Camelot

XIII

"Well Princess Guinevere, welcome to Camelot." Prince Arthur outstretched his hand towards Camelot's palace. "This is me giving you the chance, if you are not who you claim to be just around now and nothing bad will come your way. Otherwise if you are found to be an imposter I can not guarantee your safety with whatever my father chooses." He seemed concerned.

"Thank you for your concern but I don't need to run, I'm not an imposter pretending to be the heir of Avalon." I rolled my eyes. "But if you insist on my leaving then i'll be on my way back home."

"Guinevere I'm not saying that. To be honest you being here had been nice, I mean it's nice to get to know you before what's to come. Well if you are who you say. I'm just a little worried, my father views impersonation worse than witchcraft which says something."

"Arthur you seem to neglect that I have a choice in the engagement."

"You don't."

"Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean ...

"Not that. Guinevere, my father will clear and strip Lancelot's name if the union happens. The catch is if it's declined." Arthur was reluctant to speak. "If the union is turned down he's going to betray the alliance and attack Avalon for conspiracy to protect the veils of sorcery. Lancelot was smuggling the escaped sorcerers over the border to Avalon territory."

I didn't know what to say, how do you choose between death and death? I thought that when I was crowned heir that I would be making a difference to help all of the people who are gifted with magic. But now all me being named is leading to will end in death of the one I love the most, or of everyone I have sworn to protect. Either way I don't believe anyone in the kingdom will be safe with either decision. If I say no then Camelot will attack Avalon and our secret will be known, Avalon will become a target to every kingdom in the world until Avalon is gone. If I say yes then Avalon will be merged and the fight between whether magic will survive or be destroyed, along with myself. Either way the kingdom dies, and so will I.

"Guinevere, I'm sorry but you had to know. You can't let my father know that you know, not even a single look of disdain towards him or he will figure out what you know and start the attack before you even make it to the dungeons." He showed his true nature, he did care and he knew it was wrong. "My father has had darkness in his heart since my mother died, he blames Merlin for being the one to bring such sorrow to his heart. Merlin helped my parents get together, but my mother still killed herself and my father still doesn't understand why. He says if Merlin never interfered his love wouldn't be gone. He's been waiting for the opportunity to attack for years, and Lancelot was his key."

"But wasn't Lancelot your best friend?" I looked around and asked in a whisper.

"Between you and me, he still is. No matter what happens he just has to stay alive and hidden long enough for me to ascend the throne. My father has power over me now, but once I'm in charge he can't stop me from changing the laws and freeing magic."

"You want to free magic?" I exclaimed with as much fake shock as I could muster.

"We should talk about this another time, when we aren't surrounded by ears. And do be quiet." Arthur rolled his eyes as if I was a little child, I guess the act worked.

"My Lord the King is in the throne room awaiting your return, and I must warn you that he is not in a pleasant mood, the King of Avalon has just arrived only to find that the Princess never showed and we have been looking all over the kingdom to find her." A butler came out of the castle.

Arthur turned to look at me, he finally started to believe that I was who I said. "I'm sorry for doubting you my lady. Shall we continue on to the Kings?"