Chapter 10

In the weeks that followed, Aria was adjusting to her life in Camelot. It was strange in the beginning, not having her father or Isabel or anyone else from her old kingdom around. But it wasn't difficult to grow accustomed to. After all, there were some things that Aria had already been used to, such as knighting ceremonies or speeches or councils. It made it easier to settle into was now her home.

Her new maidservant was a young woman named Rose. She wasn't as quirky or as upbeat as Isabel, but she was friendly and did her work diligently. She served Aria well and that was what mattered, even if the princess missed Isabel's eternal optimism and positive attitude. Rose was also skilled in weaving and was able to make dresses for Aria that helped her "fit in" at Camelot.

Aria also made friends with the Lady Morgana who was often her company while Arthur was away for training or for some important matter with his knights. Morgana was good and kind to Aria and she was always up for telling her a funny story involving Arthur from when they were children. King Uther was also very welcoming to her. Aria was incredibly appreciative of how everyone at Camelot was treating her. They made her feel like she was home.

Aria's relationship with Arthur hadn't evolved into anything extraordinary. He was kind to her and she was to him. But they never seemed to get close on an emotional level. Arthur always seemed too busy for her and she hated to admit it, but Aria felt neglected by him. The closest they ever got was during the nights when Arthur ordered Merlin and Rose out early to be left alone with her. Most nights, both were too tired to speak so they went right to sleep. But there were some nights where Arthur would relieve all his frustrations on Aria from the day and she'd lay there, shaking from his roughness. And yet she would not protest. Aria remembered all too clearly what her father told her: make him happy. If that was what made him happy, so be it.

Being married and living in Camelot had become normal. For the most part, anyway. There was one person who was adding a certain spice to Aria's life.

Merlin.

Ever since the night in the forest, an unexpected bond formed between the princess and the servant. Neither was sure what it was, but Aria found that she was developing strange feelings for the boy. Time together was short and had become precious. Going back to the their clearing in the forest was risky but they both took a risk here and there. Any moment Aria could spare and anytime Merlin got the chance, the two would see each other.

The princess kept Merlin's secret. She wouldn't dream of betraying him. But she did insist that Merlin tell her more stories. The times they met, Aria could not believe that the ordinary servant to Prince Arthur was such an extraordinary person. Battling various magical monsters, saving Camelot from an evil witch named Nimueh, landing into an argument with the Great Dragon, and still finding time to do chores for both Arthur and Gaius left the princess with nothing but respect for Merlin. He truly was someone special. She almost didn't want to share any of her stories, they'd sound like nothing compared to his. And yet for some reason, Merlin wanted to hear them.

From the looks of it, no one was suspicious of the unlikely relationship that was growing between Merlin and Aria. When others were around, the only exchanges between them were looks. In the mornings when Arthur was pestering Merlin about something, in the evenings when dinner was served, and so on. These brief exchanges went unnoticed by everyone. And hopefully by Arthur.

"Will that be all, my lady?" Rose asked Aria one morning, holding a basket of clothing to be laundered. Aria sat at her mirror, inspecting the bracelet Morgana had given her as her wedding gift for any marks or scratches. She needed something to distract herself; Aria had been nauseous all morning.

"Yes, Rose, thank you," the princess nodded. Rose curtsied quickly and left the chambers with the basket in hand. Aria exhaled, wondering what was causing her stomach to act up suddenly. It had been like this for a few days now, but she could not explain the cause. If this persisted, she would have to go to Gaius.

A couple minutes later, the door to the chambers opened and Aria turned to see Arthur and Merlin walk in, bantering as per usual.

"Is it really that hard to place a target somewhere?" Arthur asked, looking back to smirk at his servant. "Or is it too much to ask of you to do a simple thing like that?"

"Maybe if you'd stop throwing daggers at me while I'm setting up the target, we'd have no problem," Merlin shot back.

"You're about as bad as the last manservant I had," Arthur sighed, shaking his head. Aria stifled her giggles and this caught his attention. He walked to where she was sitting. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a low voice, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Aria shrugged. "Nothing's changed, still a little sick."

"You didn't eat this morning either." Arthur sounded worried. "Do you want to see Gaius?"

"I was thinking about it. Maybe later, I'm feeling kind of dizzy right now." The princess wanted to see him but a sudden tiredness seemed to overcome her. "Damn it," she muttered, "I can barely get up."

"Merlin, go get Gaius." Merlin didn't need to be told twice. He glanced at Aria and ran off to get the court physician.

"Arthur, I'm sure it's nothing serious," Aria assured, getting up, stumbling slightly. When did she start feeling this fatigued?

"You can't even walk," Arthur pointed out, holding her and leading her to the bed. She sat up in the bed while the prince went to get her some water. In no time, Merlin came back with Gaius who started to check her symptoms right away.

"It could be a fever," he commented, pressing a hand to Aria's forehead. "Yet you don't feel hot. For how long have you been feeling this way?"

"A few days, I believe," Aria guessed.

"She's missed breakfast a few times because of it," Arthur added, standing next to the bed.

"I didn't think it was anything," Aria explained. "It's at its worst in the mornings but it calms down later in the day. I've also been feeling tired all the time. I thought it might have been a fever."

"I would have guessed so but this does not seem like the case," Gaius replied. "Have you experienced anything else? A loss of appetite?"

"Just in the mornings," Aria nodded, "Other than that, I eat fine."

Gaius had his usual expression of pondering on his face. "Hmm. Well, I could make something to ease the nausea. For now, get plenty of rest and drink water."

"You think she's dehydrated?" Arthur cut in. Aria had never heard the prince this frantic before. It gave her a sense of comfort that he cared for her.

"It is a possibility, though I suspect other things," Gaius noted. "Call for me if the symptoms get worse." Gaius left the room, Merlin behind him. Arthur turned to look at Aria. "Is there anything I can get for you?" he asked.

"No, Arthur, I don't need anything," Aria answered. The prince reached for her hand. "It worries me to see you this way," he said in a quiet voice, "Are you sure there's nothing I can do for you?"

Aria averted her eyes to meet Arthur's. For the first time since they were married, Arthur wasn't busy for her. If anything, whatever he had to do, he put aside for her. The princess wasn't being neglected by him, not at this moment.

She held his hand. "Stay with me," Aria murmured. Show me that you care. Please be here for me, were her unspoken words but she prayed that Arthur could somehow hear them. He wasn't Merlin, he didn't know her the way Merlin did. But he was her husband. It was never too late.

Arthur nodded once. "As you wish."

Merlin didn't need books or magic to tell him what was already obvious. He knew what was going on with Aria and the sickening feeling in his stomach was a reminder of how it was going to change everything between him and her. Merlin followed Gaius out of the royal couple's chambers and back down to the physician's part of the castle.

"You know what her symptoms mean," he said almost immediately as the two walked. "Even I could tell what it was, Gaius, and it's not a fever or dehydration. You know what it is and you didn't say anything."

"You can't be positive, Merlin," Gaius replied, looking straight ahead. "I'd rather I be sure of it than to give Arthur and Aria false hope."

"What false hope? All the signs are there!" Merlin insisted. Gaius didn't have anything to say to that so he continued. "He has taken her to bed many times, it's a wonder why it hasn't happened earlier."

"Merlin, I would prefer you didn't speak of Arthur and Aria's private matters. Arthur can't be sharing everything with you."

"He doesn't have to! All he has to do is kick me and Aria's maid out early at nights and we get the point!" Merlin snapped. They reached Gaius's chambers. The old man opened the door and walked in. Merlin followed, not dropping the matter. "You can't tell me that's not it."

"It is a possibility, Merlin," Gaius pressed. "But I can't be certain of it just yet."

"Well, I'm certain of it," Merlin stated, crossing his arms.

Gaius raised an eyebrow at his ward. "You seem a bit tense about it. I would suspect you'd be happy for Arthur and Aria."

Merlin turned red. "Of course I'm happy. Why wouldn't I be happy for them?" The warlock didn't look Gaius in the eye. He didn't tell the old man what he really wanted to say; Why should I be happy? Arthur can't spare a few hours of his time to spend with his wife. What gives you the idea that he would do that for his future child? I doubt he's even grown to love Aria.

Gaius continued to stare at Merlin quizzically. "I've told you once before, Merlin, it is not a good idea to be hanging around the Lady Aria so much. At the end of the day, she is Arthur's wife and you are his servant."

"What makes you think I've been hanging around the Lady Aria?"

Gaius shook his head. "I know you well, Merlin. Not much escapes me."

Merlin sighed. "It's nothing, Gaius. Whatever it is, it's friendly and…" Actually, Merlin didn't know what it was. These past couple of weeks with Aria hadn't just been mere friendship. Merlin felt something when he was with her and it was hard to put into words. The sound of her laugh, the interest in her eyes when she listened to him tell her stories about his life in Camelot, the touch of her skin… There's more between us. But I can't tell Gaius. He wouldn't understand. He'd just tell me that it's wrong and I should forget about it.

Merlin suddenly reached for a quill and parchment and scribbled something. "I'll be back," he said, getting up and leaving. Merlin ignored Gaius's questioning look and left the chambers, folding the note as he walked. The timing was perfect. Just as he reached the hall leading to the royals' chambers, he spotted Rose, Aria's maidservant. Rose carried a basket with her, humming to herself as she made her way to the chambers.

"Rose!" Merlin called out. The maid turned around. "Oh, hello there, Merlin!" she greeted, flashing a toothy smile.

"Hello," he smiled back. "Do you mind doing me a favor?"

Rose looked curious. "Depends, I've got enough to do with the Lady Aria. She hasn't been feeling very well, you see."

"That I know of," Merlin nodded. "It's nothing to fret over. Just give this to her for me." He placed the note onto the basket of clothes. When Rose glanced at him, he lied smoothly, "Just a note from the court physician about when to pick up the brew he's making for her."

"Ah, perfect! She'll be needing it. Thank you, Merlin, I shall give it to her straight away!"

"Oh and make sure she gets it!" Merlin added. "Not Arthur or… anyone else."

"Will do!" Rose turned and walked away. Just as she approached the doors, Merlin saw Arthur come out. Rose curtsied and went in. Arthur spotted Merlin and walked towards him. "Have you been here this whole time?" he almost accused.

"No!" Merlin exclaimed, "I just… came to see if you needed me."

Arthur looked at him suspiciously. "Right…"

"So, how is she?" Merlin changed the subject.

"I stayed with her until she fell asleep. She's been worrying me." Arthur walked down the hall and Merlin followed. "I think I should tell my father about this, he would want to make sure she gets proper care."

"She's in good hands!" Merlin reassured, "With Gaius, that is."

"Yes, but still, my father should know."

The warlock debated on whether or not he should tell Arthur what he thought it to be. In the end, he decided to leave it up to Gaius to say so. Who knew, maybe Arthur would figure it out himself.

Aria was pulled out of sleep by a sudden surge of hunger. She opened her eyes to see Arthur had left but Rose was here, sitting by her side. "You are awake!" she said, smiling at Aria. "How are you?"

"Better. And hungry," Aria chuckled, sitting up. Her fatigue went away and she indeed felt better.

"That's good news!" Rose clapped her hands, standing up. "You've missed lunch but I'll go get you something to eat from the kitchen."

Aria smiled in appreciation. "Thank you, Rose, that would be nice." She sat up and stretched a little. "Where's Arthur?"

"He's at council right, been in and out of the room while you were asleep. He said for me to get him when you wake. I'll do that then get you lunch." Before Rose left, she stopped and went to the table. "Before I forget! The court physician sent this note for you!" The maid handed Aria a folded up piece of parchment. After that, she curtsied and left the chambers.

Gaius had sent her a note? Aria unfolded it and read it. She gasped. It wasn't from the court physician. It didn't even have anything to do with him.

I need to see you. I'll be waiting for you in the clearing tonight. I've missed you. –Merlin

Well, be still my beating heart, Aria thought to herself, feeling her heart rate speed up after reading and rereading the note. It had been so long since she had seen Merlin. She had missed him very much too. Aria hoped she would be feeling well by tonight, she wouldn't want to miss the chance to see Merlin.

"How was she?" Arthur prompted, taking big steps back to his chambers. Rose, Aria's servant, had just come to inform him that Aria had finally woken up.

"She was feeling better, sire," Rose answered, scurrying to catch up behind him. "She was asking to eat."

Arthur felt relieved. "Good, very good. She has an appetite after all. Anything else?"

Rose paused for a moment. "Can I tell you something, my lord?"

Arthur stopped, a few feet away from the chamber doors. "What is it?"

The maid looked a bit uneasy, playing with her fingers and not looking the prince straight in the eye. "I can't be certain of this, sire, but I have noticed something about the Lady Aria that you might find useful."

"What's that? Tell me," Arthur demanded, not bothering to be polite.

"She has not bled for… a while."

"…What?"

"She's missed her cycle," Rose specified. "That plus the fatigue and the nausea… sire?"

Arthur seemed to be frozen, staring at the young maid. Slowly, a small, incredulous smile crept up on his face. "That's… that could very well be it. Thank you for telling me, Rose. Go get Aria something to eat. I'll be back." Without another word, Arthur turned and walked back to the court physician. It turns out, this wasn't bad news at all.

This was actually very, very good news.

A/N: I think you all can basically guess what is going on here! More secrets are going to be revealed in future chapters. I really do apologize if it's going a bit slowly but stick with me, readers, I won't let any of you down! By the way, just out of curiosity… Team Merlin or Team Arthur? Where do your loyalties lie?