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Chapter 34

Only Just Begun

I strode down the front steps of the castle, my men lined out in front of me as my cape billowed out behind me in the wind. Arthur stood halfway down the steps, so I made my way down to stand beside him. We nodded at each other and my eyes briefly caught Merlin's when I looked over Arthur's shoulder. Merlin gave me an unreadable look, before mouthing. "Be careful."

I gave him a small smile before facing my men, mixed with Arthur's. Soldier stood in front of the knights and all my other soldiers, each lined up in neat lines. Sir Leon stood in front of the Camelot knights and Arthur's men, acting as Arthur's second in command. Arthur gave me the motion to begin talking, so I took in a deep breath and raised my voice.

"Today, we fight an enemy who has haunted our every move and waited for the prime opportunity to strike. However, we will not let them take us down. We are stronger and hold something far greater than Amfortas, Moraunt and their soldiers will ever know. To them, power is what runs a kingdom, an army, a life. To us, we share far greater qualities. We share loyalty and an unwavering bond. We share compassion for each other and we share a type of brotherhood, whether male or female. We fight for reasons that are close to our hearts. We fight for our mothers, our fathers, our siblings and our neighbours. We fight for our friends and our teachers. We fight for our loved ones and significant others. We fight for our kingdom and more importantly, we fight for ourselves. For freedom that we deserve. Amfortas and Moraunt have swords, but we have hearts. We do not murder for lust of power or greed, we are fighting for our rights, our people and our kingdom."

I looked out over all the men, some of them staring stoically ahead of them and other nodded with me in agreement. I took in a deep breath and continued. "There is a huge possibility that a number of us will die, but we will die fighting for what we deserve and will earn honour for our names! Yes, we are warriors, but we are also brothers, sisters, fathers, cousins and friends. You will make your families proud and I'm certainly very proud of you all." I quickly unsheathed my sword and held it up. "For Lexador!"

The men copied my action and raised their swords into the air, shouting out, "For Lexador," as Arthur and myself watched on proudly. Arthur looked at me and reached down, squeezing my hand. "You did a great job."

I sighed. "The battle's not over yet, it's only just begun."

"That it has." Arthur said, before we both looked at the men who finished with the cheering.

"Okay, get to your posts." I ordered and they began to rush off in neat lines, their sword still drawn and capes blowing in the wind.

"I best go to mine." Arthur said, starting to walk down the steps before I stopped him by grabbing his hand.

"Don't get hurt." I told him and he smiled at me.

"Don't get hurt yourself, missy." He teased and I giggled at the reminder of the nickname he gave me when he would get more frustrated at me.

I released his hand and looked at Merlin, who quietly walked over to me when Arthur was distracted with some of his knights. Merlin and I both looked around us to make sure that nobody was watching, before he subtly took my hands in his, my cloak stopping others from being able to see this. I tightened my grip on his hands and interlinked our fingers, observing how slender his were before looking up at him. Merlin smiled at me and moved a little closer, but still far enough apart that people wouldn't question it too much.

"You've got to be careful." He said to me.

"I will be." I promised, but guilt seeped into me from that comment.

"I couldn't bear to lose you, Amity. You might be Lexador's Queen, but you're more than that to me." Merlin said and I bit my lip before sighing and reaching into my pocket, pulling something out that I had hidden from Esme earlier after I got it out of the little box I kept it in.

I held a ring which had far more power than most other rings possessed. It was old and the silver was slightly dull as the Lexador symbol stood out in on the surface of it. The ring had belonged to all the previous generations of Lexador rulers and once I took my place on the throne, the advisors handed it to me. I held it out to Merlin, who took it with a questioning look.

"That is the ring owned by the rulers of Lexador." I stated. "Merlin, if something is to happen to me today, I want you to give it to Arthur."

"If I give it to Arthur, what does that mean?" Merlin asked.

I eyed him for a few moments. "It means that the Queen is giving him full power of Lexador, because she is no longer available to rule and she has no heir to the throne or husband."

"You mean, if you die and I give this to Arthur, it means he'll become the King of Lexador?" I nodded. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing." I said quickly, before wrapping his fingers around the ring. "Just a precaution."

"Make sure it's just a precaution." Merlin lowered his voice. "Because I can't lose you."

"I can't lose you either." I whispered, as Merlin hurriedly made sure no one was looking before pressing a quick kiss to my cheek before stepping back and letting go of my hands, the ring still in his.

"I'll see you soon, Merlin." I said and he smiled at me.

"Soon." He then rushed off after Arthur as I watched him go, before I turned around to see Gwen and Morgana on the balcony, both dressed in breeches and shirts, watching Merlin walk off.

I waved at them and they gave me tense smiles back, before I then strode down the front steps, stopping by Ade who was chanting protective spells around the castle to try and stop it from collapsing at any time. "Remember your part." I said to her, and she nodded, turning to face me.

"Of course. Everything is ready, milady." She told me and I nodded before stepping back.

"Stay safe." I commanded before catching sight of Soldier. "Soldier!"

Soldier was talking to his father and they both faced me as I marched to them. "Your majesty." Commander Johnson bowed slightly as Soldier raised an eyebrow.

"Is everything in place?" I questioned and both men nodded.

"Arthur is with the guards at the front gates." Soldier explained. "The guards inside the castle are in place as well and I think I heard Leon mention that the guards in the village area are ready, it's just ones in the courtyard to be sorted out now."

"Good." I muttered. "I'll go and join the guards at the front gates-"

I was interrupted by the sounds of screams and shouts. I shared a horrified look with Soldier and a guard who was watching from the watch towers shouted down at me. "They're early, milady!"

I unsheathed my sword and looked at up Morgana and Gwen, before yelling. "Morgana! Gwen! Get inside now!" They both didn't look convinced so I glared at them and Soldier said his goodbye to Commander Johnson, who was staying to lead the soldiers in the castle. "Now!" I repeated, more hysterical, as Soldier unsheathed his sword.

"We have to go, Amity!" Soldier bellowed and the men around me all got into position.

"I'll go." I said to Soldier, who looked ready to protest. "Stay with the guards here."

"What? But-"

"Now isn't the time to question my judgment, Soldier." I snapped, before sighing and softening my tone. "You're one of the only ones I can trust to protect my people, Soldier. I'm trusting you."

Soldier didn't look comfortable with the idea, before sighing and bowing his head to me. "Fine, you get your wish."

"Good man." I teased, before running down the stairs. "I want some men to join me!"

"Make sure you come back, Midge!" Soldier barked and I grinned at him over my shoulder.

"Of course, Soldier." I responded as six guards joined me and we started to run from the gates of the castle. We kept weaving our way through the village before catching up to the guards who had been stationed there. "We're going to try and stop their men before they come this far." I said and the soldiers all nodded and we heard the sounds of shouts grow louder and metal clashing.

All the men pulled their swords out as I tightened the grip on mine. The fighters from Camelot and Lexador came into view, as they battled against men in black armour. "Attack!" I screamed to the men with me and we sprinted forward, right into the fray.

Two men were onto me immediately and I disarmed one, slashing his chest and stabbed the other as they both fell to the floor. One man jumped at me and I knocked him out by hitting his head with the handle of my sword. More and more men came at me, until I was fighting four at once. They each took it in turns to fight and it didn't take long for me to realise they were making a pattern of when they strike. I kicked one in the chest, sending him flying into another one and accidentally stabbing his comrade. One of the men tried to stab me with my back turned but I ducked and whirled around, cutting his leg and preceding to fight the man behind him. Suddenly, the man was stabbed through the back and I had to jump back so that he wouldn't fall on me. I looked up to see Mordred standing there, with a bloody sword in his hand.

"Thanks for that." I said and he smiled at me, before his eyes widened and went gold. I heard the sound of someone flying through the air and landing on the ground with a crunch. "Well, that's helpful."

Mordred nodded at me and I looked over his shoulder to see Merlin watching us, a torn expression on his face with a sword in his hand. A man leapt at him and he quickly deflected it before fighting him. I saw Merlin muttered something, as the man's sword went red, as if still being heated in the forge. The man dropped it and Merlin took the opportunity to stab him. At least I know one thing, if Merlin's here than Arthur's here. I quickly got back into the battle and started fighting my way towards Merlin, who also had noticed me and started trying to come towards me.

The men in front of me were getting taken down at a fast pace as I made my way through, but suddenly, I felt a hard thump on my shoulder and I cried out as it made a cracking soung, landing on the ground. My shoulder ached and I heard the sound of a chuckle before I rolled over, painfully, onto my back, just missing as the soldier lowered his sword to stab the ground. I gritted my teeth at the pain and reached for me sword once I realized it fell out of my hand. It was too far away and the guard when to attack me when I heard a shout and all the men in the black uniforms, close to me, were suddenly thrown back through the air. I sat up slowly, my hand going to my shoulder which pulsed angrily and I winced. Someone crouched beside me, gently touching my shoulder and looked up to see Merlin.

"Well, magic certainly has its perks." I kidded, wincing.

Merlin looked around and then turned back to me. "It's not safe for me to heal you here." He muttered, before handing me his sword. "Hold that for a second."

"Merlin, what are you doing? I have to get back to fight-" I gasped when he abruptly picked me up into a bridal carry.

"I'm getting you to safety." He said.

"My shoulder is fine!" I cringed when he stepped a little too roughly and I jumped a little as my shoulder became worse. "I need to get back to fighting!"

"From the force that man used, and what seemed to have been directly onto the bone, he probably at least fractured the bone." Merlin informed me as he suddenly opened one of the villager's huts.

"Merlin! You can't go into a villager's home! We have no right to be here!" I argued as he sat me down on their small and rickety bed.

"You're the bloody Queen, you have every right." Merlin debated and I watched him as he unclasped my cloak and let it fall to the mattress. He then removed my sword belt with my sword on it. "Now, you're going to have to stay sitting up so I can check the bone."

I nodded and Merlin seemed very awkward. "What is it, Merlin?"

"I have to see the bone so I can know whether it's fractured or broken or just bruised." He explained and I flushed.

"Do you know how to take chainmail off?" I queried and he nodded.

"Yes, I just…I've never…" Merlin was going redder and redder by the minute.

"Merlin, it's a part of your job. Just take whatever you feel needs to come off." I told Merlin.

Merlin swallowed thickly. "Yes, just tell me if you feel uncomfortable."

"Okay." I mumbled as he got the braces off my arms.

"You're going to have to put your arms forward so I can remove your chainmail." Merlin stated and I winced when I did so as my arm ached. "Sorry."

"It's fine." I gritted my teeth again as he quickly, but gently, pulled the chainmail off and placed it onto the bed.

"Is it okay if your shirt comes off?" Merlin asked cautiously and I slowly nodded as he helped peel it off. "I'll leave your undershirt on."

I smiled gratefully at him, feeling a blush rise onto my cheeks as he sat behind him and moved the material of my undershirt to check my shoulder. I felt his hands on the bone and let out a cry of pain, before biting my lip.

"I'm sorry." Merlin whispered and I stared ahead as my shoulder become worse. "Definitely broken. Do you want me to heal it?"

Heal me? With magic? Either be healed and risk something going wrong or have something go wrong? I paused. Why am I even asking myself this? I trust Merlin and he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. "Heal it, please."

"Okay." Merlin cleared his throat, his hands resting over the broken bone. "Gestathole. Thurhhaele."

There was a clicking sound and my bone felt a hundred times worse as I gasped and doubled over in pain, before it suddenly ended and I sat back up. I slowly rotated my arm, testing it and finding it was as good as new.

"There." Merlin whispered and I quickly remembered we were in some hut, on a bed, while I only had my undershirt on. I didn't expect Merlin to press a soft kiss against my shoulder and then move one up to the nape of my neck. "All better."

"Thank you, Merlin." I replied, looking over my shoulder as he leaned forward and then softly kissed my lips, only for a few moments before he pulled back.

I smiled at him, which he returned, before I looked away and picked up my shirt, pulling it over my head. "Want help with the chainmail?" He asked and I smiled thankfully at him as he aided me in getting it on.

I started to do up my braces on my arms and shoulders again, while Merlin got my cloak and put it on me, doing the clasp up. "There you go." He said, and I watched him adoringly. "Be more careful next time."

"I will." I said and leaned up, kissing his cheek, as he did my sword belt up. "We best get going."

"Yes, we best." Merlin said, grabbing his own sword as I placed my hand onto the door hand.

"Ready?" I asked.

Merlin nodded. "Ready."

I sprinted through the front gates of the castle, hearing the roars of men fighting as I saw Morgana and Gwen in the courtyard, bent over bodies of wounded soldiers. "You have to go inside!" I commanded and they both stared at me.

"We can't leave these men here to die!" Gwen argued.

I shook my head. "You can't leave the King of Camelot without a wife or sister! Now go inside!"

"You're like a daughter to him, that's a little hypocritical." Morgana snapped and I had to stop myself from snarling.

"Morgana, the soldiers are close and nearing here! Once they're here, the doors to the castle are going to be locked so they cannot enter!" I yelled.

"They'll just be able to knock the doors down." Morgana retorted.

"No, they won't." I sighed. "Ade is going to shut them with magic. It is to make sure that everyone inside will be completely protected."

Their eyes widened. "But doesn't that mean that all the soldiers outside can't enter?" Morgana asked, horrified.

I bit my lip. "It won't matter, because they'll be in the castle too."

"Amity, what are you planning?" Gwen questioned.

"Doesn't matter now, just get inside the castle!" The shouts were getting louder. Gwen and Morgana looked at each other and I did something I hadn't planned on doing. I caught sight of Soldier finishing off an enemy. "Soldier, get Queen Guinevere and Lady Morgana inside the castle!"

Soldier nodded and started leading the two women inside as they struggled with him, but he was too strong. The battle then entered the courtyard and I saw Arthur fighting eight men, so I quickly joined him, whacking on man on the back of his head with the butt of my sword and stabbing the other. We took them down, but then I saw someone opening the door and climbing into the watch tower, a perfect opportunity for them to sneak into the castle. I quickly tightened the grip on my sword and ran through the battlefield, ducking people and stabbing a few enemies if they got in my way. I soon reached the watch tower and yanked the door open. There were many small steps leading upwards, as I shut the door behind me and began to sprint up them, chasing the person I saw enter earlier. My boots hit the floor and echoed through the small passage, panting slightly after spending a lot of the time running to and from places. My legs throbbed painfully but I pushed myself to go faster. I could hear the sound of other footsteps at the top of the tower as I began to catch up to the intruder.

I heard the sound of another door opening and I went faster, skipping ever second steps and leaping. I soon reached the door at the top of the staircase and opened it, finding myself in the watch tower which then had doorways leading to the walls of the castle gates, which were stone and had a pathway on them for guards to patrol on. My hand tightened my sword as I stepped into the watch tower, seeing all of Lexador's land around me. I grimaced at the sight of the bodies littering the village, but I then jumped at the sound of a very familiar voice.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't little Queen." I whirled around, my sword pointing to where the voice came from. My eyes narrowed as Amfortas stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Hello your majesty, remember me?"

(3rd Person P.O.V)

"Soldier, you have to release us." Morgana said and Soldier puffed as they fought against him.

"I'm sorry, milady, your majesty, but my Queen has said an order and I must follow her." Soldier explained and Gwen gave him a peeved look.

"Amity's going to sacrifice herself!" Gwen spat out and Soldier paused, staring at the Queen of Camelot.

"What are you going on about?" Soldier asked and Gwen quickly caught her breath.

"She's organized it so that the Druid, Ade, will magically lock the doors with all of Camelot and Lexador's fighters and people in it." Gwen informed Soldier. "But she will still be out fighting."

"Why would she do that?" Soldier questioned.

"Because," Morgana butted in, "she's going to take on Amfortas because she thinks everyone else will be in safe hands in the castle walls."

"Please Soldier, she's going to get herself killed!" Gwen argued as a redheaded girl came racing around the corner.

"Your highness, Lady Morgana, Soldier." Esme said. "I was just looking for you! Did you know that Amity's-"

"Planning on sacrificing herself?" Morgana interrupted. "Yes, we did."

Esme looked shocked. "No, what I was going to say was that she was just sighted going after Amfortas. They're in the watch tower and likely to head out onto the passage for the patrols, on top of the walls surrounding the castle."

Soldier gasped. "She can't do that."

"Why not?" Gwen asked as Soldier quickly released the two women.

"If she fights Amfortas there, there's a huge chance of her falling. They're right over the mine. If she falls, she gone. It's easy to fall." Soldier identified.

"How do you know that?" Morgana quizzed. "Maybe she'll be fine."

"Lady Morgana, those walls have been known as an easy way out for desperate or mourning guards." Soldier told Lady Morgana.

"What makes you say that?" Gwen asked and Soldier sighed with a pained look.

"Because, my grandfather was one of those desperate and mourning guards who threw himself into the mines." He said quietly and the three women stared at him in horror. "My father was just a little boy at the time."

"We're sorry to hear that." Esme whispered, before Soldier shrugged.

"It's too late to do anything about it now, but it's not too late to safe Amity." Soldier looked around. "We have to do something, before Ade shuts the doors and Amity tries to take on Amfortas."

Esme was looking out the window and gasped. "I think we're too late for that."

(Amity P.O.V)

"Amfortas," I straightened up, on guard. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Yes, I believe the last time was when we captured you and yet you managed to escape." Amfortas replied.

I smirked. "I tend to have that ability."

"Yes, the ability to worm out of tricky situations." Amfortas jeered. "But not this time, milady."

"Are you so sure about that?" I said as he unsheathed his sword.

"I am positive." He pointed his sword at me. "Cary may be gone, but you're next." With that comment, he leapt forward and I quickly shielded from his blow as he pushed me into the wall of the watch house. "I have waited for this moment for so long."

"I can't say the same." I retorted, huffing before kicking him in the abdomen and shoving him away from me.

I tightened my grip on my sword and Amfortas came running at me as I ducked and kicked his back, making him hit the wall. I went to strike again when he kicked out at my knees and I gasped as I fell onto my back, with him leaning over me. Amfortas raised his sword and I rolled over, kicking out with my left leg. There was a cracking sound and my foot connected with his face as he gasped and went to clutch his face. I stabilized myself again just as he roared and leapt at me. I felt my back come into contact with wood, as the door I hit suddenly came off it frame and fell down with myself and Amfortas on top. I struggled underneath Amfortas, whose hand wrapped around my throat. I clawed at his hand with my own as things became blurry and I was breathing in less and less air.

"Not so powerful now, milady." Amfortas taunted and I quickly pinched a bit of skin between his pinky and ring finger, a spot Soldier told me about when we were just learning to fight.

Amfortas howled and released me as I shoved him off me and pushed him further down the small and narrow patrol path on the top of the wall. The wind was cool as my braid began to come loose and stray hair fell in front of my eyes. Amfortas quickly began to duel with me as I blocked his hits and put my own attack moves in. I heard the sound of feet and both Amfortas looked into the watch tower and saw that Arthur, Merlin, Soldier and the knights of Lexador and Camelot were watching us. Amfortas took the chance of my small distraction to backhand me across my cheek as I fell to the floor, gasping when he pulled me up by my hair. Amfortas pressed me against the stone wall so that I was half perched over the edge, the crenellations poked into me back as I was leaned further over the side of the wall.

"My turn for victory, milady." Amfortas said as he raised his sword to my throat.

I swallowed thickly as Arthur spoke. "Release her, Amfortas."

"I don't think I will." Amfortas snarled. "I have waited long for this moment."

"I can't say the same." I muttered as the stone wall became to crumble slightly. I gripped the sides of the wall beside me after my sword fell out of my hand. "How's it feel Amfortas? To know that you have the woman who slaughtered your fellow comrade and friend, right in your grasp? How's it feel to look in her eyes, the eyes of Cary's murderer, and know that she lived while he didn't? How's it feel?"

Amfortas began to shake angrily. "Amity." Arthur said warningly as I smirked at Amfortas.

"Well, here I am, Amfortas. Cary's murderer. The only thing is, I'm not sad about it. I have no regrets. I killed your friend and still lived to see the tale." I taunted. "What are you going to do about it?"

Arthur and Merlin were both inching forward when Amfortas suddenly yelled. "This!"

Amfortas raised his sword and was about to stop me with it when I grabbed his wrist and twisted it. The sword fell out of his hand and clattered to the floor as I yanked him forwards and got my body at the right angle that I raised my knee and kicked him in the abdomen just as I hooked my arm around his. With the sudden loss of balance and pull towards me, I leant forward and bent down and Amfortas rolled over the top of me. He let out a shout as he felt himself slipping over the edge of the wall. I got him close to completely off me and over the wall when he grabbed my cloak and brought me back with him. I gasped as Merlin rushed forward.

"No!" He shouted and I reached out a gloved hand towards him, feeling our fingers brush past each other. "Gesti-"

Merlin started to cast his spell but it was too late as I fell over the edge, both Amfortas and myself tumbling down and falling into the mines. We both rotated quickly and I gasped when my cloak began to wrap around my throat, cutting off my airway. I desperately clawed at the clasp, trying to get it undone as I kept falling. Amfortas was falling faster and I started to scream as the falling never ended.

(3rd Person P.O.V)

Merlin reached over the edge of the wall, watching as Amity literally slipped out of his fingers. Arthur and Soldier ran forward after letting out a shout and the three of them watched in horror as Amity and Amfortas plummeted down the mines. Merlin let out a loud exhale in shock as Arthur looked like his world had just been torn into two. Soldier looked ready to jump after Amity as Merlin heard what she had always said about the mines to him, "if you fall you're dead," and now Amity had become one of the causalities she had referred to earlier.

"No!" Arthur shouted from beside him, whacking the wall in his gloved fists.

Merlin took note that all of Amfortas' men retreated as they sprinted out of the walls of the courtyard after realizing their leader was dead…along with Lexador's. The knights all looked pained as they watched, for one of the first times, Arthur's eyes begin to mist up with tears. Merlin noted that his own were also teary as he quickly brushed them aside and decided he had to be strong for Arthur. Yes, Merlin had a crush on Amity, but Amity was like a daughter to Arthur. Oh, who was Merlin kidding? He loved Amity. He loved the woman who had stolen his heart and he was happy about it. The beautiful woman with a cute giggle and gorgeous green eyes. The woman who was now lost.

"We'd best go back down to the courtyard." Soldier said emotionlessly as the knights stumbled down the stairs, Arthur, Merlin and Soldier blindly leading them as they all mourned for the loss of Amity.

Lexador and Camelot's soldiers were in the courtyard, numbers a lot smaller as Commander Johnson, the four advisors, Gwen, Morgana and Esme came rushing out of the castle. Gwen took one look at Arthur's face, noting the tears now beginning to fall from his eyes, before she let out a cry. "Where is she?"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm so sorry Gwen, so, so sorry."

Gwen then burst into loud wails and threw herself into Arthur's arms as Merlin soon found himself holding a weeping Morgana. He looked over Morgana's head to see Commander Johnson with his hand resting on Soldier's shoulder, as the young man had his head bowed and eyes shut. Esme was Mordred's embrace as she sobbed in mourning for her late mistress. All the knights and soldiers had their heads lowered as everyone began to lament the loss of a great Queen. Merlin reached into his pocket, remembering the ring Amity had given to him to hand to Arthur. "Merlin, if something is to happen to me today, I want you to give it to Arthur."

Merlin slowly pulled the ring out of his pocket and stared at it for a few moments. Morgana looked down at his hand and gasped when she saw it glinting in the dimming light. "Is that…?"

Merlin nodded and more tears fell from his eyes. "It is, she asked me to give it to Arthur if something happened to her."

Morgana bit her lip. "She knew what was going to happen!"

"She did." Merlin muttered, remembering how he told her to be careful.

Once these memories rose into Merlin's thoughts, even more came back. Amity when she first arrived at Camelot, Amity telling Arthur she gave Merlin the day off and her dropping a pile of books in Gaius' chambers. Tears fell from Merlin's eyes and he tightened his fingers around the ring. More memories entered his head, Amity wearing the daring red dress for her anniversary feast, Amity defending herself after saving Ade, Amity laughing when she shoved Morgana and seething when Arthur had shut her in her room. He remembered seeing her giggling with Esme in the marketplace or around the castle. He also remembered how soft her skin felt and how brilliant her hands felt against his back after he'd been wounded. Merlin shut his eyes at the thought of how her lips felt pressed against his. How he would never feel that feeling again.

Merlin slowly opened his bloodshot eyes, before looking at Arthur and he staggered towards Camelot's king. "Arthur, there's something you need to know."

"Not now, Merlin." Arthur said brokenly and Merlin just sighed.

He slowly reached out with a shaky hand, as Arthur and Gwen's eyes landed on the Lexador ring on his palm. Their eyes widened. "Merlin, what's this?" Gwen asked and Merlin felt his eyes well up more.

"Amity wanted you to have it if anything happened to her." Merlin explained as Arthur slowly took the ring from his manservant.

"It's the royal seal." Arthur said and his eyes went up to Merlin.

"She wanted you to be the one to succeed her if she did not make it." Merlin informed Arthur, as more tears came falling down his face.

Both Gwen and Arthur stared at the royal crest on the ring, clearly torn by various emotions as Morgana and Merlin watched on, feeling hopeless.

(Amity P.O.V)

I kept falling, my hair falling out of the braid before the ribbon came lose and my locks were freed as they flowed around my head. I gasped when some hair came into my mouth, but I wasn't able to push it out as I kept falling. I heard a shout, "gestillan!"

I sighed in relief at the familiar voice, as they chanted something else and I was being lifted upwards, getting closer and closer to light. My cloak was no longer choking me and I had the chance to finally get damp hair out of my mouth. I was soon hovering close enough to the top the of mines that I just climbed the last metre on the side of the mine and pulled myself over the top, a pair of leather shoes in front of me. I looked and sighed in relief when Ade smiled down at me.

"Sorry it took so long to stop you from falling, milady." Ade held a hand out and helped me to my feet. "I had a little trouble getting out of the courtyard."

"That's fine, as long as you made sure I was still alive, I was fine falling a little longer than planned." I said, brushing my chainmail with my hands to get dirt off it.

"Well, you might want to hurry back to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere." Ade said as I ran a hand through my knotty hair and used my fingers to try and get any snarls out of it.

"Why?" I mumbled tiredly.

"Because they are currently mourning you because they think you're dead." Ade explained bluntly and I gasped.

"Oh, I have to go!" I said, not waiting for a response before sprinting towards the castle. "Thank you, Ade!"

"You're welcome!" Ade yelled back as I made my way to the entrance to the gates of the castle.

I heard the sounds of sobs and familiar voices as I ran into the courtyard, pausing for a moment to take in the knights and soldiers, who all were holding their swords in front of them, their heads bowed. Near the steps of the castle were Gwen, Arthur, Merlin and Morgana. Merlin was watching Arthur, who was holding something in his hand. I quickly ran forward, as the soldiers all stepped to the sides so they weren't in my way. Their eyes widened at the sight of me as I ran forward.

"Merlin!" I shouted and Merlin whirled around, his jaw dropping when he saw me as he mouthed my name.

I kept running at him and he started to come towards me quickly and suddenly, it didn't matter that we had said we would keep it a secret, it didn't matter that there were more than seventy men surrounding us. It didn't matter that Morgana, Arthur and Gwen were right there or that Esme was still crying in Mordred's arms. It certainly didn't matter that Merlin and I were both covered in dirt and sweet and probably smelt even worse than we looked. Merlin and I kept dashing towards each other and I soon leapt into his arms. My hands went to his cheeks and his captured me around my waist as our lips pressed together, fiercely. Instead of the slow paces the previous last two kisses had been, this one was rushed and heavy and hot. My fingers slid up his cheeks and into his hair, where I gripped it tightly and yanked on it a little. Merlin moaned into my mouth and moved one arm so it travelled up my back and into my lose hair and the other went down so it rested just above my backside. The kiss was full of heat, teeth and tongue as we forgot who was surrounding us until we slowly pulled away, panting and huffing.

"What on Earth?" Merlin and I looked to see Arthur with his jaw dropped.

"Oh yeah," Merlin and I looked awkwardly at each other, as I whispered to the dark hair man, "we forgot to tell Arthur."

Dammit.

There you go! Another evil guy down, one to go! Haha, let's see what happens to Moraunt and how Arthur feels about the revelation of Amity and Merlin's relationship! He's not so oblivious any more! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed as well!

bilboswaggins2 – YES, THEY DID KISS! :D Haha, I hope you didn't get into trouble or anything for screaming! Aww, thanks for being so sweet again! Haha, when it comes to family members lookinh similar to Bradley, I prefer not to think about it that way :P It's like when your mum is like 'oh, that hot actor looks like some guy you will never consider hot, nor want to' :P Haha, jealous Arthur will be terrifying, maybe if Bradley ever does another comic con or some convention, we could ask him to act Arthur being jealous :P I agree with you when it comes to Bradley's hair and how it's so unfair how he can get away with anything! Gosh, the man seriously needs to take an ugly pill sometime ;) Nah, I couldn't live without all that hotness! Haha, pretend I didn't write that, it's my inner fangirl speaking! I'm glad there was enough Merity for you in the last chapter! Yes, writer's block does suck and is very annoying, but hopefully mine will fade more! *still hugging you back* Thanks for reviewing again!

LadyMorganaPendragon – Thanks for reviewing again AND being so excited about my story! (I also wrote lots of exclamation marks because your review made me very happy) Plus, I just want to say that I realized I haven't reviewed recently, but I just really, really, really like your fic 'Destiny of a Twin'! It's sooooooo good! I can't wait for more Gwynna/Arthur! I'll try and update soon!

Destiny Xavier16 – Yes! They finally had their first kiss! I was so excited for it (I know I am the author, but I can still be excited! :P) Haha, they did squash the enemy, but there will be some more tension rising very soon! This time, Amity and Merlin are just going to face it together as a proper couple! Thanks for reviewing

ArmyWife22079 – Haha, I like your mid evil comment! I've never heard that before, it's very clever! They can never catch a break! I know! However, it sort of keeps the plot rolling and I don't want it to drag too much! I hate it when it drags and I'm getting more and more excited and the story comes closer to ending (not to be depressing, but it'll be nice when I can start something new). I mean, I like Amity and I haven't regretted writing this, but I just want I change, so that's probably why there isn't much of a break for the characters, but if it's too big an issue, I'll try and slow it down a little! Thanks for reviewing!

xlydiax – I'm glad you liked the chapter and you're happy they kissed! Aww, thank you for being so compassionate! They're getting fixed I'm going at my fastest but the next chapter might take a little longer because I have many assignments due this week! Thank you for reviewing and being so kind and sweet! xxx