Lady Scarlet of Camelot

Chapter 11

A knock comes on the door. Isabella opens it after checking to see who was on the other side. Leon and Matthew stand there. It has been about two hours since we locked the door. After waving them in, "My Lady," Leon states, and they both give a slight bow, "Lord Whittemore has an audience with King Uther in a few minutes. He asked us to escort you to the throne room."

"Of course," I take a breath before turning to Isabella, "You are to remain here in this room till I return or send someone you know for you."

"But My-"

"No!"

"As you wish," Isabella drops into a curtsy, "My Lady."

With Leon on my left and Matthew on my right, we make our way to the throne room or Great Hall. Everyone moves out of our way. There are only two reasons to have knights flanking you. One, you are a dangerous criminal. Two, the king sees you as his own. The door to the Great Hall is cracked as we come to a stop at it. I motion for the guards to wait.

"Lady Scarlet's hand is not free to marry," King Uther states.

"I know Sire, her father promised her hand to me a year ago. I was to marry her a month after the attack," Lord Whittemore lies through his teeth.

"That is odd because-"

I motion to the guards to open the doors. With my ever-loyal knights by my sides, "The Lady Scarlet Stanmoore!"

King Uther stands along with Prince Arthur and every other seated male in the room. Morgana, still with her cloak on, is sitting in her chair. An empty chair between hers and Uther's. Lord Whittemore steps to the side when he sees that neither of the knights is moving from my side. Once we pass him, both men stop as I continue forward. I give a deep curtsy to Uther. He comes down the two steps in front of me and offers me his hand. I take it with my left and follow his lead back up the stairs before turning and handing him my right hand.

"As I was saying," Uther continues after motioning for me to sit. With his hand helping me, I sit in a chair to his throne's right. It is bigger than Morgana's and even Arthur's. Even when I sit, our hands remain connected, "I don't see how that is possible when Lady Scarlet's hand is promised to me."

"My Lord," Whittemore asks as he watches Leon and Matthew follow and stand behind me, "I would have to ask what evidence you have to your claim. As even your son seems surprised at this news."

I move my eyes to see that Arthur's face is surprised and confused. I know he would think that our plan would be to say that we were promised to each other. But I couldn't do that to him. Not knowing how much he will come to love Gwen, "A signed contract between my father and King Uther. Made a month before the attack on our home," I answer.

The royal records keeper brings the document forward for everyone to see. Hushed whispers snake through the gathered audience. Uther pats my hand before dropping it and sitting on his throne, "I waited to speak with Lady Scarlet about it till after she had time to recover from the attack. We were going to announce it at the feast at the end of this week."

"I believe we could do it now, My Lord," I suggest, "Now that the whole court knows, we should make it public."

"Of course, my dear. Scribe, write out letters of announcements, and have them sent out. Our wedding will be held in one month."

"Yes, My Lord."

"I'm sure you understand that we have a lot to plan for, so we won't have the time to see you off." King Uther states. Making it clear that he is not welcome.

"Of course, congratulations to you both," with a bow, he leaves the Great Hall.

Lord Whittemore leaves with two of his men trailing behind him. The rest of the court waits as we wait for them to leave with hush whispers growing. As the door close behind them Uther stands offering me his hand. I stand along with him, "As you just heard," he starts, "Lady Scarlet Stanmoore and I are wed in one month. As of now she will be treated like the Queen of Camelot that she will be."

"We wish you health and happiness My Lord," one of his advisors states with me small bow, "May Lady Scarlet's grace and kindness be a comfort to the people of Camelot."

I give a small smile and nod of my head as a thank you. Well wishes flow through the room Uther ends court before leading me to the private office of his. Arthur, Leon, and Morgana following with Matthew guarding the door on the outside. The tension in the room is thick as Uther guides me to a seat. I give his hand a squeeze silently telling him that I will take the lead, "Arthur, Morgana, please sit before I explain."

"Leon," Uther turns to him, "What is going to be said will not leave this room."

"Of course."

Once both of my friend have sat, "I understand that what was announced came as a shock to you all. I promise that this was both King Uther's and I's plan. I knew that if King Uther said I was promised to a knight or even Arthur that Lord Whittemore would challenge them for my hand," I take a breath, "I could not allow that to happen. Lord Whittemore like to play dirty and he would do anything to get his hands on my family legacy."

"Oh Scarlet," Morgana reaches a hand out to me.

"I know that he will be back for the wedding," I state looking at her, "I will need your help in making it an amazing event."

Arthur stands and quickly leaves the room. Slamming the door open as he leaves. Uther looks displeased and Morgana confused on what to do, "Of course I will help you with the wedding."

"Thank you," I stand, "I should go find Arthur."

Standing I give a quick curtsy and exit. Matthew falls into step behind me, "He will have gone to the training ground," he whispers.

Taking this led I head straight there. News must have spread like wild fire about my engagement to the king. Servants move out of the way and give quick curtsies or bows as I pass. The sun blinds me for a second as I exit the castle and let the fresh air greet me. Matthew falls a few more steps behind as I enter the training grounds. Arthur in sight. He is looking over the swords that lay on a rack flashing against the sunlight, "Arthur," I speak lowly.

"Why," he simply states turning around to look at me, "Why did you tell? Why did you agree to marry my father."

Sitting down on the grass I pat the ground next to me. He sits and starts picking at the ground, "Your whole family is special to me Arthur," I begin, "Our families have been friends for years and your father has done so much for me since the attack on my family."

"That tells me nothing."

I sigh trying to figure out how to get him to except that I would not marry him without telling him about the future, "Your future marriage should not be decided by your friend being in danger. As I said earlier, I could not risk Lord Whittemore challenging any of you," I take the weed flower that Arthur holds out to me, "I could not do that to the men that my brother thought so highly of or the men that have become like brothers to me."

We sit in silence as he thinks over what I have said, "Are you sure that this is what you want to do? If not we can think of another way."

"I am sure," I stand up and pull on Arthur's hand getting him to stand. He offers me his arm as we start walking back, "Besides I will be your step-mother and I will be able to order you around."