PellieWeg: Thank you so much! That means a lot


"Stop sulking darling," Uther said as he and Amara ate lunch together.

"I'm not sulking," she replied grouchily.

"Yes," he smiled, "you are. I didn't cancel your trip to Nemeth, I merely delayed it. Half the reason we are at peace with Nemeth is because Princess Mithian and you are friends."

"A friend I haven't seen in a year," she mumbled.

"Amara," he sighed. "I had to punish you. You know I did. I couldn't be seen to just allow my children and ward to leave Camelot against my express wishes and not punish them."

"Arthur and Morgana didn't get in as much trouble as I did though. It's not fair," she whined.

"Arthur and Morgana are both of age…"

"I'm turning 19 in a couple of weeks, I'm not that young! Half the ladies my age are already married off so you can't consider me a child."

"Do you want to be married off?" he teased.

"No," she said quickly. "I just want you to acknowledge I am not a child."

"You are my child and that is all that matters," he said firmly, ending the bickering. "You are my child and I will not allow you to recklessly endanger your own life. Just as I will not allow Arthur or Morgana to endanger their own. They have had their own punishments and a delay on your trip to Nemeth is your punishment. Other fathers would not have been as kind as I have been. I don't want to hear any more complaining, am I clear?"

"Yes father," she grumbled as she took a sip of her wine.

"I'm sure your Uncle Agravaine will miss your visit," Uther said, trying to change the subject. "Him escorting you to Nemeth is the only time he gets to see you."

"I guess I'll see him in a few months," she smiled, trying to make peace with her father.

"I have a council meeting shortly," her father said as he wiped his face with the napkin.

"Don't let me keep you," Amara said and Uther sighed, knowing she was still grumpy about Nemeth.

"I'll see you for dinner," he said as he stood up and walked out.


"What are you looking so smug about?" Amara asked Arthur as he walked into her chambers.

"No need to be so grouchy Amara," he teased. "I come bearing gifts."

"I don't want your gifts," she rolled her eyes.

"Amara. You've been in a foul mood for a week now. Come, it's a peace offering from father. I got it when I was out hunting and he said I could give it to you as a gift."

Amara sighed and looked over at him, "fine. What is it?" she asked as she walked towards him.

"Merlin!" Arthur called out and Amara's head flicked up to the door as the boy walked in. Wary of the fact that the boy could possess magic, Amara kept her distance as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Well you can't see it from all the way over there, come on," he said as he walked towards her and led her closer to Merlin.

As she got closer to him, their eyes connected and his eyes widened as they took in her glare. "Princess Amara," he greeted.

"Merlin," she responded monotonously.

"Do you see?" Arthur laughed, oblivious to the tension Amara was creating. "It's a unicorn horn!" he exclaimed.

"What!" Amara gasped, tearing her eyes from Merlin and looking down at the horn lying on a pillow in the servant's arms. "Oh my goodness it's incredible! How did you get it?"

"I killed a unicorn," he declared proudly.

"That must have been some feat," she smiled.

"See Merlin. She thinks it's impressive," Arthur smirked and Amara looked at her brother with a frown. "Merlin is upset that I killed the unicorn. He's acting like a wounded bear."

"Peculiar expression," Amara smirked.


"Cheer up Amara," Leon smiled as they rode through a valley.

"I'm too grumpy," she explained.

"Oh, believe me, everyone in the court knows," Leon laughed and she glared at him. "My lady I believe your father…."

"What happened!" Amara gasped, cutting sir Leon off as she spotted a field of dead crops.

"They're all dead. How is that possible?" Leon asked as he jumped off his horse and walked to the edge of the field. Amara went to dismount and follow him when Leon spun around and held his hand out to her, "stay on your horse. We don't know what it was that killed these crops. The ground could be contaminated," he warned. Amara nodded as she looked around in confusion. "I rode through this valley only yesterday with a patrol and the crops were healthy then. How can they all have died overnight? We need to return to Camelot. Now," he said as he ran back to his horse.


"I don't understand how a disease could work so fast?" Juliana asked as she tidied up around Amara's room.

"It makes no sense. Leon swears the crops were fine yesterday."

"Everyone's beginning to panic," Juliana told her.

"I can see," Amara agreed. "Come," she said ushering her maid to the window. There was a line of people already waiting for rations. Panic had begun to spread. A knock sounded on the door and Amara called out, "enter!"

"Princess Amara," a guard greeted, bowing before continuing. "Your father requests your presence in the grain storeroom."

"I'll be right there," she nodded and the guard left. She quickly turned to Juliana. "Where is that?" she asked.

"To the left of the armoury. Clearly you've never been to the storeroom," Juliana smiled.

"Ah," Amara laughed. "I know where the armoury is though! Could you please go and get some water?" she asked of her maid. "I want you to keep an ear out, see what people are saying. Let me know what the level of panic is," she requested as she walked out of her chambers and made her way down to the storeroom.

"Amara," Uther greeted as she entered.

"What is happening?" Amara asked as she looked between him and Arthur. "I can see the people beginning to panic. Leon and I saw the dead crops in the fields."

"Everything is dying," Arthur told her.

"Everything," Uther pressed. "All the crops in the kingdom died overnight. The livestock is either dying or has been eaten. The people can't get enough food and water."

"I could see the guards giving out rations from my window? Are they decent?" she asked.

"They're very meagre," Arthur told her. "Not enough to sustain a family. People are beginning to panic."

Amara's eyes widened as she realised the severity of their problem and looked around her. "There's not a lot of grain in here," she noted.

"Our crops have been plentiful this year, we haven't had to keep a large amount stocked," Arthur said.

Amara shook her head and looked around, "it's not enough."

"People are scared. There's already been looting."

"It's the first day!"

"We must maintain order at all costs. Panic will only make the situation worse," Uther declared. "I'll issue a decree that looters will be executed. From tonight Camelot will be under curfew," he said as he stormed out.

"I'll see to it," Arthur agreed. "Go to your room," Arthur said kindly, placing his hand on Amara's back and leading her out of the storeroom. "If there's going to be looting you shouldn't be wandering around the castle alone."

As they left the storeroom they heard feet running towards them and Arthur tensed up defensively. "Amara!" Juliana breathed in relief as she saw her.

"Are you ok?" Amara asked as she looked at her puffing maid.

Juliana shook her head 'no' as she drew in a breath. "I went to collect water. Like you asked me to. There's no water," she said.

"What do you mean no water?" Arthur asked.

Juliana held out the bucket for them to look at and the Pendragon sibling's eyes widened. It was a bucket full of sand.

"Get father. Now," Arthur instructed before running off.


"Sand," Uther muttered as he sifted his hand through a bucket they were observing in the courtyard. "And you say the well is full of it?" he asked Arthur.

"I sent men down to the underground reservoir. There's no trace of water to be found," Arthur said as he shook his head.

"First the crops and now this."

"It's the same throughout the kingdom. There's precious little water anywhere," Arthur explained.

"Gaius, can you offer any explanation for this?" Uther asked as he turned to the physician.

"I cannot think of a scientific explanation. I can only conclude it is the result of sorcery," Gaius informed them.

Amara's head immediately whipped to look over at Merlin who was standing away from them. As she turned her head back she noticed Gaius watching her carefully.

"I believe you're right. It is the work of magic. The kingdom is under attack. I should have sent you to Nemeth," Uther said quickly before hurrying away.

"My lady," Gaius started to say.

"I should go to my chambers," she said quickly following after her father.


The next morning Amara groaned as she looked at the small amount of food on her plate. "Is that all there is?"

"It's more than some princess," Juliana said and Amara froze. "I am so sorry. I should not have said that," she quickly apologised.

"How many are in your family?" Amara asked.

"I have my mother, father and two younger siblings," Juliana said quietly.

"Did they get breakfast?"

Juliana shook her head. "We have not eaten since breakfast yesterday. My mother gave our rations to the orphanage."

Amara quickly put the orange segment she had in her hand back down on the plate. She stood up and walked over to her servant, took her hands and walked her over to the table and handed her the plate of food. "Take it," she instructed. "Sneak it out of the castle so no one tries to take it and give it to your family. It's not a lot but…"

"It's more than enough," Juliana smiled widely.

"Then I want you to go to the kitchens and say that I had not received enough food and I demand more," Amara said and Juliana frowned. "Don't frown," Amara rolled her eyes. "Get as much food as they'll give you, tell them I'm furious and will come down there and berate them if they don't. I'm going to take the food to the orphanage."

"My lady," Juliana gasped. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Don't," Amara smiled. "It needs to be done. I have something I need to do. But I'll meet you back here shortly," she said.


"Gaius," Amara greeted as she walked into the physician's chambers.

"Princess Amara," he greeted with a smile.

"Is Merlin in?" she asked and his smile fell.

"No my lady, I believe he is with the prince."

"Tell me, Gaius. What kind of sorcery could cause a plague so detrimental to all the kingdom's crops and water?" she asked.

"My lady?"

"I only ask out of concern for my people. You have the most knowledge of sorcery. I know I can trust you."

"That you can," he assured. "There have been rumours that killing a unicorn would bring great suffering."

"Arthur killed a unicorn," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Are you saying it is his fault?"

Gaius took a deep breath, he had to tread carefully. He could tell she was suspicious. "It was not done knowingly. Merlin told me a man came to him and Arthur last night and told him the curse on the land was as a result of killing a unicorn."

"Merlin told you this?" she asked angrily.

"He did my lady. He was with the prince the whole time. They saw and heard the exact same thing."

Amara nodded, "I'll leave you," she said as she turned to leave.

"My lady," Gaius called after her. "Was there anything else you wished to ask me?"

"No," she said shortly before making her way back to her chamber.


"Water my lady! Water!" Juliana exclaimed as she raced into her chambers the next morning.

"What?" Amara asked quickly sitting up in bed.

"I was on my way over and Gwen spotted that the water was running again. I brought a bucket," she laughed as she held it up.

"Oh my goodness," Amara laughed as she leapt out of bed and ran over to grab two goblets, quickly handing one to Juliana as they dove the goblets into the bucket and skulled the contents.

"Oh it tastes amazing," Juliana moaned.

"Please," Amara smiled, holding out her hand and encouraging her maid to have more. "Have your family had water?" she asked.

"My father was with me when we saw Gwen, he collected some for the others. They are so grateful to you my lady, again, for the food you sent last night."

"It's nothing," Amara dismissed.

"It is not nothing," Juliana insisted. "It's everything to my family."


"Why is the line so long?" Amara asked Arthur as she and Morgana approached him. The line of people waiting for food rations had increased exponentially overnight.

"Who are they?" Morgana asked. They could not recognise most of them.

"They've come from the outlying villages in search of food," Arthur told them. "There isn't enough rations to feed the people who are already here."

"You shouldn't blame yourself," Morgana said softly as she could see Arthurs face look around with guilt. "I'm sure you're doing everything you can."

"It's not enough," he said before storming off, not able to look at the starving villagers.

As he left, Gwen and Juliana came up to the pair. "Did you manage to find any food?" Morgana asked Gwen.

Gwen nodded and subtly lifted up the towel in the basket to show it was full of bread.

"Impressive. Did you find any?" Amara asked Juliana and she nodded.

"Gwen and I got the same," she said and Amara smiled in approval.

"Where did you two get that?" Morgana asked impressed.

"We were able to smuggle it out of the palace kitchens," Gwen explained.

"I'm sorry my lady, I threw your name around a lot, they probably don't think very highly of you at the moment," Juliana apologised.

"That's fine, I do not mind," Amara smiled.

"Share it out amongst the children and old people, make it go as far as you can," Morgana instructed Gwen who immediately set off to work.

"Let's go," Amara said to Juliana.

"Amara!" Morgana hissed as she chased after her.

"Yes?" Amara asked.

"You're not keeping it for yourself are you?" she asked, her eyes widening.

Amara looked around before whispering quietly to Morgana. "I'm taking it to the orphanage."

"The orphanage?" Morgana smiled. "I'm proud of you."

Amara smiled widely at her friend before running off with Juliana to the orphanage.


"Arthur fed me rat!" Morgana screamed as she burst into Amara's chambers that night.

"Wait, what?" Amara asked, laughing as she quickly stood up.

"Rat! He gave me rat stew!"

"Start from the beginning," Amara laughed.

"I was hungry, so I went to his chambers and asked if he had food to spare and he gave me a whole pot of stew. I thought he was being so generous. For once," she scoffed as she sat down heavily in the seat next to Amara at the table. "He gave me a bowl of stew and both he and Merlin were watching me eat it and they were laughing. So I asked why," Morgana ranted. "That's when Merlin told me it was a rat stew."

"That is revolting," Amara snorted. "At least it's food," she said, trying to make her feel better.

"You're right," Morgana nodded. "I shouldn't complain." She was silent for a moment as she thought things over, "but it was a rat!"

Amara snorted, "Arthur told me he had a rat in his chambers. Merlin must have caught it." At the mention of Merlin, Amara stopped laughing. "Tell me, Morgana," Amara sighed. "Do you think Merlin is trustworthy?"

"What do you mean?" Morgana asked.

"I mean… I don't know. He was just accepted into our confidence so quickly. We don't really know much about him."

"We know enough to know he's a friend," Morgana said immediately. Amara smiled and nodded. Morgana was loyal by nature. She wouldn't betray Merlin. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Amara assured. "I just think I'm worried. This curse, it could have been cast by anyone."

"I think it's best if you get some rest ok?" Morgana smiled. "You need to keep your mind clear."


"I have so much red," Amara said as she and Juliana looked at fabric samples.

"Well red is the colour of Camelot," Juliana teased.

"I know. But Morgana wears green dresses and she looks fantastic in them. I want something different. Red and purple, basically all my dresses are either one or the other."

"Well…" Juliana started to say before being cut off by a loud knock at the door.

"Enter!" Amara called out and Uther walked into her chambers. "Father," she greeted with a smile.

"Leave us," he said solemnly to Juliana, who quickly curtsied and left the room.

"Is everything alright?" Amara asked as she noticed the sad look on his face.

"All our supplies have rotted. Every last grain."

"How?" Amara gasped. There was basically no food left now.

"Magic," he explained angrily as he gripped the back of a chair. "I know you have been taking food to the orphanage," he said to her and her eyes widened. She went to speak but he held up a hand to stop her. "I admire you for it. I am not here to punish you. But I have to forbid you from doing it again."

"Father…"

"This is not a decision I have taken lightly," he said sadly. "There is no grain left. We cannot waste what precious little remains."

"Father, forgive me, but it is not a waste. They are children."

"And you are the Princess of Camelot. Your life means more."

"You can't say that," Amara shook her head.

"I can and I am," Uther said firmly. "Please don't argue with me," he pleaded softly. Amara stayed quiet, she could tell how upset he was about the kingdom's predicament, and to push him further wouldn't do anyone any good. "Come. Arthur is meeting me in the council chambers, you should be involved in discussions regarding the kingdom from now on."

"Of course," Amara nodded as tears brimmed her eyes. Uther held his arm out to direct her and she followed him out of her chambers and towards the council chambers. As the pair entered, Arthur turned to face them.

"There are some supplies left in the palace stores," Arthur told them quickly. "We are distributing them to the people, but there is not enough to live on. They will not survive for long."

Uther hung his head in disappointment and placed his hand on the back of Amara's head, running it down her hair before he took a few steps forward. "Then you must stop distributing food to the people."

"They will starve," Arthur argued.

Uther took a deep breath. "We must conserve the food we have for our army."

"We cannot let our people go without food," Arthur pressed.

"We must defend the kingdom at all costs."

"What's the point of defending a kingdom where the people have starved to death?"

"What would you have me do?" Uther yelled as he stormed forward.

"Father, please. If they starve there will be nothing left to defend," Amara begged.

"Ask the neighbouring kingdoms for help," Arthur suggested. Uther scoffed immediately. "They may be able to spare some food."

"Out of the question," Uther said. "As soon as they realise how weak we are, our enemies will strike against us."

"Nemeth will supply food. They have plenty of crops, they will not strike out at us. King Rodor is so kind, he will help us out of love," Amara said as she came to stand next to Arthur.

Arthur nodded in agreement, "you don't know for certain that other kingdoms will attack."

"I would rather starve than beg my enemies for help," Uther scowled. "What of our kingdom's reputation? Have you no pride?"

This struck a nerve with Arthur and he looked at their father in anger. "I cannot think of my pride when our people go hungry. They are all I can think of."

Uther walked up to Arthur and said quietly, "give the order to stop distributing food to the people. Is that understood?"

"You'll have to give that order yourself," Arthur sneered before turning around and leaving the council chambers while Uther fumed.

"Very well. But if you'd caught the sorcerer, I wouldn't have to," Uther called after him. "That's your responsibility. One day you will understand what it takes to be king."

"How could you say that to him?" Amara asked angrily. "This curse is not his fault!" she yelled.

"Watch your tone," Uther warned.

"You cannot be certain the sorcerer is within the palace borders, they could be in the outer villages and Arthur cannot travel that far from the city!" Uther turned to walk away and Amara hurried after him. "You cannot put that kind of pressure on him."

"Go to your room, Amara."

"I will. I will go to my room and I will write to King Rodor and plead for food. You have to put away your pride father. The people are dying! We must do everything we can to help. Why feed the army when there is nothing left to protect?"

"Guards!" Uther called, summoning them towards them. "Escort the princess to her chambers. Keep her there. Don't allow any letters to leave. Am I clear?"

"Yes sire," a guard agreed.


"Arthur!" Amara gasped as she jumped up out of her seat when he came into her chambers that evening.

"I'm going to fix this," he said quickly

"The curse?" Amara asked and he nodded. "How?"

"The curse is my fault," he told her.

"It's not Arthur."

"It is. I killed the unicorn. Gaius warned me killing a unicorn can have consequences. The curse is my consequence. The sorcerer who placed the curse visited me a few nights ago. He said I would face three tests that I had to pass in order for the curse to be lifted. I had to prove myself worthy," Arthur informed her.

"Gaius told me about that. I don't see how it at all fair to punish the kingdom this way though. This curse will kill people, that punishes a lot more than just you." Her eyes widened, "the water coming back."

"The morning after I passed the first test," he nodded.

"The rotted grain…"

"I failed the second test."

"There are three tests?" she asked.

Arthur nodded, "I'm leaving to seek the sorcerer out now. I will do whatever it takes to get this curse lifted. If I fail and I die I need you to promise me that you will send letters to every surrounding kingdom asking for food."

"I will," Amara nodded.

"We cannot let our people starve, I don't care what father says. If asking other kingdoms is the only way then it is what must be done." Arthur took a deep breath and turned around, "I have to go."

"Arthur!" she called out. "You are pure of heart. You will do this. For Camelot." Arthur nodded in appreciation before hurrying out of her room.


"My lady! My lady!" Juliana yelled as she ran into Amara's room.

"What? What?" Amara asked frantically as she leapt up.

"The crops have grown back overnight. They're bringing in the harvest now. We have food again."

Amara laughed and covered her mouth. "The people have food?"

Juliana nodded gleefully.

"He did it!" Amara squealed. "Arthur did it."


Later that day Arthur ran into Amara's chambers. "You did it!" she smiled. Arthur nodded and she walked up to him and pulled him into a hug. "You proved yourself. I knew you would."

"I do need a favour."

"What is it?" she asked.

"The unicorn horn," He said looking over at the horn on her mantle. "I'll have to repossess it."

"What will you do with it?" she asked.

"I wish to bury it. I never should have killed it."

Amara nodded. "Father was wrong for what he said to you yesterday. You're a great man Arthur, and you'll be a great king one day."

"Thank you," he smiled. "I'm going with Merlin now to bury the horn, we'll be back shortly."

"Merlin?" Amara asked.

"Yes Amara," he laughed. "I don't know what Merlin did to make you cross, but I'm sure he's very sorry."

"I think we should just remember his place," she warned. "He's a servant."

"You and Morgana adore your maids," he pointed out.

"You adore Merlin?"

"I most certainly do not! I do however feel a vague form of…"

"Friendship?" Amara suggested.

"No. Not that," Arthur scoffed.

"Just be wary. That's all I'm saying."