Camelot

XII

Once again I was on the way to Camelot royal city, but this time I was alone. With Merlin away dealing with a border dispute that could lose three entire villages and out hundreds without homes, and my father weak from the oath, it was up to me to deal with the engagement in my own. Looking at my left wrist I skied down at my official Wicken crest of a dark blue iris that I somewhat covered with a silver bracelet that branched from my wrists up my forearm. They acted like armor, like most of my outfit was. A royal princess traveling with no other protection besides the armed Coachman driving the carriage. I wasn't used to being alone, the second u left the island I had Lancelot until I found my father, I wonder how Lancelot was doing, who knows where he is hiding.

"Your highness, we've crossed the border into Camelot. Your father requested until we hit the royal city to keep your hood up." The Coachman called to me as my sight started to go a little blurry.

"Thank you." I lifted my hood over my red hair that was so carefully braided to lay against my back comfortably.

I sat back and took a deep breath how will I ever make this decision in time? I was terrified and I thought that once I took over the wicken oath as head title from my father that k would see something to help me decide what to do, but I haven't seen any new visions since I was last in Camelot. Maybe that means that I have more of a future in Camelot than in Avalon.

I looked out the window of the carriage, desperate to be going back home. Fear of what could happen pulsed in my blood. I needed someone, anyone to be with me. To keep my mind busy I played with the beaded embroidery of my skirt until I started trailing the silver branches of my armor. Why does this trip seen to be so terribly long?

The carriage began to slow until it came to a complete stop, we weren't here already, that would be impossible. "What's going on?" I called out the window.

"Remain in the carriage my lady." The Coachman ordered.

Whispering continued outside as I remained in the stagnant carriage, beyond curious and a little anxious. Tapping my foot rapidly against the door I could feel how antsy I was. "Coachman, when are we going to arrive in the royal city?"

Everything went quiet as the whispering stopped and there wasn't even a faint rustle of leaves to show movement. Something wasn't right, not just the silence but the wind had died down. Unknown to many people but the wind represents messages between people of magic, but there was no traffic in the wind, it was dead. And with the wind's disappearance I knew one thing was very clear, I was completely alone. Where the coachman was is a mystery, but right now I think I have more things to worry about, like the huge gusts of winds that were now blasting the carriage.

Suddenly the carriage's left side door was thrown open and I was feeling the blasting wind coming at me. A hooded figure entered as my pulse rushed, why was I so scared? "All will be well if you listen to me your highness." His voice said under the hood.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"No questions, I'm here to help you so please just listen. Your coachman is dead and those who killed him will be after you soon. So listen to me, I have already unhooked one of the horses from the carriage. You will mount the horse and ride north."

"What's north of here?"

"Help for you, and saftey. Now please go. I'll buy you some time to get away but I can't guarantee how long. Go!" He ordered and fled.

I didn't trust him, I didn't eve know him, but for some reason I was doing exactly what he said. Rushing out the carriage door with a small bag of fruit that I was given as a riding snack and mounted the horse. Before I knew it the horse and I were flying through the trees trying to find help.

~~~~~

Hours later both of us were still exhausted as we weren't moving very fast. It was almost dark and I hadn't seen a single person yet, let alone another town or landmark to know where on earth I was. I was tired, I was scared, and I was all alone. My lower back ached with every trot the horse took under me. My legs tingled numbly dangling down the horse's side. My silver tree armor rattled against each other alerting every known thing within a decent distance. Each little noise around me caught my ear, but I was too tired to react to every single one. My hands had been sore from riding for so long, it only took one second and my hands slipped. It didn't take long for me to lose my balance as I fell backwards off the horse and straight on my back.

I had no time to register my pain before three red cloaks with unsheathed swords pointing towards me appeared in my vision. "Hold your ground!" A voice separate from the three roared.

The voice's owner stepped forwards with sword in hand, "Well my lady you seem to be lost, shall I ask your intentions?"

The man still hadn't seen my face, so I know that's all I needed to do was to show Prince Arthur my face. I lifted my hood and watched him jump back. "Lady Guinevere the missing ward of the traitor Lancelot." He smirked.

"I have no further involvement with him from the moment i left." I lied. "If you would so help me I have a meeting with King Uther, my carriage was attacked on the way, your highness."

"With your association to a person of interest why would I bring you to the royal court based on just your word?" Prince Arthur asked.

Well at least he's smart. "I appreciate your concern but if you rather my return to which I came I will gladly." I smiled as I bowed my head, after today home would be nice.

"You have quite a nerve to speak in such a way to a crowned royal." Prince Arthur raised his eyebrows.

"As do you." I attempted to stand up and pushed away his hand when he offered.

Confusion was in his eyes but he was to proud to ask. "And what would a young maiden want with a meeting with the King?"

"My father would have come with me but was unable to attend." I smiled.

"The baker in the royal city who went missing?" I kept making him more and more confused.

"I'm sorry but there was a mix up with that. My father is Lord william of Avalon." I enjoyed his confusion.

"So once you were Lady Guinevere and now you are it again, Lady ...

"No there's another mix up. I'm not Lady Guinevere like you'd think. Yes I'm the recently found daughter of Lord William, but the King of Avalon is his brother. King Merlin of Avalon has no child of his own so he leaved the position of heir to the throne of Avalon to the only descendant of his family, his dear niece."

To my surprise he didn't seen very surprised. "My apologies for the misunderstanding Princess guinevere, but do you happen to have any proof of what you're saying?"

"No, I did but it's in the carriage and who knows what happened to that or where it is. I was told to ride north until I found help." I explained. "I understand if you don't trust it's me."

"Even if you aren't it is not right to leave nay maiden alone in the woods. We'll arrive in Camelot in time for the engagement ball. So if you are the one my father has chosen then we will be able to learn a bit about each other."

"Your father chose me to be your wife and you had no say in it?" Of course I already knew the story but I had to play along.

"No one does, Kings and Queens chose who their heir will marry. It is every heir's hope that the first choice dies so then they have to authority to choose who they love." Things went silent. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean ..."

"Don't worry trust me you're not my first choice either." I tried to laugh it off.

"So who is? What tortured soul has won your heart but will never win your hand?" He had to ask.

Does he not understand the power I have? I can say no and run right back to Lancelot's sheltered arms and run away with him forever, I don't have to marry Arthur because his father want me to. It saves Avalon that Camelot never knows our secrets. Anyway I already knew that I would tell King Uther no, but now I can do it at the ball in front of everyone and prove one thing very clear. I'm no pawn in a game of Kings, as long as I have my voice I will choose my own fate. No one can control me, I was born without strings and that's how I will stay.