Chapter 54

Merlin

She came back at late afternoon, leaves and twigs in her messy hair and dirt on her dress. But she had a beaming smile on her face. She dismounted and led her horse to the stables as I followed behind her. She turned to give me a smug grin before petting her horse's mane.

'Told you he wouldn't hurt me.' Aria said offhandedly.

'Is destiny changed now?' I asked, ignoring her gloating.

'Destiny doesn't change overnight! Why does everyone think that? He needs time to think and someone to care for him.' She replied, turning around to me. She placed a hand on my chest and tiptoed to press a soft kiss to my lips. I smiled against her lips.

'You're going to care for him, I take it?' I asked just to hear her say it.

'Well, of course. He's just a boy and he doesn't want to go back to the druids. They put too much pressure on him. Besides, he's sweet.' She said with pleading eyes. I sighed.

'I have nothing against it. Or him. But if destiny doesn't change…' I said, trailing off.

'It will. Trust me.' She said with a winning grin. I kissed her again and she leaned into me. I trust her if she says he is not a danger to us. Aria would never put us in harm's way.

Arthur

I was talking to my father. Sitting in front of him on the ground. The man I respected as my king and father was now reduced to a broken statue on the cold floor. Morgana had broken him. Because he had hurt her, she broke him. I thought she loved him but then no one would do this to someone they loved. I wonder if Morgana had ever loved us. Merlin said she did but I'm not so sure.

I resisted talking about Morgana, just in case father could hear and it upset him. I talked to him about Gwen instead and Aria. How she was my ward and hoped that it didn't offend him that I had made a commoner a Prince's ward. Just like I made peasants into knights. I like to think that father would be proud but I wouldn't know. I'm not sure if I'll ever know.

'Aria is a fighter, very fierce but she's kind as well and many of the people love her.' I said to my father as he stared into space. His eyes moved then, focused on mine and I haven't seen that much life in them in so long. I drew in a sharp breath and blinked.

Slowly, his eyes unfocused again but there was no doubt about it. My broken-spirited father had come alive for just a few seconds since Morgana's betrayal. He had looked at me when I was talking about Aria, someone he had never seen. I scrambled up and ran to Gaius, heart beating in my chest furiously.

Merlin

Aria sat beside me, hair still damp from the bath she took. We were studying today. Gaius had managed to steal us a magic book that Geoffrey of Monmouth had hidden. Who would've thought Geoffrey would be a supporter of magic? Gaius worked at his table, pounding something he didn't want me to spill with my clumsiness. It was very peaceful. Even Vervain and Aria weren't exchanging glares or bothering each other, as we read books and studied.

Then Arthur burst through the doors loudly. Aria jumped and I jerked back at the loud bang of the great wooden door. Vervain merely looked up in a very disinterested way. I thought Arthur had come to find me and I made to get up when he turned to Gaius, a gleam in his eyes.

'Gaius, my father… he… for a moment, I was sure he could hear me! His eyes came alive again, brightened!' Arthur exclaimed with a voice of hope. Gaius simply looked at Arthur with a blank expression.

'I can easily find out if he has been more responsive lately. Perhaps there is a chance of recovery.' Gaius said quickly then, packing things into his physician's bag. The two of them scurried out the door and I caught Aria's smile before she could hide it. I grinned at her but I couldn't help but feel uneasy inside. What would happen if the king woke up?

Arthur

Weeks passed since that day my father came alive for just a little while. He hasn't done since. And now an envoy from the Northern Kingdoms is coming with hopes of trade and a peace treaty have forced me to spend more time arranging things for their arrival. It meant I didn't have time to visit my father for the moment. I had to entertain another prince. I groaned and smacked my palm to my face. I sincerely hoped he wasn't an ass.

Merlin did too. Because he would be helping the foreign prince and his manservant. Jackass princes annoyed me just as much as bootlickers annoyed Merlin. I chuckled. If I'm going down at least he's going down with me. Aria was less than pleased by this news due to the fact that she had to take lessons of nobility and kingdom matters because of the prince's arrival. I grinned. It might be fun.

'What are you grinning about, prat?' Merlin asked with a smirk as he held open the door. 'I hope you remembered that prince what's-his-name is coming today! In fact he's just been sighted by the lookout!'

'Of course I remember.' I said, dropping the grin as I strode over to Merlin. Honestly, I forgot. We hurried to the entrance to the castle just in time to see a carriage come through the outer gates. Aria shot me a dirty look as I came to stand beside her, Merlin on my other side.

There were knights and servants following behind the blue and silver carriage. It stopped in front of us and a young man stepped out, wearing a simple gold crown on his head and a cape with a wolf embroidered in it. He grinned like a carefree man and I took an instant liking to him. A well built boy stood next to him shaking his head at his master's etiquette.

'We welcome you, Prince Mactire.' I greeted formally with an easy smile.

'Thank you, Prince Arthur. It is an honor to be in Camelot today!' He replied, shaking my hand before turning to Merlin.

'My manservant, Merlin.' I introduced, slightly taken aback that he acknowledged Merlin. Not many royals acknowledged servants.

'Nice to meet you.' Prince Mactire greeted with a grin and a hand shake. Merlin returned the grin goofily, looking pleased as he returned the handshake.

'My ward, Lady Aria.' I said, gesturing to the gently smiling girl beside me. The smile didn't look too fake, I suppose. Prince Mactire saw her and his eyes lit up with the wonder of a child on Yuletide morning.

'My Lady, your beauty is even greater than rumors make it to be.' He complimented, bowing as he lifted her hand to his lips.

When he looked up, he had the look on his face. The look all men put on their face when they talk to a girl they fancy. Merlin frowned. He'd seen that look before. It was obvious Aria didn't recognize the look… because then she thanked him with a smile and a light blush. Merlin narrowed his eyes. I rolled mine and smirked. Overreacting idiot. It was probably nothing more than a man meeting a beautiful woman. Ah well, this was going to be interesting…