Right after supper that night, Merlin sat tending to the fire. Why was he always the one that had to do it? He felt grateful though that he didn't have to go get the firewood. Who knew what kind of beasts were out there? The knights were over on the other side of the fire goofing off with their swords. Emilia was wading in the lake clearly with something on her mind. Merlin decided he wouldn't join Emilia this time. What's the point anyway? She would probably find a way to leave and join Gwaine.
With her pants rolled up to the knees, Emilia waded into the lake. This was her favorite way of thinking. She had always had a love for water. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach and an ache in her heart. What if they didn't find Dessa in time? She knew what happened around these parts and never wanted to get involved, but here she was risking her life for a woman that didn't return the same sisterly feelings. She was with a group of knights and a sorceror. If anyone could find Dessa they could. Slowly she returned to shore. When she looked over at the orange flames of the fire she saw Merlin's smug face through them. She trudged toward the warm fire and sat on the log next to Merlin.
"Wouldn't it be great to be a knight?" she asked just trying to start up a conversation. She meant it though, she knew girls were never knights, but she could swing a sword and she knew it.
"Yea...sure" replied Merlin.
"Yea, except for having to hang around Gwaine all the time. He sure does get annoying." Emilia felt a twinge of excitement when she saw Merlin immediately perk up.
"Yea he is, isn't he? Do you want any more soup?" offered Merlin.
"No thanks." After a pause she added, "Merlin? Why don't you tell Arthur about your magic? He trusts you. I think you're the only person who could possibly change his mind. If he knew you had powers he would change his mind in a second, I'm sure of that."
"In time..." started Merlin, but he couldn't finish because a group of men with weapons came charging out of the forest. The knights were quick to react and even Emilia had sent a man to the ground before he could even swing. Merlin did his best to fight, but with a no magic law that was kind of hard. Why didn't he have a sword? The fight was a blur for Emilia because she had never fought like this.
She was doing very well though, until a sword came and cut her deeply in the shoulder. She attacked the best she could, but it was no use. With the attacker closing in all she could do was lay there with her eyes closed and wait for the fatal blow. It didn't come. She peeked with one eye open and noticed the guy being lifted off his feet. Only one person could do that without laying a finger on him.
Finally, the rest of the attackers ran away. What cowards. Emilia tried to sit up but when she used her injured arm to lift herself up she gave up and laid there. Arthur ran up to her and helped her get to her feet.
"Let's have Merlin look at that." he said and sat her down on an empty log. Merlin was busy tending to Gwaine's leg and she could tell he was regretting it because he was chatting up a storm.
Arthur took it to his liberty to inspect the gash himself. "You're brave I'm gonna give you that. Most girls would be bawling their eyes out."
"It's not worth my tears" Emilia replied.
"What do you mean?"
"I only cry for the people I love. They're worth way more of my tears than a small cut." The cut, Emilia knew, was not little at all, but it was better than what could have happened.
Merlin came over and began tending to the wound. "I have a remedy that can completely heal that you know." he smirked and his brilliant blue eyes sparkled.
"And what, kind sir, may I ask is this remedy?" asked Emilia playing along.
"Just a little magic." With that he placed his hands over her arm and instantly the cut healed.
