I watched from the ground, still clutching my throat as Kanen's men were driven off. Will rushed over, picking me up from the ground.
"Are you okay?" His voice was full of concern.
"I'm fine, just a bit sore." I said dusting myself off.
We watched as the figures that had arrived on the horses came closer.
"Now look what you've done, you've provoked them. They'll be back and god help us when they are." Will shouted out angrily, before spinning on his heels and storming off.
"Will!" I called after him slightly shocked at his outburst, but he didn't look back and I didn't go after him.
"Lilia." My mother called as she ran towards me, and pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Hello Lilia." Merlin said from behind mother with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Merlin," I grinned, "It's good to see you again." We hugged for the first time in years before he broke away. "Missed me much?"
"Not at all. It's a lot easier to sleep without you snoring like a pig. And everything seems to stay cleaner longer." I laughed as I walked away to help mother with the bags and horses.
"Mother? What happened?" I asked, when she'd gone for help I assumed she'd come back with a few soldiers or no one at all.
"King Uther said he could not help us without starting a war. But when I left Merlin insisted on coming with me and as did the Lady Morgana and Gwen. At some point during the night Prince Arthur caught up with us too. They all insist on helping and I have no intention of stopping them."
"But mother, Merlin and I could easily end this."
"Lilia, I would much rather have them here, then risk either yours or your brothers lives if you were found out. Don't argue with me, and keep your magic hidden. Especially whilst they're here."
"Yes mother." I said reluctantly.
"Arthur wants to speak to everyone." Merlin called out, distracting us from our conversation. We followed the rest of the villagers into the central building. Everyone was gathered round the fire pit, mother sat with some of the other women, whilst I stood next to Will.
"I know men like Kanen. They're brutal. And he will be back. But when he is, we'll be ready." Arthur said confidently.
"Why? We can't possibly hope to beat them." Will spoke up suddenly.
"What would you have us do?"
"Give them what they want. They'll leave us alone then."
"And what about next harvest? Kanen will keep coming back. Men like Kanen are bullies and the only way to stop them is to show them you will fight."
"Men like you just want the honor and glory of battle. And you don't care who dies in the process." Will said angrily before pushing his way through the crowds and out of the building. I followed after him quickly, as i left I heard mother saying "I'll fight with you", she was followed by several others pledging their alliance. Before long all I could hear from the gathering with cheers of people yelling "for Ealdor."
Will had disappeared into his house, slamming the door behind him. I didn't even knock before I stormed in. "What the hell are you doing?" I demanded.
He spun round shocked, "Standing up for myself and everyone else."
"Will, I know you don't like nobility. But they're here to help. They didn't have to come. Surely you can appreciate that."
"Are you really that blind? Lilia? They don't care about us. We lose this fight and we all die, they can just ride off like nothing happened."
"But at least they can try to help. I'd much rather die fighting, than die from starvation because we were too weak to stop Kanen." I spoke calmly but left before he could say anything else.
A I walked across the village, it was uncharacteristically active, as people tried to clear away messes and find tools to use as weapons ready to train with tomorrow. It was nice to see everyone so enthusiastic and ready to fight. It made a change from the usual tone of the laid back village. I noticed Prince Arthur stood in the middle of the path looking out at the entrance to the village.
I walked towards him nervously, knowing full well that the Pendragon stance against magic was not a nice one.
"You look troubled, my lord." I said as I reached him.
"Just trying to come up with the best strategies." His smiled politely.
"Well then, you should know that you can get into the village from the north and east. The mountains on the west make it harder but not impossible. But the lake to the south is quite large and practically impossible to cross." I told him.
"You know the village well then?" He asked.
"I should do, I've lived here my whole life."
"So you know Merlin then?"
"Everyone knows Merlin. But he's also my brother."
Arthur looked at me surprised, "Really? He never mentioned having a sister."
"Yeah, well why would he."
Arthur was about to speak, but was interrupted by Will yelling out, "You're going to use magic to heal anyone who gets hurt. Like with the plague. That's why you're willing to fight."
"What?" Arthur asked warily and confused. But I just stood there in pure shock. I couldn't believe Will had just blurted out my secret for the whole village to hear. I was suddenly very conscious of the sword that hung from Arthur's belt just beside me. Will didn't even seem to notice that Arthur was there, he just stood in front of me expectantly.
"You have magic?" Arthur asked me.
"I... yes." I didn't know how else to respond.
"So why don't you use it to fight?"
"I don't know how to. I can heal, because it's more instinctual to me."
"What do you mean you don't know how?"
"I was born with magic, I didn't study it." I spoke to Arthur but ignored Will. "Shouldn't you be about to run me through, or something?"I asked confused.
"Let's just say I don't always agree with my father's opinions." Arthur gave me a small smile before walking off.
I stood stunned for a while, before storming angrily past Will.
The next morning I was cleaning up from breakfast when Arthur came in. I hadn't seen him since he found out about my magic. I wasn't sure how to act so I carried on busily washing dishes in a bucket of water on the table. He lent against the door frame watching me.
"Can I help you sire?" I asked not even looking up.
"Why don't you use magic?"
"I was taught not to."
"Who knows about you?"
"Mother, Merlin and Will."
"Not your father?"
"He knows, but we don't know where he is or if he's even alive."
"Why don't you tell people?"
"Camelot has made it very clear that magic is a crime. Anyway people fear what they don't know."
The sounds of yelling came from outside, startling us, whilst Arthur left to see what the commotion was about, I stood in the doorway already knowing that it could only mean Kenan's imminent arrival. I think this was perhaps one of the few moments in my life when I wished I knew how to use magic as a weapon, so that I could protect my friends and family. Although I held no doubt that Merlin would make sure Ealdor was protected.
Within less than an hour, the usually peaceful village was roaring with battle cries as the people fought for their homes. Arthur had told me to stay where I would be relatively safe because I would undoubtedly be needed to heal the battle wounds later. At the time I thought that he was looking out for all the villagers, after all how would they survive if their healer was killed, looking back now I realise that he was looking out for me; keeping me safe when it was impossible to do so.
The battle seemed to last for days, but in reality it was a matter of hours. We had been losing badly until Merlin had conjured a storm from the dirt. But the victory of our regaining control was short lived when Kenan tried to attack Arthur, only to have Will protect him.
"That's twice I've saved your life." I heard Will tell Arthur as he lay on the floor.
I missed the rest of the conversation as I rushed towards them, "Get him inside." I ordered Merlin, who picked up his friend, carried him into a house and placed him on the bed.
I walked over and placed my hand on his chest, whispering a spell I hoped would heal him.
"No don't Lilia. Let me go." Will said quietly, pushing my hand away.
"No let me heal you." I protested.
"Why? I could die knowing I did something good. Rather than live my life knowing my future wife doesn't actually love me, like I do her." He gave me a tiny smile. "At least this way you get to be free."
"Will, please just let me save you." I pleaded a tear running down my cheek.
"I'm happy, Lilia. It's time. Time to say goodbye." He smiled from his deathbed.
I looked down at the man who was meant to one day be my husband and realised that he was trying to give me my freedom, he was giving me a second chance at my dreams. I bent down and kissed his lips gently, "I love you, Will. Thank you." I whispered in his ear.
"Perfect." He whispered blissfully as I turned and left, allowing Merlin to say goodbye to his best friend.
Will died just moments later, we burned his body the same day in a pyre that Will would've been proud of. I hadn't loved Will the way I wanted to love the man that would be my husband, but I did love him for the sacrifice he made to give me my life back.
When I awoke the next day the air had a freshness that I hadn't felt in years, so I wandered out into the day. I walked through the village enjoying the quiet and the hot sun on my face.
"You're up early." The voice startled me from behind.
"I could say the same of you." I spun round and looked into the face of Prince Arthur, who was stood on the grass wearing his trousers and a white shirt. The shirt had a few spots of blood on the side.
"I could heal that for you." I said gesturing to the wound under the shirt.
"Ahh but what's a soldier without his wounds?" He asked smirking.
"Surely a soldier without wounds would be a good soldier? Not wounded in a battle?" I asked with a smug face.
He scoffed and hung his head in defeat, "Fair point. Go ahead." He gestured to the wound.
I smiled and stepped towards him, lifting the edge of his shirt just high enough to see the wound. It was a big gash, though it wasn't too deep, his armour had probably taken the majority of the blow. I ran my fingers lightly over the wound and he winced slightly. I placed my hand covering the wound and silently whispered the spell to heal. Arthur watched as my eyes turned golden and his wound healed instantly.
I dropped my hand from his side and smiled, "Better?"
"Much." He nodded touching the skin where the wound had been.
I turned to walk away but his hand grabbed my arm and spun me back to face him. "Thank you." He whispered looking into my eyes. And then he did the thing that surprised me most, he lent forwards and pressed his lips gently against mine.
The kiss took me by surprise and was over too quickly. Arthur pulled away, "Sorry." He said.
"Don't be." I said as my eyes searched his face. This time I leaned in and kissed him, it was a kiss he returned as he wrapped his arms round my waist and my arms wrapped themselves round his neck.
This, I think, was one of my favourite moments of my life.
And that's the end of the chapter, so thank you for reading. If you liked it please leave a comment, I like to know what everyone thinks. Thanks xem98x