Chapter 7
"Father...i-"
"No, Cecilia. " he said "I'm not letting you go, Camelot is a danger to you, i don't know how they knew of this illness.."
Cecilia pressed her lips together and started to speak telling her father that she went to Camelot asking for help..and boy did her father get upset.
"What?! You went there?! You would've been killed if they saw you using magic!" He angrily exclaimed
" If i didn't go you would've died!" Cecilia snapped. "You know mother was the only one in the village healing people, when she died... i did my best but i need to learn more so that this doesn't happen again." Cecilia said "That's why Merlin asked me if i want to go with him to Camelot-"
"That boy? You're going to risk your life going to Camelot with that Idiot?!"
"He's not an idiot! He's like me, he has magic and he's nice! I'm not a feeble little girl anymore, i can make my own decisions of how i want to live my life! Why can't you understand how i feel?!" Cecilia snapped "If you're so worried about me using any magic then here!" She took off the leather belt that has the little gems slamming it to the table, she ran to her room leaving her father speechless.
'Why? Why can't he understand how i feel? I know he's worried about me...but..i want to go...i want to learn and grow..why can't he see that?' Cecilia thought angrily. 'If only mother was alive...then things would be different…'
"Mom…i wish you were here with us."Cecilia whispered softly, glancing out the small window of her room. She sobbed, she met another person just like her.
Audric stood there in the room he couldn't believe his daughter raised her voice at him. He stared at the magic belt on the wooden table. 'I want what's best for her...why can't she understand.' He thought, he picked up the belt for a second a jewel gleamed.
'My Love, You have to let her grow up..' A voice whispered Audric froze for a second he turned around but no one was in sight, he heard the voice speak again. 'She's grown so much and she's capable of so much more..i know I was with you in that forest...Please...let her go with them….' A very small pale glowing ball of light floated taking the shape of Fay, Audric's late wife.
She smiled lovingly at her husband Audric just stared in awe, raising her pale ghostly hand trying to touch her husband's cheek but sadly it phase through him.
'Cecilia has a gift...she wants to learn and grow..' She said
" She's staying here." Audric replied "You left her many books, she can learn here. She has no reason to go."
Fay shook her head. 'Our daughter is special, if she stays her she'll feel like a bird trapped in a cage...you have to let her go for her to learn and grow, let her find a purpose in her gift. Trust our daughter in finding the right path for herself..'
Audric bit his bottom lip. "I...i don't want to lose our daughter…" he said softly. "I'm scared of what will happen to her.."
'Me too...' Fay replied 'But she wont be alone..she already met someone with the same burden as her, she's of age to make her own choice...please Audric...please understand Love.'
The couple looked at each other Fay leaned in to kiss her husband, Audric felt a sensation in his lips as her spirit disappeared. He silently sob trying to hold back his tears.
The next day was the day of the knights, Gaius and Merlin will make the trip back to Camelot. Cecilia picked out a few different flavored jam placing them in the basket for Merlin and the rest of the group, She didn't say a word to her father. She held the basket tightly before she could go and see them off her father called out to her.
Cecilia turned her head she noticed her Father had dark circles and slightly red eyes signs that he didn't sleep well last night, he placed the leather belt with the small crystals in his daughters hands.
"Father whats wrong?" She worriedly asked. Audric shook his head he hugged his daughter tightly. Cecilia return his embrace feeling him shake a bit.
"I lost your mother….i don't want to lose you too..." Audric mumbled. "But...if going to Camelot will help you learn to control your magic..to find a purpose in this gift .then go...if you ever need me i'll be there...no matter what."
Outside of the village, The knights were saying goodbye to Leona's father, Leona hugged Cecilia tightly sad that her friend is leaving.
"Please be careful." Leona said
"I will." Cecilia said
"I'll be checking up on you once in awhile alright?" Leona said smiling at her friend.
"Ceci, are you ready?" Merlin asked
"Yes, i am." Cecilia said having her bag packed, Leona looked at Merlin for a second, Cecilia saw her friend going to him. She couldn't make out what Leona said to him but it made Merlin a little nervous. 'What did she say to him?' Cecilia thought.
"Take care Ceci! Bye Merlin!" Leona cheerfully said she stopped when she saw Arthur smiling at her. Leona shuddered a bit, she really doesn't like the prince's attitude. She gave Arthur a friendly smile minding her manners towards the prince.
"I do hope to see you again, My lady." Arthur said softly. "Maybe in the next tournament."
"A tournament?" Leona repeated
" Camelot is hosting an annual Tournament in two weeks, and knights from throughout the land will compete for its coveted title..i'll be participating in it." Arthur explained "You're Father mentioned that he'll sign up someone to participate."
Leona glanced at her father for a second then back at the prince.
"I'm sure whichever Knight my father chooses to represent our village will put up a good fight." Leona said
"We'll see, i've been training a lot." Arthur smoothly said
'This guy is thinking he's better than everyone…' Leona stopped herself she nodded slightly. 'We'll see about that Arthur.'
After saying their goodbyes the group left making their way back to Camelot.
Cecilia's P.o.v.
Once our trip ended were back safely to Camelot, Gaius manage to accommodate me with a room for myself I was fine with it so now i got myself in a little routine, id wake up before dawn to pick some fruit and other things to make breakfast for me, Merlin and Gaius. Along with making Jam to sell and have a small supply in my room for winter. I'd even find time to learn a few things from Gaius.
I took my usual path in the forest to forage for fruit i try not to pick all the fruit from the same spot multiple times unless if its an abundance growing wild id take more if not i take enough for a small supply.
I smiled finding a tree full of crab apples, i looked around for a second making sure no one was here, i muttered a spell that made the tree shake letting the apples fall to the ground.
I picked all the apples off the ground filling my basket, i made my way through the training grounds. There i noticed Merlin putting on his armour. I let put a sigh with the tournament getting closer Arthur has been using Merlin as a training dummy non stop. Poor Merlin would even ask me for more of my herbal ointments to help with the aches and pain caused by Arthur.
"Ready?" Arthur asked, clearly amused with the fact that Merlin couldn't even hold a sword.
"Would it make any difference if I said no?" Merlin asked.
"Not really," Arthur said, swinging the sword. I shook my head. If Leona saw this she'd teach Arthur a lesson, I was surprised that Leona did not snap at him...maybe since he's a prince she had to bite her tongue and not tell him off. Then again It wouldn't hurt Arthur to have a little humility.
"Body," Arthur said, swinging at Merlin's body, which he clumsily tried to block. "Shield. Body. Shield. Head," Arthur said.
"Head?" Merlin asked worriedly, and the sword swung against his helmet. I felt bad for the poor boy, knowing how much pain he'd be in.
Arthur chuckled. "Come on Merlin you're not even trying." And he swung his sword to hit Merlin in his backside.
Arthur repeatedly swung the sword at Merlin, but stopped for a second when he saw me.
"Well look who's here." Arthur said
"Hi." I said "Maybe...you should give Merlin a break? "
"He's fine, he lasted longer than my other servants they usually go down after one blow." Arthur replied glancing at my basket full of apples, i knew that look so i handed him an apple. I went to check on Merlin to see if he was okay.
"Are you okay?" I asked him he was laying on the ground trying to catch his breath.
Merlin looked at me then tapped his head a few times. "Do you hear clanging?" He asked
'Poor Merlin…' i thought setting the basket next to me i lightly touched his head my fingers lightly rubbing his forehead. "This should help." I said Merlin smiled slightly relieved.
"I think it already is." Merlin replied.
"Will you two lovebirds stop? " Arthur grudgingly said, Arthur's comment made me blush i stopped retreating away.
"Can I go back to training? I have a tournament to win." Arthur said
I gave him an annoyed look for a second then turned my attention to Merlin. "I'll see you later Merlin, i'm going to get a few things for lunch." I said then turned to Arthur. "I'll leave you to your training."
I walked past the training grounds going to the square i saw banners being up for the tournament as well as a few Knights signing up, Some of the Knights look pretty strong. I wonder what do they do in these types of tournaments do they joust? Swordfight? I kept staring at this one Knight the strange part is that this Knight didn't remove his helmet i stared at the armor he has on...it looked familiar the cloth colors i know id seen that dark blue and silver color cloth before...the Knight moved his head at my direction I shifted my eyes feeling a little embarrassed that he caught me staring at him, i glanced up and the Knight is gone.
I looked around and no sign of that strange Knight so i went back to doing my shopping. I turned a corner until i felt something yank my arm pulling me into a dark corner, to my surprise it was the Knight from earlier. This time i had a good look at him...or should i say her.
"L..Leona?" I whispered. "What are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?"
"Ceci...i need your help." Leona whispered. "I'm here for the tournament."
Leona followed me to my room i closed the door and went to the windows pulling the curtains over it, i turned to Leona as she removed her helmet letting her hair down, smiling nervously.
"Leona are you crazy?!" I said "Please explain, now."
Leona let out a sigh placing the helmet down at the table.
"After you left I told father i wanted to enter the tournament, he already picked someone else to enter. I tried reasoning with him, he knows the law and i know it too, the rules never said that a woman can't enter a tournament or challenge a Knight. I am here to prove myself and to them that i can be a Knight." Leona said going in her bag taking out her family crest. "I just need a chance to try.."
I know it too, back at the village Leona is one of the best fighters and skilled with the sword, I don't know what could happen if they catch Leona.
"You know..i cant use magic to help you but i can help you in other ways." I said "We'll need to think of a plan."
Leona grinned hugging me very tightly, if they see that a woman can fight just as well or even better than a man maybe they'll change a bit to let women train in the way of the sword to defend the castle.
"So you already signed up? " i asked.
"Yes, i signed up using Leo as an alias." Leona explained. "I'll need your help to find a training spot, the tournament is in two days."
"Until then you'll be staying here with me." I simply said Leona nodded placing her things in a corner of the table.
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