Hey everyone! Here's another chapter, sorry it took a little longer to get this one out! Life got in the way. Hope you enjoy some fluffy moments between Arthur and Cass! Let me know what you all think in a review!
Escape.
"When you say everything…" Cassandra asked Arthur sheepishly.
Arthur smirked at her, "She told me that you healed the boy and you've become very attached to him."
"She say anything else?" Cassandra asked him, relieved that Morgana hadn't revealed her connection to the Druids, for a second she had thought Morgana had outed her.
"Just that you helped her get the Druid boy out of the castle." Arthur shrugged his shoulders as Cassandra frowned at him.
"And you're not mad?"
"At the beginning, yes, I was furious with Morgana." He looked away, "And at you, I couldn't believe that both of you had been helping the druid boy."
"We only wanted what was best for him," Cassandra protested.
Arthur held up his hands, "I know that now, which is why Morgana and I were coming up with a plan to get him out. And I need your help." He told her. Cassandra looked at him in shock.
"Me? What can I do?" she asked him.
"I need you to find the Druids, get word to them about what has happened so that they can meet us somewhere." Arthur told her as she frowned.
"Why me? Send Merlin!" she cried out.
Arthur shook his head at her, "No, I need you out of Camelot."
Cassandra's mouth dropped open, "But why? I could be more help here then out there!"
"I know," Arthur agreed. Cassandra looked at him with a confused expression, she couldn't understand him at all.
"Arthur—" she only got his name out as Arthur stepped closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, she shut her mouth as he spoke again, only this time it was much softer.
"I need you out of Camelot so that there can be no connection to you. Once they figure out that he's gone my father will be questioning everyone in the castle, I don't want him to find anything that connects you and the boy." Cassandra was frozen to her spot on the ground, she couldn't move anything, she was speechless. All this time she only thought that Arthur cared for her as just a friend, but now, as she stared into his eyes, she could see that he cared for her on a deeper level that she didn't think he even knew about.
Hesitantly, Cassandra lifted her arm and placed one of her hands over Arthur's that was still on her shoulder. She was pleased when he didn't pull away or ask her what she was doing, "I'll go," she whispered. Arthur smiled at her as she pulled her hand away from his and stepped out of his reach. She walked to the large wooden doors as she tugged on the handle.
"The last known location of the Druids was somewhere in the Darkling Woods, you should start there." Arthur said to her as she looked over her shoulder. She nodded to him as she slipped out of his chambers silently. She hurried back to her chambers, she walked in and saw Gaius sitting with his back to her, he glanced over his shoulder at her.
"Oh, there you are. How was your talk with Arthur?" Gaius asked her as she looked up at her room, she had no idea how she was going to sneak passed Gaius on her way out.
"No good, he can't do anything to save the boy, I'm going to bed, goodnight Gaius," she said quickly as she hurried up the stairs and to her room. She shut the door as she grabbed her old bag and stuffed her blanket in it and a change of clothes, she had no idea how long she would be away from Camelot. She quietly opened her door as she peered over the balcony and down at Gaius, he was tottering away as Cassandra muttered, "rhewi."
Gaius then froze where he was as Cassandra ran down the stairs and shoved some apples and bread into her pack. She slipped the pack over her shoulder as she ran over to the hook by the door where her dark green cloak hung. She swung it around and clasped it around her neck as she threw the hood up and left the chambers. She reached the square as she diverted into the stables and reached for the first horse she saw, she saddled him up as she hoisted herself onto his back. She didn't believe that the druids would be in the darkling woods; the only person who knew where they would be was Mordred.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on reaching Mordred's mind with her own, "Mordred? Mordred can you hear me?" Cassandra asked him. She only had a few minutes of energy to do this as it drained her. She was not very skilled in the telepathy.
"Cassandra?" She heard Mordred's reply in her head.
"I need you to tell me where the Druid's are, I'm going to them." When she finished her eyes opened and she suddenly became very weak. She could no longer talk with Mordred telepathically, but he could still reach her.
"The Forest of Ascetir." Was his reply. Cassandra nodded to herself as she nudged the horse to begin trotting out of the stables, when they were free she nudged him once more and they galloped out of Camelot.
~14~
It was almost dawn when Cassandra reached the forest; she remembered these woods, having spent some time in them when she was still living with the Druids. She entered the forest at a walk with her horse as she looked around in the pre-dawn light. She couldn't see any indication that the druids had been around and she began to give up hope that they were here. That was until she heard a branch snap to the right of her, her head shot to where she had heard the sound as she stopped walking and the horse whinnied at her side.
From the darkness a figure stepped out into some of the light, they wore a crème colored cloak and had curly greying hair, "Iseldir." Cassandra called out the name of the man whom she recognized. He walked up to her and bowed slightly.
"You've returned, Druantia."
Cassandra scowled at him, "I told you I didn't want to be called that. And I'm not here for me."
"But it is your name," Iseldir told her.
"My name is Cassandra." She said firmly.
Iseldir bowed slightly once more to her, "Very well. What brings you here then, if not to return to us?"
"Mordred's in trouble." She said.
Iseldir's eye widened, "What happened?" he demanded off her.
"Cerdan and Mordred came to Camelot but were betrayed. Cerdan was killed and Mordred imprisoned. Arthur Pendragon is going to get him out of Camelot but you need to meet him at the Darkling Woods tonight."
"Uther's son is aiding a Druid?" Iseldir asked in disbelief.
"It took a bit of convincing but he'll get Mordred out, they should be on their way to the Darkling Woods now if everything went smoothly."
Iseldir thought on this for a second, "We will leave right away, I must go and get the other Elders." Iseldir said as he turned around and disappeared into the forest.
Cassandra waited around for an hour before Iseldir returned with two other men whom Cassandra recognized. They all set off in silence together, Cassandra was on the horse and the three men followed behind he. It was almost night when they arrived at the Darkling Woods. They went to the edge of the woods and waited patiently. Cassandra dismounted the horse as she pulled down the hood of her cloak; she folded her hands together to keep herself from fidgeting. She was worried that the plan hadn't gone perfectly and they had been caught once again, but she had to keep faith, if anyone could get Mordred out of Camelot it would've been Arthur.
Cassandra was nervously biting her lip and playing with the hem of her tunic for the past hour they had been waiting, then all of a sudden they heard the trotting of horse hooves crunching on the leaves. Her emerald eyes searched the darkness for any sign of Arthur and Mordred, and then they appeared on horseback. They emerged slowly, their faces coming into view as Cassandra broke out into a giant grin. Arthur pulled his horse to stop as he slid off the mare and helped Mordred down onto the ground, once the young boy was free he ran at a sprint towards the Druid group, Cassandra in front slightly, as if she was their leader. Mordred had a brilliant smile on his young face as he ran into Cassandra's open and waiting arms, she wrapped her arms around his small frame tightly.
"I'm so glad you are safe," she murmured into his ear. Cassandra pulled away from Mordred as the boy turned to Iseldir and the other Elders as he walked over to them, Iseldir placed a hand on his shoulder as he looked over at Arthur.
Arthur's gaze was on Cassandra as he watched how she interacted with the boy; it brought a smile to his face as Iseldir spoke to the Prince, "We are forever indebted to you, Arthur Pendragon, for returning the boy to us."
"You must not let it be known that it was I who brought him to you," Arthur replied sternly.
"We will tell no one. You have my word." Iseldir promised him. The four Druids turned away to leave Cassandra and Arthur.
"Wait, I don't even know your name! At least tell me your name," Arthur asked Mordred as the boy's blue gaze looked up at Iseldir.
"It's all right," he told him.
Mordred turned to Arthur, "My name is Mordred."
Arthur smiled at him, "Good luck, Mordred." As they turned away once more Cassandra heard Mordred speak to her one last time.
"Goodbye, Cassandra." The redhead watched them leave as she heard Arthur walk up to her; she turned her head slightly to look over at him.
"Thank you, you risked a lot to get him out." She said to him. Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and smirked.
"Yes well, I hadn't done anything heroic in a while." Cassandra rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the ribs sharply, he groaned as she chuckled.
"Just admit it Arthur, you wanted to help the boy all on your own."
"I did not, I only did it because Morgana practically begged me." He protested as Cassandra rolled her eyes once more.
"Come on, Hero, let's go back to Camelot." Cassandra tugged on his sleeve as they both went to their separate horses. Cassandra hoisted herself up as she nudged her horse and brought her horse up next to Arthur as he mounted his mare. He threw her a charming smile that he used often as she shook her head in laughter as they both galloped out of the woods.
~14~
Once Camelot was in view Arthur and Cassandra slowed their horses to a walk, they were in the fields just outside of Camelot in the pre-dawn light, Cassandra tilted her head back and blew air out of her mouth as it came out in a wisp it was that cold. "Do you think your father has any idea you broke Mordred out of the dungeons?" Cassandra asked him, turning to look at him.
Arthur shrugged, "No idea, but he can't do anything bad to me."
"And why's that?" Cassandra gave him a look as Arthur seemed to sit up straighter in the saddle.
"Well one, I am his only heir, and two; it's my coronation in two days." He gave her a boyish smile at the mention of his birthday.
"I thought you were already the Prince, unless you were swapped at birth?" Cassandra giggled as Arthur rolled his eyes.
"I am the Prince yes, but not the crown Prince. It's my twenty-first year, which is also the coming of age to be the crown Prince. You always have your nose stuck in a book, shouldn't you know this?"
Cassandra glared at him, "I read about medicines and science, not feasts and royal requirements."
"Well maybe you should." He retorted.
"Why? It's not like I'll ever be a royal," Cassandra scoffed. She glanced over at Arthur to see that his face had gone serious. "So what happens at this Coronation?" Cassandra asked him, changing the subject.
Arthur jolted out of his daze as he smirked, "Well, there's the ceremony."
"Naturally."
"And then the feast."
"Of course," Cassandra sighed.
Arthur looked at her from the corner of his eye and smirked, "And gifts, of course."
Cassandra raised her eyebrows as she smirked, "Not asking for much are you?"
"I didn't ask to be the crown Prince." Arthur defended with a smirk.
"No of course not," Cassandra replied. They arrived at the gates of Camelot as they both rode in.
"So what does the Crown Prince of Camelot receive on his birthday?" Cassandra asked him with a side-glance.
Arthur shrugged, "Nothing really. A few minor gifts from the nobles, my father may even gift me with a new sword." He said with a smile as Cassandra narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And you call that nothing? Well don't expect anything from me, the coins in my pocket wont afford anything Prince worthy." She said sarcastically as Arthur laughed.
They reached the castle square as Arthur dismounted his mare, he walked over to Cassandra's horse, as she was throwing her leg over the saddle he extended his arms to her and helped her slide off of the horse. After she was on the ground his hands lingered on her waist for just an extra second longer as he pulled away as Merlin came running up to them both, having spotted them from one of the windows inside.
"Is he safe?" he whispered to them both.
"He's safe," Cassandra told him. The stable boy came and took their horses. "He's back with his people," she added on after the boy had left.
"That's good." Merlin said with a grin. A few seconds later Arthur clapped him on the shoulder and directed him back up to the castle.
"Right, well seeing as I haven't been here for a day I am going to assume that my chambers are spotless." He asked Merlin. The warlock began to stutter and try and come up with some excuse. "Well, after that, my armor needs repairing, my boots need shining and my socks need to be washed." Arthur carried on up the stairs as Cassandra waved and called out.
"Bye Merlin! Have fun!" Merlin shot her a dark glare over his shoulder as they disappeared into the castle. She spun around on her heel as she marched on over to the physician chambers to be greeted by Gaius who was surprised to see her.
"Oh, there you are! I'd forgotten what you looked like seeing as you're never here anymore." He said sarcastically as Cassandra gave him a stare, after a few seconds they both burst out in laughter.
"Well I'm going to sleep, I haven't slept in an entire day—"
"Oh no you don't!" Gaius interrupted her as she had one foot on the stairs, her mouth dropped open in horror. "You've got rounds to do," he said with pointed look.
"But I'm tired," she whined.
"And they're sick, come on lets go," Gaius ordered her as she groaned and collected her satchel and the list from Gaius as he grabbed his own bag and list as the two left the chambers.
~14~
When Arthur's birthday came around, Cassandra was sitting on her bed deciding whether or not she should get him a gift or not. She didn't feel like she had to, but it was a special occasion, he was now the Crown Prince of Camelot. She had even heard Merlin talking about how he had gotten him a gift for his birthday. If Merlin had gotten him something Cassandra felt like she had to as well, but she couldn't decide to as what. She was pacing around her room for a few hours when a thought floated across her mind as she walked over to her dresser and pulled open the top draw. There was her large white crystal wrapped in the purple cloth but tucked away in the corner was a red cloth. It was small, and sat in the palm of her hand as she took it out and gripped it tightly. She was deciding whether or not to give it to him, it was one of her most treasured trinkets.
Cassandra made up her mind as she put the cloth in her red tunic and pulled on her boots. She flicked her long hair over her shoulder as she left her room and hurried down the stairs. Gaius and Merlin were already gone for the day as she left her home and went out into the could see nearly all of the servants preparing for the nights feast and ceremony, with most of them carrying foods, wines, ales, flowers and decorations. She dodged through many of them as she entered the palace. It was just the same outside, servants carrying various things in their arms as se dodged out of their way as she ran up the stairs and towards Arthur's chambers.
She knocked on the door with her fist loudly as she waited a few seconds. "Enter," Arthur called from inside. She opened the door and slipped in quietly, she glanced around as she shut the door behind her. Arthur appeared from the other side of the room wearing his white cotton shirt, brown trousers and his belt low on his hips. He smiled at Cassandra when he saw her, "Come to wish me a happy birthday?"
Arthur stopped at the table as he leaned back on it, crossing his arms over his chest. Cassandra smiled gently and laughed softly, "Yes, as a matter of fact I am." She moved towards him, taking her gift out of her pocket. "Happy birthday, Arthur." She said as she held out the small red gift. Arthur pushed off the table and took the cloth from her hands as he began to open it up. In his palm was a necklace, it had a leather cord and the jewel that hung off it was an emerald stone that had a hole in it that the cord could go through. Arthur picked it up in his hands and set the cloth down on the table, he put the stone in between his fingers as he held it up to look at it closer.
"It was my fathers." Cassandra said, staring at the necklace. Arthur moved his gaze from the jewel to Cassandra. "He said he found it the day I was born, he always wore it. He gave it to me the day he died." She said sadly, thinking back on her memories.
Arthur shook his head and held the necklace out to her, "I can't accept this, it's too precious to you." He said to her.
Cassandra took a step towards him and closed his hand back over the necklace with her hand, her gaze flicked up to meet his. "I want you to have it. It deserves to be worn again by someone just as brave and courageous as my father." She smiled at him once more. She slowly pulled her hand away from his as Arthur looped the necklace over his head as it settled just above his heart.
"Then I wear it with a great honor," he told her. Cassandra's gaze settled at the jewel once more, her heart swelled at seeing someone wear her beloved fathers necklace again. And as much as she hated to admit it, the emerald looked beautiful on him, it shined in the sunlight that was hitting it. "It is the same colour as your eyes," Arthur mumbled, holding the emerald once more.
Cassandra felt herself blush and nodded, "It's why he thought it brought good luck, he found it when I was born and when my eyes turned the exact same colour he knew that it was special." Arthur smiled down at her as she met his gaze again, the two stood together, staring at each other for the longest time. Then they both started leaning towards the other, it was if something was pulling them together. They were inches apart when the door suddenly opened and Merlin walked in. Cassandra jumped back like she had been burned from something as Arthur glared at Merlin.
"Oh, err sorry, I didn't think you'd be in here," Merlin said sheepishly as he looked around the room and not at the two.
"It's called knocking, Merlin. Maybe you should try it sometime," Arthur growled at him. His gaze moved back down to Cassandra, she was looking away from both of them, her face turning redder by the second. She felt someone staring at her as she lifted her gaze and met Arthur's for a split second before she looked away once more.
"I should go," she said softly, turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
Arthur crossed his arms over his chest as Merlin suddenly got a sly grin on his face, "What was that all about?" he asked him as the prince turned his sharp gaze on his manservant.
"What was what?" Arthur asked him.
"That!" Merlin said, pointing to the door where Cassandra had left. Arthur knew what Merlin was talking about but he couldn't admit it to him.
"That was none of your business." Arthur said darkly as Merlin chuckled. Arthur picked up the nearest thing to him, which was an apple as he lobbed it at Merlin's head, which the servant dodged.
~14~
"Hold still," Gwen ordered Cassandra.
"Gwen I really don't see the point in all of this, it's just a feast." Cassandra protested as she winced from Gwen pulling on her hair.
"Not just any feast, it's the feast." Gwen replied. She pulled and braided Cassandra's hair for a little longer until she made a small noise indicating that she had finished. Gwen stood back and clasped her hands together and grinned, "You look beautiful, Cass."
Cassandra turned around and finally looked at herself in the mirror on the dresser, Gwen had done her hair so that a braid was around the top part of her head, like a crown, and then the rest of her hair fell over her shoulders in it's natural waves. The dress she was wearing was the green silk one that Morgana had gifted her with. With the three different layers of green, the final one matching the color of her eyes as it made the bodice with off the shoulder sleeves that fell passed her hands and a shiny gold belt around her waist.
"Thank you, Gwen." Cassandra said to Gwen as the maid leaned forwards and hugged her tightly.
Gwen left the room as Cassandra turned and took one more look at herself in the mirror. She smiled at herself, liking at what she saw as she set the mirror down and left her room. Gwen was already gone, no doubt going to help Morgana get ready for the feast; Gaius and Merlin were standing by the door waiting for Cassandra to come down. When they heard her footsteps on the stairs they both looked up at her, Gaius' smile beamed with joy as Merlin grinned up at her. She reached them both as Gaius extended his arm for her, "Would you do the honor of accompanying an old man to a feast?" Gaius asked her with a smile.
"Of course, Gaius." Cassandra looped her arm with Gaius', as they passed Merlin Cassandra turned her head to look at him, "Have fun working tonight, Merlin." She smirked at him as Merlin frowned and pulled a face at her as he followed the two out.
They arrived at the large banquet hall, it was full of nobles and courtiers, all who were talking and drinking merrily. Gaius spotted some old noblemen whom he recognized as he walked over to them, leaving Cassandra by herself in the throngs of people. Some stared at her, not knowing who she was, but admiring her beauty and poise. She wondered how they would react if they knew she was just a simple court physician.
"You look beautiful," a voice said, she turned her head, looking over her shoulder and smiled at Arthur. He was in his Knights armor, with his long red cape and hanging over his crest was the emerald stone that Cassandra had gifted him with. She grinned when she saw it as Arthur reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to her hand as she felt her face heat up. Arthur dropped her hand slowly, his fingers lingering on hers for a second longer as a nobleman walked up to them and whisked Arthur away from her, apparently the man hadn't seen Arthur since he was a little boy and wanted to catch up. As he was being pulled away Arthur cast one more look over his shoulder at Cassandra. She was still smiling at him as she waved slightly with one of her hands.
"I saw that," Merlin announced as he stood next to her.
Cassandra frowned and looked at him. "Saw what?" she asked him.
Merlin chuckled and rolled his eyes at her, "Oh come on, Cass. Everyone can see that you and Arthur like each other."
"No, we don't." She replied.
Merlin snorted, "You're still denying it after what I walked in on today and what I just saw then, you must think I'm really stupid."
"Here's hoping." She grumbled. Merlin threw a lanky arm over her shoulder as she glared up at him.
"Why don't you just tell him?" Merlin asked her, his tone softer.
Cassandra sighed, "Because what could come of it? We would never be allowed to be together, he's a prince…and I'm just a physician."
"You're more than that," Merlin tried consoling her.
"Yeah? Then what would Uther say? Sure Arthur, you can be with a physician rather then a Princess who has money, beauty and a title."
"Good point," Merlin agreed.
"And there's just the little fact that I have magic," Cassandra hissed quietly. "Which, need I remind you, if Arthur found out he'd throw me to the executioner in a heartbeat."
"I doubt he would," Merlin protested to her.
"Care to test that theory?" Cassandra said sarcastically as Merlin shook his head.
Someone then brought the room to order and asked everyone to take their seats as Merlin walked off to the side of the room. Cassandra met up with Gaius once more as they both sat down at the end of one of the tables, Gwen and Merlin came and stood behind them as Uther stood up from his chair and walked around to the front of the table where Arthur stood. Arthur knelt down on his knees before his father as Uther took the Prince's crown for the plush red pillow and held it above his head.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and law laid down by your forbears?" Uther recited.
"I do, Sire."
"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?"
"I do, Sire."
"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?"
"I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples." Arthur said loudly so that everyone could hear it.
"Now being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot." Uther placed the small golden crown encrusted with rubies on his head as the room erupted with applause. Arthur rose and turned around to face the crowd as he grins. Cassandra and Gaius are clapping together as they smile at one another, Cassandra could hear Merlin and Gwen talking behind her when just as Gwen laughs the large stained glass window at the back of the room smashes and a black armored knight bursts through on horseback.
Cassandra jumps as her eyes widen in shock, she looks down to where Arthur is as he and his knights all draw their swords as the knight rides up to them. She watched as the Knight throws down his silver gauntlet onto the stone floor. To Cassandra's horror she see's Arthur begin to sheathe his sword to pick it up, she gasps slightly but is slightly relieved when she see's another Knight pick up the gauntlet before Arthur can get to it.
"I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge." The young Knight says loudly.
"Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death." The Black Knight says ominously to him as he turns his horse and rides out and jumps back out through the window. A few seconds after the Knight had left the room slowly began to get loud with everyone talking about what had just happened. Though seeing as the Knight had ruined the night most of the guests had started to disperse and leave the room. Cassandra had moved around the table and was heading over to Arthur when Gaius moved in front of her and stopped her, grabbing her arm lightly.
"We need to get out of here," he mumbled to her as he started pulling her towards the doors.
"But…" she said softly, looking over her shoulder. She looked through the moving crowd and saw Arthur dodging through the throngs of people; he seemed to be looking for something, or someone. His head finally turned and his gaze settled on Cassandra just as Gaius pulled her out of the banquet hall and out into the corridor.
~14~
"Have you ever seen this Black Knight before?" Merlin asked Gaius when they were all back in the chambers. Cassandra was sitting at the table, still in her dress as Merlin was pacing around the room speaking to Gaius who was flicking through a book.
"I don't believe so." Gaius said to him.
"You didn't recognize his crest?" Merlin asked him, Gaius looked up at Merlin in a faked confusion, which Cassandra saw through.
"Crest?" he replied.
"Which house is it?" Merlin asked him.
"I'm not sure. I didn't see it that clearly," Gaius said. Cassandra narrowed her eyes slightly, she knew that Gaius was hiding something.
"But he's not someone you'd forget in a hurry, is he?"
"No."
"So you don't think he's from around here?" Merlin said sporadically.
"That would seem likely," Gaius sighed.
"Then what's he doing here?" Merlin asked him.
Gaius finally gave him a stern look, "Merlin, your faith in my all-seeing knowledge is both touching and wholly misplaced. Maybe if you've finished your work, you could go to be and leave me to finish mine." Gaius told him as Merlin sighed and nodded.
"Ok, I'm going." He started to walk up his stairs but stopped and turned, "Gaius?"
"Merlin." The old man replied.
"Do you think Owain can beat him?" Merlin asked him sadly.
Gaius sighed, "We'll find out soon enough." Merlin trudged up to his room and once the door was closed Cassandra turned around in her seat.
"What aren't you telling him?" She asked Gaius.
Gaius looked at her with confusion, "I don't know what you're—"
"Gaius," Cassandra cut him off with a look, "I can read you, and you're hiding something." Gaius sighed as he stood up and beckoned her to follow him. She stood quickly and hurried after him as he left the chambers and headed over to the palace. They went through the palace quietly and headed down some corridors that Cassandra had never been down before. They went down a number of stairs before they came to a large door that was dusty and had cobwebs all over it. Gaius opened the door and stepped in, Cassandra followed close on his heels. She glanced around at the room she was in; it was a large room full of dusty old books lining hundreds of shelves.
Cassandra looked around in awe at all of the books before her.
"Gaius. Thank god." An old, hoarse voice said. Cassandra looked at the man whom she had seen a few times before.
Gaius walked up to him, "You know why I'm here?" Gaius asked him as Geoffrey nodded.
"The Black Knight."
"So it is he?" Gaius asked him.
"You saw his crest?"
"Have you confirmed it?" Gaius asked him as Geoffrey's gaze moved over to Cassandra suspiciously who was listening to what they were saying. "She's alright," Gaius reassured him as Cassandra frowned in confusion.
"It is the crest of Tristan de Bois." Geoffrey revealed. Cassandra frowned, she had never heard of that name before.
"And he is the only Knight ever to have carried such a crest?" Gaius asked him.
"Yes. According to the records," Geoffrey pointed to an open book on his desk. Gaius nodded and clasped hands with Geoffrey.
"Thank you, my friend."
"Anytime," Geoffrey replied as Gaius turned and nudged Cassandra out of the room. Once they were out and the door was shut behind them Cassandra turned to Gaius.
"Who is Tristan de Bois?" she asked him.
"Tristan was the brother of Ygraine." Gaius told her.
"Ygraine? Arthur's mother!"
"Yes," Gaius nodded slowly.
Cassandra frowned, "Wait, was?"
"Tristan was killed by Uther after Ygraine died in childbirth. After she died Tristan blamed Uther and came to kill him." Gaius explained.
"But Uther killed him," Cassandra muttered.
"Yes, and with his dying breath he cursed Uther that he would return to take his revenge."
Cassandra shook her head, "But how can a dead man rise again? I've never heard of anyone with that kind of power before."
"I think we both know who has that power," Gaius said with a brow raised. It was a few seconds before Cassandra realized whom Gaius was talking about.
"Nimueh." She said darkly.
"Yes." Gaius agreed. Cassandra was still confused about Tristan.
"But if he's dead, and he's come back, how is Sir Owain supposed to kill him?"
"He can't." Gaius said sadly. Cassandra gasped. "I'm afraid that no weapon can kill what is already dead, Owain will die tomorrow."
~14~
Cassandra awoke the next morning to the sound of silence, she couldn't hear any noise downstairs and she couldn't hear any noise outside. She got out of bed and changed into her green tunic and leggings. She braided her hair to the side of her head as she pulled on her boots and walked downstairs. Merlin was nowhere to be seen and Gaius was eating by himself quietly.
"When does the fight start?" she asked Gaius softly as he looked up at her.
"Just over an hour, people are already going down and taking seats." Gaius told her. Cassandra looked over to the window sadly.
"I wish there was something I could do to help."
"There isn't. I've not heard of any magic being able to kill the dead." Gaius told her.
Cassandra shook her head, "But I can't sit by and watch that boy die!"
"There isn't anything you can do." Gaius said calmly. Cassandra sighed in defeat as she nodded and left the chambers.
She headed down to the arena as she saw most of the seats were filling up already. She spotted Gwen and Morgana in the crowd as she walked over to the two women. There was an empty seat next to Gwen, which Cassandra sat down in.
"I didn't think you liked watching fights?" Gwen asked the redhead as Cassandra looked at her sadly.
"I want to show my support for Sir Owain." She told the two. Morgana and Gwen smiled softly at her as they talked together until they watched the Knight move into the arena. Cassandra glared at the dark helmet until she saw Arthur and Owain move into the arena. Cassandra felt her heart tug at seeing Owain, he was only a boy, and he was about to be slain mercilessly.
"The fight shall be to the Knights rules! To the death!" Arthur bellowed out. His gaze scanned over the crowd when she spotted Cassandra and gave her a slight nod. Arthur walked over to the stands by Morgana and jumped in. "Let the battle commence!"
Hope you all enjoyed! Leave me a review of what you thought and see you next time!