Ella woke the next morning exhausted. She reached under her bed and pulled out the note she had written the night before. She rolled it up and tied it up with a red string. Placing it under her bed once more, she headed up to Arthur's room.

"Morning." she called to him as she opened the curtains. He groaned at the sudden light. Ella smirked and tossed him a shirt.

"Thanks." he mumbled.

"No problem." she told him with a smile.

"You seem to be in a good mood." It was a question.

"Why not? The sun's shining and it's a beautiful day. It's a good day to be alive." Ella's voice quieted with the last sentence. It's a good day to die too, she thought sadly. Arthur just shook his head. "So what do you need me to do today?"

"I was thinking of going hunting. Perhaps you should accompany me. Merlin doesn't seem like he would do very well." Arthur said, a slight grimace of distaste at Merlin. Ella smirked a bit.

"I think I could manage it." she told him.

"Good. I'll meet you at the stables. Have two horses saddled and prepared. I'll bring the weapons." Ella nodded and left. She slunk into Gaius's chambers and pulled the note out. She left it on the table before heading out to the stables. Saddling Ranger was easy for her and she moved on to Arthur's horse. It was a bit more of a challenge for her, simply because the horse was so much larger and she was short. Eventually she managed to get the horse ready and led both out to the courtyard. She didn't have to wait long before Arthur came pounding down the steps. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded and moved the horse so he could mount. Once he was up she handed him the reins.

"Permettez moi le do thoil?" she asked him. He bobbed his head in reply. She swung up onto his back and turned to Arthur. He had a strange look on his face.

"What was that?" he asked.

"You have to ask Ranger before mounting. I trained him. It makes him near impossible to steal. Besides, when everyone's shouting commands in a battle he never gets confused because I taught him in Gaelic." Ella explained. Arthur nodded approvingly.

"An interesting strategy." he said.

"Yes. Effective. Shall we go?" Arthur nodded and the pair took off for the forest. Once inside they slowed down and began searching. They dismounted and were sitting in a lookout point waiting for prey when Arthur finally spoke.

"So is this how it's always going to be? You in the morning and Merlin later?" Arthur asked to break the awkward silence. Ella swallowed. She knew this would probably be her last day. So for her, yes. The two days were always for her.

"I don't know. Perhaps." she decided on the casual answer. Arthur nodded. "Why?"

"Just wondering." Arthur mumbled.

"Ah." The awkward silence returned. "Sorry." Ella finally managed to get it out. Arthur looked at her curiously.

"For what?" he looked rather confused.

"I know Merlin and I are going to make a lot of mistakes. So I'm just apologizing now." Ella said out loud. Actually I just wanted to be able to tell you in person, even though I can't tell you the real reason why. I just want you to know that I would trust you with my life and I think that you truly will be the greatest king Camelot has ever seen. And I'm sorry for what I've done. I wish it could have been avoided and we could have gotten to know each other. You seem like a wonderful young man and I'm sorry that I won't be able to see what you become, was what ran through her head.

"Oh. Well thanks. I guess." Ella just smiled, trying to conceal her sadness. They returned to silence, this time focusing on the hunt though. Not a sound came from the forest around them. But Ella's trained ears caught something. She knew it was a human, the steps were too clumsy to be an animal. Sure enough, a man stumbled into their sight. Ella was glad that they had concealed themselves. The man didn't notice them at all. Ella however, definitely took notice and recognized the man. Knowing Arthur wouldn't be happy with it, she hurled her dagger at the man's chest. Her blade found its target and the man dropped. "What was that?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Precautionary measures." Ella said as she slipped out of their hiding place and retrieved her dagger.

"He was an innocent man. He didn't harm us." Arthur still didn't understand.

"No he wasn't. He was a bandit. I recognized him. He would have harmed us. Well, he definitely would have harmed me, or at least tried to." Ella scowled at the man's limp form.

"One who attacked your home?" Arthur asked.

"Yes." Ella replied. She was on edge now. If he was out in the woods, who knew if any others were too.

"Maybe we should go back. I haven't seen any possible animals anyway." Arthur shrugged.

"Yes I think we should." Ella had only half heard him. Her mind was already working ahead and searching around for any signs of danger. They returned to Camelot and headed up to Arthur's chambers. Ella put away the extra weapons and looked to Arthur.

"Are you all right? You seem a bit shaken up." Arthur looked at her, surprising her with genuine worry in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Really. What else would you like me to do?" she asked, hoping to get away from the question.

"Make the bed." Arthur suggested. He hadn't really had much of a plan in mind. Ella strode over to the bed and began straightening the sheets and pillows. Arthur sank into one of the chairs. Ella was finished with the bed quickly.

"Now what, sire?" she asked. She figured this would be one of her last chances to talk to Arthur and decided to try to be nice.

"I don't really have anything that I can think of. Just take a seat until Merlin comes." Arthur gestured to one of the free chairs. Ella sat down, looking confused.

"Are you sure everything's all right?" Arthur asked and leaned forward in his chair. Ella sighed and sunk farther back into hers.

"I suppose." Ella said. Arthur looked hard at her. "I've just got some things to take care and I'm worried." Ella caved.

"What things?" Arthur was curious, not angry.

"Personal matters." Ella said. She didn't want to tell him. He would probably hate her for it. And she didn't want to die knowing that he hated her. Arthur nodded. A part of her did want to confide in the future king though. Unfortunately, her decision was made for her when Merlin knocked on the door. "Go to Gaius's chambers later tonight. Right after supper." she told him as she stood up to leave. Her hand was on the door handle when she turned around one last time. "Goodbye Arthur." she said with a smile at the young man. He returned the smile and her own broadened. She was glad that she had gotten to see one last true smile from him. Merlin pushed the door open and she slipped past him without a word. Once in the hall she regretted it. "Merlin." she called back.

"Yes?" he poked his head out the door.

"Good luck." she told him. He smiled at her and she returned it. She was grateful to know that her last memories of them would be of them smiling. She turned back and returned to their chambers. Captain barked happily when she opened the door. "Hey buddy." she said and knelt to pet the gray dog. He bounced up and down trying to lick her face. She giggled and let him lick her chin. Sighing, she rose and returned to her bed. She sat down on it with another sigh and pulled her belongings up to the bed. They seemed so unimportant now. She decided to leave her bow and arrows. They wouldn't be of much use in the confined space. She had her sword and her dagger as well as her cloak, not a weapon though very useful. Rifling through one of the bags, she pulled out a small leather pouch. It jangled when she moved it. All the money she had in the world. It would be foolish to save it, she couldn't use it from beyond the grave. She stuffed the bag into her pocket and stood up. Her note was where she had left it to be found. Hopefully someone would come and be able to kill some of the bandits that survived. If she was going to die, she was going to take as many of them as she could down with her. She also hoped that if any soldiers came they would take care of her body. A proper burial would be nice, not that she could appreciate it. Nothing else of her possessions really seemed all that important. She knelt in front of her dog once more. "Take them to me." she looked into his amber eyes. The dog's response was a lick on the nose. "Good boy." she stroked his head before rising once more. She turned and walked out of the physician's chambers for the last time. Once outside, she could see that the sun was low in the sky. "I guess this is it." she murmured. She saddled Ranger and rode out towards the old fort with only one glance over her shoulder for a last look at Camelot.