6 months later

"Winner! Prince Arthur Pendragon!"

Arthur held his arm up in victory as the crowd cheered. He had just won the tournament Camelot was hosting. It had been an easy task for him. He went through opponents easily and at times wished for more of a challenge. He stood and listened as his father praised him and Camelot. He let Merlin take his tournament winnings as he left the arena. He would have a short time to wash and dress before the celebration dinner. He was stopped and congratulated several times on his way to his tent.

"You were amazing."

Arthur turned, smiling down the woman next to him. "Thank you, Lilly."

Merlin came up behind him, resisting the urge to roll his eyes as he watched the two. For the last couple of months Arthur had started spending time with Lilly. Her family had decided to come back to Camelot and settle down which meant Lilly was a frequent visitor to the castle. Merlin didn't trust her and hadn't since the night Arthur was taken by the witches many, many months ago. Lilly had been the last one with him and Merlin felt like she knew more than she admitted. But he couldn't tell Arthur that. He liked the woman. They were often together and attended events together. Merlin wished he could just go into the tent, but Arthur had it blocked.

"You will come get me before dinner?" Lilly looked up at Arthur through her lashes as she smiled sweetly.

"Of course." Arthur took her hand, kissing her fingers before watching her go. He heard Merlin's grunt as he stormed by him. "You're going to have to get over this."

"Over what?" Merlin innocently asked, putting things away.

"Your dislike of Lilly. She's a wonderful, beautiful woman. I don't understand what you have against her." Arthur frowned as he took off his armor.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact she was the last one to see you that night."

"She had nothing to do with those witches taking me." Arthur scoffed, shaking his head. "You need to get over that."

"She lied to me that night. I know it and you should know that I know it." Merlin argued heatedly.

"Maybe…you were wrong that night." Arthur countered. While he knew Merlin had magic and could feel certain things, he had a hard time believing Lilly was involved that night.

"Fine. Whatever. You're right. I'm wrong. Just like always." Merlin mocked, putting his back on the prince.

"Don't be like that." Arthur sighed, his shoulders falling. "She's the first woman I've actually enjoyed being around since…." Merlin looked up at him as he trailed off and ran a hand through his hair. "I mean it's not like I can marry her. She's not royal."

Merlin heard the hint of sadness in his tone and relented. "Okay. Let's go get you ready for tonight." Arthur had went through a period of depression, similar to his after they left the girls in Hendricks. Arthur's moods were unpredictable and he wasn't easy to be around. Merlin had to admit, no matter how much he hated to, that Arthur started to act like his old self when Lilly appeared. So, no matter what Merlin felt about her, he wouldn't say anything. He just wanted Arthur to be happy.

Xxxxx

"Have I said how much I hate cows?" Emma complained as she walked around the fence, eyeing the cow that was currently eyeing her.

"They won't hurt you. At least I don't think they will." Hadley smirked as she climbed over the fence to feed their two cows.

"I'll stay right here if you don't mind." Emma didn't go over the fence, instead letting Hadley take over this certain chore. Resting her arms on the fence and putting her chin on her arms she looked around their village. It was a nice place, they had a nice home. Everyone had welcomed them when they arrived. Their father quickly found work as bailiff here as well. He took care of the village, keeping laws and making sure everyone was okay. They also raised livestock such as the ugly cow currently staring her down. They also had chickens, pigs and a mean old goat that only Robert dealt with. Hadley had somehow found herself teaching the children of the village how to read and write while she used all that Gaius had taught her and helped with minor injuries and illness. Yes, they had found their home. If only they both weren't miserable. Oh, neither would admit it out loud, but at times Emma would catch Hadley staring off into nothing, or flexing her fingers as if she was restraining from using magic. Since that day that their father forced Hadley to promise not to use magic things had been different. Hadley had been different, their relationship with their father had been different. Then there would be times she would be treating a child who had an upset stomach with a mixture that Merlin had taught her and a dark cloud of sadness would hover over her the rest of the day.

"Are you okay?" Hadley asked, frowning as she repeated the question to her sister.

"Yes." Emma put the smile on her face that she had for the last six months and moved from the fence. "Let's go on a picnic."

Hadley paused, eyeing her sister. The last time they had been on a picnic was when they were in Camelot. "You know what? That sounds perfect." Hadley smiled, squeezing her sister's arm. "Let's go fix a lunch."

Xxxxx

"Shame on you Arthur Pendragon."

Arthur turned as Lilly appeared at his side. He arched a brow. "Why is that?"

"You seem distracted tonight." Lilly wrapped her hand around his arm, smiling. "Why…you haven't even commented on this dress that took me hours to decide on…just for you."

Arthur chuckled, taking her hand and kissing her fingers. He bowed, smiling. "My Lady, you look beautiful tonight and I'm an idiot for not mentioning it sooner."

Lilly blushed, batting her eyes. "Well, I'll let it slip this once since everyone has been wanting your attention."

"Yes." Arthur sighed, looking around the grand hall. It seemed to be bursting with people and all of them wanted to congratulate him on his tournament win. He hadn't even been able to escort Lilly, having to send Merlin to get her because he was so busy with his father's friends.

"You can make it up by dancing with me." Lilly coyly played.

Arthur gave her a side look, clearing his throat. "Umm. Sure."

Lilly laughed, tugging him out to the floor where other couples whirled and spun. "You would think I was asking you to clean out your own stables or something."

"I'm just not a fan of dancing." Arthur muttered, putting his hands on her waist and turning with the others moving around them.

"But you're the future king. Kings dance."

Arthur let out a laugh. "You don't know many kings do you? None I know dance."

"Well…you should change that when you are king." Lilly looked up at him through her lashes. "Hopefully I'll be around to make sure you dance."

Xxxx

"You have a horrible look on your face." Edith teased Merlin as he scowled at the prince and his dance partner.

"I don't trust her. Why does he?" Merlin huffed, watching Arthur laugh at something Lily said.

"Why don't you trust her? From what I can tell she's nice to the servants and usually…they aren't." Edith shrugged.

"It's just a feeling. I can't explained it." Merlin slapped at his leg in frustration. And he couldn't. He was still convinced Lilly knew more about that night Arthur was taken.

"Maybe...you still see him with someone else…."

Merlin glanced at Edith, his expression sad. "Maybe." Maybe that was it. Maybe he still felt like Arthur should be with Hadley. But they hadn't heard a word about Hadley and Emma for almost a year. They did know Hadley did not marry Henry and the look of relief on Arthur's face when he heard that news was still imprinted in Merlin's head. But they didn't know what happened to them after they left Hendricks. But they had their father so Merlin felt confident they were safe. Hopefully. "Maybe that's it."

"He deserves to be happy." Edith quietly told him.

"He does." Merlin nodded at her, trying to smile. "You're right." Seeing Arthur and Lilly headed his way, Merlin quickly poured them both a cup of wine and had it ready once they reached him.

"Thank you, Merlin." Arthur nodded, taking both cups and handing one to Lily. "My Lady."

"Thank you, sire." Lilly took the cup and started to say something to Arthur when Uther came up to them.

"Arthur. There are some people I want you to meet. Come."

Arthur resisted rolling his eyes, handing his cup back to Merlin. "Excuse me, Lilly."

"Sure." Lily sipped her wine as she watched Arthur join his father, another man and a young woman. "Who are they?"

Merlin turned at the question, looking where Lilly was. "Probably a king and princess from somewhere. Uther is determined to find Arthur a princess."

"A princess?" Lilly's brow wrinkled as she eyed Arthur and the girl.

Merlin watched Lilly closely. "Yes. Arthur has to marry royalty. It's the law."

"The law?" Lilly put her attention on Merlin for the first time. "What does that mean?"

"That means Arthur can only marry a princess. It's the law and Uther won't change it. It can't be changed. Unless Arthur changes it when he's king." Merlin may have imagined the quick flicker of anger that passed in Lilly's eyes, because she gave him a smile.

"Interesting….."

Merlin watched as Lilly walked off and blended in with the crowd. The feeling in his gut twisted, but he tried to ignore it. Maybe he was wrong.

Xxxx

Merlin jumped as thunder shook the castle walls, making Arthur laugh. "Are you scared, Merlin?"

"No!" Merlin grumbled as he prepared Arthur dinner. "Just took me by surprise is all."

"Sure." Arthur snickered as he wiped his hands. Training had been cut short that day because of the weather. The storm came upon them quickly, sending everyone for cover. "You can go hide under my covers if that will make you feel better."

"You're so funny." Merlin snapped with a look. "Don't make fun of the man who handles your food."

Arthur let out another laugh as he sat down at the table. "True. Very true." He picked up the ham, taking a healthy bite as Merlin went to work cleaning his room. Rain pelted the windows as lightening lit up the dark sky. "It is a heavy storm. Supposedly I was born on a night like this."

"Mmm. That explains a lot." Merlin chirped with a smirk. "Your moods…for example."

"My father doesn't like storms. I used to think it was because mother died during one. But now…I think it's a combination of that and magic. Storms tend to be tied to magic."

"Some." Merlin turned to face the prince. "People think dark magic causes storms. Which we know wasn't all true since Hadley….." Merlin winced, trailing off as the slip of Hadley's name stopped him.

"You can say her name, Merlin." Arthur mumbled around another bite of ham. "It doesn't bother me." He wasn't totally lying. The thought of her only halfway twisted his heart where it used to completely shatter it. So, he would declare that a win in getting over her.

"Yes. Well. We know she wasn't dark and she could control storms." Merlin said quietly, looking away. "I miss…them."

"I know." Arthur replied just as quiet. He cleared his throat and finished his dinner while Merlin went about his chores. Thunder shook the walls again as rain continued to fall heavily outside. Feeling restless, Arthur scooted back from the table. "I'm going for a walk."

"In the rain?"

"No," Arthur rolled his eyes. "just around the halls. I may…go to the chapel." He didn't wait for Merlin to reply as he walked down the halls. Servants paused, bowing as he went passed but his mind was full as he made his way to the chapel. The weather was bringing back memories he'd rather forget. The night he was born, Hadley. His nursemaids had told him the story of his birth many times. They told the story that his cry was as loud as the thunder outside and then finished with the tale that the king cried as hard as the rain beating the windows as the queen died. As he knelt at the alter, visions of Hadley pulling lightening from the sky filled his head. Her eyes red, her hair blowing wildly by the wind she was creating. She was shockingly amazing when she did her magic and the skies rolled around her as she did so. One of the reasons he came to the chapel was the calm it gave him. He felt close to his mother here and he liked to think it was her that was comforting him as he knelt there. But as he started to relax he heard a shout from down the hall. Hearing another he got to his feet, heading towards the noise. He found two guards running down the hall. "What is it?"

"Intruders! Headed to the king!" One yelled.

Arthur pushed past them as he ran towards his father's room, his heart beating wildly in his chest. He reached the door, finding it locked. A yell from his father had him kicking in the door as other guards appeared at his side. The door finally busted open and he pulled his sword out. There were two of them. Two men attacking his father who was trying to dodge the men's kicks and weapons. Arthur rushed towards them, sword ready. One of the men stepped forward with his own sword. Arthur quickly advanced, his sword clashing loudly with the attacker.

"Not him!" The other man yelled as he pinned Uther to the floor.

Arthur lost his balance as the man stepped away from him. He fell to his knees in time to see the man put a sword in his father's chest. "No!" He yelled, crawling towards his father as the guards quickly took down the two men. "Father!" He yelled, shaking him. Uther made a noise, causing blood to drip out of the corner of his mouth. "Get Gaius!" Arthur's voice shook with panic as he held his father close to him. "Stay with me. Please father….please."

Xxxxx

Merlin ran behind Gaius as they rushed to the king's room. He skidded to a stop to see Arthur holding Uther who was bleeding profusely from a hole in his chest. The look on Arthur's face was distressing as he moved to help get Uther to the bed. The king moaned loudly as blood poured to the floor. Merlin stood back as Gaius ripped the king's shirt off. He noticed the physician's hands shaking as he examined the king. Arthur was pale as he stared at his father.

"He's," Gaius stopped to clear his throat. "he's…bad. I don't think I can save him."

Merlin winced at the sound Arthur made. He stepped to the bed. "I'll try." Gaius nodded as he stepped back. Merlin closed his eyes, his hands over Uther. Putting everything into it, he pulsed magic into the king. But after several minutes it was easy to see it was not working. "I can't do it."

Arthur went to his knees by the bed, taking his father's hand. He closed his hand, bowed his head. "Please…help….." Arthur felt tears flood his eyes as he held onto his father's cold hand. The light hand at his shoulder had him looking up.

"Let me try." Blythe softly told him. She had heard Arthur's plea in her sleep and she quickly responded fearing the boy was hurt or in danger. She had been surprised to see it was Uther. But feeling the pain from Arthur she had to try. Going to the other side, she closed her eyes and let a healing spell flow through her, putting Uther in a warm glow. But she felt his faint pulse as she stood there. The king was barely hanging on and Blythe knew he wouldn't make it. Opening her eyes, she met Arthur's hopeful ones. "I'm sorry, Arthur. I fear he is too far gone."

"No." Arthur whispered, shaking his head. "He's not. Do it."

"I can't." Blythe told him, her heart hurting for him. "Once a person reaches a point in their journey of death…there isn't anything to be done."

"No!" Arthur quickly got to his feet. "Do it!"

"I can't."

"Please. Blythe. I beg you." Tears fell down Arthur's cheeks as he pleaded for his father's life.

Blythe shared a look with Merlin, before going to Arthur. Taking his face in her hands she softly told him. "I can't. But…I know someone who may be able to."

"Hadley." Arthur breathed, blinking. "I don't…know where she is…."

"I do." Blythe put a kiss on his cheek. "I'll try to hurry."

Arthur watched as she stepped back from him and then disappeared. He went back to his father, picking up his hand. "Just hang on, father. Please."