(3rd Person's POV)
In the ancient land of Manchester, the year 415 AD echoed with the clash of blades, a battleground where Uther Pendragon, the once mighty king of Britain, fought desperately for survival.
Just days prior, Vortigern, with a force of 2000 troops, descended upon Manchester like a storm. Uther, initially hopeful that a defensive strategy would tire out Vortigern and his Saxon allies, found himself facing unexpected challenges. The route to Orkney and the southern territories got blocked by a landslide, and the Saxons swiftly cut off the remaining escape routes.
Fate seemed to favor the invaders, with every twist of events aligning with Vortigern's ambitions. Even with the aid of fairies and mystical forces, Uther found himself on the losing side. Though commanding over 3000 soldiers, the majority fled at the sight of Vortigern's seemingly invincible 2000-strong army.
Amidst the chaos, a man clad in dark armor, resembling Uther but embodying pure destruction, taunted him. "You lose here, dear big brother!" the dark figure declared, his pale hair and beard betraying a kinship tainted by treachery.
Uther, with his right arm maimed and his forces dwindling, closed his eyes in defeat.
In a moment of rage, he had severed ties with Orkney, disconnecting from his daughter and King Lot. It was a decision that now haunted him, realizing the lost support that might have turned the tides of this dire conflict.
He yearned to glimpse his daughters one last time, though the realization of its impossibility weighed heavily on Uther's heart.
*Whistle*
Amidst the bedlam, a sharp whistle pierced the air, hushing the chaotic battlefield.
Bewilderment swept through the combatants until a Saxon soldier pointed skyward, prompting a frantic scream: "COVER!"
The sky darkened as countless arrows descended, raining death upon the Saxons.
Uther, eyes widened, turned his gaze to the distance. A female warrior, armored and mounted on a stallion, galloped toward him, an infinite army of reinforcements trailing behind her. Uther recognized the unmistakable banner of Orkney, bringing a surge of hope.
"Charge!" cried the female warrior, effortlessly slicing through Saxons with precision and grace that captivated even as she concealed her face. It wasn't just the allure of her form but the beauty of her prowess that entranced the enemy. Yet, their admiration was short-lived as each Saxon fell into an enchanted slumber under her lethal dance.
"Spearman! Charge!" Another warrior, clad in blue and wielding a crimson spear, emerged from the opposite flank, leading a troop of spearmen. In mere moments, he decimated the Saxons, his might sending shivers down Uther's spine. He seemed to be the epitome of strength, the most formidable warrior Uther had ever witnessed.
"AOOO!" From the opposite side, a giant of a man charged, wielding both spear and sword, obliterating Saxons on both fronts. Despite his imposing presence, his voice carried an unexpected childlike quality, adding a peculiar touch to the grim battlefield.
"Che! Didn't know you had prepared a backup, big brother," Vortigern sneered before retreating with his troops. Soon, the three warriors halted before Uther Pendragon. The female warrior dismounted her stallion, striding toward Uther and offering her hand. With a smile, Uther accepted the help, rising to his feet.
As the warrior removed her helmet, revealing a stunning lady with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, Uther gasped in disbelief. It was Morgan. He never fathomed that the fairy he detested would evolve into such a magnificent warrior and come to aid this old man.
"Can you still fight, Lord Uther?" Morgan's tone was surprisingly informal.
Uther, stunned by the absence of formality, knew he had relinquished the right to be called her father through his arrogance.
Yet, he smiled and nodded, "I can..."
"It's Queen Morgan!" A childlike voice interrupted. A blonde girl emerged from King Lot's shadow, flashing a smile. "Sister is called Queen Morgan now, the sole heir of Britain. Also, Artoria is disowning Uther. You look very ewww!" Artoria rambled, supported by King Lot's teachings, shocking Uther with her unexpected allegiance to her sister.
Unnerved by the turn of events, Uther was speechless. Artoria, once the expected next ruler, now stood in support of her sister.
"The fight isn't over. Let us reclaim our land," declared Morgan, re donning her helmet after Uther had tended to his wounds. With resolve, he raised his sword once more.
"CHARGE!"
---
(Titus's (Lot's) POV)
Morgan Pendragon's adoption as the sole heir of Britain during the victory celebration, orchestrated by her father Uther Pendragon, marked a significant shift in the nation's future. Uther pledged to support Morgan's impending reign without seeking any role in governance.
In contrast, Morgan vowed to unite Britain under her banner, sending shockwaves through the populace with her unconventional approach—relying solely on the strength of the Britons. What confounded many was her firm declaration to forgo the aid of fairies, choosing to place her trust in the people to conquer the isles. In essence, she was embracing an era devoid of mysteries and steeped in the prowess of mankind.
However, Morgan's policies faced vehement opposition. Firstly, her gender proved a sticking point. Throughout Britain's history, matriarchy had been discouraged, with prevailing notions asserting that a woman's tender heart couldn't endure the brutality of war or command men. Some even advocated for my ascension, King Lot, as the next ruler.
Secondly, apprehension brewed regarding Morgan's abandonment of the fairies, entities that had assisted Britons for centuries. There lingered a pervasive fear that her shift toward the age of men mirrored the Saxon style, insinuating potential collaboration with the Saxons—a notion left unspoken but heavily implied.
Undeterred by the allegations, Morgan faced each accusation with courage, addressing the crowd with conviction.
"I harbor a dream and an unwavering duty to unite Britain, defending against any encroaching invaders as long as I draw breath. My husband plays a mere supportive role, his ambitions separate from ruling. As for governance, I hold no desire for matriarchal supremacy; the rightful heirs to the throne shall be my capable offspring."
Morgan, illustrating her point on leadership, cited Boudica as an example of a fearless warrior who defied gender roles, successfully fending off the Romans for centuries. "You all have seen how you pathetically abandoned your home in the face of a fight. Depending on fairies made us lazy and cowardly."
Despite the ensuing anger, Morgan's words struck a chord of truth. The people had indeed fled Manchester upon witnessing Vortigern's might, saved only by Morgan's intervention.
"You have observed how, even with reliance on fairies and mysteries, consistent failure followed. The world is transitioning to the age of men. A steel sword requires a shield, not magic. I am making changes, and I hope my people transition with me. What remains constant is the pride in fighting for our home."
Her speech resonated, bringing a newfound understanding to the people who, in turn, showered Morgan with support, pledging knighthoods as a symbol of their commitment to her cause. The winds of change swept through Britain, guided by the determined vision of Queen Morgan Pendragon.
Standing outside, observing the banquet from a distance, I glimpsed Morgan engaged in conversation with officials. Our eyes met through the window, and I cheekily winked, sending a playful kiss her way, which she accepted with a smile. Meanwhile, Artoria busied herself by critiquing the chefs, comparing the food unfavorably to her uncle's, all the while indulging in chicken legs as if they were candy.
Merlin joined me, questioning my absence from Morgan's side. "Shouldn't you be assisting your wife as her advisor and mentor?"
"Ah, but being her husband and a king complicates matters. It's best for her to face critics alone," I explained.
In Arthurian Legend, Merlin had served as Artoria's advisor, much like my role with Morgan. However, being both Morgan's husband and a king could potentially lead to bias and unfairness if I became overtly involved.
"Not a complete disengagement, just a more supportive role," I clarified.
"By the way, have you completed the spell I requested?" I inquired of Merlin, who smirked and handed me a cube.
"Of course, I am the great Merlin after all. There isn't any spell or tool that this Merlin cannot create," he boasted.
Upon activating the cube with mana, I projected a surface displaying several yellow dots—some larger, mostly smaller—representing the locations of fairies.
"Are you really planning to eradicate all the fairies from Britain?" Merlin queried, his concern evident.
"Not all of them. I intend to persuade the Great Fathers, Great Mothers, and other A-Ray fairies to relocate," I clarified, aiming for their retreat rather than annihilation.
The density of fairies had indeed contributed to a certain laziness among the Britons, a notion that even Merlin acknowledged. In this timeline, the number of fairies surpassed any other.
Seeking a solution, I had Merlin create a spell or mystic code to track all the fairies across the land. My goal was straightforward: either compel the fairies to retreat to Avalon or face elimination by my hand.
"Oh well, it is better if you face Vivian. Warning, she is a persistent woman," Merlin warned me about facing Vivian, a Great Mother class fairy known as the "fairy princess of the lake" and considered a counterpart to Morgan le Fay, embodying goodness compared to Morgan's perceived evil. Despite legends of Vivian granting Artoria Excalibur, Morgan remained reticent about her.
However, as an enemy to all fairies, a direct confrontation with Vivian seemed inevitable. It was a chance for answers, despite potential complications.
Merlin abruptly shifted the conversation. "You said I am incapable of loving someone, right?"
I was momentarily caught off guard. "Yes, what about it? Are you upset?"
"Not at all. I just wanted to clarify your view on love. As someone with multiple lovers, isn't love about commitment?"
"I... I love all of them," I asserted, struggling to encapsulate the complexities of my emotions.
"Then can you truly love Morgan Pendragon, knowing that you will eventually 'deceive' her?" Merlin's question hung heavy in the air, leaving me speechless.
"…" Lost in contemplation, I remained silent, observing the banquet from a distance. After a nod of farewell, Merlin vanished, leaving me with thoughts swirling around the enigmatic concept of love.
"Love, huh…"
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