sidhe_faerieTitle: The Future Is Now (Chapter 44)
Rating: PG
Pairing/s: Arthur/Gwen
Character/s: Merlin, Professor Monmouth, Queen Elizabeth
Summary: The Queen takes Arthur to get the original copy of the Regal Orders.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 622
Prompt: 359 Defeat
Author's Notes:
Chapter 44
By the time the two cars had reached the Tower of London, the rumors had begun to fly that King Arthur had returned to take over the kingdom. The Prime Minister and Parliament called an emergency closed door session.
Lord Weatherly received the phone call just as they arrived at the Tower of London. He left to go to the emergency session.
The Queen led them down a locked gated corridor to the cells below the tower. There was a modern bank vault at the end. She carefully opened it and walked inside. Along one wall, there were shelves full of scroll cases and leather-bound books. She went over to the shelves and looked around.
“It should be one of these bound in red leather.” The Queen turned to Professor Monmouth. “We need the first volume of the Regal orders. Can you find it?”
The Professor looked over the volumes. He frowned and shook his head. “It’s not here, Your Majesty. The volume numbers start with two. Could it be in scroll form? Merlin?”
“I think it might be but I’m not sure. Merlin rubbed his face and went over to the scrolls. “If it is then it predates the Saxons. Where did the scroll come from that you gave Arthur? The one in dragon tongue?”
The Queen went over to the end of the shelf and pointed to a silver chest. “I got it from there. There are two others but they were sealed. I’m not sure which king’s seal is on them.”
Merlin opened the chest and looked inside. “Arthur, let me see the ring.” He held out his hand and Arthur handed over the seal ring. It’s the Pendragon seal. Merlin handed the ring back. He lifted the first one out of the chest and looked at it. He nodded. “This is it. It’s in dragon tongue. I will need to take these to somewhere safe and translate them. With your permission, Your Majesty.”
“Yes of course.” The Queen nodded then glanced at Arthur. “Arthur has come too far to be defeated now. We will take them back to Buckingham Palace and you can work on them there.”
You said you had an English. Who translated it for you from dragon tongue?” Arthur asked. “It would have had to been someone related to Merlin.”
“My great grandfather maybe.” Merlin carried the scrolls out of the vault. “It wasn’t me. I’m surprised that he had access to the documents.”
“We pass the secret of Arthur’s claim from generation to generation. It is only shared with us after out coronation. Until then we are not the legitimate monarch.” The Queen explained. “My grandfather may have wanted to be sure of what would happen if Arthur appeared.”
Arthur reached for Gwen and took her hand. “I can’t believe we have come this far. Are you ready for this?”
“It’s a little late to be asking me that now. I am the Queen and I love you. We are in this together. We will still have to convince Parliament that you are the King.”
“I’m a warrior, Guinevere. I will not accept defeat. We will prevail and Camelot will rise again.” Arthur grinned confidently.
Gwen squeezed his hand. “One thing at a time, Arthur.”
“Arthur, we need to get moving.” Merlin glanced out the door do give him a hint. “The sooner we get these translated the sooner you get your kingdom back.” Merlin winced. “I apologize, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean…”
The Queen chuckled. “I want what you all want, King Arthur on the throne of Brittan and me happily living in Scotland.”
Arthur and Gwen looked at each other for a moment before the followed the others out of the vault.