Love for a Lionheart

Chapter 12: Restoration

"Really, Merlin, you never cease to amaze me. Some days I begin to believe you actually have a brain and others you go and do something like this!" Arthur fumed as he rode ahead of Merlin, shaking his head in anger. Since becoming King of Camelot, this was among his first times going on a hunt alone. Well, with Merlin in tow.

Merlin rolled his eyes as he guided his horse behind Arthur's. During the hunt, Arthur had spotted a deer and went in pursuit of it. Merlin waited nearby, silently waiting. He had begun to feel a thirst in his throat, and in an attempt to quench it with water, ended up choking and coughing on water that went down the wrong pipe. Sadly, Merlin's cough was enough to startle the deer, and for the rest of the hunt Arthur didn't catch anything.

"Look, I said I was sorry," Merlin said, as they rode through the woods, "Accidents happen."

"My accident was thinking you were competent," Arthur shot back.

"If you were the one to cough you wouldn't be acting like this," Merlin muttered back in a voice loud enough for Arthur to hear.

Arthur was just about to shoot back a retort when a noise startled him. Stopping his horse, he held up an arm, signaling for Merlin to stop as well. "Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"Shh!"

Arthur jumped off the saddle and quietly drew his blade. Merlin frowned lightly as he followed suit, jumping off of his horse as well. Carefully he gathered his and Arthur's horses' reins and waited as Arthur listened into what Merlin thought was silence.

"It's too quiet," Arthur said after a couple minutes of listening. His eyes scanned the area, taking in the trees and the hills that surrounded them.

"Maybe you heard the steps of an animal," Merlin reasoned.

"No, it was—"

Arthur was cut off by an arrow flying by his head, narrowly missing him by a couple of inches. From their left, over the hills came a group of a dozen men. Soon, Merlin and Arthur were surrounded.

The leader of the group stepped forward; he was a burly fellow with a dark mustache and bald head, wielding a large broad sword. "Well look what we have here," said that man, grinning nastily at Arthur, "the King of Camelot and a servant. Kill the servant, but leave the king alive. He will fetch a hefty price in the slave market."

A man raised his crossbow and aimed it at Merlin's chest.

"Stop," said Arthur, holding his sword in front of him. "I will go willingly, as long as you let my servant go."

"Arthur, no," said Merlin, shaking his head.

"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur said through gritted teeth, refusing to show his stress in the situation.

The leader of the slave trade band crossed his thick arms over his chest and stroked his face thoughtfully. "Alright," the leader finally said. "The servant is free to go as long as you come willingly."

"I won't—"

"Merlin! Go!"

Merlin looked at Arthur stared at him with an intense gaze. "Run."

Several of the traders near Merlin pushed him out of the circle, knocking him to the ground. "You heard your king," one of them said. "Go before we kill ye after all."

Merlin got up just as someone reached to grab Arthur who sprang into action. Arthur drove his sword through the man who tried to grab him, causing all of the others to charge him. "Run, Merlin," he yelled, not pausing from his defense. The horses reared in fear and ran off through the woods.

Two men charged at Merlin, and with a murmur of a spell, Merlin sent them flying through the air and into a tree, knocking them unconscious. Luckily, Arthur was preoccupied and didn't notice the act of sorcery.

Arthur was holding his own, killing three more men in the process, when one managed to stab his shoulder, causing him to lose his sword as shooting pain went through his arm. Running to Arthur's side, Merlin muttered another spell causing two men to trip over the root of a tree, impaling themselves in the process.

"Let's go," Merlin said, handing Arthur his sword and allowing the king to wrap an arm around his neck to steady himself. The two set off at a run, pursued by the remaining four slave traders. Going down a steep hill, Merlin and Arthur found themselves near a stream. Running through the stream, Merlin looked around the area.

"I know this place," he said to Arthur through labored breathing. Merlin had last seen Skye here several months ago.

"Then find us somewhere to hide," Arthur said through gritted teeth, the pain of his arm becoming more and more unbearable.

Scanning the area, Merlin found a place for them to hide near the stream, beneath a small overhanging cliff. There was a minute of rest before the traders walked over their hiding place and began scouring the area.

"I'll take care of it, Arthur, stay here," Merlin said.

"What are you going to do without a sword," asked Arthur, pale with pain.

"Trust me."

Merlin left Arthur in the hiding spot and went after the four men, quietly climbing up the small rift where Arthur hid. Merlin narrowed his eyes when he noticed that the traders had split into groups of two. Merlin could only see two of the traders and the other two were nowhere in sight. The two traders Merlin saw failed to notice him so acting quickly, Merlin muttered a spell, his blue eyes lit with amber flames as a heavy bough from a tree landed on the heads of the two men with a sickening crack.

Behind him, Merlin heard the sounds of swords clashing and instantly he knew that the remaining two traders had found Arthur. Running back to Arthur, Merlin noticed that Arthur's sword had been kicked away and Arthur was cornered by the leader of the slave trading group and a man with a crossbow.

Arthur turned to lock eyes with Merlin, and in that moment, Merlin was stuck between using magic and letting Arthur die. Before Merlin could make a decision, the two men standing maliciously over Arthur fell dead, each with a dagger protruding from their backs.

Arthur groaned as tension left his body. Shakily getting to his feet, Arthur looked for the one who saved his life. Across the stream he saw a person of petite stature in a shimmering lavender cloak that reminded him of someone he once knew.

"Skyelynn."

Pulling off her hood, Skye revealed her face to Arthur and to Merlin who had joined Arthur's side. She smiled gently at Arthur.

"I was picking herbs when I heard the sounds of battle. I came out just as Merlin took care of two of the men pursuing you."

"I owe you my life," said Arthur, looking down at the two dead men, impressed by the skill it took to impale them from such a difference.

"I do it for Camelot, my king," said Skye, dipping into a quick curtsy.

Before Arthur could respond, he lost conscious, his fall broken by Merlin. Skye ran after Arthur and Merlin. When she got closer she noticed the wound on Arthur's shoulder. Taking back her daggers, Skye took Arthur's arm and put it around her shoulder as well. "Take him to my home," she said to Merlin, helping move Arthur's limp body.

***/***

Arthur woke to the sound of a fire crackling and the smell of broth being warmed. Groggily, he sat up, groaning as he looked around only to find himself in Gaius, the court physician's, quarters. Sure enough, Gaius was ladling broth into a bowl and handed it to Merlin to give to Arthur.

"What happened," Arthur said, looking at his shoulder that was expertly wrapped.

"The sword that stabbed you was poisoned," Gaius answered. "Your wound was treated just in time before you were brought here. You are lucky, my lord."

Arthur accepted the bowl from Merlin and grimaced after taking a small sip of the herby smelling broth. It tasted terrible. Placing the bowl next to him, Arthur shook his head in thought. "The last thing I remember was seeing…it can't be."

"You saw Skye," said Merlin, sitting on a stool across from Arthur.

"Yes, where is she?"

"She helped bring you here and insisted on putting herself in the prison."

"Why did you let her do such a thing," Arthur said, standing up, feeling dizzy in his quick action. "That woman saved my life."

"She knows that she shamed Uther when she disappeared and she is willing to accept whatever punishment comes her way," answered Merlin. He searched Arthur's face, trying to read what Arthur might be thinking.

"Get her out at once. Be sure she is given what she needs, clean clothes or food, whatever women require, and have her brought to my council room."

"At once, your majesty," Merlin said, quickly exiting the room.

Gaius helped Arthur shrug on a clean shirt in order to avoid the wound. "What do you plan on doing, sire?"

"I'll see what Agravaine will suggest, but I have it in my mind to pardon her. She saved my life, Gaius. If she truly was an enemy of Camelot, she would have let me die."

"You are right, Arthur," said Gaius, hiding a smile, as Arthur left the old man's quarters.

***/***

Skye looked up at the sound of Merlin's voice speaking with the guards, asking for her to be released.

"Is Arthur alright," asked Skye as the guards unlocked her cell and Merlin entered.

"He's fine," said Merlin. "You saved him in the nick of time."

"Good," said Skye as a sense of relief flooded through her. "Am I being released?"

"Momentarily," said Merlin, offering a hand to help Skye up. "Arthur requests to meet with you, but he wants to make sure you are given clean clothes and food if necessary. Are you hungry?"

"Very," said Skye, taking Merlin's hand and picking up her cloak, following him out of the cellar.

Skye brushed her shoulder against Merlin's arm, smiling up at him. She wanted nothing more than to embrace him, but she knew this was not the time or place. As soon as Merlin smiled at her, they placed a professional distance between them.

As Merlin led her through the castle, Skye chuckled lightly when she realized where they were going. "Were my quarters preserved after I left?"

"Well, after they ransacked your room look for clues, Alissa, Guinevere, and I put your room back together in hopes that you would shortly return."

"Alissa! Guinevere! Are they well too?"

Merlin met Skye's question with silence. Skye grabbed Merlin's arm, stopping him. "Merlin, are they still here?"

Merlin refused to answer as they walked the last stretch of hallway to her room. Skye found that her quarters looked similar to the way she left things when she left. Against the large window was her wooden table where she worked on antidotes and kept her notes. Her bedding had been changed to lavender and pale gold colors, the colors of the Aidan. At the foot of her bed was her chest that could only be opened with magic.

Behind the divider in her room, she could see steam rising to the ceiling. "Your bath is prepared, my lady."

Skye's eyes widened as Alissa stepped out from behind the divider, pushing her blonde hair behind her ears. She smiled at the sight of Skye and dipped into a curtsy. "Welcome back, m'lady."

"Alissa!" Skye rushed to the girl who was taller than her and pulled her into a tight hug. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too, Skye," said Alissa as the two women pulled away. Skye smiled fondly at her servant girl who had matured into a woman. "Quick," Alissa now said, ushering Skye behind the divider. "Get in your bath before it cools."

"And when you're ready," said a voice coming from the doors. "There is fresh fruit and water for you on the table."

"Guinevere!"

Skye tightly hugged her friend as soon as the woman put the plate of food down. For a moment the three women simply stare at each other and laughed. All were misty-eyed at the emotions of being united again.

Merlin simply stood by the door with his hands behind his back, smiling at the scene. It was good to see Skye back in Camelot. He wanted nothing more than to be alone with Skye, but a part of him was afraid that once he got used to her being around, something would come up and they would be torn apart again. Instead, he simply cleared his throat, a reminder that he wasn't a piece of furniture in the corner.

"Oh," said Guinevere, smiling at Merlin. "I think I heard Arthur yelling for you."

"Probably," said Merlin with a laugh. He nodded at Skye, sharing a lingering look with her. "I see that you're in safe hands. I must go see what his royal highness needs."

"Of course," said Skye, her mood completely elated. After many months of solitude there was nothing greater than being in a room full of the people she loved most.

"Hurry, before the bath gets cold," Alissa said once more, pushing Skye behind the divider and helping undo her clothing. Guinevere shooed Merlin away to respect Skye's decency.

"Everyone is talking about you," Guinevere informed as Skye sat in the bath, allowing Alissa to shampoo her ridiculously long hair.

"What do they say?"

"There are mixed reviews," answered Alissa to which Guinevere nodded.

"Some say that this is a good thing, and others say it is bad. Mostly people believe this will show the extent of Arthur's abilities as King."

"Uther would have me executed," said Skye as Alissa helped her out of the bath and into a robe.

"Yes," agreed Guinevere, "but Arthur is not his father. Already, he has shown the makings of being just and fair.

Skye walked over to the vanity, plucking a cluster of grapes from the platter of fruit along the way, and chewed thoughtfully as Alissa combed through her wet hair, toweling it off to dry. "I ran away from Camelot while a prisoner," said Skye. "That is punishable by death."

"But you saved the King's life," said Alissa working Skye's hair into an intricate plait. "That must count for something."

"It will for Arthur," Guinevere firmly said.

Skye smiled faintly at Guinevere and at her love for Arthur. Skye had hoped that by now Guinevere would be queen instead of just a servant.

"How about this dress," asked Guinevere holding up a simple cream colored gown.

"It's lovely," said Skye in acceptance. Skye thought that Guinevere could have pulled out any dress and she would have said yes to it. It had been a long time since she'd worn anything nice.

After being laced into the dress, Skye was escorted by her friends to Arthur's council room.

***/***

"—And that was when I heard the sound of pursuit and found Arthur and his servant Merlin in danger. I knew I was capable of helping, and I have remained loyal to Camelot even in my time of hiding. As soon as I knew it was Arthur and Merlin in danger I immediately helped without hesitation."

The room was deathly silent as Skye recounted her tale of her time in hiding. Gaius, Merlin, Guinevere, Alissa, and a couple of the knights held their breath as they looked to Arthur and Agravaine for their verdict.

Agravaine broke the silence with laughter. "Surely you can't believe this girl's story, my lord. She should be executed for making a fool of Camelot and your father!"

"She saved my life," Arthur calmly said after a pregnant pause. "If she were an enemy to Camelot she could have easily let me die. Also, my servant told me that as soon as they arrived in Camelot she turned herself into our prison when she could have easily run."

Skye used all of her discipline to bite back her angry comments against Agravaine. She had no idea who he was before today, but she knew that she didn't like him and would keep an eye out for him. Instead, she kept a steady gaze on Arthur, praying that he would pardon her. She knew what she deserved, but she hoped in his goodness.

"You can't seriously be pardoning this lying…wench," Agravaine said with disdain.

Agravaine's words were enough for Arthur to make his decision. Rising from his seat, Arthur walked toward Skye. Skye lifted her chin, prepared for whatever he would say to her.

"Skyelynn Fell, what you did is ultimately a poor reflection on you. You claim that Morgana is after you for your knowledge on her sorcery. Now that her abilities are known, you are no longer in danger. If you still feel the need for protection, you will have the knights of Camelot at your disposal. You have been a friend to Camelot for many years, and I have come to know you as a friend in recent years, despite your hiding. These are dangerous times for Camelot, and good friends are hard to come by. I owe you my life, Skyelynn. You are hereby pardoned from your deeds and you are restored to your position if you will still take it."

Arthur held out his arm to Skye as a sign of friendship and camaraderie, his blue eyes earnest as he waited for her response. Skye glanced behind Arthur and saw Agravaine attempting to control his anger at Arthur. Fixing her gaze on the king of Camelot, Skye smiled and took his arm, squeezing it gently. Dipping into a low curtsy, Skye straightened and smiled. "Thank you, your highness. Camelot will always have my loyalty. As well as Aidan's."

***/***

That evening two messages were sent from Camelot. One was sent to Aidan, informing the Fell family that Skye had been found and was restored her position as liaison between Aidan and Camelot.

The second letter was sent in secret by Agravaine to Morgana, letting her know that Skye had returned to Camelot's good graces.

Author's Note: Next chapter will have more Skye and Merlin, I promise!

However, I do not know when I will post the next chapter...I hope within the week, but just a head's up...I return to school on Friday so...updating may once again take a while. But I will do my best. I promise... :)

Happy new year!