Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters. I only own the ones that I've made up myself.
Thanks everyone for the kind reviews and for the people who are following this story!
A/N- I'll respond to the reviews at the bottom because I don't want to spoil anything ;-) *wink wink*
I guess this is the anticipated chapter?
- x Milou Lilly
Chapter eleven: The moment of truth
The Princess stood in the middle of the forest, holding the reins of a rambunctious steed in her hands. The steed grew weary of standing still for so long, and Lyanna sympathized with the creature for she grew tired for this unknown person to show itself.
Her eyes were watching the forest around her as she white knuckled the leather reins of the horse in her slender hands. There was an air of uncertainty here that she did not approve of. In her unease she tightened one hand into her grey dress.
The steed pulled back against her hand, his whinnies becoming nervous as anxiety burned in his brown eyes. Sharply, the Princess pulled on the reins and then soothed the horse with a gentle stroke of her hand. In the back of her mind, a thought stirred as she stroked the horse's soft muzzle.
The sound of boots walking over the ground drew Lyanna's attention at to see a woman stepping in the clearing. Her long ebony colored hair was weaved into a braid to the left side. Her clothes were stained with dirt, and slightly damaged. There were dark circles around her eyes, the sign that she had hit it hard.
"Is everything alright?" Lyanna asked gently, dismounting Lumiere.
The woman nodded, even though she could tell that wasn't the truth. "I'm fine."
Lyanna looked through the leather satchel that was attached to the saddle until she found some healing supplies. "Let me look after that for you," she kindly offered, motioning for the woman to sit down on a nearby boulder. "I don't remember seeing you here before."
"I'm not from here," she answered honestly as Lyanna started to rub some ointment on her sore skin, which immediately felt refreshed. "I came here to ask an audience with the King. I come from a small village. We barely have enough food as it is, and there is this barbarian who demands that we give our harvest to him. If we do our children surely won't survive. We need his help."
Lyanna straightened herself, meeting her gaze. She felt sorry for what had happened to her and knew that she needed to do something to help her. "I'm going to arrange that audience with the King for you. You have my word."
"Really?" she asked in astonishment. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, miss –"
"Lyanna," she filled in, putting the supplies back into the satchel. "There. This should heal in a short time."
The woman's sky blue eyes widened, and she couldn't help but feel as if she recognized those eyes from somewhere. "You're the Princess," she stated in bewilderment. "I apologize for not noticing that before. My name is Hunith."
Lyanna knitted her eyebrows in confusion. That name sounded awfully familiar. There had only been one person who had mentioned that name before. "Do you happen to have son?"
Hunith nodded. "I do, Milady. He left Ealdor nearly a year ago to stay with the court physician in Camelot," she answered, smiling at the thought of him.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Does his name happen to be Merlin?" she guessed, trying to contain a grin.
"How do you know that, Milady?" the woman asked puzzled.
"Because I know your son," Lyanna said, standing up to fetch Lumiere. "He ended up as the servant of my brother. He is a loyal friend to me."
Slowly, Hunith stood up as well. "He's a servant?" Lyanna nodded. "How is he doing?" It astonished Lyanna that Merlin hadn't even written his mother a letter to inform her how he was doing here in Camelot.
Lumiere snorted when Lyanna grabbed his reins. "I believe that's something we can discuss while we walk to rest of the way to Camelot."
The woman smiled at her with gratitude as she followed the Princess between the trees. During their walk to Camelot Lyanna told her what had happened ever since Merlin had stepped foot in the town. Since remembered Merlin telling her that his mother knew that he had magic, so she didn't think twice about telling this woman about hers as well. It was his mom, which meant that she could trust her as well.
Hunith decided not to ask any questions about the matter, probably saving them for another time. When they entered the lower town they found Merlin collecting water from the well. As he walked away he got aware of her presence. "Mom?" He placed the bucket on the ground as Hunith ran at him and pulled her son into a warm embrace. He noticed the bruises around her eyes, and slowly pulled back. "What happened? Who did this to you?" Merlin's gaze lingered to Lyanna who stood behind them. "How did you find her?"
"I found her in the woods," Lyanna answered honestly. "I looked after her injuries and she told me that a barbarian is terrorizing the village and that she's requiring an audience with the King. I promised that I would help her, and then I figured out that she was your mother. That's why I decided to take her to you."
"You are far too kind, My Lady," Hunith said gratefully, placing a kiss on her son's forehead.
Lyanna smiled faintly. "I'm just doing whatever anyone would do. If you will excuse me I'm going to arrange that audience with the King for you."
Before either of them could say anything Lyanna was already on her way to bring Lumiere back to the stables. Tyr took over the reins and told her that he would look after him. It hadn't taken much time until Lyanna had arranged an audience with her father and Huntih was standing before the court. The Princess was standing beside Morgana and her brother, while she saw Merlin standing behind Gaius.
"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," Hunith explained desperately.
"Ealdor is in Cendred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility," Uther responded, leaning with his head on his hand.
"We've appealed to our King, but he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope," she pleaded.
There fell a short silence until the King straightened himself. "I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
"You'll help us?"
"I wish I could."
"Surely we can spare a few men?" Arthur suggested, thinking the same thing as his sister did.
Uther sat back again. "Resources are not the problem."
"Then what is?" Lyanna wanted to know. She couldn't understand why he was being so difficult. "There must be something that we can do. These people need help. Our help."
"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. "I know you're a good King, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please." Lyanna could tell how desperate the woman was since she was begging him like that.
"The accord we've struck with Cendred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village," Uther replied, his face blank. "I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."
Lyanna watched with disbelieve how Morgana escorted Hunith out of the council room. She had imagined that her father would've willing to risk the life of his own men to save others. Surely she should've known better. There wasn't a man more stubborn than him in Camelot.
That afternoon she was pacing through her chambers thinking of a way that she could help out, when there came a knock on the door. The door swung open and Merlin stood in the doorway. "I wish that I'd been able to change my father's mind," she started, feeling more like a failure.
"You did everything that you could," he said as he entered her chambers. "I'm mostly grateful for everything that you've done for my mother."
Lyanna smiled faintly. "I merely did what everyone would do," she responded humbly. "I don't need any credit for that. All I want to do is help out."
He fidgeted nervously with the edges of his jacket. "I'm going back to Ealdor."
Her heart skipped when she met his eyes. "Of course you are. Your mother needs all the help that she can get." She understood why he had to do it, but couldn't help but feel upset about it. She wondered how long he would be gone.
"It's been an honor to have been your friend, Lyanna."
Confusion was written on her face as she knitted her eyebrows. "What do you mean? Aren't you coming back?"
Merlin shrugged melancholic. "Well, she is my mother. I have got to look after her before else anyone else. You do understand that?"
Lyanna's throat became dry. One of the people she cared about most here in Camelot would be leaving her and wouldn't return. That was a painful thought, and she wanted it to be a lie. "Sure I do," she croaked. "I would've done the same thing if my mother was still alive. What did Arthur say about your departure?"
"That I've been the worst servant he has ever had," he joked softly.
She joined his laughter. "I didn't expect anything else from him. Well, I'm not agreeing with him." In one smooth motion she wrapped her arms around his neck and felt ho he hugged her closer to him. She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. Her voice came out muffled, but he understood what she said. "Do you comprehend how much I'm going to miss you? No one else here understands me as you do."
"I know you well enough that you will be the one who will miss me most," he chuckled. That was the truth. From all the people he have come to know in Camelot she was the one who cared most about him.
"I do," she agreed with him. Slowly he pulled back and looked directly into her piercing eyes which were filled with sadness. His departing was truly affecting her. Tenderly he caressed her cheek and she smiled faintly. "Not many people are aware of what you've done for Camelot, but I do. And I want you to know that I'm incredibly proud of you. There is no one braver."
He let his instincts take over and surprised her by placing a light kiss on her forehead, something which he hadn't done before. The skin underneath his lips felt like fire, only making their goodbye even harder. "I'm just as proud of you, and I will remember this, Lyanna," Merlin assured her.
Tears were now filling her eyes, and it cost Lyanna some effort to hold them in. She didn't want to be seen crying in front of Merlin. Not now. "Will you ever come back to me?" she asked. Her voice was cranky from the uncontrolled emotions inside of her. Never before had she felt like this about anyone. She knew what it was to have a friend, but what she had with Merlin felt much closer than that. Lyanna wondered what all those feelings meant.
"I'm sure that fate will let us cross paths in the future again," Merlin replied certain, given her some hope to hold onto.
Before Lyanna could say anything he had already left her chambers. She could only stare how he exited the chamber. When the door fell shut she felt lonelier than she had ever done before. She had been so used to being alone all her life that she put up a wall to protect herself. And only a few people had managed to knock her wall down, especially Merlin. He was the one that she trusted with all her heart. She knew that she had to do something to help him.
The rest of the day went by rather slowly. While Merlin prepared his belongings for the upcoming journey, Lyanna spent the rest of the day wondering what she could possibly do to help out.
It was around dawn the next morning when Lyanna entered the chambers of her brother and found him still asleep in his bed. She grinned with mischief before she pulled open the curtain to let the light in and started to jump on his bed. "Arthur, wake up!" she said with a cheerful voice. Her brother had never been much of a morning person and she often teased him about it. It only made it more entertaining for to wake in such manner.
"Lyanna, stop it," Arthur cried in protest, as he bounced up and down because of her jumping.
She had no intention of stopping and he realized that, so he managed to pull her down onto his bed. They both laughed heartily, their sides hurting from it. They hadn't laughed together like that in a while. Their bond as siblings was strong and growing still, and they were both willing to give up their lives to save another.
"Why did you wake me up this early?" he asked once he was sitting up right.
"Because I came here to ask you something," she said, coming straight to the point. "I found out that both Morgana and Guinevere have joined Merlin to Ealdor. If our father finds out that his ward has left he's going to be furious."
Arthur sighed as he met her gaze. "What do you want to do about it?"
"There is only one thing that we can do. We must go to Ealdor."
"No," Arthur objected, climbing out of his bed. "If father knows that we're missing he will send out a search party to drag us back to Camelot."
She rolled with her eyes. "There is nothing else that we can do. They need our help. Can you live with yourself if anything happens to Merlin?" She knew that her words had effect on him when his eyes darkened.
Arthur looked at her thoroughly. "You care about, Merlin. Do you not?" he asked.
Lyanna swallowed loudly and smiled nervously. "Sure, I do. He's a good friend."
That didn't seem to fully convince Arthur. "Are you sure that's all that he is?" The Prince was smirking content now, clearly enjoying that he had discovered his sister's weakness and maybe that of his servant.
She slapped him on the back of the head with one of the pillows. "Don't be so foolish. I agree with Merlin when he says you're a prat."
Arthur painfully rubbed the back of his head, pretending to be badly hurt. Eventually he gave up when Lyanna continued to stare at him. "Alright," he gave in. "We will help them. We will leave within the hour. Not a word of this to anyone. If father finds out about this he'll throw us both in the dungeon. Gather your supplies and meet me at the stables.
By the time Lyanna stood in the stables it was still early in the morning. She was clothed in armour, with a warm grey vest over it. She had weaved her hair into a braid. Her supplies were put into the saddlebags so that she wouldn't have to carry anything.
"Did you get everything?" At the sound of a familiar voice Lyanna turned around to see Arthur standing behind him. He was wearing his chainmail, without the red cloak of Camelot. It was clear that he didn't want to draw much attention during their trip, and a cloak surely wouldn't help them.
She nodded. "I did. I even packed some healing supplies just in case."
"That's very wise," he said as he grabbed his brown steed.
Within minutes the two siblings rode through the gate of Camelot, leaving the town behind them. They had informed their father that they would be going on a hunting trip in case he would find out the true reason of their absence.
Nearly the entire day they rode through the forest. Lyanna would sometime use her magic to see the path that the others had taken, and realized that they weren't that far ahead. A few times she used her magic to see the path ahead. Unfortunately she couldn't inform Arthur about that, so he was becoming rather suspicious about that.
"How is it possible that you know the way to Ealdor when you've never been there?" Arthur wondered when his sister had once again leaded them in the right direction.
"I've studied the maps a lot," she lied with a smirk. "Everyone knows that Ealdor lies east from Camelot. It's not that difficult to find." Arthur believed her word and didn't ask anything else about it. She couldn't tell him that she was relying on her magic to tell her the way.
It was a few hours after nightfall when the two siblings were getting closer to their destination. The path was clear inside Lyanna's mind, giving her some hope. Which was a nice feeling compared to the doubt she had also felt.
"We're here," she announced, dismounting Lumiere. "I can smell the campfire. We're close." She had to make sure that Arthur wouldn't get suspicious again.
He dismounted his own horse and unsheathed his sword as they made their way towards the camp. Her body tensed when she saw Merlin walking through a clearing with a sword clutched in his hands. Arthur put his sword against his servant's back. "I'd ask you for money, but I now you don't have any."
"Arthur! Merlin cried happily. He whipped around in one smooth motion. Arthur managed to duck as the sword swung near his head.
"Put the sword down, Merlin. You look ridiculous," Arthur complained as he walked passed his servant.
As Merlin watched how Arthur walked off she stepped into the clearing. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Lyanna called his name and was laughing amusingly. "Lyanna!" he exclaimed happily. "What are you two doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she asked with a smirk. "We've come here to help. I managed to persuade Arthur this morning, so here we are."
The two of them made their way towards the camp where they found everyone asleep on the ground. While Arthur tied the horses to a tree Merlin stoked a new campfire. The two siblings sat down beside it, lost in their thoughts.
"How much further is it?" Lyanna eventually asked, breaking the silence.
Merlin rubbed his hands together in the hope to get them warm. "Er, maybe a few hours."
"How many men does Kanen have?" Arthur wondered.
"Erm, I'm not sure. I think, from what my mother said, maybe as many as forty."
Arthur paused. "You should get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
Merlin fidgeted with his fingers. "Thank you," he said, eying the siblings. "I know that you both didn't have to come."
The prince stood up, gathering his supplies. "Get some sleep."
Both sorcerers watched how he walked away, and lay down near Morgana on the other side of the camp. After a long moment of silence they heard his steady breathing, the sign that he had fallen asleep.
"You should get some sleep as well," Merlin eventually said.
Lyanna broke out of her thoughts, meeting his gaze. "You're right, but I'm not sure if sleep will come to me." She leaned with her head on her hand as she stared at the flames that danced before her eyes.
He slowly shifted towards her. "Is there something that I can help you with?"
"No, I'm good," she answered. She was just worried about what could happen when they would reach Ealdor tomorrow, but she didn't want to bother him with it. "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad," he quickly replied. Lyanna knew that wasn't exactly true.
She also shifted closer to him and their bodies were pressed together. "There is no need to lie to me, Merlin. I can sense that you're worried, which is completely logical," she replied with a faint smile. "But you're not alone in this. Your friends are here to help you out."
That seemed to reassure him. "I can always count on you," he said gratefully.
"That's what friends are for," she reminded him. The sudden evening chill set into her skin. She stood up. "Let's get some sleep."
That night she lay down beside her brother and only slept a couple of hours until the first sunrays woke up her. As she was busy with redoing her braid Morgana and Gwen got aware of her presence. "Lyanna," they said in union, pulling the Princess into an embrace.
"You have no idea how happy this makes me to see you here," Morgana supplied cheerfully.
"Same here. I had no idea that you would be coming here as well," Gwen added in the same manner.
Lyanna pulled back. "Neither did I. I couldn't sit back and do nothing so I decided to change Arthur's mind into coming," she explained.
"Well I'm glad that you did," Morgana said happily, giving her friend another warm smile.
After everyone had eaten some breakfast they rode for a couple of hours until the small village of Ealdor came into view. As they entered the small village they noticed a man raising his axe to hit a man for a final blow.
Without thinking Lyanna threw a sword into the post behind the man, which she assumed was Kanen. Together with Arthur she rode up, dismounted their horses and started to fight the bandits.
"Kill them!" Kanen ordered loudly.
The bandits were slow, and not exactly the best opponents Lyanna has ever battled. Since she was short she could easily avert their blows, and sliced her sword through their stomachs.
In the corner of her eyes she saw a bandit attacking her brother from behind, but Morgana parried and killed him. "Does did bring back memories of when I used to beat you?" Morgana asked teasingly.
"That never happened," Arthur protested as she walked passed him.
As they look around Kanen mounted his horse. "You'll pay for this with your lives! All of you!" he threatened before he rode away with his men.
Silence found its way to the village. Lyanna stood beside Morgana and Gwen when Arthur called for his servant. "Merlin! Gather the villagers, I need to talk to them."
Before Merlin stood a boy from the same age as he was. The two of them obviously knew one another. "Yeah, in a minute. I'm just talking…"
"Now, Merlin. There isn't much time," Arthur said impatiently.
Within minutes Merlin had gathered all the villagers of Ealdor around them. Arthur started to address them. "I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back. And when he is, you must be ready for him. First of all, we have to prepare for…"
"Am I the only one who wondering who the hell this is?" the same boy Merlin was just talking to a few minutes ago, interrupted as he pushed himself through the crowd.
"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot. This here is my sister, Lyanna," he introduced them, gesturing towards her.
The boy scoffed. "Yeah, and, er, I'm Prince William of Ealdor."
"Keep quiet," Hunith interfered. "They are here to help us."
"But they made things worse," Will protested. "Kanen will be back, and when he is, he''ll be looking for revenge. You've just signed our death warrant."
"They've saved Matthew's life!"
"It's alright, Hunith," Lyanna came between them, her voice placidly. "I understand that we must look like intruders to you. This is his village. Tell us what you would have us do." If battling wasn't going to solve their problem she wanted to know what his solution was to help.
Everyone was now looking at Will. "We can't fight against Kanen. He has too many men."
"So what's the alternative?" Arthur wanted to know.
He slightly shrugged with his shoulders. "Give him what he wants."
The villages shook their heads in protest. "Then what? Those of you who don't starve to death will face him against next harvest! And the harvest after that."
"We'll manage. We'll survive."
The villagers wondered how. "The only way he can be stopped is if you stand up to him," Lyanna told them, crossing her arms. She had seen men like Kanen before. If they didn't stop him that man would taunt these villagers for many years to come. "I'm afraid here is no other way."
"No," Will objected. "You two just want the honor and glory of battle. That's what drives men like you!" He ranted, eyeing the Prince. "Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours!"
"Will," Merlin called after him as the boy walked off.
"I'll follow you," Hunith said determined. "If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting."
"That goes for me, too," Matthew replied. More villagers started to agree with them. They all wanted to fight for what they loved. Their will to fight was strong and that was something they needed if they wanted to defeat Kanen and his men. Lyanna sure hoped that it was enough.
That night Lyanna was lying on the ground beside her brother. For a little while she had been trying to fall asleep, but sleep wouldn't get to her. "Have you always slept on the floor?" Arthur suddenly asked. Lyanna wondered if he was talking to her.
"Yeah," Merlin muttered. "The bed I've got in Camelot is luxury by comparison."
"Must've been hard."
"Hmm. It's like rock."
"I didn't mean the ground. I meant, for you. It must've been difficult," Arthur explained.
Merlin paused. "Hmm. Not really. I didn't know any different. Life is simple out here. You eat what you grow and everyone pitches in together. As long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your head, you're happy."
Lyanna didn't exactly share the same childhood as Merlin had, and had been surrounded by much wealth. But that wasn't what she desired. She didn't require riches to be happy. All she longed for was to be accepted who she truly was.
"Sounds… nice," Arthur muttered slowly.
The warlock chuckled quietly. "You'd hate it."
"No doubt," the prince agreed. "Why did you leave?"
"Things just... changed."
"How?" When Merlin didn't immediately answer he shoved his foot in his servant face. "Come on. I'm pretending to be interested. Tell me."
Merlin pushed the foot away. "I just didn't fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did."
"Had any luck?"
The warlock sighed. "I'm not sure yet."
"I believe that you did," Arthur said determined. "You've found some great friends since you came to Camelot. For example I know that my sister value's your friendship and she –"
"Arthur," Lyanna called out loud, stomping her brother in his side with her foot. "I'm wide awake, and I've heard everything you said. I do believe that I can speak for myself."
He laughed cheerfully in return. "Well, are you going to tell me that I was lying?"
She knew that he was enjoying himself, and she didn't want him to. "No, I'm not denying that. Merlin is already well aware that I value our friendship. Can I get some sleep now?" she muttered from underneath the cover.
"Yes. We'll start training the men tomorrow. It's going to be a long day," Arthur said, pulling the cover over his. "Get the candle." It took a few seconds for Merlin to blow the candle out and the room went completely dark.
When the first sunrays entered the crowded bedroom Lyanna was the first to wake up. She quickly braided her blonde hair and exited the chamber only to find Hunith already working in the small kitchen. "Good morning," Lyanna greeted, giving the woman a warm smile. "Do you need some help?"
Hunith looked up from the fireplace, her eyes widened until she saw who it was. "Oh. Good morning, dear. I didn't see you there. Actually I just finished with making some porridge. Do you mind helping me with putting everything on the table?"
Lyanna nodded and started to assist the woman who she already cared a great deal about. She could tell that Merlin possessed the same kindness as his mother. She had often wondered what it was like to have a mother, but now she finally understood it a bit. It was a nice thing, even though Hunith wasn't her mother.
"I was wondering why you decided to come to Ealdor," Hunith suddenly said.
"Because, no matter what my father said, I wanted to help. We all did," Lyanna replied as she placed some plates on the table.
"I can tell that there is something else going on. You care a great deal about my son, don't you?" Lyanna's body froze and she looked at the woman in utter shock. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. But it wasn't hard to guess by the way the two of you look at each other. Is something going on between the two of you?"
Lyanna listened sharply to their surroundings and could tell that everyone else in this house was still fast asleep. She took in a deep breath. "I do care greatly about your son. He's just a good friend, but that's all that he will be. My father would have him hanged if he would find out how much he meant to me."
Hunith closed the distance between them and grabbed the Princess hands and squeezed them gently. It was something that Merlin always did to cheer her up as well, and apparently a family trait. "I'm glad that he has you. He hasn't shut up about you since he came here," Hunith said and wrapped Lyanna into a brief hug, which she returned.
"I'm also very glad to have him on my side," Lyanna replied gratefully as she slowly let go of the woman. It felt odd to talk about these matters with someone she barely knew, but she trusted Hunith. Besides she didn't share some critical information. Everyone in Camelot was aware of the friendship between the Princess and her brother's manservant and she didn't mind. There was no need to hide it.
By the time they were finished with preparing breakfast everyone entered the kitchen. They all seated around the table where they ate their breakfast. Hunith chatted peacefully with them as she sat down beside her son. Lyanna noticed that Arthur was playing with his food, as he averted everyone's gaze.
"Is everything alright, Arthur?" Lyanna asked playfully.
He looked up from his bowl of porridge. "Yes," he quickly answered. "I'm alright." Of course his sister knew what was troubling. He didn't like the food that Hunith had made for him, and was doing his best not to eat it.
Once breakfast was finished Merlin helped Arthur putting his jacket on. "You still not learned how to dress yourself?" Morgana asked teasingly, with a smirk.
"You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself," Arthur explained. "No offense, Merlin."
"None taken," his servant muttered as he continued to help him.
Lyanna rolled with her eyes. "You really are unbelievable, brother. I would seriously refuse to help him."
"Prince Arthur," Hunith said as she walked towards him with his bowl of porridge in her hands. "You didn't finish your breakfast."
"Didn't I?" Arthur asked, obviously playing surprised.
"Well go one. Eat up," Lyanna said, enjoying herself. "It's rude not to eat something which has cost someone a lot of effort to make." She hoped to make him feel guilty.
As Hunith walked away he pretended to eat it. "Hmmmm." He quickly handed the bowl to Gwen, who looked around confused. "Right. Let's get going. We need wood, and lots of it." With those words he stormed off, followed by Morgana and Lyanna.
As they entered the small field where the villagers had gathered to practice Gwen and Morgana walked to the side where they would sharpen the weapons for the upcoming battle. Lyanna was about to follow them when Arthur gently grabbed her by the wrist. "I'll need your help with training the villagers."
She raised one eyebrow and her mouth fell slightly agape. "My help? But I'm not a knight and –"
"Nonsense," Arthur friendly objected. "We all know you're the finest swordsman in Camelot after me. Your knowledge about fighting will come in handy during the training."
Lyanna didn't know what to say. She felt flattered and surprised. She grinned happily at her brother. "I will not let you down," she assured him.
That satisfied him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they made their way towards the cowering villagers. Even she was almost able to smell their fear. They didn't know what was going to come next. She pitied them.
The villages stood in a line and the two siblings started to pace passed them. "We won't be able to teach you everything there is to know about fighting with a sword, but you can learn the basics; the stance, how to parry a blow, how to land on your own," Lyanna informed them.
"On my count! One! Two! Three! Four!" Arthur ordered them as they continued to observed their moves. Of course compared to the battle techniques of the Knights of Camelot this was rubbish. But it was all that they had.
A gangly boy from around the same age as they were, was having some troubles with the smoothness of his blow. "It's very important to watch your feet. The footwork is the most important thing about fighting. Watch." She showed him how to probably place your feet in a battle.
He nodded understandingly. "Thank you, My Lady."
Whenever someone was slacking they would step in. "Now, you may have to watch for the feint. So, keep your feet moving, and only stay in range long enough to land again," she would advise them. "And again!"
After a while of observing Arthur made his way over to Matthew. "I want you to organize sentry duty to keep an eye out for Kanen and his men."
"Be glad to," Matthew said gratefully. He was having the most trouble with handling a sword and this was the best solution for everyone.
"If there's any sign of attack, I want you to ride straight back here. I don't want you fighting them all on your own." Matthew scoffed and nodded before he walked away.
"Did you just give him sentry duty because he's a disaster with a sword?" Lyanna guessed as she stood beside her brother. She smirked slightly.
Arthur scrunched his nose. "What gave it away? It's safer for all of us if he's out there."
Lyanna laughed quietly as the two of them made their way over to the well to gather some water after observing for a few hours. She grabbed a bucket out of the well and handed a bowl of water to her brother. As they rested she noticed that the villagers were following their example. She couldn't help but feel hopeless. These men weren't born to fight, and they expressed that in everything that they did.
The King's ward walked towards them followed by her servant. "It looks like the battle's already fought and lost," Morgana said sadly, standing before them.
"They'll toughen up," Arthur answered hopefully. "How are we doing for weapons?"
"There isn't much, but we should able to scrape together what we need," the King's ward informed them.
"It's not the weapons that worry us," Gwen interfered, daring to speak up. "It's having enough people to use them. We think the woman should be allowed to fight."
They were silent for a brief moment. "Arthur, she's right," Lyanna eventually said. "We don't have enough men. If they were trained soldiers, maybe we would stand a chance, but they're not. You need to let us fight."
Arthur threw his bowl back into the bucket. "It's too dangerous." He walked towards the resting men and gave them the order to continue the practice.
Lyanna met the gazes of her friends. "I'm sorry that he's so stubborn," she apologized. She wished that he would see reason. If they didn't fight they surely wouldn't stand a chance. They needed every help that they could get. She had to make sure that he would change his mind.
"Why do you think he came here?" Gwen wondered, crossing her arms.
"The same reason we all did: Merlin. Arthur may act like he doesn't care, but he wouldn't be here if he wouldn't," Morgana answered. She knew that she was right. Her brother cared for his servant, only he would never admit it.
The following morning Lyanna was walking through the small town together with Merlin. It was still early, and the sun was rising. Most villagers were still asleep which gave him a perfect opportunity to show her more of Ealdor. "I'm sorry that you had to go back to Ealdor for something terrible as this," Lyanna said as they walked through a meadow.
He looked ahead of them. "I had always imaged that I would come back on day when I would be a successful sorcerer, so that my mother would be proud of me."
A smile touched her lips. "I'm sure that your mother is already very proud of you. I can tell it from the way that she looks at you. She's happy as long as you are." He was silent for a moment, enjoying the comfortable silence between them. "And are you happy? Besides everything that's going on right now that is."
"Well, I can say that Camelot is the first place that I've ever felt at home," he admitted, guiding her into another meadow. "The only friend that I had here in Ealdor was Will."
Lyanna met his gaze as she followed him. "I'm glad that you've found a place you can call home. It sure is completely different than this small town, but I can see that Ealdor has it charms. In fact sometimes I wish that I would live in a town like this, far away from all the drama that's my life recently."
He stopped walking while he didn't stop looking at her. "Why? You have everything in Camelot."
She scoffed. "Sure, Camelot has it charms. It truly is a place where dreams come true, but it also has it downsides. I can't blame the town for that. It's just the constant fear of someone discovering the truth about me, and what can happen afterwards. I don't want to think about that."
For a brief moment Merlin stared ahead of them at the mountains, until his sky blue eyes peered into hers again. A smile touched his lips. "I hope that one day we don't have to be afraid anymore and the hiding is done. We can be who we are and people will accept us for it."
Of course she had often imagined that her life would be different when her brother would become the King of Camelot. His vision surely would be different than that of her father, which meant that changes would come to the Kingdom.
"I hope so too," Lyanna quietly answered.
They stood still underneath an oak tree while bright sunshine shone between the branches. Their gazes locked and Merlin slowly lifted his hand and gently brushed it against her cheek. He let his desire and affection take over as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. Their magic swirled around them like a blizzard, trapping them like a bubble. It was something that neither one of them had ever felt before.
The kiss was brief, but sweet. Merlin pulled away a few inches from Lyanna's face and looked into her eyes. She was completely caught off guard by the kiss, but had loved every second of it. Their gaze remained intensely locked, but she soon took the opportunity to pull him back in for another kiss. Her hands cupped his face as their lips mingled in sync with one another. It was nothing deep or intense, just enough to let each other know that they cared for another. After a few moments, they finally pulled away. Lyanna smiled sweetly up at him as he rested his forehead against hers.
"Wow," Lyanna finally managed to say. "That was perfect."
"My thoughts exactly."
Neither one of them had kissed before, but they knew that nothing could top this. He smiled back down at her and lightly kissed her lips once more. He brought his hands up to gently caress her face, loving the feeling of her soft skin. Because Lyanna wasn't looking around her she didn't notice a root of a tree that lay before her, and tripped over it. She and Merlin fell and together and rolled down the hill of the meadow. They landed at the edge of the hill, with Merlin lying on top of her. She was able to feel the warm breath of his lips on hers, sending shivers through her spine. Their gazes were locked, neither one of them refused to look away. She felt the heat of his body pressed against hers. For a moment Lyanna believed that he would continue their kiss, but he didn't.
"I'm sorry," she squeaked, trying to find her breath. "I didn't watch where I was going."
Merlin stood up, helping her back onto her feet. "It's alright," he mumbled.
Merlin could only stare at her with big eyes, his cheeks flushed crimson. Since a few months he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous around her, but he still didn't understand why that was. It felt as if something was pulling her towards him. Perhaps it was because the daughter of the King was the only person who saw him for she truly was, and not just as a boy with magic. She saw him and he saw her. It had to be the only explanation.
Lyanna bit her bottom lip as her cheeks continued to burn. I cannot believe that I've just kissed Merlin! She thought, but wondered what it had meant. Do I like him now? She had never thought about him in such a manner she had only seen him as a dear friend. Perhaps that was what he would always be. He was a servant after all. This has only been a mistake.
When they heard a scream of a woman coming from the center of the town they were both brought back to reality. They ran towards the sound as fast as they could and found Matthew slung over a horse, with an arrow sticking in his back.
Together with one of the villagers Lyanna lifted Matthew off the horse and placed him on the ground. The Princess felt as if her body was thrown into a lake of ice water. They had sent Matthew to look ahead for Kanen's men. She felt responsible for his dead. She knelt down beside Matthew and grabbed the note that was on the arrow in his back. "Make the most of this day, it will be your last," she read out loud.
"Matthew!" His fiancé came storming through the crowd that had gathered and kneeled down beside his body while repeatedly shouted 'No!' Lyanna leaped onto her feet, giving the woman some space so that she could mourn. She couldn't imagine what she must've been feeling.
As the woman cried for her fiancé Will made his way through the crowd as well. "You two did this! Look what you've done! You killed him!"
Lyanna blinked through her tears, not trying to show anyone how much this was affecting her. "This wasn't their fault!" Merlin objected heavily.
"If they hadn't been strutting around, treating us like their own personal army, this would never have happened," Will continued, his rage clearly hearable.
Arthur pointed at the villagers. "These men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you aren't!"
"You're sending them to their graves! You 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." The words of Will were weighing heavily in the siblings minds. Both of them knew that there was only a small chance that they would be able to win this battle. But was it enough?
The sun was shining brightly that day, shedding its brilliance across Cendred's Kingdom, the forest of Ascetir, and Ealdor. The trees sang happily while the wind tossed their green manes about. Little cloud coverage meant that day was going to warm, at least for autumn.
At all it was a most agreeable day, but Lyanna couldn't help but feel restless. The words of Will kept repeating themselves over and over again in her mind, and she knew that the boy was right. They wouldn't stand a chance against Kanen's men.
It was after noon when the Princess had decided to go for a ride with Lumiere to clear her head. For a few hours she had ridden through the nearby forest, feeling the chill wind blowing through her long hair. When she had returned to small village she found Arthur sitting on a wooden bench outside of Hunith's house with his servant. They were discussing something as she halted Lumiere, and dismounted her horse.
"No, we're going to stay. We're going to fight, and we're going to win," Merlin tried to convince him.
"Merlin, it can't be done. The odds are too great," Arthur replied grimly.
Since Lyanna was standing on the other side of the house neither one of them was aware of her presence, and they continued their conversation. "It can," the warlock stated. "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?"
"You've got to believe in them," Merlin responded hopefully. "Because if you don't, they'll sense it and the battle will be lost before it has even begun." Arthur looked ahead of him for a moment and then stood up to enter the house, obviously thinking about the words of his servant.
"You sure gave him some hope," Lyanna said out loud, causing Merlin to flinch. "Sorry, it wasn't my intention to startle you. I just came back from a ride and I overheard what you said. Do you honestly believe that we stand a chance against Kanen?" Merlin met her gaze, but kept quiet. "You're planning to use magic, aren't you?" she suddenly asked, figuring out his plan. "Are you serious, Merlin? If Arthur finds out about this you're going to be in big trouble. I cannot tell what he's going to do to you, but I can guarantee that he's not going to be too pleased."
He fidgeted with his fingers. "I don't know what else to do. It is the only way that I can save these people," he sulked sadly. "If he doesn't accept me for who I really am then he's not the friend I hoped he was."
"You can't say that," Lyanna snapped, walking towards him. "During his childhood Arthur has only witnessed the evil of sorcery. He's not aware that the reason people use magic for bad things is because they have evil in their hearts. He is yet to meet the good of it. I know that you want to tell him, Merlin, I want to as well, but you can't. You'll be making a terrible mistake if you did."
When he didn't respond but continued to sulk Lyanna let go off Lumiere and wrapped her friend into a tight embrace. Obviously she got him by surprise because his entire body tensed, but he slowly calmed down and wrapped his arms around her waist. She buried her head into his chest as she felt him press her closer against him.
"I wish that I was able to solve this," she quietly whispered, tracing circles with her index fingers across his muscular chest. "I'm on your side. I want this just as badly as you do, but we can't, Merlin. We can only fight and hope that's enough."
His fingers ran through her golden hair. "I know," he quietly responded. Neither one of them said anything after that. They stood there in each other's arms for an unknown while, enjoying each other's company. Neither one of them dared to talk about the kiss that had happened the other day. They thought that it had been just a spur of the moment. They were good friends after all. Lyanna was thanking all her lucky stars that she had Merlin as a friend.
Eventually when Gwen gave the sign for dinner they broke apart and hastily made their way into the small house where everyone was waiting for them. Lyanna did her best to hide her flushed cheeks.
Dinner went by quietly, most of them were lost in their own thoughts. After dinner the villagers had gathered in the common building together with their guests. Lyanna was standing beside her brother who was about to speak to the villagers. "Tomorrow morning, the woman and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods," he informed them, pacing.
"We're not going anywhere, Arthur," Lyanna said determined. She had thought about this all afternoon. The best chance they had of winning was as if the woman would fight with them.
He faced his sister. "I know that you want to help. The women can't stay here. It's too dangerous. I leave their care in your command."
The princess indifferently crossed her arms. "I honestly don't think so. The women have as much right to fight for their lives as the men do! Why should they flee?"
"But none of you know how to fight."
"The more of us there are, the better chance we stand!" Gwen replied. As Lyanna eyed her servant the women in the room all took a step forwards, showing how eager they wanted to fight for their homes. This was the first time that Gwen had stood up against Arthur like that, and Lyanna admired her greatly for it.
Arthur realized that he didn't stand a chance to change their minds. "This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honored to stand alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen is brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around. In this circle, we're all equal. You're not fighting because someone's 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. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, and you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: you fall fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friendship! For Ealdor!"
As the Prince finished with his speech everyone was filled with hope and they all stood up with their swords raised. "For Ealdor! For Ealdor!"
Lyanna could only look with pride at her brother for the way he had spoken to all these villagers. He had replaced their fear with hope, which had been a big task. Only people they believed in should be able to do such a thing. She knew that he was going to be a wonderful King one day, when he was ready for it.
The following morning Lyanna had woken up before dawn. A pit of anxiety had grown inside her stomach which had made it impossible for her to gather some sleep. She had gone on a walk through the village, and silent had made her feel uncomfortable. As she returned to Hunith's house she found Morgana standing before the mirror in the small guest room with Gwen.
"Ah, Milady," her servant greeted, sounding relieved. "I was already wondering where you went, so I assumed that you went for a walk."
"I did," Lyanna quietly responded, weaving her hair into a braid. "Is everyone awake?"
"They're all preparing for the battle as we speak," Morgana answered, trying to adjust her armour precisely. "I'd never think that I would be fighting in a battle."
Lyanna thought the same thing. Since they were women they would never be allowed to fight in a battle. This would be her first fight as well and she was really frightened about it. She feared more than ever that someone would get hurt. As they had all put on their armour Lyanna's throat started to feel dry, as if all the air was slowly disappearing out of her lungs.
"Are you alright?" Gwen asked concerned, placing a hand on her mistress shoulder.
She nodded slowly. "I'm a bit worried, I guess."
"It's all going to be alright," her servant assured her. "We're going to defeat Kanen and win this battle."
"Gwen is right," Morgana agreed, eyeing her friends. "We now have a chance to win this, which we will."
Their words did comfort her, and Lyanna smiled gratefully at them. Morgana had always been a true friend of her ever since the King's ward had come to Camelot. She had always liked Gwen, but since Marie had died and Gwen had become her servant as well Lyanna had gotten so much closer with her. "I'm sure you two are right. We should get going."
The three of them made their way into the small town where the villagers were waiting for orders. Both Pendragon siblings walked down the line of villagers, shaking their hands to wish them good luck.
After Arthur had spoken with Gwen he turned to his sister. "Did you remember what I told you the other day?" he asked. Together with the villagers they had come up with a plan to surprise Kanen and his men.
She nodded. "I do. I will not let you down," she promised him before she ran away, followed by a couple of villagers. They had agreed to spread groups of people across Ealdor, so that they could attack Kanen from every side.
She told the villagers to take in their hiding positions behind a house as Kanen and his men rode out of the woods and into the village to search everywhere. A death silence fell into town. Everyone was too frightened to exhale deeply, in case they would get found.
Gwen and a villager pulled up a hidden gate, trapping the riders inside it. Lyanna sighed relieved when the first phase of their plan had succeeded. At that was left now as for Morgana to light a fire. After nothing happened for a moment Lyanna figured out that something must've been wrong.
"Stay here," she ordered the villagers. Lyanna picked up her sword and hastily ran through the village. Kanen spotted her running and gave the signal for his man to fire at her. She managed to dodge a few arrows until she reached Morgana who was desperately trying to light a fire. "Give me the flint."
Morgana handed them over as the princess pretended to use them. When the King's ward wasn't watching she quietly whispered, "Baerne." The fire was lit and a prepared line flamed up, trapping the riders. Kanen's men rode back into the village after he had given them the order to return.
Adrenaline rushed through Lyanna's veins when her brother gave a sign. The villagers let out a battle cry as they sprung out of their hiding spots to fight. A rider rode up towards Lyanna. With a swing from her sword she managed to unhorse the rider.
More riders got aware of their presence and made their way over to them. Together with Morgana she fought them bravely, taking a stand. They couldn't give up.
"I sure can get used to this," Morgana breathed when she pierced one of Kanen's men into his stomach.
"You sure are one of a kind," Lyanna replied with a faint smile, wiping the sweat of her brow. "There are too many of them."
A tall man with a black mask on his head came storming towards her, yelling ferociously. In his hand he carried a large axe, which was bigger than her sword. "You're going to regret coming here, Princess," he spat out, swinging with his axe.
She dodged the first blow, but was surprised when his second one slashed through the skin of her left arm. Lyanna cursed inwardly. "You're going to regret this." With a growl she opened the attack, swinging angrily at him with her sword and defeated him.
After a while Lyanna had made her way through the village, fighting alongside her brother. Ever since she had been allowed to train with the knights she had wondered what it would be like to fight alongside her brother one day. It was truly something she would never forget.
Both siblings watched ahead of them, seeing a windstorm appear a couple of meters away from them. Lyanna shielded her face with her arm as it took Kanen's men and threw them away. The remaining men fled to the woods. There was only one explanation why a windstorm had appeared so suddenly, and that was magic.
Kanen appeared on the end of the path. "Pendragon!" he shouted venomously. When he got sight of the Prince he took off his cloak and his helmet before he stormed towards him. He clearly wanted revenge because his plan to terrify this village had failed.
Lyanna leaped between them and blocked Kanen's blow. The man fought aggressively, and was much more of a challenge than his men. He didn't seem to care that he was fighting with a woman instead, and kept continuing to swing at her.
"Did you honestly think that you would stand a chance against me, little girl?" Kanen asked amusingly, grinning widely.
"Did you?" she repeated when she ran him through. Kanen collapsed before her on the ground. As the Princess tried to regain her breath Arthur stood beside her.
"What were you thinking, Lyanna?" he asked bewildered. "You could get yourself killed! Do you know how furious father would be at me if something would happen to you?"
She rolled with her eyes. "Well, I didn't. I'm still here," she responded dryly. "Your life is worth more than mine. I couldn't let him have a chance."
He decided not to argue with her and marched angrily towards Merlin and Will. "Who did that?"
"Why?" Merlin asked. Lyanna feared that her brother would find out the truth about her friend, and wondered what she could do to prevent that. She couldn't believe that Arthur was making a fuss about that when they had won the battle.
"Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen."
Merlin met Lyanna's doubtful gaze. "Arthur…" he started.
Lyanna knew that he was going to tell the truth, and she had to do something. "Arthur, why should it matter? We've won the battle. There is no need to worry about something irrelevant like this."
"Look out!" Will suddenly yelled. He pushed Arthur out of the way and got hit by an arrow himself. Everyone turned around to see that it had been Kanen who had fired. Within a second the barbarian had died.
Will collapsed on the ground before them. "You just saved my life," Arthur gasped in utter shock.
"Yeah," Will muttered. "Don't know what I was thinking."
"We need to get him inside so I can take a look," Lyanna quickly instructed them.
Merlin, Arthur and a couple of men carried Will inside the common house. They placed him onto the table as the Princess rushed towards his side. The arrow in his chest caused Will to breathe difficultly, as if all the air was being pushed out of his lungs.
She pulled it out, causing him to gasp in utter pain. "I'm sorry," she apologized truthfully as she pressed an old cloth against his wound. The arrow had pierced his heart and he was suffering from an inner bleeding. There was no remedy or cure that could stop this. It would only be a matter of time until he would die.
"Don't be." He gave her a faint smile before looking at Arthur. "That's twice I've saved you."
"Twice?" Arthur asked puzzled, his eyes knitted in confusion.
"Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic."
Lyanna exchanged a look with Merlin who was looking just as surprised as she was. She couldn't believe that he was lying just to keep Merlin's secret safe. "It will be better not to speak," she warned him. "It will only hurt."
"It's alright," Will responded. "I won't be alive long enough for anyone to do anything to me. I did it. I saw how desperate things were becoming and I had to do something."
"You're a sorcerer?" Arthur asked, obviously not too pleased about this.
"Yeah. What are you going to do? Kill me?"
Lyanna looked up at Arthur, who exhaled deeply. His entire life he had only known the evil of magic. Maybe this would help him change his mind. "No," Arthur assured him. "Of course not. Do what you can for him." Both Lyanna and Merlin nodded. Arthur put his hand on Will's shoulder before he leaded the women out of the house.
"I was right about him. I told you he was going to get me killed," Will muttered when they were all alone. She didn't understand how he could still be joking at a time like this. Maybe it was his personality. She would never know.
"You're not going to die," Merlin protested, keeping hope. Lyanna decided to keep quiet, knowing that wouldn't happen. She didn't want to cause Merlin more pain during this experience. He was already going through a lot and it troubled her because she couldn't help them.
"You're a good man, Merlin. A great man. And one day, you're going to be servant to a great King. Now you can still make that happen."
"Thanks to you," Merlin responded, tears stinging in his eyes.
Will turned to face Lyanna who was knelt on his other side. "I'm sorry. I was wrong about you," he apologized sincerely. "Can you do something for me?"
Lyanna's throat was burning, but she nodded. "Yes, sure. Whatever you want."
"Make him happy." He briefly eyed his friend. "I know that he cares a great deal about you. He hasn't stopped talking about you ever since he got here. He likes you."
Merlin's cheeks had flushed crimson as the Princess smiled through her tears. "I will not let you down. You have my word," she promised him. This was the least thing that she could do for him, even though she had rarely known him.
Will gave her a warm smile. "I'm scared," he suddenly whispered, fear filling his bright eyes.
"Don't be. It's going to be alright," Merlin assured him, tears streaming down his cheek.
He said the name of his friend once more before he let out a final breath, and his expression had gone blank. A silence filled the house when Lyanna quickly pulled Merlin into a tight embrace as he sobbed into her shoulder. This was the moment that she had to be there for him.
For a while they stood there together, while not a word was being said. Eventually Merlin pulled back, his tears had dried up on his cheek. Gently Lyanna rubbed them away while she looked into his eyes. There were many things that she wanted to say, but she wasn't sure what. She assumed that Merlin wasn't in the mood for a conversation. "I'm sorry, Merlin," was all that she said, and she meant it. It couldn't be easy to lose a friend.
"Thank you," he responded cranky. His eyes were red from crying and puffy.
That afternoon the villagers had gathered at the field, watching Will's funeral pyre. Lyanna stood beside Morgana and Guinevere, her hands folded before her. Slowly, when everyone left she waited beside the pyre until Merlin was finished with talking with his mother.
When he walked towards her she wrapped her arm around his shoulder as they made their way through the village. "Now that you're coming back with us to Camelot that means that you're have to do chores for Arthur again," Lyanna helped him remember. "The stables are waiting for you." Merlin burst into laughter and she joined him. It was nice to see him in a lighter spirit again.
First I want to let you all know that this kiss was indeed just a spur of the moment, but also the beginning of Lyanna's and Merlin relationship (if I can call it like that). They will begin to notice that there is more than friendship in time ;) I don't want to rush it. Time to reply to the reviews!
KatieWatsonHolmes: Thank you for always reviewing! It warms my heart that you think my English is beautiful :) Omg did you really shout that? That's hilarious. Merlin is indeed a precious baby ;) Well watching it with your boyfriend does sound like a grand idea haha. Your comment cracked me up. I just totally imagined you appearing between them and just shoving them together. I hope this chapter pleased you, Keeper of Time and Space *wink* And yes I want the relationship between Arthur and Lyanna to be as natural as possible and my brother and I always behaved like this haha, and I always pictured Arthur to behave like a big brother if he had a sister. Have you tackled your brother yet? ;p But thanks again, dear.
Yellowroseofthenw: Thanks for reviewing! It pleases me to hear that you like it :-) Sorry for the eyebrow wiggle haha, but I hope this chapter made it up haha ;p
ArmyWife22079: Well, Freya is still plenty of chapters away I'm afraid but I'm sure that Lyanna may get jealous. Can't tell too much about that yet ;)
Btw: Do we have a ship name for Lyanna and Merlin yet? ;D
