Hold On - Merlin

II - A New Life In Camelot

                  

II – A New Life in Camelot

Merlin shadowed Arthur to the annual meeting of the five kingdoms. It was made rule and law for the leaders of all the kingdoms to attend, the first day of spring, every year. This was the first meeting. And Arthur had no clue what to say. He'd been thinking and thinking all week. He'd come up with nothing.

Gwen has tried to give Arthur ideas but truthfully, she has no clue also. What would be worth the time of all five kings and queens?

Arthur wore his red cape and armour, but not his crown.

The doors to the round table opened wide at the Kings approach. Any conversation on the other side of the door fell silent. Arthur leaned towards Merlin. "If any of them try to assassinate me again, you'll stop them, right?"

"Are you crazy? Why would I do that?" Merlin wore his mischievous smile, looking at the king. "Hurry up, they're waiting for you, princess."

"Merlin," Arthur said in a warning tone. But he knew, Merlin has always been there. He would not forsake him now.

Arthur took a deep breath and walked to the table where they were waiting, just like Merlin said.

"Good morning and welcome to Camelot. I hope you had pleasant journeys?" He started. Hoping to sound authoritative and welcoming at the same time.

"Pleasant is a word for it, I suppose. If you count dozens of bandits interrupting it, pleasant then yes, it was pleasant," King Alined stated.

"Very unfortunate, Alined," but Arthur had no remorse for him, he had a love spell on him and the Lady Vivian the last time he was here. He didn't feel bad at all.

"Alright," Queen Valka spoke up. "Let's get on with it."

"Yes, indeed," Arthur took a seat at the round table. The four other leaders around him. "Is there," Arthur struggled to make it sound like he knew exactly what he was doing. "Anything anyone would like to comment on before we start?"

"Yes, I have a question," King Olaf said.

"Yes?"

"You intended this table to have equality, yes? No man lower than another?"

"Yes, that is the message and the reign I live by. Why do you ask?"

"Your servant, he stands away, why does he not join us?" King Olaf asked.

"Uh, well... Do you want Merlin to join our meeting?" Arthur asked, stunned.

"Why not? No one knows the people better than a servant." Olaf gestured to Merlin to take a seat at the table.

Merlin looked to Arthur, when he nodded, Merlin sat, a few chairs down from the Queen. Arthur was still stunned; this meeting was for the peace treaty for the five kingdoms. Not for the people. Well, in a way it is.

"So, Merlin, isn't it?" Olaf said, clearly already knowing.

"Yes, sir." Merlin said respectfully.

"What can you tell us, about what the people think," Olaf asked.

"About what, your majesty?"

King Olaf thought for a moment. "About the treaty? About the way things are? Anything that could be changed for the better?"

"Well, I hear only good things about the treaty, your majesty. And the just and fair system that our king rules by, the way things are, is the best it's been in a long time. The changes that needed to have been, have been changed for the better already, your majesty."