CHAPTER FIVE
Summary: Finding herself one thousand years back in the past and in the legendary Kingdom of Camelot was something Hermione had never seen coming. But with no possible way back to the future and being stuck in the past, Hermione had no option but to form a new life for herself, and hopefully without changing the timeline. Unfortunately, matters of the heart cannot be controlled and she finds herself entwined in the lives of Prince Arthur and the great and powerful sorcerer, Merlin. Hermione x Arthur pairing.
Disclaimer: I do not own canon events and characters, they belong to J.K Rowling and the creators of Merlin, and the BBC. I am not making a profit from writing and posting this fanfic. I'm also making some big changes to the Merlin plotline so don't be surprised that nothing matches with canon. If I'm being honest, it's been years since I last saw the series, so I'm mostly going off what I remember and episode reviews and notes. And I've decided Arthur won't be dying.
Page count: 8
"Enter," Hermione called, being buried in her storage room by the moss and firewood William had collected for her.
He'd dropped it off earlier in the evening and left without saying a word. Hermione knew it would pass, he much reminded her of Harry in that regard. Hearing the door opening and closing and the footsteps that followed, Hermione made sure the door to the storage room was closed before flicking her wrist, the moss and firewood being sorted into nicely stacked piles.
She grabbed the jar of healing paste she needed and being satisfied, she stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her, turning to see that not only was seven-year-old Brom right where she'd left him waiting for her, but Prince Arthur stood in the room, too, leaning against her remedies cabinet with his arms crossed over his chest casually.
She blinked in surprise and forced down a blush when she noticed he'd changed out of his chainmail and armour and now only wore a partially buttoned white shirt and black breeches tucked into his leather boots. Similarly, she noted him taking in her own clothing choice despite not having changed since the last time he'd seen her. If he thought she was odd, he didn't show it.
"Prince Arthur?" She questioned, crossing over to Brom and giving him a reassuring smile when he looked at the healing paste nervously.
"Just Arthur," he corrected.
"I am sorry, I've been kept quite busy today," she said, speaking of the fact she'd dealt with quite a few cuts, scrapes and lacerations that the villagers had acquired. "I'll be with you in a moment, I just need to finish attending to Brom."
She turned her eyes from the handsome Prince and back to the young boy, scooping some of the healing paste on to her fingers and rubbing it into both his knees and then his palms.
"You must be careful, Brom," Hermione scolded lightly. "Now, off you go, I'm sure it is well past your bedtime and your mother will want to tuck you in before retiring for the night herself."
"Thanks, Hermione," he said, hopping down from the table with Hermione's help and he rushed out of the door, leaving Hermione and Arthur alone.
Hermione cleaned her hands on the cloth and turned to face him. "So, Arthur, what can I help you with?"
He pushed himself away from the cabinet and approached her, stopping on the opposite side of the table.
"I apologise for visiting at such a late hour," he started and paused, apparently deciding his next words but not being sure how to say them.
Hermione smiled. "Have you eaten yet?"
"I'm sorry?" He questioned.
"Have you eaten?" She repeated. "I know it has been a long and trying day and having food in the stomach is always a help. Take a seat," she gestured to the small table in the kitchen area.
Tilting his head slightly, he nodded once and silently crossed over to the small wooden table, taking a stool on one side. He watched as she pottered about, quickly heating up whatever was in the pot and she fixed some tea, placing the steaming wooden cup and matching bowl before him along with a spoon and a small bread roll.
"I am sorry I cannot offer you more, we've been short of supplies as of late and Kanan attacking and taking our food and grains most certainly doesn't help."
He looked down at the offerings, noting the portion size hardly compared to what he'd get back at Camelot, but he knew of the village's circumstances. So for her to barely have any resources and to offer to share them with him, showed just how kind and selfless she was.
"Have you eaten yourself?" He asked, not wanting to take food that she had planned on eating for herself.
Looking down at the broth before him, he realised it was likely what she'd be taking to the huts that had children and families. Each time she existed a hut, it was clear to him the load of the large pot lightened each time until she was no longer struggling to carry the heavyweight. She'd been sharing her food with half the village.
Looking to her, he looked past the beautiful, soft features of her face and frowned slightly, seeing that although she was far from being malnourished and starving, her eyes were a little sunken and her cheekbones did stand out more than they should. How hadn't he noticed it before? He also spied the cut on her cheek and it looked a lot better than it had earlier, as did her lip.
"I have eaten," she nodded. "As our resources are limited, we eat what we need to sustain us and nothing more. I'm not accustomed to large portions of food and haven't been for a couple of years, if I'm being honest. As such, I eat less than the others and whatever I can't eat, I give to the children. I know their families struggle to feed them and I help in any way I can. Children require more food than adults as they are still growing and need to do so safely. So, please, eat. I have some more left if I find myself hungry during the night. The rabbits were caught last night and were prepared earlier in the day."
Slowly, he nodded his head, dipping the spoon into the broth and bringing it to his mouth, watching for any tell that she was lying to him and that she was, in fact, hungry. He saw none as she smiled at him and lifted her tea to her mouth, taking a delicate sip, her eyes closing briefly and her mouth pulling into a smile.
He was surprised to find the broth had more flavour to it than he'd thought it would. It was by no means to the standards of the kitchens at the castle, but with the little resources she had that was understandable, and still, she'd made a tasty dinner. After a few more spoonfuls, he reached for the tea and took a cautious sip, surprised to find it tasted like nothing he'd ever had before, it seemed to warm him up from the inside, his muscles relaxing from a long day of training villagers and he all but slouched in his seat.
Hearing a chuckle, his eyes darted to the pretty woman opposite him, finding her smiling at him knowingly.
"What is this tea?" He questioned. "It's wonderful."
Hermione's mouth twitched into a secret smile. She knew she wasn't supposed to change the timeline but she hadn't been able to resist a mug of chamomile tea. Rather, she'd put her own twist on it, using ingredients that shouldn't be used, altering the taste and improving its purpose. Rather than the earthy apple taste one would associate with it, Hermione had added berries and something similar to cinnamon, an ingredient used in the making of fire whiskey and butterbeer, which is what gave the feeling of it warming you up from the inside out. It was certainly useful in the winter months.
"Thank you, it took me months to perfect it."
"You created this?" He asked surprised.
"I did," she nodded, lifting the cup to her mouth and taking a sip. "So, Arthur, what is it you wish to speak to me about. Anything you say to me is confidential and I shan't share it with anyone else without your expressed permission."
He watched her for a moment before deciding to trust her with his thoughts.
"I'm worried," he admitted nervously.
It wasn't like him to admit his concerns aloud, especially when there were others present, but he had the feeling that he could talk to her and she'd listen without interrupting, she'd let him say what he had to without becoming angry or upset. She had a calm nature, being around her was like a balm that soothed his worries and concerns.
"I'm listening," she said, putting down her tea but keeping her hands folded around it for warmth and she looked directly at him, giving him her full attention.
"I fear that no matter if we had weeks to prepare, the villagers will not be ready to fight and defend their land and homes. We have a matter of days before we are expecting Kanan to return and he will bring more men than previously. I fear that no matter what I do or how long and hard I train them, it will all be for nought and we will fail," he confessed, looking down into the hot liquid of the tea in his cup.
"Is that all?" She questioned and he nodded. "Very well, you are right to have fears and concerns, Arthur," she started softly and he looked up to her in surprise, having expected her to tell him otherwise. "I won't lie to you, I'm worried, too. I know you are working hard to teach these people all you can in the little time you have, but you have to be mindful that these people are not Knights. They are farmers and bakers and fishermen. They have never held a sword in their lives and I know that is not your fault, I know you only wish to arm them the best you can, but that's not possible. You can't teach them to fight in a matter of days."
"Then what do I do?" He asked, sounding tired even to his own ears. When was the last time he'd had a decent night's sleep?
"They won't be able to fight as well as you, so we look at this from another viewpoint," she replied and he tilted his head curiously. "Not offence but defence. Work to their strengths. The villagers know this land better than anyone, they will know where we can strategically place traps to either slow Kanan down or incapacitate his men. If we are able to sneak into his camp and steal his supplies, that will not only give the villagers what they lost, but hungry and angry men are hard to control. And it is easy enough to create explosions of which can be thrown in the direction of Kanan and his men. In fact, I have everything we would need right here."
He blinked in surprise before a smile spread across his face.
"You have a brilliant mind, Hermione," Arthur commented, finding himself feeling rather proud of her ideas.
"Thank you, you're not the first to tell me that. Is William giving you any trouble?"
"He doesn't like me," he nodded, returning to his broth.
"Please don't take it personally, Arthur. It's not you but rather what you are, royalty. He has his reasons and I'm not going to betray his trust, but I assure you, he's not a bad person. Truly, he isn't. He has a temper and sometimes he sees the world in black and white, there is no in-between for him. I had a discussion with him earlier in the day but I see it was for nought," she sighed, pushing her wild hair over her shoulder and his mouth twitched when she let out a puff of air to blow a fallen strand out of her face. "Not to worry, next time I shall warn him that if he does not reign in his emotions, he'll feel my foot up his backside even in death."
A startled laugh left him, having not expected such a threat to come from the young woman, or any woman at all. Though he admitted it was a good one and he'd be using it in the future, likely in regard to his idiot manservant, Merlin.
"I'm sorry," she said, looking sheepish and remembering that he was still a Prince. "I grew up surrounded by boys and I suppose I've picked up some of their bad habits."
"Do you have brothers?" He asked curiously, wondering if he could learn more about her past and possible status.
She was definitely not from a poor village, of that he was sure, and she was too well-spoken and educated to have been a servant or a slave. Did she come from nobility? A part of him, deep down inside, was hoping that she did.
"Yes and no," she responded, sipping at her tea. "I was an only child but a good friend of mine had five older brothers and one younger sister, so they were more like my siblings, too, given how much time we spent together. Myself, Ronald and our other best friend, Harry, were inseparable and we had been since we were children. His parents were lovely people and always made sure Harry and I felt as though we were part of the family. For Harry it was important as he never knew his parents; they were killed when he was a baby. Now, he's grown up and I imagine taking over the duties of House Potter."
House Potter? That sounded as though he had a noble title.
"Is he of nobility?" He asked slowly.
"Yes, a Lord. As are Ronald's parents, Lord and Lady Weasley."
Arthur did his best to call forth the names but he honestly couldn't remember ever hearing of them, so they must be nobility in Hermione's previous Kingdom. Given he knew the majority of the noble families in the surrounding Kingdoms of Camelot, Hermione's Kingdom was likely a distance away.
"And you?"
"Me?" She questioned.
"Are you of noble blood?"
She smiled at him. "I think you should retire for the evening, Arthur. We don't know when Kanan will attack and we all need to be well-rested when he does."
His brow furrowed, why did she avoid the question? A simple 'yes' or 'no' would've sufficed.
"Do you have accommodations for the night?"
"Yes," he answered.
"Excellent, then I shall see you in the morning. Goodnight, Arthur."
That was his cue to leave.
"Goodnight, Hermione," he responded, standing from his stool and Hermione followed after him, showing him out.
As he walked away, he peered over his shoulder and Hermione gave him a small smile before she shut the door.
~000~000~000~
It was around midday when Arthur next saw Hermione.
After the villagers rose early and gathered, Arthur had explained the new plan of action and he wasn't that surprised when the villagers had seemed impressed by it. They'd immediately set to work, some making a start on the traps, others scouting for the perfect locations to set the traps and the rest continuing with their fight training with whatever weapons they could find, mainly pitchforks and brooms that had the ends broken off and sharpened into pikes.
He'd caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and like the previous day, she was carrying a large pot in her hands and he noticed this one was a little larger than the other had been and she was clearly struggling with the weight. Without thought, he left the training villagers without explanation and jogged towards her, falling into step beside her. She startled slightly but otherwise gave him a smile.
"Hello, Arthur," she greeted. "And how has your morning been?"
"Well, thank you, and yours?"
"Busy," she replied, letting out a huff and blowing a strand of hair out of her face.
"Let me get that for you," he said, reaching for the handle on the pot and taking it from her even as she protested.
He was surprised by how heavy it actually was; feeling the strain on his muscles and he almost dropped it in surprise. How had she even managed to lift it, let alone carry it from her home?
"Where to first?" He questioned.
She gave him a none too pleased look but otherwise led him to the first hut. He took it as a win. They visited several of the villager's homes, Hermione ladling a decent amount of broth into the smaller pots they held out to her and when she informed him they were done, she headed for the group of training men and women, pulling out a selection of cups, bowls and spoons from a satchel he hadn't noticed her carrying until now. Each of the men and women came forward, accepting the cups and bowls gratefully before taking a break and eating lunch.
"Thank you for your help, Arthur," Hermione said. "I admit it didn't take quite as much time as it did yesterday thanks to your aid."
"You're welcome," he smiled, accepting the bowl and spoon she held out to him in offering.
"Well, I'll leave you to your lunch. I've a few things to finish before I can make a start on those handheld fire explosions," she smiled.
She turned and made to leave but found herself stopping when she heard two female voices she didn't recognise.
"Is this her, Arthur?"
Hermione slowly turned around, seeing the annoyed looked Arthur was currently sending one woman whilst the other looked amused.
The first woman had beautiful pale skin, dark green eyes and long, dark brown hair that had been pulled back from her face in an intricate braid. She was smaller than Hermione but only slightly and she held herself tall and regally. The second woman had dark skin and her hair pulled back from her face and tied in a knot at the back of her head. Her eyes were a dark brown, Hermione spied a little mole by the right side of her nose and she was the smallest of the group, she'd put her around five-foot-three. Both women were beautiful in their own right, one striking and regal, the other soft and unknowing.
"Excuse me?" Hermione questioned politely.
Arthur grumbled beneath his breath but judging by the looks he was sending the women she understood it was them it was aimed at and not her.
"Hermione, this is Morgana and Guinevere..."
Hermione froze, her breath leaving her. She was stood in the presence of the darkest sorceress to have existed and the future Queen of Camelot, Arthur's soon to be wife.
Her eyes darted between them carefully. Morgana, if she was travelling with Merlin and Prince Arthur and he wasn't yet married, she knew it was likely Morgana hadn't yet turned to the dark side. As for Gwen, Hermione knew that Arthur married young and after his father died, and she didn't think it would be much longer before that happened.
But observing the two, Hermione saw no signs of such a romance between them. In fact, there was nothing at all. Not a single spark or look shared between them. They seemed comfortable in one another's presence, but that was all. Hermione thought that odd, knowing their relationship was written as being complicated but strong and loving. If he was to marry soon, why were there no signs of a relationship between them? And why was he so interested in her if his future wife was standing right beside him? And why did Gwen smile at her without a single trace of jealousy?
"Morgana, Guinevere, this is Hermione," Arthur introduced.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Guinevere, Lady Morgana," Hermione smiled as genuinely as she could.
"I assure you, Hermione, the pleasure is all ours," Morgana purred, sending an amused glance to Arthur who was gripping the bowl and spoon in his hands tightly and glaring in response. "Arthur has spoken of you fondly," Morgana smiled and Hermione blinked when Gwen hid a laugh behind her hand, again, not a single trace of jealousy within her.
What in the name of Merlin was happening?
"I'm terribly sorry and I do not wish to be rude, but I must return home and complete my tasks. Should you require anything, both Arthur and Merlin know where to find me," she smiled, waiting for them to acknowledge her with a nod and then she turned and walked away, hearing the whispered hisses Arthur exchanged with his unknown half-sister.
"Hermione, I shall accompany you," Arthur called, quickly stepping up beside her and without the bowl of broth or the spoon. "I apologise for Morgana," he said.
"It's perfectly fine, Arthur. She wasn't rude or insulting; I believe she only said such words to tease you."
"Yes, she does that a lot," he agreed.
"And that is what siblings do, I would know, I had eight non-biological ones, and trust me, they were huge pains in the backside. There were so many of us a meal would be a feast and a disagreement became a food fight."
He laughed, shaking his head. "I can imagine."
"Do you have any siblings?" She asked, despite knowing he did. She was just curious to see if he knew about Morgana before or after she turned dark.
"No, I am an only child, too."
"It is a lonely life, is it not?"
"It is," he agreed. "I believe it is why I would like two children of my own, so they never have to experience such loneliness."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, when I feel I am ready, I would like two or three myself, but certainly no more, I imagine they will be a handful and I saw how Lady Weasley was always exhausted, no matter of the fact that when I met her, her two eldest sons were already grown and had left to follow their own paths."
"Which Kingdom do you hail from? I do not recognise the names of your nobles so I'm assuming it's not a neighbouring Kingdom of Camelot."
"My Kingdom is very far away, maybe a three month's journey," she answered, seeing his eyes widen briefly. "And I doubt you have heard of it, it was the Kingdom of Hogwarts."
He frowned thoughtfully, thinking over on all of the history he'd been forced to learn as a child but he couldn't recall a Kingdom with that name, nor could he remember seeing it on any of the maps in Camelot.
He made to respond when an ear-piercing scream shattered their little bubble.
