Happy St Valentines, 恭禧發財 Happy Chinese new yew of the Horse! (If the characters are wrong I do apologise, I copied them from Google!) I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and an awesome New Year and all the other holidays I've missed! Mine were crap –_-.

Anyway! Here's to a new year with Emma and Arthur! (Sorry about the 3 months of not uploading! I have struggled with this chapter.)

To old and new readers alike, thank you! As well as all those following this story, thank you! I hope you are enjoying 'The Champion's Favour'!

And a massive thank you to my reviewers, Nyght Elf, Micky-Moo, Kikki2696, ScarletKnight17 and Mysterious-Lover25! I loved reading them and I'm glad you love reading this story!

Happy Birthday to my beta reader and friend Jay! Hope this makes up for the long wait and you have a fantastic day!

Now onto the chapter!


Taking Steps

Bored out of her mind and embarrassed beyond reason, Emma had taken it taken it upon herself to annoy the man who had forced her onto his horse and was keeping her there with his arm wrapped around her waist.

Ignoring the anticipated reaction it would inevitably cause, Emma asked the dreaded question again.

"Are we there yet?"

A collected groan littered around the small party in despair.

In her naivety, Emma had automatically jumped to the conclusion that it was going to be a short ride to the outskirts of the Kingdom. Even though they had set out at dawn, four hours had passed and there was no indication of their nearing their destination and were now riding through a rather large forest having passed a few villages, which had shocked Emma with their primitiveness, she tried not to let it show and smiled and waved as the news spread that the King's strange New Ward was being shown the Kingdom.

But after forcing herself to smile and with her lack of experience on a horse, Emma was exhausted, uncomfortable and very sore, she began cursing the hype that surrounded horse riding in her time. Surely they were not going to ride all day?

As if he had heard her thoughts Arthur's arm moved from around her waist, his hand giving the signal for them to stop. As the horse stopped underneath her, Emma had to lean back into her personal Royal Pain to stop herself jolting forward and lessen the chance of falling ungracefully to the floor.

Afraid to add to the list of humiliation this journey was creating, Emma dared not to turn and view Arthur's reaction to her instinctive positioning to protect her as it had unwillingly cause the concealed bow attached to her back, to press against his chest.

"We'll break here."

Arthur's voice caused Emma to jump as the knights of the party stopped and dismounted, causing Merlin to spur into action to get the horses watered and rested before Arthur decided they should start moving again. Arthur dismounted behind her, leaving Emma stranded, giving out a moan of disbelief she tried to swing her leg over, planning to sit aside it and then slide off.

The horse, however, had other ideas.

As Emma held onto the horse, she slowly manoeuvred her leg up and as she was about to move it over to join her other leg, the horse trotted to get to the water, causing Emma to let out a screamed as she fell to the floor.

A loud snap echoed as she landed flat on her back, Emma lay stunned and winded as the horse was grabbed by one of the knights before it could accidently trample her. Merlin was quick to her side as Arthur looked on, seemingly unconcerned. As some of the Knight's crowded around her, Merlin began asking her question to determine the extent of her injuries as they had all heard the sickening sound. As Merlin sent the knights away to give them some room, Emma sat herself up much to the protest of her aching muscles, knowing full well what the snap was and it definitely was not any bones. As Merlin went to speak, Emma silenced him with her hand.

"Don't worry I'm fine. I just want some time alone."

With a quick glare at Arthur, Emma stalked off into the woods ignoring Arthur's call of her name. Climbing through the foliage she continued on her chosen path until she stumbled onto a large flat rock next to a river, clambering on to it, she almost collapsed with exhaustion. Pulling the bow out from her back, Emma lay down, holding it up above her head before throwing it to the side, the bow was already old and over used in the training arena, unfortunately it could not take the impact of a human body and snapped, rendering it useless.

Cursing her luck, Emma took off her boots, dipping her feet in the cooling waters. Relaxing back down, she closed her eyes listening to sounds of the forest; she began to dose off, finding comfort in the environment. Emma had almost forgotten all her troubles until a noise in the foliage snapped her back to reality, a noise that sounded like someone stepping on a twig.

With surprising swiftness, Emma was on her feet, her eyes searching the direction she could have sworn she had heard the noise. She waited for a few minutes, listening for every little thing. After a while Emma still hadn't heard anything new, telling herself it must have been a wild animal, she found where she had thrown her broken bow, it may have become useless and the string and arrows may have been hidden in her bag attached to Merlin's horse but it was better than having nothing.

In an attempt to calm her nerves, Emma cupped her hands into the water and poured it onto the back on her neck to try and cool her down, she needed to focus. As she reached out to the water again, her body tensed as the hairs on the back on her neck stood up.

Someone was watching her.

With slow and deliberate movements, Emma grabbed the bow and tried to control her breathing. Counting down from three to give her chance to prepare her thoughts, Emma turned sharply, swinging the bow out as a club. Much to her surprise there was no one there, checking her footing she continued towards some of the foliage of ferns that framed the small area.

Trying to calm her heartbeat, Emma surveyed the area again; fear flowed through her veins.

"Who's there?!" Emma's voice emerged as a roar, disguising how afraid she really was.

"I demand you show yourself!"

Emma raised the bow, waiting for a reaction, her patience stretched thin. Emma was about to shout out and try and grab the attention of the knights when she saw two bright blue eyes peering through the greenery. Water caught in her hair from earlier, dripped slowly down her chest, the blue eyes filled with a strange emotion causing her to shiver as the eyes followed the waters trail.

Furious, Emma's self-control began to slip and rational thinking was quickly thrown out the window, instead of seeking help from the famous Knights of Camelot or thinking of her own safety Emma swung with all her might at the emerging figure.

Anticipating the strike, her hidden assailant easily caught her makeshift club and revealed himself from concealment. Arthur did not look happy as Emma felt a strange relief flood her, both of them stood holding the bow, quickly changing Emma's relief to panic.

Just what was Arthur going to do with her now?

Instead of trying to explain her actions, Emma backed away in retreat, attempting to convey she meant no harm, colour draining from her face. She kept on going backwards; her eyes wide, as she tried to step back again her foot slipped off the edge of the rocky terrain. Emma's head turned sharply in shock as her body lost it balance and began to fall into the river; tensing her body she prepared for her impact with the water, cursing her faulty footing.

Without warning she was quickly pulled into Arthur's arms and onto safer ground. As Emma's brain processed what just happened, she was quick to push Arthur away.

"Is it a sick habit of yours to watch woman when they are in private and then scare them half to death?"

The Prince huffed aloud, having already reached his patience with the young woman before him.

"You wandered off. I sometime wonder if you have any idea of the dangers that lurk out here."

"Don't worry about me; I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

As Emma tried to barge pass him, Arthur grabbed the crook of her arm, forcing her to look at him.

"I hardly think a broken bow is going to seriously injure someone, not matter how it's used."

Rolling her eyes, Emma attempted to release his grip in her arm to try and grab her boots. Using his strength to his advantage, the young prince started to force Emma back towards the clearing, growling when Emma darted for her footwear, weaselling her way out of his grip.

Taking more time than necessary, Emma laced up her leather boots with Arthur tapping his foot in annoyance behind her. Just as she was about to finish tying the last boot, Arthur walked in front of her and bent to her level and proceeded to force her over his shoulder, accompanied by Emma screaming down his ear.

With her face bright red, Emma was carried back through the forest to the clearing, brimming with frustration. Arthur placed her on a fallen log, quickly ordering knights to guard her before she could enact some sort of revenge.

Sat with pursed lips, Emma crossed her arms over her chest making the atmosphere surrounding her extremely awkward.

"He was worried you know."

Merlin sat down beside her, handing her a container of water, Emma took it without hesitation, automatically disbelieving the words that fell from his mouth.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but he doesn't care about anyone but himself."

Smiling to himself, the young warlock motioned her to drink more.

"I thought the same when I first met him," Merlin's voice became soft as his thoughts travelled to the past.

"After I became his servant, I got to know the real him, watched him grow."

"You really mean this don't you?"

Merlin gave her a small smile.

"He'll make a great King one day."

Emma laced her fingers together on her lap, allowing the words to sink in, thinking of the legends that surrounded the young prince across the clearing from her and how he would be eventually betrayed and killed.

"Thanks Merl, but I stick by what I said, He wasn't worried about me."

The sadness she felt laced every word she said, Emma could have kicked herself; she was making plans to escape and had completely forgotten all the events that would happen to Arthur. Would he be ready? Will Merlin help him?

How could she have forgotten the role Guinevere and Morgana will play in Arthur's life?

Was it in Arthur's destiny to be betrayed repeatedly until his death?

Releasing a breath she didn't realise she was holding, Emma rubbed her temples attempting to release the pressure building from the beginnings of a migraine, as her thoughts great serious.

Could his destiny be changed?

Merlin had talked about how it was his destiny was set out for him, but was that it?

Was destiny in set in stone?

Was it her destiny to be dragged to Camelot?

Had that been set down for her?

"Look, I'm sorry about the bow but you don't have to mope about it."

Jumping to her feet and clutching her heart in shock, Emma turned to see Arthur standing behind the spot she had been sitting.

"You really do like scaring women, don't you?"

Ignoring her remark, Arthur signalled his Knights.

"Mount up and be on your guard, we still have many miles ahead of us."

The Knights sprang into action quickly gathering equipment and remounting their now briefly rested horses.

Merlin flittered about double checking the bags were secure before walking Arthur's mount to him and holding it steady as the Prince ascended.

Arthur moved the mammal closer to Emma, holding out his hand to help her up. She hesitated before deciding it was probably safer for her to accept it, than trying to run and share a horse with Merlin.

The young Prince seemed surprised when she actually did what he wanted and did not resist and cause a scene; Arthur quickly recovered himself and directed her on where to put her feet in the stirrups, allowing Emma to believe she had some control.

Once Emma was safety sat in front of him, Arthur replaced his feet in the stirrups and resumed leading the small party to their destination. Automatically, Arthur's arm settled around Emma's waist, once again holding her to him, Arthur was relieved that Emma's bow was not assaulting his shoulder this time.

Emma remained silent as the villages began to grow few and far between whilst the greenery grew dense and thick. It was not long before the unending scenery and the rhythmic rocking of the horse beneath her had made her extremely drowsy.

Slowly, Emma's head began to fall backwards as she began to fall asleep, as her head fell backwards she instinctively jolted forward. This cycle repeated time after time as Arthur watched in amusement as Emma's head began growing closer and closer to his right shoulder.

The exhausted young woman was entirely unaware that it was Arthur that had become her pillow but as soon as her head rested on his shoulder, Emma had fallen in to a deep sleep.

The travelling knights kept their remarks to themselves as they watched their Prince and the King's New Ward basically cuddling, thankful for peace from their bickering.

Arthur watched as she slept, worried laced his features, Emma did not know what she was getting herself into. Yes, she wasn't like any other woman he had ever met, she questioned not only him but other men in power or their actions, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and talk about the equality of men and women as well as well the different jobs women can do. But that didn't stop the fact that Emma was defenceless and vulnerable even if she thought otherwise.

His eyes widened as he felt her grip his arm in his sleep, a small sob escaping from her mouth. Unsure of what to do Arthur quickly tried to wake her up, having no experience with how to deal with crying females, that was Merlin's department.

Emma sobbed again; causing Arthur to motion for Merlin to come to his aid, the young warlock quickly trotted his mount to him.

"Merlin, wake her up." Arthur's hushed whisper seemed to echo around them.

"Me? Why me? You're the one holding her!"

"Look, Merlin you're my servant and when I tell you to do something, you do it!"

"You're just afraid she'll lose her temper with you again."

"I'm not afraid of her!"

"You keep telling yourself that!"

Emma sobbed again, a small 'no' passing through her lips. Both men instantaneously stopped, anticipating the angry awoken Emma, Merlin and Arthur waited, finding the young woman still in her slumber.

Sharing a look, the unlikely duo paused before Merlin opened his mouth.

"You know, you could be a little more understanding to her. Emma's finding it difficult enough."

Arthur was tempted to roll his eyes before he answered.

"If I wanted your advice Merlin, I would ask for it!"

Emma began to struggle against Arthur in her sleep; her breathing became panicked, trying to fight the demons in her dreams.

"No don't do it, don't kill Arthur please."

The knights were beginning to notice something was definitely wrong.

"Merlin, I'm ordering you to wake her up!"

Merlin tried calling her name to no avail.

"Merlin!"

In desperation, the young warlock resorted to yelling down her ear.

Jolting awake, Emma blinked a few times attempting to establish her surrounding, her mind trying to process reality and the nightmare. She came to the conclusion that she had dreamt her name being shouted.

Stretching her neck and giving a yawn, Emma let her head rest back her eyes drawn to the darkening purple of the sunset.

"Where are we?"

Emma's voice came out as one long continuous mutter. Her head hurt and she felt like death warmed up.

"We're almost at the camp for the night."

Arthur answered with some reservation, afraid he would have to deal with comforting her after her nightmare.

Waiting for a reply or of any indication of intending to communicate, silence descended over them, signalling the unwelcome return of the awkward atmosphere.

Groggy with sleep, Emma allowed herself to doze, her unsettled dreams far from her thoughts.

Her naïve plan of finding someone magical was definitely a failure; with every town and village Emma's hopes were dashed. Magic was outlawed and Emma did not have the ability to identities those who practised it.

Unable to let out her frustration, she stared vacantly at the stars above, making a private wish to the heavens.

"We're here."

In the shelter under a canopy of trees, the small group began creating a secure location to sleep, preparing to rest before they reach their destination and the threat of the 'patrol' party.

To Emma's surprise instead of leaving her stuck on top of the horse again, Arthur gently helped her down, setting her safely on the ground.

Emma watched him with suspicion; he had been a little too quiet and nice since she woke up. Arthur walked away as Merlin began to build a campfire, attempting to prepare a meal for the weary travellers.

Without warning Emma walked straight to Arthur, her mind made up although she would probably regret it later, the young prince raised his eyebrows in confusion as her determined walk gained his attention.

"We need to talk."


Hey guys I have gone through this but if you see any spelling or grammatical mistakes please let me know!

Thanks for reading! Hopefully 3000 words makes up for the lack of updates!

(I may have beat my beta so it was an early surprise for her! So I'm sorry if my tired over-worked brain has just made you all cry because of the terrible grammar.)

(Note: 6/5/14: I've done some grammatical changes! But if you see one don't be scared to let me know. I'm sure there one a word mix up when I went through it but now I can't find it)