CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT


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.

AN

You guys have been amazing with your support and kind words. I know I've been gone far longer than I said I would be and it honestly wasn't intentional. If you don't read one of my fics, 'The Family Business,' then you won't know why I've been gone so long as that was the first fic I updated when I returned, and I explained my absence there. So, for those that don't know, basically, I've had a shitty time of it lately. There were two deaths in my family, my granddad and my great uncle, and my nana was ill in hospital. I've also got a new job, too, which I actually love, so yay to that! My posts have been a little slower than usual as it's taking me some time to get back into the swing of things but I hope to be back to normal soon.

Also, I'd never intended to write such a big chapter and I was going to split it into two, but then I thought, 'I owe them for being gone for so long, so don't be a stingy author and just give it to them as it is.'

Q&A

The question I've seen the most is: did Arthur witness Hermione's magic? I don't know, did he? Or is he truly just curious and wishes to know more given their previous discussions on the matter? Only time will tell.

Also, I have no idea how long this fic will actually be. I've already surpassed my original goal and I was hoping to wrap it up around 40 chapters, but honestly, there's still a lot to fit in, so I reckon it'll probably exceed that, too.

KittyWolfM – We'll be seeing the outcome of the missive sent to Hogwarts in two or three chapters. There is something else I wish to happen before we get to that point, and that's when the storyline starts to pick up.

Blondie95 – Would it make him suspicious? Or would he just think she'd witnessed it as he knows Hogwarts welcomes magic users, and therefore Hermione had likely been around to witness it?

Hrymeigh – Welcome! Currently, I'm just building on the relationship between Hermione and Arthur but I promise, soon we'll start to see Merlin canon events and magical creatures/acts making an appearance. Whilst I'm changing the outcome, some things will stay the same, other things may happen differently and some may not happen at all. So magic will be coming to Camelot as in the series, just not for a few more chapters, yet.


Page count: 17


"Take the reins, Hermione."

"I can't," she shook her head, the fallen curls surrounding her face bouncing with the movement.

Arthur chuckled softly. "Of course, you can. Take the reins, I am with you, you will be safe."

"I'm worried, Arthur," Hermione admitted quietly.

"Hermione, do you truly believe I would allow any harm to come to you?" He questioned, his voice softening.

Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment. "No," she breathed out, and meaning it, believing it, knowing it was true. Since meeting her he seemed to have gone out of his way to ensure her safety and well-being.

"Then believe me when I say, I know you can do this and I shan't let anything happen to you. I am right here with you, Llameri is exceptionally trained and you have earned her trust just as I have."

"I'm sorry?" She blinked, looking up at him over her shoulder. "What did you say her name was?"

"Llameri?" He frowned slightly, looking down and into her chocolate orbs. "Why are you so surprised by that?"

She shook her head once before replying, "It's not the name itself, rather that it's the first time I have heard you refer to her as such, and I've ridden with the both of you many times since our meeting."

The crease in his brow dropped before he gave a single nod. "I apologise, I had thought I'd previously introduced you. Well, it is better late than never. Llameri," he called, the large head of the horse turning as if to look over her shoulder at him. "Llameri, this is Princess Hermione, Hermione, this is Llameri."

The beautiful mare tilted her head before pressing her muzzle to the side of Hermione's fabric-covered leg for a moment. A smile tugged at Hermione's mouth and she silently and slowly reached out, her hand splaying against Llameri's forehead. She pressed herself against her hand a little harder and Hermione spared a glance over her shoulder to see Arthur watching the exchange with a proud smile. She pulled her hand back when Llameri faced forward once more and Hermione took a breath, steeling her nerves.

"She trusts you, she is exceptionally trained and she was gifted to me by my father on my tenth birthday. She knows what to do, just take the reins and she will guide you. But remember to not tug too hard or you may upset her. I know you can do this."

Arthur held the reins up in offering and hesitantly she raised her own hands, wrapping her fingers around them and Arthur released his hold, silently settling his gloved hands against her waist over the fabric of her cloak. If it were anyone else, it would likely be considered inappropriate as they were neither married nor engaged, but she spent a great amount of time with Arthur and she was used to such touches from him, and as it was, he only seemed to touch her so when they were either alone or in the confinement of the castle walls where there were few witnesses.

"When you're ready, lightly tap your feet against her and we'll continue with our journey."

Holding her breath, Hermione did as instructed and she didn't release it until Llameri set off at a gentle walk, trekking through the woods. She wasn't entirely sure where Arthur planned on taking her that evening but she knew she wouldn't be disappointed. Over the weeks he'd shown her parts of the woods she'd never before seen or known existed, whether it be a cluster of trees older than Camelot itself, dark caves they'd explored or a beautiful stream filled with fish.

"What do you plan on showing me this evening?" She asked curiously, her eyes darting between the reins in her hands and the path before her.

"That, Princess, is a surprise and one I'm sure you'll enjoy," he responded. She scowled at him over her shoulder before facing forward once more when he laughed at her annoyance. "Tell me, what is the greatest magical act you have witnessed?"

Hermione's mouth tugged into a smile. It'd been three weeks since Kenelm had fallen from the tree, her magic instinctively saving him and Arthur's questions, and ever since, Arthur's interest in the magic of Hogwarts had grown. She couldn't exactly be sure why, she just hoped he'd taken her words to heart and he wished to know more before he could make his decision on what to do when he was crowned King.

"In what way? Are you wishing to know of the purest magical act I've witnessed? The one I personally think to be the most wonderful? The one to be the darkest and cruellest? Or the one to be the most powerful?"

"I hadn't expected you to give me so many options," he chuckled. "I would appreciate an answer for each."

"Very well," she pursed her lips in thought, her forehead creasing. "I've been surrounded by magic since I was a young child," she started, which wasn't entirely a lie; she just hadn't known what to call the strange occurrences at the time. "And there have been many occasions I've been exposed to both the best and worst of magic, but the fondest memory I have for the purest of magics is not that magic itself, rather, it's the response. I remember the joyous laughter of children, the belief they had in magic. The one to be the most wonderful, the castle at Hogwarts, the banquet hall was truly beautiful and not for the tapestries and colours of the Kings and Queens, not for the expertly crafted furnishings and the silver utensils, plates and goblets, it was the ceiling."

"The ceiling was magically charmed to mimic the sky outside. I only had the chance to see it once," she lied, not wanting Arthur to question her as he believed her to not have grown up in a castle. "During the war, the Final Battle that ended it all, I found myself in the banquet hall and despite the war taking place, the fighting, the casualties and the frightened children, the ceiling of the banquet hall held a perfectly calm night sky, beautifully speckled with bright stars. It was a sharp contrast against the chaos and horror happening outside of those doors."

"I hope to one day witness such magic," he said softly, breaking Hermione from her daydream.

"Someday, you just might," she responded.

"I've yet to hear your answers for the worst and most powerful magic."

"Yes, of course," she nodded, absentmindedly releasing the reins with her right hand as she pushed her fallen hair out of her face and behind her ears, missing Arthur's smile as she did so without any worry or fear. "Again, this is not the most powerful magic I've witnessed, as there's been a few, rather is it the power behind the response, the message. During the Final Battle, a great woman, a witch I knew, she used her magic to bring to life the stone statues of warriors that could be found in the castle. It was a turning point for us. That one simple act gave us a little bit of hope that maybe we could win. We were outnumbered, by men, magic and magical creatures, but we had hope because it was almost as if Hogwarts was fighting for itself, fighting to protect its Kingdom and people."

"A battle that was worthy of a win, I'm sure."

"Our enemies were anything but honourable, they used awful means in which to beat us and we refused to be like them. We chose to be better even if it meant we lost. We kept our honour and sacrificed everything. We held onto our courage, loyalty and belief even in the darkest of times. Our enemies were captured and imprisoned, not executed. Enough people had died, it did not matter if they were innocent or not."

"Your Kingdom must be filled with many a Knight," he commented.

"Yes, yes it was," she agreed, thinking of Neville's courage, Snape's loyalty, McGonagall's belief in her students, and the sacrifices made by those that died and fought. "Unfortunately, many of them died that day, too." She cleared her throat as sadness threatened to creep in. "As for the worst of magic, I've seen it turn people, family and friends against one another, I've seen it turn people into power-hungry dictators, into a shell of what they once were. But I've also seen it make them better, stronger, kinder, wiser."

"I wish I could understand, I wish I could share your experiences..."

"But you can't," Hermione nodded, "And that is not your fault, Arthur. One day, maybe you will, hopefully, you will."

"Take the next left," Arthur instructed, his left hand falling from her waist and coming up to her left hand, resting over the top and showing her how much force to use to tug on the reins in order to get the horse to follow direction before it returned to her waist.

"And you are adamant you won't tell me where we're going?"

"Yes," he chuckled at her huff of annoyance, both directed at him and her hair when she blew a curl back from her face only for it to place back into place. "What is one of your fondest childhood memories?"

"I've several when I was a young child but once the war began, they were few and far in-between. But there is one incident that stands out to me. When I met Harry and Ronald, at first, we didn't much get along."

"I thought you said they were your friends, like your brothers?" He frowned in confusion.

"I did say that, but when we met we were eleven-years-old and it was a different story. It wasn't so much as Harry, it was Ronald and Harry had never really had friends before and when he found a friendship in Ronald, he didn't want to jeopardise it. Ronald used to make fun of me as I liked to read and I was smarter than most of the other children in my village. I tried to help him with his reading once and he got mad and said horrid things about me and I ran off, hid away and cried. That same night, my village was attacked by a wild creature and it stumbled upon me, I would've died had they not found me and helped me fight it off, and it was that night that we became best friends."

"You fought off a wild creature at the age of eleven?" He questioned and she glanced over her shoulder to his surprised, impressed, horrified and disbelieving expression.

She laughed, the sound carrying in the breeze. "Yes, but I did not do it alone. If I'm honest, they did most of it, I was injured, you see? But over the years, I had my fair share of moments saving their lives. So, Prince Arthur, what is your fondest memory as a child?"

"I remember when I was a boy, there was a time when I was confined to my chambers due to illness. Not only did I not have the strength to leave my bed, there was cause for concern that others might contract the illness, too. I remember Gaius feeding me my medicines and the handmaidens my meals. My father didn't visit me and as a young boy, I used to think that meant he didn't love me. Until one night I was feeling better and I woke. The moon was in the sky and a single candle was lit, my father sat beside my bed reading aloud from a book. When he noticed I was awake, he didn't speak or acknowledge his presence, he simply held my gaze and returned to reading the book aloud. When I woke for the second time, he was gone. I had thought I'd dreamt it but the same book was on the nightstand. My father had always been distant with his emotions and interactions, I've often been told I look most like my mother and my father would be reminded of her when he looked at me, but in that moment I knew, I knew he truly did love me. That was the first and only time he read to me."

Hermione didn't respond with words but she did tilt her head back until it pressed against his shoulder and she felt the pressure of a squeeze on her waist.

"If you hadn't been born a Prince or a nobleman, where do you think your talent would lie? How would you provide for yourself?" She asked curiously.

"A Knight is who I am, a Prince is what I am."

"I'm not disputing that, I know very well you are a remarkable swordsman and Knight, but I wish to know how you would survive if you weren't."

"I enjoy hunting and I'm rather good at it," he started, "When Merlin, the blundering idiot, doesn't scare everything away, that is," he added in a mutter and she bit her lip as she imagined if she were to look at him, he would be pouting. "I imagine I would earn my wage by providing and selling meat. I try to hunt once every couple of weeks depending on my schedule."

"What do you hunt?"

"Most game, but I have caught a deer once or twice."

"When I was in Ealdor, the most I could find was a rabbit, so I had to make do with that."

"You can hunt?" He questioned in surprise.

She looked at him over her shoulder. "Why so surprised, Arthur?" She smiled teasingly. "Because I am a woman, a Princess, I cannot be a proficient hunter?"

"No, no, of course not," he replied. "Sometimes I forget you were not raised in the traditional Royal manner, or that you are not like other Princesses."

"Thank you," she nodded, taking his words as a compliment. "If I am honest, I don't so much as enjoy the hunt, the killing of innocent animals, rather, it's the silence, the time alone. And as much as I dislike harming the animals, I know it is a must for survival."

He tipped his head. "What is your weapon of choice?"

"A dagger, I've quite good aim, if I do say so myself. You?"

"Crossbow, mostly, it's quick, efficient and less messy."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "I haven't been hunting for a long while, since I left Ealdor. Akela is able to hunt his own food and not only am I fed at the castle but should I require food, I may purchase is from the market place. I've no need for it."

She could see him open his mouth in a motion to speak, only he never had the chance. She wasn't quite sure what happened but one moment it was silent and she was holding the reins and the next, Arthur's hands had taken them from her lightning-fast and his arms caged her against him as Llameri released a distressed, high pitched neigh and she reared up, Hermione sliding back in Arthur's chest and a gasp falling from her.

Arthur tugged on the reins and called out instructions to calm her, but it didn't work, and when she reared up again, a little higher than last time, Hermione found herself tipping backwards and landing on the ground with a dull thud and a pained groaned as she hit her shoulder on a small rock. She heard Arthur's pained groan from beside her but he was before her within moments, a worried expression on his face and a steady trickle of blood dribbling from his right temple where a cut lay.

"I'm fine," she shook her head, pushing herself up into a sitting position. "See to Llameri, she needs you more than I do," she said, drawing attention to the still neighing horse as she hit her hooves against the ground and paced. He made as if to argue with her but she shook her head and folded her arms. "She's clearly distressed, so see to her."

Sighing in defeat, he rose from his crouch and quickly but carefully crossed to the distressed horse, Hermione observing as it took him several minutes to calm her. Once she'd quieted and calmed, Hermione rose to her feet and crossed over to them, stopping beside Arthur as he muttered to the mare and stroke the side of her neck.

"What happened?"

"I'm not entirely sure," he admitted, pulling back from Llameri to give her his attention. "Something must have startled her, but I did not see or hear anything."

Hermione frowned. "Neither did I," she replied. "Did something frighten you?" Hermione muttered.

Llameri released a puff of breath and an almost purring sound before tilting her head forward and resting it against Hermione's shoulder, her cheek pressed to the side of her head and Hermione brought her hand up, pressing it against the other side of Llameri's head.

"Did you hear something we didn't?" She asked. Llameri's response was a repeat of the one before. "I'm sure it's gone now," Hermione said quietly before taking a step back from the horse and turning towards Arthur, seeing the smile on his face.

"What?"

Arthur shook his head, refusing to answer. "Are you well, injured?" He questioned, his eyes giving her the once over.

"I am perfectly fine," she nodded. "You, however, must've cut yourself on the landing," she said, closing the distance between them and without a word, she used the edge of her cloak to gently wipe away the blood. "It's only small, it already appears to have stopped bleeding," she informed him, lowering her arm and moving to step back but his hand gently grasped her own and his eyes bore down in hers.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Arthur?"

He never got to reply as a terrifying squawk echoed through the silent woods, starting her, Arthur and Llameri. Once Arthur sprung into action, securing her to a tree and pulling Hermione away from her lest she accidentally get injured, he pulled his sword and stood before her, shielding her with his body and his eyes slowly scanned his surroundings.

A second louder squawk sounded, this one being closer. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't a regular bird. The seconds ticked by and Hermione clenched her hands into fists to prevent her from pulling her wand or attempting any wandless magic which she channelled through her hands, she set her jaw and clenched her teeth and her eyes took in every inch before her, blocking out Llameri's distressed calls as she focused.

A third squawk broke free and the ground being disturbed grew louder until a blur of white appeared towards their far-right, Arthur repositioning himself not only to shield Hermione but in preparation to strike.

As the creature neared and Hermione squinted her eyes to better see in the darkening woods, her eyes widened in surprise before her hand shot out, resting on Arthur's arm.

"Arthur, don't," she whispered, her eyes not on him but on the creature before them.

"Hermione, I won't let it..."

"No, Arthur, don't," she repeated, trying to push his arm down but he was holding strong. "I know what it is."

Stood across from them was the brilliant white body and the black and white speckled wings of a hippogriff. From the size, she'd estimate it to either be female or quite young, but unless she got closer, she couldn't be sure. It had the large and steel-coloured beak, the talons on the front legs and the bright, beady orange eyes they were known for. She'd forgotten how beautiful they were, the last time she'd seen one being Buckbeak years ago.

"It's not dangerous," she lied, somewhat at least. As long as they respected it, it wouldn't attack them. "I promise, if we don't harm her, she won't harm us."

"How do you know it's female?" He questioned, his eyes glued to the creature who seemed to be eyeing them wearily, just as he were it.

"I can't be sure, it's either female or young, but if it were young, it should be with its herd, they don't travel alone unless she was separated from them and got lost. But the most likely answer is she's female. Females are the gentler of the species."

"What is it? It looks to be half horse, half..."

"Half horse, half eagle," she finished. "Yes, she's a hippogriff, a magical creature."

Due to their close proximity, she felt him stiffen.

"She won't harm us," she reminded him. "You trusted me with Akela, trust me with her."

"You knew Akela, he was your pet. This is a wild magical creature."

"Was Akela not wild before we met?" She questioned. "Trust me. I have ever let you down?"

"No," he responded.

"Then trust me now, lower your sword. If she perceives you a threat, she will target you, me, Llameri, any who may be nearby."

Reluctantly, he slowly lowered his sword but kept his eyes on the hippogriff.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Hermione breathed out.

"No,"

Hermione's eyes widened when the hippogriff released a squawk, took a step forward and flapped her massive wings in warning.

"Arthur," she hissed, barely restraining herself from slapping him upside the head for both his comment and raising his sword again. "Do not insult her, hippogriffs are highly prideful creatures. If you disrespect them, they will attack. If you threaten them, they will attack. Do you understand me?" He barely nodded. "Now, isn't she beautiful?"

"I've seen..."

Another squawk sounded and she took another step forward, closing the distance between them once more.

Hermione sent Arthur a glare.

"Yes, she's beautiful," he replied, his arm shooting out and prevent Hermione from moving towards it when she stepped from behind him. "Don't," he warned, he pleaded.

"Do you want to stay here until we die? One of us has to take the first step in showing respect, and it won't be her and it won't be you. It has to be me."

"How do you know so much about this creature?" He asked, watching as the hippogriff pecked at the ground with her beak.

"We have them in Hogwarts; I never thought I'd see one this far away from the Forbidden Forest."

"Forbidden Forest?"

"I'll explain later, but right now, I have to do this. Don't interrupt me and don't speak, and everything will be fine."

She stepped around him, feeling him hovering behind her before he stopped himself from following. Hermione took slow, measured steps and immediately stopped when the hippogriff released a squawk.

"You truly are beautiful, one of the most beautiful I've ever seen," Hermione complimented before she averted her gaze, lifted both her cloak and skirts of her dress and then curtsied as low as she could without falling over. She held her position until her legs shook and she held her breath when she heard it approaching and the metal of Arthur's sword. "Arthur," she said quietly as to not startle the creature but loud enough he would hear. "Come stand beside me and bow to her, as low as you possibly can. You must show respect or she'll kill me before you have the change to raise your sword to her."

"Hermione..."

"Arthur, trust me, please," she pleaded.

She wasn't sure what to expect but when she heard his slow footsteps and felt his presence, she turned her head slightly, catching his gaze when he bowed. Silently, she reached out and grasped his gloved hand in hers, squeezing it.

"Stay in position, don't move, don't speak," she said quietly. "Trust me, you'll see."

The hippogriff closed the distance and Hermione squeezed her eyes shut when she felt the breath on the back of her neck as the hippogriff stood over her and she gripped Arthur's hand tighter when he stiffened as she turned her attention to him.

Hermione released a slow breath when she backed off and she lifted her head slightly, seeing the hippogriff slowly lowering her front half towards the ground.

"Arthur, look,"

The Prince lifted his head, a frown pulling at his handsome face. "Is it... Bowing?"

"Yes, she is bowing." When the hippogriff returned to full height, Hermione tugged on Arthur's hand and did the same, her legs killing her after the long moments of holding the curtsey. "We've earned her respect, she won't harm us. Even Llameri's calmed."

Arthur looked towards his horse to see she was right and then his eyes darted back to the hippogriff, seeing it watching them.

"Now what?"

Hermione released his hand and slowly approached, stopping before the hippogriff and she didn't raise her hand until she lowered her head to her. Running her hand through the soft feathers on her head, Hermione looked behind her to see Arthur's wide eyes and his sword still held in his hand. She supposed he'd never seen someone get so close to a magical creature without being injured. This experience, no matter how unplanned it had been and how unexpected it was, might help to sway his decision. Magic was not evil.

"Arthur, you'll offend her if you don't approach," she said, holding her other hand out to him as she continued to pet the creature before her.

Hesitantly, he approached and took her hand and Hermione brought it to rest beside her hand.

"It is a lot softer than I was expecting," he commented, his fingers carding through the white feathers.

"She has feathers, what were you expecting, wooden spikes?" She snorted and his eyes darted to her, amusement shining through at her unladylike action and she saw his body relax. Even from the corner of her eye, she saw the bowed head of the hippogriff watching the movement of Arthur hesitantly sheathing his sword, both of his hands carding through the soft feathers until he reached the glossy coat of her back.

"It seems I was neither right nor wrong."

"Meaning?" He asked, his eyes flickering up to hers, his ease returning.

"Well, she is both female and young."

"How do you know?"

"She's moulting," she nodded to some of the feathers on the ground at their feet. "She's still losing her baby feathers and females have a white spot on their noses," she pointed to it with her finger. "Besides, look at her underbelly."

He frowned before bending his body and tipping his head.

"Oh," he said in realisation and Hermione laughed at him.

When the hippogriff shook out her wings, Arthur startled and jumped backwards, almost pulling his sword before he stopped himself, his eyes darting to Hermione's paling face and then to the once more bowing hippogriff, only this time he noticed it was lower than before.

"Hermione? What is she doing?"

Hermione cleared her throat and shook her head. "You are truly one of the most magnificent creatures I have ever seen," Hermione complimented, the beady orange eyes watching her. "But I cannot accept your invitation." The hippogriff squawked and stood upright. "I mean no offense," she stared, holding her arm out towards Arthur, preventing him from moving closer or reaching for his sword. "But you see, I'm quite terrified of heights, and not only that, I worry that you cannot carry my weight." She squawked again and flapped her wings indignantly. "I am not saying you are not strong, just that you are still young and I do not wish to harm you. And it is also getting late, if Arthur and I do not return home soon, there are people that will worry." The hippogriff lowered her head as if dejected. "Possibly another time, when you're a little bigger? You should go, find your herd. It's not safe for you here and stay low, if you are spotted, you will be killed. There are too many humans to fend against by yourself."

She slowly backed up with Arthur by her side, his eyes widening slightly when the hippogriff partially bowed and then flapped her massive wings, disturbing the dirt and foliage beneath her as she took flight through a gap in the trees and into the night sky.

"She can fly?" He breathed out in surprise.

"She does have wings, Arthur," Hermione teased.

When the hippogriff was gone from view, his eyes fell to her and a laugh fell from his lips before he shook his head.

"I fear that in the morning I will wake and this would all have been a dream."

"Believe me, Arthur, this was very much real. Not all magic is evil, not all creatures are evil."

"What did she want from you?"

Hermione grimaced and shivered. "Remember when I told you we don't ride horses at Hogwarts, and I said you wouldn't believe me if I told you what we used for transportation instead?"

"Yes," he frowned.

"Well..." She trailed off sheepishly.

His eyes widened comically, darting between her and the dark sky above. "Are... Are you saying your people fly on a half horse, half eagle creature?"

"Yes," she squeaked, offering him a guilty smile when he blinked, dumbfounded by the news.

"We don't have horses, surprisingly, given their biology, they are not particularly fond of horses, and vice versa, which is why Llameri was quite distressed." Arthur didn't respond, he continued to blink. "Oh no, I've broken the Prince," she whispered. "Arthur!" She called, closing the space between them and it wasn't until she held her hand to his cheek that he seemed to come back to himself and she dropped her hand, his head moving as if to keep contact.

"This is a lot of information," he shook his head. "And she bowed because she wanted you to..." He trailed off, his eyes widening once more.

"Yes, she wanted to take me for a fly, but I truly am terrified of heights and she was too young to fly and support my weight without hurting her."

"Have you done this before?"

"Once or twice," she admitted sheepishly. "It's why I'm not so fond of heights. I hate flying."

He stared, then blinked, then stared, then a snort escaped and they were suddenly laughing.

"It has been a strange evening," he commented once they'd calmed.

"It has," she agreed. "And we better return to the castle. I am sorry we did not reach our destination."

Arthur smiled. "This experience outshone what I'd planned to show you, and we can always return another day."

After preparing for their leave, they both mounted the horse and Arthur took the reins for the entire journey, subjecting Hermione to one of the most rigorous Q&A sessions she'd ever experienced, especially regarding hippogriffs. Hagrid would be proud.

When they returned to the castle, they both dismounted Llameri and she was tended to as they approached the steps. When the entrance doors opened and King Uther stood before them, they both showed their respect with a bow and curtsey, sharing a secret smile and being subjected to an arched eyebrow from the King.

"Did you have a lovely evening, Hermione?"

"I did, thank you, Your Grace. It was certainly unexpected. And yourself?"

"I am pleased to hear that, my evening has been pleasantly quiet. It must have been exciting, Arthur, what happened to your head?"

Arthur reached up with his hand, pressing his fingers to the dried cut on his temple; he'd forgotten it was there.

"We had a slight mishap, Father," he answered. The King raised a silent, questioning eyebrow. "Llameri was unexpectedly and suddenly startled during our travels, we took a fall."

His eyes snapped to Hermione. "Are you well, Princess? Perhaps you should visit with Gaius."

"I am uninjured, Your Grace, there is no need to worry. It was only a slight tumble and it was quite an experience," she responded, once more sharing a smile with Arthur and they both stifled a laugh, Arthur biting the inside of his cheek and Hermione her lip.

The King, surprisingly, looked the most amused than she'd ever seen him.

"Very well, clean up, the both of you. You arrived in time for dinner to be served. Will you be joining us?"

"Yes, Father, the tumble took a little longer to comprehend than expected and we never reached our intended destination before returning."

Hermione bit her lip harder.

"Hmm," he hummed, his eyes darting between them. "You don't have long, dinner is to be served soon."

They both tipped their heads and continued up the steps and into the castle, laughter breaking free as they rounded the corner, it echoing and carrying over to the King.

~000~000~000~

"Merlin!"

The manservant startled and turned around, quickly hurrying over to the King after he'd been following after Arthur.

"Your Grace," he bowed.

"What do you think happened on their journey?"

Merlin blinked in surprise. "I cannot be sure, Your Grace. Would you like me to speak with the Prince?"

He thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, let them have their shared secrets. What do you know of Arthur's plan?"

"Your Grace, it is Arthur's wish and intention to marry the Princess."

"And what of her character? Do you believe she is well suited to Arthur?"

Merlin almost swallowed his tongue. The King was asking him, a manservant, for his opinion on a Royal marriage prospect? Had someone spiked his tea? Was the world ending?

"It what context, might I ask?"

"As a Queen and Wife," he answered, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You are close to the Princess, are you not?"

Merlin shifted on his feet nervously and barely stopped himself from tugging on his clothing. "Princess Hermione and I care about the same people, Your Grace. I have witnessed her strength, her kindness, her courage, her selflessness, her determination. I believe she will make a wonderful Queen; she is smart, she is well-liked by the town's people, particularly those in the lower city and they outnumber the nobles greatly. They are who she will need the support of and she has it. I am sure you are aware of all that she has done for the people of Camelot, and they are not her people. She will defend this Kingdom to her last dying breath and she will love everyone in it.

"As for a wife; she is loving, patient and understanding. I have witnessed her interactions with the children of the city and the children in Ealdor and I know she will someday make a wonderful mother. I am unsure if you are aware but the Princess has taken a boy of fifteen under her wing. Before he met Hermione, he was a homeless and poor orphan with three younger brothers to care for and feed. But since meeting Princess Hermione, she has made him her apprentice, she has ensured his family's safety and future and she is teaching the younger children to read and write in her free time. The youngest boy is but five, and he adores the Princess, and I know she adores each and every one of them, as if they were her children, her responsibility."

"She has made them her wards?" He questioned in surprise.

"Not officially, Your Grace, but every citizen in the city know those boys are under her protection. So, yes, Your Grace, I believe the Princess is the perfect Queen for Camelot and the perfect wife for the Prince."

"You seem to know her better than most," he observed. "Do you believe she will grow to love Arthur?"

"No, Your Grace, I believe she is in love with the Prince."

"And you base your assumptions on?" He probed.

"I am a servant, close to both the Prince and Princess, I see everything others do not. And I see that Princess Hermione loves Prince Arthur, and if her hand was ever forced, I believe she would die for him, and she would destroy anyone who dared to threaten his life. Your Grace, you know of her past just as I. She is not just a Princess, she is a warrior."

The King appeared thoughtful. "I don't believe I have ever seen Arthur as happy as he is now," he mused. Merlin tipped his head in agreement. "Thank you, Merlin. That is all, you may go."

"Your Grace," he bowed, before turning on his heel and leaving down the corridor.

~000~000~000~

"Hermione, you can run but you can't hide!" Arthur called.

Hermione pressed her hand against her mouth, stifling her laughter lest she gives her hiding spot away.

Two weeks after the hippogriff encounter found Hermione and Arthur in the woods outside of the city walls and they'd been out all morning. It was usual for them to not go on their little trips until early evening, but Arthur had proposed the idea of spending an entire day exploring and trekking through the woods, and with Charles stepping up in his duties (not that he knew that yet) and Arthur forgoing his training for the day, Hermione hadn't been able to resist and had happily accepted.

Being around Arthur was very freeing, she'd come to realise. She felt comfortable, safe and at ease around him in a way she didn't with anyone else, even Merlin, which she thought ridiculous. Merlin was her best friend, her secret keeper, and Arthur, he was... More. With Arthur, she had no worries and no fears. The darker memories of her past stayed at bay and she only remembered the fun and the good times. With Arthur, she felt like a child again. She felt giddy and happy and all she could do was laugh and smile and relax. And be free.

No matter how silly or childish it might've seemed if someone were to catch them, neither of them cared and after eating breakfast and packing as much food and water as they could into the saddlebags, they left the safety and confines of the city, just herself, Arthur, Llameri and Akela -who refused to leave her for an entire day spent outside the city walls- and they travelled to the stream, Akela disappearing to hunt and Llameri soaking up the sun on the unnaturally warm day, whilst she and Arthur were playing hide and seek.

She only wished she'd chosen a darker dress that day to help her better blend into her surroundings. She wore a cheery yellow dress that wasn't quite a physician duties garment but neither was it something she'd wear to dinner with the King, it is in-between and she didn't mind it getting dirty or ruined. It complimented her pale skin and her dark eyes and wild hair, and once she'd woken and seen the beautifully sunny day that awaited her and knowing her plans for the day, she hadn't been able to resist dressing in such a bright, happy colour. Of course, it hadn't entirely been for her, she may have flushed red when Arthur greeted her outside her chambers, complimented her and kissed the back of her hand.

Hermione had discarded her cloak by the stream, it being too heavy and warm for the weather and Arthur had lost his cape and sword, leaving him in just his dark boots and breeches and the dark blue shirt that made his already beautiful eyes pop.

"Found you."

Hermione released a shriek of surprise and spun around, her heart racing a mile a minute as she came face to face with a laughing Prince Arthur.

"Gods, you scared the life out of me," she breathed out, her hand pressed to her chest lest her heart break free of her ribcage but she was soon laughing, too.

"It's your turn to count," he told her.

"I know, I'll count to ten."

"One hundred," he argued.

"One hundred!" She cried, lowering her water skin after she was mid-way from lifting it to her mouth. "One hundred! Llameri, are you hearing this? He wants me to count to one hundred," she said, looking to the horse that was laid by the stream, enjoying the sunshine. The horse released a snort-like sound before turning to look at Arthur.

"What?" He asked the horse.

The puff of air that she released and the way she looked away from him had Hermione believing that was the equivalent to a horse rolling its eyes and the thought had her stifling a laugh.

"I am not counting to one hundred. Not only is it cheating as you only counted to ten, but I'll fall asleep before I finish," she argued.

He snorted. "Very well, ninety,"

She scoffed. "Fifteen," she countered.

"Eighty,"

"Twenty,"

"Seventy-five," he folded his arms over his chest.

"Twenty-five," she folded her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Seventy,"

"Twenty,"

"That's lower than before," he pointed out.

"I know it is," she replied.

He narrowed his eyes. "Sixty, there, I've almost halved my original offer."

"Five, oh look at that, I have halved my original offer," she smiled innocently.

He scowled at her. "Fine, twenty-five."

"Ten, take it or leave it."

He grumbled before taking her hand and shaking on it. She'd gotten exactly what she'd wanted.

"You should be on the council," he said amused.

"Please," she pffted. "They'd cry after being stuck in a room with me."

"I know, they'd renounce their responsibilities and then I wouldn't have to forcibly replace them," he cheeked.

She scoffed and she smacked him on the arm. "Charming. If you don't leave now, I'll find you," she said, taking a quick drink from her water-skin and then dropping it to the ground with the rest of their belongings and then she covered her eyes with her hands. "One, two..." She heard his footsteps as he ran for cover. "Eight, nine, ten! Ready or not, here I come!" She called so he'd hear no matter where he was.

"If Akela returns, you're in charge," she pointed her finger to the horse who released another snort-like sound before Hermione turned and ran through the woods in search of Arthur, not travelling too far from the stream as she knew he wouldn't jeopardise their safety.

After a long while of searching and having yet to find him, she was growing frustrated and sulkily made her way back to the stream, retracing her steps easily enough as they'd visited it many times in the past. Once she arrived, she headed towards the right, only she couldn't find him, so she returned to the stream and headed for the left. She still couldn't find him and she grew suspicious of him changing hiding positions to avoid being found, it wouldn't be the first time he'd cheated during one of their games.

Not paying attention to where she was going in her sulk, she tripped over a tree root and fell headfirst barely catching herself on her hands.

"Now, I'm annoyed," she muttered to herself.

As she pushed herself up onto her knees, wiped her hands and then climbed to her feet, she dusted off her dress and sighed as she continued towards the stream, only for a hand to dart out and wrap around her wrist, tugging her behind a tree and against a chest, a second hand clamping around her mouth and an arm around her body pinning her in place.

It was clear the body behind her was a man, but the chest pressed against her back didn't feel right. The smell was of sweat and bad hygiene; he likely hadn't had a proper bath in months. The height wasn't right, the clothing was itchy on her exposed skin and his grip was punishing, unrelenting.

One thing was for sure, she didn't know who it was but it wasn't Arthur.

"Don't move," he growled in her ear. "Be a good little girl, and maybe you'll be allowed to live."