Chapter Four

"Shh. I'm not going to hurt you." She knelt down, peering under the king's bed.

"Emma!"

Emma straightened up, a frightened and squeaking mouse in her hands. "Yes, Sire?"

"Tell Arthur I wish to see him." Uther ordered. "What do you have?"

"A mouse. I'll go find him at once."

She released the scared creature as soon as her bare feet touched the grass. Her boots had fallen to the rats the previous night while she slept, and Emma wasn't particularly bothered to purchase new ones yet. She started back to the castle to look for the prince when she heard something out of the ordinary.

The clank of metal on metal and Arthur's voice ("Are you men or cowards? Don't just stand there! You've got to fight!") coming from the training grounds caught her attention and she doubled back, pausing at the edge. Merlin was resting on the grass, watching Arthur with a grin on his face and a sparkle in his deep blue eyes. Arthur was in full battle armor, pacing in front of his knights and the knight recruits, who, judging by the prince's crossed arms and his sharp tone, weren't living up to his expectations. He ripped off his gauntlet and sent it flying through the air. It landed with a dull thud in front of a boy who looked no more than sixteen, his eyes wide, and he took a hasty step back. "Will someone here show me they actually know how to use a sword?" Arthur bellowed, glowering at the recruits.

"Knight tryouts, huh?" She smirked to herself, an idea forming. "This is going to be good."

She waited for a few minutes and when no one picked up the gauntlet, she marched to the gauntlet, her steps sure and strong. She was smiling, her shoulders back and her back straight, as she approached Arthur. She bent down and with the gauntlet in hand, spoke. "I accept your challenge, Prince Arthur." Her voice was steady and she cocked an eyebrow, staring down the prince of Camelot.

She knew she should be careful, to not let them find out who she was beforehand, but this was something she knew she could do. Sixty second combat with Arthur? No problem.

His lips pursed. "You cannot."

"Knight's Code." She countered. "I accepted it, and we have to fight." She turned the gauntlet in her hand, smirking at him. "Unless you're scared, Sire."

"Scared?" He forced a laugh. "Of you? What do you know about swordplay, Emma?"

She drew herself to her full height, only six inches shorter than Arthur. "Why don't you find out for yourself?"

"Come on Arthur!" Merlin yelled, egging him on. "You can beat her easily."

"You don't even have shoes on!" He pointed out. "You can't fight me like this."

"You're right." Emma glanced around, sizing up the young boy Arthur scared. "I don't have a sword or any armor."

"Exactly."

She motioned him forward. "May I?"

"Y-you want my sword?" His voice shook as he held it out to her.

"And your armor." She prodded gently. "What's your name?"

"J-joshua."

"Thank you, Joshua. I'll give it back to you when I'm done."

"You can't just take his armor." Arthur protested.

"I just did."

"I'll send you to the dungeons for this." He seethed. She ignored him, slipping the chainmail over her dress. She wrinkled her nose when it hung on her and she took it off, tossing back to Joshua. "You're going to fight me in a dress?"

"Would you like one as well, to even out the fight? It's not going to be fair when I win this way."

He clenched his jaw, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. He swung without warning her, but she blocked it with her borrowed weapon. She adjusted her grip, blocking another swing. Arthur stepped forward right when she took a step back and he swung again. She blocked it easily, matching him blow for blow. Their fighting styles were nearly identical, almost unnerving her for a second, but she tightened her jaw and kept focus. He was trying to get past her, but she caught him in the back of the knee with her leg, tripping him. He rolled out of the way and she barely missed him, whirling around in time to block him yet again.

"Surely you can do better than that!" She taunted as he ducked under her swing.

"Yet you haven't hit me." The point of his sword caught the sleeve of her dress, ripping it open.

She quickly readjusted her grip, snagging her sword in his chainmail. "Thanks for ruining my favorite dress, you witless clotpole."

"Clotpole?" He frowned at her, backing up. They began to circle each other and he kept his eyes locked with hers. "You've been associating with Merlin far too much."

Their swords clashed in midair, both breathing heavily. She wiped her brow, oblivious to the silent audience. He jabbed the sword toward her chest and she reacted on instinct, sending his sword flying out of his hand. "Thanks, Gwaine." She breathed, grateful for the best swordplay teacher she had.

"What the-" Arthur scrambled for the longsword but she gently pressing the tip of hers right above his heart.

"You lose."

"Did you forget who you are?" He hissed, glaring at her. "You are a servant and you will address me with respect."

"Right. My apologies." She bowed deeply, her smirk fading. "You lose, Sire." She turned on her heel. "By the way, your father wishes to see you." She walked away, head held high.

She found Uther pacing in the throne room, his brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, Arthur's training the knight recruits."

He nodded. "Very well."

Emma left the throne room, a satisfied smile still on her lips.

After going to her room to fetch her coin purse, she headed back outside to purchase a new pair of boots. "Hey, Emma!" She heard Merlin calling her and she halted, turning around. He flashed his crooked grin at her. "What are you doing?"

She gestured to her bare feet. "Boots."

He fell in step with her. "You know, I'm sure Morgana has an extra pair if you don't find any. Did the rats get them?"

"Unfortunately."

"Arthur's furious." Merlin's grin widened. "That was bloody fantastic. Where'd you learn that?"

"Darin wanted everyone living in his castle to at least be able to hit something with a sword. I just got my teaching at the tavern instead of from Carrigan."

"You went to the tavern?" Merlin asked, his mouth agape. "Really?"

Emma shrugged. "I spent a lot of time with the knights."

"Right." He shook his head. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"You have no idea." She stopped at the leathersmith's shop. "Isn't Arthur going to miss you?"

"Not for a while, the way he's taking his anger out on the recruits."

She chuckled. "I might have to apologize to them now."

"Hello, Merlin, Emma." The leathersmith, Thomas, greeted them warmly. "What can I do for you?"

"I actually need a new pair of boots." Emma replied. "You wouldn't have anything already made, would you?"

"No, but it won't take me long. I'd say about three days."

"How much?"

"Fifteen pieces."

Emma paid him, waiting there as he measured her feet. "Anything else?"

"No, thank you, Thomas." She smiled at him, following Merlin out of the shop. "Going back to the prat so soon?"

"No." He paused, letting her catch up to him. "Unless you've got to go back to Uther?"

"I should." She said reluctantly.

"Have you seen the castle gardens yet?" He asked suddenly. "Come on, I'll give you the grand tour."

"The grand tour, huh?" She teased. "As opposed to-"

"As opposed to the Pendragon tour. Look here, idiot, that's my chambers. Keep it clean along with everything I own. Oh, and wake me up because I'm not capable of it on my own." He mocked Arthur. Emma doubled over, cackling. Encouraged, Merlin continued. "Were you always a clumsy oaf, Merlin, or did you practice?"

"Emma, why isn't my sheet completely wrinkle-free, you useless idiot."

"They're not very clever, are they?" Merlin said after he took a deep breath, trying not to laugh any more. "You'd think they'd come up with some better insults."

She opened her mouth to reply, but the view behind Merlin grabbed her attention. "Wow." She breathed, coming to a stop beside him.

An orchard and vegetable garden lay to her left, a center quad with plush green grass and ornate iron benches sat in the middle, and an expansive flower garden with a white stone path winding through it. "Do you like it?" He asked.

"It's wonderful." She felt his gaze on her and she turned her head. "What?"

"Nothing." He answered hastily, walking away. She started through the orchard, gazing at every fruit tree she could imagine. She wasn't quite hungry, but the sweet smell of the apples was tempting. "Where's your necklace? You haven't worn it since we went to the lake."

"I lost it there." She sighed, fingers searching for it once more.

"Was it important?"

"It was the only thing I had of my mother's."

He carefully plucked a deep red rose petal off the path, holding it in his palm. "Is there anyone coming?"

She peered out, looking down both ends of the hall. "No."

His eyes flashed gold and the rose petal soon grew into a full rose bloom. He held it out to her. "Here. I know it won't replace the necklace, but at least it won't die."

"It won't die?"

"I mean, I don't think so. I've never tried that before so-"

"Thank you." She took the rose, kissing him on the cheek.

Merlin's face flushed. "You're welcome."

"MERLIN!"

"Sounds like he needs you."

"Yeah."

They left the garden, meeting the prince halfway to the throne room. Arthur glared at her, his lip curling. "You're coming with me, you insolent buffoon."

"Well, that's a new one." She commented, following him to the throne room.

"Shut up." He snarled.

Emma tucked the rose in her braid, shooting Merlin a quick smile. "That was a compliment, Sire."

"Hardly."

"Arthur, there you are. I need to discuss-"

"Forgive my interruption, Father, but your serving girl made a fool of me." Arthur snapped. "She accepted my challenge to the knight recruits to fight and completely stepped over her boundaries."

Uther's eyes fell on her. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"He asked someone to show him they knew how to use a sword, Sire."

She heard Merlin sigh behind her. "I was clearly talking to the knight recruits!" Arthur pointed out. "She had no right to-"

"To what?" Emma interrupted him. "You asked, I delivered."

"I wasn't talking to you!" He fumed.

Both Arthur and Emma faced each other, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "Well, it wasn't like I didn't give them a chance to respond."

He scoffed. "Even Merlin knows his place!"

"But can he handle a sword like me? I'd bet no."

"That's not the point!"

"QUIET!" Uther roared. "You're going to the stocks until Arthur feels you've had punishment enough. One more incident, and I'll send you back to Baldor."

Emma scowled. Arthur grabbed her arm and escorted her out to the stocks in the market. He locked her in and walked away, whistling happily.