Lady of the Court

XVI

Ava readjust her basket as she looks at the fruit being sold. Knights are moving about, collecting Uther's new tax law. Both her and Arthur tried to argue against it, but it was a fail. Now the people sadly have to pay for it. She watches as two knights start terrorizing an older man. She sets down the fruit in her hand and start moving in that direction.

"Leave him alone," she orders. She goes to pull one off of the man, but he pushes her on to the ground. Arthur quickly arrives, pulling that knight away.

"What are you doing?" He snaps. The prince turns towards his sister, offering to help her up. She ignores the offer.

"He won't pay the taxes," the knight states.

"Let me see," Arthur orders. He hands over the sack of coins. The prince barely looks in it before ordering for everyone to get their money back. The knights nods their heads before doing as ordered. The blond quickly heads towards the castle. Ava hurries after him.

"You did the right thing," she tells him.

"I doubt father will see it that way."

"Either way, it helps prove you care for your people."

He smiles as the two of them head into the castle. Ava seperates from her brother, going to go read a book in her chambers. Once there, she lounges on her couch, picking up the book off the ground. She tries to read from where she left off. However, her mind keeps going back to Merlin. Soon she realizes she's read the same page several times. Setting it back dowm, she stretches. Her door opens amd Merlin sneaks in.

"What are you doing here?" She snaps. "If you get caught, you will be killed."

"I got to do something about Catrina."

"Well what do you plan on doing?"

"Gaius and I switched her potion she uses."

The lady nods her head. He sits down beside her, trying to rest for a moment. She lays her head on his shoulder and he puts an arm around her. He holds out his hand and a rose blossoms in his palm. He slides it in her hair, kissing her forehead. Eventually the two doze off like that. Someone knocks on her door, waking them up after some time has passed.

"Just a minute," Ava calls. Merlin looks around, debating where to hide. Ava shrugs and he slides under her bed. She fixes her hair, quickly removing the rose. "Enter."

Morgana enters, looking furious.

"Uther just disowned Arthur in front of everyone," she snaps. How long have I been up here? "Now Catrina is to named heir."

"When is this to happen?"

"This evening. And of course we have to attend."

Ava spots Merlin, motioning for her to get Morgana to leave.

"Then I guess we must get ready."

"You're not angry about this?"

"I am. But what can we do at the moment? We need to be calm and collected."

The dark hair lady agrees before leaving to get ready. Merlin crawls out from where he was hiding. He kisses her goodbye, leaving her on her own to get dressed. She puts on a light blue and white dress with sleeves drape down. She finishes getting ready for the most recent ceremony. She hurries down to stand by Morgana. The one in charge of all legal bindings begins the ceremony.

"Will you, Queen Catrina, promise to uphold the laws of Camelot?"

"I will."

The promises continues though some know she won't uphold these. Soon Catrina's demenour changes completely. She stands up straight.

"Will you serve the people-"

"Yes. Yes."

The old man looks at her in shock.

"I have to say it all for it to be binding."

"Well get on with it then."

The king chuckles before agreeing with his wife. The man starts again only for the new queen to rip the crown from him. She takes off out the hall. Uther and the three he watches follow after her. She keeps on trying to open a door, but she can't. Ava watches as she struggles, trying not to laugh.

"Let me," Arthur offers. He goes towards the door before jumping back. "What is that?"

Catrina turns around and start transformation. Morgana freaks out, calling for help. Soon, standing before them, is a squat, grey troll.

"You're beautiful," Uther gushes.

"Can't you see," Arthur snaps. "She's a big, grey-"

"Stinking," Morgana offers.

"Stinking troll."

Uther looks at his son in disgust.

"You will not speak about your step mother like that."

"Are you blind?" Ava interjects.

"You're no exception to how you treat your step mother either."

All three of the younger people freeze in shock. Uther just blabbed about a huge secret in this family. Catrina breaks the silence as she tears the door off its hinges. She runs off and Uther follows. Arthur turns towards Ava.

"Did you know about that?" He asks. Ava tries to find the proper words when she spots Merlin.

"I got to go."

She runs off after the sorceror.