In the months after Merlin came, I trained harder than I ever had in my life. Whenever I could spare a moment I would pull out a sword and began my series of stances, performing tactics on imaginary enemies. I would wake up two hours before dawn to practise archery, I would wrestle pigs in the market, I would stay up late playing chess against myself and drawing out detailed military plans. I grew more and more exhausted and more and more distracted from my job as a squire, but I despite that, I had never felt better.
My time was coming. I would finally become something, someone! Everything I had done, would finally add up to something. My heart thumped in my chest at the thought of more. Merlin hadn't given me many answers but the words he had given me were enough to motivate my actions.
I had told a sobbing Guin that everything would be alright. The blonde had come galloping at a break neck pace the day the tournament was announced. I found her crying in the dirt, etiquette abandoned, completely horrified about what was to come.
"Guin, there is no need for tears," I said gently, "Merlin came to visit me. He said that this tournament will set a good many things into motion. Great things."
"I don't know what that crazy old wizard told you, but this tournament is not a good thing," she spat, "This is my father forcing me into marrying some barbarian with the thickest skull!"
"I know you don't want to, but have faith in Merlin," I encouraged.
"You only trust him because he gave you a great future," she snapped. "My future is doting on a husband who will neither love nor care for me."
"Merlin brings good news remember?" I reminded, "He brought us together."
"Only after my closet friend died of small pox, leaving you as his replacement. Well, if I do say you are a very poor replacement of the soul lost that day," Guin hiccupped with venom, "Now leave me alone."
Angry I stood, "Fine," I snarled, "But I wouldn't dare look anywhere else for comfort. When you're ready to apologize, you can come find me, I'll be waiting." Guin stood as well, fire burning in deep blue eyes.
"Apologize for the truth?" She roared, "You dream of becoming great, but no matter what you do in the future, you will never be able to make up for your past. You're a joke Arthur, a fake, and an arrogant fool!
"You will never amount to anything true because you are an actor. Anything you achieve will not really be done by you, but by who you wish you were. It is not Ara who will go down in history but Arthur. The boy who died of Black Death years ago, the boy who really deserves to become a legend. Not you, an outcast from every society you try and wriggle into! Who feeds their own need for assurance with a blown up ego since no one else will give confidence to them!"
It was quiet for a moment. I looked at her blankly.
"See you on Christmas Guin," I then said cheerfully as I turned around, "I'll be sure to bring you a good wedding present."
~
The day had finally come. It had come and I was sick. Very sick, my stomach heaved once again, trying to empty itself of something that wasn't there. I shuddered and leaned back on my haunches. I was cold but I was covered in sweat, my hair stuck to me forehead and a fire burned inside my muscles. I supposed it was a good thing I was hot as opposed to cold, my fever had finally broken sometime overnight.
I stood, leaning heavily on a tree in the forest I had emptied myself in and waited a moment for the dizziness to pass. Then, after spitting once more on the ground, I turned and stumbled back to the cottage.
"Hurry up Wart," Kay snarled as he waited impatiently by his horse. I swooned slightly before walking up next to his stallion.
I hadn't packed any of the saddle bags, I hoped Ector hadn't forgotten anything. I gripped the reins weakly and looked down the road, it would be a long and hard walk to say the least. Six miles on foot in wet rain with a flu that had ravaged your insides is not the ideal way to spend Christmas. I did not keep clear memory for much of the walk, it was all a blur, and by the time we reached the castle I was staggering, leaning heavily on the horse to keep my footing.
YOU ARE READING
How to become king Arthur
FantasíaI am a girl. I was born in the late 5th century. My mother died when I was young leaving me to be raised by my 6 older brothers who taught me to have a passion for horseback riding, battle strategizing and sword fighting. My name is Ara Fitzpaula. B...
