Two days had passed since he'd seen the girl sorceress. He'd returned to his room that evening and sat in bed trying to work out how exactly he was going to tell his father. Oh, hello Dad, yeah, the girls awake but thing is…She has no voice and memory. Because of course Uther would react well to that. As if. What planet was Arthur on?
If Arthur had it his way, he'd wait until the girl, Alethea, he corrected himself, had gained both voice and memory before even starting to think about putting her on trial. His father wouldn't even dare to let the thought cross his mind, let alone put it into practise. Arthur was willing to wait, his father wasn't.
After a restless night, Arthur dragged himself from bed, stood in front of the window and washed his face in the basin of water. Looking out on to his future kingdom, he smiled slightly. It looked like the perfect day to go hunting. Quickly dressing in his hunting gear, he sent for Merlin before running down the stairs to breakfast where he found his father waiting for him. Obviously he'd heard the news about Alethea. Filling up his plate, Arthur had a spot of breakfast before turning to his father, having noticed that he was staring at the prince.
"The sorceress has woken, hasn't she?"
"Yes father."
"And you thought not to tell me because…?"
"I forgot."
"You forgot? She's a dangerous magician. She could cause the fall of Camelot with just a few words."
"father, she can not do that yet."
"And for what reason?"
"She has… She's lost her voice."
"No voice? She cannot write either?"
"She can, but she has no memory and I've found nothing out except for her name."
"She lies. She has her voice and memory but is lying so she has more time to plan her revenge and her escape."
"She tells the truth."
"And how do you know?"
"I…" Arthur paused for a moment. How exactly did he know? "I just do."
"She's already bewitched you. Order her trial for tomorrow." Arthur knew he'd just given his father the perfect excuse.
"But father…"
"No objections."
"You would already have her guilty without proof! Just give me 2 days to give you that proof, and prove her inn…" he caught the glare Uther cast him "To prove her guilt."
"2 days?"
"Just two days."
"Very well then. You have them, but she stands trial whether she has regained her voice and memory or not. Got that?"
"Yes father." And with that, Arthur had left his father, found some of his men and Merlin at the stables and went hunting.
It was surprising at just how many tensions and stresses could be lost by killing animals. He'd brought back to Camelot some deer and also a wild boar much to his fathers amazement. At least that would take his mind off Alethea's trial. Arthur was hoping that the longer the time he had, the better the chance that he could prove Alethea innocent, not of course that that was likely to happen. After all, she had literally appeared from nowhere wearing strange clothes. There couldn't be any other explanation for it other than magic, could there?
The next day, one day before the trial, Arthur decided to give his men a spot of training. Ever since two of the guards had let the girl get the better of them, Arthur hadn't heard the end of it and so, his guards hadn't either. More training was fitted into the day and Arthur looked at the assembled men in front of him. If he kept it up then these would be future knights of Camelot, protecting the realm from any and every danger thrown at it. Therefore, the better trained they were, the safer the kingdom.
"Right, we'll start from where we left off. Remember the technique with the sword, don't let your guard down. Attack with the blade, defend with the shield, and watch your footwork. You don't want to be tripping up in battle." he told them, walking around and complimenting those who were doing the move perfectly. As he walked, he caught sight of three people cutting across the courtyard. Merlin and Gaius in their usual wear but there was someone walking a little way behind them before she stopped. Arthur had to take a second look then because he couldn't believe his eyes. There, stood in a dull blue dress, was Alethea. He hadn't recognised her because of the dress. Last time he'd seen her she was in strange clothes. Funny thing was, she seemed to suit wearing the dress perfectly.
He smiled at her before walking back around his men. She hadn't noticed him and had seemed distracted. Well, she would still be confused. Arthur wondered if she knew of her trial yet. He hadn't told Merlin but he knew he'd have to tell her some time soon. He decided to tell her after he'd finished the training and then go back to Gaius's chambers to see what he'd discovered. That was the plan at least.
He heard the voice and looked around confused, thinking that her warning was aimed at someone else. No one responded of course as she hadn't specified who should get down, although Arthur began to wonder what she'd seen. Looking around, he saw it too little too late and stood planted to the spot. That was, until something collided with him and sent him flying to the ground. Hitting it with a dull thud, he looked up to see that that something was a someone. That someone was Alethea.
"What the…?" He asked, trying to push her off him.
"Not yet." A whoosh of air flew past and Arthur looked at her confused before deciding that he wasn't going to stay like this any longer. It wasn't proper for a girl to be on top of him in the middle of the courtyard, even if she had just saved his life, seeing the arrow stuck in the ground, still quivering.
"Sorry sire." She apologised then, landing on the ground beside him. Arthur immediately called for the would be assassin to be found and captured before taking another look at the arrow which was just an inch from his neck. That had been close. Too close for comfort.
"Erm…No need to apologise. No harm done. And I believe I owe you my life."
"Don't worry about it sire." Alethea said quietly before slowly getting to her feet. Arthur got up first and brushed himself down before holding his hand out to help her up. She took one look at it, smiled and took it.
"Good, good. And you've gained your voice back I see?"
"Only just. Is there something you wish to tell me sire?" she asked in a way that only she could, or that's how Arthur saw it.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because otherwise you'd be finding that man with your men." she said.
"Ah, good point. There is actually. Your trial is to be tomorrow. At noon."
"Where will it be?" she asked quietly, and Arthur saw she looked quite crestfallen.
"The Great Hall. Merlin will show you the way. Now, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you now. Are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be sire?" she smiled and watched as he ran off to join his men. Arthur could tell she'd known what was coming and began to wonder whether what his father had said was true. Had she bewitched him already?
