Phoenix Fire

14 - Never Let Merlin Lace Up a Dress

KAENA

Uther held his arms out, "Name it."

I nodded in Arthur's direction, "Your son said that I had resources available to me." 

"That is correct." Uther leaned his cheek on one gloved hand.

"What about people? There are certainly some jobs I am capable of handling on my own, but there are some where I will need assistance." I explained.

"We could probably arrange that, but your role is generally to do what I cannot spare knights for, and for which guards are not qualified. You are to be my middle ground." Uther reiterated.

"Yes." I breathed deeply. "I was thinking of Hild." From the corner of my eye I saw her mouth drop open. "I work best with a partner and she's very skilled, I've seen her in action. Her aim with a bow is almost unparalleled, even by Hale who had one of the best shots I've seen. Sire, she shot the chimera in the eye, and she was able to accurately throw a knife while sprinting. I have yet to see her swordsmanship but if what I've already seen is any indication I would not think I would have much to teach her. She would need to be taught how to do things properly, Hild you can close your mouth now, as I was saying she'd need to be taught how to fight properly instead of dirty and how to disarm and immobilise enemies rather than kill them, but I doubt this would be very difficult." 

The King seemed to consider this for a few minutes before saying, "You really believe she would be of use to you? She wouldn't be a liability?" 

I nodded, "I believe her talents would be wasted otherwise." 

"Hild," Uther turned his attention towards her, "would you want to take on this role?" 

Then she did something so astonishing I had to blink a few times to make sure it was actually happening. Hild doesn't have the best manners. She doesn't shake hands, she doesn't know to introduce herself at the start of conversations, she eats with her mouth open, she sticks her tongue out at people, she makes obscene gestures I didn't even know existed, she never uses cutlery, she drinks like a fish, she rarely said please and thank you, and she had very very little respect for authority. Even less respect for authority than I did, but at least I knew when to respect it. She could speak eloquently in the presence of a King, but that wasn't the same as having instinctive manners and the foresight to do what she did.

Hild, totally unprompted, knelt down. She took one long look at Arthur before bowing her head. "Sire," she said, "I pledge myself to your service and to the service of Camelot in whatever ways I can be of assistance. I swear loyalty to Camelot and to Lona Atwood as my leader. I will entertain your court with my music and I will protect your Kingdom with my bow. I have never truly belonged anywhere but I hope I can make Camelot my home." She rose and even Arthur looked impressed. 

Following Hild's example I knelt down. "Sire, I too pledge myself to your service and to the service of Camelot. I swear loyalty to the kingdom and to Prince Arthur as my commander. I, Lona Atwood, will protect your kingdom with my sword to the best of my ability. I too have never had a home, and I hope I will find one here." I stood up. 

"Well, Arthur, you have definitely found some very capable women. I do not often condone women who can fight but I daresay you will prove most useful. I ensured Morgana was capable with a sword, and she most certainly is, so I know that women can be more talented than some men although it is certainly a minority." He laughed to himself and I winced. I hated that kind of thinking. In what way were men any more talented than women? They weren't. That was the truth. 

"I will call on your attendance when needed. Hild, I expect you present at the feast tonight to sing, and Lona I understand you are still recovering and so it is your choice if you wish to attend." Uther dismissed us with a wave of his hand and we left the hall in silence.