Chapter 22: I just want to say I'm proud of you

Artie gave Lady Morgan a few more minutes to gather herself, since Lady Morgan liked to have a certain image before they both headed for the closed doors. Upon opening them, she found that most of the knights were standing in the hallway outside. She hadn't met all of them before, maybe half of the members standing outside, but when she did a quick head count, she found that there were about 14 men outside the door. Including Merlin and Lady Morgan, that would make about 16 people who she was going to have a meeting with. A meeting about her being the new King.

Great. She wasn't freaking out.

Sir Percy, who she noticed was next to Sir Kay, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Geraint, still seemed pissed. She'd have to do something to soothe him later, even if she wasn't sure what that was. It wasn't her fault that he didn't get along with Lady Morgan, and even if it was, he would need to get over it. She wasn't going to allow the knights to mistreat her any longer.

"Sire, unfortunately, the brothers, Sir Tirry and Sir Lavain are still away with their Father. He's older, and a former member of the round table as well. Sir Tirry should be here in a few days, while Sir Lavain will be another fortnight, but before your crowning." Sir Lancelot told Artie in hushed whispers and she appreciated the briefing. That meant everyone else was able to make it. Or that Sir Lancelot probably knew she was going to call the round table once she woke up, and made sure everyone was nearby. It was a good call on his part. She noticed how he glanced between Lady Morgan and Artie, and she chuckled.

"Thank you Sir Lancelot. I look forward to meeting them at a later date then." With her words, he motioned for everyone to file in. Everyone found their seats, Lady Morgan and Merlin standing off to the side. When Artie wasn't sure of where she stood, Sir Lancelot gently guided her in the right direction, making Sir Percy chuckle to himself.

Artie, even while nervous, met every gaze directed towards her as she stood at the head of the table. The table. The Round Table. It was a lot for her to take in, but at the same time, she didn't feel uncomfortable where she was. The men staring at her, some with hostility, while most just seemed curious, were people she had read about in stories over the years of her youth. She had abandoned most of the hobbies she'd had with her parents after they passed, but she'd kept a few books around for comfort. Hell, she'd even watched that King Arthur show. She felt oddly prepared for whatever was going to be thrown at her during this meeting, and that made her straighten her shoulders and smile as she met their gazes.

She pulled out excalibur before placing the sword on the table. She didn't know why she did it, but the movement felt right, especially after she had seen all the scratches on the table when chatting with Lady Morgan.

"This sword has claimed that I am to be the new King? What does everyone around the table say?" Silence. Artie could tell she'd made some of them uncomfortable from her words, her question, but it only made Artie grin. The longer they stayed silent, even Lancelot, the better she felt. "Good. If you had agreed right away I would have been angry. You don't know me, and you shouldn't want to suck up to me without knowing me. I could be a horrible person." She joked, shaking her head as she looked around the table. "Let's not beat around the bush. I know I'm not what you expected for a new King after the sword picked someone else. Hell, I'm still in denial about it, but what's preventing me from putting everything down and running away, is the fact that I do not want all the hard work that King Arthur put in before me to go to waste. Camelot is newly formed, and if we are to make his dreams come true we need to work together and trust each other. I'm not asking you to trust me without proof, and I don't consider the sword choosing me as enough. But if you watch me, and witness what I do, I hope you will eventually grow to trust me enough to have at your front and your back." Artie chuckled and gestured down her body. "I know that I don't seem like much, especially since I came to you already injured, but I promise you that as long as I am here, I will do my best by you, and by the people of Camelot to make sure everyone is taken care of, and that the ideals and honour of the round table is upheld." Artie did a scan around the table as she finished speaking, before Merlin clapped his hand on her shoulder, a grin splitting his face.

"You, my dear, are going to be a fine King." Artie felt her cheeks flush as she glanced at the others. Sir Lancelot, who had been stoic before, had a giant smile on his face as well. He stood, drew his sword, and placed it on the table. Soon, everyone else followed suit before falling to their knees facing her.

"Long live the King! Long live Camelot!" The cheers from the rooms filled Artie's ears and she swayed on her feet. She wasn't sure if it was because of the emotions overcoming her, or if it was her wound. Evidently, so did some others, as in seconds of swaying on her feet, Lady Morgan came up from behind her, supporting Artie.

"Are your wounds alright?" She asked, and Artie blinked, surprised by the sudden change in Lady Morgan, before she laughed.

"I don't think I reopened them, but we won't know till I am back in my chambers." Everyone watched the two women, confusion crossing the faces of those who weren't good at hiding their emotions. Sir Percy was the first one to speak.

"What the hell did you do to get her on your side, Sire? It was obvious to everyone that she didn't like you." His tone was accusing, and Artie snorted. He really didn't like Lady Morgan, and it appeared Artie had underestimated how bad it was. And how angry he was.

"Sir Percy, out of everyone, I didn't think you'd think so low of me." Sir Percy flinched at the dig, while Artie continued. "Lady Morgan and I came to an agreement. I suppose now will be as good as any other. Lady Morgan is going to join the round table." Protests went up around the room almost immediately. Artie could tell that Lady Morgan was shaken by their reaction because her grip on Artie tightened slightly. The sound of raised, angry voices filled the air, and Artie let them voice their opinions. Once they realised that Artie hadn't said anything, and in fact, had remained in the same position, with the same smile on her face, they began to calm down. "Are you finished, children, or do you need another round to get your anger out?" The knights seemed upset by her words, while Merlin was cackling to himself. Sir Kay was the next to speak up, and he seemed hesitant.

"I don't dislike you, Your Highness, but Lady Morgan…" He trailed off and dropped his gaze. Artie could feel her own anger beginning to swell.

"Do any of you doubt Merlin's loyalty?" She asked, and a chorus of nos went around the room when it became clear she wanted them to respond. "Did any of you doubt King Arthur's? Or Lady Guinevere's?" Again, a chorus of nos. "You should have. There were multiple times where Lady Guinevere could have sold everything to the enemy line, same with Merlin. Arthur was always unsure, always second guessing every move he made. He wanted to run away several times." Shocked faces met her words, but she continued. "Do you know the one person who has never, ever had a second thought about who and what they are serving?" An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Artie wrapped her arm around Lady Morgan's shoulder, making them all look at her. "I doubt a single one of you has ever asked what it costs a witch or wizard to get their powers." Sir Lancelot played along.

"What does it cost, Sire?" Artie gave him a nod, even as she clenched her fist and continued.

"For some, it's an easy thing. You form a contract with a spirit. Sounds easy, doesn't it?" Artie laughed, and it was a harsh sound. "Well, if it was so easy, more people would do it. Most will never speak of the cost of the contract. Sometimes, it's your life, sometimes it's an emotion, and other times it's something so horrendous you would never wish it upon your worst enemy." Artie shook her head, a grim smile on her face. "I am not one who likes to air out others' truths, but I think in this case, it is warranted. All this unnecessary hatred for a woman who has done so much for you is inexcusable. As knights, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Not a single one of you thought about what it cost one of your colleagues for them to be able to patch up your wounds, take care of you. Watch your back while at war with another, do night watches so that all of you could rest after straining your bodies, neglecting her very own as if she hadn't been on the front lines with you. While also having a child and then raising that child on a battlefield. As a single Mother! And do not get me started on the rumours you've no doubt heard, but I can tell you with certainty, she would not have left her husband if it would not have cost her everything in return. Tell me, do you know what it's like to fall in love with someone who is slowly going to forget you? Who, when you show up on their step one day, is going to look at you like you are a total stranger? Like you've never shared an intimate moment with them? Or god forbid, made a child with!" The looks of horror around the room were quite telling, and Lady Morgan was white like a ghost.

Others were casting glances at Sir Mordred, who looked just as embarrassed as his mother. Artie had no idea if she had explained it to him before, and had a feeling the two of them were going to have a long chat after this. Even Merlin, whose powers had also cost him something, seemed upset to hear the truth, or a fraction of it, about her powers.

"I am not saying these things for you to pity them. I am telling you these things so you can understand why she deserves a spot at the round table. She is a sister in arms, and deserves such treatment. She will become pivotal in future plans, and I am tired of everyone ignoring what she has done for you. For us. For Camelot. If it was up to me-" Lady Morgan's voice cut Artie off.

"Your Highness, please, stop it." Artie huffed, glancing at the woman who normally was stoic, but whose face was brighter than a tomato.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you, Lady Morgan, I only wished-"

"They received the message!" She interrupted again, and Artie watched as her ears turned pink. Artie sighed, but relented, reaching out a hand to gently pat the top of Lady Morgan's head with a smile.

"Very well. I will stop the fountain of praise I wanted to rain on you." It was Sir Percy who broke the silence with laughter.

"Once more, Sire, you need to stop flirting with women so openly. You are not a man, and we do need an heir eventually." Artie rolled her eyes at his words.

"Oh hush, Sir Percy. I would never dishonour Lady Morgan with my attentions." Sir Percy snorted, along with a couple of the other men. Even Lady Morgan smirked.

"You are the King. Who else could be honourable if not you?" Sir Gaheris teased, and Artie took her arm off of Lady Morgan's shoulders, crossing them in front of her stomach.

"Ah, but see, I'm also a woman. The two facts cancel each other out, and if we go by what I believe are normal standards, I'm not really supposed to flirt with anyone, only be flirted with." Sir Lancelot threw his head back and laughed, much to the surprise of everyone.

"Sire, I've witnessed you speak to both men and women, and I've witnessed almost everyone else at this table do the same. I can say, without a doubt, you might be the best among us. No one here is as honourable as you, and if we are expected to flirt better than you, then we are doomed." His grin was incredibly intoxicating as he threw it in her direction. "And if we are expected to flirt with you? No doubt we'll end up swept off our feet instead." His eyes sparkled in the light and Artie was once again reminded why she had been a hard Lancelot and Guinevere shipper in her past. She gulped.