Note: To lolsforeva, and Guest, thank you for your reviews! I am enjoying writing this story, and hope that you enjoy reading through it.

I have just now been brain storming and made myself have conflicted feelings, like I plan to happen with Stella. She is going to have hard things going on with her. Things that I think every teenage girl goes through, and it makes me sad to put her through it. I wish it was avoidable, but since it isn't in real life, I have to make Stella suffer too. Muah haha. Okay, next Chapter.

4. What Hurts The Most

I blearily opened my eyes. That was a mistake because I had to squint them shut again because of the light. It was too bright for me to keep my eyes open and it even hurt my eyes while they were closed.

"Stella?" I winced.

"Shut up Merlin, your voice is too loud." Merlin chuckled. The room suddenly had a hush about it now. Had people been talking? I pried my eyes open and almost was into tears at the light. When my eyes adjusted, I could make out who all was in the room. Gaius was there, smiling at me sympathetically. Merlin was there, looking concerned, but happy that I was awake. King Uther was there, looking grave as if someone had died. Arthur was there, he was frowning at me, but he looked relieved.

"Stella, can you remember what happened?" Uther asked me. Gaius shot him an exasperated look, which he was ignored for. Uthers prying eyes were on me and he wanted answers.

"Um, there was a man, at the ball. He gave me a ring that had the Pendragon symbol on it."

"And you didn't think to turn it in right away?"

"My Lord, perhaps we should hear what she has to say," Gaius interrupted. Thank goodness for Gaius. Uther nodded and motioned for me to continue. I told them everything about the voices I had heard all the way up until I collapsed on Merlin's bed.

"Magic," Uther spitted. He looked outraged. "This man must be caught! I want him executed! He tried to have my son killed!" I ended up telling him what the man had looked like and he sent the guards out as he swept from the room.

"You have a very strong body, and mind, miss Stella, that ring was meant to kill," Gaius complimented I smiled at him weakly and tried to sit up. My head felt woozy and I had to lay down before I dry heaved up acid from an empty stomach. I looked over at Arthur, who was still staring at me, and I decided to be cocky.

"Guess that means I saved your life then." Arthur narrowed his eyes at me and then relaxed, rolling those gorgeous eyes of his. "No thanks necessary, sire. It was my pleasure to be put through such an enchantment for you. I now understand why Merlin loves his job so much." Merlin laughed and I could tell Arthur was fighting a smile.

He squashed it though and I felt my heart fall to my empty stomach. Damn him. Then there was the sound of the door being slammed open and Arthurs face went from serious to a splitting grin. I felt the jealousy come back. Morgana raced into the room and found me at once. Her face was a mask of worry and relief.

"You're alright! I heard what had happened, and they wouldn't let me come see you. I was so worried. You may be a servant, but you are also a good friend." I smiled tightly at the beautiful woman in front of me.

"Thank you, Morgana. You are a good friend as well. I'm sorry I worried you so."

"Nonsense! It's not as if you could help it. And besides, you saved Arthur's life! If he had put that ring on, he could have been dead!"

"Alright, you all need to leave," Gaius said, fanning his arms at them. "Let her sleep!" Grumbling, Merlin and Morgana left. Gaius left for a minute to talk to Merlin, and Arthur stayed back. I looked at him confusedly as he sat on a stool beside me.

"Thank you," he said. "I know it wasn't intentional for you to do what you did for me, but, it still happened. And I thank you. Saving my life has been a rather...recurrence lately," he chuckled to himself and scratched the back of his head. I smiled at him and placed my hand on his, which was rested on my, or rather, Merlin's bed.

"You're welcome. Believe it or not... I consider you not only my liege, but my friend. I'll be more than willing to save your pompous..."

"Be careful," he warned playfully. I chuckled and stared him strait in the eyes. His lips were moving, but I had no idea what was coming out. Mind you, I definitely saw them lips though. They were so kissable I wished I could kiss them. But there's no way that would happen. Unless Arthur suddenly became one for unnecessary danger and started snogging maids in dark corners of the castle. "Stella?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you hear a word I just said?"

"Sorry, no." Arthur rolls his eyes in irritation.

"Fine then. I have a whole list of chores for you to do when you recover. Being out for two days has made the castle rather dusty." He got up and left. I groaned and huffed as I fell back asleep.

And to think. We had had a kinda small moment there. Maybe it was one sided, but still. I sighed and closed my eyes, trying not to think about it.