The Last Dragonlord
Evaine tries to ignore the screams of fear and terror outside, her hands shaking as she helps an injured man sit down, giving him some water.
"I don't think people can suffer a third night of this," she says, glancing around at the infirmary and the number of people inside.
"We must trust in Arthur," Gaius tells her, and she moves away from the man to stand in front of the physician.
"I do. But even he has little chance. We've no clean water left," she says, checking the water supply.
"I know, but it's too dangerous to go out there," Gaius tells her. Evaine eyes the door, heading for it after a moment's pause. "Evaine! Don't!"
She ignores his warnings, running through the door and grabbing an empty bucket. Dodging around the destruction, bodies and fire, she makes sure the dragon is in sight above her as she sighs in relief, reaching the well and lowering the bucket down.
"Clear the square!" Arthur shouts, looking up to see the dragon circling above them. He looks around him, noticing Evaine hurrying to draw water. "Evaine? Evaine!" he shouts, seeing the dragon swooping down to them. Evaine turns, gasping as she sees the dragon approaching her, running and leaving the well. Arthur hurries after her, grabbing her just as the dragon catches him with his talons, the two falling to the floor.
"Arthur!" she whispers, noticing him wince in the pain. He checks to see the dragon flying off before grabbing her arm and entering the infirmary. "Come," she urges, grabbing his arm and pulling him to a seat in the corner, glancing away with red cheeks as he begins to take his armour and shirt off. She grabs a bowl of almost clean water, rinsing it and sitting opposite him. "You shouldn't've risked your life," she says, as she tends to the wound. Her eyes remain on the cut on his shoulder, as he smiles, watching her work.
"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you," he tells her. She smiles, the two sharing a look before she begins to lower her hand. Arthur takes it, pressing it against his chest just above where his heart is, and grips it tightly with his own. She smiles softly, Arthur sharing her gaze.
XXXXXX
Evaine stands at the bottom of the steps, stroking Arthur's horse as Merlin and Gaius spoke with one another. Arthur notices her and pauses.
"Be careful," she tells him, her eyes flicking to his as she speaks, and Arthur nods.
"Come on, Merlin," Arthur says, jumping into the saddle as Evaine backs away to the steps of the castle.
"You're ready?" Merlin asks in surprise. Anna comes to stand beside Evaine, slipping her arm through Evaine's as they watch the two.
"No thanks to you," Arthur mutters. Evaine watches as Arthur cringes.
"You okay?" Merlin asks.
"It's just a scratch," he answers, glancing back at Evaine before kicking his horse, leaving the courtyard. Merlin looks at Evaine, nodding to her reassuringly before following Arthur.
The next day, Evaine is helping carry buckets of water into the lower town to extinguish the fires that were cause in the attack the night before. She pauses at the gates, glancing out into the woods beyond Camelot where she knew where Arthur would be.
"You missing Morgana? She's stronger than people think. I believe that, wherever she is, she'll be alright," Gaius says, approaching her.
"And Arthur?" she asks quietly.
"You care a lot for him, don't you?" Gaius asks, smiling slightly.
"Everyone does," Evaine says, smiling.
"I think he cares the same way about you. It's alright, I won't tell anyone," Gaius tells her.
"I know we can never be," Evaine says.
"Oh...the world's a strange place, Evaine. Never underestimate the power of love. I've seen it change many things," he tells her, and she smiles, placing her hand on his.
"Thank you, Gaius," she says, the two sharing a smile before returning to help the people of Camelot.
XXXXXX
Evaine stands beside Gaius, hiding her smile as Arthur and Merlin enter, both soaked by the rain pouring outside. Uther stands with his advisors.
"I'm sorry, Father. I failed you. The last dragonlord is dead," Arthur says, and Evaine sees Merlin share a look with Gaius, noticing Merlin fighting not to cry.
"There are many years where I might've wished for that news," Uther says, leaning against the table.
"All is not lost, Father. We have to fight the monster ourselves. So. let us ride out and fight on our own terms: on open ground, on horseback, where we can manoeuvre better," Arthur says, his eyes meeting Evaine's.
"There is no point," Uther mutters.
"So what? We stand here, watch Camelot fall?" Arthur asks.
"You have my blessing," Uther says, nodding. Arthur turns to look at the knights in the room.
"I need a dozen knights! Those who do not wish to fight can do so without stain on their character. For those brave enough to volunteer should know, the chances of returning are slim," Arthur tells them. Sir Leon, stood on the other side of Evaine, glances at her before stepping forward, nodding to Arthur. Twelve other knights step forward, forming a circle around Arthur.
Evaine and Gaius watch from the battlements as Arthur, Merlin and the knights leave to fight the dragon.
"They will come back, won't they?" Evaine asks, glancing to the physician. Gaius looks at her, offering her no words of comfort as the two leave, getting ready for the wounded that the attack that night would bring to them.
XXXXXX
"They have defeated the dragon!" a knight announces, the infirmary erupting into cheers. Gaius and Evaine glance at one another from across the room before they both run outside, heading towards the drawbridge and sighing in relief at seeing Arthur and Merlin. Evaine doesn't care about the guards watching as she runs and hugs Arthur, his arms slipping around her tightly.
"I thought I'd lost you," she whispers, Arthur smiling, his eyes closing as he pulls her closer to him before they step apart, passing Merlin and Gaius hugging one another.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with me a little longer," he tells her, her arms hooked through his as she leads him to the infirmary to check on his wounds. She smiles, but it falls when she remembers the letter she had received this morning "What is it?" he asks, frowning as he sees her face change. She shakes her head, smiling softly.
"It doesn't matter," she tells him, but he grabs her arm.
"Evaine," he says softly, and she looks down.
"My father sent word to me today. He told me that I have just over a year before he chooses a husband for me," she softly. Arthur tenses, his grip falling from her arm. "I know he would not choose badly, but I had hoped I would have more time."
"Can't you ask him?" he asks, but she looks at him, smiling softly.
"My father rarely listens to me at the best of times. Do you really think he would grant my request?" she asks, and he sighs.
"Then I will speak with my father," he states, and she grabs his hand.
"You mustn't. Your father will not allow our union."
"We don't know that," Arthur says, looking up at her. The two share a look, before she drops her hand from his.
"Would you really risk it?"
"For you I would," he says, and she smiles.
"I know. But I cannot risk your relationship with your father and your place as future king of Camelot. No matter how much I wish it could be different, we both know that this dream will not happen before my father's deadline," she says. Arthur glances up at her, shaking his head.
"I don't easily stop fighting for what I love, Evaine," Arthur says, smirking slightly as she laughs.
"Your stubbornness is what I count on Arthur," she says, curtseying slightly before walking off to her room, intending to write back to her father immediately.