Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! Ahh, more than 90! It feels like yesterday when I posted the first chapter :') You people have made this so amazing for me! I don't own Merlin, but I own my OCs! Please review/favourite/follow and LOVE!

Chapter 24

Lady Of The Lake

I felt someone shake me gently and I slowly opened my eyes, wincing at the Sun in my eyes. I raised my hand to try and block the Sun before whoever was shaking me realized what I was trying to do.

"Oh, sorry. Here, does this help?" The person moved their body so it stopped the bright rays. I dropped my hand to my side and went to shut my eyes again when their hand came to my cheek and they patted it softly. "Don't go back to sleep, Amity."

Everything started to clear and I began to recognize the large ears and the dark hair. I moved my eyes and they soon caught bright blue orbs. "What? Ah…where…huh."

"Shh," the man said as he helped me sit up, "it's alright Amity."

As things became less blurry and confusing, I realized it was Merlin who had moved his arms behind my back and was supporting me. "Mer…lin." I whispered, before I felt my stomach begin to ache. "My…stomach."

The pain grew and I whimpered as Merlin pulled me up straighter. I gasped when the intensity of the pain became worse. "You were stabbed my one of Prince Cary's men. However, the sword was cursed."

"Merlin, you need to hurry. She's becoming weaker." I heard a female say and I feebly turned my head, when my eyes came into contact to a young lady in the water, with dark hair and a concerned look.

"What? Mer…lin…who is…what?" The words tumbled out of my mouth and Merlin held onto me tighter.

"Freya is going to help you, Amity." Merlin looked at Freya. "What do I do now?"

"She needs to be in the water for it to heal here. Take her at least waist height." Freya informed him as Merlin nodded and I shook my head. I really don't want to get wet, I just want to stay here and suffer in agony in comfort…well, as much comfort as you can suffer in.

"Amity, we have to get you in the water." Merlin said soothingly and he reached under me, before picking me up into a bridal carry, before he began to walk into the water.

I could feel the hem of my dress getting wet and heavy with water as we went further in. The water rippled around us and Freya watched us pass as we made our way until it would've been waist height. I weakly held onto Merlin, trying to get as little wet as possible. The cold seeped into my dress, which I quickly recognized as one of the dresses which had belonged to Constantine. Soon, Merlin reached waist height and I let out a cry when the salt of the water got into my wounds.

"Now, place her down so she's standing upright." Freya instructed and I clung onto Merlin.

"Please…no…no." I begged.

I have no clue what he's planning on doing, but he slowly released me and made me stand in the water, as it reached my ribs. My skirt started to float and I pushed it down as Merlin took my hands in his.

"Amity, I want you to listen to me. You're going to be alright, however, you're soon going to learn something about me. Something very few people know, even Arthur." He said, leaning forward and looking directly into my eyes.

"Mer…lin…what? What are…you saying?" I winced at the increasing pain in my abdomen.

"Merlin, you need to hurry." Freya reminded him, causing Merlin to nod.

"Just…keep an open mind, okay?" He said and I held onto his hands as he stepped back.

"You must now chant a healing spell that I'm sure Gaius told you of before you came." Freya told Merlin who nodded and I gave Merlin a confused look. Healing spell? What?

"Heal…ing…spell?" I gasped out and Merlin gave me a sorrowful look.

"Please Amity, you have to try and remember to keep an open mind." He then looked back at Freya. "Gaius did tell me of one."

"Good, good. You must say it now, while graced by the water of Avalon." Freya told Merlin, who nodded and took a deep breath.

"I'll save you," he whispered to me before clearing his throat, "gestathole. The thurhhæle thinu licsar!"

The water around us started to travel up my body as a silver glint was emitted from it. It went further up until it was starting to tighten, pouring into my wound. I cried out as Merlin held on tightly to my hands and my eyes filled with tears. At look at him as his eyes flashed gold and he seemed to be in pain watching me.

"I'm so sorry." Merlin let a few tears slip as the pain intensified and I let out a louder cry.

My middle started to feel as if I was being stabbed repeatedly and the water was wrapping tighter. Slowly the pain lessened as the silver light started to dull. The water began to stop travelling up my body as eventually, I could feel that all that was left was a scar. The water stayed for a little longer and I could the scar itself disappear, before the light stopped, leaving Merlin still holding my hands, both of us soaked about halfway up our bodies. Everything went blurry as the water finished and I gasped, falling forward.

Merlin's arms wrapped around me. "Amity, I'm so sorry. It had to be done."

"What did you do to me?" I whispered.

Merlin continued to hold me up as I tilted my head upwards to look at him. He stared down at me with misty eyes and wet cheeks. Merlin let out a sob and suddenly my knees collapsed from underneath me. His arms tightened around me and he pulled me closer, holding me up.

"I had to do it, or you would've died. I had to save you." He whispered into my hair.

"You have…magic." The image of Morgana and Merlin's eyes both flashing gold went through my head as my heart began to ache. "You."

"I know, but I was born with it." I tensed at his response, just like Morgana's.

"Let me guess, you're a wizard, not a sorcerer." I muttered bitterly, remembering what Morgana had said about her being a witch.

"I'm a warlock actually, someone born with magic." Merlin explained and I shut my eyes tightly. The man I have loved since I was fourteen is magical, a creature of a disease that was the cause for my family's death.

The strength I lost suddenly came back to me as I pulled away from Merlin, turning away and trudging through the water while it weighed my skirt down. I looked at Freya who was watching us sadly.

"Let me guess, you're magical too?" I snarled as Merlin trampled after me.

"I'm the Lady of the Lake." Freya told me as I got to the shallow water.

"Great, just great. Is there anything else I need to know? First Morgana, now you, Merlin." I snapped, getting out of the water, slipping in my rush.

I picked up my skirts and got back to my feet, the water wetting the tips of my lose hair. Merlin catches up to me once I'm just on the shore, the tide pulling out for a moment. "Amity, please, wait!"

"Leave me be, Merlin." I commanded and he suddenly grabbed my elbow and pulled me back, forcing me to stand in front of him and face him.

I pretended not to notice the begging look on his face as I struggled out of his grip. His arms were on my biceps and he tugged me closer to him, leaning down to look me in the eye.

"Please Amity, listen to me." He said and I tried to get free of his grasp.

"Why should I? You're magical." I argued and he frowned.

"I've always been magical, the whole time you've known me. Yet, this whole time, have I ever hurt you or Arthur or Gwen or Morgana?" He asked.

"How am I meant to know? Maybe you enchanted me!" I complained and Merlin suddenly got enough force behind his tug that he pulled me straight to him so we were chest to chest. His arms wrapped around my waist as my fists hit his chest.

"Let me go!" I shouted. "I could put you on the chopping block for this."

"Listen to me first." Merlin countered and I glared up at him. "Amity, please, I asked you to keep an open mind earlier, remember? This is why. I just want you to know, that yes, I am magical, but I have only used it to protect Arthur, which is my destiny."

"Your destiny?" I spat out, although I didn't notice that my hands had stopped hitting his chest until I felt his heart beating quickly under my right one.

"Yes, you see, I'm not just any warlock. The Druids call me Emrys." Merlin told me.

"Emrys? I've never heard that name before." I muttered and Merlin seemed to loosen his grip on me.

"I was destined to help Arthur create Albion." Merlin said and my eyes lowered.

So, he was destined to help Arthur? The son of a magic-hating tyrant? A magic-hating man himself? He faced death for Arthur? "If Arthur had found out, you would've been on the pyre before you could defend yourself."

"I know that, but it had to be done." Merlin said and our breathing started to slow and quiet down.

"How do I know you perform good magic?" I asked softly.

"You don't, but I'm asking you to trust me. I mean, I trust you. I told you the story of Freya." Merlin said and I looked confused before looking over my shoulder at Freya, who smiled miserably.

"You did?" I don't remember that.

"I did. You see, Freya was my love who died. She was the one I couldn't save. She died on this shore and then I burnt her on the lake, before she became the Lady of the Lake." Merlin explained and my eyes started exploring around the scene, taking in the shore where she had died in Merlin's arms. Now I remember, he did mention her name. All I had remembered though was that she died. "And as for my magic, I'll show you."

"What do you mean?" I asked and Merlin mumbled something, his eyes flashing gold and our clothes were suddenly dry. "I…I…don't know how to respond to all of this."

"That's understandable, I am you're friend," you're my love, "and I did just show you I am a type of person you hate." Merlin's eyes watered more at his comment and I took in a deep breath.

"Merlin, I have to go." Freya interrupted and we looked at her, Merlin's arms still around me.

"Freya," he said quietly, "thank you."

"Well, I did promise you one day I'd help you and repay you for everything you did." She said, before moving back. "Good bye, Merlin, your highness, I wish you both luck and happiness."

With that, Freya disappeared into thin air and I looked up to Merlin to see his eyes watering again, looking as if he could reach out and hold Freya instead. My heart ached at the feeling of rejection and then my eyes widened. Why am I still hurt that Merlin has affections for another? He's a warlock, I shouldn't feel this way. He has betrayed me and lied to me, just like how Morgana had, however, I couldn't even properly look at Morgana straight after she told me, but with Merlin, I feel as if I still melt when I'm close to him.

"We need to get back to stop Cary." I stepped back out of his arms which fell, limp, by his sides as I tried to gather my nerve again.

"Are you…" Merlin didn't have to finish his question for me to understand what he was asking.

"I'm not accepting it…but I'm not shouting out 'sorcerer' either." I shuffled towards the trees. "I suppose I lost some of my hate for magic when Morgana told me about her."

Merlin winced. "Yeah, she wasn't happy."

"I realized that." I said.

Merlin led us to Cherish, who was in-between all the trees. "Okay, do you want to be at the front or the back?"

"I'll go…er…back." I said awkwardly and Merlin nodded and as he walked us over to Cherish's side, before holding his hand out.

"Let me help." He said and I shook my head.

"Merlin, your back-"

"It's the least I can do." Merlin insisted, so I sighed and let him take my hand and place his other hand on my waist, before boosting me up.

I slid onto Cherish's back before Merlin hopped onto the saddle and I cleared my throat, looking at my hands. Do I wrap them around him or try and ride without holding on?

"Do you want to…" Merlin trailed off, looking pointedly at my hands and I blushed and slowly raised them, bringing them forward and wrapping them around his waist.

Merlin shifted at the touch before he picked up the reins. "Ready?" he asked.

"Ready."

Merlin travelled in the direction of Camelot, as the day went on and we were only about one quarter of the way there. Suddenly, someone stood on the path we were taking up one of the hills. Merlin slowed Cherish down and we stopped as I peeked over his shoulder. The person was a young girl, with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes, with a black robe that swamped her figure. Resting on her chest due to being tied to a piece of leather around her throat, was a pendant with bright red stone. Merlin tensed at the sight of her, as if he'd seen her before.

"Meda." He said, and I looked confused between them.

"Hello Emrys." Meda responded, her voice soft but there was a vibe from her which told me not to underestimate her. "It's been awhile now."

"It has." Merlin muttered.

"Merlin, who is this?" I hissed into his ear and he jumped, causing Meda to smirk.

"Oh, Prince Amity, I believe we've never met before. I am Meda from the Alac Tribe." Meda introduced and I tensed at that. Alac Tribe? Aren't they the tribe that Arthur went to with the knights and Merlin to save me when I had taken the poisonous love potion? Meda seemed to be able to tell what I was thinking. "We are the tribe King Arthur came to for help. Now, I have something to tell you both."

"If you don't mind, Meda, we'd like to get to Camelot as soon as possible." I interrupted and she raised an eyebrow at me.

"I see what Cary meant, you sure are fiery." She said and I blanched. "There is no point going to Camelot, though."

"Oh? And why is that?" I questioned.

"Because, Cary has taken the knights, King, Queen, the King's half-sister, your maid and the court physician with him to Lexador." Meda explained and I gasped.

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "How do we know we can trust you?"

"Would I really lie to someone who is destined to aid my kind?" Meda pointed out and I gave Merlin a confused glance. What more has he failed to tell me?

Merlin raised his head slightly at that. "No, but you would lie to someone who is going to stop a friend of yours from gaining power."

"Who said Cary and I are friends? We both grew up in the same tribe, but who says I have to agree with what he wants?" Meda frowned. "I do not agree with Cary. He will turn this world into a type of Hell. Darkness and anger will be all that people will feel. Lexador and Camelot will no longer be joyous places, but prisons. I don't want that. Yes, I was magic returned and legal, but I don't want it if it means that we suffer for the rest of our lives. Well, more so than we already do."

I took in what Meda said in silence. "Are you saying that you'd expect magic to return under my reign?"

"I'm suggesting that, yes." Meda cleared her throat. "I think you'll find, Princess, that you have a few contributing factors to change your mind."

Meda's eyes skipped to Merlin, who looked confused. "How would I change her mind?"

Meda rolled her eyes. "I think your princess has a few ideas as to how."

I flushed and Meda smirked, clearly picking up my reaction. "So, Cary is leading them to Lexador?"

"Yes, as we speak." Meda nodded and stepped forward, her robe catching on bits of rock on the ground.

"How do we stop him?" Meda stayed silent. "Please Meda! If you insist that you don't want him to conquer Camelot and Lexador, than you need to tell us how to stop him!"

Meda sighed, her eyes lowering. "Cary uses a particular type of magic, where he focuses a lot of his power into objects…you saw the blue stone that controlled the wolf. The way to destroy the wolf was to destroy the stone."

"Was that Cary's magic?" I asked and Meda nodded. "But how did he get into the Shrines?"

"You're forgetting some, your highness," Meda took in a deep breath, "Cary is related to King Ricardus, distantly, yes, but still related. He can enter the Shrines just like you can. He might not be the next in line in the throne for his illegitimacy, but he still has some royal blood in him."

"But the key-"

"Do you really think that such a powerful sorcerer would need a key to enter the Shrines? Other sorcerers can't enter because they do not have the proper blood, but Cary could do both." Meda butted in and I bit my lip.

"So, what you're saying is that Cary's power resides in objects?" Merlin questioned quickly.

"Yes, and there was one person in particular who took care of these objects." Meda told us. "One person who he cared for more than anyone else, although, a part of it was just for how useful was for him."

"Who?" I asked.

"The Lady Helaine…well, the late Lady Helaine. She died." Meda shrugged and my eyes widened.

"How?" Merlin queried.

"Your princess' maid killed her. They found out that she had murdered the little boy, and she freaked. Pulled a knife out of her boot and threw it across the room before anyone realized what she was doing. Lady Helaine was already weak from the blow you gave her from Excalibur. She was already half-dead, since the sword forged in dragons breath practically killed her off."

Half-dead? Sword forged in dragons' breath? Huh? "What?"

"Lady Helaine was sickly as a child and grew worse as she grew up. She was close to dying when Cary figured out what to do. So, he gave her some of his magic which kept her strong, however, she was still technically half-dead. No matter how much people hurt her, she could not be killed because they had mortal weapons, but that sword you used is forged to kill anything already dead. When you stabbed her, you killed the already dead part of her, leaving her weak sickly self. She had little life left and when your maid stabbed her, it got her right near her heart. Nicked it from what I heard. Lady Helaine died and Cary retrieved the magic he gave her, he'll find somewhere else to put it to protect himself."

Merlin and I sat in stunned silence before I finally opened my mouth. "But what is the object he used?"

"Two gems which had been placed into Lady Helaine's eyes. You might've noticed her eyes went blue and suddenly purple. Lady Helaine's eyes were naturally blue, however, when Cary's power built up, they would turn purple. The colour of royalty, ambition," Meda's eyes narrowed, "magic."

"So, we have to destroy these gems?" I questioned and Meda nodded.

"But it won't be that easy. You need to find the gems first. Cary won't expect you to know of the gems. He doesn't know what I'm doing. You see, when you would have returned to Camelot, you would've been captured, brought to Lexador, forced to marry him, bare his children and then he was going to execute you. But you have the upper hand now. So please, take what I said and use it wisely." Meda said before stepping back.

"Wait! How am I meant to find the stones?" I called out, and Meda grinned at me.

"Oh trust me milady, you might find that they're right under your nose." Meda said before she clapped her hands above her head and her pendant shined bright red as wind came and whirled around her before she disappeared.

"We better get going to Lexador, it's less than half a day's ride from here. We're already more than half-way there." Merlin said as he turned Cherish around and got her into a run as we headed towards Lexador.

(3rd Person P.O.V)

Arthur, Gwen, Morgana, Gaius, Esme and the knights were brought into the throne room of the Lexador castle. In the room was Lexador's knights, along with the four advisors of Amity, Commander Johnson and Soldier. Soldier's eyes searched frantically for Amity and he didn't look like whether he felt relieved or concerned when he saw she wasn't there. Cary was sitting on Amity's throne, glaring at who entered the room.

"Where. Is. She?" He said, deathly quiet and the man swallowed thickly.

"We couldn't find her, master. It's as if she disappeared." He took in a deep breath. "Some of the men are wondering whether she was a casualty, however, her body hasn't been found yet."

"A casualty?" Roared Prince Cary, slamming his hand on the hand rest on the chair. "Why would she be a casualty? Find her! I want her found!"

The guard nodded and left the room in a hurry as Prince Cary sat steaming. He glowered at Arthur, who stared back definitely. "If I find out that you've hidden her, somehow, Arthur Pendragon, you will regret the day you were born." Prince Cary sneered. "Well, more than you already do."

Arthur stared at him and raised his head. "Your threats do not scare me."

Cary chuckled. "I wouldn't say that, Arthur, for you wouldn't want your wife hurt. Especially when she's with babe."

Arthur suddenly surged forward and guards stopped him before he could attack Cary. He struggled in the grasp, "you are a weak man for threatening a woman with child. And you'll be an even weaker king."

"We'll see." Prince Cary responded non-committedly. "Now, I'm feeling peckish."

Prince Cary turned to a guard. "Go find a maid or something to get me some food." The guard nodded and rushed out of the room, leaving Prince Cary glaring ahead of him as he sat on the throne.

(Amity P.O.V)

Merlin slowed Cherish to a canter and we slowly entered Lexador's gates, as two of Cary's guards stopped us. Merlin and I shared a look and I took in the working class dress I was wearing, maybe we could get away with me sneaking it.

"Halt!" The guard said, grabbing Cherish's reins and stopping us from moving forward. "Name yourselves and why you enter."

"I am Merlin and this is…" Merlin trailed off.

"Amy." I said quickly. "His fiancé."

The guard chuckled. "I don't see a ring."

"I can't afford one." Merlin lied quickly.

"And why are you two entering Lexador?"

"We live here." I shrugged and the guard eyed me.

"What were you doing outside of Lexador if you live here?" He questioned and Merlin answered.

"We were on a date," he explained, grinning. "Some time to ourselves."

The guard chuckled. "Got a little of a feel up, aye?"

I tried to hide my horrified look and Merlin chocked on something, likely to be his salvia, but he played it off as the start to a laugh. "Yeah, something like that."

"Fine, you may enter." The guard stepped back and we smiled at him.

"Hurry up, we don't have much time." I whispered to Merlin and he kicked Cherish into a sprint as we made our way through the village, which was surprisingly quiet.

"They're probably hiding." Merlin said when I mentioned the lack of people. "We best get off Cherish before reaching the castle. If we want to be as subtle as possible."

"Of course," I nodded in agreement and we made our way to where a tree was close to a villager's hut.

Merlin climbed off Cherish's back and turned to me, helping me off as I brushed my skirt to neaten it out. Merlin reached into the saddle bag and pulled out a small dagger.

"In case." He muttered, before hiding it in his jacket.

"Sure." I said and he reached into the bag and pulled another dagger out.

"Do you want one? Since you're probably better at combat than I am." Merlin blushed. "Well, at least with a sword."

"I'll take it." Merlin handed me the dagger and I looked down at my dress for where I could hide it, before decided that under my corset would be a good idea.

I pulled on the corset which was mainly just around my midriff and had helped keep pressure on my wound. I slotted the dagger in between the soft cotton shirt of the corset, before tucking the tip of the dagger, which was sheathed, into the top of my skirt.

"How do I look?" I asked Merlin.

Merlin smiled. "Fine, I wouldn't have known you were hiding something if it weren't for watching you hide it."

"Good." I said, before turning and looking at the path to the castle. "Let's head off then, shall we?"

"We shall." Merlin said and we made our way to the path over the top of the mines. Merlin's eyes widened when he looked down and saw that you couldn't even see the bottom of them. "Wow, that's deep."

"Yeah, if you fall you're dead. The miners get paid a lot, but they also have a high risk of death too. Although it has improved after my father took over as King. There used to be about ten casualties a day, now it's more ten causalities every few months." I explained and Merlin gave me a shocked look.

"Ten causalities every few months is still a few." He said and I smiled sadly.

"Yes, well, when they sign their contracts they know it's a part of the job." I told me and he returned the sad smile with his own.

"Yeah, I suppose so." Merlin mumbled and I gave him a deep look.

"Why? What would you do differently?" I questioned and Merlin fidgeted.

"I don't know." He said and I shook my head.

"Merlin you always have some brilliant thought going through your head. Yes, it's often completely stupid, but somehow you make them work." I teased and Merlin grinned at me, going to say something before another guard stopped us.

"Why are you here?" He asked and Merlin jumped into to answer.

"Our shifts are starting." He explained and the man nodded and let us pass through. "Okay, so, how do the workers enter?"

"Like everybody else, through the front doors." I responded and Merlin's eyes went to my face.

"We need to hide your identity before someone recognizes you." He said as a guard went up to a maid carrying fruit in a basket.

"Oi! You're required to get lunch for Prince Cary." The guard commanded and the girl started to stutter. "Do you work in the kitchens?"

"Yes." The girl said, as the guard made her head off to fetch Cary something to eat.

"Come on, let's follow her." I said as we ran up the front steps and headed down the corridors, following her.

I noted that she didn't seem very old, maybe twelve or thirteen. She had a green dress on with a blue piece of material wrapped around her head.

"That's it. Let's borrow the material from her, then take the lunch to Prince Cary and bam! Defeat him." I said and Merlin bit his lip.

"I'm not so sure about this." He said as we turned a corner and I called out to the girl.

"Excuse me!" I said and she turned around, surprised. Her eyes roamed over us, but she didn't seem to recognize me. "You have been given the task of delivering lunch to Prince Cary?"

"Yes." The girl answered.

"Well, how about we deliver it for you." I suggested and she smiled.

"That would be very appreciated." She supposed and I grinned.

"Great, but can I ask a favour…er…?"

"May." She supplied her name and I beamed.

"May." I repeated and stepped forward. "Can I borrow your headpiece? You know, for just holding my back." May slowly nodded and unraveled the material and I took it from her. "Thank you, I'll give it back to you later. Ta!"

I called over my shoulder as I led Merlin to the kitchens while tying up my hair. "Can you see any hair?"

Merlin scanned me quickly. "Nope, it's hidden."

"Good." I muttered as we went down a corridor and I took us to a door, before opening it.

The smell of freshly baked bread wafted out as we quickly entered and saw all the cooks and servants huddled together, whispering. The head cook, a woman who had been serving my family since I was a baby, looked over and frowned. "Who are you?"

"Jackie, please, it's me." I gave her a beseeching look and lowered my voice. "It's Amity."

"Amity?" Jackie said, before her eyes widened. "Oh milady, you're back!" She paused. "Why are you dressed as a servant girl?"

"To hide my identity." I informed her, smiling at the servants who were watching me in awe. "I need your help, Jackie."

"Oh, anything milady." She said and Merlin and I came closer.

"Yes, well, I need to get some food. It's not for me. It's for Prince Cary." I explained to her and she seemed surprised. "He's demanding something to eat. You see, he has my adopted family capture, so Arthur cannot fight him or anything like that. However, what he doesn't expect is for me to serve him food and then somehow overpower him."

Jackie nodded. "Luke, please get some cheese, ham, bread and a few fruits!"

A young boy went and started piling things onto a plate just as someone burst into the room. It was one of Prince Cary's guards. "Where is Prince Cary's food?"

Merlin and I smirked at each other before Merlin stepped forward. "It's coming."

"Well, it bloody better be-" The guard stepped forward and didn't see the rolling pun suddenly in front of him (I pretended not to notice Merlin's eyes flash gold either) as he fell and hit his head, knocking himself out.

"Get changed Merlin." I said, pointing to the unconscious guard.

"What?" Merlin asked as he looked between me and the guard.

"Prince Cary has seen you before, remember? When you saved me from Moraunt. He'll recognize you in those clothes, not many people have such a style. So, if you dress up as a guard, he definitely won't give you a second look." I explained and Merlin nodded, before walking to the man and staring down at him.

"Where do I get changed?" He questioned and I looked around, my eye catching a door.

"Well, the pantry is over there."

"I can't believe you made me get changed in the pantry," Merlin hissed into my ear as we walked down a corridor, "I smell like garlic now."

"Get over it." I responded jokingly, my hands shaking slightly, making the tray I was holding rattle slightly.

"Which way now?" Merlin asked as we turned around corner.

"This way." I told him, leading him down a corridor as he tugged at the collar of the back button up jacket he was wearing.

When I first saw Merlin in the uniform, I had to contain my blush because let's just say, the man sure does stand out…in a good way. His blue eyes contrast the black and while hurrying to get changed, his hair became very messy, although Jackie fixed it quickly, claiming that no soldier would have such untidy hair. I could see what she meant, although the stereotypical teenage girl in me whined at the thought of Merlin's hair being neatened again. I suppose all I can do is hope that one day I'll be the one to muse it.

We came to double doors as two guards stared at us while we came closer. "Food for Prince Cary." I said as they nodded and opened the doors.

Merlin marched in with me following him, my eyes on the floor, before slowly looking around. The four advisors were to the right side of the hall, along with the knights of Lexador. Commander Johnson was beside Soldier, who had chains around his wrists and a black eye. Knowing him, he probably refused to obey someone he wasn't loyal to. In the centre of the room was Morgana, Esme, Gwen, Arthur, Gaius and all the knights of Camelot. Their eyes widened when they saw Merlin dressed in the soldier's uniform and then on me, in a peasant girl's dress. I moved forward and saw Cary sitting on my throne. Anger built up inside me and I quickly masked my face, acting as if I was terrified.

I made my way to the front, where I curtsied and stood a few metres ahead of him, head bowed as Merlin stood by my side. "Your lunch." I cleared my throat to remind him to call him by a respectable name. "Sire."

"Yes, yes, come forward girl." I stepped forward, holding out the try and he snatched bits of food from it. "What is this?"

"Ah…food sire?" I said and he slammed it back onto the tray, causing a loud metallic sound.

"Food? Fit for a pig or a King?" He questioned and I held my tongue from retorting.

"It's what the royal kitchens have to offer-"

"I don't care!" He shouted, hitting the tray which sent food flying into the air and landing at my feet. The tray also hit the ground with a loud bang, causing me to jump. "Pick it up, girl."

I bent down and started to pick up all the bits of food and place them on the tray, noting that everyone who recognized appeared to be upset about my treatment. I placed the food onto the tray as Prince Cary glowered down at me.

"Pathetic. You servants are so useless. You should've been treated hasher." He said, looking down on me. "But don't worry, it's going to change now that I'm King."

I bit my lip to stop me from retorting as I stood up, my eyes on the floor. "Yes master."

Prince Cary smirked. "Now, go and get me something fit for a King."

I nodded and pretended to go to move back when I suddenly jumped forward and whacked him over the head with the metal tray. The food went all over him and he slouched forward, grasping his head. Merlin pulled out his dagger as a guard came running at me. I went to get my own dagger, but the guard grabbed my arms, yanking them behind my back and causing me to drop the tray to the floor. Another guard grabbed Merlin, getting the dagger out of his hand and pushing him to his knees. I glared at Prince Cary who looked at me, his hands on the back of his head as his eyes narrowed.

"Of course, how didn't I see it before?" he muttered to himself, before standing up and making his way towards me. I tried to move away from him, but the guards holding me stopped me from moving, causing me to struggle pointlessly. He grasped the material holding my hair up and I shivered in disgust. He yanked on knot I'd made and it unraveled, the material falling to the floor as Prince Cary stepped back and my hair falling out with it, golden curls framing my face. He smirked at me. "Hello dearest Amity. Just in time for our wedding."

bilboswaggins2 – Thank you for being so sweet! Sorry for the sudden ending…kind of :P I hope you liked Amity's reaction, although it wasn't as mean as her reaction to Morgana's, mainly just because she realized there was bigger issues, like Cary taking over Lexador, as well as she loves Merlin unconditionally, so his magic didn't make her upset for him having it, more he lied to her. Ahhhhhhh, you're really too sweet, dear! Thanks for reviewing and of course I made me squeal a bit – I look forward to your next chapter (just make sure you don't put too much pressure on yourself to get it finished!)

LadyMorganaPendragon – Haha, yep, I ended it like that :P What did you think about the chapter? In case you didn't like her reaction, I just wanted to say that she loves Merlin more than anything, she was more open minded :P Sorry about how long it took to update! P.S. I really like your fic!

Guest (1) – THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING! I FEEL IT'S NECESSARY TO RESPOND IN CAPITAL LETTERS SINCE YOU WROTE IN THEM! THANKS FOR CALLING MY STORY AMAZING, ALTHOUGH I'M SORRY ABOUT TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE! AWWWW, YOU'RE SO SWEET! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!

221b has a tardis – Thanks for loving my story! Where were you abroad? What did you sightsee? I'm glad you ship Amity and Merlin – I do too (although, secretly, a part of me ships Merthur, don't diss! :P) Thanks for reviewing!

Amy – I'm sorry about how long it took to update! I had three exams in a row and one tomorrow, so I rushed to finish this chapter! You're beyond fantastic too! I'll try and add as much of what you wanted into the chapter! You have been such an amazing person to me so I'll see what I can do! Amity reacted a lot more open mindedly about Merlin's magic because she loves him and when you love somebody, you're prepared to accept a lot more about them then you would for others. Thanks for reviewing soooooo many times