Part Of The Most Noble Army

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Tomorrow, when you fight, you can stand proud knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known."

Arthur had just done something that broke the traditions of Camelot. He had knighted men with non noble blood. At the same time, it was these men, who were the most honorable men that Arthur had ever known. For each of them were willing to sacrifice their lives, for a kingdom that they did not otherwise serve. Arthur could not express to them how much their decision to go with him meant. Each of them were proof of how honor was not something that ran in a person's blood, but the strength of ones heart. And every man here today -- and woman -- were the most honorable people Arthur had ever known and would ever know. For the first time since finding out of Morgana's betrayal, Arthur felt hope. The devastation of her being a traitor was still strong in his heart; the shock that she was his sister had not subsided . . . but he could not focus on such things right now. He was to focus on saving his father, until they could find a better way to save Camelot. So long as the king lived, there was hope.

Arthur was now making his rounds to each man, thanking them for what they were willing to sacrifice. Lancelot, who had been imprisoned and perhaps would have been banished by his father, was risking his life to save Uther. Percival, someone who Arthur hardly knew though had his own reasons for doing this, almost becoming an instant brother in arms, was risking his life to save Uther. Gwaine, a man who made it clear that he disliked nobles and was banished by his father, was risking his life to save him. And Elyan . . . a man who's own father was killed by Arthur's, was risking his life to save him. It was perhaps this particular circumstance, that Arthur felt the most grateful for. Knowing, it can't have been easy for Elyan to risk so much, to save the man who had stolen his own father's life. Though the men had made it clear in their words, that they did this for Arthur . . . and that was not something he would ever forget.

He spoke with the other men, Leon included, and that left only Elyan, who was standing with his sister. Arthur watched them for a moment, gazing at a sibling relationship as it should be. He would have wanted that with Morgana. She had been a sister of his heart for so many years, and yet the discovery of their blood relation seemed to have turned her against him. He would have otherwise embraced her as a sister; loved her as one. But she'd been corrupted by magic, and he knew that things would never be what they were. His family, apart from his father, was in this room. He was looking at the woman that he wished to one day marry, and the man who he already found so much ease in calling his brother. Now, Arthur feared that the day he could marry Guinevère and call Elyan his brother in law, would never come. He would speak to Guinevère properly later, knowing that what he had to say to her, he wished to do so in private . . . so for now, would speak to both brother and sister together.

With that determination in mind, he finally approached them, a small faint smile on his lips. "Guinevère," he greeted, his voice and gaze soft as he looked at her. Now more than ever, it was so difficult to hide his emotions from her, though he knew there was no need to. Especially if this could be their last night together. He then turned to the newly knighted man. "Sir Elyan," he said, using his now formal title. Aware of how unfamiliar it may sound, yet . . . it did have a good ring to it. Even if they somehow miraculously saved Camelot, Arthur was fully determined to allow each man here to keep his newly bestowed title. He would not revoke it, nor would he let his father do so. He prayed that they all lived, but knew that the likelihood of no casualties was extremely low. All he could do was hope for the best, even though he feared the worst.


_{Setting: The Castle of Ancient Kings
Time of Day: Night time
Timeline: During the Coming of Arthur II
Tag: Guinevère and Elyan}

[Guinevère]

Proud was an understatement. You were proud when your brother helped a neighbor, or did something good. You were honored to call him brother when he did something like this. The fear that she might loose him, was so strong that she almost could not breathe, but she wasn't going to let him know--too much--that she worried for him.

Guinevère was standing off to to the side with her brother, her hands where straightening his clothing--fussing slightly--as she talked to him. Knowing that he was going to Camelot tomorrow to fight an immortal army had her doing many little worried things, such as she was doing now. Making sure his clothing was straight. "I wish Papa could see you know." She whispered, so very proud of him, even if proud wasn't a word to cover her feelings. "He always wanted great things for you, Elyan, and I think you would have surpassed his expectations with this one."

Guinevère knew better then they did what they were riding into. She'd lived as Morgana's maid for a week before escaping with Sir Leon into the night and coming here. She'd feared for her brother, and for Arthur. She'd not known they were together but was glad they were! With Gwaine too of all people! "Guinevère," She turned to look Arthur, not having heard him approach them. "Sir Elyan." Guinevère smiled softly and then bit her lip at the sight of the PRINCE of the greatest kingdom in the world calling her brother SIR Elyan! She didn't say anything, but her hands fell from her brother and she smiled at them both--to worried for them and too happy for them at the same time.

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan wouldn't be lying if he said it was one of the best moments of his life. It was up there with the day his father taught him the skills of a blacksmith, when his mother finally allowed him his first sword and recently when he was reunited with his little sister. It was more than an honour to become a knight of Camelot, but it felt like more than that. He felt like he truly belonged there; something he had never before felt in his life. He felt like he was home and not in the sense of a building, but the people around him; they were his home. There were no words to describe how he felt the moment the sword had rested on his shoulders. It was an incredible feeling, indescribable. He did not care that he was probably only going to be a knight for only a day. He had already accepted the possibility of his death tomorrow. He would willingly die for the man that bestowed this honour upon him, for Uther was not his King, Arthur was. He served Arthur and he would until the day he died...

He stood by his sister, while Arthur spoke to each of the other men. He smiled as she fussed over his clothes, it was so Gwen. To be nervous that he would die tomorrow, but still making sure his shirt was straight. He lightly chuckled when she mentioned how he would've surpassed his father's expectations. "Thank you, Gwen; I probably wouldn't have survived life this long without you." He knew it sounded like a goodbye, but he had to say it; it was true. She had probably saved his backside in their youth more times than he could count. Elyan had always been good at getting into problems, Gwen was good at getting him out of them. She was the other part of him. His sister, but not his only family. For every person in the room was his brother now.

"Guinevère," he heard the prince approach. "Sir Elyan." When Arthur regarded him with his new title it filled him up with more pride and happiness than he thought it would. It was an extraordinary feeling. "My lord, it is an honour to be among you and the other men here." He used his title to express how much he respected Arthur. "I would gladly die for you tomorrow." He said it bluntly because there was no other way to say it. If Elyan had to sacrifice his own life for Arthur tomorrow, he would. He just thought it was important Arthur knew that.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"My lord, it is an honour to be among you and the other men here." Arthur's faint smile remained as his gaze rested on Elyan. A few weeks ago he had told him that titles were unnecessary between brothers. Though he knew now why he had referred to him as such. For even if he had not yet married his sister -- and such a union could prove impossible should tomorrow prove to be the last of his days -- today marked the beginning of a new brotherhood. Between the men in this room. For Arthur felt closer to them than any other knights in Camelot. "I would gladly die for you tomorrow." Arthur's eyes went to Guinevère for a moment, knowing that these words could not be easy to hear, just as they would not be easy to say. He worried for her . . . for what would happen tomorrow should the absolute worst occur. But again, he would speak to her later about such things.

For now . . . Elyan's words filled Arthur's heart with the strongest feeling of honor. To hear Elyan express as such, though he feared for his life. He feared for Guinevère losing a brother. Elyan was the last of her family, and Arthur knew that come tomorrow, he would do all he could to make sure she did not have to suffer such a loss. That somehow, each man would get out of the city alive. He also was not naive, and knew that this was a strongly improbable. That did not mean he would not have some semblance of hope. "It will be an honor to fight alongside you tomorrow Elyan," he told him in a strong voice, offering his hand out for the man to take. The man who had become his brother of heart in so many ways. "I thank you for your loyalty and for the risk you are taking by accompanying me." He had thanked each men for such, but he especially wanted to thank Elyan.

For as he previously recognized, he was risking his life for a man who had ordered the death of his own father . . . yet his loyalty to Arthur remained unwavered. That, took a truly courageous and selfless man. One with a strong heart. Which should not be too unexpected, considering the nature of Guinevère. Like brother, like sister. "And please, call me Arthur. For we stand was equals; as brothers." Especially tonight, especially tomorrow. Such had been the purpose of the round table, to display equality among them all. For Arthur was not a prince here. He was just a man among others and refused to let himself be referred to as titles, when he found no single person superior to the other.

[Guinevère]

"Thank you, Gwen. I probably wouldn't have survived life this long without you." Elyan had said these words before Arthur joined them, and she wished to tell him that it was the other way around as well. Elyan take done wonders this last half year in helping her with her life and feeling safe at home at night. In times that would have been frightening to be alone, Elyan being there had filled her lonely nights with family. Given her home a feeling of joy again. She no longer stalled going to an empty house, but looked forward to spending time with her brother.

Yet Arthur had joined him--something never unwelcome--and the words to her brother had not left her lips. "My lord, it is an honor to be among you and the other men here." One she only wished their father could have seen! He'd have been so proud of his son! To see his his son become a knight in the greatest army, and serve with the greatest prince. Ever since Arthur had helped clear her name from magic, that first time so many years ago, Tom had though Arthur a good man. He had boasted to others about the prince risking his life to clear a name of a citizen. Even if Morgana and Merlin had been the ones who believed in her, Arthur had still taken the risk and had faith in the possibility that there was more happening. If her father could see either of them now, then he would be bursting with pride in them both.

"I would gladly die for you tomorrow." Elyan's words, made her mind drift from her father to the loss she would feel if any man in this room died tomorrow. Her eyes closed silently, but Arthur was speaking so she didn't speak out how she wished her brother would not think of dieing but think of living! "It will be an honor to fight alongside you tomorrow Elyan." And for years to come she hoped. Yet she knew that there would be some who would not come home after this. If any of them even returned. It was breaking her heart, but she was going to be strong for them. Not worry them with her fears. Opening her eyes she looked between her boys, her family.

"I thank you for your loyalty, and for the risk you are taking by accompanying me." Arthur and her and began a new chapter in their relationship a few nights ago. One that she hoped no one had noticed. She knew that if Elyan ever found out that she was now compromised that things might not be so easy between them two men. She never wanted her brother to know. Her and Arthur had feared the other might be dead, and then he had discovered she'd known of Morgana's magic and not told him. For months. Between the joy of seeing the other alive, and being hurt she'd lie to him they had avoided each other for the whole day and then while he was on watch that night . . . .

She'd sought him out with food. Talking turned to holding and kissing turned to love. Arthur might not have been her first kiss, but he was her first. Elyan knew that she loved Arthur and he loved her, but her brother was still her big brother. Something he did not need to know. "And please, call me Arthur. For we stand was equals; as brothers." Equals with a prince. Her Elyan and Arthur. As equals.

She wanted to say something, wanted to hug them both and beg them not to go. For a king who she didn't have faith in? She loved Arthur, and knew that Uther was his father. That alone was why she prayed for Uther's safety. "Have you eaten?" She asked them softly, wanting to make sure they would have full bellies before bed. "If not you should sit down with us and we should share a meal." And pray it was not their last.

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan took Arthur's arm and shook it, with a swift nod of his head. "And please, call me Arthur. For we stand was equals; as brothers." "Indeed we are now, all of us. I will never be able to fathom how a man could be so brave and honourable, it will be a pleaure to stand in battle beside you." He put his arm down and smiled. The words Arthur had said warmed Elyan's heart to the core. He knew at that point that whatever happened tomorrow it would be legendary. The Prince and his knights who were noble of heart rather than blood ride out to save the most noble of Kingdom's, her grace, Camelot. It would be just like all the stories he had ever heard, but this time he would be one of the brave knights.

Elyan decided not to think of the mortality tomorrow will most probably bring. It would do no one any good if he moped around thinking about his almost certain death. Had his sisters never ending hope in every situation no matter how seemingly hopeless, taught him nothing? No, he had to have hope for tomorrow, if not for himself then at least for her. He could see every time he looked at her, the worry in her eyes that she would lose him...again. He knew how naive it sounded, but he would live for her, so she'd never have to face that loss and the sorrow it always brought her ever again. He wasn't prepared to give up just yet.

"Have you eaten?" He was distraced from his thoughts at the question. "If not you should sit down with us and we should share a meal." Elyan hadn't thought about food for a long while, and his stomach decided to make a dying whale sound at that moment, just to remind him how long. He wasn't sure if he could eat, but looking into his sisters eyes, he couldn't deny her this. "That would be a wonderful idea, I am quite hungry." He smiled at her, deciding not to think of the fact that this could be his last meal. He still shuddered. He instead thought of how he was eating because he needed the strength for tomorrow. Strength to stay alive and fight for tomorrow's battle. Suddenly he did feel like eating.