"Search everywhere!" Kanen yelled to his men as he held his sword to the farmer Mathew's chest.
"Please! We only kept what we needed." Mathew pleaded once Kanen's men found their storage.
"That seems fair..." Kanen laughed as he knocked Mathew to the ground and was about to serve a fatal blow when a sword nearly cut his face.
Will watched as four horses rode into the village and each person started to fight Kanen and his men. Two were women and the others two were men. He watched and smiled when he recognized the skinnier male.
Arthur turned his back for a split second to deflect another blow from a different man and when he turned around another larger man rushed at him with his sword pointed for his chest. Arthur was quick to defend himself and paused to look around.
Alana could hear the screaming and the clashing of swords from her bed. She sighed as she got up painfully and limped as fast as she could from her home. She watched a man with broad shoulders and very shinny armour defended their village. She smiled thinking his blonde hair was rather fetching in the sun. Then suddenly he stopped to looked around but had not noticed the man behind him slowly get up.
Alana grabbed a clay pot from the table and ran toward the attacker who raised his sword to their defender. Her limp was less notable as she ran through the pain. She yelled a bit as she raised the pot over head and with all her might smashed it on the attacker's head.
The blonde man turned hearing her slight yell and they both watched as the man between them fell to the ground as did the shattered pot.
Arthur stared at his savour. She was a bit shorter than him, her dress was light and faded green, her eyes were the brightest emerald green he had ever seen and her red curls stood out. She was out of breath as she stood a bit unevenly and now only held the handles of the pot she shattered over the mans head.
"Who are you?" she asked almost timidly.
"Who are you?" he seemed to have his breath almost stolen just by her appearance and actions.
Arthur waited for an answer but she just narrowed her eyes at him. He could tell she did not know whether she should trust him. She went to speak but suddenly a voice calling made her step to the side.
"Alana!" she jumped a bit and Arthur watched as her untrusting look went to pure joy.
"Merlin?!" she all but shouted as she dropped the broken handles she still held and ran for his servant who only laughed.
Arthur was a bit confused. She must have been the girl Merlin said was hurt. He watched as the girl ran and noticed the slight limp but noticed she had no trouble jumping into Merlin's arms for a hug. Arthur was almost taken back. He had never had someone much less a woman that happy to see him ever.
"Merlin!" Alana shouted again she jumped into her friends arms for the most over due hug ever. She laughed when he lifted her a bit. "Iv missed you." she said once stood on her own feet.
"You shouldn't be on your feet." Will huffed from beside them.
"Hush. Im fine." she waved her brother off. "How have you been Merlin." she smiled through her pain. "Hows Camelot?" she asked quickly.
"Camelot is fine." Merlin said watching her try and put more pressure on her other leg making her stand unevenly.
"We heard you were skiving for some Prince." Will said stepping next to his sister pulling her arm around his so she could rest some weight on him.
"I wouldn't say that..." merlin shook his head.
"Merlin." a commanding voice called making him turn and Alana see the blond haired man she had save earlier. Somehow his armour was now shining more. She tilted her head at him as he looked at the three. "Gather the villagers I need to talk to them." he ordered.
"In just a minute i was just..."
"Now Merlin. There isn't much time." Alana huffed as the man groaned at her friend as he walked away to the two women near their horses.
"Yes Sire." Merlin said with a sigh as he smiled back at Will and Alana. He patted Will on the shoulder and kissed Alana on the cheek quickly.
The siblings watched as their friend walked away. "Is he a Prince?" Alana asked.
"Looks as thought he is."
Alana smirked a bit. She had saved his life. Not that she expected anything but at least she felt good about not watching him die.
"Lets hear what he has to say." she smiled pulling will with her as she walked away.
"Who cares what he has to say." will shrugged not following.
"William." she paused and turned slightly. "Just come and listen. He obviously wants to help."
Will stepped next to his sister as they watched the mam in armour step up on the well to look down at them. Will scoffed a bit. "Must be a Prince to look down on us." he said quietly.
"Quiet." Alana hushed him.
He took a deep breath before he spoke. "I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back and when he is you must be ready..."
"Am i the only one wondering who the hell this is?" Will rolled his eyes and pushed through the crowd.
"William." Alana whispered as she followed her limp now noticeable.
Arthur watched as the woman who had saved him earlier limped behind the man who spoke up. He looked the man up and down. Did people outside of Camelot really not know who he was.
"Im Prince Arthur of Camelot." a few people gasped including Alana.
Will laughed. "And Im Prince William if Ealdor." he mocked the Prince.
"Keep quiet. He is here to help us." Hunith said angrily at the man. Alana gave her an apologetic look.
"Help us! He's only made things worse!" Will laughed again. Merlin watched as his friend spoke causing a scene. "Kanen will be back and when he is he'll now be looking for revenge." Will looked to his people. "You've just made us all dead-men."
"He saved Matthew's life... He..."
"Its alright Hunith." Arthur smiled a bit to the woman. "This is his village. "What would you have us do?" he asked making the boy look a but confused and defeated.
"We cannot fight. Kanen has to many men." Will said.
"So whats the alternative?" Arthur asked.
"Give him what he wants." most people didn't agree with that.
"Then what? You'll face him again next harvest. For those of you who don't starve to death... Then the next." Arthur said. "The only way to stop him is to stand up to him." Arthur was very sure of his words.
Will laughed. "Stand up to him." Alana looked to the Prince who didn't look fazed or scared. "My sister stood up to him and Kanen nearly cut off her leg!" he yelled stepping in front of her and Arthurs eye met hers for a moment. "No. I will not let her and others die just because you want the honour and glory of battle. Thats what drives men like you!" he said.
"William..." Alana pulled at his arm a bit to get him to calm down.
"No!" he snapped pulling his arm from hers. "If you want to fight then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours." Will said and stormed away.
"William!" Alana called after him not able to chase him. She looked up the Prince who stared back at her.
"Will..." Merlin was next to get a look from Alana and he followed his friend.
Alana sighed as Hunith grabbed her hand tightly. "Im with you." she spoke looking away from the girl. "If I'm to die. I want to go out fighting." she said as the rest of the villagers agreed.
Alana watched as the Prince smiled proud of the people before him. He looked around and stopped at her. She had not said anything and slowly limped back through the crowd of people not wanting to be seen.
She limped away from the crowd as they all looked to the Prince. "Then we start preparing in the morning." he said "You all need rest." he said and Alana watched over her shoulder as people went back to their homes.
She sighed not wanting to be in the company of her brother. As she walked toward the small infirmary the village had she could see the blood seeping into her dress. "Damn." she sighed.
"Are you alright?" that commanding voice startled her and she turned quickly to see the Prince standing before her. It was strange to se a noble up close and stranger to see him looking worried.
"Yes." she nodded. "Just have to redress the bandages." she smirked a bit with a nod and slight bow to him. He tilted his head at her.
"Gwen!" Arthur called out and a girl about her age and height walked up quickly. "The supplies Gauis sent, would you help..." he paused looking back to Alana. "Im sorry i don't think i caught your name..." he was lying. He had heard it but wanted to see if she was afraid as she looked.
"Alana." she smiled a bit.
"Will you help Alana. Seems her bravery earlier today left her wounded." Arthur said to Gwen.
"Of course." she smiled turning and rushing off to her horse.
"Thank you." Alana said suddenly.
"For what?" Arthur laughed a bit.
"Helping us. I know it's not Camelots duty to care for people of a different kingdom." she said shifting as she stood.
"Here..." Arthur lent his arm to her for balance. "Let me help you inside." he smiled a bit. She didn't move. She thought it strange for a Prince to be so kind to a peasant. She narrowed her eyes at him again still wondering if she could trust him. "You saves my life earlier. Least i could do is help you inside." he shrugged with a kind smile.
"Thank you Sire." she was hesitant as she took his arm and limped lightly as they walked. "Merlin must be a good servant for you to risk your life for his village..." she said quietly as he helped her sit down inside the small hut.
"Actually he is quite the worst servant iv ever had." she couldn't help but giggle a bit at his words. He smiled over at her strangely gladdened by the sound of her laugh.
"Is he still really clumsy?" she asked.
"Incredibly so." she laughed.
Arthur looked to Alana and smiled as she smiled back at him. He couldn't tell why he was so keen on being friendly to her. Maybe its because he saw how brave she was but still seemed timid. She was a puzzle and he wouldn't mind trying to figure her out.
"I have to apologize for my brother. How he spoke to you. It was rude." she sighed looking away. "He was never one for respect unfortunately."
"Its understandable." Arthur offered. "I know Cenred isn't the most gracious King. So why think me any different." Arthur shrugged.
"I can tell you are different Sire." she smirked.
"How? You only just met me?" he asked.
"Men are very easy to figure out. Usually you see who a man truly is by his actions and his words." she said. "You came riding in to save a village of peasants who aren't even your subjects. You offer help to those who need it no matter the risks." she spoke quietly. "I can tell you will one day be a great King." she shrugged.
"That's very kind of you." he said.
"At least i hope thats wha you are." she said quickly. "Like you said i did only just meet you. For all I know you could kick puppies for fun." she shrugged and Arthur let off a bit of a laugh.
"I've got the supplies Sire." Gwen came to the door quickly and Arthur smiled to her.
"Good." he nodded and quickly left the two women alone.
Alana watched as he left looking over his shoulder slightly her way and she looked away. She was smiling when Gwen sat next to her.
"Would you like me to help you redress your wound?" Gwen asked.
"You don't mind?" Alana looked relieved. "I hate to put you out.. It's just ..."
"Nonsense its not trouble." Gwen smiled.
"Thank you." she smiled lifting the left side of her dress to her thigh where the now blood soaked bandages wrapped around the slowly healing wound.
"This looks incredibly painful." Gwen pointed out.
"You have no idea." Alana smiled.
"I cant believe you are walking around with a wound like this." Gwen almost seemed impressed.
"Well Im not much use of i cant walk." Alana sighed. Gwen nodded as she tended to Alana's leg. "So you and Merlin are friends?" she asked.
"Yes." Gwen nodded. "He actually saved my life."
"Really? Wow." Alana smiled although she was a bit sad. It saddened her that her best friend had moved and made a whole new life. She had nit heard from Merlin in almost a year and it seemed he had forgotten about her. "Is the Prince good to him?"
"Of course." Gwen smiled. "Arthur is one of the more well rounded nobles in the land. Largely in part because of Merlin."
"That's good." Alana smiled proudly.
"You and Merlin seemed very happy to see each other." Gwen raised her eyebrows.
"We were born on the same day. Since then we've been best friends. He was like another brother..." she paused. "Then one day he went to Camelot. No explanation. Just left." she sighed.
"That doesn't seem like him."
"I know... I guess be needed something better." she shrugged.
Gwen gave her a sad smile as she wrapped her leg and finished. "There you go." she smiled.
"Thank you very much. It hurts less now." she smiled to Gwen.
