Emilia awoke to a bright shining sun. She felt around and the soft cotton of the blankets relaxed her. She looked at her surroundings and realized she was in a private chamber. All her stuff had been moved into the room. Well that was quick she thought. Even her clothes for the day were laid out for her. She found herself having to squint to see them though. The sunlight was so blinding that she walked up to the heavy curtains and forced them shut. She then proceeded to get dressed into a pair of brown pants and a red shirt. This reminded her of Merlin. The softness of the shirt and the way he always coordinated it with his scarf.
Her heart skipped a beat and she remembered the previous day. She suddenly started running out the door. Emilia didn't think she had ever run so fast in her life. Her legs kept moving and there was nothing anyone could do. She ran straight passed the guards and into the sunlight that had been blinding her moments ago. Everyone stopped and stared at her, but she didn't care. She ran through the cobblestone streets, falling many times along the way and finally stormed into Gaius's chambers. Unusual silence greeted her. She did not hear the familiar clinking of vials and Merlin chanting spells. Without hesitation she entered Merlin's room and there was his bed made up the exact way he had left it before the fateful journey. All she could do was think of the worst. Her head started swimming and she sat on the floor.
Calm down she ordered herself. There are plenty of explanations, but she realized there weren't. Only twelve hours ago she had seen Merlin's still body on the cold ground of the castle. Just thinking about it made a shiver go up her spine. She sat there for what seemed like an eternity, buteventually got up and headed out to the courtyard. She needed the air. When she stepped out no one was there. What was going on? Usually there were vendors and she even expected the knights to start pestering her. She wished for the pestering too because she had thought of a ton of witty comebacks and it pleased her to see the faces of the knights when they were outsmarted. Suddenly she heard the sound of heavy boots on stone.
"Emilia!" Emilia turned around and saw Percival running toward her. He was panting and that meant he had run far and fast to reach her "Come with me." He seemed very serious and Emilia started shaking.
"What's this about?" she asked, her voice quaking. He didn't answer her though. Her hands became clammy and it took all her strength not to fall to the ground.
She followed him up the steps and toward the throne room. This can't be good. This can't be good, she thought. Merlin has to be fine. He can't have studied all those spells to not end up using them. Emilia even knew Gaius had magicsurely he would have done something. Besides, they would have told you if there was a funeral because you definitely wouldn't be wearing this. Emilia just sighed. She wasn't very good at comforting herself. Finally she and Percival reached the entrance to the throne room. She watched Percival open the door and inside was the knights and people of Camelot. They were solemn and even Gwaine wasn't wearing his usual cheeky smile. At the head of the room was Arthur standing tall and proud. He had a sword in his hand.
Percival joined the other knights, but first told Emilia to walk to Arthur. Emilia looked shakily at the crowd and saw Gaius standing...without Merlin. Tears started at the corner of Emilia's eyes. Never in all her life had she felt so much sadness and anger in one moment. Her one true love was gone and everyone was beating around the bush. Why didn't they just tell her now and get it over with.
She looked at the ground, not wanting to get any closer to what she expected to be the worst news she would ever receive. When she looked back up though, her tears immediately ceased. Instead joy and relief flooded her because in that moment she saw Merlin join Arthur at his side. He smiled his brilliant smile and his eyes glittered with emotion. Oh how Emilia had missed that smile. He advanced down the aisle toward her. His walk was a bit unsteady, but that didn't keep him from making his way to her. He gently, but firmly clasped her hands in his a led her up to where Arthur stood. His hands felt warm and comforting against her cold and shaking ones. Once they were in front of Arthur Merlin left Emilia's side and went and stood with Gaius, his smile not disappearing the entire time.
Emilia noticed for the first time how much Arthur looked like a King when he was up on the stairs. His golden hair glinted in the sunlight almost as much as his crown did.
"Emilia, please kneel" he commanded his voice booming.
What the heck is this all about?
"You have shown the most bravery I have seen in any woman. You never once backed down on a fight and showed courage can come in all forms. You were there when we needed you most and have clearly become like a sister to many of the knights.
He smiled and proceeded to lift the sword. He tapped each of Emilia's shoulders.
"Arise Dame Emilia Bertran, knight of Camelot."
Emilia rose and stood there stunned. Was this really happening? She pinched herself and grimaced. This was not a dream. She turned toward the court and applause rumbled through the room. She looked at all the faces in the room. The knights were the loudest of course and their faith her gave her an overwhelming amount of pride. Gaius was smiling and clapping very silently. She suddenly forgot about Dessa and everything that had happened because in this moment she knew Camelot was where she belonged. The final face she saw before exiting was Merlin's. His face radiated pride and Emilia felt the urge to run straight to him. She knew that was out of character for the moment, so she decided she would just do that later.