"Princess?" Camilla recognised the voice of Sir Leon gently waking her from her sleep.
Camilla slowly sat up and her head moved to look around the room but she was not conscious of what she saw. All she realised was she had once again fallen asleep by her father's side.
"Princess?" Sir Leon asked again, taking a step towards her. Outside was dark and Camilla imagined it was the late hours of the night.
"Ah Sir Leon, it appears you caught me resting my eyes." Camilla smiled at him before turning to look at her father. His position remained unchanged as he curled in a ball facing away from her. His wide eyes stared at nothing, not a hint of recognition crossing is features as Camilla moved into his eye sight.
"Your highness maybe it is best you retire to your own chambers tonight. We have guards posted directly outside the door and you do yourself no favours by hurting your back sleeping this way." Sir Leon pointed out.
Camilla went to respond immediately but paused for a moment and actually listened to Leon's words of advice.
"Maybe a few hours in my own bed will do me no harm." Camilla conceded.
Leon held his arm out to her but before she accepted it Camilla pulled the covers up over her father and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
Camilla allowed the Knight to lead them down the corridor as she found herself almost sleeping as she walked. It didn't stop her noticing the smoke coming from a grate up ahead though. Her halt in walking had attracted Leon's attention and he too, after following her eye line, saw the smoke coming from a room below.
Camilla immediately went to the cause with Leon ordering his patrol to follow. Once in the room below the group looked around but could see no reason for the smoke. Perplexed, Camilla began to look around the room when out the corner of her eye she saw yellow tinge of hay sticking out of the grate. She bent down to look closer and realised the hay was smouldering, sending smoke through the grate above.
"It's a trick." Camilla said, grabbing the hay and throwing it to the ground. She did not watch as one of the guards stamped on the plant to stop the smoke, but instead was already running back upstairs to her father.
She burst into the chamber, her dagger in hand to find a startled Morgana by Uther's bedside.
"Morgana?" Camilla asked, placing her dagger in its holder on her lower leg. As she did so, she did not see Morgana kick her cloak further under the bed. "Search the room." Camilla ordered Leon and his patrol as they joined her in the chambers. She did not join them though, instead she approached the King's ward who was sat holding Uther's hand.
"What's going on? Is he okay?" Morgana asked.
"Someone had tricked us to believing a fire had broken out, probably to gain access to father's chambers. In this weak state he is easy prey." Camilla informed Morgana. Camilla visibly checked over her father looking for signs of injury.
"There is no sign of an intruder your highness." Sir Leon announced to the pair.
"They must not have planned Morgana being in the room." Camilla said. She then turned to Morgana. "You must have scared them off." Morgana gave a small smile. "What were you doing here anyway?"
"I was looking for you." Morgana answered. "I couldn't sleep and I knew you would be here. When I found Uther alone I decided to stay and look after him. He was restless in his sleep."
"More like trance." Camilla muttered but no one heard. "Sir Leon return your men to their posts."
"But your highness, I thought you had decided-"
"Minds can be changed." Camilla interrupted the Knight. "I shall remain here by my father's bedside."
Sir Leon could tell by the tone of her voice, the Princess was not allowing negotiation. Instead he bowed his head at the order.
"I think this excitement has allowed me the mindset to sleep." Morgana informed the pair, standing up and yawning.
"Are you sure you're alright? I'm here to talk." Camilla took a much gentle tone when she addressed the ward.
"I feel as if seeing him, even in this state, has calmed me enough for sleep. I still sometimes wake thinking I'm back...back..." Camilla could tell Morgana was close to tears so wrapped the ward in a hug, stopping her from continuing.
"Sir Leon escort the Lady Morgana back to her chambers." Camilla commanded when the two pulled apart and Leon bowed his head again.
The two shared small smiles as one left the other, and once again Camilla was left alone with her father.
She took the seat Morgana had been sat in despite it meaning she had to look at her father's blank gaze. She hoped maybe he recognised her somewhere, though she doubted it.
Gaius and Merlin walked into the King's chambers to see the place destroyed from head to toe. The sound of a fire crackling caught their attention as they surveyed the room. Immediately Merlin's thoughts went to where Camilla was, she had not left her father's bedside since the mandrake root had poisoned his mind. While Gaius saw the king huddled in a ball in the corner, Merlin saw Camilla slumped against the wall opposite him.
He ran to her side, ignoring the King's mutters.
Gently Merlin tilted her head from side to side looking for damage, he couldn't help but wince when he saw the small cut above her eyebrow, she had been left for so long the cut was simply a crust of dried blood with a stained stream running down her face. He wanted to pick her up and take her out of there, anger surging through him knowing Uther had caused her to be in this state, however he also knew the mandrake root had to be disposed of.
He ran to the bed and snatched the dripping black root from underneath before throwing it in the fires. For a moment he was frozen, wincing at the sounds of the screams but quickly he was back at Camilla's side. He shook her gently, hoping she would respond.
A painfully slow moment passed before her eyelids fluttered open, she took a minute to adjust to her surrounds before uttering his name.
"Merlin?" She said as a question wondering what had happened.
"Are you okay?" He spoke softly, his eyes darting over her face checking for more injuries.
"One minute he was blank the next…the next he just went crazy." She told him. Her face screwed up tight as she tried to remember what had happened. A memory came flooding back, hitting her full force. "He thought I was my mother."
The two locked eye contact and Merlin could see how much the attack had upset her deeply. Merlin wanted to say something to comfort her, hug her or place an arm around her at least but before he could pluck up the courage to do so Gaius had called him over.
"Stay there" He ordered the Princess as he went to help the older man lift the King back into the bed.
As Gaius gave the King something to help him sleep, Merlin went back to Camilla helping her stand up. He let go for a moment before he had to quickly grab her again stop her falling. Using him as support the two made their way to Gaius's chambers, both not willing to admit how nice it felt to have the other so close. Merlin even had to hold back a smirk when Knights offered to take over and Camilla would politely decline.
Once in the physician's chambers Merlin sat Camilla down on the bench and got the necessary tools needs to clean her cut. Not a word was said but neither felt like they had to say anything.
Gaius shortly joined them and began to clean the cut.
"What's wrong with him Gaius?" Camilla knew she sounded as if she were a little girl again, but even at 21 year old, seeing your father that way, reduced you to feeling like a child inside.
"It was an enchantment my lady." Gaius told her as he finished off dressing the wound. "Do not worry, the source of it has been destroyed. He should be fine in a few days."
"Who placed it on him?" Camilla asked.
"I do not know." Gains said, Camilla missed the look which passed between him and Merlin for both knew who exactly to blame.
She could hear her brother before she saw him, he rounded the corner in a full argument with Merlin. She heard the word tavern and days but decided she didn't need to hear more. Her brother looked up and saw his sister, immediately turning his back on Merlin and stopping the conversation.
"I was coming to look for you, I imagine you've heard the good news from Gaius?" Arthur asked but before she could answer he spoke again. "What happened to your face?"
Camilla couldn't help but catch Merlin's eye, memories of waking up to seeing him that close to her caused redness to spread across her cheeks.
"It's nothing." She tried to brush him off.
"It's a little more than nothing." Arthur wasn't easily swayed though when it came to the safety of his sister.
"Father had an episode last night, thankfully, thanks to Gaius and Merlin, he's going to get better now." Camilla gave the pair a small smile, hoping Arthur got the hint to leave it at that.
"Did he hit you?" Arthur asked. His tone turned serious, as his voice deepened.
"Not exactly." Was all the answer Camilla gave, Arthur didn't get a chance to probe further as Camilla spoke again. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check up on father."
She didn't wait for a response and instead carried on walking until she reached the king's chambers. As she opened the door she heard the distinct voices of Morgana and Gaius.
"Camilla" Morgana sent her a wide smile as she entered the room, something Camilla reciprocated.
"Morgana have you heard the good news?" Camilla questioned, she came all the way into the room and stood at her father's bedside.
"Gaius just told me, I'm so relieved"
"Let us be grateful Gaius spotted it." Camilla told her, she look back to her father missing the look of anger on the Ward's face.
Camilla was stood by her father's throne as the council convened for an emergency meeting.
"I estimate they will reach the city within two days." Sir Leon told the room.
"Under whose banner do they march?" Her brother asked, turning away from the group.
"Cenred's, Sire. We knew he was amassing an army…"
"How many men?"
"20,000….maybe more." Sir Leon admitted, Camilla's eyes fell close as she sighed. To think only a few days ago they had been celebrating the return of Morgana and now they could be under attack in less time.
"There must have heard of father's illness." Camilla sighed, she and her brother shared a look, a barely noticeable nod passing from Camilla to Arthur.
"We must find a way to appease him" Leon suggested however both Camilla and Arthur thought differently.
"Not what our father would do, he wouldn't bow to our enemies." Arthur voiced his and his sister's opinions.
"Forgive me, Sire, we are outnumbered two to one." Gaius interjected.
"What concessions will Cenred insist on? What territories will he demand?" Arthur argued, facing the court, he began to make his way over to their father's throne.
"We do not have to give him anything, but it could buy us valuable time." Gaius tried to reason with the future king but his mind was made up.
"It shows weakness, Gaius. There's only one course of action open to us." Arthur sat upon the throne, making his orders final. "We must prepare the city for siege."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Sir Leon asked, Camilla all the while silently watching as she stood behind the throne.
"The castle is our strongest weapon. No army has ever taken Camelot."
"But what about the people in the outlying villages?"
"Give them refuge within the city walls." Arthur told the court.
"And what of their houses, their livelihoods? Cenred will destroy everything in his path."
"They will have their lives." Camilla finally broke her silence and interjected. She felt all eyes on the room descend to her as she stepped forward to stand by the throne, her brother and her making a untied front.
"Go." Arthur commanded, the room's occupants suddenly able to move again. "Ready the army."
Everyone slowly filtered out until only the two Pendragons and Morgana remained. Arthur's eyes were yet to lift from the table in front of him while the two females came to stand in front.
"Arthur, are you sure about this?" Morgana questioned, feigning worry for the kingdom.
"We have to defend our land Morgana." Arthur replied with a grim look. "It's what Father would want."
"Of course." The ward smiled before leaving the two royal siblings alone.
Eventually after a moment of silence, Arthur's eyes lifted to look at his littler sister.
"I'll need you in the hospital." Arthur told her
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Camilla replied with a small smile. She could see the uncertainty and fear in her brother's eyes. Taking a step towards him, she placed her hand over his. "Arthur you made the right decision, I'm proud of you."
Arthur simply replied but placing his hand over hers and giving it a small squeeze, accompanied by a small smile.
The past few days in the castle had been not easy. Camilla had overseen the hospital set up and relocating of the people who had taken refuge within the case walls. Arthur stepped into the role as their leader with apparent ease, a title he was always meant to have. Camilla could see the tension in his shoulders though, the doubt in his eyes. But she knew there was nothing she could do to ease them.
Night had fallen and Camilla had no doubt Cenred's army would be soon upon them. She was already dressed in a tunic and trousers with her custom armour on, ready to help in the hospital. She should be there already however she decided to spend a few more moments with her father.
He lay on his back, his eyes closed and his skin still looking ashen. The skin stuck to his cheekbones while he lay motionless. The only sign of life being the slightly rise and fall of his chest. Camilla knew he would recover and the hallucinations would stop, but no child liked to see their parent in that state.
She simply sat there, holding his hand, hoping beyond reason he would awaken and be miraculously recovered. She wasn't surprised to find Arthur join her, dressed in his battle armour. Her brother sat opposite her and took their father's other hand.
"Are we ready?" Camilla broke the silence with a gentle voice.
Arthur looked at her suddenly, wondering had she always looked this grown up or had these last few days aged her as much as they had aged him. Her blue eyes still shone though, but there were clear dark shadows under her eyes from stress and lack of sleep. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a bun , which only seemed to age her further.
"As we'll ever be." Arthur eventually responded. He received a small nod in return. Silence returned between the two before the prince broke it. "Have I made the right decision here Camilla?"
Camilla opened her mouth to speak but then closed it quickly. This wasn't the time for some quick comment to make him feel better she realised. She needed to convey she trusted him with all her heart and he truly was the leader Camelot needed.
"When you are King, there will always be what-ifs, and should Is. But I do not think this is one of those cases." Camilla looked her brother in the eye, demanding he take in what she was saying. "Arthur, and I say this as your subject and not your sister, you were born to lead us. Everything I have seen these past few days only confirms my belief that Camelot is in the right hands." Arthur broke the eye contact, trying to hold back tears which pricked at the corner of his eyes. "And as your sister, I can say it's what he would of done."
Arthur looked back to his younger sister but saw she was looking towards their father, who still remained unaware of what was going on around him. The two returned to silence only broken a few minutes later by Merlin entering the room.
"Sire it is time." Was all the manservant said. A pit of dread and anticipation opened up in the bottom of Camilla's stomach as she realised what must happen next.
Arthur gave a nod as he stood up. He paused to look at his father before stating, "I will make you proud."
Camilla wanted to tell him, he already had, but felt now was not the right time. Camilla copied her brother's actions by standing up. She said no words though, and instead leaned forward to give her father a kiss on the forehead. She followed Merlin and Arthur out of the room.
The trio paused just outside the door. Camilla turned to her brother and fought hard to claw back the tears that seemed to want to burst forth. There was so much she wanted to say to him but only two words came out, "Stay safe".
'I couldn't have done this without you, you know." Arthur told her.
"Yes, you could of." Camilla responded with a smile.
"Arthur the men are waiting." Merlin interjected. He had really not wanted to break the moment but he knew the army needed their Prince on the battlements. Arthur gave a nod.
The siblings enveloped each other in a hug. They clung on to each other as tightly as they could before they realised their time was up. As they pulled apart, her brother lent forward and kissed her forehead.
"See you on the other side." And with those parting words Arthur walked away from his sister, and hoped he would see her again.
Merlin went to follow but was kept behind by Camilla's hand on his forearm. He turned his head towards the princess, hoping his cheeks weren't as flushed as they felt.
"It goes to you to Merlin, stay safe." Camilla quick leaned up and kissed his cheek. Stunning the young warlock so much that he couldn't form a response. This only made Camilla smile as she walked in the opposite direction to head to the hospital. Merlin quickly shook his head then did a jog to catch up with Arthur who hadn't even notice him missing for a few moments.
It had only been a simple kiss on the cheek but it sure had made his heart race. After a year of being secretly in love with the princess you think the small gesture would make him smile. Instead it filled him with dread as he hoped that wasn't the last time the two of them would see each other. But then again, from the look in Camilla's eyes, she was scared it could be.
"Gwen, have you seen Morgana?" Camilla asked the servant. She was currently wrapping the hand of a guard from the battlements. Chaos reined around them as they heard the sound of the battle raging outside. Camilla had taken to overseeing the hospital, teaching and gathering those who could help.
"No my lady. She was here earlier." Gwen said but quickly turned her attention back to the man in front of her.
Camilla began to move through the beds, correctly and helping people as she went. She kept her eye out for Morgana as she should be here helping. The princess assumed she was just lost in the crowd and no doubt was in the room, but she would have preferred to see it with her own eyes.
The beds were already beginning to fill as the atmosphere in the room became more and more frantic. Camilla tried to keep a calm presence but she too sensed the growing fear. The heat of the room continued to grow as more and more people piled in. She took a cloth and quickly damped the sweat from off her forehead. As she looked around she saw she could no longer see Gaius. Where was he? He had only been—
The sounds of the doors bursting open and shouts of her father drew her attention. She quickly rushed to the main entrance. She came across her father badly limping, an obvious wound to his leg. He was carried in by Merlin and another knight.
"Father." Camilla rushed forward. She quickly directed them to a bed and began to assess the injury. Merlin quickly left them, no time to think about that Camilla told herself. She instructed a servant to get her water and bandages. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"I heard the battle. I needed to defend my kingdom." Uther told her. Wincing in pain as his daughter gently prodded at the wound. The servant quickly returned with what had been asked of her.
"You needed to rest." Camilla reprimanded her father. She could hear him wincing and crying with hisses of pain as she cleaned what she presumed, was an arrow injury to his leg. "You could have been killed."
"This is my kingdom Camilla, I cannot just let them fight while I lie in bed doing nothing." Her father shot back. He passed for a moment and looked around the room, astounded at what had been set up. "How long have I been asleep?"
"A few days." Camilla answered. She began to dress the wound. "We got word Cenred was on his way with his army. The council wanted to concede land but Arthur knew that was weak. So we prepared the land for a siege." Uther nodded his head.
"We've lost the lower town."
"The lower town can be rebuilt. The citadel stands strong though. Cenred will never get through our defences. You've trained Arthur well enough for him to know how to protect the city." Camila informed her father as she tied the bandage off. "Trust in him, he can lead us to victory."
"I know." Uther looked his daughter in the eye as she stood up straight and faced him.
"There's no way you can fight on that leg. We need you here. No more running into battle." Camilla ordered her father. She did it in such a way, and in a true Pendragon tone that her father had no response. Instead he simply nodded his head, which was reciprocated by his daughter.
He watched as she continued through the hospital, giving orders and checking on the wounded. He realised in that moment while Arthur had lead the city, Camilla had clearly been supporting him and working in the background. A new found sense of pride washed over him as he realised how grown up his children were. He would never admit it to them, but that was the day Uther realised if anything was to happen to him, Camelot would survive and the Pendragon family would always be at its helm.
Camilla welcomed the breath of fresh air that swept across her face and she went outside. She needed a moment to breath. Just outside the wall she could hear the sound of swords clashing and screams of those dying. She knew though the knights of Camelot would keep them at bay.
"Camilla." A voice shouting her name caused her to look down the steps and see her brother running towards her from the courtyard. She quickly walked down the steps to meet him at the bottom. "What are you doing out here?"
"I just needed a breath of fresh air." Camilla quickly defended herself when she could see the telling off she was about to get from her brother. "How's it looking?"
"Could be better, we just need to hold the citedal." Though Arthur knew his sister was changing the subject, he allowed it to happen. For now she was away from the front line. The sight of someone running down the steps behind his sister caught his eye. "Merlin! Where the hell have you been?"
Camilla turned round to see the raven haired men join them. "Nowhere." Was his response to Arthur.
"You're starting to make a habit of this. What's your excuse this time?"
He got no response though as Merlin and Camilla became transfixed at the site of three skeletons wielding swords approaching them. The princess thought she was hallucinating, maybe she had suffered a head injury without realising. When she realised it was no trick, she scanned the area and saw a dropped sword near by. She began to move towards it while Merlin pointed to the skeletons for Arthur's benefit.
"Come on, Merlin. You can do better than that."
At that the prince decided to finally turn round and see what his sister and servant had been vehemently staring at. He was not expecting to see three human skeletons to be advancing towards him. He was soon engaged in battle with one. The other two split off to Merlin and Camilla.
The princess at this point was bent over retrieving the sword from the ground. She was quick to defend herself as the skeleton brought his sword crashing down. She continued to block his slashes, being forced backwards. Finally there was an opening and she took it. Her stab was met with little resistance but it did nothing to deter her opponent. Instead her sword lodged between two ribs. She managed to duck and roll out of the way of the sword swinging for her head, but she now found herself without a weapon. She moved behind a barrel and kicked it towards the skeleton who crashed to the ground under the barrels weight. Camilla rushed over, stepping on its forearm to stop it swinging its sword, and quickly removed hers from its chest.
The skeleton moved quickly though and, manoeuvred out from under here. It smashed the hilt of its sword across Camilla's chin, and she was sent stumbling back. Her back hit a wall and she knew she was pinned in. Camilla set her stance as the skeleton continued to advance it swung with a massive arc, allowing Camilla to slip underneath and swing her sword around, separating the skull from the body.
For a moment she paused, thinking it was over, when she watched as the skeleton began to move and try and reassembling itself. She felt a hand on her arm pulling her back, she turned round to see it belonged to her brother. He was pulling her back up the stairs to safety.
Merlin was with them and the three ran back through the castle to the hospital. On the stairwell Arthur passed to look back and see the shadow of an advancing skeleton. Arthur prepared his stance to fight.
"Camilla you need to get back to the hospital and seal it off." Her brother commanded of her.
"Arthur I can't leave you out here by yourself with those things." Camilla went to stand next to him but he pushed her back up the stairs.
"Camilla, do as I say. Merlin take her back to the hospital." Arthur didn't even both to turn around, instead focusing on the approaching silhouette. There was a pause from his two companions, he could tell both were reluctantly to leave. "NOW!"
Camilla felt Merlin's hand on her upper arm, gently tugging her away from her brother. She thought it pointless to resist and quickly found herself alongside Merlin as they ran to the hospital.
As they stepped through the door, Camilla gave the order to the guards to seal the room. She could see Merlin had run off to talk to Gaius who stood by her father. While the two chatted, Camilla approached the King.
She could see him trying to stand up but her hand to his chest quickly put a stop to that.
"Father you cannot go out like this. You're still weak." She told him.
"But this is my kingdom." He argued, still trying to push off the bed. But with his inured leg and the aftermath of his illness still his system, Camilla easily pushed him down onto the bed.
"You are no good to this kingdom if you walk out there and die." Camilla argued back. The look in her eyes daring him to think of rebuttal but he knew he couldn't. Instead his hand reached up, and his thumb gently grazed the swelling around his daughter's jaw
"You're hurt." He stated. Camilla's jaw had begun to swell from the punch by the skeleton, a deep red and purple already contrasting against her pale skin.
"I'll live." Camilla sent a small smile to him before walking away. She looked at the sword she had picked up outside, and though she wished she could leave it in the corner and forget about it, she knew that would be foolish. Instead she sheathed it at her side ready at a moments notice. She had hoped it would not be needed but with what she had just seen outside, she didn't know how much longer the hospital would stay safe.
"We can't fight a battle on two fronts." Arthur was getting his hand wrapped by Gwen. His words ruining the relief Camilla had felt when she saw him walk into the hospital.
"Keep still." Gwen reprimanded him as she tried to sort the cut on his hand.
"I don't know how much longer we can hold the citadel." Arthur honestly told his sister. Gwen and Gaius party to the conversation but knew it was meant between the two siblings. "We need to get you and father to safety"
"I will not leave you or this city. Neither will father." Camilla informed her brother.
"I hate to interrupt you highness, but we no longer control the lower town." Gaius interjected. Camilla's head bowed, it looked like Camelot will fall. "There's no escape, Arthur."
The sound of swords clashing outside caught their attention. Camilla could see the shadow of a skeleton approaching the only door unsealed. It was the only exit they had kept open for the men. Arthur could see what his sister was thinking but she was too quick from him. With his hand still being wrapped by Gwen, Camilla was able to run from his side before he caught her arm to stop her.
"Close the doors." She ordered the remaining guard as she ran out the doors.
"CAM—!" She heard her brother shout but the rest was lost as the doors were closed. She turned to the left and saw the second guard from the door being cut down by the skeleton.
As it slowly stalked towards her, Camilla took her stance, ready. When within distance, she swung forwards determined to separate the skull from the spine, for that was the only thing that seemed to slow it down. The skeleton was skilled though and easily booked her attempts. The two continued to exchange blows, slowly backing her towards the door, when the sound of another skeleton approaching from behind caught her ears.
Camilla sent a kick to the chest of the current skeleton and gave herself breathing room. She turned to see another skeleton approaching from behind. She knew she would tire soon and could not battle both at the same time. She just hoped they had reinforced the doors, protecting those inside.
Instead the door opened and her brother appeared.
"Don't you ever do that again." His tone was deep serious, something she did not associate with her brother. Camilla simply nodded before the siblings battled a skeleton each.
Camilla continued to block and try and force the skeleton further away from the door. She could feel herself tiring and knew soon she would make a mistake, it was only a matter of time. She tried to persevere but she overstepped, leaving herself vulnerable. She saw the sword too late, only just managing to move her body to protect her torso. Instead the swinging sword cut her upper arm. She gave a cry in pain as she felt the blood begin to run down her arm. She sidestepped and dodged the continued onslaught of attacks by the skeleton. She was barely managing to block as her injured arm grew weaker and weaker.
She tripped and was now on the floor. She continued to block but the skeleton was unrelenting, not allowing her anytime or space to stand back up. It eventually knocked the sword from her hand.
"Camilla!" She heard her brother shout somewhere behind her. She couldn't turn to focus now though. Instead she rolled out of the way of the sword that hit the ground, right where her body had just been. She kicked the skeleton's legs out from under it, watching it fall to the ground.
It never got back up though as the magic holding it together left its body, leaving it to crumple into a pile of old bones.
Camilla looked round to see her brother's adversary had also collapsed. He rushed over to her though, surveying the damage to her arm.
"What were you thinking?" Arthur told his littler sister off as he helped her off the floor and guided her back in to the hospital.
"That you needed to see to your hand and they were about to get into the hospital." Camilla argued. But her voice was weak and Arthur could tell she was exhausted and in pain. He guided her to the bed by Gaius who was quick to come over and look over her cut.
"Looks superficial, you were lucky." Gaius told her, raising a disapproving eyebrow in her direction, not at all pleased she had run out to battle like that.
"See, I'm fine." Camilla sent a pointed look at her brother. Her facade was broken though when Gaius began to clean the cut and she hissed in pain. Arthur made to step forward put she held her hand up to stop him. "You need to head outside, the army needs you." Her brother paused though, still rooted to the spot to make sure she was okay. "Arthur, go. I'll be fine."
With a small smile to reassure him, her brother finally seemed to be satisfied she was okay, and quickly ran out the door.
Camilla was stood beside her father as they watched the court enter the great hall. She had used what make up she had to cover the bruises marring her face, but deep purple and blue tones could be seen along the edge of her jaw. She had chosen to wear a sleeveless red dress as the bandages on her arm would be too compressed under sleeves. She wore a cape though to try and hide them as well as let her hand hang naturally to the middle of her chest to distract anyone looking.
Arthur soon joined them and their father addressed the court.
"In my time, we've won many battles, but none so important as this. Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you, and I salute you all. Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst, one who was almost the undoing of us. However, we have to thank the one person who outwitted them, and who, almost singlehandedly turned the battle. The Lady Morgana." As with everyone else in the room, Camilla clapped. Her smile beaming with pride at her friend, practically sister. "For it was she who bravely entered the vault, found the magical vessel, and destroyed it. We must be vigilant! We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic, and ensure that they never penetrate our walls again."
Camilla knocked on the door but there was no answer. As she pressed lightly on it, the door swung open and Camilla took it as a sign to enter. Gaius and Merlin must both be out she thought. She began to search the shelves looking for the particular ointment the would help with brushing, she hoped Gaius had some already made up.
"Can I help you your highness?" The sound of Merlin behind her, caused Camilla to jump with fright, a small squeak of surprise leaving her lips.
She turned around to see him stood on the other side of the table with an amused smile on his face.
"That wasn't funny." Camilla told him but she couldn't stop the traces of a smirk hinting at the corner of her lips.
"It was a little bit." Merlin held up two fingers in front of his face, to illustrate his point. Camilla only conceded with a small smile and then turning to look to the shelves again.
"You don't know if Gaius has any mixture of bruise ointment made up?" Camilla asked while she continued to look. She sensed him coming to stand beside her but she refused to look, for she was sure he would be able to see the heat in her cheeks or hear how loud her heart was beating.
"I remember seeing it somewhere." Merlin joined in the search, he too trying not to look at the princess. Because he knew if he looked, he would then stare, captivated by her beauty. A moment of silence passed between the two before Merlin broke it. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you getting this now? Surely if you wanted it, Gaius would have already made some?"
"I don't mind you asking." Camilla shrugged. She paused for a moment to look at Merlin. He too paused his search, looking at the Princess only a step away. "I have only just gained need of it. My father has asked for me to use some to get ready for the melee in a few weeks."
"Why would Uther want you to fix a bruise on your face for that? You're not planning to secretly compete are you?" Unnatural fear built up in Merlin, he wasn't sure Camilla could survive the melee, if there were as brutal as Arthur made them out to be. Camilla only laughed at his statement, the sound instantly relaxing him and putting him at ease. He also couldn't help but automatically smile back.
"No, and even if I could, I do not think I would want to." Camilla said with a smile. She turned back to the self and continued to search. Merlin also returned to looking at the many bottles of ingredients and ointments. Both were barely looking though, more focused and content on the conversation they were having with the other. "I believe my father wants me looking my best in case there are any potential suitors at the tournament."
She felt Merlin pause next to her before he asked his next question. "I mean are you, you know, looking for a suitor?"
The two again refused to look at the other, knowing their secrets would be laid bare if they did.
"No I'm not. But I must be realistic and know my father will intend for me to find one soon." A sad tinge to her words caught Merlin's ears.
"So there's no one in Camelot who has caught your eye?" Both paused at the question. Redness flushed across Merlin's face, he couldn't believe he had just asked that question. He screwed up his face in embarrassment. The words had seem to fall from his lips before he could stop himself.
Camilla though was at a loss of words. Could she tell him how she really felt? Was he just being polite or did he have an interest himself? Camilla felt her breath hitch in a throat, building up the courage to respond, when she managed to find the cowards way out. She spotted the tincture she was looking for on the shelf right at the top, above her.
"Ah here's what I'm looking for." Returning to the task at hand seemed to snap both of them out of their previous conversation.
Camilla went to reach up for the bottle but quickly retracted her hand with a gasp of pain. She couldn't reach that high without exasperating the cut on her arm. She went to use her other hand but before she could, another arm had appeared, picking the bottle up off the shelf.
Merlin lowered the bottle so it was between the two of him. They both turned to each other, only a hair width apart. Though Merlin had not intended to end up this close to her when he reached for the bottle, the fact she didn't move away from him gave him hope. He certainly didn't want to move away from her.
Camilla reached up and took the bottle from his hand, her fingers graving over his for that moment too long.
"Thank you." She all but whispered. Her wide eyes staring up into Merlin's. Her eyes subconsciously flicked to his lips, his doing the same.
"You're welcome." His voice was breathy and quiet.
The sound of the door opening caused the two to jump apart and quickly to look like they weren't just about to be caught in a compromising position.
Gaius entered the room and could immediately tell he had interrupted something.
"Your highness?" The older man looked to the monarch.
"Ah Gaius, Merlin was just helping me find your ointment for bruises. I'm wishing to get rid of the one on my face. I was wondering while I use this if you could make up more for me please." Camilla smiled to the older man. Merlin stood facing the shelves, his back to Gaius refusing to turn around.
"Certainly, my lady." Gaius bowed his head.
Camilla smiled back and made to leave the room but at the entrance she turned around and spoke towards Merlin.
"Thank you Merlin." At the sound of his name, the young Warlock turned to face the Princess and sent a smile her way. Camilla paused before she next spoke as it took all her courage to do so, but she found she must. "And in answer to your question. There is one. Goodnight to you both."
And with that Camilla left the room, hoping she wouldn't come to regret what she had just said.