Warriors of Camelot

Chapter 4: Arthur

The knight's eyes seemed to remain fixed on the same spot for a long time after Gwen had departed. More than ever, Arthur wished that she'd remained behind, if only for a minute longer. Deep down, he know that  this wasn't possible. 

Sensing the twenty or so piercing eyes  upon his back, Arthur successfully repressed his frustration and returned his attention to his eagerly-awaiting crowd. No matter how many of his knights noticed it,  Arthur would never admit to ANYONE that the love of his life was a servant girl! Besides, there was no time for love affairs now! Only the best of knights would do for Camelot and it was Arthur's duty to ensure that they were just that. To set an example. To lead them into battle. 

Now, Arthur surveyed his band of knights. 

"You have done exceptionally  well today," he declared, his voice ringing across the arena loud and clear. "Remember: as knights of the realm, we must always be ready to make a stand, whether that's as individuals or as a team!"

The first half of this speech received a rousing response of agreement. Grinning, Arthur waiting until the roars of the knights had died away before continuing.

"On the day that you were knighted, you swore an oath to your kingdom, to Camelot and... to your ruler," Arthur reminded them. "Whenever you fight, in battle or mock combat, you are tested against that oath. I know that you will only be the very best and today, you have proven that to me."

This time, the knights applauded solemnly. As he surveyed them, Arthur hoped that they were proud to call him their prince and maybe one day, their king.

"For now, you have all  earned yourselves a rest," Arthur concluded. "You are dismissed for the day, but I will see you bright and early at the same time tomorrow. morning"

With the occasional fist-bump or slap on the back accompanied by much cheering and waving, Camelot's finest knights departed. Arthur watched until the last one had left the arena, before turning away and heading towards the pavilion. 

From its perch high above the tournament arena, a single raven watched Arthur with beady eyes. As Arthur reached for the flap of the pavilion, the raven squawked purposefully, alerting the prince of its presence. 

Arthur watched as the raven took off and circled once around the pavilion, before taking to the sky. As it disappeared from view, Arthur felt a strange sense of unease creep over him. While his father, Uther Pendragon, had banished all magic from Camelot years ago, Arthur had this sneaky suspicion that it had not vanished, merely retreated. However, Arthur wasn't someone who let thoughts related to magic (or girls, for that matter!) distract him from his royal duties. Without so much as a glance back at the raven's perch, he slipped into the scarlet, sunlit pavilion.

His heart immediately sank. It was empty. Where was Merlin when you needed him?

A scuffle of footsteps from outside made Arthur's sharp ears prick. That's GOT to be him, surely! With a deep sigh of relief, Arthur lay his sword on the table and turned to greet...nobody!

No- wait! There he was, racing  past the arena at a tremendous rate, stumbling occasionally in the process . Much to Arthur's dismay, his manservant raced right past the arena without so much of a glance in the prince's direction and disappeared inside the castle before Arthur could call him. He groaned in frustration; how was he supposed to complete his royal duties with a  servant who wasn't there when you needed him?

Mind you, Arthur did have to admit, Merlin was quite something, for a servant. Mysterious, yes. Reliable, maybe not all the time. Concerned for the welfare of his master, definitely. After all, that was why Uther had appointed Merlin as Arthur's manservant and more than once before now, Merlin had demonstrated great loyalty towards his master. Likewise, Arthur had gone to tremendous lengths to help Merlin, maybe even save his life, on more than one occasion. 

For now, there was nothing that Arthur could do accept return to his pavilion and await for Merlin's return. As he approached the spot where the raven had been only earlier that day, Arthur found himself  blinking in surprise. 

Half-hidden in the grass beside a nearby pavilion was an elegant golden feather that winked and glowed in the mid-day sunlight. Now, Arthur had laid his eyes on many strange creatures before now, but what sort of creature would leave a feather like this?

Arthur couldn't say. He could only stare. 

How did it get there? He was certain that it hadn't been there a moment ago.

Without knowing why, Arthur felt a sudden impulse to reach out a hand and touch the feather. What he would do with it, he couldn't say, but-

"Arthur!"

Instinct kicked in. Arthur hastily stuffed the feather into his trouser pocket.

"I sensed that you wanted to speak to me, sire?" Merlin panted, leaning over to catch his breath. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I was doing a job for Gaius."

"It's all right, Merlin," Arthur smiled knowingly at his servant. "I should have guessed that you were helping, Gaius." 

Merlin could only chuckle sheepishly in reply for the second time that day. "So, do you need me?" he prompted eventually. 

"Ah, yes!" Arthur frowned, as though considering the matter. "I need you to take my sword to the smithy's, wash my trousers, clean my boots and see to it that my shield is in pristine condition."

"Yes, sire." 

With a hasty bow and a friendly wave, Merlin hurried away to see to it. As soon as he'd disappeared from view, Arthur set off across the arena and disappeared inside the castle. 

Little did he know that someone-or something- was watching him from a distance...

Behind Arthur's back, the raven had returned and was nodding approvingly. Good; that was another feather safe and sound. Now, for the next part of her plan. It was risky, she knew, but it HAD to be done! Even if all the feathers had been recovered (though she couldn't say if this was true or not,) then their purpose may not be fully understood unless this second part of her plan was carried out. What she was about to do was so important that it could potentially save Camelot- or leave it in ruin...