For the Love of Camelot

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

The news is everywhere, the castle is full of whispers and knights hurrying to prepare themselves in time.

In amongst all the hustle and bustle and rather forgotten is Prince Arthur.

He has had heard all the frightened whispers and knows what they're about. A war is possibly coming, one with Mercia a kingdom more than twice Camelot’s size. It could be the end of life as Arthur knows it.

But far be it for the young Prince to sit idle, Father had refused to discuss the possibility of war and Arthur had only just been made a squire.

Arthur wasn't going to let that stop him. If Camelot and her people were in danger Arthur would fight to protect them.

Which is why he's preparing to leave, belting his sword around his waist and wondering how to sneak out of the Castle.

Comments

[weeskeptic]

Morgana has had enough of war. It's how she lost her father, both in time and spirit. It's what brought her here, a place she still doesn't want to be.

Morgana's been very keen at listening to all the rumours of war. At one point, Uther had to banish her to her chambers, to stop her from trying to sit in at one of the council's meetings. Not that she listened, which resulted in a very, very, very unhappy guard having to carry her, kicking and screaming and scratching, all the way back to her room.

Only now, after two days, has she been let out, and has made a beeline to Arthur's chambers.

Taking one look at what he's doing, she all but shouts, "You're not going!"

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

Arthur gives a start (he’ll definitely need to work on sensing when people are sneaking up on him.

He frowns at Morgana's question.

"Of course I am. I'm the prince and the Prince of Camelot should defend it."

[weeskeptic]

The very idea of Arthur going makes her absolutely furious. So angry, in fact, that she has only one emotional outlet.

Violence. "Then get past me." Go ahead, Arthur, try and get past her.

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

Arthur gawks at her. Is she kidding?

He may not have taken the vows that officially make him Crown Prince of Camelot, but he knows what they are and takes them very seriously indeed.

"Morgana get out of the way, this is important!"

[weeskeptic]

"No." She's not moving. In fact, as contradictory as it sounds, she looks like she'd rather kill him herself than let him pass.

"You're not going to the battle."

Nope, never, but, as a distraction there's a weird, exceptionally odd thing that happens. The window behind him bursts open as if there's a storm blowing it in.

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

Arthur jumps shocked at the sound of the window banging open, not that he'd ever admit that.

He gives Morgana his most serious look, although it’s more a pout than anything else.

"Father is going, I should go too! Camelot needs every man it can get."

[weeskeptic]

"Let your father go. You Stay here." It's a standdown Morgana should've had with her own father. There had been screaming, and crying, but never declarations.

Morgana's grown up quite a bit. "You're not trained. You can't do anything but die there. That's what soldiers do."

Kings win wars, soldiers, friends, and princes die fighting them.

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

Arthur’s cheeks redden. "I'm not as useless as you seem to think." He glares at her. "I want to help the people as much as you!"

His arguments seem as much directed at her add at others. Chief among these others his father.

The King seems to want to keep him from doing anything.

[weeskeptic]

"Yes you are!" Morgana doesn't care that she's lying. She doesn't care that poor Arthur's ego might be crushed. Keeping him here, in the palace, is more important.

"Can't beat me with a sword. You couldn't be a squire until now." She's implying it's because he's not capable, though it's obvious to everyone that Uther did it for protection.

"I'd be more useful. Maybe I should go, instead of you."

Insulting enough for him?

[bit_of_a_clotpole]

Quite insulting enough. Morgana has neatly brought up every doubt Arthur has.

"You don't know anything about fighting! You're just a girl!"

It is on.

[weeskeptic]

"I beat you all the time. The King compliments my skills with the sword." And now she's going straight for the one thing that always brings Arthur's confidence down.

"Think he'd let you go? You can't help the battle."