Written by Madam Ava Couture, Once and Future Princess of Camelot

5 August, 21 After Apostasy
En Route

It feels strange to be returning back to Camelot after being away for as long as we have. I haven’t had the opportunity Ivy has had to travel much, but despite the headaches, I think I liked it. I at the very least have mentors and potential mentors to converse with now and new places to visit when all of this is settled. ……

We have all changed in a way haven’t we? It’s subtle, but the group who left Camelot in fear, stress and concern have returned home as something different. Hopeful? Tired? I can’t quite put my finger on it but we have been Changed.

I can only hope it is for the better.

……

I must confess, I didn’t want to bring him up as he sits beside me. I was content in closing this journal and falling asleep against him, safe and secure in his presence. But I feel like it would be a disservice if I didn’t speak about him. Ivy and I almost gave our lives to bring him back after all. But He has come back. The Once and Future King, His Majesty Arthur Uther Hereward Pendragon the First is back.

My fa- no, OUR Father has come back.

For a time I was worried. For a time I was worried I would go about my entire life thinking his voice would leave my memories. That his warm hugs would go lukewarm to a ghostly cold in my dreams. We were so young when he left I was starting to forget the laugh lines, the ways his eyes shimmered in the daylight.

I was starting to forget him.

I can only imagine how Ivy feels about this….how Mother feels about this. I suppose all I can do now is attach myself to his side and soak up that warmth again. As much as I would love to talk to him, I wouldn’t know where to start. We have lost so much time.

No, I can’t think of that now. I have time to be angry over that later… I have time to use that anger to push me in this war later. For now, the only time I will be making up now is being next to him. To remind myself the things I loved about my King, my Father. I will never forget his warmth again.

1. Excerpt from the Private Journal of Princess Absabeth Pendragon, 5/8/21 AA
2. The journal is written in a collection of different scripts ranging from New Avalonian to New Broceliandic, displaying a notable aptitude for linguistic structures.

At the bottom is a small doodle of swirling stars. It is a group of four. With the largest in the center, the next largest next to it and twin sized swirls around them. One seems to be in the shape of a flower while the other a flame.