Chapter 26

"What happened to your head?" Arthur inquires, leaning forward and squinting to get a better look at it. Like I had assumed, the cut was shallow but long and it had already closed itself over after I cleaned it. "Merlin was knocked up as well…what were you two doing?" he wonders. "Actually – do I even want to know?"

"We fell down a ravine out in the forest when we were getting some things for Gaius, Sire," I say, fiddling with a new dress shirt on him for fitting. "Thanks for the concern," I mutter under my breath. "The shirt fits perfectly."

"I knew Merlin was clumsy but you are becoming more like him every day. It's like your becoming twins," Arthur rattles on.

"You have no idea." Arthur walks to his closest, removing the shirt. My fingers which are putting away my needle and thread pause as I watch the Prince move. Muscles that I haven't seen on him before have come to light, announcing themselves to the world. "Praise my eyes," I whisper trying to look away. The knights clothing always covered their upper body and it's not like they usually change in front of a woman. Too soon though, Arthur grabs another, plainer shirt and puts it on, covering the short and beautiful sight I just experienced. I shake myself out of my trance, finishing putting away the needle and thread in my bag. I wonder if all the knights looked like him underneath that chainmail.

I take my leave, not having anywhere else to be and saunter through the castle just thinking to myself. My feet take me to my window that looks over the training ground. I lean against the window, looking out at the men. A presence comes and stands next to me.

"Elena, haven't seen you around much lately," Gwen greets, the kind smile I know her for on her face.

"Gwen!" I chirp. "Good morning. I'm sorry, I've been a bit caught up with a few things. I should come to visit you and your father sometime this week."

"That would be nice," she nods, looking out the window as I was. A servant acts as a live target for striking, protected by armour and a shield as one of the men strike him. "Glad I'm not them, I've seen Merlin after one of those sessions. Could barely lift his arms."

I giggle, remembering that day. "The knights have quite a bit of strength behind them. In fact, I just saw Arthur shirtless," I say, smirking playfully. "And while he may not be that bright on the inside, I would say his abs make up for it." Gwen widens her eyes, her head tilting in thought as we laugh together. A head of blonde hair is visible on the grounds, one I need to speak to. "I wonder if all knights look like Arthur?" I ponder playfully. "You're trying to imagine it aren't you?"

Gwen nods, eyebrows raised as if she is visualising it. "I just can't see past his arrogance though."

"It is a downer isn't it. But I'll have to see you later Gwen, I have someone I need to see."

"I'll let my father know that you are coming."

"Looking forward to it."

I need to apologise to Leon, my attitude to him the previous day was not called for but I just couldn't handle anything. The mark is still on my arm, covered by a long sleeve shirt, giving Merlin back his scarf last night.

Skipping outside, Torj is talking with two other knights that I don't know. I search for the blonde that I saw out here not ten minutes ago. My head spins, looking for him but he's no longer outside. I glide over to Torj, waiting for the other two knights to stop speaking so I can.

"Hey Torj, did you see where Leon went, I need to speak to him about something."

The redhead nods, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder. "Yeah lass, he finished for the day, he's in the armoury taking his stuff off. He's in a right pissed mood too," he warns. I nod and let him get back to his conversation with the other two. I'd only been in the armoury a few times. The training armoury at least, where they store blunt swords and armour.

True to Torj's words, Leon is inside with a servant, having his armour removed. I stand in the archway, waiting and watching. Leon doesn't speak to the servant, just silently helping him with latches. Once all the armour is removed, left in just his usual chainmail the servant leaves, brushing past me. I watch the knight for a moment longer, following his hand as he grazes it along a blunt sword lost in thought.

I step forward, making sure I make noise to let him now I'm here. His head snaps in my direction, obviously unprepared as he exhales, closing his eyes for a moment. His eyes drift from my own to my forehead then back to the sword he just dropped his hand from. Ok, I would speak first.

"I'm sorry," I gulp, "about yesterday. I was… tired and confused. And I didn't want to say anything I would regret, especially to someone I care about." Leon just stands there, looking at me with an expressionless face, not responding. "Please don't take it personally, I would've snapped at the King if he was there," I add, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asks flatly.

"Well this-" I say, gesturing to my head, "-was because Merlin and I fell down a ravine looking for myrtle for Gaius. But I was told something yesterday and it just shocked me. I'm dealing with it now, I just wasn't expecting it."

"Can you tell what it is?" he asks in an even voice, not betraying any emotion. I internally wince, knowing I can't, which is not making my situation any better.

"No… it's not really my secret to tell," I murmur, biting my cheek.

"Does Merlin know?"

"…Yes." My eyes wander, not looking forward at his face. "I didn't exactly tell him though, he was just there when it happened. If I could – I would tell you in a heartbeat. Leon, I trust you so much but I just… can't." I plead, now staring into his eyes.

Leon nods, walking forwards towards me. "I get it." He pats my shoulder. "I'll see you around." He continues past me, back outside. I watch him with droopy eyes. He was and still is upset, but I have done what I can, I've apologised. He just needs a day.

No, I won't let him walk away. I turn around, feet pumping into the ground. I turn into a corridor, glancing left and right. He is nearing the end of it so I pick my pace back up, almost sprinting down to him.

"Leon!" I cry out. The knight turns around, stopping as he sees me storming towards him.

I get closer and closer ever second. If I am being honest with myself, I'm not sure what I plan to do once I reach him but I have to do something. Five steps, four, three, two, one. It happens in slow motion. I leap up, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck so he can't escape. I don't know why I did it (ok I do), I didn't even know I was going to, it just happened. I slam my lips against his. He steps back from the force of my actions but he quickly steadies himself, wrapping his own arms around my waist, returning the gesture.

The reality of my actions hit me. I release my grasp on him, breathing heavily from the running. I stare up at Leon, his own eyes opening in surprise. My face is burning as I try to think of something to say.

"Ah, yeah. See you around," I say, patting his arm as he had done to me. I turn around and walk back the way I came. I don't hear his footsteps so I assume he is standing there in just as much shock as me. I scrunch my eyes, not believing what I just did and the way I ended it. Mouthing curses words at myself I have to go through the training area to get back to the part of the castle I need to go to.

"El, did you sort things out with Leon," Torj calls, holding his sword taking a break from fighting his opponent.

"Uh," I hesitate, not actually knowing the answer. "No I think I made things worse actually." I keep walking, not wanting to discuss it, hurrying back inside. Merlin. I need Merlin. He would be doing chores for Arthur right now, maybe polishing. I could ask Gaius. Or Arthur if it comes to that.

But it doesn't need to come to that, the wanted man running around through the halls.

"Elena!" he cries, running down to greet me.

"Merlin, I was just looking for you actually," I greet. "What's the matter? You look like you've run a marathon."

He nods, wide-eyed, breathing hoarsely. "I, I was just doing some things for Arthur when I felt it."

"Felt what?"

"The connection. It felt like you were in trouble," he splutters out, frowning as he looks at me. "You look fine though."

"I wasn't in trouble," I explain. "I didn't know you could feel what I felt. I wonder if that goes both ways. But I'm fine, I just had a moment of adrenaline."

"Oh, yeah. That's good then."

"We could use that to our advantage you know. If we learn to control it like that dragon said."

"How?"

"Like if one of us is in trouble, it could alert the other."

Merlin nods, agreeing. "Yeah, we should figure this out. Maybe Gaius has a book."

"Of course, I can check in the library too."

It feels weird being so close to him now, almost like a sense of satisfaction – or feeling complete. Being away, even at the training grounds, in the back of my mind, it was telling me to find Merlin. Like a child needing a favourite blanket.

"Hey. Why were you so worked up, I could feel your heart beating pretty fast?" Merlin inquires, a cheeky smile playing on his lips. My face burns for a second time.

"I just had to run for a few moments,' I lie, eyes not meeting his.

"Uh-huh, sure," he crows. "You're a worse liar than Arthur," he teases.

"Oh please," I scoff, "have you ever seen Gwen lie. She looks like she guilty of murder, no way I'm that bad."

We banter for a while but Merlin has to go back to doing his job and I leave, going back to my room to sew a dress for Morgana. I need some downtime, the last week has thrown me in the air and I just want to land in a cloud. Simplicity, sewing a dress and eating my dinner by myself. I would need to face Leon again. And tell Castor that he owes Torj twenty-five gold coins.

Just as finish a pattern in the dress, I hear a cry of pain that comes from a child's voice. I drop the needle and cloth, gaping around my room. Everything looks the same, I even bend to look under my bed but there is nothing. I open my door, peering out into the corridor but it yields me the same result. The voice sounded so close to me, as though from behind me.

"Help!" the voice calls again, a helpless child in pain. "Help me! Please." The voice. It comes from inside my head. Was this part of my new connection to Merlin? It couldn't be though; the voice belongs to a child. "Please you have to help me. Help me." My breath quickens as I search around for the source, panic bubbling through me. "They're searching for me."

"Why are they after you?" this time, a new voice enters, this one I know belongs to Merlin. He is speaking to someone, a child in his mind and I was hearing it, mind and body linked to him.

"They're going to kill me."

The speaking stops as I lean against my door, figuring out what to do. I feel the tug of the connection, a constant pull. I let it guide me, outside into the corridor.

"This way. Run. Run!"

That is the last I hear of either of them but I follow the pull, feeling it strengthen as I come closer, my feet now sprinting on the stone floor. It leads me to the other side of the castle, nearly knocking into a few servants and courtiers. Finally, Merlin comes into view, a young boy who the voice belonged to with him. The boy and I lock eyes but he doesn't speak to me. Merlin and I glance at each other, hearing the guards' footsteps nearing our spot. I nod to Morgana's door. They get my message, not bothering to knock and we slide inside, slamming the door behind us.

"Have you two forgotten how to knock?" Morgana exclaims, Gwen looking just as stunned.

"The guards are after him. I didn't know what to do."

The door knocks behind us, making me jump away from it.

"My Lady?"

Merlin looks at Morgana with desperation.

"In there," she says, pointing to her screen. I wait with Gwen, my presence would not raise suspicion. Once Merlin and the boy are hidden, Morgana opens to door.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady. We're searching for the druid boy," the guards says from the door.

"I haven't seen anyone. It just my maid and seamstress with me," she answers.

"Best keep the door locked till we find him," the guard advises.

"Of course. Thank you."

"The guard is right," I say. "We should probably lock your door." Morgana does as suggested, preventing anyone else storming in here unannounced. We stride over to the screen, pulling it back to check on the boy. The boy lies unconscious in Merlin's arms, the said warlock's hand covered in blood.

"Merlin, we should go talk to Gaius," I claim, wanting to talk to him myself in private. Merlin looks at Morgana.

"Will you be alright here with him? We'll come back later and check on him."

Morgana nods, eyeing the boy. "Of course."