Chapter Text
To the Round Table,
If you are reading this, it means I have passed on. Do not grieve for me, as I know I have lived a life my younger self would be proud of.
I do not know how long I have lived, but any life alongside you all was worth every argument, every drop of blood spilled, and every quiet moment shared among us.
All I ask of you is to continue what I started. Find the next person to fill that empty chair, as it is my hope that no matter how many centuries have passed, there will still be something left standing of what began here.
And perhaps there is still some of you alive that many centuries later. I can not imagine living forever, us guardians do not make it past the average human lifespan unless you are an elder.
The Mushroom Father has all told us pieces of our future generations over the years, of my however-many-greats niece who I couldn't be more proud of, or Noctia's granddaughter. Perhaps they will find this place we call home one day, and may even take our places.
I am rambling, I know, but when mortality stares you in the face every time you put on your armor, you have a lot to put down into words.
Nightwing, my beloved, you do not know how happy you have made me. Without you by my side through everything, I do not think I would have made it this far. You have stood by me through every fight and negotiation - I would have gladly given my lives for yours a hundred times over. The bookstore is yours to keep and do with as you please, and I know you will raise our little ones well. My only wish is for you to continue to be your unapologetically wonderful self. Know that whatever you decide to do next, I will be there with you in spirit.
Ghostbur, our dear Arthur and beloved poet, your passion and drive has always been an inspiration. I will never forget those nights we all stayed up under the stars, listening to your stories when we really should have been sleeping. Now that I have passed, it is my wish to see you take my place at the head of the table. I know that is not what you want, but I can think of no other person who knows this group - no, this family - better than I do. I would gladly have gone to the ends of the Earth for you, Ghost, and I know they will too.
Noctia, my sister in all but blood, my closest confidant, and our dear Merlin, it is hard to put into words what your friendship has meant to me over the years. You never second guessed my decision to leave my kingdom and have granted me access to your wonderful kingdom, and through that, I have seen things no other guardian has ever dreamed of. I know I have annoyed you about finding a partner, but know it was only out of the deepest love for you, and only ever wanted to see you happy and without family expectations as I once was. If Ghost protests his promotion - and we all know he will - you are second in line.
Hopeful - my perpetual pain in my behind, and our dear Bors - we most certainly never got off on the right foot, but after that minor setback, I consider you as close of a friend as Ghost and Noctia. Yes, there still will be those fights that seem to last longer than they should, and I continue to not particularly enjoy how you spend your free time, but that does not change the fact that without you, I would be a whole lot more bored. Do not let anyone tell you different - you are my brother, and I would gladly die for you.
Sage, my sibling and our dear Morgan - you above everyone here has changed my view on things the most. When I was knighted, I swore to destroy all that was wrong in this world - and many people's eyes, that included those who wielded magic. I had heard all the stories, the former head knight had many scars he claimed were from witches, the burning and pillaging of several villages, but you? You were different, young and innocent. You never hurt anyone and changed our kingdom's laws just by being you. I hope you continue to do so, and know as long as my name is remembered, you will be protected.
Theren, the other pain in my behind, and our dear Lamorak, I do not know how I put up with you for so long. Any other knight would have given up on you a long time ago, but despite your anger and attitude, you are one of the greatest knights to have graced our kingdom. All the teasing about you being our Guenievere was in good jest - you are something even greater than her. Some days were hard, but at the end of the day, I was happy I stuck it out to watch you grow into the knight you are now. Though many would disagree with my decision, I have you next in line for head knight, as you were far better than I or any other ever gave you credit for.
Egg, my friend and our dear Percival, you have been through a lot to get where you are. All of us had a foot in the door in some way, but you above all of us come up from literal nothing. You have made your mark on all of us, and I am so glad to have called you friend. Know that despite your past, it will no longer affect your present and future, and I leave you funds to help kids like you were in anyway you see fit. Do what you wish with those funds, but know you will never have to hungry again, or worry the guard will be on your back.
I write this all out, yet a part of me wonders if perhaps I may be the one to outlive you all. I know it is quite the possibility - outside of Ghost, of course. If that is the case, I will not change a single word of this will, and pass it on to the next generation. I do not want to think of outliving all of you, as it would be the worst possible outcome.
If I have passed on, know this, my dear friends: I would have followed you, my friends, my heroes, my family, to the end, to the gates of Hell.
You have made this tired guardian's life worth living once more, and gave her purpose when she had little. Though I still blame you all for my graying hair at twenty-one, may you always know I regret none of it.
I have had the honor to be your obedient servant,
~L. R. Caesar
Head Knight of the Kingdom of Arktis
Gawain of the Round Table