Chapter 10: The Moment of Truth
Juliana had been back at home for three weeks now. She loved her village and being with her mother, but Juliana also missed Merlin and her friends in Camelot, and she missed Arthur.
Since she had returned to Ealdor, Juliana had been keeping busy by helping her mother with taking care of the house, and when she wasn't doing that, Juliana was helping care for the injured and sick people of the village.
This particular morning Juliana woke up before Hunith and got dressed for the day before walking to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her mother. Once breakfast was made, Juliana went to wake her mother.
Hunith roused from her sleep and smiled at her eldest child, "Good morning, my dear."
Juliana returned the smile, "Good morning mother. I've already made breakfast for you. It's waiting in the kitchen. I have to go make my rounds, but I will see you in a few hours." She leaned down and placed a kiss on her mother's cheek before departing.
Juliana was in Matthew's home tending to his wife, who had a deep gash on her leg that, had Juliana not been there, would have probably gotten infected.
"How does it feel?" Juliana asked as she began removing the bandages
Marry smiled at the young woman, "Oh it feels much better today."
Juliana agreed, it seemed to look as though it was healing perfectly. The two women chatted nonsensically as Juliana redressed the injury. Once she had finished, the ladies said their farewells, and Juliana continued making her rounds.
One of her patients was a young, newly married woman, barely older than herself, and she was pregnant with her first child. Of course with this child being the couples first they were also very nervous. The young woman was nearing the end of her pregnancy and they called for Juliana nearly everyday, afraid that something was wrong, or that the baby was coming.
Juliana loved going to see the woman, and couldn't wait to help her deliver her beautiful baby into the world, but at the same time, every time she saw the woman Juliana couldn't stop thinking about her future and having children of her own. That would once again circle her thoughts back to Arthur and what their children would look like, not that they would ever have children together. But, it still made her think.
She had just finished her last stop of the day when they came; she was walking through the village square as some bandits arrived. Men began hopping off their horse and started searching through people's homes.
"Search the place!" The leader yelled, "Find him!"
Juliana was confused; the village people didn't seem at all shocked that these men were here. How many times had this man stolen their food supply? She saw her mother standing on the other side of the square, the bandits between them, so there was no way to race to her. They had to simply wait for the men to finish searching. They finally found Matthew and pulled him into the square.
One of the bandits handed their leader a couple of bags of food, "It's harvest time, what is this? Where's the rest of it?"
"I only kept back what we need to survive!" Matthew countered
"Survive?" The Bandit leader asked rhetorically, "I'll be back in one week, Farmer. I want the rest of it."
Suddenly, Hunith shot forward, "You cannot take our food! Our children will starve! I won't let you do this!" She cried as she tried to grab the food from him. "You're not taking any of it!"
Juliana ran forward, "Mother, no!"
She reached them just in time to shove her mother to the ground and take the blow the man dealt out, knocking her to the ground as well.
"Hunith, Juliana!" Robert, an old friend of her mother's, ran to help them, only to be shot down by the Bandit leader.
"I'll give you a week. Don't you dare disappoint me." He looked down from his horse and leered at Juliana, "I'll be seeing you later, lovely." Then they rode off, and Matthew and Will came over to help to the two women off the ground.
Once they were on their feet, Juliana raced to the man who had been shot. She pulled out the arrow and began healing him magically, and soon enough he was left with a simple bruise. Many of the villagers knew of her abilities, and because she had helped and healed so many, they didn't fear her magic to be evil. They didn't, however, know about Merlin.
One she was finished, Juliana turned to look at her mother and Will, "Who was that man?"
Hunith sighed, "That was Kanen…" She went on to explain exactly what had been going on since she and Merlin had left, with Will chiming in every once in a while.
After Hunith had finished speaking, Juliana frowned at her, "Why didn't you send for Merlin and I. you know we would have come to help."
Hunith nodded, "I know dear one, which is precisely why I didn't write to you about it."
Juliana began rubbing her temples, she could feel a headache beginning to form, "We're leaving for Camelot tomorrow and getting help."
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Merlin's life had gotten exceptionally harder after Juliana left to go visit their mother. Not only did he miss his sister, But Arthur had spiraled into a type on depression since she departed. He had become ruder to everyone, and hardly ever smiled. He was at the training ground working his knights to death, and when he wasn't there he was terrorizing the servants of the castle.
Merlin tried to comfort him by reminding Arthur that she wouldn't be gone forever, but all that seemed to do was make the prince more cross with him. Eventually, he gave up the pretence and began questioning Merlin daily if he had received news from Juliana. No, Merlin couldn't wait for his sister to get back.
He had finally gotten a break from Arthur by going to fetch some water from the well. And that was when he noticed the two women that had entered Camelot's gates and were now walking towards the castle.
Merlin took a quick glance then turned back to what he was doing, until it dawned on him just who those women were.
He stood up and began walking towards the two women, "Mother, Juliana!"
Hunith's eyes lit up at the sight of her baby boy and Juliana smiled, "Merlin!"
Merlin and Hunith held each other tightly for a minute before releasing her and reaching out for his sister, until he noticed her black eye and bruised cheek.
Suddenly the happy Merlin that had greeted the women was gone, and was replaced with a very angry brother, "What has happened? Who did this to you?"
Hunith spoke up, "Let us discuss this on the way to your uncles."
They began moving as Juliana explained everything to her brother.
"Some bandits have been terrorizing the village." Juliana informed him, "a couple of days ago he showed up and tried to take the village's entire harvest. Mother tried to stop him, but before he could hurt her I pushed her out of the way and took the blow myself."
Merlin had gotten angrier with every step, "You've come to request help from the king?" he asked and the two women nodded.
"You know who you have to speak to about this?" he looked solely at his sister this time and once again she nodded.
They finally reached Gaius' chambers and Juliana stopped them before they entered, "I'm going to find Arthur and see if he can get us in to see the king, Merlin make sure mother rests." And once mother and son were inside, she walked further into the castle to find her prince.
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Juliana made to the prince's chamber and knocked on the door. Once the call for her to enter was heard, she opened the door and stepped into the room. Arthur was sitting at his table rooting through some paperwork. Arthur had obviously just gotten back from the training filed; he was garbed only in a sweat covered tunic and a pair of breeches. He didn't even lift his head when Juliana shut the door behind her.
Seeing him for the first time in so long, Juliana felt her insides clench tightly at the sight of his shaggy blonde hair and sweaty attire. She was suddenly consumed with an unrelenting desire to press herself against completely and to never leave his side again.
Juliana was a little shocked that she was having such an overriding reaction, and had to take a couple of breaths to calm her racing heart. She desperately wanting to drag him to his giant bed and allow him to take her right at that moment. But she had more pressing maters to deal with.
Thinking it was just Merlin coming back with the water for his bath Arthur commented sarcastically, "How long does it take someone to fetch some water, did you get lost?"
Juliana didn't reply for a moment but when she did all she could utter was a quiet, "Hello Arthur."
Upon hearing her voice for the first time in three weeks Arthur quickly spun around in his chair, his face holding an expression of complete shock. His eyes landed on Juliana and he could barely believe his eyes. She was here, in front of him, she was home.
The two gazed at each other in silence for a moment, Juliana's teeth dug into her bottom lip, eyes locked with Arthur's. She was waiting on him to make the first move, to decide is he still cared about her if he wanted to give them a chance.
Arthur was the first one to break their silence, "Juliana." He said breathlessly, dumbfounded that she was finally before him once more.
He stood from his chair and made the first move, taking a step in her direction, eyes focused on her trying to take in all of her.
"Arthur." She spoke his name again and her voice was a welcome sound that he hadn't heard in too long. He's missed her more than he even thought he would at the beginning. Arthur had spent the entire time she was away thinking about her. This had been the longest they had been away from one another since she came to Camelot.
They began walking towards each other as if there was in invisible cord drawing to the two together. They met in the center of the room and Arthur reached out to place a hand on her cheek. Juliana brought her own hand up to cover his, her eyes wide as her heart beat rapidly in her ears, and her eyes watered with tears of happiness.
When her skin touched his, a heat began to move through Arthur and he was consumed with his need for her; and he was just about pick her up and carry her to his bed when Arthur finally noticed her black eye and bruised cheek. And just as suddenly he was consumed with a fierce anger and a need to protect her.
Arthur tilted her face to get a better look at her and asked, "Who did this to you?" his voice, deadly.
Juliana's eyes shifted downward nervously, "That's why I've returned. Come sit and let me explain." She motioned to the table and the two sat together holding hands as she explained what had happened at the village.
Arthur was furious at the bandit that had struck his woman and promised to get her mother and audience with the king. And then they were forced to part ways once more, him to go speak with Uther, and she had to go to her mother and inform her.
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Arthur had done as promised and now Hunith was standing before the king with her children slightly behind her. Arthur was on his father's left and Juliana was on his right as they listened to the woman's plight.
"The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children. 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." Juliana had never seen her mother beg for anything before, Hunith was a proud woman; but she knew that if the king didn't help then their village would surely perish.
Uther was frowning, "Ealdor is in Cenred's kingdom, your safety should be his responsibility."
Hunith shook her head, "We've appealed to our king, but… he cared little for the outline regions." She swallowed and looked up at the king pleadingly, "You're our only hope."
Uther was silent for a moment as everyone watched him in anticipation. He looked over to where Juliana was standing, saw the bruising on her face, and knew that his son couldn't have taken that well. He cared for this young girl but his hands were tied.
Finally he spoke, "I have the deepest sympathy for you, and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
Hunith and the siblings looked up hopefully, "You'll help us?"
Uther shook his head remorsefully, "I wish I could."
Arthur frowned, angered as his father's decision. He wanted a chance at the monster that had hit his woman, "Surely we can spare a few men."
Uther looked to his son, he knew what was going through the boys head, "Resources are not the problem." He replied, leaning back against his throne.
"Then what is?" Lady Morgana spoke up in a hard tone. He best friend's home had been attached, and she had been hurt. Morgana wanted justice for her friend.
Uther sighed, much like his son and guardian, he was fond of the young girl and if he could think of any way to help he would, "Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war."
Hunith dropped to her knees before the king and both Juliana and Merlin stepped towards her, "I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."
Uther sighed sadly, "The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help. Trust me, if there was any way for me to help without breaking the alliance I would. Juliana has become as dear to my heart as my own ward."
It seemed as though all hope was lost until Juliana stepped forward, "Forgive me, Majestly, but may make a suggestion?"
Uther frowned but nodded all the same.
Juliana bowed graciously and stepped next to her mother, "My brother and I will be traveling with our mother regardless, but perhaps you could allow just two or three trusted knights to accompany us in peasant garbs. They could train the villagers in basic skills to defend themselves from these bandits."
Uther thought on the idea. From what Hunith had said, Cenred didn't worry over the outlining villages so his guards would be in no danger of being discovered. And Uther knew that with Juliana and her brother, Morgana and Arthur would follow the two.
The king turned to Arthur and asked, "What are your thoughts on this?" though he already knew the answer.
"It seems like a tactically sound strategy Father, I think with the right men it could actually work."
Uther nodded in accord, "Very well then. Choose two men to accompany you and travel to Ealdor. Be on your guard and do not let anyone know you are from Camelot."
Morgana stood to her feet then, "I am going as well."
Uther frowned and shook his head, "No Morgana, I cannot allow you to do that."
"But I can fight, I'm better that some of your knights and Juliana is one of my best friends, I have to help them. If you deny me this, I will just follow them behind your back."
Uther sighed in defeat, "Fine, you may go. Just make sure to be careful."
And with that everyone exited the council chambers to begin preparing for their journey.
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Once everyone had prepared themselves they reconvened at the stables. Merlin, Juliana and Hunith were the last to arrive. Arthur, Morgana and Gwen were ready and waiting with the two knights Arthur had chosen to accompany them, Ser Leon and Ser Ewan. He had chosen these two particular knights not only because he knew he could trust them, but also because he knew they had a soft spot for Juliana.
Everybody set out Ealdor and they rode until nightfall hit, when they decided to stop and make camp. Hunith sat with her two children by the fire as Merlin filled her in on what had been going on in their lives since moving to Camelot.
While she listened, Hunith couldn't help but notice the affection looks the prince and her daughter were sending each other. She was worried about Juliana getting her heart broken; there was no way a relationship between those two would come to anything but tears. But she was also glad for the prince's love for her daughter; at least she knew the girl would be protected in the big city.
Finally Juliana stood up and walked over to sit beside the prince and the two began having what seemed like a private conversation.
Hunith sighed, "They shouldn't be here; especially the prince and Lady Morgana." She motioned her head over to the young Lady and her maid who were already asleep for the night.
Merlin snorted, "It's not like we could have stopped them, Arthur is completely besotted with Juliana and Morgana has become a close friend of ours."
"It won't make a difference to kanen that they're women. It certainly didn't matter when he hit your sister." She muttered worriedly before walking over to sleeping mat and lying down for the night, and Merlin followed her lead.
Meanwhile Arthur and Juliana were sitting on the other side of the fire; Arthur was taking the first shift to keep an eye out so that left him and Juliana the only two awake until his shift ended.
"How much further is it?" Arthur asked her quietly as she played with his fingers.
Juliana frowned in thought, "Only a few more hours, I believe."
He nodded his head before smirked at her, "And do have to worry about any men vying for your attention?"
Juliana laughed quietly, "You're the only man I've got my sights on."
Arthur smiled lovingly down at her, "Good, I'm glad to have you all to myself."
"So you have decided that you want to pursue our feelings for one another?" she questioned him
Arthur frowned, "It was never a questioned for me. You are the one that had to leave to figure out your feeling."
She shook her head, "That wasn't why I left and you know it."
"I know, but I never doubted my feelings for you. I want us to try and give our relationship a chance."
Juliana smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. The last thing she remembered was the feel of Arthur running his fingers through her hair as he placed a kiss on her cheek.
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The next day the arrived in Ealdor only to find Kanen and his men already there, attacking the people. Kanen was about to deal Matthew a final blow when Arthur launched his sword at him, embedding it in a post mere inches away from the bandit leader's face. Kanen was shocked and turned to face the group riding into the village, giving Matthew the opportunity to move away.
"Kill them!"
Arthur and his knights dismounted and began fighting the Bandits. Merlin also dismounted and started fighting another bandit.
The girls arrived and the four dismounted as well. Unlike Merlin Juliana actually knew how to handle a sword and could defend herself.
Merlin ended up caught against a door in his sword fight with now way out, "Hætende."
He muttered and the bandit's sword began heating up causing the bandit to drop his sword. Merlin took the opportunity and killed him.
A bandit came up from behind and tried to attack Arthur, but Morgana parried and killed the man, saving Arthur, "Bring back memories of when I used to beat you?" she taunted the young prince.
Arthur scoffed, "That never happened." Though most of his attention was focused on making sure Juliana didn't get hurt.
Finally Kanen mounted his horse completely livid with the turn of events and his men quickly followed example, "You'll pay for this, with your lives. All of you." Kanen then turned to stare at Juliana and sneered, "I'll be back for you, pretty." And with that the men rode off.
Arthur walked over to Juliana to make sure she was alright; Kanen's threat had rattled them all. Juliana assured him that she was fine, but Arthur was adamant that she stay by his side after that.
"Merlin? Gather the villagers. I need to talk to them." Arthur called over his shoulder, still not releasing Juliana.
Merlin called back, "Yeah, in a minute I'm just talking…" only to be cut off by Arthur.
"No, now Merlin, there isn't much time."
Juliana turned to see where her brother was, only to find him talking with Will, their childhood friend. She pulled herself away from Arthur to walk over to Will, causing Arthur to stop what he was doing and watch her walk over to an unknown man and hug him tightly.
Arthur frowned, who was this boy that had his hands all over his woman?
"So," Will started, "Seems like he's mighty fond of you." He nodded towards Arthur who was sending glances over at them.
Juliana blushed slightly and gently shoved Will in embarrassment. He just chuckled and followed her to where the entire village was gathering around the new comers that she and her brother had brought.
Juliana moved to stand slightly behind Arthur, and Will frowned in confusion as he watched the blonde man reach out and squeeze her hand gently before letting go and turning to address the crowd.
"I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back, and when he is we must be ready for him. First of all we have to prepare for…" but he was interrupted.
"Am I the only one wondering who the hell this is?" Will asked as he moved forward a bit in the crowd.
"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot. My father sent me and my two best knights to help you with your bandit problem."
Will scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Right, and I'm Prince William of Ealdor."
"Keep quiet, he's here to help us." Hunith scolded the young boy.
Will frowned, "He's just made it worse. Kanen will be out for revenge now. You've just signed our death warrants."
Juliana stepped forward this time, "He just saved Matthew's life!"
Arthur reached out and grabbed her hand pulling her closer to him, "It's alright Juliana, this is his village too. What would you have us do then?"
"We can't fight against Kanen, he has too many men." Will expressed.
Arthur crossed his arms, "So, what's the alternative?"
"We give him what he wants." Will offered and the villagers shook their heads and murmured their disagreements on his plan.
Arthur frowned angrily, "And then what? 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."
"The only way he can be stopped is if you stand up to him." Arthur raised his voice, this boy was starting to piss him off.
"No. You just want the honor and glory of battle! That's what drives men like you! Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours!" Will shouted before he started to turn and storm off.
Arthur's next words stopped him in his tracks, "And what of Juliana? I'm sure none of you missed his leering looks and vile comments towards her. If your idea is to give him what he wants, then should we also give him, her?"
Will turned and glared viciously at the prince before storming away, with Merlin following behind trying to talk some sense into the boy.
After he had left however, the rest of the village declared that they were ready to stand up to Kanen and defend their town.
Hey Guy's sorry it's been so long. I've been super busy lately with working, and my boyfriend broke his foot. Anyway, i'm back now and here's a new chapter for everyone. Don't forget to review!