Chương 18: A plan to look after a King

Eventually, she let him go and he cupped her face in his palm. His brown eyes were soft, but serious. "Sire, once this is all over, maybe before you're crowned and everything picks up again, we are going on an outing out of friendship and you are getting black out drunk. It'll be great, and you can tell me all about it. Maybe I'll invite Sir Kay, and SIr Tristan, since Tristan is a great musician, and we'll have a gay time. Forget about them. They can't hurt you here." She smiled weakly before nodding.

"I also promised to be a wingman for Sir Lancelot at a pub at some point." He chuckled, still cupping her face.

"The King? As a wingman? Lucky guy." She sniffed.

"I'll purposefully look bad at any game just to prop him up. It should work. I was always good at getting others together." Sir Percy watched her.

"I don't doubt it." She didn't like what Sir Percy was seeing in her, so she broke contact with him, and turned her gaze away as well. He smirked.

"Alright, we should brighten up. Merlin has to be around the corner here somewhere with Lady Morgan, and you need to be an overwhelming King." She nodded, before she gave her cheeks a light slap and hyped herself up. Sir Percy watched her, his eyes kind as he looked her over.

"Alright, let's go!" Sir Percy watched over her as she seemed to work herself up, but in a completely different way from before. This time she seemed to be rallying herself, clearly trying to change her mood. It seemed to be working, and the knights let her wander ahead as they held back to chat since she was going in the right direction.

"The Sire isn't like Sir Arthur in this sense." Percy murmured to Sir Lancelot, who gave a jerk of his head in response.

"She bottles everything inside. She admitted it to me earlier too. She never complains I am going too quickly for her wound." Sir Percy nodded.

"She was conscious the whole time they sewed her back together, and even gave them advice." He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "She needs a friend, and I am more than happy to be that, but," he cut off, a frown marring his face. Artie was about to steer off course when Sir Gaheris rushed forward, turning her in the right direction and also engaging her in conversation so the others could continue to discuss Artie in secret.

"She needs a Queen, and not only that, she needs a Queen who won't betray her. Like Lady Guinevere." Sir Geraint added, and all three sighed.

"Is there even a man capable of that kind of commitment on the round table? Sir Lancelot, we jest, but your heart is the only one I can think of, and it is promised to another already. She needs someone who will put her first, since she won't do that for herself. She didn't…she wouldn't cry." Sir Percy was passionate about this now that he was out of the running, like a true friend of Artie's. Sir Lancelot's face was grim.

"I don't know of any knight who could treat her the way she needs without the information we've learned. I know you promised her loosely Percy, but that level, that type of betrayal…it defines a person." He shook his head. "This also happened recently. Her arrival here is tainted by this betrayal. I am worried that this might halt her building connections with the others." The others sighed, nodding in agreement.

"We will just have to try harder. Those who want to get closer to her, whether it be for romantic pursuits or otherwise should know the truth. The public can know it was a sister, but no one who is actually trying to get to know her. I can begin the tale, sneak out now. I don't think I'll be missed with Gaheris as a distraction. I know a few of the knights will have no interest, but they should still know. You are right when you say that her arrival here has been tainted by this tragedy, but she is now our King. This information could protect her from serious threats." Sir Geraint added, and the two nodded in agreement.

"A sound plan. I agree with you. Sir Percy and I will do our best to distract her from your absence, and I wish you luck in hunting them all down. I also suspect she might want to call a meeting soon, especially since she is now awake, so pass that along as well." Sir Lancelot's tone was serious as he spoke, and watched as Artie laughed at something Sir Gaheris said and Sir Lancelot shook his head, his face scrunched in pain. "Was it too much to hope for a Camelot not built on pain and betrayal?" He asked and Sir Percy sighed. He nodded to Sir Geraint, sending him on his way as Percy wrapped his arm around the gentle man.

"It was and is not a bad creed, Sir Lancelot. Our new Sire aside, we cannot control who comes to us. We can, however, make it a safe place just like what Sir Arthur wanted before our new King. I believe the two of them share quite a bit in common." He added and Sir Lancelot's expression didn't clear for a few minutes.

"She brought him up, you know. Apparently there are quite a few tales about us. Arthur, Lady Guinevere and I." He laughed, and Percy picked up on the bitterness there. "Apparently I will never get the girl, Percy." Percy scoffed.

"It may be a little rude, since it has only been a little over a fortnight since he passed, but King Arthur is dead. Lady Guinevere's first husband has passed. Is the new Sire planning to keep everything the same?" He asked and Lancelot shook his head.

"No no, nothing like that. She treats Lady Guinevere very much like a sister. Especially since-'' Lancelot cut off, his face falling into a grim line. He shook off Percy's hold, much to Percy's confusion. "Let's go. We are in a rush." Percy stared after the head knight, shaking his head.

Artie hadn't noticed that the men had a discussion about her since she was busy trying to 'take in the surroundings around her'.That meant she had her eyes fully open when the average size stone hallway led into open air, but this wasn't a courtyard. These were the actual front doors of the castle. She noticed that the castle, at least in the front, wrapped around like two branching arms, providing some covered alleyways for people to use when it rained and the ground became muddy. The area was large in between the two arms, and the air was full of the sounds of animals, humans, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This area had a small set of horse stables,merchants with their stalls, and many others running around to make sure that the castle was running smoothly. Hen and geese clucked and honked in the distance, as well as the sound of children laughing and running around. Artie hadn't heard any of these noises since she had arrived, and she had forgotten that she missed them. She'd always lived in the city prior to this, and granted, it hadn't been too quiet for her, but it was slightly noticeable. These sounds, and these people running around, soothed something inside of her and she sighed, content. Sir Lancelot came to stand beside her.

"Sire?" He asked, and she chuckled.

"I'm just taking in the view." She responded, and he could only nod. There was an actual view here, and it was the gates.

Unlike the rest of the castle, which was mostly stone, the gates themselves were made out of wood. Giant, thick slabs put together and guarded on either side by tall, giant guard towers. It was a very clear show of power, and protection. Artie was fairly certain that the gates were rarely closed, and probably were because she had been asleep. She was awake now, and would quickly make that known so the people could go about their daily lives again.

Artie stepped forward, onto the uneven ground, and moved towards the slightly taller of the two towers. Merlin had to be there, because there was only one figure on it, and the robes were a little too billowy for another guard. There was only one problem. Each person who saw Artie, and saw the sword at her hip, they would fall to their knees at the sight of her. Artie was doing her best not to flinch at their actions, this was a different time, but she would clench her hands tightly from offering them help up. This was a different time, and they would freak out if she did that. So, only slightly acknowledging them, she made sure she moved briskly towards the base of the tower, noticing a familiar form at the base. Lady Morgan stood in all of her aloof finery, the pearls still placed in her hair, but in different positions. She wanted to ask if she had slept with them in, but knew that would be taken as a slight, not a joke. She kept it to herself. Lady Morgan was doing a great job of trying to look like she actively hated Artie, while also serving her. It was making some of the people around them uncomfortable, so Artie smiled at Lady Morgan, looking genuinely pleased to see her. Lady Morgan openly frowned.

"You slept quite some time, Sire." Artie couldn't help but smirk at her tone. Lady Morgan kept her hands clasped in front of her. She was an amazing actress. She would have made it big back home.

"Well, being stabbed through the midsection does that to some people, myself included. How goes it, Lady Morgan?" She asked pleasantly, and Lady Morgan sighed.

"You'll have to show yourself soon. Merlin has been holding off the crowning ceremony not just for you, but also so the lords can get here in time. He wants to make it a very grand event, with a large party afterwards. It is almost unheard of that the next King wasn't someone close to the previous, so it is taking some time to gather support among the normal lords. Your actions against Lord Byron are winning you some support though. Smart move." Artie hid her smile by turning her head. She was pretty sure she was getting a reading on Lady Morgan now. She was the kind of lady who would say one thing, but mean another, and she wasn't able to offer praise unless there was an insult next to it. Artie quite enjoyed her types, and looked forward to working with her in the future. But, she had some pressing issues and air to clear with her first. It seemed that Lady Guinevere was going to be busy for the time being, with her carrying King Arthur's child and all, and Artie was going to need an ally near her. She also wanted Lady Morgan to be recognised for her hard work. She didn't like how the knights spoke of her, and if they weren't against Artie being on the round table as a sort of knight, shouldn't someone they actually fought with, who had done a lot to get them all here, be on it as well?

"We need to have a chat, Lady Morgan, and I'm not sure if you're going to like what I have to say, but I do think it needs to be said. Sooner, rather than later. Plus, I need your advice on some things as well." Her eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting Artie to say something so soon. Artie turned to the…three knights behind her? She only furrowed her brows for a second before turning to Sir Lancelot. "After speaking with Merlin, and potentially the people, I'd like to call all those who are near to the round table. That includes Lady Morgan, since I would like to chat before the meeting, but Lady Guinevere is not to be called. She has a valid excuse, and I've already spoken to her this morning." Lady Morgan was staring at Artie with narrowed eyes, as if she was trying to peer into her mind and see what she was thinking. Artie smiled at her. "Does that sound reasonable, everyone?" Lady Morgan sighed.

"I am curious to see what you are planning, Sire. Many do not take kindly to my presence." She said it very casually, but there was a bit of bite behind it. Artie's smile didn't falter.

"And many are not going to take kindly to my own, either. The only thing saving me is Excalibur." She chuckled. "No doubt you understand what that feels like as well." Lady Morgan's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed slightly as Artie's sparkled.

"I've already told the men you would like to meet with them, and sent off Sir Geraint to see to it." Artie nodded, appreciating Sir Lancelot's foresight. It was nice to know that she had people around her that were looking out for her best interests.