Just One Day

In a land of Myth and a time of magic,
The destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of two young people,
Their names,
Merlin and Mira-Liana

A/N: The episode "Queen of Hearts," while it is one of my favorites and I love it, it cannot work with my story line, so again, instead of an episode, there's a filler chapter. I hope it meets your satisfaction.

It was a beautiful day in Camelot. The sun was shining, the weather was warm and everyone was enjoying the warm weather.

Almost everyone.

Mira-Liana was in her chambers watching her children while signing the last of a mountain of papers that needed her royal signature when Arthur suddenly came in carrying a basket and had a large bag slung over his shoulder.

"Arthur, what's all this for?" she asked. "And why're you dressed like that?"

He wasn't dressed in his usual royal garbs, but rather in a plain pair of black leggings and boots, and a plain red shirt.

"This is for our outing. I've decided we're going on a picnic today, just the four of us," said Arthur. "No one else, just you, me and the children."

"Oh?" said Mira-Liana, looking intrigued. "What's brought this on?"

"I've been thinking it over and I've decided with everything that's been happening, we need to have just one day to relax or we'll all go stark raving mad," said Arthur. "Actually, I've been wanting to have a family outing for some time now."

"Are you sure your father won't mind us skipping out on our duties?"

"I already explained things to him and he said it's perfectly fine to have a day to ourselves. So, come on, what do you say?"

She smiled. "I say, let's do this." She'd been aching for a break from both her magical and royal duties, anyhow. What better way to spend her break then with her husband and children? She looked at her little ones. "What do you think? Want to go on a picnic with your father?"

"Uh-huh," said Amora.

Merrick nodded.

Arthur chuckled. "That settles it, then. Come on, get changed and we'll head out. The horses are waiting."

"Okay."

She quickly changed out of her royal silk gown and into one of her nicer, yet plain dresses from when she'd been Arthur's maidservant. She then picked up Merrick as Arthur picked up Amora and they headed out on their horses.

Arthur led them to an area where there was the ruins of an old castle, a beautiful blue lagoon with willow trees, flowers, cattails, lily pads, all surrounded by a grassy field. There was also a little boat on the water tied to a tree.

"Arthur, however did you find this place?" asked Mira-Liana.

"It's my little private retreat. I used to come here all the time when I was a boy to relax," said Arthur. "No one else knows about it. I wanted to wait for the perfect time to take you and the children here. Do you like it, love?"

"I love it, it's beautiful."

Arthur looked pleased. "Good."

They got off their horses and set up their picnic and began eating. Arthur had packed their favorites and it was all delicious. After they were done eating, they walked around and enjoyed themselves, the children especially.

"Dada," said Merrick, as he handed Arthur a little crystal that had been in the shallow edge of the water.

"This is beautiful, Merrick. Thank-you," said Arthur.

Amora had a little flower in her hand, which she gave to Mira-Liana.

"Oh, thank you," said Mira-Liana. She kissed her daughter's head and smiled.

Their children had just celebrated their second birthday. Though they were still quite young, it seemed like they were growing up too fast.

Was this how you felt, Mother? Mira-Liana wondered. When you watched Merlin and I grow? Did it seem to go by far too quickly?

"What're you thinking?" asked Arthur.

"I'm just thinking of how quickly the children seem to be growing up. Before you know it, Merrick will be King of Camelot and Amora will be married off to some nobleman or other worthy gentleman," said Mira-Liana.

Arthur's nose wrinkled. "Not that soon. Merrick has a long while before he takes over the throne and Amora's not allowed to be courted until she's thirty-five."

He laughed as Mira-Liana swatted his shoulder.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Come on; let's go out on the boat."

She chuckled as they went into the boat and Arthur rowed them around the water. Being out there on the water as they were, just enjoying the sounds of nature and the rocking of the boat along with enjoying each other's presence, gave off a feeling of serenity and peace.

The day went on perfectly.

Arthur tickled Amora and then tossed her up into the air and caught her several times as she laughed and kept saying, "Dada!" Mira-Liana held Merrick in her arms as she showed him a little rabbit that had taken interest in them as Merrick fed it a piece of lettuce before it hopped away.

Later, Mira-Liana braided her daughter's beautiful golden hair into pigtails and Arthur played a little nursery rhyme he'd learned as a child with Merrick. Then Mira-Liana used a spell to make dandelion seeds fly around them and she and Arthur watched in delight as the children try and failed to catch them.

Mira-Liana soon found herself laughing as she watched Arthur pick up their children and spun them around in his arms. The children laughed as he did this. He then let them climb on him and acted as their horse for a while until he had to rest due to being worn out by the children. But he was smiling and laughed all the while.

"What?" he asked, noticing her look.

"You are such a softie," she teased.

"What can I say? I love our children. They're one of the best parts of my life," said Arthur. He meant every word. He deeply loved his children and would give his life to protect them without a second thought. They were a blessing he didn't think he'd have.

She smiled. She felt the same way.

A few hours later, while the children were trying to catch butterflies while staying close to their parents, Arthur and Mira-Liana were laying down on the picnic blanket cuddled up together.

"Feels different, doesn't it?" said Mira-Liana. "Being away from Camelot, I mean."

Arthur nodded. "I love Camelot more than I can say, but when I'm there sometimes I feel like I can hardly breathe everyone expects so much of me. Being here with you, I can be myself."

Mira-Liana smiled. "I like that, you being yourself. I know how it can feel to have pressure on you and having to hide so much. Before you and the others found out about our magic, Merlin and I felt the same because of our magical destiny. Gaius, sweet man that he is, never really understood. We felt like the only time we could be ourselves was when we were together."

"And has that changed?" he asked.

She nodded. "A great deal, for which I'm glad."

"Out of curiosity, if the Questing Beast hadn't come when we were out hunting that day, when would you have told me about your magic?"

"Probably that same day," she admitted. "I didn't intend to keep it secret from you for much longer."

"I'm glad." He sighed. "Before Father found out about us and allowed us to marry, sometimes I would dream of leaving Camelot."

"Really?" she said, surprised. "Where would you go if you did leave?"

"I don't know. Somewhere no one knew who I was. I'd get some land and become a farmer."

She chuckled a little. "I can hardly see you toiling away in the fields all day."

Arthur laughed. "Well, it's just a dream. But honestly, if my father had refused to allow us to marry, I would've asked you to run away with me."

"You mean it? You would've given up your place on the throne for me?" she said, in disbelief.

"Still would," said Arthur. "My place is with you no matter what. And my family—all my family, including Merlin and the others—mean more to me than anything in the world."

She smiled. "I feel the same."

Arthur held her closer and stroked her hair.

"Arthur, I love you so much. I cherish every day that I have you. I consider myself lucky I have you and our children," said Mira-Liana, as she held his hand. "You mean more to me than you'll ever know."

"I think I can wager a guess," he murmured. He sighed as he leaned back. "I wish it could always be like this: no worrying about my father finding out our secrets, not worrying about who's out there for us, having nothing to hide, just being able to enjoy a peaceful day with my family without any problems."

"I know, I do too," she said. "Someday we'll have that, but at least we have today."

Arthur smiled as he held her hand. "Yes, we do." He reached up and caressed her face. "I love you, Ana."

"I love you too, Arthur," said Mira-Liana as they kissed.

At that moment, the children came back and snuggled up beside their parents.

The time eventually came when they had to pack up their things and head back to Camelot. But they were happy, nevertheless. Even if the peace only lasted for one day, it was time enough. Just one day.