Sorry for the wait! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Big thanks to those who are following, favouriting and reviewing! As well as those reading and enjoying the story!

Thank you to Danda225 for pointing out an error! I did go back and correct it! To Frostivy, I'm glad it did surprise you! To Scarlet. Nyx I'm always working to improve and glad you pointed this out, I'll keep my eye on this! Also, the chapters are getting longer but sometimes I hit a block halfway through! And finally a big thank you Mrs Sorbo! I'm glad you're enjoying it! I find it hard to find a good Arthur/ OC fic, hopefully you'll enjoy this!

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Mad Furry Cheshire Cat , thank you for putting up with suffering my messages about Ideas! You're the best!

Please see the other chapters for disclaimer.


Strings of Tension

Emma stayed by Arthur's side in silence as he rushed to the training area. It had been seven days since she was almost killed, seven days since she had spoken to Merlin and seven days since she had been made Uther's ward.

Although Emma was now the King's Ward in title, she had become Arthur's responsibility, one that he was not pleased to be burdened with. This unfortunately meant they had to spend an unreasonable amount of time together, which was made increasingly awkward due to tense atmosphere between Merlin and Emma.

Emma had become quiet and disjointed, although Arthur thought he would enjoy the silence from the strange young woman, he found himself becoming concerned about her. And that surprised him, with a hasty decision; he had invited her to the training ground to get her out of her new room. Emma's eyes directly focused upon Merlin, sadness invading her pupils, her one friend in this place had turned away from her, leaving her quite alone. They were fine when in Gaius' chambers, had she not made an oath to protect his secret, so why the sudden change in their friendship? Had some revelation accrued whilst she was recovering?

The knights bowed their heads briefly as a mark of respect to the young Royal and his ward, but quickly lined up to receive their orders. Yelling at Merlin to get his sword, Arthur noted the awkwardness behind them.

Emma was busy within her thoughts to realise Arthur had been waiting for her to move. He had tried to gain her attention by calling her name but received no response; Arthur even went so far as to wave his hand in front her face but it did not provide the desired result.

It was not until Arthur gently placed his hand upon the young woman's shoulder that Emma jumped out of her skin and turned a ghostly shade of white. Her thoughts automatically turned to her now quiet attackers, and the beating of her heart soon filled her ears. Noticing, the knights in front of her and Arthur backing away, her face quickly changed to a tomato red. In an attempt to retain some dignity, Emma quickly forced herself to look at her feet.

"Emma, go sit over there and watch."

She followed to where Arthur gestured, but refused to move, her eyebrow twitched dangerously.

"Hang on; I thought you were going to teach me how to fight!"

Arthur's eyebrows rose up on his forehead, before he burst into full blow laugh. The Knights exchanged a few looks as Emma crossed her arms over her chest, she was very close to stomping her foot.

"What gave you that idea?"

"The part when you waltzed into my room, and said we're going to the Training Grounds."

"Women do not learn to fight."

"I think you find we do, and do it very well."

Merlin handed Arthur his sword, as he began to walk away, ordering his knights to pair up and spar. Frustrated with the turn of events as well as having to rely on others instead of herself, Emma quickly scanned the area, her eyes quickly focusing upon a pile of swords left leaning precariously on a crate.

Dragging her dress across the dirt, she rushed over, picking up the nearest blade in her reach. Emma paused, watching the metal glinting in the sun. Noticing herself take a breath, her mind automatically envisioned the dagger used against her before her eyes.

Taking another breath through gritted teeth, Emma tried to harden her emotions and thoughts, her attackers were gone. Uther had even sent out search party's to make sure this threat against his kingdom was indeed, taken care of and nothing had been found, no sightings, no rumours, nothing. So why did she still feel like this? Emma thought herself a strong independent capable woman, but how does anyone who survived an attempt on their lives move on? How do they overcome the nightmares and fears?

Though her thoughts, Emma became painfully conscious of a pair of eyes watching her. She twirled around, scanning the area, then she realised. Merlin had been watching every move she made. Becoming increasingly annoyed by his unexplained behaviour, she sent him a look of anger, before she stalked off towards the fighting men.

Emma watched as they crossed swords with each other, eager to try and learn what they we doing. It didn't take long before she had raised her weapon, trying to replica their movements. Seeing as she was close to taking out an eye, Arthur broke apart from his partner, annoyed with her actions.

"Just what do you think you are doing?"

Emma lowered her sword and walked forward.

"I need you to teach me how to fight."

Arthur thought his ears were deceiving him.

"Look, I don't know how things work from where you're from, but here, the men fight and the women… they..." Arthur seemed to be stuck.

"They do woman things."

"That's a load of bull. Morgana was taught how to fight! She saved your life, if it wasn't for her those snake from that shield would have killed you."

"Morgana's situation is completely different! Did you tell you she saved me? She did not! Now give me that sword."

Arthur and Emma were too engrossed in their argument to notice that they had attracted the attention of the rest of the training grounds occupants.

"Arthur, I need to learn how to fight!"

"Where did this sudden desire come from?!"

"That is none of your business. This is just something I need to do."

"No."

"Arthur," She knew she was sounding desperate but she didn't care, as long as it helped her in her plight. "Please."

"Why?"

"Well… Because…"

"Because, what?"

"Because," She hated how she had to explain herself. "If I don't know how to defend myself what happens if they come back and you and Merlin aren't there?"

Emma's eyes were once again at her feet, her face burning with humiliation. Arthur was once again left speechless, why did she surprise him so much?

With renewed determination, Emma raised her head.

"Are you going to help me or not?"

Her eyes met with Arthur's, blue on blue stared for what seemed to be an eternity, before it was broken with the single worded answer.

"No."

Disregarding the whispers around her and the pain that now cycled through her, Emma threw the sword into the ground by Arthur's feet, causing him to have to take a few steps back.

"Fine."

Emma stormed off, ignoring the knights as they parted to let her through. Arthur watched her retreating back in stunned silence as she continued towards the courtyard.

"Emma!" Arthur growled, regaining his senses. "Emma! Where do you think you are going?"

The angry young woman turned violently, her nostrils flaring.

"Where else can I go? Back to my prison of a room!"

Arthur watched her for a few moments, running his hand through his hair in disbelief. All he wanted to do is stop her being so depressed all the time and now she had gotten angry. He really did not understand women, no matter what era they came from.

With a quick movement of his hand, he signalled Merlin to follow her; he would deal with Emma's wrath later.

Reluctant at first, Merlin did as he was ordered. It did not take long for the young warlock to catch up with her; she had been struggling with her dress on the steps. Aware of his presence and of her frustration, Emma rounded on him.

"What Merlin? What are you going to do? Stare at me?! Just leave me alone, you have already shown how much my friendship meant to you!"

Refusing to see the effects of her words, Emma marched off towards her new room, slamming the door loudly behind her.

Revelling in the silence and lost in thought, Emma surveyed her room, although it wasn't as large as her last one, it had been richly furnished, the décor was grander and the furniture was littered with carvings. The only problem Emma had with the new refuge was that it was unfortunately next door to Arthur's room.

Deciding to get changed, Emma struggled with the fastenings on her dress, cursing out loud.

Without warning, a short loud knock attacked her door. Startled Emma stared at it for a moment, before the knocking started again, only louder. Opening the door, she peered around it, finding herself surprised to see Merlin, standing ready to knock again.

"Can I come in?"

Emma raised an eyebrow but gestured him through confused by visit, especially after what she had said to him in the courtyard.

Merlin walked over to the centre of the room, closing the door Emma took a few steps, before folding her arms across her chest. Neither party spoke, the silence became tense and uncomfortable, yet they did not break it. Starting to fidget Merlin toyed with the carvings on the chest at the end of her four-poster bed.

She watched his movements and began to frown, unnerved by the silence.

"I know your hurt," Merlin turned to look at her, suspicion clouded her eyes. "But I can explain."

The young warlock took a breath.

"After the attack, when you were resting in Gaius' chamber. I went to see-" Merlin considered his next words carefully.

"An old friend for advice, about the question you asked me."

"To send me home?"

"Yes, to send you home."

Emma thoughts swayed on the word home, and her heart skipped a beat. She missed it so much, words couldn't describe it.

"And?" She attempted to keep her voice neutral but failed, miserably.

"It wasn't good news."

"And this is why you completely disregarded our friendship after I made an oath to protect your secret!"

Merlin faltered, knowing what she said was true. He waited until he saw some of her anger dissipate before he continued.

"Emma this friend is someone magical, he told me of my destiny. And I told him of you."

"Ok, and what did this friend have to say with this so called bad news?"

"Well, Em, now that you're here. In this time."

Merlin could not look her in the eye.

"He said your presence has rewritten our destinies. That he can't tell if you are a friend or foe to us but you have changed the course of destiny some completely."

They both paused, Emma looked utterly confused.

"Ok? You believe in something I don't know I did and it may or may not be for the better? I don't see how that's bad; I can see how it makes you a superstitious fool."

Seeing the look of his face Emma moved towards him, arms by her side.

"Merlin? What is it?"

"Em, you may want to sit down."

She ignored his request, and stood defiantly.

"Merlin, what is this bad news?"

"You can't go home. You will live and die here." He watched as she tried to fight the tears and the heartbreak which was evident on her face.

"I'm sorry but you'll never see your family again."

Emma felt her knees buckle underneath her but she refused to fall. She knew people would tell her this, try to make her accept her circumstances.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Merlin."

"Look, if it was up to me and I knew how to, I really would help you, it's just the dragon-"

"Dragon?"

Merlin paled realising what he'd let slip, whipping a tear which had escaped down her check, Emma tried to compose herself.

"What dragon, Merlin?"

She felt the bile rise to her throat, Dragons and living didn't necessary go hand in hand in tales from her time.

Whilst blood rushed to her head in panic, a single thought managed to force its way through, did he say the Dragon 'told' him?

Emma became aware she was opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish in shock.

"You-" Her voice came out as a raspy whisper.

"You expect me to believe that the Dragon talks?"

Merlin began to answer but was immediately interrupted.

"Wait, where the hell is this Dragon? I mean its massive right? And it flies! Someone is bound to notice a giant flying lizard! Is it dangerous? My God, we need to tell Arthur! Hang on, does it breathe fire?! How is this even possible?"

Under the barrage of questions Merlin didn't know what to begin with, but decided to answer the first one.

"He's imprisoned under the castle."

"Under the castle! UNDER THE CASTLE! Are you kidding me! Just set a time bomb underneath our feet! Does anyone know he's there?!"

"Uther captured him and imprisoned him down there. He's the last of his kind."

Emma nodded, acknowledging what Merlin had said, but with the amount of questions spiralling around in her head, the panicked young woman found herself searching for a chair. Making her way over to the cushioned chair near her fireplace, Emma took a few breathes to process the facts about a supposed dangerous mythical creature.

"Do you trust it? What the- the Dragon says?"

"Without him, I'd probably be dead. He's taught me so much. Without him Camelot could have been destroyed so many times."

"So how does this magical talking Dragon know so much?"

"He's old, really old. He's a creature of magic."

"And-" Emma hated having to ask this question, which had been implanted within her thought processes. "And he says I can't get home?"

The young warlock sat next to her, trying to sympathise with her unique situation.

"I'm sorry, he said nothing me or him do will change that."

Little did he know how much of an impact those words had, desperately clinging a seemingly irrational hope, Emma began to form a plan, surely there were more than one powerful magical being who could granted her wish.

"Em, are you alright? You've gone quiet?"

"Yeah, yeah. I will be, it's just hard. But hey, I'm still alive right?!"

"That's one way to look at it."

Emma leant against Merlin for a moment before he started to laugh, looking up in shock, she followed the direction his eyes were focused on, seeing nothing, Emma gave him a confused look.

"What?"

Merlin tried to stop himself, but couldn't.

"What is it?"

Taking a few breathes he managed to giggle out his words.

"You say you don't need a Ladies Maid but look at the state of the back of your dress!"

Emma let a small smile grace her lips.

"I've been able to dress myself since I was four; the ability to undress has been a challenge."

They shared a small smile. Emma tried to feel the lacing at the back to try and untangle it, only to fail further.

"Come here."

Merlin tried to unpick the illogical knot she had managed to create.

Whilst Merlin was attempting to free Emma, Arthur stood in the doorway in shock.

"Merlin! What are you doing?"

The young warlock and woman jumped up as Arthur stormed in.

"She's the King's Ward!"

"Arthur it's not what you think!"

Emma walked up to the Prince, annoyed at the impression they had given him.

"He was just helping me, I couldn't undo the back of my dress."

"Really? Well that's not what it looked like!"

Holding the bridge of her nose, Emma tried to keep her temper in check.

"If you are so worried, why do you take off my dress?!"

An awkward silence filled the room, as the connotations of Emma's words hit her full force.

"Don't answer that!"


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