Chapter 21

I have absolutely no desire to open my eyes, tired as ever but whatever I lie on right now is soft and I want to know what it is. Not as soft as my bed but entirely better than the stone I've been stuck on. I groan, or try to. Still, no sound escapes my lips. The desire takes over and I peel my eyes open, a soft and warm light there to greet them. I can hear birds, footsteps and movement nearby.

Gaius' chambers. A long breath escapes me as I sink into the bed, staring up at the ceiling. A safe place. I have a long bandage around my right arm and a few aches, my jaw sore from clenching it, and my head feels heavy but I'm alive.

Castor's unconscious form flashes in my mind and I sit up, looking around the room for him but he's not here. Why isn't he here?

'Merlin!' I mouth, clenching my fist in frustration. Fortunately, said warlock comes down the stairs of his room at this moment. He glances to me off sided but doubles back as he sees I'm awake. My chest shudders a cry and place my feet on the floor, barefoot.

"Elena," he says, pacing over to me. I step forward, diving into his open arms, relishing the feeling because I wasn't sure if I would ever get to hug him again. My fingers grip his jacket tight as his hands rub my back slowly. One moves up to the back of my head, holding it to his chest. "You're okay. Sir Castor is fine as well, Gaius is tending to him right now. He woke up earlier and he's resting in his room. He…told me about what happened. I didn't know he was a Vessel as well."

My breathing calms, knowing that I'm back home and Castor is alive and well. I can relax, eat, sleep. I want to walk in the gardens and soak up the sun, ride along the road and wander through the market. I need to run in the fields, let my legs take my weight and feel the energy pumping through my veins again.

I lean back staring up at my friend. I look at his eyes, those puppy dog eyes, his smile, his ears, his hair. I don't want to forget anything. I don't want to not be able to see my friend again.

"Castor explained that he knows about…you being a Vessel and your time…situation and we think it's best if we came up with a different story for everybody else. He's going to tell Uther that some men captured you and wanted information about Camelot's castle-like the secret passageways." I nod; it would be stupid to reveal to the King what actually happened. "Oh, I have been looking for a counter-spell for the whole voice thing. I haven't found anything yet. I'll keep looking though," he assures quickly. "I'm going to go tell Gaius you're awake, you'll be alright alone?"

'Of course,' I mouth, letting go of his jacket. Merlin smiles, squeezing my arm as jogs out the door. I want to sink back into the bed but there's a stream of light coming through the window that I want to stand in. So I do, gliding over to press myself up against the glass and the warmth dances over me. I look out over Camelot, the people just going about their day normally, as though nothing has happened in the past few days. Though, nothing has to them.

I stand by the window, just taking my home back in again for a while and after some time, the door opens back up again. I turn my head, and I'm greeted not only by Gaius and Merlin but Leon who is fully dressed in chainmail and armour rushing past them, eyes darting around the room until they land on me.

My mouth trembles, eyes becoming wet once again. At this point, I would be frustrated that I'm crying again but I really don't care anymore. We step towards each other, his arms scooping me up and I wrap my arms around his neck, legs lifted in the air and they encircle his waist. My face digs into his neck and I'm sure the tightness of my limbs around him is hurting him but he doesn't say anything. One of his arms wraps under me, holding me up and the other wraps under my arms, his own face leaning up against mine.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbles. He turns around, still letting my cling to him like a koala. "She's ok, right?" he asks somebody, I'm assuming Gaius.

"Yes, she's fine," Gaius answers. "I would like to do some more tests just to make sure. Although, whoever held her captive, uh, gave her something that's taken her voice-"

"Taken her voice?" Leon asks. "What do you mean? Forever?"

"No," he assures. "Merlin and I are working on an antidote and I'm sure we'll have it done soon enough."

Leon walks over to the bed, placing me back down on it as Gaius and Merlin gather some items and come over themselves. I let Leon stand back as Gaius prods me, checking my vitals, eyes and responses. I seem fine. I feel fine. Lorcan wasn't trying to physically maim us permanently, not when he needed one of us to be at our strongest. No, he came for us mentally; making us watch each be brought to what felt like the brink of death.

"As I said," Gaius states. "Elena is fine, exhausted by fine. Nothing that sleep and rest can't heal. You're free to go but don't put too much strain on yourself."

"Thank you, Gaius," Leon says, stepping forward again. I stand up, embracing Gaius who stumbles but returns the gesture, a token of my thanks in the lack of my words, smiling to both him and Merlin as Leon leads me out of their chambers with a hand on my back. "Let's get you back to your room," he says softly but I shake my head. "No?"

I take the hand from my back in my own, guiding him in a different direction. He follows willingly, not asking any more questions. I take him outside, following a path to the royal gardens. There a few workers about, tending to the land and a few courtiers wandering through with company. I slow down once we arrive, taking my time to saunter through the gardens.

Leon lets go of my hand as I bend down, smelling the different scents. I smile at him from my place, kneeling on the ground. He laughs warmly and I rejoice in the sight of the sun on his face and hair, the happy look on his face.

"Which one's are your favourite?" he questions. I stand back up, scanning over the garden until I see them. I walk over, bending down at them, gently brushing my finger over the petals. "Peonies?" he remarks. I raise an eyebrow, wondering how he even knows the name of the flower. I didn't until Esme informed me. He chuckles, shaking his head. "They were my mother's favourite too. Used to grow them everywhere."

He kneels down next to, brushing his fingers over the same flower. I watch him move so gently, hands that are so soft and kind, yet could kill a man within a blink of the eye. A man who has done everything he can for me, without question. A man who's never doubted me, who opened his arms up even after months of being away. A loyal man, not just to me but Camelot, his home. What did I ever do to make this man love me?

His gaze turns back to me and he looks me up and down.

"What's the matter," he asks, concerned.

'I love you,' I mouth. 'So much.'

His confusion morphs into a smile, his teeth showing and small wrinkles next to his eyes outlining them.

"I love you too," he replies. He cups my face, kissing my forehead. "More." Kisses my cheek. "Then." My other cheek. "You." My nose. "Will." My left side of my jaw. "Ever." The other side. "Know." My mouth. I giggle silently, a slight blush appearing on my cheeks. "I'm going to bug Merlin and Gaius until they have that antidote ready so I can hear you say it again," he teases. "I'm surprised they didn't do it to Castor really, he's the one that doesn't shut up. The King wants to speak to you both in a small council once you have both recovered."

I bite my lip but nod in acknowledgment. I'm sure Merlin and Castor have come up with details, so I'll let the knight lead. Merlin didn't say anything about Castor knowing his magic though so at least he's kept that promise.

"You realise you're never going out of my sight again whenever we leave Camelot, right?" he says, but there's a seriousness to his playful undertone. I stand up, holding a hand out for him which he takes, standing tall over me. To answer his insinuation, I initiate another kiss. Something that I just can't get enough of at the moment. "I'll take that as an ok," he breathes.

I visit Castor and he seems fine. Relatively. He's a bit broken down, exhausted just as I am, recovering from the poison. His stomach is wrapped with an ointment on the burn to keep it calm and free from infection. He doesn't talk about the past three days (the length of time we were out there for plus the two days hunting), just general chatter about random topics while I sit on his bed next to him.

"You know, I miss the tavern," he yaks, gazing out his window. "I just need a good tankard of mead." I can't really respond so I just nod mindlessly. There's a knock at the door, breaking Castor from his daydream of alcohol. He opens the door, Merlin peeking through.

"Sorry, I uh, think I found the, uh, remedy for your voice," he stutters. I beam, sliding off the edge of the bed. Obviously, he's found a spell, but Castor 'doesn't know' and Merlin needs to take me away to perform it. Castor smiles as well, gesturing for me to go, giving no indication of any other thoughts.

We go down to Gaius and I sit on the bench. Merlin holds his hand out to me, muttering a spell to quietly for my ears to pick up but his eyes glow golden, a sure sign of magic.

I don't feel any different, but I didn't when the original spell was cast so I cough, preparing to try.

"H-hello?" I test and as soon as the sound comes out, I jump from my seat. "Merlin! You did it!" I shriek, my voice coming out rough and patchy but it's there. "Thank you,"

"Anything for you," he grins but it dimmers soon after. "I'm sorry that we couldn't find you…We tried but your tracks just disappeared, and we stayed out the entire time looking for you. Arthur refused to leave. Harris left to return with a search party; that's the group that found you. It's just…you looked terrible when we found you both. Castor looked on the verge of death. He told Gaius that he was poisoned but you got the antidote in time. I just don't get why someone would go to such lengths to have a Vessel," he gasps.

"Not everybody is as powerful as you, Emrys," I explain teasingly. "Men crave power and we are a source to some people. And the bond needs to be given willingly."

"Couldn't he have just asked nicely?" he sasses. I laugh, the first one in a while.

"The man was insane, Merlin. You should've seen the way he talked. It was like he had two personalities or something." I exhale, letting my shoulders relax. "Thank you, again. The council with Uther is in an hour and I have something I need to do."

"Alright but come back down later to make sure your arm isn't becoming infected," he warns, pointing to my bandaged arm. I nod and exit the chambers.

Leon told me he would be in his chambers, going over some military papers (I tuned out at the sound of paperwork) so that is where I'm headed. I crack his door open looking through. He doesn't notice me, to engrossed by whatever he is reading over intently. I slip inside, walking lightly towards him. I lean over his shoulder, resting my head on it as my arms wrap under his.

He jumps, the paper falling from his hands, a gasp of air comes from his mouth in relief as he sees my face. His head leans back against my shoulder, his hands resting on my arms around his stomach.

"And you yell at me for scaring you," he teases.

"Sorry," I say, smirking. His head snaps to look at me, leaning back so our faces aren't so close. "Merlin got the antidote," I explain. "Worked like a charm."

"Hmm. Maybe I was getting used to silence. I didn't have to hear you rant about how a certain courtier is rude," he squints, face morphing into slight irritation. I scoff, leaning back and slap his shoulder lightly.

"Well then, you'll just never get to hear me say it again," I counter, crossing my arms.

"Say what?"

"I'm not falling for that," I chide. He chortles, wrapping his hands around my waist, dragging me onto his lap.

"I love you," he says. "I even love hearing you rant constantly."

"Fine," I huff, failing to hide my smile. "Then I love you," I finish 'matter-of-factly'. "And I would love to stay and watch you…read," I cringe, "but I have to speak with Castor again now that I can actually communicate."

I leave, entering Castor's room across the hallway.

"So, here's the story," he begins.

"If I have been informed correctly, Sir Castor, both you and Elena were kidnapped by a group of men who were trying to get information on Camelot's secret tunnels and passageways?" Uther questions. We are in the presence of the small council, including Geoffrey, some of the older knights, Leon and other royal advisors.

"Yes, Sire," Castor answers. "Elena had a knife hidden and we were able to unlock ourselves and fight our way out of the rest. They are either dead or scattered out."

"And did you give them any information that could aid them?" one of the advisors asks. We shake our heads.

"No, both Elena and I stayed silent the entire time. Elena even had someone silence her with an elixir that cut off her voice," Castor defends. Uther frowns as he looks at me.

"Why would they do that if they wanted information?" he queries, spotting a small hole in the story.

"I was screaming at them, Sire," I answer. "Not giving them anything but they would have given me an antidote if I were ready to speak. But I was only just released from its doing an hour ago, so you can be sure nothing escaped my lips."

Uther seems pleased with my answer, nodding slowly in thought.

"What realm did they belong to?" Leon asks. I realise we have had to lie to him as well. "Did you see anything that could signify where their allegiance lies? Not only did they capture you but they were in Camelot's land."

"We do not know, they wore no house sign, crest, or had any armour that could tell us. They were dressed plainly. Possibly even bandits that wanted access to whatever is stored in the castle," Castor replies.

"The guards searched the area you were found but there was nothing close by to let us track them," the same advisor from before asks. "Would either of you be able to retrace your steps?"

Castor and I share a glance, not sure what our answer should be.

"I'm sorry, My Lord," I respond. "We walked quite a while after escaping. Castor was in no state to take notice and I didn't know the area. It was only but luck that we were found."

"Thank you. Camelot owes you for your loyalty," Uther offers. "I'm sure you are still in need of rest so I will not keep you any longer."