Sitting at the table in the physicians' chambers, Arwen focused on a book in front of her, reading through the words which she tried to commit to memory and learn in an attempt to further develop the plan she'd been working on as of late. "Times of war: military strategy and negotiations?" Gaius, from where he sat down on the other side of the table, read over the words etched into the cover and went as far as giving a small shudder at the title.
"It's as boring as it sounds." Arwen nodded as she put the book down. "But I was never taught any of this as a child or prepared for it. And I need to know it if I am to lead an entire kingdom." She reminded, making Gaius send her a curious look. She'd never been talking about leading a kingdom into war before.
"And why is it that you're worried about such matters?"
"Because Gaius, I can't just live my life here and be a queen in the shadows." Arwen said with a small sigh. "I can't sit and wait until Uther is dead when that might not happen for a long time to come. Unfortunately."
"Arwen." Gaius scolded for just a moment, watching the careless rise and fall of her shoulders as she clearly didn't regret her words. Not that he could blame her after all that had happened. "Do you truly think there is no way other than war?"
"I want there to be one. But with Uther..." Arwen trailed off thoughtfully. "I had hoped that, once time came to reveal the truth, he might realize I was honest about wanting peace. That all the good I did here as a physician would make him more trusting. But now I know there won't be one."
"You're right." Gaius sighed, wishing there were another way to handle the revelation, but the more anyone thought of it the more unlikely it seemed.
"And then there's Morgana." Arwen added on. From the moment she discovered the truth about who she thought was her friend, Arwen couldn't deny she'd grown fearful. Morgana's last plan had failed, and she couldn't be sure when the woman would decide to strike again. "She could simply walk up to Uther at any moment and reveal my identity."
"You want to find a way to do it all on your own terms," Gaius concluded with ease, starting to understand a bit more why she was so suddenly focused on the next step of her reign. "Before someone else does it for you."
"Exactly." Arwen nodded in confirmation. "And the first step to that..." She trailed off, knowing that she couldn't plan anything before doing the most important part. Maybe not most important for the kingdom or her reign, but for her and her alone. "Telling Arthur the truth. I don't want him finding out from anyone else but me."
"I do believe Arthur will-" Whatever Gaius might've intended to say, his reassuring voice was cut off by the knock at their door, both physicians turning towards it as a guard made his way inside.
"A messenger has arrived in Camelot." The guard announced. "The council has been summoned by the king." The instruction was simply and had Arwen and Gaius sharing curious looks between themselves as they wondered what the meaning behind the summons must be. It wouldn't be long before they discovered it was nothing good.
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