nobilitydefined + thelegendofemrys + modern!arthur
aka COURAGE, STRENGTH & MAGIC
@nobilitydefined @thelegendofemrysâ
Touchdown in Madrid, capital city of Spain. Arthur and the Knights of Albion have reached the second leg of their European tour. Much has happened in the cities east of Paris. The band have played record-selling concerts in Rome, Prague and Amsterdam, amongst others. Their path ahead lay now towards the west. After the European tour has ended, the band has been reliably informed that they would conquer the States next.
Arthur pulls on a pair of Ray-Ban aviators as the door of the small plane specially chartered for him and his bandmates, is opened. Outside and already waiting on the airport platform to greet them are dozens of fans and reporters. The affinity with which the newspapers, TV stations and internet coverage reported on every movement of the band is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, such attention to detail was allowing a host of more unfriendly eyes watching Arthur and his knights in the shadows to plan their attack.Â
All they needed was the perfect moment to strike...
Of course, such brewing trouble is hardly something that concerns the young rock star. As Arthur gazes out to observe the layout of the land, a new country to explore and conquer, he stiffens only slightly as his drummer joins his side.
âYou finally stopped being sick from the re-entry turbulence, Gwaine?âÂ
The feckless knight really is a sight for sore eyes. But Arthur wonât forget how the drummer had been teasing him with the others for joining Morgana in the private cabin up front for most of the flight. The guitarist hums dryly under his breath.Â
âIâm sure the fresh air will perk you up. Here, hold my luggage. After me.â
Pushing his bags into Gwaineâs chest and enjoying the slight âoofâ that the action elicits, the rock star proceeds to walk down the steps from the plane door onto asphalt. The crowds roar at his approach, and Arthur grins and waves a hand to greet them in return.
The rock group are escorted by limousine to their waiting hotel. Having arrived with barely enough time to prepare a stage for a concert, the Madrid gig has been scheduled for the following evening. Which meant the band have time to relax and chill in the grand suite of one of the largest rooms in the Westin Palace. The large and expensive hotel is set out over six floors, with a stunning open lobby under a large glass dome.Â
Leaving the tour crew to check in their bags, Arthur and his bandmates take a wander around their luxury accommodation for the night; taking in the game room, the sparkling swimming pools, the saunas, the gym, the restaurants, the bars, the little cinema and even an onsite beauty salon and hairdresser.Â
Merlin isnât with them.
The wandering roadie has had competing priorities. Conversations with Arthur after heâd revealed his magic to the rock star in Amsterdam, swiftly led to the warlock striking out to learn and study more. So the mysterious recluse had left on his quest to find the right books, the right knowledge to finally treat Arthurâs soul problem.Â
In reality, he is being played for time. Forces more malevolent than before were afoot. The warlock had been observed in Paris and schemes were unfolding to ensure his extended removal from the situation about to unfold. In order for Arthur and his knights to be eliminated, it had been determined that distancing the wizard from the mortal musicians in his care provided a window of opportunity to carry out their foul purpose. Arthur sending out his warlock to find a cure had been an opportunity almost too good to be true; since it became the perfect distraction to occupy the time of Emrys.Â
That book chase was going to be strung out.Â
And now, with the wizard out of the picture, efforts to subdue and capture Arthur and his Knights could go ahead. The goddess was still left waiting for the blood of the Pendragon. Mixed with that of his knightly brotherhood, the resultant elixir would only make the gruesome enchantments to raise beasts that heralded the end-times that much more powerful.
âWhereâs Adrien?â Elyan eventually asks of Arthur, as the group settle down and prepare to head off into separate rooms to sleep.
Arthur shrugs. âOh, I donât know. He said he had to go and catch up with âhis studiesâ whatever that means. Iâm sure heâll be back with us sometime tomorrow.â
Clapping the shoulder of his backing vocalist, Arthur smiles warmly at Gwenâs brother. âIt was nice, by the way, for you to invite your sister to meet us in Amsterdam. We spent a wonderful afternoon together in the cafĂ© she always favoured.â
Saying âthank youâ directly still appears to be a tricky thing for the modern Arthur to say, but he says it nevertheless, in a roundabout way. Elyan smiles warmly in response and tells his band leader to think little of it: all of them were willing to die to make this tour a success for Arthur and his music. The guitarist finds himself strangely touched.Â
For it has been hard, continually having to hold himself together - the splintering of his mind seemed to be kept in check only by Merlinâs comforting presence and up until recently; that strange, yet treasured little bracelet he gave the rock star while on tour.Â
Unfortunately, Morgana had destroyed the carnelian amulet in a fit of jealous rage in an altercation right before the flight to Spain.Â
Arthur sighs. Conversations with both his publicist and his roadie over the last few days have led to some disturbing revelations; ones that make the guitarist truly question his place in this world. Could he really be the famous Arthur Pendragon from legend? But how? It still seemed faintly ludicrous. Arthur had not shared any of this with the rest of his bandmates, of course -- knowing that they would only think he is completely off his rocker.
Merlinâs magic remains a secret too. That would be the roadieâs choice when to reveal his powers to the others.Â
Arthur will not break confidence in a friend. Not ever.
As midnight approaches, the bandmates eventually appear to settle down for the night. Percival and Elyan take one room, while Arthur, Gwaine and Leon take another. Snoring inevitably fills the air. Arthur scowls.Â
For some reason, he is unable to sleep.Â
Rolling his eyes, the brunet tries turning over in his single bed. Leon and Gwaine are fast asleep in their own beds, tucked under the heavy satin quilts, nearby. Gwaine appears to have his mouth open, drooling slightly. The rock star sighs.Â
Tonight is going to be a long night.