Merlin and I untacked our respective horses and allowed them to have free range to graze along the vast field that extended all around us. The early traces of spring are starting to show in the vibrant green colour that the grass acquired recently; and the yellow and white flowers that faithfully keep it company are equally as full of life as they stretch up to kiss the sky.
The true wonder of the location, however, can be seen very occasionally if one tilts their head to gaze at the sky – and that moment was one of such occasions. From the sturdy mountain range in the near distance emerged three figures: a large one that is dark grey in colour, and two smaller ones that are white.
Heading – or should I say, flying – our way were none other than the three friendly dragons: Aithusa, Kilgharrah, and Phoenix.
"Friends! Friends! Friends!" I could hear the babies' squeaky chanting from a distance and my brother and I shared wide grins as we anxiously waited for our magical friends to reach us.
Kilgharrah landed majestically smoothly on the field, the strength he possesses causing some of the weaker flowers to blow off as his powerful wings steadily lowered him to the ground.
Aithusa and Phoenix, on the other hand, didn't stop flying, nor did they slow down. My eyes widened just a second before the male baby dragon collided with me, followed by a slight pain spreading through my back and torso as I fell backwards under his weight with a yelp. I heard a groan beside me and turned my head to find that the female dragon had caused my brother to suffer the same fate. It all became worth it when they started to laugh in adorable squeals.
"Get away from them!" A deep shout caused me to scramble to my feet and I instinctively moved in front of Phoenix while drawing my sword. Merlin shielded Aithusa, who cowered behind him.
My heart dropped to my stomach when I spotted Gwaine and Fallyn racing towards us, an enraged look clouding the knight's face as he pointed his sword forwards, seemingly ready to strike at the babies.
"Gwaine – stop!" I called out. He didn't seem to be listening as he kept his eyes fixed on the dragons, his jaw clenching as he tried to get around me. "Gwaine – please, don't hurt them!" I grabbed the mare's reins with one hand, effectively halting her, and used all of my strength to try to put down his weaponised arm while Merlin continued to shield the babies. "We'll explain everything! Just please!"
"You dared to bring a knight?!" Kilgharrah roared above us.
Gwaine's crazed eyes strayed to the great dragon and he fought against my grip with a growl.
"Shut up, K! You're not helping!" I scolded the plane-sized animal, not removing my gaze from my friend.
"Gwaine – put the sword down," Merlin stepped in with his commanding dragonlord voice.
"They're our friends, Gwainester," I tried in a softer tone.
Finally, he dropped his gaze to me and I felt his muscles relax a little under my clutching hand. He let out a long exhale as he lowered his sword. I let my head drop to rest atop Fallyn's neck while I tried to catch my breath, the fear of potentially seeing the dragons hurt still wreaking havoc in my nervous system as I trembled slightly. The knight put a hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. I glanced up to find him looking at Merlin with an indecipherable expression.
"He should not be here," Kilgharrah stated.
I looked up at Gwaine again to find that he was once more staring at the dragon with a murderous look.
"You followed us?" I asked him, still keeping my voice soft.
His eyes moved to mine again and he shrugged. "I-I heard the two of you giggling and saw you sneaking around. I got curious."
I finally let go of his mare and stepped away, running a hand down my braid and biting down on my bottom lip as I began to pace. I know in my heart that I can trust him more than most people. And that he cares deeply for Merlin and I. But what if that's not enough to get him to keep this from Arthur? Considering that he's honour-bound to him, or whatever. Though, technically, he is to me now, as well. And if Gwen is willing to keep our secrets and, more than that, cover for us – surely Gwaine can stay quiet about the dragons, right?
"You cannot tell Arthur," Merlin stated, his stern gaze fixed on the knight while he remained standing in front of Phoenix and Aithusa; both of whom looked fairly entertained at the situation in contrast with Kilgharrah's rage.
"I figured as much," Gwaine responded with a sigh, his plain tone making it hard to figure out what he was thinking.
"W-we know it's a big secret – literally – but you know that he would hunt 'em down. They've never hurt anyone," I said, deciding to cast aside the fact that Kilgharrah did try to burn down Camelot to ashes that one time.
"And he would burn us both at the stake," Merlin added in a mumble.
"Well, yeah, that goes without sayin'," I replied with a humourless chuckle.
The knight finally broke his stoicism and he gave us a faint amicable grin that caused my trembling heart to start working properly again. "Do not worry, your secret is safe with me," he assured us. My brother and I shared a relieved smile. "I have a ton of questions, though."
"And we will answer them," Merlin promised with a grin.
"Tread carefully, young warlock, young queen," Kilgharrah butted in again and I rolled my eyes at the title. "Trust is a feeble thing."
Gwaine glared up at the great dragon while hopping off Fallyn.
I cleared my throat. "Right, so, that big jerk is Kilgharrah. Uther kept him as an unwilling pet for many years until Merls set him free," I introduced. "And K, this is Gwainester, one of our best friends."
The knight's eyes widened and fear struck at my chest once more. "You mean he is the one who attacked Camelot?!"
Oops. I didn't think he knew about that.
Kilgharrah looked away, his body cowering slightly as a flash of remorse passed through his reptilian amber eyes.
"He had a momentary lapse in judgement, but he's a good boy," I defended with a half smile.
"Right," Gwaine said sceptically as he regarded the dragon with a glare.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the two babies. Merlin finally abandoned his temporary post as a human shield and watched me with a cautionary gaze as I led the knight up to the year-old dragons.
"And these are Aithusa and Phoenix," I said while stretching out my free arm to them.
Aithusa seemed hesitant, while Phoenix was happy to step closer. He stood on his back legs so that he could be eye-to-eye with Gwaine. "Will you be our new friend?" he asked while tilting his head.
I giggled at the dragon's cuteness.
Gwaine's jaw dropped as he turned to face me and he seemed to stop functioning for a moment. I shot him a smirk and I reached up to pet Phoenix's head. The dragon leaned into my touch and dropped back on all fours before resting his pony-sized head against my torso.
"They are like talking horses, really," Merlin commented as he shuffled closer to me, Aithusa following him as she stuck to his side.
Gwaine raised his eyebrows and hesitantly reached towards Phoenix, pausing for a moment before he placed his hand on his back.
"Friend!" the dragon squealed and swiftly tackled the knight to the ground.
I bursted out laughing. "Finn! You're gonna kill someone one of these days!"
"Friend!" Aithusa doubled down as she gathered the courage to approach the knight as well, my words falling on deaf ears.
After the initial shock wore off, Gwaine seemed to have a blast playing with the babies – and they were just as thrilled to have a new friend. Especially because he can throw their frisbee much further than Merlin and I could ever hope to.
Once the dragons were tired, they huddled up next to Kilgharrah and dozed off for a nap, which allowed my brother and I to pull Gwaine to the side and finally get to the explaining part of things. So the three of us sat under the shade of a big oak tree.
Merlin and I glanced at each other, then at the knight, then at each other again, then back at the knight.
"So... sweet n' gentle, or should we just rip off the band-aid?" I wondered when my brother and I connected gazes for the twentieth time.
He squinted his eyes as they moved to analyse Gwaine, who looked slightly puzzled and totally entertained.
"I say we rip it off," Merlin responded.
"D'ya wanna do the honours?"
"Not really, you do it."
"Ever the gentleman."
"Hey," Gwaine cut in, causing both our heads to snap his way. "Do you not trust me?" he asked with a slightly hurt expression.
"We trust you, Gwainester, but this is a lot," I responded with a sheepish smile.
"It cannot be that bad!"
Merlin and I exchanged a glance and a shrug.
Oh well, here goes nothing.
"Merls has magic and I'm from the future," I blurted out.
Gwaine chuckled. "What?"
"You heard me."
His face fell as his eyes moved towards my brother, who quickly averted his gaze as a troubled look overcame his features. "You are a sorcerer?" he asked in a soft tone.
Merlin nodded, appearing almost remorseful. I reached to grab one of his hands and gave him a reassuring squeeze. He shouldn't be embarrassed! He's a superhero!
Gwaine's attention moved onto me. "And you..." he trailed off and tilted his head.
I sighed. "Some guys from school invented time-travel and used me as their guinea pig."
With a puff, he moved to rest his back against the tree and raised a contemplative eyebrow while his gaze alternated between my brother and I. I held my breath in anticipation, half-fearing that he would draw his sword and try to kill us.
"I suppose this explains a lot of things," he breathed out after some moments of agony.
Merlin and I shared a guilty smile. "I'm sure it does," I said with a forced chuckle, still unable to fully assess what the knight was thinking.
Suddenly, Gwaine started to laugh. "Do not look so scared! I am not going to tell anyone! You are my best friends!"
Relief wrapped me in a warm embrace and I sighed as I let my head drop to rest against Merlin's shoulder. He chuckled slightly as he smiled at our friend.
"I do want to hear the whole story, though."
"How did you manage to keep it secret all these years, anyway?" Gwaine inquired, breaking the silence that had befallen us for a while after we began the journey back to the castle.
Merlin chuckled before responding, "Well, I did tell Arthur I'm a sorcerer once. To try to save Gwen from being executed. But he did not believe me."
"And I've convinced everyone that I'm crazy, so they don't question anything I do or say that might be sus," I answered.
"It helps that she really is crazy," my brother added.
"Yeah, but not as crazy as I've made people believe."
He snorted. "If anything, you're crazier when you do not have to watch your words. I have been in your mind."
I huffed. "I think you might be onto something..."
"Of all things, I never would have guessed this," Gwaine said once he was allowed to get a word in.
"And that is why it works," Merlin responded.
"No one expects a sassy servant and a crazy girl from far away to harbour such secrets," I noted with a nonchalant shrug.
"Indeed," Gwaine mumbled, causing my brother and I to exchange an amused look.
"Look, we don't expect you to join our super secret boy-band," I paused to smirk at Merlin, feeling proud of my reference, and I earned a playful eye-roll, "just, please, don't tell anyone. I don't wanna lose Arthur, and we don't wanna lose our heads."
"I am offended, Trae," the knight stated and I tilted my head. "You should know me better than to think I would betray you. And I definitely want to join your super... secret... what was it again?"
A big smile broke onto my lips and I turned to look at my brother, who held an equally wondrous look on his face. "Boy-band," I repeated.
Gwaine frowned. "But you and Gwen are girls."
I laughed loudly and Merlin chuckled. "Oh, buddy, you've got a lot of learning to catch up on," I told the knight while shooting him a mischievous smirk. "I'm gonna have a lotta fun!"
"But first – I think you need to deal with your husband," Merlin pointed out as he nodded forwards.
I tore my gaze away from Gwaine to find a cross-looking Arthur standing with his back leaning against the paddock fence. Weird, I didn't even realise that we arrived at the equine facilities of the castle... I tried to remain stoic as my eyes connected with my King's, but a rebellious smile betrayed me and produced a giggle.
"He is my husband, isn't he?" I whispered, a giddy feeling paired with disbelief spreading through my heart.
"You are embarrassing," Merlin shot at me as I leaped off Dallas.
"You're just jealous," I responded as I waved him off and I started to untack the Thoroughbred.
My brother rolled his eyes. "There is nothing to be jealous of."
I gave Arthur an acknowledging nod as I walked by him on my way to the tack room. "Mr. Back-stabber," I muttered.
His eyes widened in bewilderment as he followed me. "I am the back-stabber?! You made a mess in our room!"
"You hacked my friend and turned 'er into a spy!" I defended as I quickly-but-gently placed my saddle atop its rack before covering it with a dark blue blanket to prevent it from getting dusty.
"What?!"
"You made Gwen spy on me!" I answered as we stepped out of the tack-room and began walking towards the back entrance to the castle.
He scoffed. "I did not ask Gwen to spy on you! I simply asked her to look after you!"
"Right, so you turned my friend into a babysitter!"
"Only because you never tell me what you are up to!"
I raised an eyebrow. "And you needed someone to give you reports on my activities?"
"Well... yes..."
"That's spying, Arthur! You turned my friend into a babysitter-spy!" My eyes widened in realisation and I gasped, "You turned her into 'The Pacifier'!"
"The what?!"
"It's a movie, doesn't matter," I mumbled.
He gallantly opened the door to his – or, I guess, our – bedroom and I began to pace as he closed it behind him. He leaned his back against it and crossed his arms over his chest, a stoic expression forming on his handsome features as he watched me.
Why does he think I need a Pacifier? Does he not trust me? Is he onto Merlin and I? Have I been right all along when I say I'm not cut out to be a queen and he's trying to do damage control? I mean, I know I'm not fit for it. But he's tried to convince me otherwise a million times, right? I mean, he married me. I think. Maybe that was a dream? I felt for the ring on my finger. No, I think that was real. Oh, crap! He's having second thoughts, isn't he?! Of course he is, why wouldn't he?! In fact, it took him way too long!
I grew tired and threw myself face-first onto the bed, groaning a little at the harsher-than-expected impact that I received.
Obviously my dumb 'Spider-Man' stunt serves as the perfect excuse he needs to get rid of me! No one wants a queen who plays pranks and sneaks off to hang out with baby dragons! Gwen was right – I should've done the adult thing and simply have confronted him!
Oh. That's why I need a babysitter-spy. Everything makes sense now.
I felt the bed dip and my arms were grabbed as Arthur rolled me onto my back. "Astra – breathe," he commanded while sitting down beside me.
I inhaled sharply and felt my lungs inflate before they released a sigh that got rid of some tension that had been building a headache.
I gulped as I stared into Arthur's enchanting eyes. They held a soft look as they scanned my face, and he no longer seemed annoyed.
Oh, no! He's thinking of how to soften the blow! I'm gonna be a twenty-two-year-old divorcee! I should've stayed in Texas!
"I'm sorry. The prank was stupid," I blurted out.
"I thought it was creative," he responded as a small smile formed on his pretty lips.
I scoffed and shifted slightly onto my side so that I could get a more direct look at his ridiculously attractive face. I need to savour the sight of it before he sends me away.
"Thanks," I replied.
Arthur chuckled before gently removing a stray strand of hair that had fallen out of my braid and onto my face at some point. Then he reached for one of my hands and lifted it to his mouth, placing a kiss on my knuckles that caused my heart to become a 'Cirque Du Soleil' performer.
Huh, perhaps there's still hope that I might have a lasting marriage.
Marriage.
I'm married to King Arthur freaking Pendragon. An involuntary smile formed on my lips. What a crazy life. I never want it to end.
"I am the one who needs to apologise," he stated.
Letting out a sigh, I sat up and crossed my legs; my eyes fixing on the spare hair-tie that I began to twirl around fingers. "It's okay. I know I'm a handful," I conceded.
"Well, you are," he responded with a chuckle as he placed a hand on my knee. "But that does not mean that it was right of me to ask Gwen to... babysit you."
I didn't say anything as I continued to play with the hair-tie, not meeting his gaze.
"The truth is, I worry about you... a lot," Arthur continued while starting to rub gentle circles on my leg with his thumb, then he paused to sigh. I glanced up at him for a moment before letting my eyes fall again. "I cannot figure you out no matter how much I try, and I never know what is on your mind... And I am scared that I am going to lose you because I missed something important."
I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. This is entirely my fault. I know I can be reckless… But, in my defence, it's what the world I live in calls for!
"So I just thought that maybe I could get some help from someone who is also close to you and might notice things that I do not," he finished.
We made eye-contact again and I maintained it this time. So... what he's saying is that I'm so mysterious that he needed help with trying to understand me? I've done a nice job of covering up the tracks behind Merlin and I's secrets, aye?
I shouldn't be proud, right? No? Well, too late.
A small grin formed on my lips and a chuckle escaped me.
"Why are you laughing?" Arthur asked, suddenly looking very puzzled as he narrowed his eyes at me.
"I dunno, I'm kinda flattered now," I responded with a nonchalant shrug.
He snorted and playfully rolled his eyes. "Of course you are."
I stood on my knees and threw arms over his shoulders in a hug, then I nuzzled into the crook of his neck, where I pressed a soft kiss before sighing and closing my eyes. He returned the embrace, holding me safely against his chest as his body relaxed.
"I hate fighting with you, Artie," I whispered and my stomach twisted. I'm relieved that he doesn't seem to want me out of his life, though. Not yet, at least.
"There is nothing I hate more, my darling," Arthur whispered back and I tightened my grip around him. "I promise I will never go behind your back again."
Darn, I wish I could say the same! But we all know I'll be committing treason again within a week.
"Good, 'cause I'm too smart and I'll figure it out," I said instead as I pulled away slightly, giving him a little bit of a goofy grin.
"I know you will."
I winked at him and pressed a quick kiss to his incredibly inviting lips before leaping off the bed.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take a bath," I announced before starting to walk towards my bedroom.
"Alone?" Arthur asked when I reached the door.
I frowned as I turned to face him again, finding a smirk on his lips. "It's a bathtub, not a jacuzzi," I pointed out. "And I can fill it n' warm it on my own, unlike some people," I added with a teasing grin before finally leaving the room.
'Alone?' What am I, a five-year-old? What kind of person above the age of... let's be generous and say seven, can't take a bath on their own? Well, of course, there are people with disabilities who might need help, in which case it's obviously completely fair. And I definitely remember skipping some scenes while watching movies and TV shows where couples shower together–
Oh, crap!
Well, aren't I a genius?
I sprinted back to Arthur's room and flung the door open.
"I just figured out what you meant!" I said proudly, causing him to turn to me from where he'd taken a seat at his desk and he laughed heartily. I winked at him and nodded in the direction of my room before taking off running back towards it.
He caught up with me in what must've been a record time.