章 19: Meeting the people’s expectations

"Are you a witch, Your Highness?" Lady Morgan's question came out of left field, and Artie blinked, before throwing her head back and laughing.

"Not that I am aware of, no." She chuckled, shaking her head as she stared at the woman who was very much one. Lady Morgan stared at her with narrow eyes, clearly not believing her. "Where I come from magic either previously existed, or never did. Everything felt like a tall tale to me, so this is very surreal. But, I am not going to doubt something I have seen with my own eyes, and I am especially not going to doubt someone who worked so hard to get her brother onto the throne, and protect her son." Artie very clearly declared her intentions, and Lady Morgan's cheeks flushed slightly. She coughed, glancing away from Artie's sparkling gaze before turning back to face her, her expression hardening.

"I won't work in the same way for you." She told her, a firmness to her tone. Out of everyone around them, Artie had a pretty good understanding of what she wasn't saying. She inclined her head.

"I would never expect it. You are your own person, Lady Morgan, and your son is almost fully grown. You are free to do anything you'd like, well, beyond assassinating me please." She gave her a cheeky grin, and Lady Morgan stared at her as if she had two heads.

"For someone who is supposed to know so much, how can you not know I cannot harm the Owner of Excalibur?" She murmured quietly, before spinning on her heel. "I shall meet you at the round table, Sire." She said loudly, coldly, and left in a flurry of fabrics. Sir Gaheris whispered in Artie's ear.

"Sire, you must refrain from attempting to seduce other women so openly. It's going to bring down morale." Artie gave him a confused look, while he grinned.

"I was doing no such thing." She protested, while Sir Percy shrugged.

"I do not know. Lady Morgan was blushing, and that's a rather hard thing to do. I think I've only seen two others get her to flush that colour, and that was normally out of anger. She didn't seem angry this time, so we are going to have to assume." He teased, easily, and Artie opened and closed her mouth. Her eyes were wide, and she looked comically upset. Sir Percy and Sir Gaheris were chuckling to themselves.

"If we are honest, Sire, you have a higher chance of success with the ladies. You must save some for the rest of us." Artie was stunned that the men were being so ridiculous after one interaction with Lady Morgan. All she had said was that her ex had tried to kill her, and now they were leaning into the teasing. Sir Percy smiled at Artie, while she was flustered and confused.

"I have a feeling that the Sire might pull more women than anyone else at the round table at the banquet celebrations for her crowning." Artie's face flushed, and she frowned at them.

"Sir Percy, if that was you asking if I wanted to make a bet with you, I am not going to. My goal isn't to seduce women." She said tartly and he laughed.

"You aren't allowed to read my mind, Sire!" He protested, and Sir Gaheris laughed as well. Artie rolled her eyes at the two knights, glancing around for the last one. Sir Lancelot was shaking his head, his green eyes dancing at their silly conversation.

"Don't worry Sire, I know you aren't here to seduce any woman in sight, otherwise Lady Guinevere would already be in your arms." Artie gasped, fully expecting that Sir Lancelot of all people wasn't going to make that kind of joke. Sir Percy's brown eyes sparkled at the new information.

"What? What did she do?" He asked and Sir Lancelot chuckled, shaking his head.

"No no, I've already said too much. Any more and I'll lose my wingman privileges." Artie narrowed her eyes at the man, now onto the fact that Sir Lancelot may behave outwardly like he wasn't like the rest, but inside? There was a reason he got along with Percy.

A whistle sounded, and Artie looked up, following the sound. Merlin was peeking over the side of the watchtower, waving wildly, a large grin on his face. The sheet of fabric he was wearing was similiar in colour to the last one he wore, only the flowers were thistles interwoven into the pattern. Artie, from the future, knew that thistles were the flower of Scotland, and chuckled to herself.

"Your Highness! You are up and about at last! Come, greet the people!" The sound of voices picked up and Artie realised he had a crowd below him, outside of the gates. Suddenly nervous, she swallowed, before she began to climb up the wooden steps to the top of the tower. She could feel Sir Lancelot following up behind her, his body so close she could feel his body heat. She felt the laughter leave her with very little control. Of course, he must be worried about her getting up the stairs. She wasn't going to protest, her steps were pulling on her wound. She nearly tripped on the last step, and the firm, easy grip of Sir Lancelot's hand on her forearm comforted her.

"Sire?" His words were soft, for her ears only and she nodded.

"I'm fine." She whispered back, and his grip faded. She got to the top, and Merlin was all smiles. His green eyes twisted in the light, and she was reminded once again that for some reason, all the stories of Merlin depicted him as an older man, with a white beard. Well, besides some adaptions. The Wizard grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the edge of the tower.

"Come! Say hello to your people!" He whispered to her, clearly excited. Artie, even more nervous in the face of his excitement, turned to look at Sir Lancelot. He gave her a nod, as if encouraging her, and she turned and let Merlin lead her to the edge. She finally got a good look at the people below her.

They were normal people, even if the clothes they wore were slightly…older. No one she knew would be normally wearing their clothes. Well, maybe her…her ex. They all had a rather strange look on their faces. A cross between fear, awe, and a deep sense of worry. Artie could understand. They had just settled into a new land, got a new King, and now that King had died. In the meantime, a new King had appeared, but no one knew them. They were an outsider. Even the people who were supposed to know who the new King was, didn't. Then that King hadn't shown their face for over a week. She got it, even when it was about her. But, here she was now, and as much as she was terrified of the new responsibility being thrusted onto her shoulders, she was strangely used to it. And she really hated disappointing others.

"Greet the new Owner of the Holy Sword!" Merlin shouted, startling Artie out her thoughts as cheers went up from below. Even from the other side of the gates, behind the castle walls. Artie was startled that the people in the castle would have cheered, but that only seemed to spur on those outside. Merlin smirked, before leaning in closer to Artie. "Usually, I would announce the new King's family name at the very least, but I do not even know that. We, the round table, really need to know your full name, Sire." Artie felt her cheeks heat at his whisper. She had been avoiding it, but she couldn't for much longer.

"I was planning to have a meeting with the round table after this. I'll tell you then." She sighed. "You are going to get too much enjoyment out of it." He chuckled, his eyes brightening further.

"More than I already do? Sire, you spoil me rotten." Artie felt her lips pull into a smile at his teasing tone, before she turned a full smile to the people below her. It was clear they were waiting for her to say something, especially after none of them had moved as she exchanged words with Merlin. She cleared her throat.

"Greetings everyone. I know you have been anxious to meet me once you found out I had pulled the sword from the stone. Forgive me for not showing my face during this time. I have been recovering from a wound I received on the way to test if I was the new owner of the sword. Soon, once the Lords arrivex we shall have the crowning ceremony, and after, a great feast for everyone to enjoy." She smiled down at them, leaning against the railing to stare down at them. Looks of awe crossed their faces, but she didn't show her concern. She didn't think she'd made a groundbreaking announcement, but maybe it had moved them deeply? She only grew more confused as they began to fall to their knees, bowing to her deeply.

"Glory to the new King!" The cry went around the group of people below and it only grew as more people came out to see what the others were shouting about. As soon as they caught sight of Artie and Merlin in the watchtower, they too fell to their knees and called. Artie, who had no clue the spirits were assisting her in expressing their pleasure with her, glanced at Merlin. He had a wide, stupid grin on his face.

"Very inspiring, Sire. You've moved some of them to tears. Of course, the little halo from the spirits might have helped." His smile shifted slightly, and Artie could feel the air shift. It was clear Merlin wasn't pleased by the spirits' interest in Artie, but she had no idea why. "You should give your loyal subjects one wave before we head on our way. I've motioned for Sir Lancelot to join us up here to show that you have his support." Artie nodded, not jumping when she felt Sir Lancelot's hand on her shoulder. Sir Lancelot, when Artie glanced back at him, had an award-winning smile on his face and Artie chuckled. Both of then waved at the people below them, and that sent them into a tizzy. Merlin then ushered the two down the steps, holding onto Artie's arm for her sake. Artie was surprised by his grip strength, but she shook herself after. She really shouldn't have. The man was a wizard. A wizard whose allegiance was still unknown. He moved closer to her ear. "Wonderful performance up there Sire. Now, what was this about a meeting with the round table?" He smiled, a little tightly, and Artie had a feeling that Merlin was a little tense.

"Pardon me, but I've sent Sir Percy to go deal with that issue while we were here." Sir Lancelot interjected, and Artie nodded, the three of them reaching the bottom. Sir Gaheris nodded to them.

"Wonderful, thank you Sir Lancelot. You are coming to the meeting as well, right, Merlin?" Merlin, who had been tense, froze, before turning to Artie.

"You truly want me there?" He asked, and Artie noticed the two knights remaining tensed. She laughed.

"Well, I can't leave you alone. If I leave you alone to overwork yourself without my guidance, who knows what you'll do. You might even join the other side." She joked, and Merlin tossed his head back and laughed. And laughed, and laughed until everyone felt uncomfortable.

"I could never do that, Sire. It would be against the rules." Merlin's smile was plastered on his face, and she could tell he had more than one worry, and she'd only solved one of them. She'd have to talk to him soon.

"I have to speak with Lady Morgan and the round table before I can get to you. I hope you understand, Merlin." Artie told him sincerely, and Merlin chuckled, this laughter sounding far more sincere.

"I understand, Sire." Sir Lancelot began to move, taking the lead as Sir Gaheris took their backs, sandwiching Artie and Merlin in the middle. Artie felt like a celebrity, and Merlin seemed pleased with the layout. Artie, shaking her head, followed the short, but fast moving steps of Sir Lancelot, knowing he had no plans to lead them astray.