chapter fifty-one
051. the swan prince, part two

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    THE KING WAS not happy. 

     Arthur expected as much from his father. He set his jaw and clasped his hands behind his back, resisting his need for anger as he stood under the scrutinising gaze of not just his father, but also his new wife. The Prince glanced at Lady Catrina sitting in a chair that had once been his mother's, and while he said he wished for his father to be happy, he couldn't help but be angry. Not even two days into her new life, she held the arrogance of a ruler who has had decades. In just two days, Arthur's father suddenly wanted to raise the taxes he had not touched in years. The Prince had a feeling he knew exactly whose influence that had been. 

    "I gave you a direct order," said King Uther Pendragon, and it was almost a growl. Arthur swallowed his frustration, biting his tongue and staying silent as he took the brut of his actions▬but he did not regret them, not at all. "And yet you went ahead and disobeyed me in front of the eyes of our people?" he glanced at Lady Catrina and Arthur's teeth clenched.

    He took a sharp breath through his nose. "The people cannot afford to pay the tax," said Arthur, his tone clipped. His father's eyes flashed dangerously at his tone, but the Prince did not care. 

    His own dangerous look in his eyes flared when it was Lady Catrina who spoke instead. "And you are naive enough to take them at their word?"

    Arthur was sure his mother did not have that tone. He was sure his mother had been gracious and kind. He was sure his mother would have not wanted the people to suffer▬She would have never allowed his father to make such a decision. Arthur knew it. And yet here Lady Catrina was, and Arthur felt as if she was dishonouring his mother's legacy. And that infuriated him. Trying to stay calm, he answered: "We have their loyalty, My Lady, their goodwill. Do not forsake that by making unreasonable demands."

    He couldn't hide the slight chiding tone in his voice, and Lady Catrina recognised it. She did not like the blatant disrespect from him. Arthur did not care. "Is it so unreasonable for a King to expect his subjects to obey him?" she held a sneer, and Arthur was astounded that his father did not notice▬or even worse, did not seem to care. 

    Arthur gritted his teeth at the sight. He was furious. "They'll starve!" He snapped. 

    His father was on his feet. "Nonsense!" he raised his voice and Arthur glanced at him. He felt an old breath of fear▬one he had not felt in a long time; not ever since he was a young child. Arthur swallowed harshly. "They have grown too soft," went on the King. "Remember, these are your subjects, not your friends."

     Arthur clenched his hands behind his back. He thought of the words of wisdom from somebody else; they echoed in his mind. "And why can they not be both?" he countered. 

     The King set his jaw. His stare hardened. Arthur did not step back and stood his ground, even though he felt his heart begin to race. "Because we rule the people, not the other way around."

    "I think you are wrong."

    His father stepped forward, surprised by his son's words. "I beg your pardon?" he demanded.

    As the King got closer, Arthur took a brave breath and locked his gaze. "I said you are wrong," he stated, louder and firm. "Without the people, there is no Camelot. We are as much their servant as they are ours."

    He knew his father was fuming. But so was Arthur. He could feel the tension rise between them like dangerous tides during a vicious storm. The Prince's steel scowl snapped over the King's shoulder when he heard the sharp footsteps of Lady Catrina as she stormed to his side. Arthur ground his teeth. 

    "You allow him to address you in this manner?" Lady Catrina spoke into the King's ear, and Arthur seethed at the sight of it. 

    "No," said the King coolly, "I do not. It will not be tolerated."

    He stepped right into his son's face. Arthur clenched his hands harder behind his back, but he did not cower. "You will take your men down into the town and go to every house collecting the payments I demand!" his voice slowly got louder and louder. Arthur did not flinch.

    The Prince took a long breath through his nose. "I will not."

    The King looked Arthur the same way he might the people he tried at his mercy. That stare haunted the Prince forever. "Then get out of my sight."

    Arthur swallowed harshly. His hands clenched so hard behind his back that they felt numb▬or perhaps that was just it. He felt numb all over. He bowed his head and turned on his heel. As soon as his hands unclenched and fell to his side, Arthur's walk turned into an angry march. He stormed out of the council chambers, and it was easier to be livid than admit his eyes were burning with oncoming tears. 

    As soon as he was alone in his chambers, Arthur grabbed one of his goblets Merlin had not been in to clean up since he was now on the run and threw it across the room. He regretted it immediately. The Prince slumped and his back hit his chair. He leaned forward and placed his head in his hands, taking a deep breath. 

    He clenched his hands briefly but slowly managed to let them relax. He sat back in his chair and scowled out through the window of his chambers. And just like that, all of Arthur's anger and hurt turned into shame and guilt. He saw the smoke of the bakers and the workers in the Lower Town. He saw their lives right outside his window; people who worked harder than the rest of them, and yet his father took them for granted. He felt something toxic in his lungs that made it harder to breathe to know he had failed him. Tomorrow, the guards would return and demand the coins they didn't take today, and Arthur had to watch his people suffer. 

    What King would he be if he could not protect his people now? He could raise his sword in an army and lead a battle, but he could not protect his people from his own father and from the laws that were supposed to keep them safe, but instead only seemed to make them suffer. 

    For a silly moment, Arthur wished Merlin were here. His manservant would find some way to think of something else, whether it be accidentally knocking over his lunch or saying words surprisingly wise. Or maybe, Arthur just wanted to not feel so alone. Right now, even his father seemed to think of him as little as everyone else.  

    He didn't know how long he sat there and stared out his window, ashamed and glum when a soft knock echoed from behind the servants' door. 

    Arthur glanced over. 

    He wanted to ignore it. He wanted to ignore her. He wanted her to go away and realise that she lost his compassion and his care. 

    But he did not, because he knew those wishes were not true at all. 

     Arthur set his jaw but stood up. Instead of calling her in, the Prince walked to the servants' door and opened it himself. Odette was so surprised she stumbled forward slightly. She quickly regathered her balance. 

    The young handmaiden stared at him, her words getting lost from where once again. Odette's heart crawled up her throat, and her breath hitched to see Arthur stare back down at her. He was mad, he was upset▬she could tell. She could see it in his eyes and the clench of his jaw. She knew his father had not been lenient. 

    Odette finally took a soft breath and managed to whisper. "I ... I know I am probably the last person you wish to see right now..."

    Arthur, for a long few seconds, just stood there. He did not say anything, nor did he move. Odette believed that he might just agree with her and close the door in her face. Until he sighed and stepped aside. 

    Odette awkwardly entered his chambers and Arthur closed the door behind her. He walked past her, and she could sense the edge in his steps and the tension still lingering in the air, as if his father still hovered even if he was not in the room. "You are impossible," she expected Arthur to say, turning to her once he reached the end of his table. "What went through your mind, Odette? Do you not know when to keep your words to yourself instead of going out and disrespecting a member of my father's guard?!"

    She knew he was angry, and she knew it wasn't truly at her. Odette took a deep breath and let it out with a soft exhale. "Arthur..." she whispered, her tone gentle. 

    He stormed up to her, his voice shaky with fury and hurt. "Do you know what would have happened to you if I had not been there?" continued the Prince and she averted her gaze. "Perhaps the guard is right. Perhaps you do need to learn to hold your tongue otherwise I swear to the Lord, Odette, you will get yourself into serious trouble!"

     "Please do not shout at me," she whispered to him, her gaze delicate, but sharp. "I do not want to argue with you."

     "I am not shouting at you," Arthur took a sharp breath through his nose and softened his tone anyway. He then sighed and corrected himself. "I will not shout at you. I am sorry. It is not you. I should not get angry at you," he turned away and sighed once again. Odette watched him press his hands against the edge of his desk and lean forward, rocking back on his feet as he calmed down. 

    "You are annoyed though," muttered Odette softly in an attempt to lighten the tone between them. 

     Arthur's stern gaze fell onto her, though when he saw the little upward tug of the corner of her lips, he faltered. His shoulders seemed to release some tension at the sight of it. "Yes, I am annoyed at you," he agreed. "As is per usual."

     Odette clasped her hands in front of her and took a careful step forward, not wanting to overstep this gentle truce between them. "And you are chiding me," she added, in the same tone she used to use when they were children to try and get her way. 

    "Sometimes you need it," Arthur fired back, but there was no real weight to it. Odette had a soft smile on her face, gentle and almost not even there when she noticed his anger had simmered. He sighed and shook his head, amused. "You are something else..." he murmured, and Odette wasn't sure whether it was affectionate, or pained. 

    She pursed her lips and fiddled with her fingers. She wanted to be close to him, but decided it would be best if she kept her distance. "I ... I had a feeling your father would not be happy with what you did earlier."

     Arthur tensed again. He set his jaw, but he did not push her away. "And you would be right," he sighed and moved to sit on the edge of the dining table. He crossed his arms and frowned at his boots. 

    Odette chewed on the inside of her cheek nervously. "But I wanted you to know that everyone you helped ... they are grateful. I am grateful."

    "You are grateful over nothing," grumbled the Prince and Odette's gaze weighed down. "My father is still going to impose the tax."

    "He cannot be persuaded?"

    Arthur scoffed bitterly. "Not by me. He cannot stand the sight of me."

    She felt her heart twist. "Arthur..." the soft tone of her voice left her lips before she could think better. Odette surged forward, her chest aching for him. She stopped before she got too close, and that hurt, her, too. She swallowed back her wishes to reach out for him to comfort him. She knew he would not appreciate it, not now▬not after what had happened. 

     Odette sighed, too. She considered her words. "He ... he is quick to anger," she said carefully, "but the King loves you."

      Arthur shook his head again. He continued to scowl at his feet. "You are sweet, Odette, but you should have heard the way he spoke to me."

     She didn't know what to say to that. She didn't know how to reassure him. The King did love Arthur, but that did not mean he showed his love the way he should. It did not mean that the way Arthur felt was not true▬that it was not invisible. And if the King believed him invisible right now, Odette supposed she should see him. 

    "He should not speak to you like that..." she murmured, her voice soft and careful. 

    "Maybe," Arthur sighed and glanced out the window of his chambers. "But he still does. It is not as simple as you think it is, Odette. My father cannot have me seen as his favourite so that the council will see his judgment be clouded. He cannot ignore the words of others in favour of mine, because then he would anger his council. He cannot ... he cannot put aside his duties as King for his son. His duty to his son reflects his duty as King. To be gentle, to be caring, to be affectionate to a King's son ... that is a duty for ..." Arthur swallowed harshly. He clenched his jaw and Odette almost didn't hear his next words. "For a mother."

    She was silent after that. Her gaze dropped, sombre to hear Arthur speak of his mother. "I think a King can be those things to his children, too. It is a strength to show kindness and love, not a weakness. But that does not mean I do not think your father loves you, Arthur. He may have been angry, but you are still his son. His only son."

     At Arthur's silence, Odette pursed her lips. Things between them did not feel as they used to. Her words and peace to Arthur's frustration, shame and anger were not a calming breeze to a storm like they used to be. It did not feel as special as it had been before. Arthur was closed off and Odette was too scared to try and ask him to let her in again. 

    But she took a step closer to him anyway. "Arthur," she murmured his name like a soft caress. "Your father said what he said and will do what he does, but your actions were not for nothing. Everyone appreciates what you did. They know you tried and ... and we will not forget that."

    And then, Arthur met her gaze. He relaxed his posture and his walls chipped down. The castle walls that guarded his vulnerability opened their gates to let her inside, just for a moment, no matter all that happened between them. Odette's heart fluttered. 

    "Maybe he is right," said Arthur, not looking away from her. "One day, I will be the King of Camelot. I cannot be a friend to the people as well as their ruler."

    "No," Odette said immediately. Her feet carried her towards him without another thought. She stood right in front of him, her breath hitched and shaking her head. Arthur was surprised, though he did not tell her to go away. He stayed where he was and welcomed her; he relaxed and let his hands fall to rest on the edge of the table on either side of him. 

    For a breath shared between them, it felt as if this was about more than just his father's words and the people's taxes. Maybe it was about more. Maybe that was why Odette's heart raced as much as it did. 

     "That is not true," said the handmaiden in a gentle tone, standing closer than any handmaiden should, "and you know that. You show it, every day, and when you become King, you will prove it. I know you will." 

    She thought of the words Guinevere spoke about Ronyn, and Odette's throat closed up for a moment. She swallowed her fear down. "I know," she said again in a whisper. Arthur's frown lifted and his eyes turned gentle▬like they used to. "I am sure of it. You have a good heart, Arthur. A kind and loyal heart. People will tell you to be cold, and unbreaking, and will try to tell you that being a King means you cannot allow room in your heart to care deeply about the people you protect and lead. They will tell you that it cannot be," she added those words and knew Arthur understood the deeper meaning behind them just by the look in his eyes. "But they are just scared. They are scared of change and they are scared to hope. But you bring hope, Arthur, with every sunrise." Odette tilted her head and smiled; soft, sweet and delicate and only just for him. "And ... And I do not want you to change. Not for anyone."

    She saw Arthur look down and she pursed her lips. "I am sorry," she finally found her courage. "And ... and I know I am always asking things of you and I do not expect you to▬"

    The Prince lifted his hands from the edge of the desk and took her own. Odette's words disappeared and her eyes widened, shocked. Her heart raced and her breath hitched. She could not look away when he carefully brushed his thumb across her knuckles, feeling his touch burn with the temptation of beautiful things; of rich wine and delicious treats, of beautiful silks and the velvet skies brightening to pinks and light purples as daylight slowly stretched across the mountains. It was a touch Odette could never ignore and never forget; it would never leave her. It never has. 

    Arthur placed one hand on his chest, right where she could feel the beating of his heart▬and the warmth from it spread through her fingers and into her chest, making her breath hitch once again and she met his gaze. She found him smiling. Her heart fluttered.

     There was a lot that still needed to be said. There was a lot that Odette wished to hear, and wished to say, and she knew there were a lot of things Arthur wished to say as well. She could feel it in the air and the breaths between them. But then there was a knock on the door.

     Odette saw Arthur's eyes closed briefly in frustration. She pursed her lips and stepped away, bowing her head and busying herself with seeming inconspicuous. Her gaze found his goblet across the room and she didn't say a word as she walked over to pick it up. Arthur sighed, but muttered: "Come in." 

    The door opened, and Sir Leon stepped into the Prince's chambers. Arthur glanced over. "The King has sent for you."

    Arthur set his jaw, but nodded. He dismissed Sir Leon and stood up from the edge of his table. Once the door closed, Odette turned back to him. The Prince held his breath for a moment, and she realised he did not want to leave her. "Would it be so horrible if I were to ask you to wait here for me to return?" he asked.

     Odette wished to stay, too. She knew she could not. "I should see to Morgana..."

     "Let Guinevere see to her," said Arthur, firm. She was taken aback by it. 

     She wanted to say something back. Odette wanted to come up with some excuse to save herself from the tight feeling in her chest until she decided not to. She pursed her lips, a little scared of the discussion they would have, but she found herself nodding. 

     Arthur's firmness softened when he saw that she had agreed, not expecting it. He took a deep breath as if to prepare himself to see his father. He nodded at Odette. "Take a seat," he offered before starting to his door. "I expect I will not be long."

     He left his chambers, and Odette was still inside. She glanced at the servants' door, wondering if she should leave now. Her eyes drifted onto one of the chairs at Arthur's table. Her heart raced with the decision she had to make right now, and surprised even herself when she awkwardly sat down on the edge of one of his chairs▬seated at the table of a future King, not as a servant, but somewhat as an equal, waiting for her Prince to return.

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    WHEN ARTHUR returned to the council chambers for the second time that day, his brows furrowed and his nerves twisted to find that the chambers were crowded with a full court gathering. He saw his Knights and he saw Morgana standing near Ronyn and his mother. He met hers and his dear friend's gazes, and it was only them that saw the breath of fear he held at the sudden gathering he had not been aware of. Morgana shook her head subtly, as confused as he was. The look in her eyes told him one thing: Be strong. 

    He walked through the crowd which parted to the sides of the room at Arthur's arrival. Gaius the Court Physician clasped his hands in front of his robes, concerned as well. The Prince bowed his head politely to Adelynn who stood with her new mentor, and she offered him a small smile of encouragement. 

    His smile dropped the moment he moved on, walking up towards his father who stood at his seat, holding an open scroll in his hands. At first, he had not even noticed Arthur had arrived and was smiling at the Lady Catrina sitting in her chair beside his.

    Arthur swallowed his frustration. "Father," he greeted, trying to hide his hesitance and confusion. 

     He did not even look at him. He did not even spare him a single glance, merely looking down at the parchment in his hands. "I am relaxing your duties, revoking your title."

     There was a soft gasp throughout the room and confused murmurs. Morgana's eyes widened and any defence she might give was lost on her tongue. Ronyn stood up straighter, stiffening with shock. Sir Leon stopped in his path from where he had moved to the side after escorting the Prince, horrified. 

     Arthur felt his heart drop. He thought he had misheard his father. "W▬What?" he let out, his throat closing up and his eyes widening. 

     The King faced him, indifferent. "We live in dangerous times. I cannot allow you to undermine my authority."

     The Prince's heart was racing as he tried to come to terms with what his father was saying. He felt sluggish in his steps, his mind and his words▬a chilling shock running down his spine. "Y▬You have always welcomed my council in the past...?" he glanced around once again, suddenly feeling incredibly small to realise that the entire court was present. Every one of them was hearing Arthur's humiliation. "I do not understand," he turned back to the King, "Father▬?"

     "You stood against me for all the people to see," snapped the King and Arthur's words were lodged into the back of his throat. 

     His breathing quickened. This was not real, of course. Perhaps Arthur was having a wild dream during the day. After he woke up, he would go and see Gaius. He glanced around once again, but nothing seemed amiss. No one was smiling, either, at the possibility that this was some sick farce. He locked eyes with Ronyn who turned to his mother, and she rested a hand on his arm, to keep him still. "I ... I am sorry," managed Arthur, facing his father once more. "Any future grievance I have will be held in private."

     "It is too late for that."

     Arthur's stomach twisted, watching him turn away. "F▬Father▬"

     "You are to be disinherited," stated the King, firm. His son's breath was lost from him, "with immediate effect. You are no longer Crown Prince of Camelot."

     The Prince felt as if everything had shattered right before him at his father's feet. His ambitions, his dreams, his morals and his beliefs▬everything he has worked for his entire life since he could remember; his determination and his purpose in this life ... all of it was gone, just like that. And now he felt empty. Now, he did not know what to do. Now, he felt as if he weren't truly here, but instead floating away from his body, watching everything unfold with no way to stop it. 

    And no way to defend his honour and his claim. 

     Right in front of the Court, his father may as well have declared him his bastard. Arthur was no longer his son. Arthur was ... he was nothing. 

     Ronyn forced himself out of the rows of stunned nobles. "Sire!" he announced himself despite his mother's desperate attempts to keep him silent. Arthur glanced at his dearest friend, so shocked he could not speak nor did he comprehend the risk Ronyn Vecentia had just made to defend his honour. "Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider. Prince Arthur is your son. He is your natural heir, a man worthy of▬"

     "Ronyn," Arthur croaked out, finding his voice. 

     His childhood friend and his most loyal companion hesitated. He stopped and met Arthur's gaze. Ronyn searched the Prince's eyes, the two of them sharing a silent conversation. Lord Vecentia set his jaw, stubborn, but listened to the command of his Prince. He stepped back, bowing his head▬and it was a direct act of defiance to the verdict the King had made. Arthur felt a warmth of courage at the unconditional support from his closest friend. 

      Arthur turned to his father. He saw him standing in front of his seat, towering over his son who had done all he could to make him proud. Arthur was slowly realising it was worthless. He swallowed the thick lump in his throat and walked up to the King, hoping he would listen to him as no one else but his father. 

     In a soft voice, Arthur said: "You have always taught me to be true to my heart, and that is all I have ever tried to do. To be the man you wanted me to be, someone you were ..." his voice choked. He swallowed harshly once again. "Someone you were proud to call your son."

    For a long time, the King did not say anything. Arthur watched him, his breath hitched and his heart racing▬he waited on the edge of his toes; on the edge of his entire life. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lady Catrina watch the King as well, a malicious gleam in her stare.

     The King hesitated. He pursed his lips. "My decision is final." 

     The ground had swallowed him whole, and in the darkness echoed his father's words, in the dim light were the stares of the Court and the smirk on Lady Catrina's face▬it all surrounded him as the very thing that made Arthur proud, the only light he had, was snuffed out right in front of his eyes. 

     Arthur didn't know if his legs would move, but they did. He could barely think as he left the council chambers and stumbled down the hall. He felt numb. 

     He never realised he had made it back to his chambers until the doors opened and there he was, standing cold in the icy terrain of what remained after his father's words. Arthur closed the door behind him, and he did not feel any anger, he did not feel any sadness▬all he felt was a breathless shock and after that? There was nothing. 

     The sound of a chair's legs scraping on the stone grabbed his attention. He looked over and saw Odette standing there, silent as she watched him▬at the look on her face, she knew something had happened, but she did not know what. 

    Arthur's chest twisted. Finally, it seemed every emotion had finally flooded him, making him dizzy and his chest burn. "Leave," he croaked out. He didn't know whether he meant it. He just knew he couldn't be seen▬he didn't want anyone to see him like this, not after all of those eyes watching him be humiliated and stepped on. Odette didn't move. Arthur gritted his teeth. "Leave, Odette."

     She could have left. Maybe she almost did. But when she moved, she did not run away. Instead, Odette ran straight for him and Arthur felt her arms wrap around his shoulders as tight as she could. She had to stand on her toes. She had to pull him down. But the moment her touch reached him, Arthur melted into her embrace. He would have collapsed, but she held him up▬in her comfort and her understanding. 

     Odette didn't say anything, but she did not need to. She closed her eyes and gripped Arthur; her fingers dug into his tunic as she held on for longer than she had ever done before. She felt his arms pull her tight to him around her waist. She felt his breath warm against the crook of her neck, heavy and close to a broken cry that no one else heard except her. And no one else would hear. 

     She remembered the day when they were younger when she was still a child. The day Arthur had returned from that Druid camp. He had not spoken a word about it, but Odette had embraced her friend▬and that was the first time she had seen Arthur cry. This would become the second. 

     Arthur squeezed her as close as he possibly could, and she did not let go. No matter who could walk through the doors to his chambers, the forgotten handmaiden held her Prince and made him feel as though he was seen for the very first time. 

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    THERE WERE NO SMILES, and most certainly there were none from Odette. The Throne Room was lavish and beautiful▬decorated with rich scarlet tapestries and curtains, royal burgundy carpets and flags. The King and Queen looked like a delightful and powerful pair, but Odette found nothing glorious about it at all. She clenched her hands, hidden behind the sides of her skirts as she tried not to scowl at Lady Catrina from beside Morgana. The Queen knelt on a soft pillow of red and gold fabric in a brilliant white gown made out of the finest silks and embroidery. King Uther Pendragon sat on his throne, his crown settled upon his brow▬he watched on with a proud smile on his face that made Odette grit her teeth. 

    How could he look so proud? How could he sit there while his son, his natural heir, stood right in front of him amongst his knights without his band and his royal cloak? Odette always believed that Uther Pendragon was a man made out of stone, but beneath its chipped pieces, there was a heart that softened for Arthur; that knew how to love when it came to his only child. How could Lady Catrina hold so much influence that she turned the King's heart to stone▬to ice▬so easily?

    Or perhaps Odette had always been wrong. Perhaps the King cared so little for his son that when his pride was threatened, he cast him out without another thought. 

    Morgana's jaw was set and her eyes were ablaze. She did not shy away from her displeasure over the sight of Lady Catrina taking Arthur's rightful claim to the throne. Her glare was something Odette had not seen so up close and so ferocious▬it was almost scary. No, it was terrifying, even, and for a moment, it struck her the resemblance of someone she could not think of off the top of her head. 

    None of them were pleased with this turn of events. The Court may be loyal to the King by duty, and the Knights may swear to the sword of the man sitting on his throne, but in their hearts, they all held compassion and blind loyalty to the future King▬To Arthur Pendragon. None of them held compassion for the stranger who had taken a step into this Kingdom and twisted it all for her own gain. 

     Sir Geoffery of Monmouth had no choice but to stand before the Court. He held the scroll in his arms with little pleasure, glancing down at it with a hesitance and then over at Arthur who did not say a word. He scowled at his boots with his Knights, a fury boiling deep within his chest. 

     Sir Geoffery took a deep breath. "We are gathered here to bear witness to the naming of Queen Catrina as the rightful heir to Camelot."

     Odette and Guinevere shared a sickened glance from where they stood behind Morgana, and to the side with Gaius. Both of them couldn't help but watch Arthur across the room, their hearts twisting painfully. 

     "Are you willing to take the oath?"

     Lady Catrina had a beautiful smile on her face. The sight made Odette take a sharp, furious breath through her nose. "I am."

     Within the rows of nobles and noblewomen, Lord Ronyn Vecentia crossed his arms over his rich forest-green doublet, scowling over the shoulders of the Knights in front of him. His mother placed a gentle hand on his back, keeping him calm while his sister seemed to be looking elsewhere. Her gaze wandered up to the parapets above and therefore, so did Odette's. She caught a shadowy silhouette hidden behind the balcony and she knew it was Merlin. 

    "Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Camelot, to uphold the laws and customs of the land?"

     The delay in the Queen's response made Odette frown and focus on the ceremony in front of her. She tilted her head, her heart skipping a beat to see something contort within Catrina's face. "I do," she managed, though her voice was strained. She subtly reached down and scratched her arm through the sleeve of her dress. Odette's eyes widened. She glanced behind her at Gaius for confirmation. The physician nodded.

     Her heart began to race and she faced the front once more to watch the ceremony with a sudden eagerness. Perhaps all was not lost after all. Perhaps finally, the entire court and the King will see who had infiltrated the throne (and heart) of Camelot. 

    "Will you, to your power, cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"

    Lady Catrina was most definitely scratching at her arm, now, and she could not hide it. Odette bit back a satisfied smirk. "I will," she said, curt and rushed. 

     Sir Geoffery of Monmouth glanced down at his scroll and continued. "Will you to the utmost of your powers, maintain the laws▬"

     "Yes, yes," blurted out the Queen, her face suddenly pale as she realised what was happening to her.

     There was a murmur of surprise among the Court. Sir Geoffery stared, shocked by the Queen's interruption. He glanced at the King, who did not seem to care▬in fact, it was as if he was not truly hearing what was being said at all. Odette's frown returned. "I▬I am sorry, My Lady, you must let me finish," muttered Sir Geoffery. "The wording must be exactly right to be binding."

     Lady Catrina stared at him. The pleasant air she so perfectly conveyed was no longer there. "Well, get on with it then!" she snapped. A few gasps echoed in the Throne Room. Arthur's brows shot up. "I mean, really▬" the Queen glanced at her husband, the King, "▬where did you dig up this old crone from?"

    Sir Geoffery of Monmouth looked horrified. 

    The King was a man of duty and tradition. The ancient laws and the words that bound the most devoted practices of the royal family within Camelot were of great importance to Uther Pendragon. And so, when he merely smiled and said, "She is right, get on with it," Odette knew something was not right. 

    Morgana's gasp of surprise hitched in the back of her throat. She glanced at Arthur who stared at his father, taken aback and then across the rows to find Ronyn who was already looking at her, incredulous. He mouthed to the King's Ward: Is this a dream? 

    She shook her head back at him, equally as confused. 

    Sir Geoffery of Monmouth stammered for a moment as if not sure whether to be offended or as confused as the rest of them. He cleared his throat. "Er▬" he turned to the Queen. "Will you, to the utmost of your powers▬"

     "Yes, yes, yes," said Lady Catrina, still itching at her arm. 

    "▬Maintain the laws and customs▬"

    "▬I will, I will▬"

     "▬Of the land and serve the people of Camelot▬?"

     "▬Yes, just shut up and give me the crown!"

     Guinevere's mouth fell open. The entire room echoed with shocked murmurs and horrified whispers. The King did not even blink an eye. 

     Sir Geoffery blinked, taken aback. He awkwardly passed off the scroll and took the crown in his hands. He held it above Lady Catrina's head▬

     "OH, WILL YOU JUST HURRY UP?!"

     Exclaims split the room as Lady Catrina snatched the crown from Sir Geoffery's hands and pulled it onto her head. Everyone was shocked as she then took off running down the aisle of the Throne Room. Arthur watched her go in disbelief. No one made a move to stop her. 

    The King stood up, watching his wife go with a dreamy smile on his face. "Catrina?"

     She threw the doors open and fled. The King frowned and hurried down the stairs to follow. Arthur soon realised everyone expected him to go after them and he stumbled to action. "Oh, right▬" He took off running. Morgana picked up her skirts and followed not long after.

     "What just happened?" whispered Guinevere, her words strained as she struggled to hold back her laughter. 

     Odette burst into a soft fit of giggles and raced for the servants' door without a word, eager to see the transformation for herself. 

     She found Merlin near the stairwell to the parapets. When he saw her, he grinned and grabbed her wrist, pulling her along as the two of them ran in the direction Lady Catrina took off. They followed the guards, the King, Arthur and Morgana down the hallways and onto the council chambers. 

    The young handmaiden muffled her laughter as Merlin pulled her to hide with him behind the ajar servants' door. They both peeked out into the room, watching as Lady Catrina ran for her life for the doors. Odette felt the air shift around her and when the doors suddenly locked the moment her hands grabbed at the brass knuckles, she knew Merlin's magic had done the trick.

    "Whatever is the matter, my dear?!" at Uther's voice, Odette had to place a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.

     She watched him, Arthur and Morgana all enter the council chambers, skidding to a stop to find Lady Catrina cornered at the door.

     The Queen gasped and spun around. "I am sorry▬!" she held up her hands and Odette's eyes widened, both disgusted and delighted to see that Catrina's left hand had turned into an ugly, bloated and wart-covered thing. Realising, the troll gasped once more and hid it behind her back. "I▬I don't▬I do not know what came over me!"

     She was hyperventilating. She backed up as the King, his son and his Ward approached. "I▬I▬I suddenly felt so hot!" she heaved, fanning her face. "I think▬Do you know, I think I need to be on my own▬"

     "Are you all right?" let out Morgana, very concerned. 

     "Yes, yes!" exclaimed Lady Catrina, her back now pressed against the door. "I am fine, really. Really. Thank you, I just▬" she spun on her heel and began to pull at the door. It did not budge. Odette nudged Merlin beside her with a smirk to commend him.

     When the doors did not open, the Queen grew frantic. She whimpered and tugged. She tugged and tugged and pulled. "Oh, no!" she cried out in distress. "Come on, come on, come on▬OPEN!"

     Arthur stopped near her, startled at the vicious squeal that accompanied her yell. "I ..." he hesitated. He gestured to the door. "Let me..." He marched up to the Queen as she continued to frantically pull at the handles. He reached out a hand to help her only to stumble backwards. Arthur coughed back his sudden want to heave. "W▬What is that?"

    He had seen her blistered and bloated troll fingers, and the sight in itself nearly made him trip in his disgust. 

     Catrina gasped and swivelled around to face them. Morgana's eyes widened. Now both of the Queen's hands had transformed into disfigured, disgusting, dirt-ridden things. 

     She tried to speak, but her stammers and muttering words soon turned into gasps and choked warbles. Odette made a face, bile rising in her throat as she watched Lady Catrina's face start to shift and morph. She hunched away, disgusted and yet unable to look away as the Queen's chin rolled downwards, the flesh on her cheeks seemed to melt and her eyes rolled opposite ways. Odette quickly covered her nose and the putrid smell that escaped the troll's body. 

     Morgana was the only one terrified for Lady Catrina's wellbeing. "What is happening?! Somebody help her!"

    Arthur made a sound in the back of his throat as another cloud of dung-smelling flatulence escaped from Lady Catrina. He doubled over and covered his mouth and nose. Morgana's face turned a nauseous grey.

     Lady Catrina continued to morph and change. Her body doubled over. Her spine seemed to break and then stick back together. Odette had never seen something so disgusting. Warts appeared on Lady Catrina's face. Her figure sagged. Her calves grew thick and her shoes flung off her rotten feet. Pointed ears twisted out from her hair that shrivelled and turned white. Her nose grew and bent over the tusks that split out of her gums. 

     Soon, the beautiful, charming and delightful Lady Catrina of Tragor was gone. And there stood a horrifying, brutish, revolting and hideous▬

     "You're a troll!" blurted out Arthur, his voice hoarse from forcing the bile back down his throat.

     The troll gasped in offence. 

     Uther who had been smiling the whole time, suddenly looked murderous. He spun to his son. "How dare you speak about her life that?!"

      Odette and Merlin's faces dropped in surprise. Arthur and Morgana slowly turned to the King, bewildered.

     "What▬What is wrong with you?" demanded Arthur. He gestured wildly at Lady Catrina. "Look at the state of her!"

     When the King looked at his wife once more, that smile returned. Odette and Merlin glanced at each other in disbelief.

     Morgana let out a shaky breath. "I▬I do not believe it," she gasped and then regretted it immediately as a sickening smell made her cough. Her cough soon turned to a cry of alarm when Lady Catrina, in her desperation to get away, ripped the council chamber doors off their hinges. 

     They all ducked as the troll made her escape, stumbling and thundering down the castle corridors, leaving a visible trail of stink behind her. 

      Arthur couldn't believe what he just saw. He glanced at his father, even more shocked that he was not just as horrified as them. "She just ripped a door off its hinges, does that not tell you something?!"

     The only thing that the King was horrified about was their words. "Enough!"

     "She is a troll!" shouted Arthur. "A giant, grey▬"

      "Stinking▬!" added Morgana.

      "▬Stinking troll!"

      "STOP IT!" bellowed the King. Arthur and Morgana were gobsmacked to silence. Uther rushed forward and gathered his wife's shoes and crown from the floor. "Have you not hurt her feelings enough?" He faced them. "Insult my wife again it will be the last thing you ever do."

     He flung his cloak behind him and stormed out of the room.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

    a/n: bahah i love this episode. 

     also odette and arthur <3

     she calms him down, which i know is a cliche trope, but with arthur's character, that's super important. in a lot of fics i read about him, his anger and the problems he has with his anger is almost never explored with the oc. arthur explodes in his anger with merlin, and in 4x09 (as much as i hate that episode and what morgana did), he literally yells at gwen and then staggers and regrets it so much. the look on bradley's (arthur's) face after he realised he lost his temper at the woman he loved, even if she had done what she did (UNWILLINGLY AND UNKNOWINGLY), physically hurt him. 

     he's a good person, with a good heart and would never harm anyone he cared about, but he has anger issues that come from a lot of suppressed issues, ptsd (most definitely) and how he's been treated by uther. and he has never been told that it's okay to speak about these things with anyone, which is not just a stape of the time this is set in, but also reflects society's harsh stance on how men should express, or rather not express, their emotions. 

     i suppose this is another reason why i like merthur being platonic because the idea of arthur having a close friendship with another man who he can relate and express his feelings to, and it being platonic and not romantic, actually steps away from toxic masculinity. maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but saying that a man like arthur cannot have a friendship with another man like he does with merlin and for them to be platonic soulmates, it has to be something romantic, actually encourages toxic masculinity. Another example of this is sam and bucky, and bucky and steve. but like that is just my opinion and how i've always considered merthur. ship who you want, as long as it is harming nobody else and you're not forcing your ship onto anyone. (something toxic merthur stans need to learn about. i cannot even post an arthur edit that has just a single clip of gwen in it without them coming at me saying that it should be merlin...) It literally happened to me. there was a period of time where i shipped merthur just because everyone else around me did and i felt like i had to, even though whenever i rewatched the show i would squeal at even just a slither of arwen content. 

       sorry, i really didn't mean to go on the merthur rant. summary: ship merthur, don't ship merthur, doesn't really matter, just don't be a prat about it. like they said in the final episode content (that is always taken out of context and cut off): you can see them as either platonic or romantic, the important thing is you still feel the depth of their connection. 

    the important thing to get out of that is that arthur needs someone like odette in her sweet nature, her breath of naivety she's kept despite all she's faced and her gentle tone in order to let him be able to calm down and think outside of his anger. she's able to stand there when he raises his voice and know its not because of her, and gently tell him off for it while also understanding his pain. and then allows him a place to cry. that is incredibly important for arthur. he just needs a hug where he can cry without the fear of being judged or called weak because as a man, he has been told he cannot cry.

     and it's also incredibly important how odette immediately ran to him instead of leaving like he asked. she stayed, and then she ran to him, and she embraced him. that is her way of taking initiative and her way of telling him that she is starting to fight for them, in her own way. they still have a lot to go through in this act development-wise (we're only halfway through), but this chapter is just so important. not only do we have that moment of her hugging him, but we also have a silent understanding from arthur as to why she chose lancelot because she was scared, not truly because she felt something for lancelot outside of a childish, fairytale innocence. he understands that he had asked a lot of her, and when he took her hand to place over his heart, that was him promising her that he was going to be there for her however she needed until she was ready, even if there wasn't enough time for odette to understand before leon came in. 

     also, whenever i watch that scene where arthur is disinherited, it breaks my heart. bradley is so good at showing the subtle emotion in such a real way, and yet do his best not to show it because arthur would do everything he could to hide it. and yet we still feel his pain. bradley's acting is so underrated. 

     (minimal editing)