Camelot

XVII

Upon arriving to Camelot everyone everywhere was throwing petals towards our carriage and cheering, "How joyous they all look at our arrival, a new King and Queen upon the murder of the one before. How can they all cheer when my father is dead?" Arthur looked around in sadness. He saw his father as a tyrant, but they were still family. Arthur would never share the same view of his father now that he has been murdered. People like me, people of magic, are happy that he is gone but the only hope now is that Arthur's grief doesn't drive him down the same path.

I placed my hand on Arthur's as his glazed eyes looked into mine, "I didn't know your father very well, or at all." I became lost for words as I hesitated, "but family is family, and losing one of your family members is not something to be easily forgiven." At least I wasn't lying, but Uther made me lose my family. Though he was once part of mine by marriage he will never be one in my heart, and neither will Arthur.

"Thanks, I at least know that through all of this I have you." Arthur smiled sending a shiver down my spine when he squeezed my hand. "Are you ready for this? When we enter the throne room we will go through the coronation. Once we do so you must understand that with this includes you may not go off searching for your family. A Queen's duty is to remain and take care of the castle and to, well provide the kingdom with a successor."

"I knew what my duties would be if I married you." I tried to produce a fake smile.

"Do you think I'm like my father?" His eyes looked heavy.

"No, you may share similar features but you have such a bigger heart. You will make a great King for Camelot."

"Let's go and get ready for the coronation, but I do have to tell you one thing."

"You're leaving again." I could tell it in his eyes.

"I won't be gone for too long, it's tradition every new King visits his allies to keep the peace. Especially now this trip is important."

"Why is it important now?"

"I'll make this as fast as I can, Lancelot killed Uther. He's already confessed and is awaiting sentencing in the dungeons." Lancelot what have you done? Thank you for getting rid of that monster from my life but how did you get yourself caught? "You can be absent from the sentencing if you wish, it takes place right after the coronation. I don't want you to have to see what will happen, I don't want to but I must uphold the law." I could see he was lying, he mourned his father and he wanted his thirst for revenge quenched, he just didn't want me to see what he was going to do.

"Let's go to get the coronation ceremony over with." I turned my eyes away trying for him not to see my sadness.

With help from many people I was lifted out of the carriage and carefully walked through the halls with my makeshift splint starting to give me blisters. While maids helped do my hair a doctor was bandaging my leg and making it comfortable. It took almost an hour to get me finished, but even I was finished before Arthur. I heard him fighting about what robes to wear, he wanted to wear black but your suppose to wear ceremonial robes for the coronation. His yelling was a new side of him that I had never seen, was this only grief or the true him?

"My lady," Arthur emerged from his room and offered his arm. I took it reluctantly still wondering about his yelling, I guess he won out. While I stood in a ceremonial red dress that laid with an extra long train, Arthur was in a red tunic covered by black robes that just touched the ground. "After this I'll say you're going to go lie down or something about your leg, that way you don't have to see anything."

"I can stay and watch, I don't need to leave. Besides you don't want it to look suspicious if I leave, I was once his ward?"

"You do have a point, but you can't show any emotion toward him, no matter what I say. "

"Just remember when you look at him to see the man who has always been loyal to you and your friend, not just your father's murderer."

He nodded slightly as the throne room awaited us. Arthur carefully allowing me to hold on so I wouldn't fall, and walking slowly so I didn't have to hobble to keep up.

The ceremony seemed to be drawn out. I was helped to stand and kneel and everything else. "My lady please sit on the throne, it may be more comfortable for you." The minister helped me back up. I sat on the throne meant for the Queen and with sweet relief my leg got a chance to rest.

"Prince Arthur, you are the heir to the throne of Camelot and our future King. Upon this day you have taken the oath to fulfill your father's place and take care of the people of Camelot. Today I crown you our lord, our leader, our King. King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot." A crown was placed on Arthur's head. Arthur stood and turned to him subjects who cheered long live the king around the room.

"Citizens of Camelot, as my first act as King I must do this one thing. My father was murdered and we have found the culprit who had has already confessed. Sir Lancelot was once a loyal knight to Camelot but has turned into a traitor and murdered our own King. I take this throne with one thing in mind, Lancelot has committed treason and on this day will face judgement. Bring him in!" Arthur ordered.

"Your highness Lancelot has escaped, he's gone." A knight barged through the doors and shouted to the whole assembly.

"Find him!" Arthur roared.

As the room was thrown into a frenzy Arthur turned to me. I was completely shocked on the outside, and hid my relief on the inside. "I have a strong alibi being here the whole time. It may be wise not to try and pin an accusation on your own Queen."

"SIr Percival, escort the Queen to her chambers safely please." Arthur turned to him. Without letting anyone else see Arthur grabbed my arm and whispered, "You better stay in there and don't interfere or you will be charged with treason with him."

Arthur's true side had come out. He was not the man I thought he once was, he was a monster. Just like Uther, maybe even worse.