Chapter 28

"What has you in such a good mood this morning?" I ask Gwen. The smile hasn't left her face since I ran into her as we both headed to the laundry rooms. I want whatever she is having.

"Lancelot," she says, smiling even wider but shyly, ducking her head down. Her curls frame her face elegantly. "I got a letter from him yesterday."

A knowing smirk parades on my own face, wide and toothy. "A love letter?"

Gwen laughs, blushing but doesn't deny it. "I suppose you could call it that. He wants to visit me, but he thinks coming back to Camelot isn't a good idea."

"Why don't you visit him then?" I suggest, shifting the weight of my basket to look at her as we walk. Gwen purses her lips, shaking her head.

"No, I can't leave Morgana. I have duties here."

Not having an argument to that (well, one that she would want to hear) I leave it, though it saddens me to see her so smitten with a man that she cannot even see. My heart begins to break after not seeing Arthur for a few hours. It's been over two years for her, yet her heart still longs for him.

As we round a corner into an open corridor, another man, the same brown skin tone as Gwen stops in his path, staring at Gwen.

"Gwen?" he gasps. My head turns to Gwen who is holding the same shock on her face.

"Elyan?"

The laundry basket drops from her hands and the two run to each other, locking in the other's embrace tightly. I feel a little awkward standing there, watching them both and having no idea what is going on.

To give myself something to do in their reunion – whatever type it is, I bend down, picking up the clothes that have fallen from her basket.

"Where have you been?" Gwen questions. "Why are you here?"

The man doesn't answer for a moment, just breathing heavily. "I…I thought about writing a letter to you, but I didn't think it was right. I'm sorry for not coming after father's death." Ah, so he is Gwen's brother. I never knew she had one. "I wasn't sure what to say."

"No matter, you're here now," Gwen says. I can hear the emotion she hides behind her voice and I have no choice but to stand back up now that Gwen's basket is neat once more. Gwen notices my presence. "Oh, Elena. This is my brother Elyan. Elyan, this is Elena, a seamstress and one of my friends."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the man says, sending a sincere smile to me. I give one back, nodding my head in greeting.

"You as well." Finally, I feel as though it isn't awkward for me to slip away so I smile once more at the each of them. "I'll let you two catch up then."

The rest of the day is uneventful, and I can feel Merlin's presence running all over the place. Arthur must be making him train for a marathon. I also promise Leon and Castor to have dinner with them this evening, an almost forgotten tradition. While our nights together are still…joyful, there's a lost innocence in them. Even Leon who is oblivious to the evils currently lurking only a few corridors away can sense the unrest. But we push on, drowning out those thoughts in laughter and good food.

As the night comes, I haven't seen Arthur or Merlin all day. I should be meeting in Castor's room shortly but a quick visit to the Prince and warlock before the days end. It's unusual for me not to see either of them at least once a day, especially considering we are all in the same space.

I let the bond guide me, my feet doing the work as my head envisions the food I'm desiring for dinner. I had expressed my love for chicken to Leon as we met today, hoping that he would catch the hint and source us some since he said he would organise it.

Unexpectedly, I find myself coming down the spiral staircase leading to the antechamber of the Throne Room. I walk quietly down, peering over the side as Merlin helps Arthur put on a white robe, one that I've never seen before. The Prince's feet are bare, something I've also never seen outside his room.

Arthur enters the Throne Room just as I come into sight. Merlin smiles at me, a silent greeting and I get the message that we probably shouldn't be talking. I perk an eyebrow in question, eyes flickering over to the door.

Merlin gestures me over and I walk up next to him, following his lead as he pokes his head through the gap he's left in the door. I poke my head through, eyeing the scene with curious eyes. Arthur is kneeling on the floor near the throne, the entire room empty except for him.

"What on earth is he doing?" I whisper to Merlin.

"Thinking," he replies in the same volume.

"We all know how dangerous that is for him," I snort. Merlin can't help but snigger at my comment and we are forced to move away from the door, shutting it so out voices won't be heard. "What is he thinking about?"

Merlin's face returns serious, glancing back at the door. "He has to decide upon a quest."

"What? Well, why is he kneeling then? Isn't there some…catalogue he can choose from or something?"

Merlin's mouth opens with a tongue in cheek, his eyes staring up at the ceiling as he tries (but fails) to hold in another round of laughter. "He has to transcend his body so that the quest is revealed to him in a vision."

"A vision?" I ask incredulously. "Do you think if I go whisper in his ear that he'll think it's a spirit talking to him?"

"Elena," Merlin sighs exasperated. "This is one of the most important days in a prince's life."

"How long is he going to be there for?"

"All night I think," Merlin shrugs.

"And you're going to wait with him?" I question in disbelief.

"Of course," he answers in an obvious tone. I raise my forehead in an 'if you say so' way as I sigh.

"Well, I have something to be at, but I'll come back in the morning if you're still here."

Xx

"So, Arthur is in the Throne Room currently," I say. I do admit, the sight was a little bit amusing to watch. It was just so…serious that I can't help but find it funny. But I would never say so in front of Arthur. I do have some respect for him. Oh, who I am kidding, I respect him more than I know. "Waiting for this vision to be shown to him."

"I never understood that ritual," Castor says, drinking his wine.

"It's important," Leon argues. "For the future King to prove himself. To show that he is worthy of the throne, he must complete it by himself."

"By himself?" I snort, biting into my chicken. "Arthur never goes anywhere without Merlin."

"Or you for that matter," Castor snickers.

"I tag along to follow Merlin," I defend. "He just so happens to follow Arthur. It's a chain."

"Sure, I'll pretend I believe that," Castor drawls, giving me a half glare.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I scoff, leaning forward onto the table. Castor returns the gesture, giving me an accusing look. Leon looks between us stiffly.

"I feel like I'm missing out on something here," he observes slowly. I roll my eyes, leaning back against the chair. Castor follows suit but crosses his arm, tilting his head towards Leon.

"It's nothing," I say, not wanting to bring the topic of Arthur up like this in front of him. Castor scoffs loudly, rolling his own eyes.

"It's not nothing," he states. "Leon's going to find out about it someday, may as well let him be one of the first to know." I glare at him, licking my teeth behind shut lips. I didn't want to say anything to Leon. I don't know how he will feel about it, and it's not like Arthur and I are parading anything around. In fact, the complete opposite.

Leon's interest perks even higher, shuffling himself in his seat. "What don't I know?" I don't answer and Castor gives me a pressing look. My mouth stays shut. "Elena, is something wrong?"

I turn my head away, not wanting to give in, but my efforts are proven useless as Castor takes it upon himself. "Prince Arthur and our darling Elena here are in love."

I can't even begin to describe the panic that settles in my stomach. It gurgles as I wrap my hands around my stomach. The panic of Leon's reaction numbs under the rising anger I hold towards Castor at this moment.

"Elena?"

That was Leon. I snap my head back towards the knights, but I hold my eyes from falling on Leon, instead, sending daggers towards the man I call my brother.

"That wasn't your place to tell," I snap feeling the anger dripping from my tongue.

"He was going to find out anyway!" he defends, just as angry as me. How dare he be angry when it is his fault!

"You don't understand," I cry. "It's not something I want to be paraded around. And neither does Arthur!"

"Leon's not going to tell anybody!" he says, rising from his chair, shoving a finger in the other knight's direction. I follow his hand, looking at Leon for the first time. There's a swirl of emotion playing on his face. Confusion, lost.

"That's not the point!" I wail, standing up myself, the chair screeching across the floor. "Nothing can happen between Arthur and me. If this gets out…Arthur will be shamed! And who knows what would happen to me."

"You told me!"

"That's different!"

"And this is different too!" he shrieks, moving around the table to walk closer to me. my chest heaves, hard tears running down either side of my cheeks. "He deserves to know because he still loves you!"

My chest caves in, not rising again. My mouth hangs open as Castor's expression changes within seconds. The anger rooted in the lines of his skin smooth out and his jaw loosens. Everything I thought I knew just jumps out of the window. I had entertained the idea in my mind before, but I never believed it to be true.

There's another screeching of a chair against the ground, heavy footsteps thundering across the room, the door banging against its hinges. I stand motionless as Castor disappears from my vision, following the other sound, leaving me alone in the room. Another door opens and shuts, and an educated guess would say it belongs to Leon's chambers.

Finally, I break from my trance, spinning on my heels I rush out the door. Just across the hall, I can hear muffled but raised voices from Leon's room, but I can't bring myself to speak to either of them.

I need a Merlin.

Knowing exactly where he is, I jog through the castle, wiping my face with the back of my hand through the almost empty hallways. I reach the antechamber, Merlin sitting against the wall, still half awake. I try to be quiet coming down for Arthur's sake by my choked sob echoes down.

Merlin looks up, standing as he sees me.

"Elena," he whispers. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, falling into his chest to hide my face, wrapping my arms around him. His long skinny arms encircle me, pulling my tight to him. I don't want to speak. There's been too much of that tonight. I'm exhausted and the thought of sleep sings to me like a siren.

I calm my breathing down but don't pull away from the warlock, soaking up the comfort he can offer me.

"I don't like seeing you upset," he says, pulling his head back. "Is there something I can do?"

I lean back as well, my head falling back to look up at him. "Can you turn back time?" Merlin sucks his lips sadly, shaking his head. "So much for the most powerful sorcerer then," I tease, managing a pathetic laugh.

"Thanks," he replies, tightening his hold.

"I'll stay here with you," I say. "I don't want to be alone."

"We've got a long night ahead of us," he warns but I can tell he wants the company as well.

"Well, we better get comfortable then," I retort.

We sit on the ground, leaning against the wall as he was before. Merlin's legs are spread in front of him, his arm wrapped along my shoulders. I hold my legs to me, leaning against the warlock and my eyes stay glued to the Throne Room door.

Merlin drifts off before I do, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. I feel horrible for Leon. I can't believe Castor would just blurt something like that out to me and in front of Leon no less. He's probably humiliated, angry, frustrated. I owe it to him to speak to him tomorrow. I just don't know what to say.

Xx

In the morning, I awake from a foot hitting my arm. Merlin and I have fallen through the night and it is the warlock's boot that wakes me as he scrambles to get up. My heart beats fast as I pull myself up to, my cheeks beet red as the King spares us a glance. The King and his entourage open the door to the Throne room, Merlin and I following in silently after them.

Arthur is still kneeling, exactly how I last saw him but his trance finally breaks as Uther lays a hand on his shoulder.

"It is time." Arthur stands, albeit a little shakily. "What is the quest you have chosen?"

"I can see but one path, sir. I am to enter the realm of the Fisher King and find the golden trident spoken of in the legends of The Fallen Kings."

"You understand that if you are to prove yourself worthy of the throne, you must complete this task alone and unaided."

"I do."

Xx

"What's the legend of the Fisher King?" I ask Gaius as we eat breakfast in his quarters. Merlin stuffs his face ravenously. I eye him to the side in disgust.

"He was a sorcerer who lived many hundreds of years ago," Gaius answers, also giving Merlin the same look.

"And?" Merlin prompts with his mouth full of food.

"Legend has it he was wounded in battle. The wound festered and the infection spread, not just through his body, but through his lands as well. His mighty kingdom was reduced to a wasteland, and it has remained that way to this very day.

"I don't understand. Why is Uther so worried?"

"Some believe the Fisher King's still alive, kept from death by his magic."

"Do you?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But the people of the north call the area The Perilous Lands. Few who have ever ventured there have lived to tell the tale."

"The Perilous Lands?" I say with a sigh. "How enchanting that sounds." Merlin reaches out to my plate, pointing at my untouched bread.

"Can I have that?"

I look at him bewildered but nod and the whole plate is taken away from me, the bread only lasting a few more seconds before being scobbled down.

"Merlin, please slow down," I say in concern. "You're going to vomit if you continue."

"I'll be fine," he dismisses, grabbing a handful of berries, throwing them back in his mouth. I stare at him in wonder, watching the food disappear within seconds.

Merlin is not fine, though I give it to him as he hasn't vomited but ever since breakfast he's been plagued by the hiccups. I follow him to Arthur's chambers, curious as to what the Prince is doing. And he'll be leaving soon so I want to spend time with him before he does.

Merlin begins his morning jobs and Arthur makes himself busy at his desk, a plethora of papers disarrayed along the desktop. I kneel down next to him, crossing my arms on the table, watching silently as he sorts through the papers.

I want to ask what everything is, but he's so lost in it, he probably doesn't even realise I'm here. They look like maps, but none of them are the same. Other's are filled with words – probably to do with the legend.

My doubts that Arthur is even aware to my presence disappears as his left-hand holds up a paper, looking at it intensely but his right arm drops, resting on my back, his thumb rubbing softly. I smile up at him. His eyes stay glued to the paper, but I see the hint of his own smile.

It drops though, as Merlin's hiccups ring through the air as he makes Arthur's bed. Arthur drops the paper and Merlin peers over his shoulder.

"I ate too quickly," he defends, going back to his work. Arthur sighs, going back to his work but another hiccup sounds.

"Merlin…" he growls.

"I can't help it."

"I need to concentrate." Merlin nods, going back to the bed which he finishes, looking proudly at it but an even louder hiccup comes from him. "I'm trying to prepare for one of the most important moments in my life." Arthur looks down at me. "You're not helping either you know."

"I'm not doing anything!" I huff, standing back up. His hand drops as I do, going back to his paperwork. Merlin walks over, looking over the maps as well.

"All these maps-" hiccup "-none of them are the same."

"Well done, Merlin," Arthur says condescendingly. "Do you know why?"

"No."

"Because hardly anyone's ever been there."

"Couldn't you have chosen something a bit easier?" Merlin asks.

"I agree," I say. "The Perilous Lands sound a bit…dangerous. Don't you think?"

Arthur rolls his eyes in disbelief. "I'm meant to be proving my worth to the people. A quick trip to the lower town to collect a bundle of herbs probably won't cut it."

"Maybe I should come with you," the warlock muses.

"Don't you listen?" I tease. "He has to do this alone."

"At least one of you gets it," Arthur sighs. "It's been that way for hundreds of years. It's not about to change for you. Now, if you don't mind, I have some important preparation to do."

Merlin, who has thick skin, take it as it is as just continues working, still hiccupping along the way. I laugh silently as I watch Arthur's frustration grow with each sound from his servant. I stand behind him, resting my hands on his shoulder and begin massaging his muscles.

"Just breathe," I tell him, bending down so my words only reach him. "Merlin only fusses because he cares."

"I know," he agrees. "Too much for his own good."

"You've got that right." He rolls his head around as I push my fingers into his muscle, his eyes closing. I smile, bending down to kiss his forehead. His eyes open back up as I straighten. He twists around, his hands finding my waist, drawing me to him. I let him pull me closer as one hand lifts from my waist to my neck, guiding me down.

Our lips join tenderly, moving softly as the world around us disappears. I can't believe he's old enough to do so in front of Merlin but then again, he probably realised that his servant already knows. Forbidden and daring, a match that makes my heart shudder.

"I thought you had some important preparation to do?"

I jump away from Arthur, looking up at Merlin who is watching with a cheeky grin. Arthur leans forward, picking up the empty goblet on his desk, throwing it at the boy. He ducks out of the way laughing.

"He's right," I giggle. "I've got something I need to do anyways."

Arthur nods, sending me a smile as I walk back out of his chambers, giving Merlin a playful glare as I do. Leon is my next destination, that is if I can find him during the early morning. He might already be on duty.

Maybe it's luck, or maybe it's fate but I see the knight walking along a corridor with no other knights in sight. My feet hesitate now, seeing him but I know that I can't leave this to fester in either of our minds too long. It would only grow rotten.

"Leon!" I call out before I can change my mind. The knight turns around, but his head turns to look out a window as soon as he sees me. I force my legs to take me forward to him. "I'm sorry, about last night."

"No," he shakes his head. "I'm sorry. Castor…shouldn't have said anything. Hell, I shouldn't have told him in the first place." He laughs at is own actions and I can see the sense of shame and regret swirling in them.

"I-I don't want to lose you," I choke out. "We've been through this once and that was hard enough."

He shakes his head again, now looking at me in the eyes. "Me either." I don't know what else to say. "Arthur…" he trails off and I wait patiently for him to finish, my heart beating fast. "He's a good man."

"He is," I agree wholeheartedly.

Though I don't want to end this conversation, it seems neither of us has anything else to say. He gives me one last tight-smiled nod before turning around, continuing on his original path.