Return to Camelot
"Sir Raymond?"
Ray sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Yes, come in?"
The same servant who'd greeted them at the front door poked her head in. "The horses have been rested and watered, sir. His Grace is ready to ride."
"Thank you. I'm on my way," he said. The servant closed the door and Ray used the pitcher and basin across from the bed to wash his face and try to wake up. He was drained after the hours-long ride, followed by getting blasted off his feet twice by Stargirl. Not to mention the emotional upheaval of being declared king and losing his new friend. Arthur had noticed Ray fading and ordered a room to be made ready where he could rest while travel preparations were made.
Now it was time to face the music. There had been no need to go to the foyer where Constantine and his knights had been told to wait, so he wasn't sure what they'd been up to while Ray slept. Somehow, he didn't think they'd spent the time drinking to his good health.
Ray left the borrowed bedroom and made his way back through the house to the outer courtyard. There, he saw Arthur and Stargirl speaking quietly to each other, while the servants held the horses a few feet away. Ray stayed a respectful distance from the couple, lowering his head when they kissed.
He wasn't sure how to feel about them. Arthur and Guinevere didn't love each other - or at least they weren't in love. So, was it so terrible for Arthur to find love somewhere else? On the other hand, Ray could empathize with being abandoned in favor of someone else, and he was still shocked that Arthur's sense of duty to Camelot could have become so much less important to him.
"Sir Raymond?" Ray looked up again to see Stargirl approaching. "I just want to wish you luck."
"Thanks," he answered, expression grim.
"You still don't approve of us, do you?"
"It's not my place to judge how you live your lives," Ray answered. "I only know Arthur left Camelot in barely-controled chaos."
She gave a slight nod. "Well, he's fixing things now, so we can be left in peace at last." Ray tried to keep the frown off his face, but didn't quite succeed. "What is it, Raymond? Honestly, you love Camelot so much, I thought you would be happy to be delcared king!"
"I don't know why you would think that," he said. "Arthur never left Camelot in the legends I love. Constantine succeeds Arthur in the legends I love."
"Okay," she said, nodding her acknowledgment. "But Lancelot wasn't Sara Lance, and Galahad wasn't killed by a brainwashed Rip Hunter in your favorite legends either, Raymond. But the way you talked about Camelot to Arthur in the study, you clearly still love the legends even after those changes."
"I love what Camelot stands for, Stargirl," he said. "And Arthur embodies that. Or he used to. Fighting for what's right, no matter what. But that's not what he's doing now. And please don't think I'm against taking risks for love," he added, noticing her frown. "If you knew anything about what I've been through in the name of love, you'd understand. I really don't blame the two of you at all for wanting to be happy. But you heard what I said to Arthur. He's made Constantine my enemy by passing him over, and he won't listen to reason when I tell him as much. So... he's not fixing the chaos. He's just transferring the job of fixing it to me. And he's starting me at a disadvantage by alienating one of my only two friends at court. My only hope is that Guinevere will take the news better than Constantine did."
Stargirl fixed him with a troubled frown. "I'm sorry, Raymond," she said at last. "I hope you're overreacting about Constantine. Hopefully he'll come around."
"Yeah. I hope so, too."
Just then, Constantine and his three chosen knights came out into the courtyard. They looked at Ray with open hostility. Ray sighed, wondering what Constantine had told the others about their audience with the king. He stepped toward them. "Constantine, can we-"
Constantine stepped forward and walked past Ray, brushing shoulders with him hard enough to make Ray stagger back. "Oh, a thousand pardons, m'lord," he said expansively, a nasty smile on his face.
Ray frowned, but didn't comment. With a grim look at Stargirl, who at least had the decency to look troubled by the exchange, Ray walked away and approached the servant holding his horse. "You'll have to hold onto him well, lad," Ray said. "I have to mount from the wrong side with this arm."
"Yes, sir." The boy stood on the other side of the horse's head, but before Ray could mount, the boy said something in a soft voice.
"What's that, son?"
With a nervous glance at where Constantine and the others were mounting up, he whispered again. "Best check your saddle, sir. But..."
"I understand, lad. Pretend you're paying me no mind." While the stable boy feigned disinterest, Ray thoroughly checked the saddle and the fittings. He was disturbed to find that the straps were loose, and that a small, sharp stone had been tucked beneath the horse's saddle. Ray's 230lbs sitting on the stone would have hurt the horse and made him buck. Between Ray's wounded arm and the loosened saddle straps, Ray would certainly have been thrown and possibly trampled by the frightened horse.
Ray sighed. Then he shouted, "You! You, boy!" The stable boy jumped and turned to face him. "Did you tighten these leathers?!"
"I... n-no, sir, I-"
Ray grabbed him by his collar and jerked him forward. Expression fierce, he whispered, "Take this stone to Merlin. Tell her you're to be rewarded for warning me." He shoved the boy back and pushed the pebble into his hand. In a loud voice, he said, "Is that clear?!"
"Yes, sir," the boy said with a nervous little bow.
"Good! Now hold her steady." Ray mounted as best he could with his wounded arm, the boy supporting him as much as possible. When he was settled, he caught sight of Constantine glaring at him. This was going to be a long ride.
As he expected, the ride back to Camelot was long and dreary for Ray. Arthur rode in the front, two squires accompanying him. Stargirl had remained behind, partly to protect the house, and partly because neither of them thought it would be a good idea for Merlin to appear at court with Arthur.
Constantine and his knights rode in the center of the party, talking to one another now and then, but mostly remaining quiet and occasionally glaring back at Ray.
Ray brought up the rear - alone. No one to talk to, or even share comfortable silence with. No acknowledgment from anyone other than the sinister looks from Constantine's group now and then.
They made a single rest stop along the way, and Arthur invited Ray to sit beside him while they ate. Still, Ray didn't feel comfortable riding with his back to Constantine, and he rode the rest of the trip with only his steed for company.
At the gates of Camelot, Arthur commanded all of them to tell no one what had occurred. "It is for Guinevere to tell, and you will speak to no one until she has informed the court." When everyone had acknowledge the order, they rode through to the castle and went directly to Guinevere's study, not stopping, and only sparing a returned greeting to the surprised knights who happened to see them pass.
Guinevere was in the study when they arrived, and Ray assumed Arthur would give her the news in front of everyone. But he asked to speak with her alone, and commanded the others to remain in the study. Ray thought about asking to stay in another room, but he would have to deal with Constantine sooner or later.
As it turned out, Constantine said nothing to him, nor did any of his friends. Arthur's squires were still present, and Ray wondered if that was what held them back. They waited in the study for about twenty minutes before Arthur and Guinevere returned. Ray watched her face closely for any clue to what she was feeling. Her face was pale, but otherwise, her features were even.
"Faithful knights," Guinevere said. "King Arthur has told me his plans for the future of Camelot, and I want all of you to know that I am in perfect agreement with him." Ray couldn't hide his shock, and Constantine looked stunned as well. "You seem surprised by this," she said.
"Your Grace," Constantine said. "With all due respect, ma'am, you should succeed Arthur."
"Yet it is quite true what Arthur has told you. I have no desire to rule alone."
"Then we could aide you, Your Grace," Ray said. "We-"
Guinevere raised her hand. "I know your hesitation, Sir Raymond. And your disappointment, King Constantine. Yet I wonder that both of you have so little faith in the king you pledged to serve." Constantine looked like he wanted to speak, but decided against it. Ray kept quiet, too. It seemed pointless to argue, and he supposed he should be grateful Guinevere wasn't blaming him.
"We have called all the knights to the Table," Arthur said. "And I have sent a messenger to call for the Archbishop. Constantine. I know Guinevere will have your full allegiance and support when she makes her announcement."
Constantine bowed his head. "My allegiance to Her Majesty has never been questioned before, Sire."
"Very well, then," Arthur said. "Let us go."
Ray, Constantine and the others followed Arthur and Guinevere to the main hall. All the knights and courtiers were there, and Ray had to shove down a pang of nervousness. He'd faced crowds before - many times. He'd even faced unhappy, or uncertain crowds - usually as a result of acquiring a smaller company. But disgruntled employees could usually be claimed down by the promise of stability - especially when he followed through on that promise. Could he offer that here? Not to mention the fact that most disgruntled employees weren't broadsword experts, most of whom had certainly killed before.
Guinevere addressed the court and welcomed Arthur back, however briefly, to the castle. Then, she made her announcement, absolutely flooring Ray, even though he thought he'd known what she planned to say.
"Loyal friends," Guinevere began. "It is with some sadness, but with a great deal of joy and a firm conviction, that we announce to you, King Arthur and I are retiring from life at court." There were gasps and exclamations from several people, Ray included. Had he heard right? Guinevere was leaving court? "We have served the people of Britain happily for many years, but we are in need of a rest. But fear not. The king has chosen a new successor."
Arthur, who had been standing beside Guinevere during her announcement, now began to speak. "I have chosen from among you, a champion of the ideals of Camelot, a fierce warrior, and a man known and trusted by many of you. I know my decision may shock some of you, but I know that you will welcome him with the knowledge that I entrust this high honor, and high responsibility to him with the full conviction that he will succeed." The knights seemed to hold their breath in the brief pause while Arthur looked around the assembly. "My chosen successor is Sir Raymond of the Palms."
Ray watched the faces of the crowd carefully, keeping his face pleasantly neutral. There was shock, confusion, and a very few people who seemed pleased almost immediately. He saw several of the knights who'd stopped to talk to Constantine at the banquet look from Ray to Constantine in shock. Ray felt his stomach start to churn. This was not going to be easy.
Arthur went on to talk about solidarity, and taking a firm stand against all enemies of Camelot. He expressed his full confidence in Sir Raymond, and asked the court to "afford him the same respect and trust you have shown to me and to the Lady Guinevere. Sir Raymond." And here, he gestured toward Ray. "Would you care to address the court?"
Ray again forced his features to remain even. He wasn't used to feeling like this, but he thought what he would "care" to do was punch Arthur in the face. Instead, he stepped forward, smiled and bowed to Arthur. "With pleasure, Your Grace," he lied.
Arthur smiled at him, and Ray turned to the court, almost afraid to look at Guinevere's face, for fear of losing his ability to hide his own emotions. He took a deep breath and drew on his years of corporate speech-making, mingled with his years of reading the Arthurian Legends.
"First, I would like to thank the King and Queen for their confidence in me. I will strive to lead Camelot in the same spirit of honesty, trust and dedication to justice that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere have embodied during their reign." Ray ignored the derisive snort he heard from Constantine's direction at the word justice. "I know that every single knight in this court shares one common goal - to protect Camelot and her people at all costs. I also know that, working together as we always have, we will achieve that goal."
Guinevere began clapping immediately, and the rest of the court followed suit. Ray didn't have to turn his head to know that Constantine and his friends were not joining in.
"My Lady, please. Please, I implore you to reconsider."
Guinevere shook her head, folding her hands on top of her writing deck, and looking calmly at Ray. "My decision is made, Sir Raymond. I am sorry this upsets you, but it is for the best."
"It is not!" Guinevere looked startled, them frowned at Ray's outburst. "I'm sorry, Your Grace," Ray said, still frowning himself. "But how can this be for the best for either of us? This is your home. You're as brave and skilled as any knight at this court. How can it benefit you to leave Camelot?"
"Brave and skilled I may be, Raymond," she said. "But you must remember that some seventeen years have passed since your last visit. I am no longer in the habit of riding out with a company of knights. Of late, l have dedicated myself to governing."
"That's another reason for you to stay," Ray insisted. "The provinces know and trust you. The knights trust you."
"And they will grow to trust you, Sir Raymond."
"Not without your help," Ray said. "I couldn't get Arthur to simply declare you his heir, but I thought I would at least have you here to advise me and give me your support with the other knights. Now, I find out, at the same time as the whole court, that you're leaving, too?"
Guinevere sighed. "I am sorry, Sir Raymond. But there are other things to consider as well."
"Other considerations like what, Your Grace?" he asked.
She hesitated a moment before she answered. "It... would be untoward to remain at the castle with you as king, but without my husband present."
Ray stared at her in shock. "You've been living here alone for half a year! How would it he any different now?"
"The difference is, I shall not be queen. The court will assume the worst of us if I remain here now. If they see me ride away with Arthur, my honor is saved, at least."
Ray let out an exasperated sigh. "My Lady, everyone at court honors and respects you! No one would assume the worst if you told them the truth. And is there anyone at court who doesn't know Arthur lives with Merlin? Or, if Constantine is any test, that you are with Miss Greystone?" Guinevere's eyes widened, and Ray nodded. "Yet they all honor you as they always have."
"It... it will be different now, and you must know that, Sir Raymond," she said sharply. "You are not of our time, yet you know our customs well. So you must know, despite what they know of Arthur's doings, I am held to a different standard."
Ray sighed again. "I'm sorry, My Lady," he said. "But I see no reason to accept a double-standard just because I know one exists." Guinevere frowned and lowered her eyes. "And you bring up another good point," he continued. "You know it very well, I am not part of this time. I won't be here long enough for them to learn to trust me. My time here is short, and could end at a moment's notice. If that happens while I'm on the throne, Camelot could be thrown into chaos again. But this time, no one will be here to stop it."
"Then you must choose or produce an heir yourself," Guinevere replied.
Ray stared at her for a second, in complete disbelief. "Are... are you serious? Just... find someone to make a baby with? While Arthur runs back to Merlin, and you... what, head off to a nunnery and leave me alone with a group of nights who have no real reason to trust and follow me?"
Guinevere frowned at him. "Their reason for following and trusting you is that Arthur has commanded it."
"Arthur abandoned Camelot and you, to shack up with Merli-"
Guinevere stood suddenly and slapped him hard across the face. "Govern your tongue, sir knight! I do not like your tone."
Ray stood up too, hot with anger and frustration. His eyes narrowed, and he refused to apologize this time. "I don't like what I'm hearing!" Guinevere looked shocked and angry, but Ray was past caring. "You and Arthur are washing your hands of the one thing you should care about the most. Constantine has already tried to kill me once, and it's only a matter of time before he tries again. What could possess me to bring an innocent woman into this mess and endanger her? Much less force a child on her?!"
"That is not your only option," Guinevere snapped.
Ray nodded. "You're right, it's not. I can choose my own heir. So that's what I'll do. As soon as I'm crowned king, I'll declare Constantine my heir and abdicate to him."
"No!" Guinevere looked alarmed. "You must not do that!"
"Why not?"
"Can you not see, Raymond? He tried to kill you once. If you make him king, his first act will be to execute you."
Ray frowned. "Why? I won't be a threat to him once he's high king."
"Of course you will," Guinevere said. "At any time, you may decide you regret your choice and try to turn the other knights against him. He will rather kill you and threaten any knights loyal to you, than live in fear of you."
"I have no knights loyal to me, Your Grace! I've just returned from a long absence, and those who knew me only spent the two days with me. Arthur cannot command someone to feel trust - that just isn't how it works, you know that! Yet they all know Constantine well, and have for years. He will do what he fears I would do to him! Turn the knights against me!" Ray ran a hand through his hair and took a breath, trying to calm down. "Your Grace. You must see that in placing me on the throne, Arthur has sentenced me to death. And if you leave without helping strengthen my authority with the knights, you will be complicit in my murder."
Guinevere sighed and took her seat again. She lowered her eyes for a few moments. "Sir Raymond," she said, looking up at him again. "I am... so sorry this burden has fallen on you. Arthur explained that I never wanted to shoulder this alone?" Ray nodded, and she smiled sadly. "He could not have told you, for he never knew, but... many times I wanted to run away. To take my... my Mary away from all the cares and the prying eyes of the court. But he had the courage to do it first, and I was trapped. Now... now we may have that chance. But it's only through Arthur laying that burden on you. It may be the sacrifice is too great for me to ask of you."
Ray shook his head, eyes misting. "No, Your Grace. You made my childhood dreams come true when you made me a knight of the Round Table. I'd risk my life for you in battle, you know that. You of all people deserve happiness, My Lady. I'd never deny you that chance. But that's..." He sighed again, tears falling despite his efforts to hold them back. "There's... someone I love, too. In my time. And if I don't live long enough for my team to find me, we'll never see each other again." He knelt before her and took her hand in both of his. "Please. Help me, Your Grace. Give me a chance at the happiness you and Arthur will have soon."
Guinevere covered his hand with hers and smiled, her own eyes shining. "I shall speak to Arthur, Sir Raymond. I will do my best."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." He bowed and left the study. He knew most people would still be at the banquet hall, so he went directly to his room to worry alone.
In the end, the compromise Arthur and Guinevere made was to agree to postpone the coronation for two weeks. They would teach Ray as much as they could while showing him full support at court. Then they would travel together until their paths split. Arthur would go back to Merlin, and Guinevere would travel to a dwelling north of Camelot (though out of the way of any parties that might come from Mordred's castle).
It was not satisfactory to Ray, but he didn't bother to try to argue his points again. He just decided to learn as much as he could from both of them until he could come up with his own plans.
The first thing Ray did was ask Guinevere exactly how to behave at the coronation, and around the Archbishop in general. The coronation wouldn't be for two weeks, but the Archbishop would arrive in three days, so that he would have time to rest before the coronation. Ray didn't want to screw up and make a bad impression with the clergy. After those lessons, he spent as much time as he could learning more about the newer knights, and the ones his books had never described in detail - all while trying to stay away from Constantine as much as possible.
Ray wasn't afraid Constantine would try to kill him with Arthur around. It was just disheartening to see his friend's face twist with rage every time they crossed paths. He longed for the brief three-day period when Constantine was his friend - impressed with his strength and happy to share a secret with him. He truly longed for his own Constantine. He could imagine John listening to his troubles, and giving him a wink before telling him, "You got taken for a ride, didn't you, squire" or "you can do this, Raymundo." He told himself he just had to hold on a little bit longer, and soon he would see his old friends - all of them - again, and this nightmare would be over.