Love For a Lionheart

Chapter 8: One Year Later

***Author's note*** Serious poll: who is your favorite knight of Camelot that is still alive? Answer with a PM or when you review! Please and thank you! (Another author's note at the bottom)


One year later…

Butterflies attacked Skye's stomach as her and her company from Aidan arrived at Camelot's citadel. Looking up and all around her, Skye couldn't help but smile. Aside from small differences, Camelot remained mostly the same. She was home. In spite of the reasoning behind her return to Camelot, her mind continued to focus on one thought, or rather, one face. Merlin. It had been a little over a year since she'd last seen him. They had sent letters back and forth, but in the past two months, she had been so busy with treaty preparations and other matters of the court that she had not been able to respond.

As they neared the foot of the castle, aside from the usual servant and knights, the face she longed to see wasn't there. The only two that there to greet here were Uther and his ward Morgana.

Allowing one of her knights to help her off her horse, Skye slid into a perfect curtsy that came after many hours of training. Adjusting the skirts of her light blue dress, she offered a hand to Uther who kissed the back of it.

"Welcome back, Lady Skyelynn of Fell," said Uther. Then, standing a little straighter, he held out a hand to Morgana, "and this is lady Morgana."

Skye had only seen Morgana from far distances, and the girl was intimidatingly beautiful. In spite of her beauty, Skye shivered slightly, there was a coldness coming from Morgana that made Skye wary. "Hello, lady Morgana, it is good to see that you have returned to Camelot. When I was last here, every last person in Camelot was looking for you."

Morgana laughed carefully as she returned a curtsy to Skye. "Oh well, here I am," she said. "It is good to have you back as well, Lady Skyelynn. Your story of overnight royalty is a legend."

"After a year of living in the court, I think I'd still choose my living as an herbalist in the forest over someone who makes decisions for the good of a nation." Skye smiled tightly, not liking the tone in Morgana's voice about her "overnight royalty". Skye will never forget that she did not choose for her father to be murdered. Turning back to Uther, she met his eyes. "And Prince Arthur, where is he?"

"He is currently on a quest my lady, he should be back any day now," said Uther with a smile. "Until then, I hope you get settled back into Camelot. A servant will show you your new chambers."

Guinevere popped up from behind several knights and bobbed her head at Skye. "Welcome back, my lady."

"Don't give me that," said Skye with a grin. Forgetting who she now was, Skye rushed at Guinevere and pulled the girl into an embrace. Guinevere gently rubbed Skye's back before Skye held her at arm's length with a smile. "It's good to see you again."

"Yes, m'lady, it's good to have you back in Camelot." Guinevere nodded her head in Uther's direction and Skye made a slight nod, knowing they would have to continue their conversation in private. "I'll show you to your new chambers."

Following Guinevere up three flights of stairs, Guinevere pushed open two large wooden doors to reveal the room that Skye would call "home". The room was well furnished with a feminine feel, as opposed to Arthur's chambers that were suited for a prince and knight of Camelot. Skye thanked her servants that brought her belongings up and smiled at Guinevere when they were alone.

"Look at you," said Guinevere with a laugh, shaking her head. "You look every bit the princess."

"I suppose," said Skye, swishing around the skirts of her dress. The fabric of the dress was a specialty from Aidan, it was heavy enough to keep a person warm, but the material was soft to the touch with a light shimmer, making it look like the person was aglow. Finally, the bodice of the dress was detailed with intricate hand-stitched swirls and patterns that were characteristic of the dresses from Aidan. "But I'm not the princess. Did you hear that Henry was named crown-Prince on the 16th anniversary of his birth? He is turning into a fine young man and Katherine couldn't be happier."

"And you," asked Guinevere, searching Skye's eyes. "Are you happy?"

Skye was silent as she retrieved an item from a hidden pocket in her cloak before removing the heavy outerwear and tossing it over the back of a chair, still carefully holding the item. Walking over to her bed, she placed the item on her nightstand. It was the brilliant red rose that Merlin had given her the last time they saw each other. True to his word, the rose didn't die, even when Skye didn't put it in water. "Aidan is a beautiful kingdom, and it's been good learning the history of it all, I've been content but I've missed Camelot, I've missed you and…"

"Merlin?"

"Yes," Skye smiled slightly, she knew that he was probably off gallivanting the world with Arthur. "I've missed him most of all." Shaking her head, Skye wiggled her eyebrows at Guinevere with a smile.

"What's that look for?"

"You and Arthur, are you any closer to being married yet?"

Guinevere smiled, tucking one of her dark curls behind her ear. "No, you should know now that it's impossible for a servant to marry royalty. It will never happen."

"I don't believe that," Skye said firmly. "Call me a sucker, but I believe in miracles."

"You know Uther would never allow it."

"Uther won't be around forever." Skye said. She shrugged her shoulders. "I mean, Arthur's going to inherit the throne sooner or later and he's not Uther."

Guinevere sighed, shaking her head. "Then have hope enough for the both of us," said Guinevere. "Do you need anything else, Skye? If not I need to go tend to Morgana."

"Thank you, Gwen, I'll be fine, just don't be a stranger to my chambers, I've missed talking to you!"

"Of course, Skye," said Guinevere with her gentle smile. "Now I'll see if Lady Morgana needs anything."

"Oh actually…" Skye bit her bottom lip when Guinevere stopped. She hadn't originally intended on saying anything, but she couldn't help it. "Is Lady Morgana happy being back? I don't know…I just get this…feeling, about her…"

"Feeling, like what," questioned Guinevere. "She seems pretty normal, a bit different, but I suppose anyone would be after they've been kidnapped for a year."

"You're probably right," Skye smiled briefly dropping the subject. "I'll see you later, Guinevere."

Once Guinevere left the room, Skye began to open up her trunks and make use of her dressers and bureaus. Sighing, she shook her head as she smoothed away wrinkles on the dresses she put in the dressers. "Never judge a book by its cover," she murmured to herself, willing her thoughts away from Morgana to Merlin. Once all of her clothes were put away she reached for a wooden medium sized chest and put it on a long table that was set against a window in the corner. Placing the chest at one side of the table, she opened it to reveal several small vials, dried herbs, and books all about remedies and healing potions. As she organized her medicinal table to her liking, one of the vials filled with a golden liquid started to roll off from the side.

"Don't even think about it," Skye said to the vial as her deep brown eyes lit blazed with fire. The vial that would have surely crashed to the ground instead stopped, and flew back into the air and into Skye's outstretched hand. Smiling to herself, she placed it among the other remedies.

With everything to her liking, Skye was finally able to take a step back and relax. Walking to another window in her room, she carefully pushed it opened to get a clear view of the outside world. Her window looked out onto the front of the castle so she was able to see who entered and who left. Beyond the citadel were rolling green hills and mountains that took her breath away. Looking to the right, she knew that in a two days journey she would be able to find herself back in Aidan. Even though she had been there for only a year, Aidan had grown on Skye. After she got used to her newfound responsibilities, it was easy to be happy in the small kingdom. She would miss Katherine, Henry, and even the kind and slightly naïve King Nicholas, but she knew that Camelot was her home. Through all the knowledge she acquired in that one year and all the experiences and travelling she had done, in the end, her heart yearned to back to the one place, the one person that she truly called home.

Watching people flow into the citadel, Skye soon became bored and was about to shut her window when two figures separated by some distance caught her eyes. Both looked haggard, but otherwise happy as one rode his horse and the other walked his horse back to the castle, creating more distance. One of the two had fair hair and was an impressive sight, but his dark haired companion, a smidge taller and lankier was the one that made Skye's breath catch in her chest.

"Merlin," she murmured.

***/***

Merlin groaned as he dragged his feet through the door to Gaius's chambers before heavily sitting down on the wooden bench by the table. Arthur, and Merlin had arrived back to Camelot while it was still daylight, but as soon as they got back to the castle, Arthur had thought up a long list of chores for Merlin to complete. Now it was night time and all Merlin wanted to do was eat and go to bed.

Gaius chuckled lightly as he stirred a large pot of stew over the fire. "So you've noticed that Arthur has completed his quest."

"Yes, he has, he's so amazing, I bet he didn't have any help," Merlin sarcastically answered. He would have said more, but he was distracted by the small vial of water he had in his hands.

Gaius ladled soup into a bowl and brought it to Merlin. "What is that," he asked, noticing the vial. Merlin handed the vial to Gaius as he tucked in to his supper. "It's supposed to be the water from the lake of Avalon." Between bites of bread and soup, Merlin recounted the tale of Arthur's quest, and who gave him the vial of water.

Gaius held it up to the light before handing it back to Merlin. "If it really is water from the Lake of Avalon, it is hard to come by."

Merlin nodded and tucked the vial in his pocket for safe keeping. Finishing off his soup, he sat up straight, wincing lightly. He rubbed his right shoulder, attempting to work out a tense muscle. After riding all day then being told to polish armor, do laundry, then muck out stables, he was beat up. From his shoulder he moved his hand to a thin black string around his neck. Fingering it gently, he thought of a girl with long dark hair and a glowing locket. He wore the small pink flower that Skye had given him as a necklace and rarely took it off. He kept it tucked in his shirt at all times, and often fell asleep holding it. Merlin hadn't heard from Skye in nearly two months and worried that something had happened to her.

"I wonder who Arthur was in a hurry to meet with," he grumbled.

"You mean you don't know?"

Merlin looked up to see the mysterious twinkle in Gaius's eyes. Gaius was good at keeping secrets, but this time it was as if he wanted to torture Merlin with information.

"Er, no?" Merlin racked his brain wondering if he'd forgotten something. "I've been gone for the past three days…Oh wait, Arthur did mention something about having to meet a new liaison and I'm supposed to have his best breeches ironed…"

"Do you know where that liaison is coming from?"

Merlin shook his head as he got up from the table to fill a basin with warm water. Grabbing a wash cloth, he pulled his shirt over his head and began to scrub at his face and shoulders, carefully avoiding the necklace with Skye's pendant. "Whoever they are, they've only caused trouble for me, Arthur has me doing twice as much work as usual."

"Don't be so hasty to say that," Gaius warned with another chuckle.

"Gaius, what aren't you tell me. Who is this liaison?" Merlin looked up from his washing, waiting in expectancy. He was so tired and ready for bed that Gaius's good natured teasing was starting to get on his nerves.

"The liaison comes from the kingdom of Aidan. She arrived earlier this morning and was very surprised when she was greeted by only Uther and Morgana."

"Aidan? Gaius, is it—"

"Lady Skyelynn of Fell has returned to Camelot indefinitely. First thing tomorrow morning, she and Arthur sign the contract."

"What?" Merlin threw his cloth down and shook the water from his head. "Skye is back and no one told me? I have to see her, I, I—" Merlin struggled to quickly put his tunic back on, putting it on backwards he quickly righted his shirt and headed for the door.

"You can't see her now, Merlin," warned Gaius as Merlin nearly made it out of the room. "Remember she is an esteemed guest in Camelot. It's late and visiting her at this time could cause problems."

Merlin made a face at Gaius's words, even though he knew the old man was right. Pacing the length of the chambers, he finally sat down with a heavy sigh, comforting himself with knowing that he would see Skye first thing tomorrow. "So she's the new liaison for Aidan and Camelot? I wonder why Arthur barely spoke of it."

"I'm not sure," said Gaius, "but from here on out, Skye plays a vital role in the story of Camelot. Aidan has never made an alliance with another kingdom in over a hundred years. I do know that the alliance will only be made between Arthur and Aidan that is why Skye serves as a liaison. Until Arthur becomes king, it will be her duty to remain in Camelot to keep an eye on the alliance and treaty to protect Aidan."

Merlin took this information in silently. His heart beat roughly inside of his chest as he imagined Skye's face in his mind's eye. Skye would be here indefinitely. By the time Arthur became king, Merlin wondered if after that Skye would be free to do whatever she pleased.

Even though it was late at night, Merlin jumped to his feet once more and walked toward the door of the physician's chambers.

"Where are you going," asked Gaius. "It's late!"

"Picking flowers," Merlin said with a quick smile before disappearing into the night.

***/***

"Good morning, m'lady."

Skye carefully stretched her arms from underneath her warm blankets and peeked an eye open at her new young maid, Alissa, that Uther insisted she took. The girl looked to be a couple years younger than Skye with blonde flyaway hair and big blue eyes. She was a lovely girl, but she rarely met anyone's eyes and often blushed with addressed with familiarity. Skye couldn't help but smile at Alissa's charming shyness. She hoped to help the girl become more confident in time.

"It's still so early…"

"I'm sorry, Lady Skye, but breakfast is here and I'm told to help you get ready to meet with King Uther and Prince Arthur after you eat."

Swinging her legs out of bed, Skye headed to the table where her breakfast was set and was startled by was placed beside her meal.

"Alissa, what are these?" Skye's eyes widened at the beautiful display of flowers in a basket. Several were red roses that were similar to the one she kept on her nightstand, and others were beautiful wildflowers she had never seen in neither Camelot nor Aidan. "Where did they come from?" She knew the answer to the question before Alissa could answer. She smiled lightly at first until her smile grew into a grin. Only one person could take something as ordinary as flowers and make them twice as beautiful as they already were.

"They were outside your door, Lady Skye," answered Alissa. "There was no note, just the basket. They're beautiful, my lady. Do you think…"

Skye looked up at Alissa whose pale cheeks started to turn pink. "Do I think what, Alissa? I won't think you're silly."

"Do you think you have an admirer in the castle?"

Skye was taken aback as Alissa looked up to meet her eyes. Beneath her initial bashfulness was a look of pure romantic whimsical dreams. "Perhaps a knight you have caught the attention of, or the Prince or…" Alissa trailed off, her cheeks a bright red now.

"It is romantic, isn't it," agreed Skye with a gentle smile, touching the petals of her flowers. She had yet to see Merlin, and she had trouble sleeping that night knowing Merlin was so close but she had to wait to see him. "Whoever, he is," said Skye, keeping the her and Merlin's relationship under wraps, "he must have a beautiful heart to find such a beautiful gift."

Alissa sighed dreamily, happy for Skye. In the day she had known the new liaison from Camelot, Skye had been nothing but sweet and kind to her. Alissa was taller than Skye, taller than most girls in fact, and she hoped that one day she would have her own fairytale come true. She didn't expect to marry a prince or even a knight as so many other servant girls fantasized. She just dreamed of someone with a kind heart to sweep her off her feet. She worried because of her height that no man would consider her beautiful; they would flock to women like Skye who managed to be petite but well developed in the right places and gentle. There was no one that would want her, tall and awkward in her own skin with rough servant's hands. Not only that, once they found out what she could do, they would give her to Uther to be burned at the stakes. Alissa shook her head, and sighed once more. Maybe that's what her dreams would always be…just simple and silly dreams that would never come true.

"—issa. Alissa? Are you alright?" Skye looked at her maid with concern. She had started to stare off into space

"Oh yes, sorry, Lady Skyelynn."

"You can just call me Skye."

"B-but you are a lady, the king would not be pleased with such familiarity—"

"I am not the king," said Skye simply with a smile, "and besides, before I went to Aidan, I was a girl who lived in a small cottage with a father who seemed to be nothing more than a huntsman. I was the furthest thing from a lady, and most days, I still am. So, you may call me "Skye", all my friends do."

"That may take some time to get used to, my lady, er, Skye," admitted Alissa shyly. "Being friends with you would be wonderful. You're so beautiful and so kind, no wonder you have an admirer already!"

Skye laughed as she walked over to her vanity table and sat down, looking at Alissa from the mirror. "Well if my admirer were to see me this morning, I'm sure he would change his mind. My hair is a mess and I'm always a fright in the morning." Skye crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue, bringing forth giggles from Alissa. Running her hands through her long chestnut brown hair, she pushed it all back where it reached an inch past her waist. "I'm told you are one of the best hairdressers in Camelot," said Skye, "can you work your magic on my hair?"

Alissa's heart skipped with fear as Skye said "magic", but she knew that Skye couldn't have known about her powers. "O-of course, my—er, Skye," said Alissa as she began to brush through Skye's long tresses.

"I'm thinking about wearing my silver dress today."

"That would be lovely."

Skye studied Alissa from the mirror who concentrated on her task. Skye had a feeling the girl had a secret, and from the bright glow of her necklace, Skye could probably guess what the secret was. She sensed no danger from the girl, but she would remain watchful of Alissa.

***/***

She seemed to have a halo of shimmer all around her body, Merlin thought as he watched Skye from the side of the hall that many nobles have gathered in to witness the historical event. Geoffrey, the royal librarian and document keeper administered the event, reading the contract for all to hear.

Merlin figured he should pay attention to what was being said, but the treaty fell on deaf ears because all of his attention was on Skye. From where he stood, Merlin could see Skye's face clearly, and he was in her direct line of sight. She wore a light silver dress and her Lavender cloak with Aidan's silver, spiraled sun crest proudly displayed. Attached to the belt around her waist was a simple leather pouch that held the dagger Merlin gave her long ago, and just like in his memories and dreams, her necklace glowed faintly among the rest of the shimmer that seemed to encase her. Beside Arthur she was a stunning contrast. Everything about her, despite her light brown skin tone that stood out next to Arthur's pale complexion, reminded Merlin and everyone else in the room of sunlight. Everywhere where she was light, Arthur contrasted with bold rich colors. The girl that left Camelot a year ago had come back transformed. Many whispered in the crowd that if Arthur were smart he would marry Skyelynn Fell by the end of the year. Merlin both felt annoyed yet prideful from the courtiers' whispers. He was annoyed because he could not step forward and say that Skye was already spoken for, but he was filled with pride knowing that it was him that Skye was sending secret smiles and not Arthur.

"…hence forth, until Arthur Pendragon assumes the throne Skyelynn Fell will remain the liaison in Camelot indefinitely until an alliance is drawn," read Geoffrey from the parchment that Skye had brought with her. "Oh and…" Geoffrey read the last paragraph at the end, "during her time in Camelot, Skyelynn requests to be given property for her own private garden to continue her work as an herbalist. She requests to also work alongside the court physician Gaius."

"I think that can be arranged," agree Uther, who stood off to the side, absolutely beaming at Arthur's first success. From the crowd, Gaius nodded in recognition of Skye's request.

"With all that said and done, let the contract be signed." Geoffrey scratched his witness signature across at the bottom before handing the quill to Arthur.

"Ladies first," said Arthur with a smile, handing the quill to Skye.

"So chivalrous," Skye said, smiling with sarcasm as she took the quill and signed her name before handing it to Arthur who did the same. Arthur bowed to Skye who in return gave him a deep curtsy. It was done. Looking toward Merlin, Skye smiled as the room burst into applause. Giving Merlin a look, Skye briefly nodded her head in a direction telling him to meet her there. Merlin acknowledged her request with a nod of his own as the hall began to empty, his cue to leave.

Disappearing from the eyes of the crowd, Skye managed to sneak out of the large room and into the corridors. Pushing back her long strands of expertly curled hair, Skye avoided the servants and knights that walked through the hall. She saw Merlin disappear but had no idea where he went. Checking nearby nooks and alcoves, she finally gave up and walked back to her room, disappointed.

Upon opening the door to her chambers, she saw Merlin standing by her desk of herbs and medicines, studying all of her jars and dried herbs.

"Did Alissa let you in," Skye teased, ignoring how fast her heart was beating as she closed the doors to her chamber.

"Alissa was distressed that you disappeared so fast so she came here to look for you, and I told her that Guinevere needed her help with something. I decided I could let myself in."

Merlin turned around from her herbal collection and smiled slowly. His eyes crinkled in the way Skye loved so much as he held out a hand for her to join him. Quickly they made their way to each other, and soon Skye found herself in Merlin's embrace, being lifted from the floor in a sweeping motion.

"Lionheart," Skye called him by his nickname through her giggles.

Being set back on the floor, Merlin touched the sides of Skye's face gently, wrapping his fingers in the curled hair that framed her face. Merlin met Skye's eyes with only love and affection. "You never wrote back two months ago."

"I know, I know," said Skye, her eyes never leaving Merlin's face. "I got so busy in Aidan with the contract being made, Henry's ceremony to become crown-prince, the search for a new physician after I left, and…" Skye shook her head. "Do you forgive me?"

Merlin broke into another smile, "I think so," he said, running his thumb down the bridge of her nose and across her cheeks in a gentle manner as though memorizing her features. "I think you've gotten taller," he teased.

Skye shook her head before resting it on his chest, in the same familiar place as she did before. "I'm not sure about that," she said looking back up at Merlin's face. His face had changed a little in the year, there was a more serious look in his eyes, but it was still the same old Merlin. Standing on the tips of her toes, she grinned up at him. "I still need to use a stool to reach things at the top shelf. Oh and I have so much to tell you—"

Merlin cut off Skye's remark with a kiss, which was better than the ones he dreamed about. Overcome with emotion, a tear slid from behind Skye's closed eyes. For both of them, they tasted the same familiar taste from their first kiss a year ago, but with the knowledge that Skye was here to stay, the kiss was less desperate as it had been a year ago and more gentle with the promise of adventures to come.


Author's Note: So the story takes place a year later (which is season 3 after the episode with the Fisher King)! Skye is here to stay! What do you think of Alissa? What do you want to see more of in this story? Ideally, within the next chapter or 2, we will be getting into "Season 4" so...stay tuned!

P.s. I'm house sitting for a family I know. They have two cats named Arthur and Merlin. Too cool. Haha

So, rate, review, leave me love? (Remember to answer the question in the first author's note! Thanks! Much love!) Have a great summer!