So, since the last chapter was so late, I decided to take the weekend to just pound this chapter out. You guys would be proud, 16,000 words written in one weekend. That is my best so far. I deserve a trophy or a medal or at least a participation certificate. So you lovelies should thank me because your welcome! And the chapter is good too. Plus I have a 4,000 words of nothing, but flashback. I really got to delve deep with it. {I sorta started crying while I was writing it because FEELS} So your welcome about that too. The flash back has been moved to the next chapter. I had my motivational playlist going while I was typing and I had my brother bring me Starbucks a lot, he works there so it was free, otherwise I'd be in debt. Since this is getting way longer than I thought it would be, I'm thinking about putting this into five books. One for each season. What do you guys think about that? So yeah... Start reading!

Chapter 9:

"The winter are harsh in Elador and there are many children," Merlin's mother explained to King Uther and the court. She had arrived that morning from her small village of Ealdor.

When a servant had told Elaine that the royal court was having an unplanned meeting authorized by Prince Arthur, she had rushed over immediately. She had a instinctual feeling that it had something to do with Merlin, and she was not wrong.

"Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help." She continued stating her case, pleading with the king as he watched impassively with only a hint of pity.

"Ealdor's in Cenred's kingdom." said King Uther, disregarding her desperate words. "Your safety is his responsibility."

"We've appealed to our King," She replied, her voice hardening with the knowledge. "But he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope."

King Uther looked at the stone tiles, deep in thought, his chin resting on his fist as he reclined on his throne. Coming to his decision, he leaned forward and clasped his hands together. "I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped of of the face of the Earth."

"You'll help us?" She asked, hope could be heard in her tone that hadn't been heard before now.

"I wish I could." Uther replied, he gave her a look that said he was helpless in the matter. His lips were firm, revealing that he had decided and there was going to be no changing his mind.

Arthur was still going to try, "Surely we can spare a few men." He told his father, interjecting his opinion on the decision.

His father leaned back in his throne, "Resources are not the problem."

"Then what is?" Morgana questioned him, her and Arthur disapproval on his decision were clear in their expressions.

"Ealdor lies beyond the ridge of Aesctir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war." Uther stated, his tone was absolute as he spoke, giving them firm looks that this was not up for discussion.

Merlin's mother got on her knees before the throne, "I know you're a good king, a caring man, I'm begging you." She pleaded, "Help us. please."

"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making." He responded, not moved by the compelling woman. "I cannot risk hundred of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."

She bowed her head in despair, and Morgana stepped forward to help her off of the floor. She gave Uther a cold look as she lead Merlin's mother out of the throne room."

"I can't believe him!" Elaine declared to Gaius, irritated beyond reason at Merlin.

"Surely, you can understand his actions. He had to help his mother." Gaius reasoned as he organized his vials in a cupboard.

"Of course, I know that." Elaine paced the room with her arms crossed in front of her. "I just can't believe he left without me!" Not giving Gaius enough time to reply, she continued on with her rant. "Did you know that he took Morgana and Gwen with him too?!"

"Well," Gaius drew out the word slowly. He was being much too reasonable for Elaine's taste. "Gwen is the daughter of a blacksmith, she'll be able to help with weapons, armor, and such. Morgana's good with a sword."

Elaine paused in her rant and looked at him sharply, "And just what are you trying to insinuate?"

Gaius glanced over at Elaine, noticing her glare and clenched fists, he didn't look at her long. "Well… You don't exactly have any skills that they will need."

Elaine used her thumb to point at herself, "I'm smart." She argued, "Smarter than them, at least." She threw her hands in the air dramatically, an exasperated expression on her young face. "Those imbeciles will get themselves into more trouble without me!"

"Maybe, but there won't be any books to throw at the bandits." He said slyly, trying-and failing-to hide a grin.

Elaine snapped her mouth close, it had opened when she realized what Gaius was teasing about. "Merlin told you about that?" Gaius stayed quiet, but his grin affirmed her question. "That was one time! I thought he was an intruder!" She fumed, "Instead of mocking me, maybe you should remember who was the one that made the sword that defeated the wraith."

"The dragon?" He asked cheekily.

Elaine's eye twitched as she tried to keep herself from hitting the infuriating man, she had learned that hitting your elders was frowned upon in her society. "No, the one who figured out to give the sword to the dragon."

"Merlin?"

"No, the one who read the story to Merlin!"

"Geoffrey?"

Elaine breathed in deeply through her nose before exploding, her hands flying up in the air again as she started pacing at a faster pace. "It was me, Gaius! Merlin would be lost without me!"

"I'm sure he would be fine, Elaine."

"Doubtful," She muttered, throwing herself into one of the chairs, her anger making her exhausted. She glared gloomily at the table in front of her, tracing her finger along the rings in the wood. "You would think that he would at least say goodbye."

The door opened for Arthur wearing his riding clothes, his appearance made Elaine perk up from her seat. "Gaius, can I have some traveling herbs to take with me?"

Gaius frowned, "What for?"

He paused, causing Gaius and Elaine to share a knowing look with each other. "For uh.. a hunting trip and just incase I get hurt."

Elaine laughed at his horrible lie, she didn't waste time calling him out on it. "You're going after Merlin, aren't you?"

Arthur gave her a look to be quiet, "No."

"Good, I'll come with you." Elaine announced, standing up from her seat with a proud grin. "It will take just a moment for me to get my things."

"It's a hunting trip, you can't- Oh, just forget it." He dropped his facade, and pointed his finger at her forcefully. "You are not coming with me to Ealdor."

"Yes I am." She asserted, putting her hands on her hips to look more intimidating, her short stature contradicted her intimidating skills."You'll need my help."

"I don't think I will need someone to throw books at the barbarians." Arthur argued sarcastically with a smirk, Gaius started laughing as he packed the herbs for Arthur.

"Did Merlin tell everyone about that?!" Elaine yelled out in frustration.

Gaius and Arthur smiled at each other; the prince taking the bag that Gaius had handed to him. "Go ahead and take Elaine with you." Gaius declared, "I don't think I will ever get any work done with her around."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She grumbled, crossing her arms defensively.

They both ignored her; Arthur nodded, "Very well." His tone reflected the agitation he was feeling with this, but he wasn't going to argue with Gaius when he had just done him a favor. "Go get your bags and meet me in front of the stables." He uttered to Elaine, opening the door for her to leave.

Elaine nodded her head in agreement and ran to her room to do as he said. It's about time, I was starting to think that I was never going to be able to go. She met Arthur in front of the stables as he asked; he had two horses with him, both saddled and ready to go.

"What are you wearing?" He demanded, seeming to be very irritated as his eyes moved down her clothes.

She approached him at a slower pace than before, confused by his question. "It's my riding gear." She attached her two bags to the palomino Elaine assumed she was going to ride, the other one was occupied by Arthur's saddle bags.

Arthur stepped forward to help her on to her horse, "It looks like something Morgana would wear." He observed, the clothing was tighter than what she usually wore and adh breeches instead of a skirt.

Elaine looked down at her clothes also, perplexed as to why he was so vexed by them. "She probably would, it was a gift from her."

Arthur sighed and shook his head disparagingly, dropping his disagreement to her attire. He handed Elaine the reigns to her horse, she took them awkwardly as she settled in the saddle. He scrutinized Elaine as he got on his own horse. "When was the last time you rode a horse?"

Elaine shrugged, but regretted it immediately as it made her lose her balance. She clumsily regained her spot on the saddle and smiled sheepishly at the look he was giving her. "I can't remember."

"Have you ever rode a horse before?" He asked, starting to seem concerned.

Elaine bit her lip to distract from her burning cheeks, "I might have rode once or twice as a child."

"Once or twice?" Arthur repeated with aggravation, "Well then you better keep up. I want to catch up with them by tonight."

"Ouch!" Elaine cried out, snapping the reins at the horse. "No! Bad horse. Bad!"

"Elaine!' Arthur shout from where he rode ahead of her. "What in the world are you doing?"

"How should I know?" Elaine shouted back, somehow she had ended up turned around in her saddle. One moment she was trying to get to the jerky she had packed in her bag, and the next she was facing the wrong direction, bent forward in the saddle. Her leg was caught in one of the stirrups, the other was was caught in the folds of her cloak. Her horse wasn't bothered by her situation, he had wandered over to the edge of the road and was munching on the grass that lined the path. She could feel frustrated tears burning in her eyes, "Why did I think this was a good idea? Merlin was right in not taking me with him."

"I was thinking the same thing." Arthur replied sternly as he rode over to help her. His shoulders lowered when he noticed the wetness of her eyes, "It's not that bad." He tried soothing her. The horse turned and Arthur could how much she had botched up in the the saddle, the sight causing him to laugh. "You really don't know how to ride a horse, do you?"

"No," She responded miserably. "I really don't."

Arthur hopped off of his horse and walked over to her, it took awhile, but he managed to get her untangled from the saddle. Elaine clumsily fell off of the horse and onto the ground; the only thing that had kept her in the saddle was what she was tangled up in, and once it's support was gone, she was too.

"Ow." She moaned, laying sprawled on the ground.

Arthur chuckled and started moving his bags on to her horse.

"Um- Arthur, obviously I'm no horsewoman, but won't it be harder for me to ride with all of that stuff?" She questioned, getting off of the ground.

Arthur tightened the bag's straps, "You won't be riding Samson anymore." He told her, patting the horse's neck.

"What?" She inquired, "Do you expect me to walk?"

Arthur grinned, "Of course not. You're going to ride with me on my horse." He took Samson's reins and tied them to his horse's saddle. He turned to Elaine and held out his hand for her to take, "Come on then."

Elaine looked daunted by him him and his abnormally large horse, "I think I would rather walk."

Arthur grabbed on to her, before she could walk away from him, and pulled her over to him and his horse. "Don't be afraid. it's not like he bites." He lifted Elaine on to the saddle, "At least not pretty girls like you." He added mischievously.

Elaine pursed her lips, does that mean that he bites other things? Somehow that doesn't ease my worries. She blushed when Arthur pulled himself up behind her and wrapped his arms around her to take hold of the reins. After all the times that they had been at each other's throats these past few week, this situation just oozed awkwardness. He flicked them and the horse started trotting down the road as Elaine sat uncomfortably in the saddle.

"This is weird," She mumbled after a pause, trying to shift into a more comfortable position away from Arthur.

"Only weird if you make it weird." Arthur muttered annoyed with her, and clearly trying to ignore her antics.

Elaine got one leg up to shift her position when, abruptly, she was sitting side-saddle. "Uh…" She grabbed onto Arthur tightly, not wanting to fall off.

"Congratulations, my Lady, you made it weird." Arthur announced irritatingly, helping her move in the saddle to face forward again. "Should have made you walk." He muttered, his tone not suggesting whether he was joking or not.

"That's rude." She told him and straightened her spine, she decided that she was going to prove to him that she could ride this horse just as well as him.

"Elaine, wake up. I think I can see their camp up ahead." Arthur shook her gently, waking her from her sleep.

Elaine eyes opened blearily, what in the- why is there chainmail in front of my face? Her gaze traveled up and she realized she had been staring at Arthur's chest. "Okay, how did this happen? I fell asleep facing forward." She spoke frustratingly, she vowed to never ride a horse again. They were more pain than they were worth.

"You move in your sleep," Arthur replied as an explanation as to why she was straddling the horse backwards and using Arthur's chest as a pillow.

Elaine inhaled through her teeth, looking around at the darkened forest. "Sorry about this." She apologized, feeling her overwhelmed frustration with all of this. Who knew riding a horse was so hard?

Arthur shrugged his shoulders, he honestly hadn't minded it much, it reminded him of old times with Phillip. He swung off of the saddle and laid a hand on her arm to keep her from doing the same. "Stay here just in case it's not their camp." He commanded her in a hushed tone and unsheathed his sword.

Elaine nodded, and watched as he went around the trees to approach the camp from the other side. Once he attention was no longer on her, she fumbled off of the horse. Don't need to stay on you longer than is necessary. The horse looked at Elaine with his scary brown eyes that seemed to peer into her soul; he neighed softly and went to bump his head against Elaine playfully. She squealed and ran after Arthur, believing that the horse had been about to bite her.

Arthur grabbed onto Elaine when he heard her approach, he glowered at her. "I told you to stay with the horses."

"I thought you might need my help," She lied then pointed at a distant figure. "Hey, it's Merlin." She observed the boy that had yet to notice them. "What is he doing?"

"He probably heard you and believe you to be a barbarian." He grinned and ducked his head. He whispered to keep Merlin from hearing them, "Too bad you don't have a book to throw at him."

"No, I do." She looked over at the horses, "It's in my bag, I can go get- oh." Her brows lowered as she glared at him, "You're teasing me again." She crossed her arms, sulking away from him. "Are you and Gaius ever going to let that go?"

Arthur grinned playfully, his eyes glinting in the moonlight, "Come on, let's go tease Merlin."

Elaine shared his smile, uncrossing her arms as they snuck up behind Merlin. She made sure that she only stepped in Arthur's footprints so that she wouldn't make any noise. When they were close enough, Arthur poked Merlin in the back with his sword. "I'd ask you for money, but I know you don't have any."

Merlin spun around, swinging his sword and almost accidentally beheading Arthur and Elaine. It was a good thing Arthur had enough reflexes for the both of them, or Elaine definitely would have lost her head. "Arthur!" Merlin cried happily then noticed the female figure behind Arthur, "Elaine!" He yelled with the same enthusiasm.

"Put the sword down, Merlin." Arthur demanded sternly, then added with exasperation as he walked past the servant to the camp. "You look ridiculous."

"Elaine, you should get some sleep." Arthur told Elaine as Merlin started up the fire.

"I'm good, I got enough sleep on the horse." She rebuked, sitting next to him on the log, Merlin sitting down on the other side of Arthur.

Arthur made a face, showing his disapproval, but he didn't argue with her. They were in a good moment in their relationship after all the time they had spent together on the horse, and he wasn't about to ruin it. He looked at Merlin, "How much farther is it?"

"Uh- maybe a few hours." He answered, rubbing his hands together for warmth.

"How many men does Kanen have?"

"Oh, I'm not sure." He glanced at his mother, "I think from what my mother's said, maybe as many as 40."

There was a lull in their conversation. "We should get some rest." Arthur told Merlin, Elaine noticed how Arthur seemed more resigned when he heard the number. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

"Thank you," Merlin looked at hands abashedly. "Um… I know you didn't have to come. Either of you." He said sincerely, giving them appreciative looks.

"Get some sleep." Arthur responded, and walked away from them, settling on his bedroll.

Merlin watched him then looked at Elaine with confusion; She shrugged, "He's emotionally challenged." She explained, "For him that was a good response."

Merlin grinned and went to his own bedroll, Elaine observed the two as they tried to get comfortable. "I'll take watch," She declared, glowering at them when they started to laugh.

"Good one, Elaine." Merlin replied covering himself with his blanket as Arthur said, "You'll be asleep within the hour."

After they finished eating breakfast, Merlin's mother walked over to Elaine. "We haven't met yet." She said as an introduction, "I'm Merlin mom, Hunith."

"Lady Elaine." She replied, standing up to properly shake her hand. "But a mother of Merlin's is a friend of mine, so please, call me Elaine."

She smiled warmly, "Thank you for coming to help. Not many would."

"It's no problem, truly." Elaine replied bashfully, her cheeks burning at the compliment.

"Still," She pressed, "Thank you." Hunith walked away from Elaine when Merlin called for her; Elaine went to her horse.

"Hello, Samson," She greeted, cautiously petting the horse's flank as he watched her with his big brown eyes. "Are you going to be a good boy today?"

"Elaine, you do know that horses can't talk." Arthur joked, cheekily grinning and putting their bags onto Samson.

"Wait," Elaine held up her hand to stop him. "I'm not riding with you again, am I?"

Arthur made a sour face and tied Samson to his horse's saddle pommel. "After I told everyone about our ride yesterday, nobody else would take you."

Elaine sighed, "Not even Gwen?"

"She was the first to refuse." He told her as Arthur helped her onto his horse, then swinging himself up into the saddle behind her. "Can't blame you though. It's not your fault you're afraid of horses."

Elaine could feel his smug grin emanating from behind her, "I'm not afraid of them." She argued indignantly, causing him and everyone else to chuckle at her fierce defensiveness. This is ridiculous, I'm not afraid of them. She crossed her arms, "At least I'm not afraid of-" She pursed her lips, trying to think of something he was afraid of. "Arthur, what are you afraid of?"

"Nothing."

Elaine snapped her fingers and grinned proudly, "Admitting when I'm wrong!" She shouted triumphantly. "At least I'm not afraid of admitting when I'm wrong." She repeated, causing Merlin and Morgana to laugh as Arthur grumbled his dissent.

It was late in the morning when they reached the top of the valley that held Ealdor, from their viewpoint they could see the barbarians had returned to the village. Arthur clicked his tongue at the horse, flicked the reins, and dug his heels into its side. The horse started at a full gallop down the hill as Elaine held on tightly to the saddle.

"Arthur, what are you doing?" She shouted over the wind whistling in their ears, her hair whipping out of her braid.

He didn't answer her, instead he took a sheathed dagger out of his belt and handed it to the girl. She took very reluctantly, her eyes widening, "Whatever you're thinking about doing-"

Arthur grabbed Elaine by the waist, cutting her off as the neared the edge of the village and flung her out of the saddle into a cart of hay.

"-don't do it." She finished with a groan, lying on the hay, even though she doubted he could still hear her. She fumbled out of the hay, gripping the dagger close to her side, as Merlin and the rest of the group rode past Elaine into the village. She ran after them, strands of hay falling off of her with each step.

Arthur threw one of his swords at the feet of a barbarian, stopping Kanen from killing a villager. He hopped off of his horse, practically diving into battle; Merlin joining right after him. As Arthur was fighting one barbarian, another ran up behind him hoping to catch him unawares.

"Morgana!" Elaine yelled, she nodded at Elaine she had noticed the man too, but she was too busy with her own barbarian to do anything about it.

Arthur finished the man he had been fighting with, when that man fell, Arthur noticed the barbarian coming at him. Before he could try to defend himself, the bandit's eyes rolled backwards as he collapsed to the ground. A dagger had been hurled at him, still sheathed, and had struck him in the back of the head. Arthur looked behind the stunned man and stared befuddled at Elaine; she glared at him with her hands on her hips, "Throw me off of a horse one more time, and next time I'll let you deal with them by yourself."

Arthur stepped over the barbarian towards Elaine, her serious attitude producing a large grin to spread across his face. "If I knew that you still had your skills in darts, I wouldn't have."

The barbarian stood up from the ground, groaning as he did, but Morgana was there before he could fully recover. It took only one swift movement of her sword to defeat him, Arthur moving in half the time she did to try to do the same.

"Getting used to being saved by girls?" Morgana teased him, moving on to the next barbarian as Elaine laughed.

"That's not what happened," Arthur tried arguing.

"You'll pay for this," Kenan yelled as he straddled his horse. "With your lives!" He added as he rode off with what was left of his men, "All of you!"

As Merlin gathered the villagers for a meeting, the girls stood with Arthur where he could address all of the villagers without difficulty and could be seen by all of them. "I know Kanen's kind," Arthur spoke, starting his speech as he addressed everyone crowded around him. "He'll be back and when he is, we must be ready for him. First of all we have to prepare-"

"Am I the only one who is wondering, who the hell this is?" A young man interjected, making his way to the front of the villagers to confront Arthur more directly.

"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot." Arthur said addressing the crowd, a small frown marring his face from the boy's rudeness.

"Yeah, I'm Prince William of Ealdor." The young man, Will, replied sarcastically; he seemed very doubtful of Arthur's heritage if you went off of the expression on his face and the tone in his voice.

Elaine had to hide her grin from Arthur when he turned around to look at the girls with disbelief, she could tell that this man was aggravating him.

"Keep quiet." Hunith commanded him, her annoyance with Will was clear on her as it was on Arthur. "He's here to help us," She vowed to all of her neighbors.

"He's made things worse." Will stressed, "Kanen will be back and when he is, he'll be looking for revenge." He pointed at Arthur accusingly, "You just signed our death warrant!"

Hunith shared an odd look with Merlin, Elaine began to believe that there more to this than it seemed. She attested angrily, "He saved Matthew's life!"

"It's alright, Hunith. This is his village." Arthur claimed, trying to placate the villagers and Hunith. "What would you have us do?" He directed his question at Will.

"We can't fight against Kanen." He insisted, trying to get his village to see his logic. "He has too many men."

Arthur pressed, "So what's the alternative?"

"Give him what he wants." Will advocated to his village, purposefully, to avoid looking at Arthur.

"Then what?' Arthur asked him, raising his voice over the murmuring crowd. "Those of you who don't starve to death, will face him again next harvest and the harvest after that."

"We'll manage, we'll survive." Will contented, but he could tell that he was fighting a losing battle.

"How?" Cried many of the villagers, Will had no answer for them.

"The only way he can be stopped," Arthur spoke up, "Is if you stand up to him."

"No!" Will dissented sharply, glaring at the prince. "You just want the glory of battle. That's what drives men like you."

Arthur looked away from the young man, at a loss for a reply.

"Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people. Not ours." Will told him and stormed away, Merlin calling his name and following after him.

"I'll follow you," Hunith spoke bravely, directing the attention back on Prince Arthur. "If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting."

"That goes for me too." Matthew assented, stepping up next to Hunith, the rest of the villagers joining in with their agreement.

Arthur approached Elaine after supper, sitting down next to Elaine in the grass on the hill that overlooked the village. "Hi." She mumbled, drawing random shapes into the ground.

"What are you doing?" He asked her, stretching his legs out in front of himself.

"Nothing," Elaine replied, pausing in her drawing of Kilgharrah.

"Is that a dog?" He wondered, nodding his head at her drawing.

Elaine blushed embarrassedly, "Yeah. That's what it is." She lied not wanting to embarrass her skills as an artist with the truth.

"It's good," Arthur also lied.

"Thanks."

"Actually, I wanted to thank you and apologise for tossing you… earlier." He spoke very uncomfortably, 'I'm sorry's and 'thank you's weren't his forte.

Elaine smiled and looked away from her drawing, inspecting Arthur with her sapphire eyes. "This isn't easy for you, is it?"

Arthur chuckled, "That obvious?" He asked her, his smile was hesitant; this was their longest conversation with each other, that hasn't sorted itself into an argument, in five years.

Elaine bit her lip, "You're welcome then for saving your life."

Arthur cocked his head to the side, "I don't know if I would say that." He rebuked, his hand playing with the hilt of his sword.

Elaine made a surprised face at him with her mouth hanging open. "Really?" She fought the urge to laugh, "What would you call it then?"

Arthur grinned at her peculiar expression, "Well, I mean…" He paused searching for the right words. "I had it under control."

Elaine didn't manage hide her laugh any longer, it burst from between from lips. "Oh, is that so? My eyesight must have been playing tricks on me."

Arthur looked away from her, his neck reddening, he quickly changed the subject to get away from his embarrassment. "Do you think they can do what needs to be done?" He asked Elaine, looking at the glow of firelight from the village below.

Elaine pursed her lips and her eyes followed his gaze, "I do." She stated sincerely, "They all have something to fight for. Remind them of it and everyone will have the strength they will need."

Arthur's eyes darkened as a frown marred his fair face, "Except for that one man, Will." He looked at Elaine, "Could you believe those things he said?"

"I liked him," She announced, smiling at the thought. "It took gall to do what he did."

"Of course you do," Arthur muttered, "You would like anyone who speaks out against me. Reminds you of yourself."

"Well, you're not wrong." Elaine pursed her lips when he continued to stare sullenly at the village. She nudged him with her elbow, "I threw that dagger pretty good, eh?" She bragged, a light smile coming to her face.

Arthur glanced at her, trying to ignore his own smile. "It wasn't that good." He teased Elaine, leaning back on his elbows.

"Are you joking?" Elaine moved her arm back, pretending to hold a dagger between her forefinger and thumb. "I saw him coming," She pointed at an invisible figure in front of them. "Aimed," She scrunched up her face, as if she was trying to look closer at her surroundings. Arthur began to laugh at her, provoking a grin on her face. "Then…" She propelled her fingers forward, letting go of the imaginary dagger. "Bam! Right in the 'noggin!" She looked at the snickering prince, "You couldn't have done it better yourself."

Arthur abruptly stopped laughing, "Oh, that's where you're wrong." He rebuked standing up from the ground. "If it was me, that barbarian would have stayed down."

Elaine scoffed as Arthur used his hands to help her off of the ground, "Please. If it was you," She laughed, "You would have been too concerned on how your muscles looked as you threw the blade than where you were aiming." She whistled and swiped her hand over her head, "The blade would have went sailing past the man."

It was Arthur's turn to scoff, "We both know that your brother was the narcissistic one." He jested, nudging her playfully with his hand.

Elaine gasped and looked at him with hurt, "Are you mocking my dead brother?"

Arthur froze, his eyes widening from fear. "No! Uh- I- um- I'm so sorry," He stammered out an apology quickly, getting himself overwhelmed to avoid an altercation. "That was so rude of me. I-"

Elaine smiled and laid her hands on him to calm him down, "It's okay." She hurried to say to stop him from making his head explode. "I was kidding. I'm not actually hurt about what you said. We were joking around, it was a joke."

Arthur sighed heavily, relaxing his shoulders. "You had me there. I thought you were about to start crying." He let a breathy chuckle, relief seeping into his bones.

Elaine made her face turn serious, "It's easier to make jokes about it. I have to laugh," She faked a sniffle. "Otherwise, I just-" She choked up here. "-start crying." She wailed and covered up her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking from her faux sobs.

Arthur was about to start spewing more apologies, when he realized that she was joking again. He glowered at her, and stormed off, heading back towards Hunith's home.

Elaine laughed watching him leave, "Arthur wait!' She called running after him, he paused in his steps to let her catch up to him. "It was just a joke. I'm not actually going to start crying. I save that for when I'm going to sleep at night." She joked, he groaned and continued to walk away. "What? Too far?" She called after him, a large smile on her face, it was a lot fun to tease him.

"You deserved getting tossed into the hay!" He yelled back at her, his tone angry as he fought the grin pulling on his lips.

"You still haven't learned how to dress yourself?" Morgana asked Arthur the next morning, her joke caused Elaine to snort and almost choke on her breakfast.

Arthur glared at Morgana and Elaine, "You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself." Arthur replied as Merlin helped him get dressed, he added as an afterthought. "No offense, Merlin."

"None taken." Merlin conveyed his disinterest, his attention focused on his work.

"Prince Arthur, you didn't finish your breakfast." Hunith reminded Arthur and handed him a bowl that was filled with the aforementioned food. Morgana and Elaine shared a smile as they finished getting dressed, observing Arthur and Merlin's mother.

"Didn't I?" Arthur asked with fake enthusiasm that Hunith didn't notice.

"Come on, eat up." Morgana teased Arthur, Elaine nodding and grinning in agreement.

Arthur started to bring a spoonful to his lips, but when Hunith wasn't looking he handed the bowl to Gwen. "Mmmmm," He moaned loudly and appreciatively for Hunith to hear. "Right, let's go then. We need wood, and lots of it." he told Merlin, dragging him out of the house.

"Of course," Merlin agreed, willingly being dragged as Morgana and Elaine followed after them with smiles.

"I won't be able to teach you everything there is to know about fighting with a sword." Morgana, Gwen, and Elaine heard Arthur say to to the male villagers that he was teaching how to fight. Elaine was helping them sharpen the weapon for the inevitable battle with Kanen's men. Since she had never sharpened weapons before this moment, she would finish one in the time that it took them to finish three. "But you can learn the basics: the stance, parry a blow, how to land your own."

"There's no way they're gonna be able to hold Kanen off." Morgana spoke to Gwen and Elaine, glancing away from her work to Arthur.

"Men aren't the only ones who can fight," Gwen responded, her fierce determination making an appearance on her face. Elaine couldn't help feeling awed by their strength.

Morgana smiled at Gwen as Elaine ducked her head, a part of her feeling embarrassed that she didn't have their passion. "Better start figuring out a way to convince Arthur." She told them, handing Gwen her finished sword, reminding them of the stubborn prince.

When Arthur told the men to take break and went over to the well to get himself a drink of water, they approached him. "Looks like the battle's already fought and lost." Morgana stated as they observed the men already collapsing to the ground after Arthur's training.

"They'll toughen up," Arthur replied firmly, returning his gaze to his cup.

"They need to," Gwen uttered, she and Morgana weren't impressed by the men, and were rightly so.

Arthur pursed his lips, he had a feeling something was up with them. His gaze went to Elaine, she was unusually quiet and her eyes were strangely avoiding looking him in the eye. Instead she was staring at the men with a line marring the space between her eyebrows. "How are we doing with the weapons?" He asked them, changing the subject away from the men.

Morgana spoke up first, they had planned it this way. "The weapons are not our problem. They are fine." She spoke plainly, hoping that he would see their reason. "It's having enough people to use them."

Gwen added in a stronger tone, "We think the women should be allowed to fight."

Arthur looked down at his cup as he raised it to his lips, his chest rising suddenly from a silent chuckle. He shook his head as he drank from his cup, not bothering to give them a straight answer, finding the idea to be ridiculous.

"You haven't enough men," Morgana asserted, her face tightening from his infuriating behavior. "If they were trained soldiers maybe you'd stand a chance, but they're not."

He stepped away from the well, giving Gwen and Morgana hard looks. "It's too dangerous," Arthur proclaimed, ending their conversation by walking away before they could reply.

Elaine pursed her lips and clasped her hands behind her back, "Well, I'm not one to say I told you so, but-"

Morgana flipped her head around to glower at her, whipping her shiny, ebony hair over her shoulder. The look she was giving Elaine was enough to make a giant shut up, Elaine had no chance. Morgana stalked away from them, going back to the weapons to continue with the work, the villagers practically diving to ground to avoid getting in her way.

Gwen gave a barely sympathetic look to Elaine, "You are one to say I told you so." She reminded her friend, laying her hand on Elaine's shoulder with a kind smile.

Elaine laughed and wrapped her arm around Gwen's shoulder, the two girls following after Morgana in higher spirits.

The next morning, Elaine was helping Hunith with chores around her home by washing the breakfast dishes with a bucket full of soapy water outside of the hut. Gwen had kicked her off of weapons duty when Elaine had accidently dropped a load of recently sharpened swords on her feet. Luckily the only damage done was dirtied swords, plus a few bruises on her ankles and the tops of Elaine's feet. Merlin had told her she was lucky considering the damage could have been much worse, but that had done nothing to help her attitude. Feeling like Gwen had banished her to a life of solitude while she and Morgana got to have all the fun, it was an irrational sullenness brought on by envy.

"Look at them," Elaine spoke snidely to the dish she was scrubbing with a rug that faintly resembled one of Merlin's scarves. "Laughing like that. I very much doubt that sharpening swords can be that humorous." She glowered at the plate she was holding, "You'd think with the battle looming before us us, things would be very stoic. But oh no, everything's jolly for those too. Because Gwen has her nauseating optimism and Morgana can defeat anything with just her attitude and look her best while doing it."

"Are you talking to a plate?" An unfamiliar voice asked, a flabbergasted expression stuck on his face as he came around the side of Hunith's home.

Elaine was startled by Will's sudden appearance, and accidently dropped the plate into the bucket, splashing water all over her skirt. Elaine gaped at the stain on her dress then glared at Will, "Do you have a problem with that?" She practically growled at him, directing her all of her frustration and annoyance at the young man.

Will held his hands up in defense against her fierceness, "Not at all. I was just curious, do all women from Camelot talk to the dishes?"

Elaine pursed her lips to keep a smile from coming to her lips, she could tell that he was teasing her. If she was being honest with herself, she didn't entirely mind it. "Do all men from Ealdor sneak up on women from Camelot while they are having a nice chat with the dishes?" She mocked him, tilting her chin down and looking up at him from beneath her lashes.

Will's brows jumped slightly, "Uh-" He stammered, hurrying for a witty response with a bashful and silly grin coming to his face.

Elaine stood and used a dry cloth to dab at the mark on her dress, "Usually it's custom, for a noble man to apologise after ruining a perfectly fine dress." She teased lightly, a small smirk tugging on one side of her lips.

Will stepped towards her, "I'm no nobleman." He replied, his light eyes darkening slightly. Their conversation dropped off as he and Elaine observed each other; she found him to be oddly fascinating, he was definitely not who she thought he was.

A villager suddenly screamed, interrupting their flirtation, they could also hear the thudding of a horse's hooves galloping into the village. Will rushed past her, Elaine was not far behind him, although she soon lost him between the crowding villagers. She maneuvered her way to the front where the people were circled around a horse and its fallen rider.

"Get him down from there," Arthur shouted and two men hurried to get the body on to the ground.

Elaine moved over to Gwen, their hands instantly gripping onto each other tightly at the sight of the dead man. Everyone was silence as they stared at Matthew's corpse with a bloodied arrow in his back and a slip of paper attached to it. Arthur kneeled down to rip the note off of the body.

"What does it say?' Merlin asked what everyone wanted to know, but were too shocked to ask.

"Make the most of this day," Arthur answered with a disgusted expression. "It'll be your last."

"Matthew!" A woman wailed, the crowd opening up for her. "No!" Arthur moved away from the dead body as the woman collapsed to her knees. She grabbed desperately at it, "No! No!" She cried, weeping and holding Matthew close to her.

"You did this! Look what you've done!" Will yelled at at a dismayed and wide-eyed Arthur. "You've killed him!"

Merlin spoke up to defend Arthur, "It wasn't his fault."

"If he hadn't been instructing everyone," Will shouted, pointing at Arthur and glaring fiercely at him. "Treating us like his own personal army, this would never have happened."

"These men," Arthur spoke, desperately trying to turn this around. "Are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you aren't."

"You're sending them to their graves," Will stressed, everyone's eyes going to Matthew and his weeping widow. "You've killed one man. How many more need to die before you realize this is a battle that can't be won? When Kanen comes, you haven't got a chance. You're going to be slaughtered." With his point being made, Will left the crowd of torn villagers and a very upset Arthur.

Afterwards, Elaine went back with Hunith to her home to continue helping with the chores. Finishing the dishes inside because Arthur had taken her spot outside to sharpen his sword. Merlin eventually joined him after he had talked to Will, not very successfully if his expression was anything to go by. "Will's father was killed fighting for King Cenred." Merlin stated, Elaine and Hunith overhearing their conversation from where they were inside the home. Arthur paused in his work and waited to hear what else Merlin had to say. "So he doesn't trust anyone of nobility."

Arthur voice sounded very downtrodden when he replied, "Do you think the villagers believed him?"

"No." Merlin answered, Elaine could tell he was smiling because of the familiar tone in his response. "He's always been a troublemaker. They're used to ignoring him."

"And if he's right?"

"He isn't." Merlin argued fiercely, he had barely let Arthur finish his question when he answered.

"I'm treating these men like soldiers and they're not," Arthur gestured with his hand. "You've seen them fight. they haven't got a clue." His voice lowered, "You need to tell them all to leave before Kanen returns."

Merlin was fierce in his rebuttal, his passion and faith were admirable. "No. we're going to stay, we're going to fight, and we're going to win."

"Merlin," Arthur said sharply. his hands clenching from the tension in his body."It can't be done. The odds are too great."

Elaine looked at Hunith at the same time she looked out the door at the two, her face was one of maternal concern and worry. It wasn't a expression Elaine had seen often, she couldn't look upon it for long.

"It can," Merlin refused to let Arthur have this one. "We're going to make Kanen rue the day he ever came to this village. All you need to do is get the men ready for battle, and the rest will take care of itself."

"How?" Elaine perked up, she paused in her work, wanting to nowk the answer to Arthur's question as much as he did.

"You've just got to believe in them." Elaine's eyes went to Hunith, Merlin seemed to be implying something stronger than faith. "Because if you don't, they'll sense it. And the battle will be lost before is has even begun."

That night Arthur had everyone gather into one of the homes for a meeting. "Tomorrow morning," He spoke in a resigned tone. "The women and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods."

"We're not going anywhere," Gwen interjected, pushing herself to the front and standing her ground with Morgana and Elaine beside her.

"I know you want to help." Arthur tried placating them, "Women can't stay here, it's too dangerous."

"The women have as much right to fight for their lives as the men do." She argued, her fierce attitude caused even stubborn Arthur to glance away with doubt.

"But none of you know how to fight." Arthur tried reasoning, a part of him was coming to terms with the fact that he was wrong.

Elaine smiled sardonically and looked around the crowd, the men don't either.

"The more of us there are, the better we stand." Gwen asserted, the women stepped forward and joined the crowd. The people seemed to double in size from the added benefit.

Arthur looked away from her, reluctantly stepping down from the argument to concede to Gwen. "This is your home, if you want to defend it that's your choice. I'd be honored to stand alongside you." Arthur walked in a circle around the people, "Kanen attacks tomorrow." He continued stoically, "Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he'll never defeat is. Look around in this circle we're all equals." His eyes briefly met Elaine's as he paced in front of the fire, his silhouette darkening from the light shining around him. "You're not fighting 'cause someone is ordering you to. You're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes, you fight for your family, you fight for your friends." Elaine smiled in awe at him, he had a great potential for being the king she knew he could be, it was a shame he could be such an ass at times. "You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes, fighting for your very right survive!" Arthur turned in a circle, his voice had risen to a loud and passionate tone with each word he spoke. "When you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day and you'll know you earned the right- the right to to live every day between. So you fight! For your family! For your friends!" He raised his sword above his head, "For Elador!"

The villagers stood, raising their fists and weapons in the air, "Ealdor!" They chanted together, inspired by the prince as Arthur was inspired by the villagers.

Not long after Arthur's speech, as everyone prepared for tomorrow, Elaine noticed that Merlin had gone missing. She went to Hunith's home, assuming that he would be there. She wanted to talk about him tomorrow, about how he was going to use his magic. She was right about his location, when she was close enough, she could hear his faint voice inside the home. Elaine stole over to the window, wanting to hear him better.

"What's wrong?" She could hear him ask with concern.

"I should have never gone to Camelot." Hunith responded in a shaky voice, it produced a frown on Elaine's face. "I've ruined everything for you."

"You haven't," Merlin asserted, his confusion seeping into his tone. "Why would you say that?"

"I know what you're planning to do," She explained quietly, Elaine had to strain her ears to hear Hunith.

Merlin sighed deeply, after a pause of silence she heard him reveal his intentions. "If it comes to a choice between saving people's lives and revealing who I really am… there is no choice."

"You can't let Arthur know about your gift."

"Why not?" Merlin argued, "Maybe it's meant to be this way. And if he doesn't accept me for who I really am, then he's not the friend I hoped he was."

There was a lapse in their conversation and Elaine entered the home, barely rapping on the door before barging in. "Merlin, can I talk to you?"

They both jumped up then relaxed when they realized that it was only Elaine. Merlin nodded and stood up from the bench he had been sitting on with Hunith. "I'll be back, mother." She smiled lightly in reply as he followed Elaine out of the house to the outskirts of the village.

"If you're going to tell me to not to use magic tomorrow-" Merlin started to say when Elaine interrupted him.

"I'm not."

"Elaine, I…" His voice dropped off as he registered what she said, Merlin gaped at her, Elaine the Opinionated not telling him to do was like Kilgharrah saying kind words to Uther. "You're not?" He had to clarify to make sure his ears weren't deceiving him.

"No."

Merlin frowned, "Well, why not?" He asked her angrily.

Elaine shrugged and moved to sit on a log, patting the place beside her for him to sit down. He did when she refused to say anything else until Merlin sat. "It's not my place to tell you what to do," She stated frankly, "It's your magic to use as you see fit."

"Mind telling my mom and Will that?" Merlin mumbled, very bitterly, glowering at the ground.

Elaine smiled comfortingly and laid a hand on his, "Merlin, they care about you." When he didn't reply, Elaine asked him what she had been wondering for a while now. "Do you honestly think that Arthur would have you burned for your magic?"

He gave her a troubled look, "It's his duty as prince."

Elaine sighed and gripped his hand tighter, "Merlin, give him more credit than that." She raised her voice to make him hear her clearer. "He helped that child get home to his people. A stranger." She smiled kindly at him, "He would do a lot more than that for a friend. He cares about you, even if the big blockhead wouldn't admit it aloud."

Merlin chuckled, sharing her smile hesitantly. "Big blockhead?"

"Yeah," Elaine's smile widened, she stood up without letting go of Merlin's hand. "Come tomorrow, no matter what happens, I'll stand by you as your friend. You won't be alone, I won't let it happen."

The next morning, as Hunith cleared the table from their breakfast, and they started getting dressed for the battle. Arthur pulled the youngest one aside to speak with her, "Elaine, you're going to leave with the children and everyone else who isn't fighting."

Elaine shoved his hand off of her arm, "What?" She glared at him, this had to be some sort of joke. "I am most certainly not!"

Arthur tried to keep himself from getting upset with her, he assumed that he would have gotten used to the brat's anger by now. "Yes, you are. It's been decided." For once, he wished she would listen to him. She used to do whatever Phillip had asked her to do.

Elaine poked Arthur in the chest, "Listen-"

Arthur grabbed onto her finger, "No, Elaine, you listen."

Elaine gawked at him, regaining her thoughts, she ripped her finger out of his grasp. "Just because you're you, and that we've become friends again, doesn't mean that you can order me around. What happened to your speech last night about fighting for your reasons not because someone told you to!"

"That's different," Arthur argued, unintentionally he stepped towards her, his larger size being used as an intimidation tactic. "I'm not telling you to fight my battles, I'm telling you to not to."

"Okay," Merlin stepped forward to try to calm them down. "Maybe we should-"

Two blonde heads whipped towards him, their fiery sapphire eyes glaring at him. "Shut up, Merlin!" They yelled in sync, causing Merlin to jump away from them with his hands held up in front of his chest.

Elaine looked back at Arthur, their glares directed at each other now. "You can't keep telling me what to do. You're not him! I'm going to fight!"

"You're right, I'm not him! That's why if you don't listen to me, I will go tie you to a horse and send you back to Camelot!"

Elaine gaped him, "That's ridiculous!"

"You're ridiculous!"

Elaine flinched, she set her jaw and lifted her chin up. "Nobody will let you. Merlin wants me to fight, tell him Merlin." She turned her head to look at friend, strangely, he kept his mouth closed.

Arthur's tone turned softer, "It wasn't just me who decided this."

Elaine's gaze moved to Arthur with shock then looked around the house to see if it was true, none of them protested. Elaine's eyes went to Gwen's, her friend avoided meeting her eyes. "You agree with this?" She asked, trying not to sound as hurt as she felt.

"It was my idea," Gwen admitted, her brown eyes finally meeting Elaine's.

Elaine glowered at her, "So all the stuff about women being able to fight, doesn't apply to me?" She questioned harshly.

Arthur exhaled a breath and Elaine turned her eyes to him, "This isn't about you being female. You're young-"

"I'm fifteen!"

"And you're hurt."

Elaine looked down at her feet, glowering at them. "They're fine. She pointed at Merlin, "He saw them. Tell them, Merlin."

Merlin pursed his lips as he might her eyes, hesitantly he looked at Arthur. "It is only a few bruises. None of the bones were cracked-"

"See?!"

Merlin continued after her interruption, earning back Elaine's glower. "But you have been walking with a limp and haven't been able to stand for long periods of time."

"Merlin!" She whined, wondering whose side he was on.

"Elaine, that's enough!" Morgana stepped forward, her voice harder than the others had been. "Your behavior is only proving that we are right to do this."

Elaine gaped at her, "But-"

"No but's!" Morgana scolded, "If you are as willing to fight as us then you will have no problem doing what we ask."

"Someone will need to protect those who can't fight," Arthur reminded her.

"It's an important job," Gwen added.

Merlin nodded and interjected, "Not many people could do it."

"But I want to protect you guys," She responded without any enthusiasm, turning her head to look at Arthur; she realized that they were trying to cheer her up after-what felt like to her-being stabbed in the back.

Arthur sighed and put his hand on her shoulder, "We can protect ourselves, and we'll have each other." He tenderly shook her shoulder to try to remove the hurt from her eyes. "They'll need you more than us; they don't have anyone. What if one of Kanen's men finds their trail and follows after them? What are they going to do? Or what if something bad happens to us, someone will need to get them to safety."

Elaine nodded her head as she frowned at the floor, "I understand that, but why does it have to be me?"

"Because I trust you and I know that you can do this."

Elaine couldn't help the hopeful smile that came to her face as she looked up at Arthur, "You do?"

Arthur grinned bashfully, he patted her shoulder and let go of it. "Of course, we all do." He cleared his throat and stepped away from his cousin.

It was to late for him, Elaine had seen his genuine care for her in his eyes. A part of her always knew it was there, but still, it was nice to be reminded of it. "Aw!" She leaped and hugged him, her chin resting against the top of his chest so she could look at his reddening face. "Arthur, you do have a heart!" She exclaimed happily, everyone starting to laugh at the sight of them.

"Of course I do." Arthur frowned and pushed her away from him, "Everyone does." He looked at the others for help when she refused to let go, they didn't move to answer his plead. "Alright, alright." He patted her back, "Let go now."

She did, and placed her hands on her hips. "Okay, I can do this for you on one condition." She smirked at him, "You have to say please."

Arthur glowered at her, "I'm not going-"

"Come on, Arthur!" Morgana interrupted him, "Just say please."

"Fine…" Arthur's glower worsened as he refused to look at Elaine, "Please." He muttered bitterly, rushing the syllables so it was more incoherent than it needed to be.

Elaine fought the urge to add more conditions, she didn't want to break him. "Alright, I'll do it." She relented half-heartedly.

"That's the spirit," Arthur handed Elaine one of his daggers, "Since you're such a champion with them, your weapon of choice."

Gwen walked over and strapped the blade to Elaine's belt, "Hopefully you won't need them." She hugged Elaine quickly, "Goodbye." She said quietly and let go of her.

"Bye Elaine," Morgana also gave her a hug.

Elaine smiled and told them to be careful, her eyes turned to Merlin and she stepped over towards him. "I would say try not to do anything stupid, but I know that you can't help it so…"

Merlin laughed, "Okay. time for you to go."

Elaine grinned and thanked Hunith as the woman handed Elaine her bag. "Be careful, dear." The woman warned kindly, surprising Elaine by giving her a hug.

Elaine stepped away from her and glanced to the door, before leaving she rushed back to Arthur and hugged him again before he could protest. "Bye blockhead." She mumbled against his chest, "Don't be like Phillip."

Arthur stiffened then wrapped his arms back around her, "I won't." He promised, after giving her more time, he gently removed her from himself. Arthur could see the people not fighting beginning to leave outside. "Take care of yourself."

Elaine nodded and headed for the door, adding one last few words before leaving. "I just want you guys to know that if any one of you dies…" She paused for emphasis, giving them hard glares. "I'll be really pissed." They all smiled faintly, not realizing that Elaine was being serious. She left the home and joined the group of children and elderly, leading Samson behind her.

An elderly woman led the group to a shelter of trees not that far from the village. The children entertained themselves by taking turns riding Samson, which Elaine found absurd. How can they find it fun to ride the giant, lumbering horse in a circle then scream and cry until it was there turn again? It was weird, also one of them was bound to hurt themselves by falling off or getting under the hooves. Despite her disagreements with it, Elaine continued to let them ride the big oaf. Helping the rambunctious little ones onto the horse, holding them in place as she led Samson forward, then helping them back down when their turn was over.

"Make him go faster!" A little girl in braids yelled at Elaine, her smile showing off her two missing teeth as she kicked her legs against the horse's sides.

"He's not going to go any faster if you keep kicking him like that." Elaine scolded and held her leg down to make her stop.

"Oh," The girl replied and went very still, "Now, can we go faster?"

Elaine sighed and shook her head, "Not now."

"That's no fair!" One boy accused angrily, pointing a chubby finger at the little girl with braids. "Lizzy can't go faster, I didn't get to!"

"Too bad!" Lizzy replied snidely and stuck her tongue out at the boy.

The little boy stuck out his tongue also, and made a face at her, his hands cupping the side of his ears.

"Enough," Elaine scolded tiredly, picking Lizzy up and setting her on the ground. She stared them down as they continued to stick their tongues at each other. "You know, when you stick your tongue at someone it means you want to kiss them," The two tongues got sucked back into their respective mouths faster than you could blink.

Lizzy shrieked and dashed behind Elaine's skirts, "I don't boy couties!" She whined, her hands clutching on to Elaine's dress.

"Then why do you want to kiss me?" The boy asked, grinning cheekily.

The girl gasped and peeked out from behind Elaine, dragging Elaine's skirt with her. "I don't! You're icky!"

"You wanna kiss me!" The boy sang.

"I don't!" Lizzy yelled, feeling embarrassed as the rest of the children began laughing. "I'd rather-"

"Gwen?" Elaine asked quietly, seeing a familiar form following the path to where the group was at, another form walking with her. Once she recognized that it was indeed, Elaine called her name as loud as possible, "Gwen!" Several of the children around Elaine clapped their hands over their ears and grimaced. "Oh, stop that!" Elaine reprimanded them. "I've had to deal with all of your yelling and complaining for the past few hours."

"Elaine, everything go as planned?" Gwen questioned once she reached her; the woman with Gwen scooped up one of the children and planted a kiss on their head.

Elaine took hold of Samson's reins, "Yes. If you can call these brats a plan. Never leave me with a bunch a of children ever again." Elaine begged Gwen, lowering her voice so none of the kids would hear and get their feelings hurt.

Gwen laughed, "Let's get heading back." She told them, leading the way back to Ealdor with everyone following behind them.

"How did things go on your side of things?' Elaine asked quietly, she needed to know eve if she wasn't sure she was prepared for the answer.

Gwen looked at Elaine with sad eyes, "There were a few deaths, but we won. Kanen is dead," Her eyes hardened when she spoke the barbarians name, but then softened again as she shook her head sadly. "Will is dead too."

Elaine went very still for a moment, then shook off her sorrow for another time. "How's Merlin taking it?"

"As good as expected, considering."

Elaine's face was marred by a frown, "Considering what?" She questioned, Elaine was confused by Gwen's new tone.

"He was a sorcerer," Her tone was harsh, but it sounded forced, like Gwen wasn't entirely sure why it should be. "Saved us all with his magic. Created a whirlwind that brought the battle to an end, then saved Arthur from an arrow and paid for it with his life."

Will's a sorcerer too? What a coincidence that he and Merlin are both- oh, he lied to protect Merlin. Elaine swallowed and shook off a chill that ran down her back.

Gwen noticed her shudder, "It's okay. The magic is gone now." She tried comforting her, thinking that was what was bothering Elaine. "They are going to burn the dead when we get back."

Elaine nodded and breathed in shakily, "Right, I'm fine. Merlin will need us to be there for when they do." She wrapped an arm around Gwen's shoulders and faked a smile to make her believe that Elaine truly was okay. "He'd be lost without us."

"I'm sorry," Arthur apologised as he stood next to Merlin at the front of the crowd; Morgana, Gwen, Hunith, and Elaine standing off a little ways away and watching the pyre burn. "I know he was a close friend."

"He still is," Merlin replied, his voice was calm from his somber feelings.

"You knew he was a sorcerer, didn't you?" Elaine's eyes darted over to Arthur, a fierceness in them as she heard his harsh tone. She clenched her hands together to keep from striding over to Arthur and slapping him. "That's what you were going to tell me."

"Yes, it was." Merlin lied resolutely, his voice sounded rough.

"You know how dangerous magic is. You shouldn't have kept this from me, Merlin." Arthur scolded and waited for his words to sink in; once he felt like they did, he walked away from the funeral with Gwen and Morgana following him.

Hunith went to comfort her son and hugged his arm, "You should be going." She told him softly, her soothing voice made Elaine look away. Suddenly remembering a similar funeral pyre from a long time ago and when Elaine had been alone.

"I don't have to go."

Elaine's eyes saddened as her shoulders slumped, she felt guilty that she was hurt when he said that.

"Yes, you do."

Merlin faced his mother, "If anything were to happen to you-"

"I know where to find you. You have to go, Merlin. You belong at Arthur's side." Merlin's gaze went above Hunith's head to Elaine; feeling his eyes on her, Elaine turned her head to stare back, his face was unreadable to her.

"I've seen how much needs you, how much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin."

Elaine ignored the slight twinge of jealousy when Merlin looked away from her and at Arthur with a happier expression. "I've heard someone say that about us before." He told his mother, a slight grin on his face. He hugged his mother, "I'm gonna miss you."

She hugged him back, "I'm gonna miss you too." They pulled away from each other, "When you left, you were just a boy. Now look at you, I'm so proud of you." She stated firmly and kissed his cheek as Merlin blushed. "When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then, you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone."

He nodded in reluctant agreement, and stepped out of his mother's embrace. They said their last goodbyes then Merlin went over to Elaine who had still not left her spot by the pyre that had now been reduced to embers. The ashes were a soothing comfort to her in their familiarity. He smiled his unique grin at her, "You didn't hear any of that, right?"

"Which part am I supposed to say no to?" She teased him, loving the blush that came over his cheeks. When he groaned, she wrapped an arm around his, pulling him close to her. "I'm kidding, it was sweet seeing you with your mother like that."

Merlin smiled bashfully, "Oh- uh… well, thanks. I think." He responded awkwardly and led them to where Arthur and the others were waiting for them. They already had the horses loaded, Samson especially. Merlin's smile quickly dropped though when Arthur yelled at them, "Elaine! You're riding with Merlin!"

How'd you like Elaine's flirting? Mine is nothing like that, I wish I was witty, but sadly I am a fumbling fool around my crushes. It gets real ugly, real fast.

To my lovely reviewers:

fantasy.92 - I got a C in Spanish so I'm gonna quit while I'm ahead and just go with "Hello"! Do not EVER apologize when you're reviewing, I don't care if you are a year late. How do you feel now about Elaine's and Arthur's relationship? Still making sense? I believe your question has been answered about Nimueh above. Yes, at this point in time, it is going to be Percival as her MAIN love interest. Nothing is set in stone, and there will be others. I obviously took your update soon to heart, your welcome. Bye bye.

Domino2 - SAME!{about the love triangles, OCs, and frustration about it} Mmmm... it's not that she can see ghosts per se. She does have a magic that differs from Merlin's and it does connect to her magic. I don't want to give you any spoilers. It is not dark magic, you are right about that lol. I have indulged in Arthur X OC stories as well, but I think it's a wild rabbit hole that I don't like falling into. Thanks for continuing to read! Thanks for the good luck.

HPuni101 - OooooOOoooooo, there is a deeper reason. You are right. I kind of said what it is in the flashback, or at least Phillip said it, but I won't be going into it until next season. Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it! I actually do have a beta though, she's my cousin lol. Best wishes for you too, I don't know if you have finals or anything big coming up, but best wishes anyways!