An extra-long chapter for my extra patient readers! (15 pages in word!)

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White Flag

Arthur stopped and raised an eyebrow at Emma, as some of the knights quietened themselves to watch the exchange between them.

Feeling the sudden burst of attention, Emma felt her face colour and glared at the eavesdropping warriors who had the sense to turn their heads away.

"Alright."

Arthur readied himself for the usual abuse and tantrums he had grown accustomed to from the young woman standing in front of him. The thought suddenly accorded to him that she might describe her nightmare and grow upset and cry, highly unlikely but it was possible to young Prince's mind.

Realising Arthur did not intend to move, he was waiting for her to speak in front of all the people surrounding him. Tempted to roll her eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Can I speak to you alone, please?"

An unsettling tightening of his stomach began to grow in Arthur as he grew increasingly disturbed at her words.

Standing up, Arthur watched as Emma motioned him to follow her. She directed him to the edge of the small area the party had decided to camp. They walked in silence, quite aware of the amount of eyes following them.

Reaching an area covered in foliage to shield them from being the knight's entertainment, Arthur settled himself near the base of a tree, his back leaning against it. Emma opened her mouth and closed it a few times, resolving herself to her earlier decision; Emma struggled to start the conversation as Arthur sat waiting patiently.

"We don't get along," It surprised Emma how blunt it sounded as Arthur opened his mouth to speak, she raised her hand to stop him.

"We don't get along, but I don't want that."

She almost winced at herself with how lame the words from her mouth were sounding. She took a chance to briefly look at Arthur and instantly regretted it as Arthur's hypnotising blue eyes were glued to her, his face intensely seriously making the situation even more uncomfortable.

"I-" Emma faltered, Arthur's eyes seemed to be peering into her soul, although she was not sure if he acknowledged the conversation at all, Emma had turn from him to keep her concentration and resolve.

"I know I haven't been the easiest person to put up with but you haven't exactly made it easy for me here, in a completely different time, with a drastically different culture and how hard it is for me to try and understand it here especially with what it said about this time."

"I know." Arthur's voice made her jump. "I've heard you and Merlin talking."

Wheeling around in surprise, it dawned on Emma that Arthur could have heard them discussing Merlin's magic, causing fear to start coursing through her veins.

"You did?" Emma attempted to keep her voice level as she paled. Arthur shifted as he averted his gaze, uncomfortable to admitting he had inadvertently been eavesdropping.

"You talk to Merlin about where you are from, I get curious."

Having to stop herself from sighing in relief, Emma didn't want to think of what would happened if he had overheard Merlin talking of magic.

"Merlin's easy to talk to." A small smile threatened to appear when she thought of how Merlin had become the brother figure to her.

"If it wasn't for him or Gaius, I would probably be dead or insane. They're always there for me, if I need someone to talk to or to explain certain objects or words, completely foreign to me. They make me feel safe, I'm glad and lucky I have friends like that."

Emma looked at Arthur noticing a small amount of sadness in his eyes.

"But I suppose you saved my life as well," the small smile turned into a mischievous grin. "Although, today's saving was the result of your habit of watching unsuspecting women."

"I do not!" Frustration and annoyance laced Arthur's words. Emma raised her hands in front of her in surrender for the second time that day.

"I'm kidding."

Emma moved next to him and knelt down, her bruised and aching muscles screaming at her as she did.

"Look, I've decided to make it easier for both of us, a truce, a restart of our friendship." Emma held out her hand to him.

"Hello, my name is Emma Beaumont."

Arthur stared at Emma's hand before he held it.

"Arthur Pendragon."

He watched as Emma's face brightened causing him to smile, thinking to himself that Emma wasn't one to hide her emotions.

"So," Arthur relaxed back. "What's brought all this on?"

Emma remained silent as she automatically began to bite her bottom lip, she didn't want to admit to dreaming of Arthur's lifeless body, watching him die over and over in so many ways in her nightmares, troubled by the knowledge she possessed of his legends.

"You said my name in your sleep."

The young Prince saw Emma put up her guard as her pupils dilated.

"I don't know what you're on about; I don't talk in my sleep."

"I'm not going to die you know."

Emma kept her eyes to her hands.

"Sorry Arthur but I have no idea what you are talking about."

Arthur watched her as she sat unblinking next him, her face stoic both remaining silent.

"You pleaded for my life. I didn't know you cared so much."

Emma raised her eyes to him, a sad smile adorning her face.

"We're friends aren't we? I'm allowed to worry."

A sigh escaped from Arthur's mouth.

"Look, if this is about that Sect of whatever that tried to kill you, they've disappeared. You killed two of them, stop worrying."

"I suppose."

"It's been over a month. Nothing is going to happen."

Emma stood up, causing Arthur to stand in surprise. Her mischievous smile did not match her eyes.

"You know Arthur, away from all the knights and courtiers you're actually a nice guy."

The young woman walked away, unable to look at Arthur's reaction.

"Emma!"

Walking back out into the area they'd set up camp, all conversations ceased. The itself camp was off the main path through the woods, allowing them cover and safety should anything happen. The trees provided ample cover in case the heavens should open and Merlin had started preparing a fire to cook a meal for all of them. The horses had been tied in a small area for them to gaze as the knights sharpened their swords in their own little group.

Upon seeing Merlin, Emma decided it would be wise to avoid the knights and their gossiping. Heading in his direction, she looked behind her, observing Arthur returning to his warriors. Their eyes met for a brief moment, smiles both forming on their faces, a strange tingling sensation commenced in her stomach.

"I saw that."

"That's good Merlin; it means your eyes work."

Sitting next to him, Emma blamed her stomach tingling on hunger.

"So what did you and Arthur talk about? Everyone's been taking bets on if you were confessing to each other."

Emma wrinkled her nose in disgust and became very tempted to call them some very unladylike words.

"I called a truce with Arthur."

Merlin raised an eyebrow as he tried to stop a grin from forming.

"A truce with Arthur?"

Emma rolled her eyes at his questioning tone.

"It is really that hard to believe, you said yourself that Arthur is alright once you get to know him!"

With a strange gleam to his eye, Merlin stared at Emma unblinkingly.

"You're up to something."

In an attempt to appear innocent in the face of such an accusation, Emma achieved the exact opposite.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

Remaining silent, Emma's thoughts whirled with the events of the day and the disappointment of not finding someone to send her home as she wished. As the voices and joking of the knights filled the surrounding area, Emma made sure that no one would over hear them.

"Actually Merlin, there is something I want to talk to you about."

Taking in a breath, Emma ignored the voice in her head warning her about what the dragon said to the legendary warlock next to her.

"I was wondering how you know if someone in front of you has magic."

Merlin immediately froze in place, his eyes darting to her as he tensed.

"Why?"

"I'm curious."

He was not fooled and looked at her suspiciously, carefully choosing his words before he replied.

"You can't tell if someone has magic unless they decide to tell you or show you."

Trying not to let the distress of the news shown on her face, Emma let a small 'oh' escape. Noticing the change in temperament, Merlin grew increasingly worried with her questioning and her sudden change in behaviour towards Arthur, he unexpectedly came to a surprising conclusion.

"You're not going to enchant Arthur are you?"

Emma blinked at the young warlock for a few moments before bursting into uncontrollable laughter as Merlin's face burnt bright red.

"Well you and Arthur are all pally and then you ask about how to find someone magical. It could happen!"

"Merlin," Emma had trouble trying to control the tears of happiness streaming down her face. "That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

"So what's the reason for it all then?"

That question soon sobered her up, as her brain whirled to find a believable answer, one that didn't involve telling him about her plan to get home.

"I've been told about all the attacks on Arthur and Camelot. I just want to be useful. I want to be able to protect my friends, Merlin."

Merlin appeared empathic, his mouth opening to say something, his hand resting on her arm to comfort her.

"Merlin, Stop flirting and serve dinner!"

Arthur was stood watching them from his circle of knights, he observed Emma trying to control herself from barking back a retort, unfortunately the vegetable stew decided to emit the rancid smell of burning.

It may have been luck, or something a little more magical, but the food Merlin created was edible and extremely tasty, much to Emma's surprise. It may have been the enclosing night or being next to a campfire but the travelling company talked and told stories, entertaining each other with their exploits and Emma listened on intrigued and delighted.

As the moon and stars stared down on them, a sudden thought became paramount.

"Wait, where are we going to sleep?"

Conservation stopped as the knights looked awkwardly between them.

"Outside, My lady."

Emma was tempted to ask him to repeat the question; however, she came to the conclusion it would not get the desired results. Perceiving that Arthur was in deep conversation about their mission to some of the knights, she walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder to gain his attention.

"We're going to sleep outside?"

The knights quickly started their own conversations, knowing the usual results when Emma spoke that way. Arthur peered up at her from his seated position.

"Yes, what did you expect?"

"A tent, at least."

"Look, setting up a tent would slow us down. We have speed to our advantage. Should anything happen we can be on the move in a matter of minutes."

"It does make sense but one thing is worrying me. Do I have to sleep on the ground?"

The floor was covered in leaves, twigs and stones, definitely not giving the perception of comfort, Emma knew she would not be able to sleep and dreaded the idea of prying the undergrowth from her hair in the morning.

"In a bed-roll, yes."

"Just a bed-roll? What if it starts to rain?"

"Then we'll get wet."

Emma had to pinch the bridge of her nose before she said something completely unladylike. Letting out a sigh, she reasoned if she caught pneumonia and died, she would be his personal poltergeist. Giving a nod to Arthur in acknowledgement, Emma walked over to the pile of bags Merlin has taken of the horses. Grabbing her bag, Emma proceed to place herself next one of the small fires Merlin had set up away from the main group to keep them warm.

The young warlock walked over and handed her a roll of material, belted with a leather strap, before being called back by Arthur.

Emma began playing with the leather as she unbound the woollen material beneath it. Opening it up, Emma let out a sigh of exasperation, expecting some sort of sleeping bag with such a name as bed roll, it was, in fact just a blanket.

Arthur was definitely the first one she would haunt.

She stared at it for a few moments before deciding it would be best to lay it on the ground first. It took a few attempts for her to sit on it in the right position so she could roll herself up into and be comfortable and warm as well as not having her feet stick out. Little did Emma know she was providing entertainment for Arthur and Merlin, amused by the strange woman's antics.

Luck, it seemed, had decided to leave Emma for the night. Unable to sleep on the hard ground, Emma was still awake as most of the knights slept, staring into the embers of the fire next to her, listening to the eerie sounds of the forest at night. Jolting, she began to feel wet droplets landing on her face, standing up with blanket in hand; she spotted Arthur sleeping underneath a tree.

Settling down next to him, Arthur jumped awake, his hand automatically going to his sword before realisingit was only Emma.

"What are you doing?"

"It's raining."

Arthur started to repeat his question but he stopped himself when Emma's head landed on his shoulder.

"Emma?"

"Shhh, pillows don't talk."

Emma was vaguely aware of light shining in her eyes, stirring awake she also swore out aloud as Merlin was squatting close to her, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"What are you doing?"

She winced as her eyed tried to become accustomed bright light of the sun streaming through from the canopy above.

"Comfy?" Merlin's grin seemed to brighten.

Confused as his question, Emma realised she was indeed quite comfortable and warm, her main concerns the night proving mostly false, as she was curled up in her blanket, her head on her pillow.

It took Emma's brain a few moments to wake up; reminding her she did not have a pillow.

Turning her head to the side, Emma bolted straight up, mortified. She had been using Arthur's lap as a pillow and turning her head had put it very close to Arthur's extremely private area.

Horrified, Emma put her head in her hands.

"Don't you dare tell anyone!"

Trying to get away from the still sleeping Prince, Emma tried to stand unsuccessfully, as a searing pain ripped through her lower back. Hissing, Emma tried to control to her breathing in an attempt to lessen the pain.

"Emma! Emma?" Merlin voice became panicked as Emma leant again the trunk of the tree. Hearing Merlin, Arthur started awake, seeing Emma grimacing in pain he was on his feet in a matter of seconds.

"What's happened?"

"I don't know, she stood up and ended up like this."

Arthur placed a hand on her shoulder as if to steady her.

"What's wrong?"

"My back." Emma hissed, the pain in her back was allowing her brain to dull the soreness of her bum and thighs from horse-riding continuously the day before. It dawned on her, that the injury to her back was the result of being slammed to the ground with a bow on her back.

"I'll be fine, just giving me a few moments."

Allowing stubbornness to prevail instead of self-preservation, Emma tried her best to walk normally, muttering curses to the horse under her breath.

In the end she had to sit down her back, although not broken, was badly bruised. Emma grabbed her bag and tried to undo her hair with the smallest of movements and scowlingly brushed her hair.

After making herself presentable and answering natures call with slow, small movements, she managed to eat little at breakfast. Everyone in the camp knew not to annoy her today.

As the camp was packed up and the knights started to remount, Merlin pulled Emma aside.

"Here."

He presented her with a small vital filled with a brown liquid. Emma looked at it with trepidation.

"It will help with the pain."

Emma had snatched it of his hands and swallowed it down in two gulps. She stood waiting to feel any effects, and began sincerely wishing for paracetemol, aspirin or morphine. Arthur rode the horse over to her and offered his hand; Emma attempted to pull herself up without crying out in pain.

When she was once again seated in front of Arthur, her feet out of the stirrups, his arm slid automatically around her waist, holding Emma to him.

Arthur's other hand held onto the reins, and started the horse moving, the knights following close behind with Merlin, of course.

With every movement of the horse beneath, Emma was sure tears of pain were about to roll down her cheeks. The potion started to take the edge off the pain, but it did not numb it completely.

The small company moved in silence, travelling hours through the forest, once again riding along the path. As the density of the trees began to thin, the sunlight beamed down in plains of long grass allowing a small village to greet them from the rolling hills.

They grew closer; sticking to a dirt road, the village itself seemed too small to be called a village. It consisted of a small cluster of wooden huts with thatched roofs; each house seemed to have a small vegetable garden next to it, closed off with a woven wooden fence. The village seemed to be built around the road, with the other only occupants apart from themselves being a few chickens and pigs.

The settlement appeared perfectly normal; however, it was eerily silent with no sight or sounds of the residents. They were missing.

A portion of the knights dismounted, unsheathing theirs swords as their feet touched the ground.

"What's happened here?" Emma's voice was scarcely above a whisper.

"I don't know, we're still two hours away from the border. They can't have travelled this far in land without being seen."

Descending off his horse, Arthur signalled the others to do the same. Unnerved by the spectacle before her, Emma got off the horse, and walked with the armed knights in case something should happen. They moved as a group whilst a few knights poked and prodded various baskets and piles of hay and trying the doors to the houses to see if they would budge.

Merlin was near Arthur at all times, neither looked pleased with the situation they were in.

"Where are all the people?"

As the words left her lips, Arthur grabbed her as led her back to the horse.

"Stay here, if anything should happen, ride back to Camelot, Do you understand?"

Emma nodded, feeling extremely despondent from the current situation.

Arthur walked forward, using his hands to point out orders to his well-trained warriors. Arthur and Merlin walked towards the little village square the missing residents had created. The young prince and his secret warlock stepped as lightly as they could whilst the knights came from around the buildings in an attempt to flank the unknown.

A loud battle-cry echoed in the enclosed area, as Emma froze to the spot, any logical thought quickly made itself scarce. Arthur and the knights quickly formed together, creating a circle so all sides were covered.

Another battle cry resounded, as unshaven dirty men appeared from behind locked doors and well hidden places dotted in the environment. Their chainmail glittered murderously as they ran forward, weapons ready to attack. Immediately the air was filled with swords clanging against each other, a sickening sound accompliced by the growls and screams of wounds and death.

Time seemed to slow as Emma stood vulnerable, exposed and unarmed, watching her friends risk their lives. Observing men being sliced and diced, blood spluttering around them.

Emma thought she heard someone call her name, screaming it under the hordes of deadly warriors. She stood transfixed as if the fighting before wasn't real, it had happened to fast, too surreal.

The shouting happened again, only this time it registered in to Emma's brain.

"Emma, what are you waiting for?! Get on the horse and go!"

The sound seemed to unmute itself and time resumed its normal pace, Emma turned quickly grabbing the top of the saddle to haul herself up. Stopping in her tracks, she saw him, lean and lanky, mud plastered over his face and into his grey untamed beard. But her attention was held by the weapon in his hand, a crossbow.

Emma's head snapped around trying to see whom he had chosen as a target.

Out in the open Arthur was alone whilst Merlin and the knights tried to help deal with the members of the ambush.

Her heart beat throbbed in fear, filling her ears, her feet running straight towards him.

She couldn't let Arthur die. Emma ran through her pain, she had to reach him in time.

Heaven help her, she had to.

Emma could see Arthur clearly, his face serious and focused as he parried then swung hitting his attacker in the gut, unaware of the incoming danger from behind.

He turned as saw her running full speed towards him and paled.

Emma was close enough for her to hear Arthur say her name, and began to stretch her hand out to him to drag him out the way when as she felt something hit her full force from behind.

A breathe stealing jolt of ripping flesh, knocked her to the ground as she felt the burning of blood tickling from her shoulder blade. The world began to tilt dangerous as if she would fall into the sky, before she was enveloped into a comfortable darkness with someone screaming her name in despair.


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