Chapter Text
Never in her many years would Queen Rosaline have predicted the myriad of ways that the new King Arthur had gone about enacting change in the kingdom of Camelot. It had always been a rather powerful one, a force to be reckoned with and the people loyal and trusting the crown but, judging by what she'd heard, this all seemed to multiply ten-fold with King Arthur on the throne. She'd heard that the taxes had been lowered and the people were wealthier and happier than ever- so trade had increased massively and was currently blooming. She'd heard of King Arthur giving long-disputed land over to another kingdom in order to ease tensions, form an allyship and, of course, prevent war even though she was sure that Camelot would've won considering that she'd also heard that their forces were greater than ever, both in skill and size. She'd heard that the king had taken to actually listening to people's woes and then inciting, even more, change, much to the people's delight. It seemed like his rule would be beautifully different from King Uther's and for that she was grateful.
Uther had been a good king, he cared for his people but his fear of magic often blinded him. Her kingdom had never prosecuted those with magic in her veins and her own maidservant was of magic so she soon stopped visiting Camelot and didn't plan on returning until the ban on magic was lifted.
And then it was.
Word had reached her that King Arthur had revoked the ban on magic and had stopped persecuting sorcerers immediately - unless they truly committed a treasonous act and then they were treated just as anyone else would've been. Queen Rosaline, along with most others, had been surprised, to say the least. This was the man who'd grown up with King Uther shovelling lies down his throat and using his own fear as a valid reason to condemn the innocent when it was no such thing. And this was also the man who'd invited the Druids into his castle so that he could apologise for his father's wrongdoings formally and when they had declined, he instead rode out to meet them at a location of their choosing, taking with him only the newly appointed Court Sorcerer.
The Court Sorcerer, Rosaline mused, must've been incredibly special to the King as she had no doubt that they'd had a part in the King's attitude towards magic. She wondered how that could've happened, and what events had inspired such a massive change in heart to have taken place. Fellow nobles had often called the then Prince Arthur a bully, not quite so bluntly but that was the message that Queen Rosaline had derived, and the few times that she had visited, she had observed such behaviours herself.
Seeing as she, herself, hadn't visited in years, she'd had to notice over time how the nobles that did visit Camelot had slowly stopped mentioning (the then) Prince Arthur's fondness to push around those he thought to be below him and, upon noticing this, Rosaline couldn't help but wonder if he'd changed, a feat she'd considered impossible at the time but was now blatantly clear. He had transformed from a spoiled Prince into a fair King- yet she couldn't help wonder how exactly this had come about.
She considered all of this while staring at the letter she'd finished reading some time ago. It had been rather unexpected. Never in her years would Queen Rosaline have expected to receive such a letter from the King of Camelot. It was simply unheard of. The King had asked for help- something that was commonly considered a weak thing to do but Rosaline saw it as a strength to know when you're out of your depth- and from a woman no less! He'd called upon the expertise that her many years on the throne and ruling alone were sure to have granted her, instead of a tactical marriage proposal that she had expected upon seeing the Camelot seal on the letter and having the knowledge that the King was unwed (while she was quite a bit older than King Arthur, large age gaps weren't exactly uncommon but it was something the Queen had never been too fond of so she'd been expecting to have to write a letter that would softly let the King down).
Queen Rosaline shifted in her seat and brought a hand to rest under her chin as she stared, head swarming with more and more thoughts and questions as each second passed, at the dancing flames of the fire in her chambers. Perhaps she should go. She hadn't been in a while and this could be a good chance to see King Arthur and his changes for herself and have a few of her questions answered about the lifting of the magic ban (she'd heard various rumours but those could hardly be called reliable). However, suppose all she heard was wrong and King Arthur was just as bad as King Uther had been, then what? He had been raised by the man, after all, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to suggest that he maintained some of the late King's ideologies. If that were the case, she doubted that she'd be able to stop herself from saying rather treasonous things.
Still, she found herself picking up her quill and beginning to write a letter to inform the King that his invitation had been accepted and that she would be arriving in exactly one week's time. Eyes tired and heavy with sleep by the time Queen Rosaline finished the letter, she called for a servant to ensure it reached the King and to ensure that everything was prepared so that she could leave the following morning.
Rosaline couldn't help but feel rather... excited. She so hoped that Camelot's improvements were as impressive as she'd heard. It would pain her tremendously to discover the opposite.
Chapter 2:
Queen Rosaline was impressed, to say the least. So far, everything matched to the tales she'd been spun as she wondered the lower town in a simple dress she'd brought with her and since she'd never been seen by anyone in Camelot, no one would recognise her. Rosaline wanted to scope out the citadel before meeting the King so that she had some judgment of him before they met. The people looked well dressed, well fed and well chuffed and all the people she'd asked had nothing but praise for the new King. Most people mentioned the Court Sorcerer
She couldn't help but notice, however, that her maidservant, Mia, was quite an on edge. She supposed that it made sense: if all people with brown hair had been persecuted in Camelot, Queen Rosaline doubted that she would feel at ease either nor would she have been so willing to give the King a chance. She did feel rather sorry for the girl; she should've left her back at the castle to save Mia from getting wrinkles too early on in her life. Rosaline placed a comforting hand on her maidservant's forearm and met her eyes with a smile. Mia returned it before quickly looking away. Rosaline saw her lift a hand to her face- presumably to wipe tears away- but chose not to comment on it. Instead, she turned to have a conversation with the baker in the bakery they were in. Everyone seemed so friendly and genuinely loyal to the King not out of fear but pure, un-tainted respect.
The Queen's spirits were high (as were Mia's after they'd been fortunate enough to witness a young child with magic showing her friends some tricks and no one so much as batted an eye- apart from the girl's friends who all showered her in praise) when it came time to make her way to the actual castle.
No longer in her simple grey dress but now in one of green velvet, decorated with sections of lighter green floral patterns going the length of the dress and adorning the ends of the sleeves, Rosaline looked most regal and the crown with perfect ovals of green and orange jewels on top of her flowing brown hair added to the picture. She'd gone with green as it was the colour of her kingdom's seal and felt that it was rather fitting- seeing as the King would no doubt be wearing red to match with his kingdom's seal. Besides, the green made her own green eyes appear all the brighter.
Her carriage came to a stop in the castle's courtyard and gave her a perfect view of the people who'd come out to visit her. She smiled: it was always nice to see that your arrival had been anticipated no matter who you were. Rosaline's eyes travelled the crowd in hopes of spotting the King. Usually, this was quite an easy task as he would be dressed in the finest clothes. However, King Arthur was in chainmail. Just like the knights who stood around him. The only difference was the crown on his head and that was truly the only way Queen Rosaline knew he was the King. Her eyes came to rest on him in time to see him cuffing someone around their head. She frowned. She couldn't see who it was, only that their hair was dark but surely it wasn't common practice for the King to hit the people around him- though judging by the complete lack of reaction from the others, it certainly seemed that way. Rosaline shook her head: she couldn't assume such horrid things of a King who was adored by his people, perhaps it was a friendly thing. She often saw her knights punch each other's arms and then the receiver would smile brightly; in conclusion, men were odd and she couldn't begin to understand them so, hopefully, this was one of those moments.
Mia helped her out of the carriage and fell a pace behind her as Queen Rosaline strode, her head held high, towards the King. Rosaline took note of the way the King's eyes darted around, resting anywhere but her until she was right Infront of him.
"Your Majesty," she curtseyed gracefully. "It's pleasure to finally meet you," she added as she stood to look him in the eyes. His eyes were, like most other people, the windows to his soul and Queen Rosaline saw the hurt and terrible things he'd been through in the darkest depths of them; she felt rather bad for him, it can't have been easy to take over the thrown and enact all this change so soon after his father's death and having Uther's council act as his own when their ideals were surely opposite. But she also saw confidence and strength in the way they still managed to sparkle brilliantly against all odds- just as he had managed to craft a wonderful place to live for all people in his kingdom.
"Likewise, Your Highness," King Arthur said as he took her hand in his and kissed it. "However, we are sure that you would like to rest so George, here," he beckoned a servant forwards, "will show you to your room to allow you to rest before dinner."
"Thank you, sire. I look forward to dinner," she smiled softly and curtseyed again before following the servant up the stairs, Mia trailing behind them.
They'd made it up a few more stairs and weren't far enough away to prevent Rosaline from overhearing a little bit of conversation.
"Did you hear how she addressed me, Merlin?" The King had said.
"Yes, Arthur, I did. I was standing right next to you," this Merlin guy responded.
"Well, I'm glad you aren't deaf at least. Definitely a bit slow though. You could learn a lesson or two in respect from her."
"And have your head gotten even bigger? No thank you! You're already insufferable enough as it is."
Rosaline heard the King scoff and several others snicker.
"Alright, boys, cut it out," a new voice had entered the conversation. It was harsh and belonged to a woman but even with her back turned Rosaline could tell that she was smiling as she said that. And that was the last of the conversation she heard as she was finally led into the castle, the grand doors held open by guards on either side.