the next generation: keepers of Excalibur

Arthur's POV:

*time skip to the next day because Arthur and Guinevere just talk and go to bed like a typical couple* (¬_¬)

I wake up to Guinevere's soft touch on my shoulder as she pulls me close to her. If she wasn't so cute when she was sleeping I would have made fun of her making me into her human teddy bear. 'Wait,' I thought to myself curiously, 'How do I know what a teddy bear is? the only time I've seen one is when Gwen opened up her bag to show what lessons they teach women in the 21st century. 'Maybe Gwen is rubbing off on me. No. My daughter is rubbing off on me! I must remember that she is my daughter.' I thought, prising Guinevere's fingers off of my arm so I could get dressed and convene the council. 'Wait.' I thought again, I'm making a habit of thinking that one word. It's as if the author of a book is trying to... Nope that's stupid there is no author this is just what's happening. isn't it? (😏 I love breaking the fourth wall, so from now on there may be some appearing every now and again to lighten up boring chapters.) ''Why have I woken up by myself? Usually, Merlin wakes me but today  I just knew to wake up and am getting dressed without the help of Merlin. Why?' I pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind however because I felt the urge to walk in the courtyard while it was still early dawn. Swiftly I got dressed and slipped out into the courtyard to find Emmy and Merlin conversing quietly and practising magic. I still haven't quite come to grips with the fact that Merlin has magic, however, I have been told that he has saved my hide with it on numerous occasions. 

Once they finish up their training session I walk over to them to seek council, If anyone will know how to deal with my dilemma it's them. As I approached them Merlin took a step back and Emmy followed.

"Merlin. Emmy" I started trying to sound as regal as possible. "I seek your councils on a most pressing matter. You see I wish to throw a Feast for the arrival of my half-sister, Artis, and my daughter, Gwen. However, I have no idea what they would want at the feast. Namely, because I haven't spent any time with them alone really. What do you two suggest? Because you know them Emmy and despite being clumsy you are actually quite useful sometimes merlin." I shuddered at that last statement which made Merlin grin before saying. "Aww. Was that almost a compliment Arthur?" Before I could hit merlin, Emmy punched him the arm saying "He always compliments you Merlin and you know it!" I was beginning to like Emmy more than Merlin at the minute. "My lord," Emmy stated calmly turning back to me "Artis and Gwen are pretty easy going. Artis and Gwen love drinking but other than that their tastes vary from situation to situation. For example, Gwen has recently expressed a wish to wear a traditional gown of this period to best look into the history that she has missed out on for 15 years of her life and Artis wishes to wear traditionally male clothing of this era as they do not identify with their female sex. They are genderfluid. I hope this helps my lord." and with that Emmy ran back inside to the warmth whilst Merlin and I remained outside a moment longer to talk. "What are your first impressions of Artis and Gwen, Merlin? Could they perhaps become the rulers of Camelot if I die with no male heir?" I asked staring towards the rising sun. Merlin sighed next to me and sat down on the dew covered grass before replying "Gwen would make an okay Queen, so would Artis. But together they could maybe even outshine you as the greatest rulers Camelot, or even the world, has ever known. You may be the once and future king, Arthur. But they are the best candidates to be your successors, not on their own, but together." that was what I needed to hear. Some reassurance. Some sign that in all of this confusion, I could entrust my daughter and my sister with the protection of Camelot. Carefully I lower myself down onto the grass too, pulling my shirt closer to myself for warmth.

"What if I announce my wishes to them at the summer solstice and welcoming feast tomorrow. It would give the tailors enough time to make two dresses. one for my sister and one for my daughter." I say pulling my knees into my chest for extra warmth. Merlin frowns at me before looking back out towards the sunrise like me. " I wouldn't make Artis wear a dress. If they want to wear male clothing then let them, Arthur. They are all still just kids yet." I nod at Merlin's suggestion and get up to walk towards the castle again. If I was going to be a good father and brother then I was going to have to be more understanding of differences between the world where Artis and Gwen grew up, and my own.

as I walk through the village towards the city gates I catch sight of the tailor and ask them to come later today to the castle to measure Gwen up for a dress and Artis up for a dress and tunic. 'now all that's left to do,' I thought to myself as I walked back from checking the guards at the gate were still awake. 'Is to wake up my daughter and sister for the first time.' As I walked through the corridor to their rooms which were opposite each other I felt a rush of joy that finally, I wasn't alone in the world and that there were other Pendragons to carry on the bloodline. Proudly I raped on Gwen's door which must have awoken Artis as well as they answered the door at the exact. same. time.

Authors Note:

hey, guys! I hope you liked this chapter. I'm going to be taking a break from my normal schedule for a bit and so in light of recent event which has delayed this chapter because I wasn't in the right state of mind to write it, I'm uploading the next two chapters on Monday (technically today but oh well) and Wednesday. I hope you like them as much as I will love writing them. love your author, M.