Chapter 34- Safe and Sound
Arthur's POV*
As the four of us walked to through the old wooden door, my leg stung from the pain.
"Ness! We have company," Gwaine yelled out into the hut.
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest at his words, and I couldn't help but smile as I looked at Merlin. Finally after searching for two months, I saw her beautiful face once more walking down the stairs. For the first time in eight months, I felt whole again.
" I'm surprised your home already dinner will be finished so-, " she began but stopped half way down the stairs when her green eyes met mine.
" Hey beautiful, " I said to her with tears falling from my face like a baby.
She looked at me frightened and confused, before starting to hyperventilate. I took a step forward but stopped as pain struck my leg.
"Ness?" Merlin questioned looking at her and then to me.
" Bubba? " she whispered looking at him and then at me once more.
Before we knew Ness fainted and started to fall down the steps, hitting her head on the bottom of the stairs
"Ness!" the four of us screamed and I as quickly as I could, limped to my unconscious wife.
I fell to the floor and cradled her in my arms. A small bump formed a top her head from the fall, she would indeed be sore when she woke. I looked her over for anymore injuries and was relieved when I found none. God did she look beautiful, I dare say more than I remembered before. Her hair lay in a braid upon the side of her face with loose tendrils peeking out. Her lips as plump and rosie as they had always been, and even though she lay unconscious in my arms, she was as beautiful as an angel.
"Ness?" I whispered shaking her gently
"So you're the blonde from her dreams," a voice said to me.
I looked up to see Gwaine staring down at me, " Yes. "
"Funny I never would have pictured her being married to a king, your highness," he replied with a smile .
"Here let me take her, you're in no condition to lift her," Percival said with open arms , " I'll take her to her bed upstairs , don't worry she will be safe. "
I nodded and helped to lift Ness the best I could before standing with the help of Merlin, " Thank you. "
"You are most welcome," Percival replied and cradled Ness to him
I watched as he carried my beloved upstairs and once he disappeared from sight, turned to look at Merlin.
Merlin looked to me a sad smile upon his face, before looking at Gwaine, " How long has she been this way? "
"Two months and three days now," Gwaine replied , " I bumped into her one dark night outside the tavern. She hurt her ankle in the fall and I offered to let her stay with me. Ness couldn't remember where she was from or what happened, all she knew was her name and that she had woken up on the hillside by the village. "
" Did you know who she was? " Merlin asked
"No, I did not. If I did I would have brought her to you instantly," Gwaine replied
" She doesn't remember me, does she? " I said sadly to Gwaine
" She remembers you, but doesn't remember your name or what to her you are, " he explained, " She just now figured out how to use magic again this morning. It was quite remarkable watching her command apples into her bag, I had never saw anything so pure before. "
Merlin smiled, " Well that explains my craving of apples this morning. "
"It was shocking to see I admit," Gwaine chuckled , " Your her brother aren't you? "
"Twin brother yes," Merlin answered, " I'm only a few hours older. "
"Huh, you don't favor much do you," Gwaine quipped teasingly.
"Thank God for that," I mumbled earning a smack on my arm from Merlin
" Hey see if I heal you now, you clotpole, " Merlin spat.
I looked around the small hut and smiled, it favored Huniths from back in Ealdor.Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a shelf full of books.
"Those are all hers," Gwaine said to me smiling , " She loves to read. Every week since she has been here we have collected more and more books for her. Her favorite is the healing books, she started a couple weeks ago making poultices and potions. "
"That sounds like Ness," I said with a sigh
" She has talent, I'm surprised she could cure his hangovers, "Percival said aloud walking back down the stairs.
"Is she alright?" I asked worriedly
"She will be fine, this is just a lot for her to deal with right now," Percival smiled, " She just needs to sleep it off. "
"Thank you, both of you."
" You're welcome, " Percival said seriously and then smiled, " She's a wonderful woman, it's hard too find one as good as her nowadays. Don't ever let go your majesty, because the moment you do, you'll regret it the rest of you're life. "
"I don't ever plan on it, especially now she is my whole life," I assured him.
"Very well then, why don't we eat huh?" Gwaine spoke up, " I don't know about you but I am starving . "
" Me as well, I know for a fact my sister is a great cook and I myself am starving, " Merlin spoke up.
I watched as the other three men in the room sat around the large wooden table and began eating. My eyes couldn't help but wander to the stairs that led to Ness. My worry grew even more with each passing second and a million questions made their way through my mind. For now however, those questions would have to wait and I prayed I received the answers I hoped for.
~The Meadow of the Crystal Caves ~
Ness's POV*
I awoke in a meadow, the crystal I wore around my neck, in my hand. As I looked around, the meadow seemed familiar to me
"How? " I asked myself out loud
At the edge of the clearing sat a large waterfall and above the sky glistened in an array of colors from blue to pink, from Orange to purple like the sunset. The air was pure and the wind gentle over the meadow. As I walked through the flowered grass, I approached the edge of a large waterfall. Bending down. I picked up a small river stone and three it gently upon the water.
"Where am I ? " I asked aloud
Looking into the water I saw my reflection. My long red hair now lay blanketed over my shoulders and my dress was now a beautiful shade of ivory. A second reflection soon appeared next to me in the water causing me to jump. I looked up fearfully to see a man with dark hair and a scraggly beard staring at me. His eyes were soft and bright blue like the man I had called bubba back inside the hut.
"Do not fret Nessa, I will not hurt you," the man said with open arms
" Who are you? " I questioned my voice barely above a whisper
" My dear do you not remember? " he questioned
I looked closely at him and my surroundings, before shaking my
head no to him.
" I was afraid of this the moment we sent you back, " he exclaimed with a sigh, " My name is Balinor you see, I am your father Nessa Nicole. "
As if the wind was knocked from me, flashes of memories raced through my mind. I remembered finding him by a cave, and I remember telling him I was his daughter. The memory that hurt me most, was him lying dead in my arms. Tears began to fall down my face and I fell to the ground crying.
"My dear girl , it's ok," my father said to me as he wrapped his arms around me
"How?.. How is it ok? I can't remember anything about me except from what I have saw in my dreams," I muttered between sobs.
"Do you want me to show you your memories?" He asked me
" How? "
"This you see, is connected to the Crystal Caves. The Crystal Caves beholds crystals of memories to whoever looks into to them. They may not give you the answers to everything you seek but will help guide you to remember, " he explained helping me up from the ground.
"Have I been here before?" I questioned
" Aye, my dear you have, " he said with a small smile, " Come let's see your memories. "
As we walked through meadow to the edge of the forest, we came upon a cave. The cave had a hum of pure magic across the entrance. My father guided me to the center of the cave, and I looked around in awe at the beauty of the crystals.
"Here, " he said as he stopped at a large crystal , " This memory first."
Looking into the crystal I saw a woman, she was beautiful and heavily with child. I knew looking into the woman's eyes, she was my mother. The image changed to see a red haired babe no more than three chasing a dark brown babe around an apple tree.
"Merlin! " the little girl squealed
"Ness you can't catch me! " the boy squealed
"Bubba! " the girl squealed as she tripped over a fallen tree limb "
"Sissy! "The boy screamed and ran to her , looking over her scrapped knee ," It's ok sissy , I'll protect you. "
Tears escaped my eyes, I had a brother. The image in the stone changed suddenly once more and I laughed as I saw myself storming away from my brother.
"You Dollop headed prat, " I screamed at Merlin, " I told you I could fend for myself, and get the apples from the tree. I may be a woman wearing a dress but that hardly means I don't know how to climb. I'm not some stupid damsel! "
"Yeah you did tell me, but you still went ahead and tore your new dress trying to prove it anyway. Face it girls shouldn't be climbing trees , especially in a dress Nessa it isn't proper! " My brother shouted back at me
" Don't tell me what isn't proper Merlin! I'm not stupid, I know it isn't proper in a dress, which is why I stole some of your pants to wear under it you idiot. "
I couldn't help but laugh, " He looked so dumbfounded when I lifted my dress and showed him the pants I had on. I remember grabbing him by the ear and pulling him back to house, it was are seventeenth birthday, " I told my father
He laughed with me at several memories, until out of the corner of my eye I saw one that made me cry once more:
I watched as the blonde from my dreams cried with my body in his arms. " I didn't get to tell her I love her, " he cried out,' she can't be dead, this is all my fault. "
After a few moments I watched my eyes flutter open and a small smile spread across my face " Arthu.. " I spoke but was interrupted from a kiss.
" Nessa I love you, " he said to me tears running down his face" I love you too, with all my heart. "
I stepped away front he crystal not able to breathe any longer. That man.. The man from my dreams name was Arthur..
"My dear, breathe in.. And out," my father soothed me
" Daddy.. Who is Arthur? " I asked nervously
He sighed deeply, " What do you remember if him? "
"Only that we made love and in my dreams were expecting a child," I replied my voice barely above a whisper.
"Arthur my dear, is your husband," my father began whilst hold ing my hand, " and you have bared three children my dear . One of them didn't make it her name was... "
"Ella," I whispered , " I've met her haven't I? "
He nodded slightly, " Yes my dear, you have. "
"What of the other two? Did they live?" I questioned anxiously
" Yes my dear child, they did.. But you did not, " he once more began confusing me dearly, " Here come watch this may explain things more. "
My father guided me to the corner of the cave to another stone. This stone however made my skin crawl at the feeling of death. Looking into the stone I gasped in horror:
" She's crowning! Merlin take care of Bailey! Ness I need you to push, with luck Anessa will be here in a moment. " an older man exclaimed and readied himself at the end of the bed.
In the memory , I nodded bearing down and yelled out
"Push my dear! Push," Arthur yelled from behind me.
" The head is out , come on Ness one more push! " the older man yelled
I watched as I cried out and pushed with everything I had left. My body fell back against Arthur and a cry emerged from below.
"Its a girl!" The physician yelled out
My body laid limp in Arthur's arms and his face was tear streaked from joy, until he looked at me.
"Ness? Nessa? Ness!" He screamed and shook my body but received no answer . " Gaius do something! "
The crystal changes to a scene more horrid then before, causing me to barely be able to stand on my own:
" No don't say it. Don't you dare fucking say it!" Merlin pleaded as the
man named Gaius looked to him with saddened eyes.
" She's dead my boy, Ness is gone. "
Merlin fell over my body and sobbed, his body shaking as he cried. "She can't be! It isn't her time," Merlin cried out.
" I am so sorry my boy, " Gaius exclaimed with a shaky voice.
" Should I fetch Arthur? " A knight asked wiping away his own tears and Gaius in return nodded.
The knight walked with dread to the chambers door and slowly opened it to see Arthur on his "Arthur -," he started but tears filled his eyes.
" No, " Arthur muttered and stood on shaky legs, " Its not true. "
The knight simply nodded his head, and Arthur ran past him into the room ,
"No!!!" Arthur cried and fell to his knees in front of me. "Ness!!"
"This is how I died isn't it?" I asked my father.
" Yes my dear child, it is, " he answered, " But as you see we were able to return you to the world.. Thanks to your magic it wasn't your time yet. We however did not know you would forget everything. "
I sighed and say down on a large boulder, " How long has it been since this happened? "
"Eight months Nessa, it's been eight months now," my father replied and squatted down in front of me
"Did this crystal being me here today?" I questioned holding out my hand to reveal the small crystal .
"Yes my dear, it did. In times of need, your magic can bring you here. It is the one thing you do not share with your brother. In many ways your brother is more powerful, but in others you are more powerful than him. "
" Will I be able to return to them? "
"My dear you are only asleep, your mind brought you here. All you need to do is wake up," my father smiled
" Will everything be ok? "
" It will be now, the queen of Camelot will now return. Without you Arthur would not be king. Without you he would meet his doom soon, " my father explained, " Everything will be fine my dear, and if you need me all you need to do is fall asleep holding the crystal. Your mind will do the rest. I will always be here. "
I smiled to my father and hugged him tightly, " I am nervous, I do not remember much other than bits and pieces of before. "
" In time you will, trust me you will before you know it... Now my dear you must wake up. You're husband has been waiting for you, " my father instructed.
I pulled my father into a hug, " I love you daddy. "
He hugged me back and caressed my hair, " I love you too my dear, forever"
I awoke suddenly lying in my bed in Argen to the sound of laughter front he main room. Sitting up slowly, I grasped the bump in my head that ached. My thoughts were filled with the memories from the cave. My father had showed me a lot and I now knew more of my life than I did only hours ago. There were still large gaping holes that needed filled in, but for now I would have to manage until the memories returned.
Arthur's POV*
I listened to the banter between the three men as we sat in front of the hearth. Gwaine had been telling Merlin about his life growing up with Percival. Merlin listened intently playfully laughing and telling stories about Ness and him. I smiled at the sound of Ness's name, For had I missed her. My heart ached knowing she didn't remember me and I could only hope she would grow to love me once more.
"She will be alright Arthur," Merlin said to me telepathically.
I smiled to him and went back to my cup of mead.
"So Princess," Gwaine quipped talking to me, " How is it you managed to marry our Ness? "
I laughed at his question, " Well you see it all began in a Thursday morning almost three years ago...
~Arthur's Memory~
"Move you idiot, I want a moving target, " I said while laughing.
I proceeded to throw knives at the young man, making him fall down and drop the shield. I heard a squeal and looked to see my shield had hit a young woman. I ran over apologizing quickly to the young woman.
"My lady I am very sorry," I began but stopped when she looked at me.
Her hair was the most beautiful shade of auburn and when the light hit it , formed a halo around her face. Her eyes were the most entrancing shade of green with dark blue outlining them. Her body was curvy and her face pale with freckles dancing across her cheeks. Her small smile could melt your heart. Struggling to control myself, I turned and yelled at the servant to run again.
"Hey, come on, that's enough." The young dark haired man began," You've had your fun, my friend. "
"Do I know you?" I asked
'"Er, I'm Merlin and this is my twin sister Ness, "Merlin held out his hand hand to me and the young lady named Ness smiled.
" So I don't know you, Yet you called me "friend.""
"That was my mistake apparently. "Merlin replied
"Yes, I think so."
"Yeah. I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin screamed
" Brother enough, it is not worth it. My dear knight I apologize for my brothers actions, please let us be on our way, " Ness spoke with a slight blush as she approached me, "We will bother you no more" She grabbed her brother's hand and then turned to leave.
"Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
"No, " he replied.
"Would you like me to help you?"
That was all it took and as he swung at me , I had Merlin turned with his arm twisted and locked behind his back holding him tight.
"I'll have you thrown in jail for that."
"What, who do you think you are? The King?," Merlin asked sarcastically .
"No. I'm his son, Arthur."
~Present Day~
I finished explaining everything from Ness catching the mace, and being poisoned. I told them how I had fell in love with her and declared it to my father in the middle of the castle citadel. My face was wet by the time I finished telling the story and all the while I hadn't realized I had been crying. When I finished Merlin was smiling from ear to ear along with Percival, while Gwaine looked completely dumbstruck.
"Well that is by far the most romantic and puke worthy story I have ever heard before, " Gwaine laughed aloud but was struck across the head by Percival.
"Hey! You have no reason to judge seeing as you can't keep a woman in your bed," Percival said aloud causing me to laugh.
" I'm sorry Princess for my stupidity, " Gwaine exclaimed sarcastically
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him but stopped when I saw Ness standing in the doorway. I stood wincing in pain as I put pressure on my leg. Ness shook her head and waved her arms urging me to sit.
"Ness you're awake," Gwaine exclaimed standing as well
" It appears I am, Percival thank you for taking me to my bed, " she said smiling at Percival.
"You're most welcome Miss Ness," Percival replied and nudged Gwaine
"Uh we will be outside, if you need us just yell," Gwaine said looking to Ness smiling.
The three of us watched as Gwaine and Percival walked out of the hut. When the door shut, I couldn't help but stare at Ness. Our eyes locked in each other and she stated at me blankly as if I were a ghost.
"Ness it's good to see you," I said nervously breaking the silence.
"It truly is Ness," Merlin spoke and stepped forward to stand next to me
"It's good to see you too bubba, " she said with a slight smile looking to him, " and you as well Arthur. "
I smiled as she said my name, " You remember me. "
" I remember bits and pieces, " she began, " I dream of you, but didn't know until a bit ago you were my husband. I remember being in bed with you and I remember how handsome you are, but I am sorry to admit I do not remember being married to you. "
My face fell as she explained what she remembered, Merlin could sense I was upset and placed his hand upon my shoulder.
" You remember I'm your brother, " he spoke, " How? "
"We're twins aren't we? Our magic according to our father at the caves, says our souls are connected to one another. I must admit, I as with Arthur did not remember your name, but when I saw you earlier I felt the connection that you were my brother. "
"You've seen our father?" Merlin asked
" Yes, "she replied , " I also saw Ella, " she said looking at me.
My eyes filled with tears once more as she spoke of our daughter. She had saw Ella, I only wished I could see her As well.
" Father showed me many memories, some good and some bad. The one that hurt the most to see was the day I died, " she explained, " I remember dying now since I saw the memory. I remember baring our daughter and then everything drifting off , it was as if I were falling asleep. I vaguely remember the caves the first time I visited, but I do remember meeting father, Ella, there was someone else, but I don't remember at the moment who. "
"It will come back to you eventually," Merlin spoke aloud with a small smile
"It will I hope, father explained in time it would," Ness said with a small smile and then walked up to us , " Merlin can I speak with Arthur please? "
"Yes, of course, " Merlin replied and walked out the front door.
When the door shut, I felt Ness's hand upon my cheek urging me to look at her. When I looked up, she wiped the tears that fell upon my cheek.
" I'm sorry, " I muttered
"Don't be, this whole situation is hard to swallow," she replied with a small smile, " I should be the one that is sorry. "
I looked at her confused until I understood well what she meant, " No my dear you should not. I should have looked harder for you. For so long I thought you to be dead, I wept at your grave almost every night, praying that you were alive. "
"When I awoke, I was wearing a dark gray dress and had this crystal," she said pointing to her neck, " All I knew was my name was Nessa. I started a few weeks ago in my dreams seeing my memories of us. I could never remember your name, or that you were my husband, but what I did know is that I love you. "
"And I you my dear," I replied smiling and kissing her hand that lay upon mine.
. "I remember being pregnant with our children. In one dream when we were.. You know, intimate, I remember you kissing me down my neck but stopped at my stomach. In my dream you were talking to them and telling them how much you loved them," she began and I smiled wider confirming her dream was real, " In the memory my father showed me, of that day, I remember naming our daughter Anessa, but do not remember our other child's name. "
I smiled, " Bailey, we named him Bailey after your father Balinor. He is big for his age and mischievous too. "
Tears flowed from her eyes, " What about Anessa? How is she? "
"She is smart and looks just like her mother. Both of our children are happy and healthy."
She began to cry harder at my words and cautiously I took her in my arms holding her as she cried.
"What..Kind.. Of mmo-mother forgets their.. Own children," she choked out between sobs causing me to hold her tighter.
"Shushhh, you can't help it my dear," I assured her
"It hurts.. It's hurts to have very little memory of my past Arthur," she cried out
" I know my dear, I know. "
" I'm so scared Arthur, what if I don't get back my memories. "
I urged her to look at me and I kissed her forehead, " Listen to me Ness. You will get them back, and if by some chance I am wrong, I will spend the rest of my life telling you everything. I will start from the beginning and together we will work through this. "
"What if I never remember though? "she asked
"Then we will make new ones."
She sobbed uncontrollably in my arms and after a while, I couldn't help but let tears fall as well. Ness my Ness was back, but the Ness that I once knew was replaced with a Ness that had very little memory of me. She knew she loved me and in her dreams remembered certain things about me. It hurt not being able to kiss her as I had hoped and go back to the way things were, but come hail or high water, I would help her to remember.
TO BE CONTIUNED...