Chapter 36

Arthur

There were no more incidences after that day. Thank God. The next morning I rode out with the other Knights of the Round Table and Merlin to go on a supposed patrol. Aria as her usual self would not be dissuaded from coming along. As a result, she was going on a fake picnic because her previous one was ruined. She and Gwen would meet us in the forest. Safira was staying with Gaius for the time being to ensure that Destler would not change his partially honorable attitude.

'Why are we at a lake?' I asked flatly.

'Just in case.' Merlin said, tying our horses to a tree.

'Boys.' Gwen chirped, coming through the trees with the picnic basket in the crook of her arm.

'Gwen! Where's Aria gone?' I asked, looking beyond her into the woods to see where my ward had gotten off to.

'She went to stretch her wings.' Gwen grinned, shrugging as she put down the basket and started to set up a large cloth beside the lake. I went to help her.

Gwaine sat down on the picnic cloth, leaning against the tree with his arms folded in front of his chest. 'Well Merlin? Start practicing! Hey can you turn water into ale?' He asked hopefully.

Percival smacked his head as Merlin cracked a grin. 'I'm practicing offensive and defensive spells today. I actually need a target.' Merlin said thoughtfully, grinning evilly at all the knights. Oh damn.

Aria flew in then, her wings wide as she alighted on the edge of the lake. The knights did a double take. The sight of her wings caught them off guard a little. She grinned sheepishly as she tried to smooth her wind-blown hair. Merlin beamed as she walked over to him, leaning against his shoulder. What a pair, I thought wryly as they both grinned wickedly.

'So who's the target?' She asked, scanning the faces of the knights.

'How about Elyan?' Merlin suggested. Elyan's eyes bugged out and Gwen covered her mouth to prevent from laughing. She failed miserably, bursting into giggles.

Leon and Percival pulled him to his feet and pushed him towards Merlin, grinning like idiots but so were the rest of us. After all, we weren't target practice. Aria was helping… sort of. I think. It was entertaining anyway. Gwen tossed me a pear as she bit into her apple.

'Okay attack!' Merlin said loudly.

Aria waved her hand and a blast of energy impacted with Merlin's hastily thrown up shield. Elyan's hands flew up to protect him as he shied away from the smoke the explosion caused. God, I am so damn glad I wasn't chosen to be target practice.

'Injuries?' Merlin asked, turning to Elyan. Elyan shook his head with a dazed smile, thankful to be alive probably. Aria pouted, displeased that Merlin prevented her attack so easily.

'Come on, Aria! You're not even trying!' Merlin teased. Aria's eyes narrowed and she flung a ball of purple flames at his shield. The flames spread across the shield, destroying it. Elyan took a step back and Merlin was surprised.

'You're right. I wasn't.' She retorted smugly.

'Fine but Destler can't copy your flames, give me something else.' Merlin said, smirking.

So it became that Aria spent a whole half hour throwing all manner of things at Elyan. Eventually, he just took to sitting on the ground. Nothing got past Merlin. Aria smiled approvingly as Merlin released the shield and Elyan went to sit beside Gwen who started teasing him mercilessly. She was cute like that.

'Next.' Aria called and everyone froze.

'Excuse me?' I asked. I thought they were done.

'Arthur! Thank you for volunteering.' Aria said, yanking my arm as I stumbled to where Elyan stood.

Aria threw up a shield around me. Merlin stood a few feet away and stared me in the eye, raising a hand. His eyes glowed brilliant gold and it was terrifying. Merlin was actually scary. The gold swirled brightly and there was so much power in those eyes. More than I've seen in the eyes of any sorcerer. Lightning crashed down from above and I ducked instinctively, hoping Aria's shield would hold.

'Merlin! There is a gaping hole in my shield!' Aria said crossly. I looked up. Instead of the shimmering silver, I saw the sky. That was so close.

'Merlin! Too close!' I yelled. I saw him shrug apologetically. Aria mended her shield and Merlin continued to barrage the shield with multiple balls of energy.

Aria wasn't as good at shielding because she lacked experience. I wasn't seriously injured. No broken bones in any case. But by the time Merlin was done, I was covered in scratches and even more bruises. I winced as I sat down next to Gwen. She gave me a comforting kiss as Merlin and Aria walked over, both looking sheepishly sorry.

'Merlin!' Aria said, elbowing him in the ribs. 'Heal him.'

'Right.' Merlin muttered, kneeling next to me and wrapping his fingers around my arm. He started murmuring syllables and his eyes flashed gold.

A wave of magic washed through me. It was like taking a nice hot bath after a long day's training but ten times better. A river of good feelings running through me as I stared at Merlin's gold eyes in shock of its suddenness. My bruises lost their bluish colour as the magic faded, leaving a satisfied glad feeling. A hopeful air. How could my father have mistaken this for evil?

'Thanks!' I said, smiling a little, finding it hard to grin completely.

'Not a problem.' He said, standing up and going to sit beside Aria.

She grinned when he put an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The after affects of the healing magic faded. It seemed like what happened the other day in Gaius' chambers. I frowned as she kissed him. Passionately. Gwaine whistled and they continued kissing. Her hand traced up his shoulder and I started to get annoyed when even Percival looked away to give them privacy. How can they do that right here?

'Oh will you stop that?' I snapped, feeling uncomfortable watching my manservant and my ward sucking face. They broke away, both looking annoyed with me. Merlin opened his mouth to give me a smart ass reply but Aria got there first.

'Oh I'm sorry. I didn't say anything when you and Gwen were swapping spit first thing in the morning.' She said sarcastically.

My eyes widened and Gwen blushed scarlet. My mind filled with the memory. 'You saw that?' I asked in disbelief.

'No.' Aria snickered.

'Good guessing!' Merlin laughed with all the knights. I growled and chucked an apple at his head, blood rushing to colour my cheeks. Damn.