Arthur only came along for the picnic because his new play-mate went. He would rather spend the rest of the afternoon sparring with Edmund just to test what the boy could fight with other than the sword but as it were since they were going on horse-back to the field where Morgana likes to spend her lazy times mostly during the end of spring when the air is not cold but not yet too hot, Arthur made a note to later challenge the boy on a horse-race when it would be time to get back to the castle. Already Arthur could see Edmund and his sister were adept on horse-back riding, their bodies straight, shoulders back and chin up like how he and Morgana were used to be trained when they were younger.

The picnic was an odd affair for Arthur wherein he was more of a spectator than the other man who was busy charming the ladies. From the moment they reached the field, Morgana was already smitten with the boy. It happened when Morgana's skirt was caught in one of the folds of the stirrup and before the woman could fall onto the ground by the twist in her clothes, Edmund was already beside her, catching Morgana by the hip. Edmund was only an inch shorter than the King's ward, and Arthur could fathom that Edmund was feeling the swell of Morgana's bossom against his chest as the boy reached forward to tug the woman's skirt free. When the boy pulled back to let Morgana go, the boy was smiling congenially while Arthur spied a slight blush on Morgana's cheeks.

"Thank you, Edmund," Morgana laughed, a little breathless.

"It is of no trouble, fair lady," Edmund replied, finally letting his hands drop from Morgana's hips to turn around and scan the surroundings, "This is nice."

The field was just a few miles away from Camelot's walls, away from the villages, overlooking green pastures dotted sparsely with rocks and boulders and the vast blue sky overhead. Gwen, Morgana's maidservant and Thomas, Arthur's manservant, set about laying the blanket and food and when they were done, the four nobles sat down, chatting and jesting amiably while eating their picnic meal. They had a lovely time - a good day with good food and among good company - and they realised too soon that they had to get back to the castle to get ready for dinner with the King.

Arthur not only get to challenge Edmund on a horse race but Morgana and Susan as well, the four of them laughing and nearly out of breath when they finally reached the castle gates.

In the dining room, the four young nobles sat with the King - Arthur to Uther's right with Susan beside him, and across the two were Edmund seated to Uther's left and Morgana beside the boy.

The meal was not of the elaborate spread as served in one of Camelot's feasts but the the kitchen have spared nothing to ensure a rich meal for the small and intimate party. While eating dinner, the King made polite inqueries of the time the two young guests have spent in Camelot and they responded with praises of the beauty of the kingdom.

By the end of the meal, Edmund chanced to compliment the King of the kingdom's police protecting the borders from outside attacks with well scheduled patrols and strategic posts of guards. It was in between light-hearted topics during their picnic earlier on that Arthur explained to the siblings how one of the top police force of Albion manage to secure peace for their people as well as their kingdom while the rest could only hope to emulate half of Camelot's military efficiency.

This seemed to perk the King's interest and soon Uther, Arthur and Edmund began discussing the expounding ways in which Camelot or a kingdom in general could further protect their people and their borders from foreign enemies. By that time, wine has already been served and Morgana has forgone her seat to sit next to Susan to chat with the young lady.

"You know as much about border security in theory and practical as most of my seasoned knights," the King commented to Edmund, "Does any of your houshold serve the knighthood in Narnia?"

"My brother, Peter," Edmund explained, "and the rest of us learn from his service, learning to fight with weapons or strategise or both."

"You need to have grown up so quickly," said the King, "What happened to your parents?"

"There was a war.... we lost them as soon as we reached Narnia," Edmund replied, the boy allowing his hesitancy to be mistaken for sadness, "Yes, we grew up quickly but we have honourable people who guided, protected and respected us in the kingdom. We are fortunate in that sense."

The King nodded agreeably. "Indeed."

After dinner has ended, the five retired, Arthur escorting Morgana to her chambers while Edmund escorted Susan to hers.

Arthur saw the smile on Morgana's face and doubted that it was his company that put her in a good mood. He said as such.
"You're quite taken with young Edmund, it seems," Arthur also said as they neared the door to Morgana's chambers.

Morgana sniffed. "He is a charming young man - fun, courteous and brave. And strong. I didn't know he could be that fit."

"Didn't you see us spar this morning?" Arthur asked in disbelief before realisation hit him, "Did you fall off your horse on purpose just to touch him inappropriately?"

Morgana smacked him on the shoulder. "I did not!"

"He is too young as to have made you set your designs on him," Arthur said with sardonic arch of an eyebrow.

Morgana sniffed. "He is the most pleasing guest we've ever had recently and I do not have plans to push him in a corner and have my way with him. Besides, he is not that young."

But the blush on Morgana cheeks and the way she averted her eyes sounded her thoughts. Arthur scoffed in response.

"Susan is a lovely girl," Morgana said changing the subject, "I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

"Oh, I noticed," Arthur said non-chalantly before smirking at Morgana, "But unlike you, I don't fawn on children who looks as if they haven't yet been introduced to society. If I do have designs on Susan, I'd have the sense to wait until she's of age. I gathered she would be a beautiful lady by then."

Morgana hummed, no doubt gathering herself how Edmund would look like in three years time.

While Morgana and Arthur had their talk in the corridors outside Morgana's bedroom, the Pevensies had theirs in Susan's chamber.

"What's that, Su?" Edmund pointed to the small jewellery around Susan's neck. "I haven't seen you use that before."

Susan touched her neck and smiled, pleased. "Oh, this is from Lady Morgana. She came over before dinner to give it to me. Says that she has never had a companion that she could spend good time with and that it would please her that I use and keep it as a gift from her."

"You'd think, Arthur and Morgana... well, y'know... like in the books?" Edmund asked his sister as he sprawled on her bed, his feet hanging on the sides.

"I don't know," said Susan truthfully, "If this Camelot is in the same world as Narnia, things can be different here compared to where we're from. Besides, there are many versions to the story of Camelot that some things might just be myths."

"Like Guinever being Morgana's maidservant? And that Merlin, the greatest magician in history, is supposed to be in a kingdom where magic is punishable by death?"
Edmund thought for a moment before pushing himself up on his elbows. "Speaking of which, I've not heard any mention of Merlin."

Susan tapped her finger on her chin. "Maybe he's the reason magic is banned in Camelot. A doddering old fool who made too many mistakes and became an embarassment to the kingdom. Locked up or hidden somewhere from the rest of the people."

"What, like in a rock?"

Susan shrugged.

It was not long after that Passarids, the man who was hurt by the wolves mended well under the royal physician's diligent care. A few days later saw the young guests of Camelot at the castle court yard, about to depart from the kingdom to continue to their journey east.

Edmund and Susan has already had a farewell audience with the King and Uther has wished them luck and a safe journey back. Arthur and Morgana saw them to their horses and after being packed with rations and a promise that they return for a visit when they are able, the Pevensies rode off with their men, their backs disappearing behind the gates of the castle.

As soon as they were a few miles away from the castle, Edmund slowed his horse to a canter to look back at the castle, its flags flying proudly from its turrets like how Narnia colours would look like fluttering from the towers of Cair Paravel.

"By the Lion's Mane," Edmund mused out loud to Susan, "Peter would be beside himself when he finds out we went to Camelot and met Arthur Pendragon."

"Then bear it inside you, brother, until the campaign is won," Susan advised, "Then, maybe, we can return and bring Peter back here with us before we return to Cair Paravel.

Emdund grinned, already imagining how Peter would react as soon as he finds out that he could have a chance to meet and spar with Arthur of Camelot. Turning towards Arlian, one of the commanders of the Narnian army and a knight of the Order of the Lion, Edmund said to him, "Let us be off. We have kept the High King waiting for too long."

"By your grace, Your Majesty," the man said and then the party were off again, galloping further away from Camelot and towards war.

-End