Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters. I only own the ones that I've made up myself.
A/N- I hope you all have an amazing weekend! Please enjoy this chapter with some Hunith and Merlin bonding time :) They're so adorable haha
x Lots of love, Milou Lilly
Chapter 36: Love in the time of dragons
"Are you ready?" Merlin asked, beaming brightly. He was holding her hand as they were standing in front of the house where Merlin had grown up in and had lived with his mother. They had travelled for more than a day to get here and were a bit exhausted.
Lyanna was feeling nervous to meet Hunith again. The last time that she had seen the woman was when she had been cursed by Nimueh and Lyanna had traded her own life to save that of Hunith. Ever since they had first met, Hunith knew that there was something more going on between her son and the Princess of Camelot. But now Merlin had told his mother that he was secretly courting the woman and she had repeatedly asked him to visit his home-town again together with Lyanna. Lyanna was just a bit worried about how Hunith was going to react to the see them together like that.
"Yeah, I think I am," Lyanna said doubtfully, biting her bottom lip.
Merlin gently squeezed her hand. "It's going to be fine. She already likes you a lot, Lyanna," he tried to assure her. Lyanna flashed him a smile as he knocked on the front door and they waited for a respond.
It only took a couple of seconds until the front door flew open and Hunith stepped outside of the house. "My dear boy," she exclaimed happily before pulling her son into an embrace after not have seen him for about two years. "It's so good to see you again. I've missed you. You've grown so much."
She slowly let go off him. "It's good to be here again, mother," Merlin agreed with her. Lyanna could tell that they were both happy to be reunited again.
Hunith then saw Lyanna standing beside him, wearing commoner clothes so that she could easier blend in between everyone here. "Oh, you're even prettier than the last time that I saw you," Hunith cried out before hugging Lyanna. "I'm so glad that you were able to come here with Merlin."
"Thank you, Hunith," Lyanna said in return. "Well, Merlin told me how desperately you wanted us to pay you a visit, so I've argued with Arthur for a few days until he finally allowed Merlin to have some time off so that we could leave. I have to take over three of his patrols when we return, but it will be worth it."
"Thank you for doing that," Hunith replied, smiling as she let go off the princess. "Please come inside and I'll make you something to eat. You must be hungry from your travels."
They didn't argue with her and followed Hunith into the small house. Everything was exactly the same since Lyanna had been here the last time. Memories of that battle with Kanen and his men came back to her and she thought of Will. She looked at Merlin for a second, figuring that he must've been feeling terrible because he had been his friend.
Once Hunith had made them some tea and had given them something to eat they all sat down at the table and just started to catch up on everything that they had missed since they had last seen each other. Merlin and Lyanna surely had a lot to tell her and Hunith was listening intently to everything that they were saying. They even told her how they've both came to accept that they were in love with each other and had started to court each other in secret. Hunith wanted to know everything.
"Would you like some more?"
Lyanna looked up at the woman who was practically running around the small house like a young puppy. Ever since they had arrived at Ealdor about two hours ago, Hunith had been forcing them to eat loads of food. Lyanna wondered if Hunith thought that they were being underfed back at Camelot and was hoping to make up for it. It was that or she was simply thrilled that her son was visiting her again with the woman the he loved. Also she was quite curious about where the woman got all the food, because people in Ealdor didn't exactly had much to spare.
"No, I'm good. Thank you. In fact I've forgotten something from my saddlebag. I'll be right back," Lyanna excused herself before quietly leaving the house.
Hunith then looked at her son now that they were alone. "I cannot tell how happy it makes me to see the two of you in love like that. I've often wondered if you would ever find a woman who would love you unconditionally and who would make you a very happy man. She seems to do those things, and you make her very happy in return. You two really belong together."
Merlin smiled. "I'm glad that you think that. I really love her and I know that she's the one. She's the woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with. She is the sweetest person that I know and so compassionate about many things. She has the loyalty of all the people in Camelot, but she so down to earth. She makes me so happy and I love her so much, mother. I don't want to lose her."
Hunith gently stroke his cheek. "My boy," she began. "If she's really the one then you could make things more official."
"I can't," Merlin stated gravely. "In case you've forgotten she's the Princess of Camelot and I'm just a simple servant of her brother. We're not even allowed to be together. But spending all this time with her in secret has been so worth it. I would rather spend the rest of my life with her like that and not to be able to call her my wife, than to lose her to someone else."
"Merlin, you won't lose her to someone else. She loves you and she wouldn't give you up for anything in the world."
"I know, but sometimes I still worry about that. Uther already had forced her to marry Prince Carlyle of Mercia a few years ago. I was heartbroken because I thought that I had lost her when we had just expressed our feelings to each other. Lyanna had ended things with me because she thought it was her duty to marry the prince for the sake of Camelot. It was a few days before the wedding that I confronted Lyanna on the streets while it was abandoned and told her not to do it because I loved her. She told me that she loved me as well and we started to kiss each other. That was when Carlyle found us. We thought that he was going to be furious, but instead he said that he glad that he had caught us because he was in love with someone else so he cancelled the wedding," Merlin clarified.
"So things ended out well for the two of you?" Hunith wondered.
"Well, kind off. We both realized that we couldn't stay away from each other. Whenever we were both released from our duties we would meet each other in secret and that has been going on ever since. But if Uther has forced her to marry once, who says that he won't do it again? Lyanna has told me that she's willing to give up her title if the law would keep us apart. Arthur has even said that he would even drop the law when he was King so that we could officially be together and Uther doesn't have a say in all this."
Hunith smiled. "See, things are going to work out fine for the two of you. She may be the princess and you be a peasant, but that doesn't mean that a law should separate you. I hope the day that you two will get married will be soon. I would love to have some grandchildren some day," she said.
"M-mom!" Merlin sputtered, his face going as red as his tunic.
At that moment Lyanna entered the house again and the subject of conversation quickly changed. "Hunith, I was wondering how things have been in Ealdor since Kanen en his men have been defeated," she said, sitting down beside Merlin again who was looking a bit flushed. She didn't think anything of it.
"Things have gone back to the way they were before Kanen and his man came here," Hunith told her. "We're all still grateful for what you're all have done for us."
"I was already thinking something like that. Your neighbour just gave me a turnip. Before I could ask him what it was for he started to laugh. Clearly he remembered me, all though I he didn't seem very familiar to me. It's been so long since I've been here," Lyanna replied.
"You don't even like turnip," Merlin said playfully as he grabbed her hand.
Of course he remembered that. She made a face at him. "Like you don't like sprouts?" They chortled together and Hunith watched them adoringly as she took the turnip to the kitchen.
The rest of the day had gone by quietly. They spend most of it at the table just catching up with each other. Lyanna and Merlin decided to take an early night because they were both weary from travelling. The room that they were staying in was the same one where they had slept in together with everyone during Kanen's attacks. It felt odd to be here again, even though it was only the two of them this time.
This time there were no sleeping-rolls on the floor. There was only a small bed that clearly had stood here all throughout Merlin's childhood and was his. For some reason Hunith had thought that they wouldn't mind sleeping together in one small bed.
Lyanna fidgeted. "I could get my sleeping-roll from my bag and -"
Merlin grabbed her hands in his. "There's no need for that. We could just try this. Nothing has to happen and it's not as if we slept next to each other before, Lee. This isn't something new. But if it would make you uncomfortable then -"
"No," Lyanna quickly cut him off. "I don't mind doing this, in fact I love lying in your arms. It's just that you said that we shouldn't be doing these things because we aren't married."
"I know that we shouldn't be doing this, but we're not doing anything inappropriate. It's only for a couple of nights," he said.
"It may be for the rest of our lives one day," Lyanna teased before kissing him chastely and turning her back towards him. She began to take off the dress that she was wearing and let it slip onto the ground. Because she was still wearing some clothes underneath that she wasn't standing there naked. She could practically feel Merlin's eyes drilling into her back as she put on a different shirt which she had stolen from Arthur. The tunic was big on her, but it had to do for now since she hadn't brought any nightgowns with her.
As she turned around she saw that Merlin was wearing his white nightshirt and different trousers. They smiled at each other before they lay down together onto the small bed. Merlin's arm went around her shoulder as she placed her head onto his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
"It almost feels as if we're married already," Lyanna said, grinning.
"I know what you mean. It feels so natural," Merlin agreed with her. She hummed a response as he eyes fell close and there fell a silence in the room. "Goodnight, Lyanna."
"Goodnight, Merlin."
Life at Ealdor was a lot slower and simpler than it was back at Camelot. Since Lyanna had no training sessions to attend to or didn't have to help Gaius, and Merlin was released from Arthur's duties they suddenly had seas of time for themselves.
Their days were filled with loads of walks through the meadows and the outlying forests. They would even help some of the farmers on the lands with their crops. They also talked a lot with Hunith and baked meals together.
Lyanna was enjoying her time at Ealdor immensely. She could already picture herself living here for the rest of her life, being married with the man that she loved and leading a happy life just pitching in with the others. Things here were so quiet and the air was so clear. But there was still things that she missed that weren't here.
Before they knew it their trip had came to an end and it was time for them to depart again. It was an early morning as they were standing outside the house. "Be sure to write me a letter when you get back at Camelot," Hunith insisted seriously, pointing at her son. "You need to write me more often."
"Sorry, mother. It's just that I'm so busy with looking after Arthur that I barely have time to write a letter," Merlin responded, hoping that was a good excuse.
Only it wasn't. "I'll write one when we get back and make sure that he'll write more often and doesn't use lame excuses like that," Lyanna assured her. Merlin glowered at her and Lyanna giggled. "Thank you so much for having us, Hunith. It was really nice to be away from Camelot for a while and I've enjoyed my stay here."
Hunith hugged her. "You're welcome to come back whenever you wish, dear," she said to her, and Lyanna felt happiness spread inside of her at that.
"Sure, I'd like that," Lyanna said, pulling back. "But it won't be for some time I'm afraid because Arthur wasn't very pleased that I had stolen his manservant from him for a week. We'll keep you informed."
Merlin then pulled his mother into tight embrace. "I'll miss you," he said softly.
"And I will miss you, my boy." Hunith kissed his cheek. "We'll see each other again. Say goodbye to Gaius for me, will you?"
They parted after that and Lyanna and Merlin started their journey home. They were riding alongside each other, holding hands. Occasionally their gazes would meet and they would smile to each other.
"So how did you enjoy your time away from Arthur?" Lyanna asked after riding for a moment in silence.
"I loved it," Merlin said, grinning sheepishly. "Thank you for arranging everything so that I could visit my mother again. I'm super grateful. How do I make it up with you?"
Lyanna giggled. "There is no need to make it up with me. I enjoyed my time away as much as you did and I was glad that I was able to come along. I should be thanking you."
"But it didn't seem right to be here without you," Merlin admitted truthfully. "You're already part of my family and mother completely adores you. She even asked me when we we're going to give her some grandchildren."
Lyanna went as red as a tomato. "She did what?" she asked in bewilderment. She cleared her throat. "Well... We could... I mean... Maybe one day." Just thinking about having children together with Merlin caused her to go even redder.
"Don't worry too much, Lyanna. She's just thrilled that we're both so in love with each other. She did mention yesterday that she wanted to be there if we would get married," Merlin responded.
"Oh she will be. I'll make sure that she'll be there. She's part of the family after all and I'm glad for it. I like your mother," Lyanna said, smiling. "I was wondering if you two have talked about Balinor? I knew that you wouldn't when I was around so that's why I decided to give you two enough privacy."
"We did talk about him and she told me many stories about when Balinor stayed here with her and how they had fallen in love. I could tell you how it happened if you want to hear that?" Merlin asked.
Her smile enlarged. "I'd love that."
They arrived back at Camelot late the following morning. Their horses were being taken to the stables by the stableboys and both Lyanna and Merlin made their way into the palace, carrying their belongings. They had used the herb seeking excuse on the King for the reason they had been away for a week, and only a few people knew the truth about her whereabouts.
They stepped into the physician chambers where they found Gaius mixing some vials together. At the sight of the two people that he saw as his own children he dropped what he was holding before stepping forwards and pulling them both into an embrace. "Camelot has not been the same since you two have left," he admitted.
"It's good to be back, Gaius," Lyanna assured him, smiling brightly as they parted.
At that moment the door opened again and Arthur and Gwen entered the room. "Lee!" Arthur cried out in relief before pulling his younger sister into his arms, nearly squishing her with his strong arms. "We heard that you had arrived at Camelot again so me and Gwen went to find you."
"It's good to see you again, Archie," she muttered. "Can you let go of me? I would love to breathe."
"Yes, sure," Arthur quickly replied and gave her some space to breathe. "How was your trip to Ealdor with my manservant? I hope that it was fruitful and nothing inappropriate has happened." His eyes narrowed a bit as he said that last part.
Lyanna exchanged a look with Merlin. Besides sleeping in the same bed. "No, nothing inappropriate has happened. It was lovely and Hunith is the sweetest person. In fact I'm still sad that we had to go back," she said, and she meant it. Things surely were different in Camelot, but here were all the people that she loved and she couldn't give up on that.
"Well, I'm glad that you're back," Gwen said as she quickly hugged Lyanna. "Arthur hasn't shut up about how he missed both of you all week."
Everyone now eyed the future King of Camelot who was looking a bit embarrassed. "I did not," he protested like a stubborn child.
"So you also missed me?" Merlin asked amused, grinning brightly.
"I've never implied such a thing," Arthur clarified, slapping his manservant on his his shoulder before crossing his arms. They all knew how much Arthur valued his friendship with Merlin, even though he would never admit it. It was more than just a mere friendship. They were like brothers to each other.
After that reunion Lyanna returned to her chambers to unpack her belongings. It was shortly after that she found herself in the council chambers with Gaius and Merlin right behind her. "It's good to have you back again, my child," he said happily, kissing her forehead. Lyanna wondered if he really meant it. "I hope you found what you were looking for."
Lyanna's gaze lingered to Merlin for a brief moment who smiled at her. "I did, Sire," she assured him.
Gaius then told them about the innkeeper that had gotten sick and was barely alive, but got cured for some mysterious reason. "What was the nature of this treatment?" Uther then asked the court physician.
"Howward and fenugreek," Gaius said dryly.
Uther's jaw dropped in bewilderment since everyone was certain that magic was involved because a man couldn't be suddenly be cured like that. "Excuse me?" the King asked.
"Herbs, Sire. Whoever prescribed them was highly skilled. Their grasp of the five principles of herbal conjoinment was..."
"What about the boy and the labourer? Surely they were beyond the help of remedies?"
Gaius shook his head. "Not necessarily, Sire. A physician's art can achieve great things."
"But not miracles. The innkeeper was fatally ill, you said so yourself," Uther supplied confused. Something wasn't right about this situation and Lyanna assumed that Gaius was covering for someone.
"Yes, that was indeed my diagnosis. But my knowledge isn't perfect. There are many branches of my craft that are yet mysteries to me. I could not heal the innkeeper. Someone else could," Gaius clarified.
"Are you absolutely satisfied that no magic was involved?" the King wanted to be certain.
"Entirely, Sire."
"Thank you, Gaius. You've set my mind at rest." Uther looked much relieved at the news.
With that both Gaius and Merlin walked out of the courtroom. Lyanna then turned to look at her father.
"Gaius?"
It was after nightfall when Lyanna stepped into the physician chambers and saw that Gaius was nowhere to be found. She was a bit bumped out by that because she had hoped to run into him because she had a couple of questions. She was about to leave again when Merlin walked out of his bedroom.
"Lyanna, I didn't expect to see you here again. I thought that you would be with your father," he said a bit puzzled as he walked to the small kitchen and began to look through the several cupboards.
"I was with my father, but he kept ranting about the dangers of magic and that we shouldn't trust those who practices magic so I decided to leave before I had even started eating," she explained.
Merlin looked at her. "So you also haven't eaten anything?" She shook her head. "I'll make us some sandwiches because there isn't anything else."
"And why is that you haven't eaten? Gaius always cooks dinner for both of you," she stated confused as she walked to where he was standing and began to help him prepare some sandwiches.
"There is something that Gaius isn't telling us. I know that he lied about how the innkeeper got cured. I've seen the potion that the man had taken and it was enchanted. Not just that, there was also a totem that bore the marks of the Old Religion. Gaius simply kept saying how the man got cured by herbs," Merlin enlightened her.
"I was already wondering if he was telling the truth. I had this gut feeling that he wasn't honest with my father this afternoon, but now I know for certain that he was not. Do you think that he did it to protect the innkeepers life? Lyanna queried.
They sat together at the table and ate their sandwiches. "I honestly think that there is something else," Merlin said, a bit lost in his own thoughts. He looked up at her. "You didn't come here just to ask Gaius some questions right?
Lyanna smirked. "Not quite. There is something else that requires our immediate attention," she said mysteriously and noted the confusion in Merlin's blue eyes. "You've made the promise to write your mother a letter as soon as you came back to Camelot so I suggest that I help you with that."
Merlin let out a laugh, before grinning. "Hmm, you are indeed very persuasive when you want something." They chortled together.
After they had finished eating Gaius came back from wherever he had been and they fled to Merlin's small chamber where they wrote a letter to his mother together. They had to redo it several times because they began to make out and knocked over the ink pots which fell over the paper. Eventually when they had finished the letter they just sat on the bed together in each other's hold, their lips refusing to be removed from another. They were both quite breathless and Merlin stroke her swollen lips when they parted for air.
"After having spend those days with you I would almost ask you to stay here for the night," Merlin supplied with a low voice. "My bed is so cold without you. It isn't fair."
"I wish that I could stay as well," she said sadly, pressing their foreheads together. "But I really should go. It's getting late."
At that moment they heard the a loud thud in the other room. They both leaped onto their feet and walked out of the small bedroom only to see Gaius leaving his chambers in the middle of the night which was a rare sight. Normally he was sound asleep at this time.
"Do you care to come with me, Milady, to see what our physician is up to?" Merlin asked like a true gentleman and held out his hand for her.
She giggled and took his hand. "How can I resist running away with you in the dead of night?" she replied playfully and they laughed together before running out of the chambers.
They made sure that they kept a safe distance from Gaius as they followed him through the corridors and out of the palace. He leaded them through the lower town. It was completely abandoned on the streets beside the occasional guards, but they didn't notice the presence of the princess and the prince his manservant.
Merlin pulled her behind an empty market stall so that they could hide as Gaius stood in front of a house and knocked on the door. Lyanna exchanged a look with Merlin before they saw how the door opened and an elder woman stepped outside. Because they were too far away they weren't able to hear what was being said. They watched how the woman pulled him into an embrace before kissing his cheek.
Lyanna's jaw fell agape. "Is he -"
Merlin was grinning brightly because they had caught the physician in this state. "It seems like it."
Their moment was interrupted when they saw a patrol of guards coming their way. "We need to go," Lyanna said with great haste. They quickly stood up again before running back towards the castle without being detected by any guards. Over the years they have gotten this quite figured out.
"Lyanna, how can I help you?" Gaius asked as Lyanna stepped into the physician chambers, wearing her armour. She had woken up and the first thing that she had done was putting on her training gear.
She smiled faintly when she saw that Merlin was also there and the memories of what they had found out last night came back to her. "Well, it's not for me. My father requested that I would fetch his draft."
"Sure. I've got some over there," he said to her.
"Did you go out last night?" Lyanna suddenly asked, her curiosity becoming too strong. She saw Merlin smirking in the corner of her eyes at the table.
"Yes. I had to get some herbs," Gaius answered and they knew that it was a lie. "A... A new supplier just arrived."
"Right," Merlin muttered. "Do your suppliers normally kiss you?"
Gaius whirled around to face them. "You two followed me. How dare you?" he asked bewildered, his voice higher than it normally was.
Merlin stood up. "Gaius, it was the middle of the night, we were worried. We thought you might be in some sort of trouble," Lyanna said, picking up the draft that she needed for her father.
"There's nothing wrong," Gaius said to them.
"What's her name?" Merlin asked in a cheerful manner, and Lyanna couldn't help but smirk at that.
Gaius looked at them over his shoulder for a second before looking back. "Alice. She's an old friend. Well, more than a friend, if truth be told."
"What do you mean?" Lyanna questioned.
"We were once engaged to be married," Gaius answered.
Both Lyanna and Merlin looked blown away by that news because they hadn't expected that at all. "When was this?" Merlin asked him.
The three of them sat down at the table to continue the conversation. "More years ago than I care to remember. I had just been made physician to the King, when I met her. It was like finding a kindred spirit, we had so much in common. Our love of science, or healing, and of magic."
"Magic?"
"I was just a novice, but Alice's power and ability was uncanny. She had the gift. Soon she had mastered every aspect of sorcery, healing above all. It wonderful to behold. She saved a great many lives," Gaius told them.
"It was Alice that cured the innkeeper," Lyanna figured.
Gaius nodded. "Indeed. There was a time when her skills were famous in Camelot."
"So what happened?" Merlin asked.
"Uther declared war on magic. Overnight her world was turned upside-down. The Great Purge. Uther drew up a list of everyone suspected of using magic. One by one, they were hunted down and executed. As a close friend of the King, I was permitted to see this list. Alice's name was on it. The only thing I could do was getting her name off that list," Gaius explained.
Lyanna was overwhelmed by so many different feelings. "Gaius, if you'd been caught... My father isn't the most forgiving person," she said.
"I know, but it bought her time. Just enough to get out of Camelot to escape."
"But you... You stayed behind," Merlin deduced.
"I was scared. I felt I had no choice. I thought I'd never see her again," Gaius said. "But now here she is, after all these years. I feel we've been given a second chance."
"Then you shouldn't waste it," Lyanna said as she stood up. "I have a training session to go to." She left the room with Merlin and they joined Arthur and the knights on the training ground. Nothing special happened during the training beside Arthur knocking Merlin on the ground and calling him a daffodil. Arthur then chose to swing at him with an hammer. The manservant got hit at the end and Lyanna offered to look after his wound on his forehead.
They returned to the physician chambers. Only they were surprised to see the same woman standing there who they had seen the previous night. "Ah, Lyanna. Merlin. I would like you two to meet Alice," Gaius introduced them.
Merlin approached Alice and held her hand. "Merlin, it's a pleasure to meet you. Gaius speaks very highly of you," she said to him.
"You too," Merlin retorted, grinning.
Alice then looked at Lyanna who stepped forwards, giving the woman a smile. "This here is Lady Lyanna. She's the King's daughter and she has been my apprentice for a couple of years now and she's very skilled. She honestly has all the makings of a great physician," Gaius said to Alice.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Milady," Alice said a bit stiff.
"The pleasure is all mine," Lyanna assured her. "But please, call me Lyanna. There's no need for titles. I prefer only my name. I just came here to look after Merlin's injury." She gestured for the servant to sit down without saying a word and he obeyed her, even though that he was grinning.
She grabbed her needed supplies before sitting down next to Merlin as she began to tend his wound. Even though they both had the ability to use magic, they sometimes preferred to do it the normal way. "My brave warrior," she said impressed as she rubbed some ointment on his wound and he didn't even flinch. He let out a soft laugh.
"Alice will be staying with us tonight," Gaius informed.
"Great," Merlin retorted, smiling at them.
"That's alright with you?" Alice asked doubtfully.
"Of course. I'll make up the spare bed," Merlin said to her.
Gaius nodded. "So you won't mind if she uses your room?"
Merlin looked a bit bewildered. "Be my guest." Gaius then gestured for Alice go the bedroom so that she could settle in. Merlin gaze lingered to Lyanna again who had been quiet during this conversation, but had a certain look in her eyes. "What are you thinking about, Lyanna?"
She gently stroke his cheek. "That Gaius is still very much in love with Alice. I think it's adorable."
He gave her this look as if he knew what she was really thinking. "You're hoping that will be us when we're older?" he figured, grinning.
"Well yes, but I also want to get the married bit," she kidded before standing up and placing a sweet kiss on his lips. "Because I've been away all those days I'm going to catch up with my father. I'll see you later."
~~0~~
"I'm bored," Lyanna complained. She was walking through the lower town with Gwen. Because Alice was now assisting Gaius she suddenly had a sea of time, especially because the today's training had been cancelled. Lyanna wasn't exactly someone who enjoying having to sit down and do nothing.
"I know you are. You've said that twenty times by now during the last two hours. I already caused me a lot of effort to get you dressed and to drag you out of your room," Gwen replied agitated as they passed some market stalls. "I thought some fresh air would do you good."
Lyanna smiled at her friend. "Of course it does. I'm just not used to not being needed," she admitted.
"But the people do need you," Gwen assured her. "Just because your presence isn't required for one day, that doesn't mean that they don't need you at all. You mean a hell of a lot to so many people, and you have no idea."
"Sorry, Gwen. I didn't mean to -"
"It's quite alright," Gwen cut her off, placing her hand on Lyanna's arm. "It's just one of your features. You're so used to helping people all the time that when someone doesn't need your help you suddenly panic and think the worst."
Lyanna bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, Gwen. Let me make it up to you by buying you a new necklace." She grabbed the wrist of maidservant and pulled her with her to another stall.
"I can't, Milady. There's no need for -"
"Please, Gwen. Just choose the one that you think is the prettiest and let me pay for it. It would make me so much better. Besides you deserve something nice after being my dearest friend for all those years. I would like to do something back for you."
Gwen considered her words carefully and knew that Lyanna wasn't going to let this rest and focused on the different kind of jewellery that lay on the stall. Lyanna caught her lurking at one of the necklaces a couple of times.
"You like that one don't you?" Lyanna noticed. Gwen slowly nodded. "Excuse me. Could you please tell me the price of this necklace?"
The man behind the stall looked at them. "That one is four golden coins, Milady. It comes together with matching earrings," he informed them. "In total that will cost eight golden coins.
Lyanna was already grabbing some golden coins out of the pocket of her dress. "Milady, you can't. It's too much," Gwen protested.
"Nonsense, Gwen. You deserve it," Lyanna said to her.
Gwen chuckled. "Maybe you should look for something nice for yourself as well. You haven't bought something in ages and sometimes getting new things is good for you," she said to her. Lyanna rolled with her eyes.
In the end she had picked out some new earrings for herself as well which she could wear during formal wear. She had to pay the man ten golden coins and handed it to him with a grin before she and Gwen walked away, both giggling.
"Thank you, Lyanna for doing this for me," Gwen said gratefully.
"Don't worry, Gwen. I'm glad that you like them," Lyanna replied, smiling. At that moment she spotted Merlin striding towards her, looking rather distressed. He noticed the new earrings that she was holding and gave her a questioning look. "I was bored so I may have bought some jewellery. What's troubling you?"
"I was wondering if you could come with me for a moment," Merlin said a bit nervous. Clearly there was something that he wanted to discuss with her in private.
Lyanna looked at Gwen. "Don't worry about me. I have some things to do anyway. I'll see you tonight, Milady," the maid said before walking away and leaving them alone on the middle of the streets.
"What happened to make you so agitated?" Lyanna asked as she followed him, trying to keep up with his long legs.
"Last night while I was trying to fall asleep is heard voices coming from my room where Alice is now staying. I peered through the door and saw some strange creature on the table and I could feel its magic," Merlin said to her.
They entered the palace and walked through the endless corridors. "What exactly did the creature look like?" she wondered.
"I've never seen anything like it. It had the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion," Merlin explained.
"Nope, that doesn't sound familiar to me at all. There's only one place that we can look that might have some answers for us." It took them a couple of minutes to make their way to the palace library. They found Geoffrey behind his desk. "Morning, Geoffrey," Lyanna greeted in a cheerful manner.
Since she came here quite often the man wasn't surprised to see her. "Morning Milady," he greeted in return.
Lyanna leaded Merlin towards the south wing of the library where she knew where all the books about mythical creatures were being saved. They started to search through various books in the hope to find something about the creature that Merlin had seen.
It was about an hour later that Merlin found a drawing of the creature with a bit of an description in a language neither of them could read. Someone cleared its throat behind them. They turned their heads to see Geoffrey. "Can I help you?"
"No," Merlin responded, but then realized that this might be their best chance. "Yes. I wonder, do you know anything about this creature?" He showed him the drawing of the creature.
"Ah, now that is the manticore," Geoffrey informed them. "Nasty looking beast, isn't it."
"Yeah, you can say that again," Merlin muttered dryly.
"I believe it was first referred to almost a thousand years ago. The Ancients lived in fear of it, trembled at its very name."
Lyanna shook her head. "I've never even heard of it or read about it in the books."
"I'm not surprised, Milady. Because as far as I'm aware, the manticore is a legend, a fidgment of the imagination," Geoffrey continued.
"Are you sure?" Merlin asked him.
"Oh yes. So, erm... If you two were hoping to see one, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."
If only you knew, Lyanna thought before she thanked him and the old man left them alone in this section of the library. "Well, at least we now know what kind of creature we're dealing with," Lyanna supplied a bit relieved. She looked further for more information in another book. "But you also mentioned something about this empty box. Maybe we can find something about that."
Merlin growled, realizing that they would be spending more hours here looking for more information about the manticore and he wished he was spending his time differently, but he was grateful for the company and wasn't complaining about that.
As the time went on Lyanna and Merlin found themselves sitting on the ground, half awake. Their heads were pressed against each other as they slowly fluttered through the pages of different books. By now night had fallen over Camelot and it was getting late.
"Here," Merlin suddenly said, surprising Lyanna. She looked at what he was pointing at on the page of his book. "This is it! According to this there is a reason why the box was empty when I found it. It isn't a container, it's a portal, a gateway for the manticore."
"So it isn't even here," Lyanna figured in confusion. "But what does Alice need a manticore for? She must have a reason."
"We'll figure it out," Merlin assured her. They quickly used their magic to put all the books that they had used back on the shelves before they left the southern wing. When they past the desk at the front they found Geoffrey sleeping with his head on a stack of books. Merlin hit something and Geoffrey woke up.
"What's that? Who's there?" Geoffrey slurred, still half asleep.
Merlin used his magic to float the objects on Geoffrey's desk. "No one," he whispered. "You're dreaming. Now go back to sleep." Geoffrey nodded before putting his head back to his desk and continued his snoring.
"Unbelievable," Lyanna mouthed at him and had to stifle a giggle. She wouldn't have believed this if she hadn't been here herself.
"Are you ready, Lee?"
She looked away from the window and met her brother's gaze. "Did you came all this way just to make sure that I would show up for training because I'm a bit late?" she asked, grinning.
"Well, yes. You weren't there when I was about to start. First I wanted to send Merlin here to fetch you, but I figured that would only delay you even more because you would be distracted and I don't want you two making out while we have important stuff to do," Arthur explained, crossing his arms.
Lyanna strode over to where he was standing. "As if you wouldn't do the same if it involved Gwen?" Her grin enlarged when his jaw dropped. "As if making out is all that we do. We also -"
"I don't want to know any details, Lee. Whatever happens in the bedroom should stay there," Arthur protested, keeping a straight face.
"I want to let you know that we never did anything inappropriate if that would put your mind to rest. Merlin is a true gentlemen when it comes to it," Lyanna assured him, placing a kiss on his cheek.
He stared down at her. "What? You never did that? You two had gone away for a week, surely something must've happened."
Lyanna was a bit caught of her guard because she was honestly discussing this with her older brother. "No, nothing happened. We did sleep in the same bed, but that was it. Archie, we've promised each other that we would wait until we are married. Have you ever thought what would happen to Merlin if I ended up pregnant and our father found out about a commoner sleeping with his daughter? It could mean the end of your manservant, so no. I can't lose him."
Arthur surprised her by pulling her into an embrace. "I was just messing with you, Lee, but I appreciate that you're being so honest with me. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I'm glad that you're being responsible enough, but if you ended up pregnant anyway I would fight for your child. I wouldn't let any harm come to you, the child, or Merlin," he vowed and he meant it. "Nothing will come between your happiness."
"Thank you, Arthur. Honestly I don't know what to say. But I'm already happy."
He kissed the top of her hair. "Well, happier then," he kidded and she let out a soft laugh. "Everyone must be wondering where we are. We should go."
"You're right," Lyanna agreed, smiling. She picked up her sword before following her brother out of her chambers.
They soon reached the training yard and they started the training. Lyanna was in charge of aiding the knights while Arthur was training separately by using Merlin as his target, much to Lyanna's dismay. She had complained about it, but Arthur didn't want to listen. So much for his promise for making sure that no harm would come to Merlin, even though it was nothing serious.
Because she was with the knights on the other side of the training ground she couldn't overhear their conversation, but only saw how Arthur punched his manservant on his arm before he walked away.
Once the training gotten finished Lyanna remained behind to clean up the equipment and was left alone with Merlin. "Did you speak to Gaius?" she asked to break the silence between them.
"I did and he got upset. I told him what we have discovered last night. He said that I couldn't bear for him to be happy. He couldn't guess why that should be, and it saddened him more than he could say," Merlin answer, his voice low.
"He doesn't mean it like that, I'm sure of it. You must imagine what Gaius is going through. He hasn't seen the woman he loved for over twenty years, and suddenly she's back and those feelings he has been hiding came back at him. It's only natural that he's blinded by his love for her to notice that she's hiding something. Just imagining that is hurting him," Lyanna tried to comfort him, and bit her lip.
He gave her a faint smile. "You're right. I can't imagine what that would feel like, I could never hide anything from you."
Lyanna felt her eyes water. "Nor could I from you. We're like an open book." They both laughed together. "Yeah, that sounded cheesier than it should. Anyway..." Lyanna cleared her throat. "Merlin, I was wondering if you would want to eat dinner with me tonight because you might not want to interfere with Gaius and Alice. I'll arrange everything -"
"Stop rambling, Lyanna," he cut her off, flashing her his usual smile. "I'd love that. Thank you."
She felt herself going giddy at that. They parted and Lyanna went to her chambers where she took a soothing bath and changed into something more casual. She was wondering whether or not that she should send out Gwen to fetch some dinner, but the maid would surely ask her some questions.
It was after nightfall that she was sitting in front of her vanity in her chambers, brushing her long golden hair. In the mirror she was able to see Merlin's reflection walking towards her. "Oh, Merlin," she gasped. "I didn't hear you come in."
"I took the other door," he commented, kissing her cheek. "I thought that you would get us some dinner."
"Be patient," she replied, giggling. "It should be here soon. I may have taken some advantage of my status and had the kitchen prepare a meal for us. Don't worry, I didn't tell them it was for you. Since I'm the princess they're not allowed to ask me any questions."
As on cue there came a knock on the door. Lyanna flashed Merlin, who hid behind the chamberfold, a warm smile before she opened the door to let the servants in. They watched how everything was being placed on the table before the servants quietly left again after Lyanna had thanked them.
"Sorry that I didn't take the time to make something myself, but -"
"Lyanna, please. I appreciate the gesture because that's what counts. You didn't have to do this at all," Merlin gently cut her off as they sat down at the table.
"I know, but I wanted to. If I hadn't done this where would've you eaten then? You would've skipped dinner and I'm not going to let you get away with that." Merlin laughed because she knew him so well.
They had just finished eating all the food when the warning bell sounded. Merlin's gaze met Lyanna before they both ran out of the chamber. They hurried down the corridor and one of the guards escorted them in the right direction, which made Lyanna's chest to weigh heavy. They entered the King's chambers where they found her father lying on the ground.
She knelt down beside and took his pulse only to realize that he was alive, but just barely. At that moment Uther gasped and his eyes shot open, but they were completely black. "What is that?" Merlin asked.
"Hush, Merlin," the old physician shushed him.
Uther closed his eyes again and Lyanna found an empty bottle in her father's hand and held it out. She knew what kind of bottle this was, but was overwhelmed by the strange scent that came out of it. It was poison. Together with Merlin she helped her father into the bed so that he would be more comfortable. At that moment Gaius walked out of the room and Merlin looked at Lyanna and gave her a worried look.
"Go with him," she said, smiling faintly. "I'll be fine." He nodded before hurrying out of the room and leaving Lyanna all alone with her father. She sat down next to the bed and held her father's hand.
At that moment Arthur returned and took the chair on the other side of the bed. "I can't believe this has happened to him, Lee. He was completely alright a few hours ago," Arthur supplied. "Something is not right."
"He's been poisoned, Arthur," Lyanna stated gravely and she saw her brother's mood going grim. "He has all the symptoms, but I have no idea what kind of poisoned that has been used so I don't know if there's any cure."
She felt how someone gently placed its hands on her shoulders and she knew who it was without having to look up. Merlin had came back and seemed to have been shaken up by something. He placed a light kiss on the top of her head as a way to comfort her, and she was immensely glad for what he was trying to do. He was always there for her.
"It doesn't make any sense, Lee. His food and wine are tasted each and every meal. It's brought here under armed guard. No one can interfere with it in any way. So, it can't be his food and drink," Arthur rambled, trying to figure out what has caused this. "The only thing he had is... Gaius's remedy."
Lyanna bit her bottom lip. She was about to say something, but heard Merlin speaking instead. "Arthur, I think we know what happened. I think...I know who did this," the manservant stated, which earned the prince his attention. "For a couple of days now this woman has been staying with Gaius and she has gotten all access to the King's draft."
Before they could process what was going on Arthur stormed out of his chamber probably to arrest Alice for high treason because she had poisoned the King. Lyanna whirled around and looked up only to see Merlin staring down at her. "Thank you for doing what I couldn't," she said.
He gave her a faint smile. "It had to be done, Lyanna. She's behind all of this after all," he retorted, placing a finger under her chin and placing a soft kiss on her lips and ignoring the fact that the King was sleeping right beside them, but it didn't seem important. It was just his way of comforting her because he couldn't stand seeing her so grim. He then wrapped his arm around her waist as she placed her head on his shoulder. His fingers gently went through her loose, golden hair.
"I'm glad you're here, Merlin. It means the world to me," she supplied gratefully as tears pooled her eyes.
Gaius came back without saying a single word and went to check up on the King. "How is he?" Merlin asked him.
Instead Lyanna answered. "He's fading. He won't last the day," she replied, knowing this well enough. Life was slowly slipping out of her father's body and it was horrible to look at.
"Gaius..." Merlin began, hoping to resolve what was going on between them.
"It's alright, Merlin. I understand. You were only trying to save me from harm. Thank you. But I don't believe Alice wanted this," the physician responded.
"I know she didn't. The poison is from the manticore, the creature that was in Alice's room," Merlin supplied.
Gaius left the room. Lyanna looked at Merlin again. "Go save my father," she said, smiling at him. "You're already my hero."
He placed a kiss on her cheek before stepping away and leaving the room. Lyanna felt much colder without him being so close to her and she wished that he could stay with her, but she knew this was more important if they wanted the King to live.
It was an hour later that Merlin and Gaius had killed the manticore and Uther had been saved. Nevertheless the King demanded that Alice would be executed by dawn. Only when the morning came the woman had somehow escaped from her cells and no one knew that the physician might've been involved. Things were alright now.
HPUNI101: I'm really trying to update once every week :D and so far I'm succeeding. I hope I did this chapter right for you ^^ The Queen of Hearts is next :) But thank you for your review!
Lady Ravanna: They're such cuties haha! Thanks for the review!
ArmyWife22079: It is a possibility of course that Uther is going to find out, or perhaps he really is too blind to see what's going on right underneath his nose. Lyanna and Merlin just have to be careful :P
Guest: Awh that's an honor haha :) There was indeed a lot of Myanna and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Plus Gwaine is always very enjoyable. I'm already looking forward for him to become a permanent character :)) It's quite a challenge to try to write his character, but it was loads of fun haha. I am such a fan of Arthur and Lyanna's amazing sibling bond, which is only growing stronger. Lol I'm considering this. Perhaps I'll add a dramatic slap somewhere in series 4 xD Should be incredibly fun. Lyanna is already looking forward to it haha but thank you so much for being so sweet and for always reviewing! :))
hottieanimegurl: Thank you for saying that! I'm glad you like this story and enjoy it so much :p Rewatching the episodes is always incredibly fun to do haha
Lbunny: Awh Thank you! ^^
Narnian Dreams: Thank you :))
memz: Ah that sounds like loads of fun! I had no idea that I could help others realize such a thing. Writing a Merlin fanfic is loads of fun so I wish you happy writing :)) Perhaps you'd like to share me what you've writing when you've decided to post it on here haha! I hope you enjoy writing :)