Return to Camelot
At dawn the morning after their conference with Queen Guinevere, Ray and Constantine led a small company of knights to the residence of Arthur and Merlin. The couple lived in a large house, just under half a day's ride from Camelot. Ray and his party were met at the front gates by two young servants.
Ray spurred his horse forward and spoke to the servants. "We must speak with King Arthur."
One of the young men tipped his hat. "Your pardon, m'lord. But the master will allow no visitors without appointment, and we've had no word of visitors today."
"That is because we would have arrived ahead of any messenger," Ray said. "We must speak to the king! It's a matter of life and death."
The two servants looked at each other, and frowned up at the newcomers. "I'm sorry, sir."
Constantine rode forward and drew his sword. "Listen to me, squire," he snapped. "I know you're only doing as you've been ordered, but our urgency brooks no further delay. You shall be far sorrier if you try to stand in our way. Now stand aside!"
The servants stepped aside nervously, and Ray led Constantine and his three most trusted knights to the main house. They left their horses tied along the side of the house. Ray spoke to Constantine outside. "I should go in alone."
Constantine looked dubious. "I'm not sure about that, friend," he said.
"That was the plan, my friend," Ray said. "You know how Merlin will respond if we five enter the house in force. If I go in alone and unarmed, we will have a better chance of success, you know that."
"Unless she blasts you to smithereens with her staff the moment you walk in," Constantine hissed.
Ray sighed. "Trust me, friend. Please. When she lets me speak to Arthur, I'll call you in so we may speak to him together. But let me try my plan to get through to Merlin first. If I need help, I'll call to you."
Constantine pursed his lips, but nodded his agreement. "All right, Sir Raymond," he said. "Just take care with that witch."
Ray smiled and handed Constantine his sword and dagger. "Don't worry, friend. I will."
He went to the front door and announced himself to the young woman who opened it. "I am here to see the lady of the house."
Nervous, the woman dipped a curtsey and asked, "Who may I ask is calling, sir?"
"Tell her Sir Raymond Palmer, please."
"Yes, sir, I will. Please wait here."
She showed Ray into the front room and left him there for a few minutes. Ray tried to think about what exactly he should say to Stargirl, as he had been doing for the last few hours of their journey. He'd gone through several different scripts, but couldn't really settle on what to say.
After a while, the main door to the foyer opened, and "Merlin" stood there, holding her staff in one hand. Like Guinevere, time had passed for Stargirl. He saw a little gray in her hair, and lines of age on her face. She frowned as soon as she saw him. "It is you. Go away, Raymond."
Ray frowned in turn. "Good to see you, too, Stargirl," he said.
"I warned you to leave," she snapped. "I know you're here to speak for Guinevere, and Arthur doesn't want to hear what you have to say."
"You don't know what I have to say," Ray said. "Things have changed at Camelot, Stargirl. I must speak to King Arthur today."
Stargirl's frown deepened. "Listen to me, Raymond. Camelot is fine. Guinevere is queen, and everything is fine. You don't need to talk to Arthur!"
"No," Ray said, "Everything is not fine, Stargirl. Guinevere is doing the best she can, but she wasn't officially declared Arthur's heir, and they have no children."
"So what?" Stargirl snapped. "That's been the situation for the last six months! The knights follow her, they-"
"That's not the case anymore," Ray said. "Can I come in and can we talk?"
Stargirl shook her head. "No! Get out of here, Raymond. Leave us alone! Arthur doesn't want anything to do with Camelot anymore. He's not coming back!'
"That's not how this works, Stargirl, and you know that!" Ray snapped. "But that's fine, since you won't invite me in to talk like a civilized person, I'll state my business here in the front hall. I'm not asking Arthur to come back to court. But he must officially choose an heir, or Camelot will be plunged into a war."
Stargirl seemed unsure for a split second, but stood her ground and shook her head. "That's ridiculous, Raymond. Or is this something your so-called time computer told you? Is the rest of your little crew out there waiting to cause more havoc?"
Ray practically winced. "No, they're not here," he answered grimly. "I'm stranded here, just like you are, Stargirl. I'm doing my best to protect the timeline from the havoc you are going to cause by hiding Arthur!" She rolled her eyes, and Ray frowned, getting angrier by the second.
"You know something? You and the rest of the JSA had a lot to say about the Legends when we first met. We were unprofessional idiots and lunatics, as I remember. Oh, and none of us were 'real' heroes, while all of you were. You were consummate professionals, totally bound and driven by duty. Now, it seems like that's been tossed out the window for you! But I still have a duty to protect the timeline, and I have a duty to Camelot."
"I was a slave to duty for years," she shouted. "And where did it get me? Stranded in this backward place, where the only joy I found belonged to someone else! And when Amaya took the spear, I didn't even have that to protect anymore. There was only Arthur."
"I'm sorry, Stargirl," Ray said. "I really am. But you do have something else to protect. And Arthur has the same duty. He is High King, and he has a solemn duty to protect Camelot."
She glared. "What are you really talking about here, Raymond?" she said, her tone calm and logical. "You're talking about a few changes in the words of a myth. Fairy tales change in the telling, and Arthurian legend is no different. Your computer would say the same, and so would your ships' historian, if-"
"No." Heat rose to Ray's face. "Don't do that. Don't presume to tell me what Nate would have thought of this. Nate devoted his life to history, and to protecting the timeline. He would have understood perfectly well how important it is to protect this in particular. Those myths helped shape an entire culture, and Nate knew that. But even if that wasn't the case, I'm not talking about a few lines in a bedtime story. I'm talking about real people dying. I'm trying to avoid a war, Stargirl. Are you honestly going to tell me a member of the Justice Society of America doesn't want to stop a war?" He looked at her for a long moment, letting his words sink in. Stargirl frowned, but didn't speak. "Please. Tell the king I seek an audience, and I won't leave until he gives me one."
Stargirl's face flushed red, and she scowled. "No! Leave, Raymond. Get out of our house."
Ray shook his head. "Not until I speak with King Arthur."
Stargirl grimaced and raised her staff. "Last chance, Raymond."
"Or you're going to fire on an unarmed, wounded man?" he asked, gesturing to the sling holding his left arm. "You really have changed."
"I gave you a chance." The staff glowed, and Ray was hit by a blast of energy. He flew backward, slamming against the front door. He lay dazed for a few moments, feeling like he did when his suit would overload during testing - tingly and sore all over.
Ray rolled onto his good arm and struggled to his feet, grunting with the effort. When he was steady again, he looked grimly into Stargirl's eyes. "I will not leave until a get an audience with His Majesty."
"I told you to leave, Raymond. Don't make me hit you again."
"I won't leave without speaking to the king."
"Suit yourself!" She blasted him again, and he slammed forcefully into the door. Getting up was more difficult this time. He struggled for a few moments. "Just stay down!" Stargirl snapped.
Ray didn't stop, and a few moments later, the doors opened behind him. "Sir Raymond!" It was Constantine. "What has she done to you?"
"I'm okay," Ray said, "Just... could you..." He reached for Constantine's hand. Constantine and the other knights helped Ray to his feet. Ray swayed, and felt the knights' hands on him, studying him. He felt a warm trail from his nose and pressed the heel of his hand to it. Blood.
"In Heaven's name," Constantine breathed. "You bleed, yet there is no mark on you." He rounded on her. "You vile sorceress! Attack an unarmed man? I should run you through!" Constantine put his hand on his sword, but Ray held up his hand.
"No! Stop, my friend," he said. "The queen wanted no bloodshed."
"Yet she has already shed your blood! I can't let her-"
"Constantine, please. Trust me." Constantine nodded reluctantly and lowered his hand. Ray turned back to Stargirl. He took a shaky step forward. "I'm... not sure if my body can take another hit, Merlin," he said, blood still flowing freely. "So it's your choice now. Let me see the king, or murder an unarmed man."
Stargirl stared at him, first frustrated, then uncertain. Finally, she lowered her staff, and Ray stifled a relieved sigh. "Very well, Raymond," she said. "I will ask King Arthur if he will speak with you."
"That will not be necessary."
Ray and the others gasped and looked past Stargirl to see Arthur himself coming toward them from the inner door. "Your Majesty!" Ray, Constantine and the three knights with them dropped to one knee.
"Rise, please rise," he said. The men obeyed, and Arthur stood beside Stargirl. "Sir Raymond of the Palms."
Ray stepped forward. "Yes, Your Grace."
"Any man who would risk death for an audience with me must certainly have a message of great import. Come into the study, and we will discuss your news."
Ray smiled and bowed his head. "Yes, Your Grace, thank you very much. And Her Majesty asked King Constantine to accompany me. Would-"
"Of course. Join us, Constantine. But I ask you to leave your arms here, and that your fellows remain here until our business is concluded."
"It shall be as you say, Majesty," Constantine said, unhooking his sword and dagger from his belt and leaving them with the other knights. "You heard His Majesty," he said. "Wait here for us."
"Yes, m'lord."
King Arthur and "Merlin" led the way down the hall, while Ray and Constantine followed. "Here you are, friend," Constantine said in a low tone.
Ray looked over to see Constantine offering him a handkerchief. "Thank you, my friend," he said. He took it from him and dabbed at the blood. The nosebleed stopped, and he cleaned his face before they arrived at the study.
Arthur's study was like a smaller version of Guinevere's study at the castle. Arthur took a seat at the writing desk, just as the queen had done the day before. Stargirl stood beside him, and Constantine stood beside Ray.
"Now," King Arthur said. "Speak, Sir Raymond. What is your business here?"
Raymond bowed his head. "I thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty. First, may I ask, would the threat of war induce you to return to Camelot?"
Arthur thought for a few moments, but he shook his head. "I have relinquished that life. The court of Camelot is well-prepared for any attack."
"Yes, Your Grace," Ray said. "But Mordred has threatened the court, and he has swayed many knights to his stronghold." Arthur gave Ray a troubled frown. Ray described what Guinevere had told him, and described Mordred's visit to the banquet in detail. "And so, Your Grace, I offered to make one last attempt to reach you. If you will not, or cannot return to Camelot, I implore you to publicly choose an heir. Mordred and his followers will not acknowledge Queen Guinevere's right to the throne any longer. It is of the utmost urgency, as we have been given but five days, and we have already lost a day and a half in preparation and travel."
King Arthur sat still and quiet, head bowed in thought for quite some time. He was still for so long that Ray hazarded a look at Constantine, and they exchanged pensive glances. At last, Arthur looked up and fixed Ray with a serious expression. "First, Sir Raymond, I thank you for coming. This is dire news, indeed."
"You're quite welcome, Your Grace," Ray said, starting to feel hopeful.
"I will not return to the throne of Camelot, though I will come to court to bestow the crown upon my chosen successor."
Ray and Constantine both breathed sighs of relief. "That's wonderful, Your Grace," Constantine said.
"Yes, Lady Guinevere will be relieved," Ray said.
Arthur nodded. "I am sure she will be, for I have decided to relieve her of the burden of ruling Camelot. Guinevere shall not be my successor."
"What?" Ray and Constantine cried at the same time. Even Stargirl looked stunned.
"N-no, Your Majesty," Ray said. Arthur frowned, and Ray hurried to correct himself. "With all due respect, Sire, I... I thought you would name Guinevere as your successor. She already is, in practice."
"Indeed," Arthur replied. "And yet I know the burden is too much for her. Before I left Camelot, she confided in me that what she feared most was ruling Camelot alone. But she was the best choice, and had the trust of the court."
"Yet you left her still," Constantine snapped. "To join this-"
"Careful, friend," Ray said, seeing Arthur's darkening frown. "We want no trouble." Constantine took a deep breath and nodded. Ray turned back to the king. "Your Grace. You say Queen Guinevere was the best choice, yet now you feel you can release her from her duty. Do you have a better choice than she?"
"I have," Arthur said. "And that person is you, Sir Raymond." Ray's jaw dropped.
"What?" Constantine exclaimed.
"No," Ray said, this time with more force. "No, Sire, I cannot accept." Arthur frowned, but Ray didn't back down this time. "I am truly honored by your confidence in me, sir," he said. "But I am a t-traveler." He stammered, nearly giving away what kind of traveling he did. "I have only just returned from the East after several years away from Camelot, and I planned to leave again soon."
"Then you shall alter your plan and remain here," Arthur said firmly.
Ray shook his head. "Sire, what about Constantine?" Ray looked at his friend. The other man looked absolutely stunned. "He is already a king, he's a faithful knight, he-"
"He is not my choice, Sir Raymond of the Palms," Arthur said sternly.
Raymond looked helplessly at Constantine, and was shocked to see that his stunned expression had changed to one of pure fury. And that fury was directed at him. "My friend-"
"Don't you call me 'friend', you dog!"
"Constantine! I-"
"Now I see why you insisted on seeing the witch alone!"
"Wha-"
"Was that your plan all along? Convince the sorceress to work her mind control tricks to secure the crown for yourself?!"
Arthur and Stargirl shouted denials, and Ray frowned. "Constantine, I understand you're disappointed. But you must know that isn't true."
Constantine pointed at Ray. "What I know is that this witch stole our king from us, and now she's twisted his mind against us in favor of you!"
"That is enough," Arthur shouted, rising to his feet. "My mind is clear, Constantine! I make my own decisions, and they have nothing in common with your wild imaginings. If you mistrust my judgment, you may return to Dunmonia and leave the court of Camelot."
"And abandon her as you have?! Never! You-"
"Enough! Remember that I am still your king until the coronation and command yourself in my presence!"
Constantine pursed his lips together, face white and livid with rage. But he bowed his head. "Understood, Your Majesty," he said tersely.
"Good. Now go. Rejoin your knights and we will make ready to ride to Camelot immediately."
Constantine bowed and backed away a few steps before turning. Ray backed up quickly and put a hand on Constantine's arm. Constantine snarled and shoved Ray's hand away violently. Ray backed away, frowning as Constantine left the study.
"Sir Raymond."
Ray turned back to the king and approached him slowly. "Yes, Your Grace," he said, struggling to keep frustration out of his voice.
"You are angry with me as well, are you not?"
"Yes, Sire, I am," he said with hardly a moment's hesitation. "You made the wrong decision."
Arthur smiled. "For one who considers himself unfit to lead, you challenge me with a great deal of confidence. Is this something you learned in this Eastern land where age seems hardly to have touched you?"
"No, Sire," Ray said, not addressing the comment about his age. "It's something I learned from you. I've read and dreamed about you since I was a child. And what you taught me was how important it is to value the truth, and to stand up for what's right no matter what. And the truth is, cutting Constantine out was a bad decision."
Arthur looked at him strangely for a moment before speaking again. "I know Constantine well, Sir Raymond. He is loyal, strong and brave. But he has much to learn ere I would trust him to rule in my place."
"That isn't the point, Your Grace," Ray said. "I came here to avoid bloodshed. But you made Constantine my enemy, and he'll wind up in power anyway!" Arthur looked surprised, and Ray scrambled to say something that didn't sound like he knew the future. "He'll take knights away like Mordred did," he said. "And with Camelot weakened, we will fall to one or the other of them. I've led... men before," he said, narrowly avoiding the word "companies". "But the high kingship is different."
"And yet you will do it, Sir Raymond, and you will do it well. You will have the loyalty of any knights who were loyal to me and to Guinevere. You will have advisors. And I have seen you in action today. You will do well."
"What do you mean, Your Grace?" Ray asked.
"I heard Merlin's staff used, and came out to see what the trouble was. I saw you rise after her second strike. I saw you reign in Constantine's fiery temper then, and again here in the study when you cautioned him against speaking ill of Merlin. You have nobility in you, and a diplomatic nature. And equally vital, you have a deep love and respect for Camelot. You will do well as king."
Ray glanced toward the door where the furious Constantine had just stormed out, to tell the other knights who-knew-what about what happened in the study. "You may be right, Your Grace. I may make a good king. Assuming I survive the night."