Camelot

Twelve - Unrest

~A/N~ 
Again I apologise for the long three month gap between this chapter and the last! I will attempt to update again as soon as possible, keep me motivated with votes and comments, haha just joking. 
Seriously guys, thanks for all the support I'm getting on this story. It may not seem like much to you but this is so good for me, it's the best I've ever done on a story. Thanks again guys, hope you enjoy this chapter :) 

Twelve – Unrest

 

After Lady Helen’s body was recovered from the woods and put to rest the wedding celebrations were put on hold, with only a tournament remaining. Madeline and Leith returned to Ganden the following day, deciding it was best that at least one powerful sorcerer would be keeping watch over my kingdom. While Madeline was keen to stay for the tournament, Leith had somehow managed to convince her that her duties were more important then watching men hit each other with weapons and they left shortly after.

Arthur adjusted to the idea of having Merlin as his manservant, even though he appeared to be absolutely useless in the first few days. It bought me joy to see Arthur finally realise that the world did not revolve around him, as well as the constant calls of ‘MERLIN!’ throughout the castle.

With Merlin around the castle seemed to come to life, with something odd occurring just about every other day. It was as though his presence in Camelot bought sorcerers and magical creatures alike across the borders and into our lands. After the debacle with the impostor of Lady Helen, there was a knight with an enchanted shield named Valiant during the tournament, and then in the following weeks there was an Afanc found in the water supply, suspected to be placed there by a sorcerer called Nimueh. 

The topic of Nimueh seemed to be touchy in the castle, especially when spoken about in front of the King. It was clear to me that there was some history between Uther and Nimueh, prior to the Great Purge. It made me wonder whether it was her actions that had caused the exile of magic throughout Uther’s land.

Once the city had recovered from the deaths caused by the Nimueh and the Afanc and Morgana’s serving girl who had been falsely accused of causing the plague had been cleared, it was announced that the kingdoms of Camelot and Mercia would celebrate a union. The castle was in a flurry of excitement as preparations were put in place for the arrival of King Bayard and the Knights of Mercia.

Bayard and Uther were one in the same, each having an immense dislike for any kind of sorcery. I debated the idea of staying throughout his visit, preferring to be at home and out of the way in case something were to happen, but Arthur insisted on having me there to present me as his wife in front of Bayard.

“Arthur do you really think it is a good idea having me in the middle of two anti-magic kings?” I continued to pester him.

“Emalia, as my wife you will need to be there,” he said each and every time.

Eventually I gave up, deciding to feign an emergency in my kingdom the day before Bayard and the Knights of Mercia arrived, which meant I would need to leave immediately. Unfortunately a few days before Bayard arrived, there was a real incident in occurrence that needed my attention.

I was sitting in chambers Arthur and I now shared, when the eager caw of a raven arose from behind me. Jensen, who had been tidying what Merlin had failed to earlier that morning jumped in surprise, before heading to the window and removing the small piece of parchment attached to the birds leg.

“I assume this would be from Madeline,” she said, handing the tightly rolled scroll into my outstretched hand. “Unless there are more sorcerers you’re in touch with?”