Some years had passed since his coronation. And he correctly always has thought, also thanks to his mentor's teachings and guidance, that wasn't the endpoint, but just one of the many stages of his life journey.
In the years since, King Arthur had furtherly grown in wisdom and intelligence: he wasn't the strongest of them all, or the best in combat, but he correctly chose the best knights of his kingdom as his personal guard and backbone of his army; and never used them for offensive warfare, to conquer and submit, but mainly as his sort of police service, to defend and protect innocent civilians from criminals and raiders.
"You are faring well, 'Wart'", told him Merlin, his mentor, which often still called him like he did during the years of apprenticeship, "no one can complain about you, and I have by now nothing more to teach you, I think… The best a tutor can do is making themselves unnecessary, and that's the endpoint I've reached, I think."
"Sir Merlin, I have always to learn from someone like you", replied the King, "and I'd like for you to remain as an advisor and a minister."
"On this, I can only say he's right", Archimedes the Owl suddenly snapped, "especially about relationships…"
Archimedes was talking about the King's fiancée, Gwynnever the Princess of Cromwall, daughter of King Leodegrance, one of Arthur's closest allies, now the possible link through which the two Kingdoms might finally unify.
Arthur gave his fiancée a glance of reassurance, and then stopped Archimedes' rant:
"I know her since soon after my coronation and know I can trust her. Whatever will be of our relationship and soon-to-be marriage, we'll make the best out of it."
"Stop talking about this is the best option", Merlin gave his final word on the matter, "for how long my experience have been… love and feelings are the only things I would probably never understand, and will probably never be understandable. We just have to accept them as they play out."
"But that Lancelot… I have no good feelings about him.", said Archimedes.
"Love is a rebellious bird that none can tame… If he can be inspired to do something great by any kind of feelings for whatever lady, it might be better to tolerate the situation", replied Arthur. "I'm much more worried by the greedy King Maleagant of Gorre and his plains of conquest and domination."
"Agree…", Gwynnever intervened, "He's the reason why we're having to organize an army, and what can be more dangerous than a greedy tyrant?"
"You'll make a very good Royal Couple", proclaimed Merlin, "and that's the reason why I will remain with you. I'm going try with diplomacy, meanwhile call the Round Table with your Knights – We might need the extrema ratio, some extreme solutions if diplomacy is going to fail. But let's start with it."
It was the beginning of a new age for the young King – And Merlin's guidance was now to be put in practice. But it was a solid foundation upon which building the rest of his life and his' and Gwynnever's reign, and to use them as a guidance in turn for the people of their Kingdom of England as well.