A/N: Thank you to all of you wonderful readers and reviewers! I'm very happy with the way the story is going so far, and I'm really pleased that you all seem to be enjoying it as well. Reviewers, I love how engaged you're becoming! More will be revealed in time. =)

Again, I hope the pace is good; I'm not one to rush storylines! I honestly can't wait to share the rest of this story with all of you. So many things have yet to happen! Are you enticed yet? XD Hope you all have a wonderful New Year! xx IFHD

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Chapter 11: Unexpected Visitors - Part I

Song Inspiration: "For the Love of a Princess" by James Horner

"Gwaine, what happened to you out there?" Lancelot lightly commented as the two knights walked in stride through the side of the thunderous arena. Shaking his helmet from his head with a tug and subsequently tucking it under his arm, he keenly observed, "You did not seem like yourself."

How was Gwaine supposed to focus when what had occurred with Lourdes just a few minutes prior to his match with Lancelot plagued his mind? Nay, not even that - how could the knight focus when she plagued his mind in its entirety, claiming all of his thoughts? The knights would never understand the emotions that swirled blunderingly within him even if he somehow tried to explain them; they would most likely lightheartedly jest or wave it off completely, thinking that he was just after another conquest. Given his past with women, though, they probably had every right to do so. A part of the knight felt embarrassed then - even ashamed - for the reputation that he had progressively built for himself amongst his comrades; but deep within his being, he knew that he was capable of genuine emotions, capable of feeling for only one woman with all of his heart.

No. Lourdes wasn't a conquest.

Not even close.

Determined to keep his feelings entirely to himself, Gwaine waved Lancelot's comments off apathetically, squaring his jaw as he poked, "I just don't lance-a-lot, Lancelot."

"Very funny."

A proud smile crept upon Gwaine's face at the sight of Lancelot's unimpressed look. "I certainly thought so." He repeatedly elbowed his sulking comrade with mirth and continued with, "Besides, I'm much better with my bare fists. In such a contest, I'd be sure to best you and your…stick."

The two continued their light banter - with poor Merlin getting caught up in the mix and being stuck right in the middle - as Arthur strode purposely to their sides. "Have any of you seen Lourdes?" The king inquired of them with furrowed brows. He set aside his sword and helmet by placing the sword's hilt in Merlin's open palm and the helmet on his head with a generous tap - which subsequently sent Merlin reeling backwards. Moving about nonchalantly, the king continued, "Gaius has been searching for her. There were several knights who needed treatment, and she was nowhere to be found. No one I have asked thus far, inside the castle as well as out here at the tournament, has seen her recently either."

Distastefully ripping the burdensome helmet from his head with a sour look, Merlin was the first to respond. "No, I have not seen her for a while." He tried to think of the last moment he had seen Lourdes, a thoughtful look now gracing his face. "She was on her way to the medical tent the last time I saw her. It was before Lancelot and Gwaine's match."

Concern visibly rippled upon Lancelot's countenance and, although Gwaine precisely felt the same emotion, the latter knight managed to mask it with a straightened spine and a tightened jaw. "In the medical tent before our match…" Lancelot responded deliberatively, brows knit in worry as his eyes connected with Arthur's. "Yes, that was when I last saw her."

Although Gwaine remained silent, he could not deny the creeping feeling of guilt overtaking his body. Could their last…conversation…have had anything to do with Lourdes' absence? Was she truly so upset by their earlier meeting that she would shirk her responsibilities, even…run away? It's not like her, Gwaine thought, apprehension now taking prominence over guilt. He then realized that all three men were eyeing him expectantly in the midst of his silent thoughts. "Last time I saw her was before the match with Lancelot as well."

A look of determination suddenly crossed Merlin's face. Using his focus to try and find Lourdes' presence somewhere - anywhere - he began to pace towards the woods, as though his feet had a mind of their own. However, before he could get too far, Arthur instantly seized a hold of his shoulder and brusquely pulled him back. The young Warlock's focus was shattered then, and he was met with the king's inquiring, tired look. "And where do you think you're going, Merlin?"

"To look for Lourdes," he replied, nodding his head to gesture towards the direction of the woods. Eyes slightly narrowed, he surveyed the knights before him alternately. "I have a feeling she might've gone in there."

Catching the meaning in Merlin's words and gestures, Lancelot and Gwaine shared a knowing look before their eyes landed on Arthur. The king, however, was entirely oblivious to what was transpiring. "First of all, you will not be doing that without us." Arthur raised a skeptical brow, letting out a short laugh. "And second of all, what makes you even think that she's off frolicking in the forest?"

"Well," Merlin stumbled, attempting to find an explanation, "If no one inside or outside of the castle has seen her, then…"

Seeing the assured look in Merlin's eyes, Lancelot attempted to support the young Warlock with, "It's worth a try, Arthur." He stepped forward, a hand gesturing to the forest behind them. "We can start with the woods south of here, then make our way north. Perhaps she's gone to the village…"

Arthur let out a sigh of acquiesce, then nodded to his knights respectively. "Lancelot. Gwaine. Find Percival and the others. We'll gather at the entrance of the forest in a few minutes and begin our search at once."

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When they came upon a clearing in the woods just south of the jousting arena, Lourdes' aggressor finally released her from atop his shoulders and placed her gently back on her two feet. Instantly whirling around in utter rage as she regained her freedom, Lourdes prepared herself to attack: arm raised and poised, eyes ablaze in a darkened blue hue.

Who she perceived however, was entirely not who she expected.

She lowered her hand with an elongated sigh of relief.

"I apologize, Princess Lourdes for my uneventful-but-kind-of-funny entrance," the young man before her began with a slight snort, falling on one knee and subsequently giving her a curt military salute. He carefully peered upwards as he cleared his throat. "…and I think you have something in your eyes…"

"Cillian?" Lourdes cried in sheer incredulity as she pulled him upwards to stand. Wrapping her arms around her brother's best mate, her heart soared to recognize a familiar face - not one bent on running her through with a blade. Then, realizing how unceremoniously he had treated her, she abruptly pulled back and gave the grinning, red-haired warrior a good whack on the arm. His winsome face mockingly winced at this contact, almond-shaped eyes filled with jest. She berated, unrelenting, "How dare you treat me in such a manner? I could have your head for this, you know!"

"Ah, but I knew that you wouldn't do that, m'lady." Cillian raised his index finger knowingly, then lightly wagged it at her nose. "Which is precisely why I did it! I couldn't let you make a big fuss about my appearance and ruin my cover. And besides, t'was just a bit of fun, really…"

With a huff, Lourdes shook her head. "It's not fun when you're in my position at the moment." In response, Cillian merely held out his sword horizontally in front of her so that she could gaze upon her reflection. Lourdes' eyes still carried a tinge of blue, but the colour of her iris quickly began to revert back to its original. In answer to the warrior's questioning look, she explained, "It happens when I become angered…or experience any heightened emotion, really."

"Ah. Seems fairly normal."

With a distinct roll of her eyes, Lourdes clutched Cillian's arm and brought him deeper into the woods; she led him towards the picturesque waterfalls that she remembered passing on her journey to Camelot. Keenly surveying their surroundings to ensure that they had no audience, Lourdes inquired through narrowed lids, "How did you find me here?"

The warrior's face finally grew serious as he heaved out an audible sigh. Mussing his short hair, he replied, "Luis has been worrying about you for weeks, so he caved and told me - and no one else - where you had gone. He wanted to ensure that you had made it to Camelot safely and were attaining the protection you sought, so he sent me to find you."

"No harm has come upon me on my journey and since I have come here. King Arthur and the people of Camelot have been very good to me." The young woman placed a hand on the warrior's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. She felt the unease that emanated from his being. Her eyes narrowed. "What news do you bring?"

Cillian frowned then, the mirth in his eyes wholly fading. "We have much to discuss, princess."

With his keen hearing, the warrior was able to discern the clear snap of a twig from behind them. In an instantaneous and almost automatic movement, Cillian stood in front of Lourdes, sword unsheathed and prepared in a swift and fluid motion. Now holding the gleaming blade firmly in his grasp, he was poised to protect her, eyes darting around their surroundings for any sign of danger.

To Arthur and the knights in the distance, however, it seemed as though Cillian was holding her captive. In unison, they, in turn, retrieved their swords from their scabbards and held their weapons steady before them. With quick feet, they advanced towards Lourdes and Cillian, remaining in formation; for a few tense moments, the men stood in a silent standstill, neither side willing to relent.

An audible snarl escape from Lancelot's parted lips; it took every ounce of his willpower to keep his feet firmly planted upon the ground and await Arthur's command. His resolve began to shatter, however, as he caught sight of Lourdes' frightened expression. As Lancelot made a bold move forward, Merlin dashed in front of the knight, holding him steady with a hand upon his chest. "Wait!" The young Warlock then made his way to Arthur's side and lightly grasped the king's arm. "Arthur, I don't think he means to harm her."

Arthur threw Merlin a scowl, though never took his eyes from Cillian's form. "What do you know, Merlin?"

"He's not here to harm me!" Lourdes cried in distress as she desperately sprinted in the space between the men, waving her arms out wildly in front of her for all of them to cease and desist.

As Merlin and Arthur shared a look, a confident smirk appeared on Merlin's face. He cleared his throat animatedly, chin rising. "More than you think, apparently."

In response, Arthur merely threw him a tired look as he subsequently sheathed his sword. "Shut up, Merlin."

Lourdes gave out a sigh of relief as she observed the men standing down. As Merlin and the knights calmly approached them, she explained, "These are friends, Cillian. King Arthur of Camelot and his men."

The mistrust present on Cillian's expression slowly disappeared, and he nodded to her in understanding before lowering his weapon as well. With a swift pivot, Cillian's body language screamed of authority and military training as he proclaimed with pride, "I am Cillian, first commander of the Anihc army." He placed a hard fist upon his heart before taking a curt bow. "I have been sent here to protect Princess Lourdes."

Although Cillian spoke in the native tongue of Anihc, nevertheless, Lourdes' eyes grew wide in nervousness. Truly, Merlin and the knights only understood pretty much the "Lourdes" part of Cillian's speech; all of the men turned their expectant gazes towards her shortly afterwards, hoping that she could alleviate some of the communication barriers at present.

"Ah ha ha…ha!" The young woman gave out an awkward, nervous laugh and, much to the confusion of all the men, lightly punched Cillian's arm. Repeatedly. Then, she casually turned her body away from Arthur and the rest of the men as she threw Cillian a warning look…which only managed to confuse the warrior even more. Facing Merlin and the knights once more when she was convinced that her message had been sent and well-received, she wore a cheeky smile. "Oh, this Cillian, always saying silly things! Must come with being a warrior of Anihc." She shook her head for effect and patted Cillian on the back much harder than necessary. "But he does say that he is pleased to make your acquaintances."

"But," Merlin began thoughtfully, "I thought I heard him say your name and…"

At this, Lourdes' eyes instantly connected with the young Warlock's before she snapped telepathically, "Shut up, Merlin!"

"Sorry!"

"Don't you disappear like that ever again, Lourdes! You know, this," Arthur gestured to himself, and then towards the rest of the men, "is your search party?"

Lourdes groaned inwardly. So much for Cillian's plan of stealth. "I do apologize, King Arthur, but there was an urgent matter at hand, and…" she trailed off, at a loss then for how to explain her absence. "Cillian came unannounced, and…"

Dismissing the unfinished explanation for her sudden absence, Arthur inquired in an amicable tone, "So, who's your friend? He seems quite protective of you." He calmly strode towards Lourdes and Cillian, arms firmly crossed upon his chest. The knights curiously looked onwards as they approached behind him. The king threw her a sly smile, then began to repeatedly raise his eyebrows. "A lover from back home, perhaps? That would easily explain why you had disappeared so suddenly from the tournament…"

In response to his quip, the tight-lipped, clenched jaw expression both graced Lancelot and Gwaine's faces almost identically.

Meanwhile, Cillian made eye contact with Lourdes as he inquired with furrowed brows, "Why is he grinning so widely, Lourdes? What is this King Arthur saying?"

Lourdes scoffed flippantly, followed by a dismissive wave of her hand, "It's not my fault you declined Gaius' language lessons!" Placing her index finger and thumb upon her temples, she translated tiredly, "He thinks you are my lover."

At this revelation, the warrior took a slight, bemused pause; then, without warning, he boomed outright with laughter, clutching his stomach, and then repeatedly slapping a palm on a nearby tree trunk. The knights eyed one another confusedly at the man's unexpected actions, then continued to look upon the exchange. For his own amusement, Cillian scooped Lourdes off the ground with his wide arms, beaming widely. "Yes, this feisty thing is all mine!" He turned proudly towards his captivated audience and gave her a twirl for effect. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Cillian certainly has not changed one bit since we were younger, Lourdes growled inwardly. With a grunt of annoyance, she struggled to push herself from the warrior, mumbling light curses to herself. The knights, save for Lancelot and Gwaine, were quite amused at this scene. Merlin, on the other hand, looked upon the young maiden nervously. "Lourdes, what's going on?"

As inconspicuously as possible, Lourdes returned his stare, orbs dark. "Merlin, Cillian does not know that Arthur and the knights are not aware of my true identity or my real reason for being here. I know that you cannot understand him, but it still makes me nervous…"

"It looks like someone is quite happy to see you." Arthur continued his teasing, though eventually motioned back towards the castle. "Come now, Lourdes. You are needed by Gaius and several knights." As he shook arms with Cillian in greeting and the knights began to head back, the king added as an afterthought, "Bring your lover along with you."

"Arthur, he's not my…"

Before Lourdes could finish, a crushing pain took over her head, the pressure so forceful that it sent her rapidly reeling to the ground. It felt as though her head would momentarily burst. She cried out through gritted teeth and deep breaths, closing her eyes and placing a hand upon her temple. Such power…she cried inwardly, attempting to block whatever force she was feeling with her own magic. Running in a panicked state, Lancelot appeared at her side in an instant, closely followed by Merlin and Cillian. Skidding to a stop through the freshly fallen leaves, Lancelot fell to his knees, gripping Lourdes' arms steadily in order to support her upwards. Gwaine found this gesture curious, lips pursing more tightly. He stood nearby and looked on concernedly, and it took every effort in his being to will himself not to do as Lancelot had just done. In truth, Gwaine feared causing Lourdes even more pain with his presence…

Through Lancelot's concerned words and hands caressing her face, Lourdes whispered through tight lips, "They're here." With the pain lightly subsiding, she declared more clearly:

"We're surrounded."

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A/N: Sorry, I like cliffhangers! =P Part II coming soon! I'd have to say that the next couple of chapters are two of my faves so far! ;) Have a safe and prosperous new year! xx IFHD