England

THE GUARD was still bowing as more people shuffled into the courtyard. Men were slack jawed and squires looked relieved. 

Immediately, a group of soldiers formed a perimeter around me, careful of any threats in the crowd.

They did this because I pulled the sword from the stone.

They did this because I, a girl, was king.

They just didn't know it yet.

"Your Majesty, we must hurry you to the castle at once. We need to begin your reign as quickly as possible. I hope you forgive me for the rushed announcement," the guard who had seen me take possession of the blade had apparently declared himself in charge.

I didn't mind. I was still flat on my back and in complete shock.

Two of my new bodyguards helped me into standing position, and handed me my sword. Suddenly, like magic, a path was cleared and I was escorted to a carriage.

It was odd how everything was passing by in a blur of colors and noises and bows. I couldn't comprehend the situation. I had no idea how the people were doing it.

Just a few hours ago, I had bathed in a creek. Soon, I would walk in a palace as a king.

But I was still dressed as a man. That could be a problem.

The carriage was the first thing I could actually stop and process. It was white, as if untouched by the dirt around it, and the gold lining around the Pendragon coat of arms shimmered in the sun.

Its splendor was more than I had ever imagined, and this was the transport.

"This way, Majesty," one of the guards pointed to the door, where a footman stood at attention. As soon as I neared the stairs, he opened the door and I walked inside.

The seats were velvet, and the pillows were silk. The drapes over the windows were a tasteful shade of hunter green, and they contrasted nicely with the creamy benches.

I might faint if the castle is anything like this.

"Majesty, we will need you to address the Saxon invasion immediately upon your arrival." A portly man with white hair was already in the carriage, with one long scroll of things to do 'upon my arrival'.

"Could... Could I take a bath first? I would find it improper to make my first decrees as king in this ungodly state," I stammered, attempting to imitate the noblemen at the camp. 

The man looked up from the scroll. "Of course, Majesty. The previous king did not hold the same tastes as yourself. Excuse my surprise."

I nodded, not trusting my high pitched voice more than I had to. If I talked too much, he would surely know of my true gender before we even arrived at the palace.

The man began to read off all of the things the king had left behind for me to do. I grew rather tired of my new advisor's voice quickly.

It was more than a day's journey to Camelot Castle.

It would seem to be longer in the same carriage as the white haired man.

I SOON found out the man's name was Alfred. He enjoyed talking about himself more than he liked speaking of my upcoming duties, and that was surely saying something.

There was a scroll with at least a hundred bullet points, each with their own lessons and instructions and signatures.

England had not had a king in seventeen years. They desperately needed somebody who was not going to deplete the country's treasury.

I groaned, appreciating the stiff silence that had captured the carriage. Alfred had explained that while he was able to do his job, he was still old, and therefore needed rest in frequent intervals.

It was amazing, the silence, and I basked in it, hoping the throbbing behind my eyes would cease. 

Instead of sitting still, I moved to the edge of the bench and pulled back the woven curtain. The English countryside rolled past with every beat of the horses' hooves, taking me closer and closer to the palace where I would officially be the king, and inevitably reveal my true identity.

Guards rode on horseback around my convoy, constantly on the lookout. It appeared they expected the Saxons to attack, and I hoped that the invading army would stay away from Camelot.

I didn't need the threat of death too.

Alfred awoke with a start, and I quickly shut the curtain and resumed my straight backed posture across from the advisor, hoping he had not seen my break in protocol.

Alfred was rather fond of protocol.

"Forgive me for dozing off, Highness. I wanted to cover a bit more before we arrived, but alas it will have to wait for another day."

I was confused at Alfred's words, until they sank in. I must not have been able to see the palace from the side of the carriage I had been looking out of. 

And if Alfred was correct, I would soon be in the palace, making royal decrees and attempting to stall the Saxons from stealing more of England's ancestral homeland.

I could feel the weight of the country on my back, and I hadn't even gotten my crown yet.

Suddenly, the horses slowed down, and I scooted over to the window, taking in a sharp breath at the immaculate sight before me.

Tall towers of blue and gold stretched towards the heavens; glinting spires casting shadows on the drive. The large wooden door was let down slowly, and the defenses were temporarily lifted so I could be let through.

The carriage rolled into the inner courtyard, and I waited- as was proper- for the footman to open the carriage door for me. It would certainly take some getting used to, the way the guards were lowered on their knees in respect.

"Long live the king!" was the echoed chant through the yard, and all I wanted to do was run into a room and lock the door. It was suffocating to have so much attention thrust upon me.

I waved, not wanting to cast doubt in the guards minds of my ability to fulfill my duty to the country, and I was ushered inside the gleaming palace.

The blue and gold was a recurring theme, appearing in the lush rugs spread across the floor and various pieces of furniture artfully scattered in the corridors. There were rooms for seeing peasants and rooms for tea and six dinning rooms, each nicer than the last. Alfred was an enthusiastic tour guide, pointing out that while King Uther, may he rest in piece, had died over sixteen years ago, the staff had kept the castle in tip-top shape, so that when the next king was crowned, they would be ready.

I nodded politely, hoping Alfred hadn't caught on. I normally wasn't this quiet, but Alfred didn't know that. No one here knew that.

Oh Lord have mercy, I left Grummore back at the camp.

I paused mid-stride in the hallway, deep in thought. I completely forgot that Alfred was showing me around, and when he came back to tap my shoulder, I was dreadfully embarrassed. 

"Majesty, are you well?" Alfred asked, a worried look crossing his worn face.

"I am, thank you. But I would like that bath now, please," I said, attempting to make my voice lower.

"Of course! Right this way," Alfred led the way up two flights of staircases (they were both surrounded by golden banisters) and finally stopped in front of the bedroom that would be mine.

"Is this my room?" I asked, wondering why he had stopped and wouldn't let me in.

"These," he corrected, "are your rooms." Alfred opened the door with pride, and my breath was stolen yet again.

This room was not blue and gold to match the rest of the palace. It had the same hunter green curtains covering the floor-to-ceiling windows, and creamy white was patterned in with the furniture and the wallpaper as the carriage. Everything was made from dark oak wood, matching the green and white perfectly.

"Beautiful, isn't it? King Uther did love green," Alfred sighed, gesturing towards one of the doors leading off of the main room. 

"The first door on your right is your bedchambers. The second is your bathroom, and the third is your closet. The first on the left leads to your private study, and the second leads to a multi-purpose room. If you need anything, Sire, I am only a ring away." After gesturing at the bell cord hanging next to the door, Alfred hurried out to leave me in peace.

I walked into the bathroom, and I was enveloped in steam and a scent that reminded me of pine. It seemed the servants had already poured me a bath, then.

There was a clean robe left on the vanity, so I had no second thoughts when I threw away my disgusting tournament clothes.

They didn't belong in a palace.

While the scent of the tub was more masculine than  I was used to, I slipped into the warm, clear water and sighed in relief. It had been too long since I had a warm bath.

I took my time, taking sure to clean my hair and every square inch of my body. I was ready to be rid of dirt for the rest of my life.

When the water cooled, I heaved myself out of the tub and wrapped the robe around my shivering body. I used the door connecting my room to the closet, frowning a little when I saw all of the tunics and pants. I had forgotten that the palace staff still had no idea of my true gender.

How odd would it seem if I were to wear a hat inside of the palace- my new home?

I fingered my stringy blonde hair. I had always been proud of the way it was shoulder length and shiny. Would I have to cut it? And how would I approach public appearances. I couldn't exactly be king if everyone knew I was a woman.

I groaned, picking a light blue tunic and black pants before pinning my hair up and placing it inside a velvety hat.

They were the nicest clothes I had ever had the pleasure of wearing, and yet I felt trapped. Hopefully, one day I would be able to wear ball gowns and day dresses, like in the paintings in Grummore's home of balls long past.

Hopefully, one day I would be able to rule a kingdom as a woman, instead of a man.

But that day was not today, and I hurried to my private study. I wanted to explore before I had to do anything that effected the country's well being. 

A hard oak desk stood in front of a wide backed blue chair in the center of the room. Bookcases were filled with dusty tomes with illegible titles. A plush rug covered the ground that matched the chair.

There was an air of importance in the chamber, as if Uther had used the study for his most important projects.

I left the room untouched. It felt wrong to begin making that room mine so soon after my arrival. Maybe one day I would feel worthy of the honor it was to be able to use the same room as King Uther, but for now I would face my problems.

I rang for Alfred, mentally preparing for his onslaught of talking. Instead, a butler I hadn't met before escorted me to another study. 

This one was nearly identical to the one attached to my rooms, except for the long table in the middle.

Green velvet chairs filled the sides of the table, all looking towards the head of the table where a maroon throne sat.

It seemed the former king was a fan of colors. 

There was a map laid out on the table of the land England used to possess. It was odd how a powerful land such as England was able to fall to such a tiny army.

Alfred entered room, his puffing breaths suggesting he had run to be on time to the meeting. "Majesty, I am so sorry for being late," he said, bowing low.

"It's not a problem," I replied, wincing at how feminine my voice sounded.

"Well, let's get started then," Alfred said, sitting in the chair on the left hand side of my throne, preparing to lay out the papers.

"Oh my, Alfred, were you planning on starting without me?" the voice that asked this question stood in the doorway, and I took in a sharp breath at the familiarity of his features.

Word Count: 2116

Total Word Count: 6851

Who do you think the owner of the voice is? (hehehehe) 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'm sorry for the long wait. I've had the most hectic week ever, and I'm afraid that won't change for a while. I will continue trying to update She Who is King frequently though, so keep your eyes open for more updates!

Thank you so much for reading-

CJ