Luminescence ✺ Arthur Pendragon

The Once and Future Queen [1]

Arwen had spent her morning checking on some of the people in the lower town and delivering the standard order remedies to all those who needed it. It had all started out as a pretty calm, some would even dare say, boring day in the city of Camelot. It was for that reason, as she passed the tournament grounds, Arwen paused and, rather than continued off on her way, stood on the sides, watching as the knights practised for the upcoming event.

She looked at the two riders facing off against each other, and while she didn't know the identity of the second, it wasn't hard for her to recognize Arthur, even beneath his helmet. He radiated confidence as the two started to charge at each other. And soon enough, with a single blow from Arthur's lance, the other knight was thrown from his saddle.

For a moment, Arwen wondered whether she should approach to check on him, unsure why neither Gaius nor she were tasked with overseeing the knights practice on such an occasion. However, as the knight rose back to his feet, walking off with the help of another, she assumed he was well enough, and if not, it wasn't like she was hard to spot among the crowd.

And that much was very true, because once Arwen's eyes turned back to Arthur's horse, Merlin now standing beside it, she caught both of them already watching her. Meeting their eyes, Arwen offered a small smile, too far away to say hello and be heard. And she also couldn't hear their conversation, missing the way in which Arthur confidently requested Merlin bring him another lance so he could go again.

Arthur's next opponent was Sir Leon, and Arwen watched the two curiously, wondering which would claim victory. However, curiosity soon turned to worry as a flash of the sun hitting Leon's armour seemed to blind Arthur, making him incapable of either striking or defending. Sir Leon, however, did not use his chance. The two horses simply rode past each other, carrying their riders to their own sides of the grounds again.

"Why did you pull out, I was wide open?" Arthur questioned, his voice loud enough to carry over to Leon and making it possible for Arwen too to hear, not only his words, but the annoyance laced through his tone as well. "You could have un-horsed me."

"I was fearful that I might injure you, Sire." Leon replied calmly, much calmer than the Prince, as Arthur came to stand in front of him. By now, all eyes had turned to the two, everyone watching the scene without even bothering to seem like they weren't.

"You had the advantage. You can't afford to hesitate." As Arthur continued to scold Leon, Arwen's eyes jumped to Merlin for a moment as she noticed him taking a few steps back to join her side.

"I wouldn't have done if I were facing a different opponent. You are the future King, My Lord." And Leon's response had both of the siblings wincing in an almost synchronised manner.

"Oh boy, wrong thing to say." Merlin mumbled.

"You think?" The sarcasm was palpable in Arwen's voice as she and her brother shared a knowing look between themselves. Anyone who knew Arthur, knew how high his pride could reach, and Leon's words were certain to deliver it a blow.

"You jousted against me in the tournament last year. Are you saying you let me win?" Of course, after the revelation Arthur began to question how much of his skill had ever been true and how much of it had been a result of his knights taking it easy on him solely because of who he was.

"Oh I don't even want to know what he's going to do in an attempt to remedy this." Arwen grumbled, more to herself than to anyone who might hear, but the words still made Merlin give out a small chuckle.

"No, My Lord."

"It doesn't matter who I am! I do not expect any special treatment from you, from any of you! Is that understood?" Arthur's voice boomed over the training grounds, eyes scanning the faces of each and every knight as they all gave hesitant nods.