Chapter 24
Merlin and I wait until the cover of darkness but not too late as watching them sleep would likely prove pointless. We get to their chambers and we look around for something to let us look in. I spot a grate up on the wall and point it out to Merlin. Taking the lead, he steps on a table just under it, peering through the gap.
I stand behind him, not trusting the stability of the furniture, ready to catch him if he falls but my head continuously turns down both ends of the corridor, acting as the lookout. While I am distracted by a possible person, a heavy weight falls onto me. I grunt, my hands moving in front of me as some squishes my face.
The table has tipped, and Merlin behind has landed on me. Using me as leverage, Merlin jumps off the leaning table back onto the ground. Heavy footsteps sound from under the door and we both take off, not looking back.
We don't stop running until we reach Gaius' chamber. As we slow to a walk just outside the door, Merlin turns to me, looking at my face oddly.
"Why is one side of you face all red?" he asks. I glare at him in a deadpan.
"Because you sat on me," I grunt, opening the door.
"Sorry," he apologises bashfully. Gaius is up and still waiting for us. "You were right. Poor girl, no wonder she's got a wind problem. You should see what she's got trapped inside her. We have to tell the King."
"Tell the king that's his mate's daughter is actually part fairy? Merlin have you learned nothing over the years," I ask, sitting down at the table with Gaius. "Proof, proof, proof. Or do it all ourselves and they remain none the wiser."
"Elena is right," Gaius agrees.
"But Uther wants Arthur to marry her."
"Then we don't have much time. We have to find a spell that will force the fairy out of her."
"I don't know anything about Sidhe magic," Merlin counters.
"Then it's time we learned."
Gaius sets a heavy book down in front of both Merlin and I. I look at it with disdain, opening it up to the first page. I can barely read the words. They're not blurry or anything but I just can't read them. Even concentrating I have to stare at each word until it actually registers in my brain what the letters are. This is going to be a very long and painful night.
Xx
I've been reading over the same paragraph for the last half hour, hoping that my book doesn't have the answer we need because I'm just not getting anywhere.
"I think my brain is going to burst, and my eyes just pop out of their sockets," Merlin complains, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's like trying to read cursive that you've never trained in.
"Now, don't make a mess over this one," Gaius warns. I lift my head from the table in interest.
"Why? Is it any more useful than any of the others?"
"It's the last one we looked at, and by the ancient law of Sod, it must provide the answer."
"The ancient law of what now?" I ask tiredly.
"There is this potion, created long ago by the witches of Meredor, which if I'm right, will force the fairy out of the girl." He sighs as he reads the potion. "I've no idea how to make it. I've no idea what a lot of these ingredients are."
"Does this mean more research?" I groan. "Because at this point words are even a thing in my brain.
Xx
On the way back to my room, rubbing my eyes roughly in hopes that they could magically feel better a maid stops me.
"Yes?"
"Prince Arthur is requesting your service," she says. "He is in his chambers."
"Oh," I sigh, looking longingly down the corridor which is only one away from my bed. "Alright."
The maid marches onwards and I turn around, sauntering along to my new destination. I just want a nap right now. I don't know if I can emotionally or physically deal with seeing him, but a prince gets what a prince wants.
I knock on his chamber door. Instead of a verbal answer, the door opens from another's hand. I glance up at the Prince.
"You requested me, Arthur?"
"I just wanted to speak with you. I tried to find you earlier, but you weren't in your chambers last night."
"Oh," I respond. "Sorry, I spent most of the night helping Gaius and Merlin with something. What did you need to speak to me about?"
Arthur walks back into his room and I follow silently, closing the door behind me.
"My father is…adamant about this marriage to Princess Elena," he says. I cross my arms, a little upset that he wants to speak to me about this again. I would rather just crawl into bed and wait for it all to be over. If it is over in time, I would love to take up Gwaine's offer to meet him.
"I did say that you wouldn't be able to talk him out of it," I answer. I swallow, knowing that my answer isn't what he wants to hear, nor what I owe to him. "Arthur, if you are really unhappy about this marriage then you need to fight for your choice. Sometimes we don't get what we want but I believe that marriage is something you should be able to have every say in."
"If I had a choice I wouldn't." He leans against the wall, meeting my gaze. "If I marry her, I'd be miserable."
"She doesn't seem that bad, Arthur," I sigh with a small smile. "And she enjoys riding as you do."
"I don't want to marry someone because they can ride," he snaps, though it isn't harsh, or seemingly directed at me. "I want to marry someone I love."
"Don't we all," I muse mournfully. "Arthur, I don't have answers for you but if you want my advice then here it is. This is your life and one day your kingdom. Your father has guided you, but it is up to you to decide how you wish to rule. Don't become a miserable King because of your father's decisions for you."
"And what about you?"
"I'll stand by your decisions as I always have."
Arthur watches me quietly. I wait for a moment for him to say anything more, but I feel like an intruder here in his chambers without a job to do. Like I no longer belong here. I suppose I never did in the first place.
I bow a little in farewell, walking back out of his chambers. I nearly run into a serving girl, the shy one that I bumped into a short while ago as well.
"Sorry," I mumble. She only looks at me with an unreadable expression before scampering off to wherever she was going in the first place. An odd girl, I don't even know her name, but I've seen her enough times in the castle over the years to know that she isn't new.
Xx
A council has been called and I already have a very good idea about what it is going to be. I'm one of the first in with Castor who caught up with me on the way over.
"How are you doing?" he asks in a hushed voice. I don't meet his gaze, my eyes just wandering over the growing crowd.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look it."
"I'm tired."
"Elena," he warns. "Don't lie to me, please. I know this has been hard on you."
"I'll survive. I've survived much worse than this."
Castor doesn't get the chance to retort as Arthur begins speaking, Elena by his side, both decked in formal garments.
"I am honoured to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend, Lord Godwyn, and his wonderful daughter, Elena." If I closed my eyes, I could pretend he was talking about me. The idea makes me huff. "The people of this kingdom are very dear to me. this place is my life. I hope one day to continue the good work of my father, and to make Camelot a place of peace and happiness." The court begins to applaud, and I slowly clap as to not stand out. "It is my sincerest hope that you, Princess Elena, share these dreams. With this is mind…" he bends down on one knee. "I would like to ask you to do me the honour of being my…wife."
Up until this very moment, I thought I would be able to handle it. The heavy hand on a god reaches through my chest, crushing my heart between his fingers as another one pulls down on my stomach. My foot stumbles and I blink rapidly, trying to right myself.
"Elena?"
"Merlin? Can we leave? Please."
"I'll meet you outside."
As the court continues to congratulate Arthur, many remain in the council chambers talking amongst each other in excitement for the wedding that would likely be in a short time. I excuse myself, slipping out through the door followed by Merlin.
Without speaking, the warlock embraces me in a tight hug, my head resting on his chest.
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
"It's ok. The least we can do is make sure Arthur doesn't marry a Sidhe," I say, stepping back. I wipe my eyes with the back on my sleeve in case anybody else decides to exit. "How is Gaius going with the potion."
"We need a stamen of the Dropwort flower. Apparently, they're harder to find than a four-leaf clover."
"And I've never even found one of those," I grunt, breathing slowly to calm myself back down. "We should go now."
Xx
"Elena! I've got it!" A very muddy Merlin stands in the middle of a boggy marsh, his brown arm holding up a bright flower that has escaped the harshness of the environment.
"Thank f-" I being to yell back in relief but my boot finds a particularly boggy patch and it sinks right into it to just below my knee. The momentum and expectation of walking sends me forward, my face slapping against the marshy ground. The mud gurgles as air escapes, creating a vacuum that traps my leg in it. I lift my head, spitting whatever landed in my mouth out. "Today is not my day."
Xx
We return to Camelot by nightfall, the mud now dry and caked on our skin which has earned us looks from all that we've passed but with the flower clutched tightly in Merlin's hands, our only care is about getting it back to Gaius.
"We got it!" Merlin exclaims, bursting into the chambers. Gaius looks over us.
"Grown in boggy and marshy terrain."
"In the middle," I smile sarcastically. "Right…in the middle." I pull up my leg to show him my bare foot. "Lost my good boot to it as well. Arthur better be kissing our arses for this."
"The only thing he'll be kissing is a Sidhe," Merlin retorts with a pursed upper lip.
"You both did a good job. This'll sort things out. Hopefully before tomorrow's wedding."
"Will it hurt her when the fairy leaves?"
"She'll feel like a new person. She probably doesn't realise how much trouble it's been causing her."
Gaius starts working on the potion by himself, not letting either Merlin or myself help since it requires such skill that even Gaius is struggling. I say goodbye to them, knowing I could ask Merlin how everything is going whenever I need to.
Night has well and truly fallen, and I can only hope that I do not run into anybody on my way back to my own chambers. It isn't too far from Gaius' but alas, this day has proven to be the worst I've ever experienced.
Leon and Arthur come out from an adjacent corridor. They stop in their tracks which is right in front of me, forcing me to stop as well. I stand there, in one shoe with mud-caked everywhere on my skin. Half of my face is itchy from where I failed to rub it off beforehand and my entire outfit needs to be thrown out.
"Elena," Leon gapes as Arthur stands there silently, his mouth wide open. "Are you alright?" he steps forward to reach out but holds his hand in the air, not even seeing a clean spot on me to offer comfort.
"Just dandy," I snarl.
"What have you been doing?" Arthur asks, finally shutting his mouth. "Crawling through mud?"
"That's exactly what I've been doing Sire. And I would appreciate it if you let me pass so I could draw myself a bath."
"Why have you been crawling through the mud?" he continues.
"You really don't want to know," I sigh. "I've had a long day."
"Where's your shoe?" Leon this time asks, staring down at my barefoot.
"In the mud," I retort.
"You still look beautiful," Leon smirks, referencing the time he had boils, but I had told him he still looked handsome.
"Watch it, boil boy," I counter, a small smirk playing at my lips, but it doesn't last long as Arthur looks between us with a frown. I step forward to continue walking. "Excuse me."
They move out of the way, not wanting to get mud on themselves and I push through the middle of them, grumbling about how dirty my bath water is going to be.
Xx
Finally clean, I change into a night dress, wringing my hair out in a towel as the cool night air and wet hair don't mix well. I look out of my window, soft orange lights glowing throughout the town. The wedding is tomorrow. So soon. If all goes well with the potion, I will leave in the morning otherwise I would not be able to meet Gwaine in time. I'd be missing the Prince's wedding, but I don't think I can bring myself to attend it anyway. Not after today.
In the reflection of the glass there's a soft blue light. I squint, leaning forward to try and make it out before I realise that it is a part of the reflection. The Sidhe. My heels spin around, and I duck to the side just as a bolt of magic is shot where I was standing. It leaves a burnt mark on the stone.
"Merlin!"
I don't get any immediate reply. He's either awake or distracted but a soft warmth on my arm tells me that he may be facing a similar situation. I barely duck away again in time, the Sidhe striking my bed and the pillow combusts for a moment before completely disintegrating. Now closer to the door I scramble over to it, pulling it shut behind me.
"Elena? The Sidhe!"
"Oh, I know, Merlin."
"I've got the staff, where are you?"
"Running for my life. I'm coming down towards you."
He doesn't answer but I assume he got my message. I sprint down the hallway, risking a glance over the back of my shoulder. The blue light still follows, another bolt of energy shooting from it. I start zigzagging, taking sharp turns. Nobody is wandering the halls at this time of night which I am grateful for since I don't know how I could explain this situation to anybody.
Merlin skids around a corner, a staff in his hand. He points it out behind me just as I reach him, its own bolt of magic shooting out and the Sidhe explodes mid-flight. I hunch over, regaining my lost breath.
"I'm guessing we were caught earlier," I say, standing back up. I glance down the now empty hallway, no sign of the magical being anywhere.
"The potion was destroyed," Merlin says. "Gaius still has the ingredients to make it but it's whether he can make it in time."
"The wedding is in hours," I point out, but my words are not needed. Everybody in Camelot is talking about the wedding. "I'll come back with you." There's no point in going back to my own chambers now, I wouldn't be able to sleep.
The walk back to Merlin's is slow and the night passes over even slower. Now needing our help more than ever, Merlin and I help Gaius with the potion, multi-tasking to the max. Tire doesn't seem to come for me, even though hours ago all I wanted to do is sleep. Being chased down by an angry fairy does get the mind and body pumping for a few hours.
Dawn comes and we still haven't finished but it's nearly there. Merlin leaves for a short time to attend to Arthur who needs help getting ready for his wedding, but I stay with Gaius, keeping my mind occupied. As soon as Elena drinks the potion, my bag is waiting for me in my room and I can set off.
Merlin comes back shortly after and the sun has well and truly risen. We are running out of time. Not to mention I'm still in my nightclothes.
Gaius leans back, looking at the potion.
"That's it?" Merlin asks.
"Done, finished?" I add just to assure myself. Gaius nods.
"Thank goodness for that," Merlin sighs.
"Well, there's one more thing. How are we going to get Elena to drink this with Grunhilda around?" Gaius questions. I pause, not having interacted with her myself so I come up empty with ideas, but Merlin gives a coy smile.
"I think I might know a way."
As Gaius reluctantly goes up to Elena's chambers to lead Grunhilda on, Merlin and I head down to the vaults. It's just as dark and dingy as usual, the complete opposite for a romantic interaction but there is only one way in and out making it the perfect place to hold someone.
"If she agrees to come meet him here, she must be desperate," I note, brushing a spiderweb away from my face.
"Let's hope she is," Merlin adds, sneezing as the spiderweb I brushed away floats under his nose. Gaius enters the vault, looking a little more than worried.
"You look very handsome. Perfect bait," Merlin observes.
"Indeed," I agree. "I'm sure you had all the ladies when you were younger." Gaius does not take me pestering kindly, giving us a scornful eye.
"Merlin, Elena, if this doesn't work, if it seems she is overpowering me."
"We will just watch and wait," Merlin answers.
"Ew," I gag. "I'm not watching that."
"You will rescue me," Gaius corrects sternly, very worried about his oncoming fate. "And if it does work, let us never speak of it again."
"I don't know about you, but I won't ever forget this," Merlin says in my mind. I can practically hear the smirk.
"Oh, I'm on the same page."
We hear footstep coming down the steps just outside the vault. Merlin and I quickly hide in the shadows near the door as Grunhilda enters, leaving the gate open enough that Merlin and I slip out behind it without the creaking of metal.
"Hello, my lover! Oh, what a romantic place. I've been dreaming of this moment," she gushes, walking towards Gaius.
"Me too," Gaius spits out, the discomfort of the situation very visible on his face.
"Longing for this time," she continues, stepping closer to the physician even more.
"Longing," Gaius agrees.
"At last, we two will be as one." Grunhilda puckers her lips, leaning towards Gaius. Gaius finally gives up, running around her, joining us on the other side of the gate. We shut it quickly and Merlin uses a spell to lock it.
Grunhilda shrieks, grasping the bars between her hands. I step backwards out of the way, knocking into the warlock. Her tongue protrudes from her mouth, long and purple just as Merlin had described. The tongue slurps over Gaius' face who stands there, taking it.
"You'll never know what you've missed," she hisses.
"I'll take your word for it," Gaius replies.
Not wasting another the moment, the three of us rush out of there, leaving the woman to cry out in frustration, even casting her own spells on the lock. As we march towards Elena's room where she should still be getting ready, Gaius looks at us sternly.
"Never speak of this again, either of you. That's what we agreed." Merlin and I share an amused look but don't speak in argument, or agreement for that matter. "You've got your staff. When the Sidhe is released, it might not be very happy."
"Don't worry, I'll be ready for it," Merlin assures, gripping the staff tightly.
"You better be ready for me first!"
Grunhilda appears in front of us, this time her eyes filled with anger instead of the lust they were practically dripping with only minutes ago. Merlin uses the staff to attack her and she falls back on the ground but almost immediately she gets back up. I stare at her with an open mouth.
"How…?" I trail off, tilting my head as the pixie is completely unharmed except maybe a little put-off.
"I'll see how long I can hold her off, you better be quick," Merlin tells Gaius. He leaves with the potion, but I stay with Merlin, acting as a distraction as she continues to send blasts her way. She just continues to get back up, sending her own. As one hits her in the face, she falls backwards against a display, knocking a vase to the fall as she screams.
My head spins, looking down the corridor but there's nobody around to hear. As Grunhilda gets back up I drop down, picking up one of the shards that flew in my direction. As she prepares herself for another attack on either Merlin or myself, I through the shard at her. The sharp edge catches her forehead, giving Merlin the distraction he needs. Another bolt of magic is sent from our way towards the pixie and she finally dies, in what I can only describe as dramatic. She disintegrates into a dust pile. I march forward, using my boot to mess the pile up so it doesn't look so obvious to anybody walking by.
"What a resilient bitch!" I exclaim in a hushed voice to the warlock who nods with his own exasperated face.
We run back to Elena's chambers, opening the door. Gaius is sitting next to Elena who looks no different than usual, the full potion bottle still in her hands.
"I'm trying," Gaius whispers. Seriously, Merlin can defeat a pixie and he can't even get a girl to drink something. Taking matters into my own hands, I march forward, taking the vial out of her hands.
"Princess Elena, it's nice to meet you, I'm Elena also but a seamstress," I greet hastily.
"Oh, he-" I cut her off by pinching her nose, tipping the contents of the potion into her mouth. She is forced to swallow in order the breath but immediately passes out. I hand the now empty glass back to Gaius, stepping back as Elena begins to wriggle around as the Sidhe is forced from its home.
The blue light comes out from her and Merlin promptly kills it with his staff before it can do anything else. Elena sits up so fast that I'm afraid is she going to fall forward from her history of clumsiness, but she sits straight and proper.
"Not to worry, my dear. I think you must've fainted," Gaius assures her. "Such excitement."
"Fainted? I feel…amazing," she gasps, standing up from the bed. "I haven't felt this good in years! Where is Grunhilda."
The three of us look at each other but Merlin and Gaius answer at the same time.
"We'll look into it."
"Creepy," I mutter. "But don't worry, I can help you get ready." I smile warmly at her. Gaius stands as well, bowing slightly as he begins to leave. "Merlin." The warlock waits at the sound of his name. "I'm leaving to go visit Gwaine for a few days. Just thought I should tell someone before I disappear."
"Alright," he smiles sadly. "I'm…sorry."
"Don't be."
Elena sits in front of her vanity and I pick up her brush, finally getting rid of the unruly locks. I try to be gentle with her but there are some knots that require more strength than wielding a sword. I don't hold any resentment for Elena: how could I after all this? But it doesn't mean I want to watch her get married to the man I have envisioned myself with. It would be best for everybody if I wasn't here for it.
"I cannot believe I let my hair get into such a state," she huffs, peering into the mirror. I look at her through the reflection. She sighs heavily, turning around to look at me in person. "May I confide in you? I would do so with Grunhilda but she has disappeared and you seem kind."
I frown but don't let it show too much on my face. "Of course, My Lady. I am open ears."
"I'm not sure if I should marry Arthur," she confesses. "Don't get me wrong, he is a wonderful man, but I don't love him."
My lips pull in a sad, tight smile. "I know it isn't my place to say, but I think you should follow what you desire. You may find yourself loving him in the future but that is a gamble. Is that a risk you are willing to bet on?"
She looks back into her mirror, her forehead creasing just above her nose. "I don't know."
After brushing her hair, placing delicate jewels in them and helping her into her wedding dress I can't help but smile at how stunningly beautiful she is.
"Princess, you have never looked better," I gush, straightening out her slight train. "I think you should go now, you wouldn't want to be late for your own wedding."
She nods, tucking some hair behind her ears. "Of course. Thank you." She turns back to me with eyes filled with curiosity. "May I ask, do you know Arthur well?"
"You could say I do," I reply.
"If you were in my position, would you marry him?"
My mouth opens partially as I think of my answer. If I was in her shoes, then yes, I would but if was her then that would require a completely different mindset of thinking.
"I'm afraid you won't like my answer," I admit.
"Then I want to hear it," she presses.
I give in, nodding slightly. My hands intertwine in front of me as I make the mental note to remain professional in my next words. "I have grown up thinking you should marry for love but I understand there are…circumstances where it is not the best choice. So no, if I were you I wouldn't. But it is not me, it is you and you should choose what is most important to you."
Elena nods slowly at my words but she gives no indication of any further thought process. What would my words provide her other than my point of view? Surely she has already thought this through.
"If you do not need me, I shall leave you to be escorted."
"Yes, thank you."
Xx
My fingers tighten the cloak straps, falling down to rest on the top of my satchel that will carry all my belongings for the next few days. I just need…a break. A break from everything and Gwaine's offer is too good to pass up. I'm already risking missing him as I'm leaving on the last possible day that I would be able to cross paths with him, but I know that my feet are capable of walking such distance in a short time. As long as I don't have to run, that is.
Arthur and Elena's wedding is happening right now in the Throne room, most, if not all the castle courtiers attending. I should be done there, supporting him as I said I would. Maybe someone stronger could but don't want to watch it. Once I return though, I would apologise for my absence and go back to being the seamstress and his friend as it always should have been. Maybe even Elena would become a new friend to me as well.
Just as predicted, the castle is pretty much empty minus a few guards and knights wandering around on patrol and other duties. I don't go to the stable, feeling it rude to ask for a horse for pleasure travel without explicit permission from anybody that could give it and I have planned my trip to be on foot anyway.
The day is beautiful, a perfect one for a wedding. And for travelling. The weather is still on the frosty side and I pull my cloak tightly around my arms until my muscles begin to warm from the exercise. Being well and truly out of Camelot's city, I finally let myself cry, not wanting to spill my emotions onto Gwaine when I meet him. He doesn't need to know of the troubles in the kingdom where he was banished from.
Soon the wails leave me though and I'm left with the reality that I'm not the first, or last person to ever go through this and I shouldn't waste my tears on something that could never be in the first place. Besides, Merlin and Arthur come first.