Sorry I'm late. School has started and I'm so busy! I would've found time but my mother said no computer on weekdays. Damn…

Chapter 53

Aria

'No!' He pouted stubbornly, crossing his arms.

'You have to forgive him. He didn't know what I did. Give him a chance. Truly he is the Emrys the druids have prophesied.' I repeated, crossing my arms in turn. Two could play that game.

'I don't know.' He said after a long pause, avoiding my eyes.

'Let's talk about something else. You can think about that after I leave.' I waved off. He needed some time. Destiny changing doesn't happen overnight.

'You're leaving?' He asked, confused and a little hurt. I rushed to explain.

'I must. I'm Arthur's ward. I'll be missed.' I said with an apologetic look over the fire. He dumped the cooked rabbit into two bowls after slicing it in half. He really was quite kind, if not a bit hard-headed.

'You said you'd take care of me and be my friend. You promised I wouldn't be alone anymore.' He muttered, refusing to look at me. I did promise that… and it was a miracle he had so quickly trusted me after only a few hours of talking. He's much more trusting than me. I can't betray that trust.

'Come sit beside me.' I beckoned with a sigh, patting the place beside me. Hesitantly, he picked up the two bowls and scooted over next to me. 'I can stay till tomorrow afternoon but then I must go. I will come back to visit you from time to time.' I promised, taking an offered bowl with a smile.

'Okay.' He nodded. We ate in silence for a while after that. I think he was trying to deal with all the new information. 'Can I ask you something?' he questioned softly.

'Yes.' I allowed, feeling curious. He wasn't one to ask if he could ask something.

'Why do you care?' He asked with fire-lit eyes and bits on food on his mouth. It made me smile.

'What do you mean, Mordred?' I asked back. Why do I care? Care about? Destiny or him or both?

'I mean why do you care so much that I change my destiny?' he asked again. 'Is it because you care about the Prince and Emrys?'

'It's more than that.' I said shaking my head as I wiped the bits of food from his face. 'If you don't change your destiny… you will die. Because Emrys' destiny is unchangeable. There is no way he will lose. I don't want to see you die.'

'Why? You hardly know me.' He said unflinchingly even as he heard about what could be his maybe impending death. He was a strange child. A bit like me perhaps.

'I know more about you than you know. You are a child. Albeit a more mature, brave, different child. You still have the innocence of a child. Even if it is tainted with the hate and sorrow you have been carrying. I believe that can be changed.' I said, shrugging my shoulders in a more casual way to lighten the serious words I was saying.

'You can't be sure of that.' He insisted with furrowed brow, looking like a child who just got told to take a bath.

'No.' I admitted, shifting my wings slightly. He stiffened. 'But I have seen evil and you're not it.' I chuckled grimly. He stared at me with bright blue eyes, shining in the light and I was afraid I had said or done something to frighten him.

'Thank you.' He whispered and then without any warning, he hugged me tight.

Lucky he had his eyes closed so he couldn't see my wings flared in surprise. I stroked my fingers through his raven hair as I curled my wings around us. He was crying. I was finally seeing those tears I had been dreaming about. I let him cry into my dress, head slipping to my lap as his small fingers creased the fabric while he held it in his fist. He really was just a boy. Not yet old enough to deal with the expectations of others.

Mordred

When I opened my eyes, I saw the morning sun shining outside. My face was sticky from the tears I cried. I twisted up to see if Aria was awake. She wasn't yet. I had slept in her lap. My cheeks turned pink but for the first time I didn't feel cold when I woke up. Destiny, my thoughts started to wander. I would die if I didn't change it. But even if I could forgive Emrys he might not believe me. He could choose to kill me again.

But she doesn't want me to die. She wouldn't let him hurt me, would she? I don't want to die. I remember I said the same thing the day my father was killed. When Emrys and the Prince helped me escape. He didn't hate me then. He didn't want me dead. He does now… But he let Aria come here. They're friends. He wouldn't hurt me if Aria said not to, would he? So many questions…

I could try and find Morgana. Maybe she could protect me. But she was different now. I can't run from destiny forever. I can't hide from Emrys much longer either. If I can't change destiny, who would Aria choose? Me or him? I felt Aria move and got up, touching her wing as I sat. I moved again from it. I still wasn't used to seeing wings on people.

'Good morning, Mordred.' She said sleepily, yawning as she stretched her big black wings. She said that yesterday too.

'Good morning.' I greeted softly, rubbing my eyes like I only just woke up too.

'Let's go wash those dried up tears, shall we?' She said cheerily, putting a soft hand on my face.

'Okay.' I agreed, letting her take my hand as she led me out the cave. I felt like a child again and I liked it.