Lady Scarlet of Camelot

Chapter 13

I stay in for the rest of the day. Uther would not hear of me leaving the castle after what happened. I go to the feast and pick at my food till I am bored. Retiring early, I catch Morgana and Uther having a spate about the execution earlier in the day. History always tells of how Morgana turns against Uther in the end. Hopefully, I can change that.

When the sun breaks, starting a new day, I head to Uther's chambers, hoping to catch him before the court. The look on his face when he opened the door tells me that he was surprised by my visit, "Scarlet? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I was wondering if I could go to the market today. I would bring my guards of course."

"Take Leon with you as well," he states, "don't linger too long either I want you to meet Lady Helena before tonight."

"Thank you, Ki-"

"Just Uther," he corrects, "we are to be married in a few more weeks."

"Uther," I give a curtsy before leaving.

Isabella is waiting by my door with a red cloak that pairs well with my green dress. I leave my hair uncovered since I will always have my hood up. Matthew and Edgar are my guards for today. After relaying the message about Leon needing to join us, we head off to the training ground. Leon almost jumps will happiness as he gets out of training the recruits today. My three knights in shining chain mail and red cloaks box me in beside the front of me as we make our way to the market.

Leon and Edgar talk with me and each other as I look over food, jewelry, and other items. Matthew stays to my left in silence. After grabbing a nearby soldier to carry a batch of apples back for me, I head into a fabric shop to pick up some thread and lace, "Matthew," I catch his attention, "why don't you ever join the conversations that your peers have? Or joke with them?"

"I am doing what my king has ordered me to do. In this case, is watching over you and making sure no harm comes to you."

I pick up three shades of blue and show them to him, "Pick one," I order.

Leon, who has been talking with Edgar, notices, "I say the o-"

"Not you, Sir Leon," I order, "I asked, Sir Matthew."

Seconds tick by as we enter an almost starring battle, "The one on the right" it is the darkest of the three. In modern times we would call it a gem blue.

"Thank you."

After picking out some more yellow thread and some more fabric that I had ordered beforehand. We start back only to run into Arthur fighting with a black-haired male about his age and clearly a commoner. Watching from a distance, I wait till the fight has ended with the man on the ground and Arthur twirling a broom. Having enough of Arthur's childish behavior, I start making my way forward. People start to move before I even get to them as people start whispering my name, "Arthur," I call out in a clipped tone. The two soldiers that hold the young man's arms move him out of the way and give a small bow of their heads.

"He may be an idiot," Arthur starts. I clear my throat, telling him to knock it off, "but he is a brave one."

"Are you finished," I ask after the soldiers release the man? Arthur offers me his arm, which I take. We walk towards the castle in silence, with our men following behind.

"Are you going to meet Lady Helena tonight with my father?"

"He wants me to."

"So, are you going?"

After giving the kitchen some instructions about the apples, instructing the seamstress as to the final details of my dress for my wedding, and freshening up, I head up to the private dining area. I already know that I am late, but what surprises me is what Uther and Lady Helena are talking about, how it is too late for Arthur not to grow up with a mother, how Uther asks for her pardon for me not being there. Saying that I am young and immature. Isabella almost gives me away when she bumps into me with my evening cloak.

Taking the cloak, "Please tell King Uther I am not feeling well."

Not even questioning me, Isabella walks straight into the room, "Sire," she begins, "Lady Scarlet wanted me to ask for your forgiveness, but she is not feeling well. She is resting and hopes to be able to come to the feast tomorrow to hear Lady Helena sing."

"Has G-"

I don't wait to hear the rest as I latch my cloak on. The halls are empty at the moment, so the man from the market, the one that Arthur had been fighting with, is heading down a passage I had not seen before. I follow slowly, giving him plenty of space. We head into an unfinished hall. I duck into an out cove when he turns to check if anyone if following him. With there only one way in and out, I decided to wait. Not too long before I see his pass me again, but a whisper passes with the name Merlin fading to where I almost miss it. 

I continue down the path that Merlin has just come from. A vast cave stands before me. The sounds of wings flapping and chains moving announces the dragon as he lands on a rock in front of me, "My Queen," it bows its giant head. His tone is not mocking but one of respect.

"Why do you call me that," I sit on my butt, knowing that even with his chains, he could kill me, "Knowing who I am marrying. What his views are about Magic and Magical Creatures."

"You play a crucial role in Arthur's and Merlin's life."

"That was Merlin. The Merlin," I whisper in shock. He is so young.

"Yes, Lady Scarlet Stanmoore. Daughter of Lady Sarah Marianne Stanmoore." I snap my head up to see him, "Yes, My Queen, I know all about you. You have both memories intact. Use that to help Arthur and Merlin. He will need protection at times. Use your knowledge to soften Uther's heart."

With that he flies away. I stand up with this knowledge and slowly make my way back to my room. Isabella asks nothing about my silent state and instead readies me for bed. Once she tucks me in I roll onto my side and give her a faint smile as she leaves. I don't fall asleep right away. Instead, I lay there running through my memories from the 21st century. Pulling everything I know about Camelot to the front of my mind. My door cracks open, "Wait here," Uther whisper.

I close my eyes before he enters. The soft thud of his boots lets me know that he is moving towards me. The shift in my bed alerts me to him sitting down, "Isabella told me you were not feeling well," he moves a piece of my hair behind my ear. I don't break character, "Sleep well," he whispers. The soft creek of the door closing lolls me to sleep.