Chapter 28

"She's been caught," Merlin announces, walking into his room where I lay on his bed waiting for the news.

"Where are they?" I press, sitting up.

"Morgana just came out of a meeting with Uther. She's fine but the King was mad. Mordred's been locked up, under constant guard."

"What are we going to do?"

"We have to do something. Anything."

I move over, standing next to him as we look out his bedroom window, an executioner sharpening his axe. A morbid sight.

"I don't want to watch him die, Merlin," I whisper. Merlin looks at me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "He's just a kid."

"You won't have to," he says to me, bringing me into a much-needed embrace. "Let's go see Arthur."

We knock at the door, peeking through. Arthur sits at his table, Morgana by his side.

"Sorry. Are we interrupting something?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourselves with. Merlin, go do something useful, muck out my stables," he orders.

"At night?" I mutter.

"No, I trust them both," Morgana protests. Arthur motions for us to enter.

"We're going to break the Druid boy out of the dungeons."

"Didn't think you had it in you, Sire," I say, honestly surprised at the Prince's willingness to disobey his father.

"My father wants to execute him at dawn. I don't agree with his decisions."

"The King already knows that Morgana is involved. If he catches you again, he'll be unforgiving," I warn Morgana.

"I'm not worried for myself."

"Elena's right. You need to be in a position where you can prove your innocence."

"This is suicide," Merlin argues but his voice is ignored.

"Dine with him. What better place to be in then with the King himself when the Druid escapes."

"What about getting out of the castle, you'll need help. I can't do that if I'm with the king."

"Merlin will take your place."

"Me?"

"I'm going to take the boy out through the burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off," the Prince instructs.

"No-no, I can't."

"Merlin. Do you understand? If you're not there to meet us, we'll surely be caught."

"I want to help as well. I can distract the guards if we need it."

"No," the Prince argues. "I can't risk having you caught as well."

"It won't look like I'm smuggling a Druid boy out, I'll stay in front of you. I'm a good actor," I add, wanting to help do my part. Arthur looks hesitant but nods.

I race back to my chambers, changing into shoes that are soft and pliable, enough to not make sound when tapping against the floor. Then I head back up to Arthur's chambers.

"Are you ready? You don't have to do this," he says, placing a hand on my arm. I shake my head.

"I'm going to help."

I watch from above as Arthur drops a smoking bag down onto the guards who are watching over the Druid boy's cell. They cough and splutter, falling to the ground unconscious. Arthur unlocks the cell, pulling Mordred from it. I look back up, signalling that it is safe for them. We just need to get to the burial vaults. Arthur and the Druid stay one turn behind me as I peek out into the corridors leading to the vaults. We are nearing the vault when I round a corner to see two guards patrolling. They are facing the way we need to go, at an agonisingly slow pace. Glancing back at the Prince I signal for him to wait while I enter the corridor, turning to the left, the opposite way that they are headed. Once I reach a far enough distance from the entry I begin my dramatic plan, thanking three years of high school drama.

"Agh!" I scream, falling to the floor. The guards turn around, seeing me, a helpless maiden crying on the ground. I clutch my ankle as though I've hurt it. "It hurts," I cry. The guards jog over, bending down to inspect me.

"My lady, are you alright?" one of the two asks.

"No! I was trying to get back to my chambers after I took a wrong turn, I was lost and tripped over something," I shrill. Arthur and the Druid boy silently come out of hiding, heading down the corridor I just cleared for them.

"We should take her to Gaius," one says.

"But we need to patrol," the other argues. I sit there, watching them argue as I sit supposedly in pain. "I won't risk having the Druid escape and one of us not be out here."

"We can't leave her."

"You take her. I'll stay here."

"Alright."

Thank you tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. The guard helps me to my feet, helping bear the weight.

"Thank you so much," I gush. "I don't know what I would have done if you were not there."

I walk with an exaggerated limp, enjoying my moment of drama. Thankfully, Gaius' chamber is nearby. The guards knock loudly on the door. Gaius opens it, dressed in his nightwear.

"Whatever is the matter?" he asks groggily, wiping his eyes.

"This young maiden has hurt herself," the guard informs, handing me over to Gaius who offers me his arm.

"Thank you, my knight!" I gush, batting my eyelids.

"As long as you are fine my lady, I shall go back to my duties," he bows then walks away. I stand aghast looking at Gaius.

"What a little toad. He's not a knight. I just said that so he would say something like 'I'm not a knight' and then I would say 'but you are to me.' I had the whole conversation planned in my head," I exclaim at the rudeness of the man. "Now he's going to think I'm stupid enough to think he's a knight."

"I assume you are not injured," Gaius says, mouth pulled in a judgemental side glance.

"Nope. Just practising my acting," I chirp. "I'm going to go wait in Merlin's room."

"Wait for what?"

"For Merlin…" I hesitate. "He went out for something."

"No," he shakes his head. "Merlin's in his room right now."

My gaze snaps to his room, storming up there to see exactly what Gaius said. Merlin lays on his bed, head turned away from the window. He doesn't even look at me as I enter.

"Merlin," I whisper shout at him. "You're supposed to be meeting Arthur."

"I can't do it," he murmurs. I walk up to his side, kneeling down by his face. "The dragon told me that the boy will be Arthur's undoing. I have to let him die."

I don't speak for a moment, biting my lip in thought. I wanted to save the child but would I put his life above Arthur's? It's not my choice to make. "If you think you are doing right then I will support you. But are you sure that he needs to die? Is there no other way?" I wish, not wanting to be responsible for either one's death. Merlin shakes his head. "Okay," I sigh, sinking down to lean against his bedside table. I reach up, brushing the hair from his face as a gesture of comfort, one I know he needs. Merlin needs to know he has people supporting him, no matter his decision.

"Emrys. Emrys. Where are you Emrys? Emrys. Help us. Please. They're coming." The Druid boy cries out to Merlin through telepathy. My stomach drops but I will not go unless Merlin says to. Merlin closes his eyes. "I'm scared, Emrys. They will kill me. Don't do this. Don't ignore me. I know you can hear me. I thought you were my friend. We're the same. I don't want to die. Emrys. Emrys. Emrys!"

I watch as his expression changes into frustration, then determination.

"Let's go," he says, grabbing the things he needs to bring which are on the floor in a corner.

We doge more guards, meeting Arthur at the spot.

"Hey!"

"Where the hell have you been?!" Arthur exclaims.

"Sorry, I found him trapped in by some guards," I say, making an excuse for him, my acting skills on a role tonight. In the corner of my eye, I watch Mordred's gaze narrow on Merlin.

"Well get this grate off, they're coming." Merlin does as instructed, pulling the whole grate off. "If my father asks where I am, I've gone on a hunting trip. You'd better make yourself scarce, or they'll execute you in his place."

"Goodbye, Emrys. I know that someday we will meet again."

I grasp the warlock's hand. "Come on," I urge, running back to the castle. We pass guards and knights who are running out into the city. Even though we are nowhere near the place of interest for them, we make an effort to avoid being seen, not even risking the chance of our heads.

We come to the corridor where we would split ways, a lone guard patrolling through. We hide behind a pillar, waiting for him to go past but my foot slides, hitting a loose rock which irritatingly bounces, echoing off the walls. We are obviously in a hidden area; the guard would be suspicious immediately. Merlin and I stare at each other, hearing the guard's footsteps come closer.

"Who's there!" he calls out, just a few meters away. Merlin grabs me, turning me around so I'm against the pillar, placing his arms either side of me.

"Sorry," he mutters, his lips connecting with my own. My eyes are wide in surprise but close as the guard turns the corner, weapon brandished. Merlin pulls away, feigning surprise.

"Oh!" I shriek, holding my chest with one hand, the other smoothing my hair. "We're so sorry, we thought this corridor wasn't being used."

"We'll leave now," Merlin offers, taking my hand.

"Did you not hear the warning bells?" the guard demands, sheathing his weapon.

"Warning bells?" I ask, hoping I look ditsy. "That's what they are."

"Just go back to your chambers," he commands. We scurry away.

"Nice thinking. People hate public romance," I chortle, thinking back to the Captain America movie. "But let me know beforehand next time."

"Next time?" Merlin laughs.

"With all the trouble you get me into, there will definitely be a next time," I bellow. "Besides, we could start a castle rumour. The two servants with a secret love affair."

"Not sure Sir Leon would like that," Merlin counters, a smirk playing his lips.

"Leon?" I feign confusion.

"I've seen the way you to act around each other," he teases.

"Go to bed Merlin," I bark, shoving his shoulder. He laughs one more time, leaving me to go to my room. I lean against the door, touching my lips. Tomorrow would be our weekly dinner and I would have to face him again.

Waking up, I dress in my usual attire, and set out intending to find Arthur. He's not at the training grounds from what I can see through the window so I set my destination at his quarters next. The castle, unlike yesterday, is calm, the normal routine of the guards and knights back in order. I haven't heard of any news regarding the matter so I assume all went well but I would prefer to hear it from the Prince himself.

I knock on his door lightly.

"Enter," the Prince announces. I push the door open, Arthur seated at his desk looking over paperwork as Merlin is making his bead and cleaning.

"Sire," I greet.

"Elena," the Prince smiles, looking up from his work. "To what do I owe the pleasure."

"I just wanted to make sure for myself that everything went alright last night."

Arthur stands from his desk, walking around the front to lean against it. "Everything went to plan. He is back with his people."

"Thank you," I croak.

"For what?" he questions, frowning.

"Doing what you thought was right, even if you were risking yourself for it. You'll be a great King one day," I tell him, my words true. Arthur bows his head.

"Thank you. Is there anything else you need?"

"No- actually. Is Leon still in charge of delegating the guards' duties?"

"Yes. Why are you interested?" he prods.

"Oh, just have a favour to ask him." I wink at the Prince who stares at me with his mouth open. I wave to Merlin, leaving the boys in peace.

The rest of my day I spent buying the fabric I need for Morgana's new dress. The dress itself is going to be one of the most difficult things I've made but Gwen says to continue to challenge myself. At least if it is terrible, Morgana will not ridicule me. Too soon does the sun fall, meaning I would be heading to Torj's room shortly. Maybe I just shouldn't go. No, that's rude. I have to face him anyway.

Grabbing fistfuls of air in front of me, I force myself out of my room.

"I hate myself," I murmur on repeat all the way to his room. I don't knock, as I never do when expected, just pushing the door open. All three knights sit around the table, dressed in plain shirts and pants.

"Here she is," effuses Castor, holding up his drink. All three of them look to me, beaming, even Leon who is laughing at Castor's childishness. I take my seat across from Castor, digging into the dinner with the others who join in. It seems the worry I felt coming here was pointless as Leon happily engages with me as we have always done.

"And then," I exclaim, throwing my hands up. "She started screaming and threw the clothes back at me," I grumble.

"That's courtiers for you," Leon replies, rolling his eyes.

"The Druid boy escaped last night. Wonder who done it?" Torj thinks aloud.

"Well whoever helped must be smart to evade all those guards," I chirp, taking a sip of my drink.

"Or incredibly stupid," Castor snorts. "They would have been executed on the spot."

"But alas, they were smart. And did not get caught," I argue, throwing a grape at the boy's head.

"And where were you last night huh?" he prompts, leaning forward. "I didn't see you go to your chambers last night."

"First of all, are you spying on me? And second, I was out last night. I have alibies." My voice is serious but the conversation is just a tease, they would never think I actually did it. "And on that note. Leon. I have a favour to ask you," I propose, turning to face his chair which is next to mine.

"Hmm?" he leans forward, taking an interest.

"Well you see, I had an interaction with one of the guards last night that left me pretty salty and I know you're in charge of them and-"

"Which one?" he interjects, frowning.

"One of the two patrolling down near the vault. The pig-nosed one," I describe. "Can you put him with someone horrible. Just for the next month or so."

"What did he do lass?" Torj inquires, letting out a short snort.

"I had a plan, he ruined it, and it made me look stupid," I assert, a hint of sass poking through.

Leon grins. "Anything for you," he says. His arm goes around onto the back of my chair. "I'll put him with Fredrick."

"No! I'll be hearing about it for weeks," Castor complains, sliding down in his chair. "He thinks I love hearing about every detail of his night shifts."

"Deal with it," I sass.

Castor begins another story, where he is conveniently a hero of but it becomes a blur, the only thing I can focus on is Leon's fingers, brushing over my neck, swirling patterns on it. His thumb moving up to where my hair ends, massaging it. I sigh in content, smiling foolishly at Castor, enjoying my night because once again, all is well.

"I mean it," he says, his mouth near my ear. "Anything." He leans back into his chair, neither of the other two knights notice, to busy having a skulling competition.

I look at Leon, like really look at him. His eyes, the blonde curls handing around his face. The way his mouth turns up into a smile as he watches his best friends. Despite their presence, I lean forward, kissing him again. Only this time I don't pull back like I did before. Leon reacts immediately, returning the kiss, his hands pulling me onto his lap. Torj and Castor, who have finished their competition, holler loudly behind me but I only smile more, pulling back to see his reaction. Leon opens his eyes, grinning.

"Elena!" Torj gasps. "Didn't know you had it in you," he cackles, leaning back in his chair. He leans so far back that his legs end up over his head on the ground. I roar with laughter, leaning into Leon for support whose laugh can also be heard in my ear.

This is perfect.