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And on with the story. Enjoy.
The Unwilling Prize
Emma was avoiding Arthur.
It had taken a fortnight in bed before she was let out of her room, this had made it increasingly difficult as Arthur insisting on visiting every day, sometimes alone, sometimes with Merlin in toe. King Uther had visited once and it was not considered a pleasant experience by the young woman.
But as soon as Gaius told her she was healthy enough to leave the room she was out like a shot, ignoring the part the old physician added about her being confided to the castle and its grounds. Emma even managed to ignore the knights and guards who watched her actions and went reporting it all back to Arthur.
Emma knew her behaviour was childish and that it would more than likely backfire on her but she had resolved herself to a hard decision. She must get rid of her feelings for Arthur and nurture his and Gwen's relationship. Although she had committed herself to this plan, made in the early hours after many sleepless nights, Emma could not face Arthur.
This did not stop the butterflies that appeared when see caught sight of him, or the heart break when she forced herself to turn away.
It was one of those days when Emma had decided to lock herself away in Camelot's Archives, surrounding herself with the hand written books and accounts of old.
The bandages wrapped around her slow healing wound were uncomfortably tight, causing her arm to hang close to her side to avoid unnecessary pain, it stung enough without her losing circulation in it.
Emma had grabbed a random book which turned out to be detailing the various mythical creatures of other countries that an unsuspecting traveller might encounter and get murdered by. Although Emma had read through it believing it to be a bunch of fairy tales and rubbish, however, unable to have an in-depth knowledge of magical creatures, she didn't know what to believe anymore.
It was as Emma was staring at a drawing of what appeared to be some sort of dragon, sheep, blob creature that she decided it enough for the day and thought it best to enjoy some sunshine in the courtyard above.
Leaving the dimming lit domain over saw by Sir Gregory, Emma flinched as her eyes were assaulted by the light, blinking she took a few moments to adjust to the difference.
"Emma!"
Merlin's voice echoed over the usually busy courtyard, causing the variety of people to stop and turn, this automatically meant Emma turned away in embarrassment with a blush.
"We've been looking for you."
The young warlock ran up to her with a smile, which Emma quickly returned, although she has only seen him a few hours earlier, she was glad to see her friend without the shadow of Arthur looming over them.
"What's the matter?
"Half the castles been looking for you. Arthur was beginning to think you'd been kidnapped."
"Please tell me the whole castle isn't looking for me because of something I've done or said again."
Merlin's grin seemed to grow at his recollection at some of Emma's mishaps due to the massive cultural difference due to the time difference between her and Camelot, especially when it involved one of the many tutors Uther had employed to the task of making her an asset to the kingdom.
"Well, the whole of Camelot has been ordered to prepare for a jousting tournament in your honour."
Emma waited for Merlin to tell her he was joking as the young warlock waited for a reaction from her.
"You're not joking are you?"
"Why would I be joking?"
"Why would Uther decide to dedicate a tournament to me?"
"To announce you properly to the Royal court and the Kingdom as a Ward of Camelot and…"
"Oh God there's more?"
Merlin paused to let her moan before he continued.
"And the winner of the tournament not only wins a thousand gold coins but gets to escort you to your first royal feast."
Emma's mouth popped open in annoyance and her eyebrows rose increasingly higher as Merlin knew the news that was meant to excite her had not had the desired effect.
"Do men in this time ever think before they act or even ask a lady what she wants?"
"You've met Uther, right?"
Emma sighed.
"I miss gender equality."
"Hey, at least you get to have new dresses and enjoy yourself, I get to work."
"I'll swap with you. Just promise me you'll save me some food."
The young manservant proceeded to walk with her to the steps on the courtyard and described what would happen in the fourteen days leading up to the tournament and what would be expected of her on the day.
The two friends sat, watching the hive of activity before them, laughing between themselves as they talked and Emma discussed the various ways she would probably mess up, more than likely to do with the length of her dress and her face meeting the floor.
It was as they were laughing together that Emma noticed Arthur walking with a couple of knights through the gatehouse, Emma sobered up quickly as she scrambled to her feet. Merlin looked passed her to see who had caused her to react in such away.
"I'll see you later Merlin."
Trying to act quickly before he noticed her, Emma was swiftly up the steps and through the doors before Merlin could answer. She began to whirl wind up the castle, her thoughts screaming at her the age of mantra, 'Out of Sight, out of mind,' her dress swirled around her feet as her boots echoed off the walls.
"Emma!"
Arthur's voice reverberated behind her as the large wooden door of her room came into view. Keeping her focus on the door, she reached her hand out to the handle. The door to her sanctuary, the place to escape and have peace lay metres away.
A hand caught her arm as Emma's gripped the metal door handle, her instincts flared and she tensed and turned on the spot as she came face to face with the person she was avoiding like the plague.
"Can I help you?"
"I've been calling you for over five minutes. What are you playing at?"
"I have something that needs taking care of."
"So important that you had to run through the castle?"
"I did not run, I was merely intent on my purpose."
His lips thinned in annoyance as Emma reached for the door handle behind her. Preparing herself, Emma opened it and took a few steps backward as Arthur had to let go of her to keep his balance.
Slamming the door behind her, Emma readied herself for the consequences of her childish actions that was sure to outrage the young prince. With her heart pounding in her ears, Arthur slammed the door open as Emma had to stop herself from cowering.
"What is wrong with you?" His shouting echoed around the room.
"You've been hiding around the castle for over a week, you hardly speak to anyone. Not only are you avoiding me, now you slam your door on me!"
"I don't know what you mean." Emma's voice barely came out as a whisper.
"Emma!"
Cornered and out of ideas, she opened and closed her mouth repeatedly like a goldfish.
"Well?!"
"It's nothing, please."
"Nothing, Nothing!? It must be something. This is stupid!"
"It's complicated."
Grabbing a random book left on her table, Emma made a hasty plan in her mind to escape.
"If you don't mind I have something I need to take care of."
"I do mind, you're being infuriating."
Emma made a move towards the door as Arthur blocked her exit.
"This is getting out of hand Emma, I demand to know what is going on."
"I'm returning a book to Gaius as I promised."
"Not about that. Why are you avoiding my questions? Why are you avoiding me?"
Turning to him, Emma faced him square on.
"I expect to go about my business without being interrogated, I did not realise that was such a crime or problem."
"Fine, then it should be alright for me to come with you then."
Emma had to stop herself from sighing or rolling her eyes, why did he insist on being difficult when it was for his sake she was acting like this?
"Fine."
They walked in silence as Emma kept her eyes to her feet, Arthur in quiet fury and Emma quiet in thought.
"Have you seen Gwen recently?"
"No. Why?"
"Just wondering."
They fell into an awkwardness once again.
"Are you excited for the tournament?"
Emma didn't look pleased.
"It would have been nice to have been asked."
"Asked about what?"
"If I felt or feel remotely ready to go to a feast, let alone be offered as a prize without my permission. I am my own person, I am not an object to be controlled."
"I always thought that a woman would love to be the centre of attention, especially with a feast dedicated to them."
"And your kind believe women at to be controlled for the rest of her life, be it by her father, husbands or sons. Besides, I have done nothing for the King to do this, even if it has been declared to cement my position in society here."
Arthur looked at her perplexed, confused by her words not only could he not believe Emma had not realised she had saved his life, the life of the only heir to the Kingdom of Camelot, but the distain in her words.
"What do you mean my kind?"
"Men in general, Arthur. Don't worry, it wasn't directed straight at you. Just your gender."
Never having been spoken to like this, Arthur had no idea how to react.
"I don't understand what you are saying."
"Trust me when you get married you'll soon realise who wears the trousers."
Emma chuckled as images of Arthur being order by his wife played out before her eyes, until it changed and became one of his marriage to Gwen. A shooting pain coursed through her heart as her thoughts grew sinister and the vision began to show Gwen betraying Arthur and leaving him dying, alone.
She knew her thoughts were stupid and ignored the panting emerging from her mouth and the sweat from her forehead, being preoccupied by her overactive imagination Emma failed to acknowledge she was now leaning against the wall clutching at her heart in desperation to will these thoughts away, as Arthur stood in front of her, his arm keeping her from falling to the ground.
"Emma? Emma!"
Her eyes flickered up to his as she attempted to regain her composure, how could she let this affect her this much? Wasn't her mind just causing her body to overreact?
"Emma, you're ill! Stay here, I'll go get Gaius!"
As Arthur started to leave, Emma grabbed at his arm, trying to stop him.
"Don't go. I'll be fine." She took a deep breath. "And we were going to Gaius anyway."
Arthur hesitated where he stood, acknowledging her words, but torn between them.
"How long have you been ill?"
The daily reports he received from the old court physician had declared her on the mend, it hadn't even crossed his mind that she may have been suffering, hiding herself away from him to hide this.
"I just felt unwell for a moment, see I'm much better."
Emma bent down to pick up the book she had dropped whilst her body struggled internally. Emma started to descend into the courtyard as Arthur lingered beside her, making sure she was walking slowly and carefully.
"Arthur."
"Yes."
Arthur moved in front of her expecting her to tell him she needed to stop or was going to be ill.
"You're hovering, it's annoying."
"I don't know what you are on about."
"I'm not fragile, I'm not made of glass. I told you I'm fine."
"You're still really pale."
Arthur observed the whiteness of her skin, reminding him of her unconscious and in pain, almost dying on the way back to the castle only fourteen days before.
"I'm naturally pale."
Arthur sighed loudly as they began climbing the winding staircase to Gaius' room. The young prince walked behind her, watching and waiting for something to happen, the events earlier had shocked him, even frightened him. Why on Earth had no one realised she was ill?
Emma knocked on the door as Arthur pushed in front of her, shoving it open.
The strong smell of herbs and chemicals assaulted the senses as Gaius stood working on something in his small boiling cauldron.
With his focus solely on his work, he briefly look up as they entered.
"Can I help you, sire?"
"Emma has come to return the book she borrowed."
Looking up in confusion, Gaius opened his mouth to speak causing Emma to attempt to signal him to agree from behind Arthur's back. It took a few moments but Gaius seemed to understand her floundering.
"My Dear, I was in no rush for it."
"Gaius, can the infection stay hidden and affect Emma's heart?"
Both Emma and Gaius seemed taken aback from his question.
"It is possible if she was not given medication, the infection could travel through her bloodstream. But Emma has taken her medication daily and the infection has cleared up. The wound has begun to heal nicely."
"Gaius, ignore him, he's overreacting."
"If someone starts clutching at their chest, sweat dripping down their face and unable to breathe properly would you call that person fine?"
Emma had to stop herself rolling her eyes in frustration. The old physician removed the cauldron from the small flame and set it down on his workbench, then gesturing for Emma to sit on a chair.
"Has this happened before?"
"No."
"How long did it last? Do you feel ill now?"
Gaius bombarded her with questions as he checked her eyes, her pulse and the inside of her mouth.
"I know what exactly what is wrong and I assure you it is not life threatening!"
Arthur scoffed from beside Gaius, resulting in a glare from Emma.
"How about the rest of your health, any headaches, fevers?"
"Headaches yes, fevers no. But they are only tired headaches nothing more."
"Are you still not sleeping?"
"Yep."
"You haven't been sleeping?"
Gaius peered at Arthur from over his glasses.
"Emma complained she couldn't sleep properly after what had happened. However she has rejected any sleeping potion I have made."
"I don't wish to rely on medicine so I can sleep."
"Emma, it's been a fortnight."
"I know Arthur."
Gaius walked over to one of his many shelves and selected a small red vial.
"Make sure she takes this an hour before she goes to sleep. If she takes ill again bring me immediately."
"Oh for crying out loud, I felt homesick ok, I thought of home and it hurt ok! I am not dying or ill!"
Emma lied through her teeth as the two men turned and stared at her exhausted form.
Ignoring her outburst, Gaius moved one of the stool's from his work bench and moved it in front of the frustrated young woman.
"And how's the shoulder feeling today?"
"Uncomfortable."
"May I?"
Sighing Emma attempted to wiggle her arm out of the sleeve, using her other hand to make sure she protected her modesty. Gaius immediately got to work as Emma sat in an awkward silence.
Gaius tutted under his breath.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
Arthur stared intently at her shoulder, which only served to cause Emma to squirm in place, both out of apprehension and embarrassment.
"Who did these bandages? They're far too tight, not wonder you were uncomfortable."
Arthur relaxed his stance but not his gaze.
The conversation stayed on Emma's health as the old physician cleaned her wound and redressed it.
She was allowed to leave only after she promised to take the medicine Arthur would give her.
So much for avoiding him.
Every night Arthur would appear in her room, medicine in hand and would not leave until she had answered his question and drunk her bitter medicine and climbed into bed. Even if Emma cursed Gaius in her thoughts for making her complex situations even harder, she had to admit, stubbornly, the potion worked.
And with how busy she was over the next two weeks, she needed it. If she wasn't being fitted for dresses, she was stuck in lessons and after that, she then had to take part in court duties as knights and Lords from around the country arrived to take part in the tournament.
With a multitude of things to remember running through her head, Emma was surprisingly silent of the morning of the tournament. Her hair had been braided, with a circlet placed on top and she was clothed in a dress of Pendragon red with a border of golden dragons on the hem. If that didn't show she was owned by Uther to the court then she dreaded to think. Her thoughts kept telling her she looked exactly how they wanted her to, a prize to be won, instead of an actual human being, an independent woman of the 21st century, she scoffed at her situation.
"It's time." Morgana entered the room in a deep purple gown.
Dread spread throughout Emma's body.
"You'll be fine. Just enjoy your first joust."
Emma held her tongue as she almost asked Morgana how she could enjoy men hitting each other with wooden stick at high speeds, but she stopped herself. Morgana didn't know anything different, Emma was the strange one here.
They walked towards the tournament grounds towards the Royal box to await the king.
"Oh before I forget." Morgana stopped her before they entered. "You will need this."
Morgana handed her a piece of ribbon, matching the border of her dress.
Confused, Emma took it anyway.
"Put it in your sleeve."
"Why?"
"To give it to your chosen knight."
"Wait, what?"
Morgana sighed.
"I thought they had explained it to you. This," She gestured to the ribbon, "is your favour. You give it to the knight you wish to win in your name."
"Have you already picked you knight?"
Morgana laughed.
"Of course, it's one of the advantages of meeting the contestants early."
Before Emma could ask who, the natural trumpets sounded their arrival.
They entered into the Royal Box, smiling and waving to the cheering crowd as Emma and Morgana, as Wards of the King sat either side of his raised throne. Uther entered the box with a wave and with a quick speech to his people about the chivalry and honour of the knights, he declared the tournament should begin.
Then knights entered the arena on their horses in full armour, their crests proudly displayed on their surcoats over their armour and their small shield on the knight's arm. Uther waved his hand and the knights started to parade in front the crowd and the Royal Box, Morgana signalled one who held out his lane to receive her favour, resulting in an increase of cheering from the crowds.
Emma was now very aware that everyone was waiting for her to pick a champion, uncomfortable with the pressure, she felt relieved when she recognised the heraldry of one knight and signalled for him to come forward, unaware that they taking part. The buzz of the crowd reached fever pitch as Arthur raised his vizier and rode over, his lance lower for her favour. Emma stood, tying her ribbon onto it tip.
"I'm sorry I don't know anyone else to give it to."
Arthur smiled and gave a wink before riding back in line causing Emma laugh as she sat back in her chair.
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