I think I know why the last chapters are so hard to write, I have already envisioned the ending myself... Anywho, I hope you enjoy this one :]
Thank you Ruby890 and Tillyme for your comments :)
Chapter Twenty-Two: Enchanted Love
"What kind of welcome is this, keeping us waiting like the last swallows of summer." Olaf spoke with a frown.
"You are welcome indeed Olaf." Uther greeted the last of the five Kings.
"Father," Sophia whispered and stared pointedly at the blonde beauty Arthur was escorting toward them, "Who is she?"
Bayard cleared his throat and spoke without looking down at his daughter. "That is the Lady Vivian, Olaf's daughter." He smiled tensely at Olaf while answering Sophia's question, a hint of tension lingered in the air between the Kings.
"May I introduce the Lady Morgana." Uther gestured toward his adopted daughter before shifting his attention in another direction. "And Lady Sophia, King Bayard's daughter of course." Uther took it upon himself to introduce the daughter of his newest ally.
"Wonderful." Olaf smiled with fake enthusiasm. "May I present my daughter Lady Vivian ." He introduced the youngsters to one another though Sophia could rather care less about Olaf's child, Vivian hardly seemed sociable; instead Sophia focused on avoiding Arthur's piercing stare.
"Show Lady Vivian to one of the guest rooms, Arthur." Uther nodded at his son who still lingered by the lady's side.
Bayard noticeably nudged Sophia in the side. "Why don't you accompany them, you don't want to hear old men talk."
Sophia covered her obvious discomfort with a smile. "Yes father."
"That's a nice little trinket." Vivian acknowledged the rock hanging from Sophia's neck as she approached with Arthur. "Where would someone be able to find something like that?"
"I don't know, it was a gift." Sophia gingerly touched the crystal and smiled softly at Arthur when he caught her eye. "You are going to enjoy your stay in Camelot, no matter the short amount of time that you may be here. The people here are quite welcoming and hospitable."
"We'll see." Vivian clicked her tongue.
Sophia pursed her lips in mild annoyance and muttered under her breath. "Yes, I guess we will."
"Here we are." Arthur gestured to the room the Lady Vivian would be staying in. "I hope everything is to your satisfaction."
Vivian lazily rolled her eyes over the bedchamber. "Everything is adequate." She admitted after a slight pause between words.
"Most of Camelot's guests are quite happy here, I'm sure you will be too." Sophia chimed in before muttering under her breath something that Vivian would not be able to hear. "But then again, you are certainly not like our other guests."
Arthur laughed softly under his breath. "Indeed."
"What was that?" Vivian stared with curiosity at the Prince and Sophia would seemed to have a silent exchange of words.
"Guinevere. May we present Gwen, she will be looking after you during your stay here." Arthur cleared his throat and introduced the maid. "You will want for nothing, she is truly Camelot's finest." He gave Vivian a charming smile as if to soften her.
"Then I fear for Camelot." Vivian eyed the servant girl with disdain.
Sophia's eyes grew at the subtle insult and Arthur placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, let's leave them to it."
"She's very rude." Sophia spat after the door was closed.
"She'll be leaving soon." Arthur comforted with a small, reassuring smile.
"And so will I, so there is no reason to dwell." Sophia responded.
Arthur groaned under his breath and grabbed her hand, bringing Sophia to a sudden stop before he gently reeled her in toward his chest. "Not with that again. I was just beginning to think we were moving past that; you're even wearing the necklace."
"Would you like it back?" Sophia tilted her head back to look up at the Prince.
"No!" Arthur cried, loud enough to send a ringing through both of their ears. "It's not going to work."
"What won't work?" Sophia inquired.
Arthur released her in order to cross his arms. "You're trying to push me away, you want me to give up and it's not going to work, Sophia." Arthur leaned down to kiss her, but Sophia ducked out of the way in time to avoid the contact. "Fine. I'll see you at the feast then."
"Sire, I thought Sophia was assisting you in showing Lady Vivian to her chamber?" Merlin approached the unhappy Prince.
"Yes, she came. . . . . and she left." Arthur replied. "She just needs more convincing, that's all."
"Did you talk to her father?" Merlin asked another question.
Arthur scoffed and shook his head. "He was absolutely no help whatsoever. Bayard didn't want to influence his daughter's decision because it is hers to make." Arthur mimicked in a deep voice. "I was sure the crystal and the flowers would bring her back on our side."
"This isn't going to end well." Merlin groaned.
"Good morning, Sire." Merlin greeted the morning after the feast, the second day of the peace talks were under way.
"Never have you been more right, Merlin." Arthur approached his window and threw it open. "It is the sunniest, the most fragrant, the most beautiful morning I have ever seen."
Merlin arched an eyebrow, he had not seen the Prince this lively since Bayard of Mercia had shown up. It was quite the 360 degree turn around. "And you are dressed." If Arthur was feeling miraculously better, Merlin wasn't about to spoil it for him.
"I am the future King of Camelot, I do possess some skills." Arthur almost sounded offended.
"You are very skilled at getting others to do stuff for you." Merlin smiled.
"That is your job. Today, my job is to woo." Arthur raised his eyebrows suggestively, still bearing an over zealous smile on his face.
Merlin stopped what he was doing and looked to the Prince. "To what.'
Arthur placed his hands on his hips and lifted his chin before announcing his latest plan. "To woo. I wish to make a proclamation of my love."
"Are you sure?" Merlin asked with apprehension. "Won't that just upset her even more?"
"Of course not." Arthur shook his head, but the goofy grin remained plastered. "By the end of the day she will be mine.
Merlin sighed and scratched the back of his head. His latest attempt to convince Sophia to stay could either draw her in or push her away. But Uther, he would need the real convincing, he was the one who wanted Sophia out in the first place. "What will you tell your father?"
"What does my father matter?" Arthur brushed off his servant's comment. "I will need help expressing my feelings."
About time, Merlin thought to himself. "Of course you do." Merlin was silent for a moment before an idea came to him. "Flowers, she likes flowers, talks about them all the time actually."
"Excellent Merlin." Arthur showered him with praise. "Find some and maybe send a note as well. Something moving. Something from the heart. Something. . . . . oh you will think of something." Arthur casually patted Merlin's shoulder and happily left with a notable skip in his step.
"Just breathe." Sophia reminded herself after returning from a walk with Gwen and Lady Vivian. Holding up a conversation with the blatantly rude woman was tedious work when both Sophia and Gwen continued to remain positive and kind to Vivian when she didn't deserve it. "Arthur, I swear. . ." Sophia sighed and picked up a folded piece of parchment left by the second round of flowers.
"Rats! Big giant rats, hairy with sharp teeth!" Merlin busted through the entry way, out of breath.
Sophia's face glowed when she looked up, startled, from the note. "Are you alright, Merlin?"
"Me? Never better. You?" Merlin was still breathless. He had hoped to stop Sophia from reading the note, but it seemed as though he was unsuccessful.
"Did Arthur really write this?" Sophia ran a finger delicately over the dried ink. The words were almost enough to begin changing her mind about returning home. After all, her father could marry again and produce another child before his death, that or leave his Kingdom to a fitting wife.
Merlin swallowed nervously. "Y-yes."
"I must go see him." Sophia decided.
"I don't think that's such a great idea." Merlin muttered under his breath, he had done it now.
"Can you repeat that Merlin, I didn't hear you clearly." Sophie froze with her hand on the wooden door, the love not still clasped tightly in her hand.
Merlin ran his tongue over his teeth. "It's just. . . . . I think he is a tad bit busy you know, with the peace talks and all that. He needs to remain focused." Merlin hoped that he sounded believable though he wouldn't have bought that if he was in her position.
"You know Arthur, he's probably wishing that someone would come and distract him." Sophia brushed off Merlin's warning with a smile.
"Actually Sophia, could I borrow you for one minute, it won't take long." Merlin hoped his nervous smile didn't give him away.
"You know if I didn't know you better, I would think that you were trying to distract me." Sophia raised one eyebrow at the servant and motioned for him to follow her. "This better not take long, Merlin. What is it that you need my help with?"
Merlin grinned victoriously. "Wonderful. It's just a small thing really."
"Drapes? You want me to help you hang fabric over these windows, was this something Gaius told you to do?" Sophia shook her head after entering the physician's quarters where Merlin then revealed the very minor task he needed assistance with.
"Yes well, these old ugly things aren't easy on the eyes. I want to surprise Gaius." Merlin smiled to himself, pleased that he was able to come up with such a witty idea on the fly.
"Okay you win, Merlin." Sophia dropped the piece of parchment she held on to so tightly. "We both know that you don't need my help so what is it? You've been acting strange ever since you entered my chamber yelling about a rat infestation. Work on your lying."
"I just wanted to spend some time with you before you left." Merlin batted his eyes for extra effect. "Can you take your end?"
Sophia sighed, rolled her eyes, and grabbed the thin fabric. "That's sweet of you, but-"
"Did you do it?" Arthur shoved his way through the doors with his eyes locked on Merlin, oblivious to the young woman who stood next to his target. "Did she see it?"
"I think she did." Sophia beamed brightly, answering before Merlin had the chance to steer the conversation in a new direction.
"Lady Sophia, what are you doing here and what are you speaking of?" Arthur questioned with a small frown, darting his eyes back and forth between the two.
Sophia picked up the hand written note and rolled it in her hand. "I didn't know you had it in you to write such a. . . . . lovely letter. That is the Arthur I have been waiting to see for the longest time and you couldn't have picked a better time to do so."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Arthur's attention settled on the note in Sophia's small hand.
"Yes." Sophia nodded her head vigorously.
"Yes what?" Arthur was becoming irritable now with each spoken word.
Sophia advanced several spaces and rested a hand on Arthur's forearm while peering up into his blue eyes. "Yes, I will marry you."
Arthur jerked his arm back and widened his eyes. "Are you feeling ill, my lady?" Sophia gave him a questioning stare that forced the Prince to elaborate. "What gave you the impression that I wanted to marry you? Merlin, what did you say to her?"
"This is not funny, Arthur." Sophia glared at him and rested her hands on her hips.
"No. It's not." Arthur agreed. "Excuse me."
Sophia pushed her hair back and swiveled to look at Merlin. "What happened?"
"Father?" Sophia mouthed the words from outside the conference chamber.
The King of Mercia motioned for his daughter to enter, for the time being things were at a stand still and her interruption was welcomed. "What's wrong Sophia; what do you need?" Bayard noticed the almost invisible water streaks on her cheeks and her puffy eyes.
"I was just looking for Arthur but he isn't here." She adverted eye contact with Uther who watched her with an intense stare.
"You're crying." Bayard narrowed his eyebrows.
"There was just something in my eye." Sophia covered before taking a deep breath.
"In both?" Bayard interrogated, not believing a word she spoke. "Why are you looking for Arthur, has he done something to you? Last we heard Arthur said that he had knights to train, whether or not that is the truth I do not know. Now are you going to tell me why you want him so badly."
"Not me. My heart." Sophia smiled wryly. "We just had a slight misunderstanding."
Uther cleared his throat and stopped the flow of conversation. "You can find Arthur in the courtyard, he's going on a ride."
Sophia's eyes sparkled in delight at the unexpected help. "Thank you."
Bayard tilted his head back and peered curiously at Camelot's King, expected a solid answer. Uther shrugged his shoulders in explanation, "They appear to make each other very happy." Uther could see now what he couldn't before.
"You're going riding alone?" Sophia sauntered over to the white horse Arthur was sitting atop.
"Not exactly my lady." Arthur kept his gaze locked on a blonde beauty who was not Sophia. "Unless I am to be rejected once more."
"You won't be." Sophia patted the side of the horse and smiled in promise.
"Maybe I should try something else, Lady Vivian doesn't strike me as a horse rider." Arthur murmured under his breath, almost pretending that Sophia wasn't even there.
"Lady Vivian?" Sophia choked out the two very simple words. "Why on earth would you want to go on a ride with her, Arthur? I don't appreciate what you are doing. If you are still hung up on the fact that I denied your marriage proposal you need to let it go because I changed my mind. I love you Arthur Pendragon."
Arthur glanced down at her small frame and blinked with indifference. "I don't love you. Lady Vivian is who my heart desires. If you will excuse me, Sophia." Sophia placed a hand over her chest as if that action alone would help the stabbing pain she felt in her chest cavity. How was it possible that Arthur, the same man who recently wrote such a loving and adoring note, was now chasing after another lady.
"I want to leave, we have no reason to be here father!" Sophia cried first thing the next morning. Her father was just pulling on his light blue cape that was so long it dragged to the floor. She had spent all last night thinking of ways to win Arthur back before she decided that it wouldn't be worth the pain he would bring her. "I want to leave Camelot as soon as possible."
"Sophia, you're a mess." Bayard sighed and took in his daughter's disheveled appearance. "Speak slowly, I did not catch a word of what you just said."
Sophia took a staggered breath and attempted to block out the phantom pain that controlled her. "I'm ready to return home, can we leave?"
Bayard met Sophia's sad blue eyes. "You cannot wait one more day?"
"No." Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat and held back hot tears. "If you wish, I can travel home with some of the knights and you can stay for the rest of the peace talks. But I do not think that I can take just one more minute here."
"What has Arthur done?" Bayard hissed the name with disgust.
"Nothing father. He just wasn't the person I thought he was." Sophia admitted with a frown. "How long?"
Bayard's forehead crinkled and aged him by ten years. "A hour at the very least. I will notify our knights and have them gather supplies for our journey home. However since you are so eager to return home, you may leave immediately with the small amount of supplies we have left. Our parties will meet and our knight's will know where."
"Thank you." Sophia cracked a small smile and unclasped the necklace Arthur had given her as a gift, she suspected that he would be wanting it back. "I'll be waiting in the courtyard for them, but first I have some unfinished business to attend to."
No sooner had the Lady stepped out of her father's chamber, a well placed hand gripped her arm loosely. "Sophia, we need your help. Arthur needs your help."
"Merlin, let go of me." Sophia brushed his hand away. "And trust me, Arthur doesn't need me for anything."
The warlock grabbed at her hand this time, in a tighter grip and began pulling Sophia in the direction he desired to go. "Listen, I don't have a lot of time to explain so you just need to trust me about this. Arthur does in fact, love you. He is enchanted."
"Yes, with Lady Vivian. Thank you." Sophia groaned, it was like hearing Arthur's denial all over again.
"Enchanted with magic." Merlin elaborated. "You are the only one who can save him now, Arthur loves you Sophia. We both know that you know that."
"Have you come to wish me luck?" Arthur spoke the words arrogantly in greeting when he saw Sophia step into the tent.
"No. I have not come to wish you luck, Arthur." Sophia retorted with a wry smile.
"That's rather rude." The Prince muttered under his breath before he began to adjust his well-fitted armor.
Sophia approached Arthur with a mild amount of confidence. "But there is something else." She surprised him with the sudden touch of her lips against his own. Arthur's surprise soon melted away and he dropped the sword he held with his right hand in order to pull Sophia closer to his body. It could only be described at a: knee weakening, breath stealing, foot popping *, dizzying kiss that finally brought Arthur back to his senses.
"What am I doing?" Arthur asked in reference to the full body armor he was wearing.
"You are in fight. To the death." Sophia tightened her grip on the necklace she still clutched in her hand. "And you are loosing, but there is no time to explain things further. Go. And make sure you stay alive, for Camelot."
"Will you be waiting here for me?" Arthur reluctantly released Sophia.
Sophia looked away and nodded with a promising smile. "Yes. Now, go." Arthur smiled in content at her reply and exited the tent with haste. "Goodbye Arthur Pendragon." Sophia stole one last look at the blue crystal in her hand, she dropped it down on a wooden table where she knew it would be found and left.
"This is no way to achieve peace!" Arthur shouted into the crowd after several tense minutes of battle with Olaf, he emerged victorious. Uther smiled proudly at his son when the Prince extended a helping hand to the King he defeated. "Now if you don't mind there is a beautiful woman waiting for me, and no worries, it is not your daughter."
Arthur waved to the crowed and jogged to the tent where he flung open the flap, his smile soon fell from his lips when he discovered it was empty. "Where did she go?"
"Maybe she went into the crowd, Sire." Merlin suggested, that was the only logical explanation.
"Right. You stay here and I'll go have a look." Arthur ordered. Merlin nodded and tapped his foot impatiently while glancing around the large tent, when he was about to swivel his attention back to the entrance the blue crystal Sophia had been wearing for days lay forgotten on a wooden stand; purposely left in hopes of Arthur discovering it.
The * was to note a reference to the Princess Diaries (movie) when Mia was saying that when you kissed the right person your foot would just kind of "pop" up.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it :]