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The sun was high in the sky by the time Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin returned to Camelot. The grand castle loomed above them, its turrets reaching toward the heavens as if to greet their return. The ride back had been filled with quiet contemplation, each man lost in his thoughts. But as they passed through the gates and into the courtyard, Arthur’s resolve only strengthened.
Lancelot, ever perceptive, spoke first. “Arthur, I have known thee many years, and I see a weight upon thy heart. This girl, Ella—her plight troubles thee more than thou dost let on.”
Arthur sighed, turning to face his friend. “Aye, Lancelot. Her suffering is not an isolated case. It is a symptom of a greater ill that festers in our land. How can I, as king, ignore such cruelty when it is within my power to change it?”
Merlin stepped forward, his eyes keen. “Thou art right to feel this way, Arthur. But be cautious—if thou art to intervene, thou must do so wisely. The nobility may not take kindly to what they see as meddling in their affairs. Lady Tremaine is well-connected, and to cross her could stir unrest.”
Arthur nodded, though his expression was resolute. “I have considered this, Merlin. Yet, what good is my crown if I cannot protect even the least of my subjects? Ella’s fate is but one thread in the tapestry of Camelot, but if I do not act, that thread could unravel the whole.”
Lancelot stepped closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Then what dost thou propose, my lord? Shall we ride out and confront this Lady Tremaine directly? Or hast thou another plan?”
Arthur smiled faintly, appreciating Lancelot’s loyalty and readiness to act. “Nay, I do not think brute force is the answer here. Ella is no damsel to be rescued by the sword. Her spirit is strong, though it is shackled by the cruelty of her stepfamily. What she needs is a chance—a way to claim her own destiny.”
Merlin’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as he stroked his beard. “And what if we were to give her such a chance? There are many ways to shift the balance of power, Arthur, without drawing blood or raising alarm.”
Arthur turned to the wizard, intrigued. “What dost thou have in mind, Merlin?”
Merlin grinned, his eyes alight with the spark of an idea. “There is a grand feast approaching, is there not? The Midsummer Celebration, when all the lords and ladies of Camelot shall gather in the Great Hall to dine and dance. ‘Tis the perfect occasion to introduce a new face—a face no one expects.”
Lancelot frowned in confusion. “But how will this help Ella? She is no lady of the court, but a servant. Would not her presence there cause more harm than good?”
“Not if she is presented as more than a mere servant,” Merlin countered, his voice rich with implication. “With a bit of magic, I could transform her appearance, make her seem a lady of noble birth, if only for a night. It would give her a chance to be seen for who she truly is, rather than the girl they have made her.”
Arthur’s eyes lit up with realization. “And if she gains the favor of the court, it could change her fortunes entirely. The Tremaine family would no longer be able to control her, not with the eyes of Camelot upon her. They would be forced to treat her with the respect she deserves.”
Merlin nodded. “Precisely. It would be a gamble, to be sure, but one worth taking. Ella would need to play her part well, to show her true worth. But if she succeeds, she could break free from her bonds, and Camelot would gain a loyal subject of great value.”
Lancelot, still wary but intrigued, crossed his arms. “And what of Lady Tremaine? If she recognizes Ella, the ruse could be exposed, and the consequences would be dire.”
Arthur’s expression grew serious. “We must ensure she does not. Ella’s transformation must be complete, down to the smallest detail. And we must prepare her, guide her through the role she is to play. I will not allow her to be harmed, Lancelot, of that you can be certain.”
Merlin’s smile grew wider. “Leave that to me. I shall see to it that Ella is as unrecognizable as the stars at midday. But we must speak with her first, to gain her consent. This is not a path we can force upon her.”
Arthur agreed. “Indeed, she must choose this for herself. We shall return to her cottage at nightfall, when her stepfamily is abed. I will speak with her then, and if she is willing, we shall set our plan in motion.”
Lancelot placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder, his voice filled with quiet respect. “Thou art a king unlike any other, Arthur. To go to such lengths for one so lowborn—‘tis why we follow thee, why we believe in thee. Whatever may come, know that I stand with thee, as always.”
Arthur clasped Lancelot’s arm in return, grateful for his unwavering support. “Thank you, my friend. Together, we shall see this done.”
As the day wore on, preparations were made in secret. Arthur’s thoughts were consumed by the task ahead, but beneath it all, he felt a growing hope. This was more than just a mission to save a girl from cruelty; it was a chance to show the people of Camelot that their king would fight for them, no matter their station.
As evening fell and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Arthur, Merlin, and Lancelot prepared to depart once more. They rode out under the cover of night, the cool air whispering of possibilities yet unseen. The road to Ella’s cottage was familiar now, but it held a new significance—a turning point in the young king’s reign.
Wow!
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