A big thank you to my reviewers , indigojadepanda, AmalieNico, Shannon Fayee, Crystal-wolf-Guardian-967 and the two guests who reviewed, I'm glad you're all enjoying it.
I cannot express my gratitude to all those who read this story, to all those adding it to favourites and following, thank you!
I apologise I don't update as much as I should, Thank you for bearing with me!
Emotion
"Arthur will be riding next."
The young woman was currently sat in the Royal box, her stormy blue eyes widened as she acknowledged the King's words. Only a few hours before she had given her favour to Arthur to the enjoyment of the crowd, caught up in the excited atmosphere, Emma was not expecting the ferociousness of the sport.
She had heard the basics of jousting, two knights riding at each other at full speed, both trying to hit each other with long wooden lances. She was excited when they called out the first combatants to the lists, she was enthusiastic when both knights were handed their lances and began to charge.
Time seemed to slow as the horses thundered towards each other, every footstep echoed in the noise, matching the beat of Emma's heart. She leant forward in apprehension, gripping the edge of her seat, watching with baited breath.
The knights lowered their lances, positioning themselves to deliver the best blow to their opponent. The crowd were now frantic as the men grew closer and closer until, in the fever pitch of the arena, the knights took aim and attacked. The blast of splinters littered the air and ground around them as Sir John's lance had exploded upon impact to Sir Robin's helmet, causing him to fall hard to the ground off his running stead. . In the uproar of excitement, Emma had stood up cheering, the adrenaline flushing her face, she loved it.
"Is it always like this?"
She grinned up to Uther, who surprisingly smiled back as he politely clapped towards Sir John's victory as Sir Robin was helped off the field to received medical attention.
"Not always."
"Will Sir Robin be alright?"
"Possibly." Emma widened her eyes in shock.
"His armour will protect him from the lance, every piece is made to him specifically. The damage will have come from splinters or the fall."
"Has anyone died because of this sport?"
"It's rare but it's has happened before."
Emma leant back into her seat, feeling sick to the stomach, her earlier revelry now replaced with anxiety.
"What is it?" Uther's sharp eyes were on her.
"Aren't you afraid Arthur will get hurt?"
"Arthur has been training since he was a boy, he has proven himself many times in the joust and has not only brought honour on himself but the Kingdom."
Emma prepared to open her mouth, to question Uther and his motives but the crowds began to grow in volume, bordering on riotous as the trumpets declared Arthur's entrance to the field. He rode out on his brown steed, adorned in his layers of armour and metal helm, Arthur looked every part the heroic prince charming. With the sun glittering along his armour, Emma found herself unable to look away, her eyes naturally following his movements. His opponent readied himself, his squire handing him his lance as Arthur moved his horse into position, holding out his arm to receive his weapon. The crowd became a tense buzzing as they prepared to be entertained by their future King. Emma gripped her hands in silent prayer, hoping Arthur would survive this relatively unscathed. Her eyes focused on her champion, the ribbon she bestowed on him fluttered on his arm, Emma secretly hoped it would give Arthur some good luck.
A servant on the field waved a flag and both knights fought to get their horse to speed. The crowd were ecstatic as Arthur lowered his lance and prepared to hit his rival, his opponent, however, seemed to be having difficulties with his lance, swinging wide as he tried to keep his grip, as he almost dropped it. Emma's gut started to churn as she watched the knight struggle, a wild weapon was unpredictable, even in the most experienced hands.
Arthur took aim at the knights helm, if his lance broke on it then physics would make sure the knight fell from his horse and end the match, instead of having to break three lances. With astonishing speed, Arthur's lance splintered masterfully on its target, as his opponent to attempt to keep his balance on his horse, as the force of the blow made it physically impossible. The knight flailed, his arms swinging instinctively, recklessly causing the lance to swing around and slam below Arthur's shoulder and very close to his collar bone. The crowd gasped in fear and worry and Emma felt herself rising from her seat, helpless to the events unfolding in front of her. Arthur endeavoured to regain his balance as the sheer momentum has caused his to drop his reins and all that was keeping on his galloping horse was willpower and very strong thighs. Those few moments Emma watched him try and regain control tortured her beyond compare, she almost cried with relief when Arthur achieved the impossible and managed to bring his horse to a stop. The people in the stands were jubilant, the noise deafening as Arthur gave them a quick wave and descended from the saddle as Merlin ran to grab the reins and steady the sweating horse. It was as the prince climbed down that it became apparent that he was in great pain and was more than likely injured by the wild lance, whose owner was very much unconscious on the arena floor with two servants trying to get him on a stretcher.
"Arthur's hurt."
"It's nothing serious, it would have been felt less if Sir Andrew's lance had shattered against him."
Uther stood signalling the end of the day's jousting, Emma and Morgana followed him as they had been taught, Morgana immediately started to whisper to Gwen, whilst Uther offered his arm to escort his newest ward back to the castle. She reluctantly took it and was lead out of the royal box.
"What did you mean when you said it would have been better if the lance had broken?"
"The lances are designed to be hollow and shatter on impact, the armour would then spread the force of the impact. This is why a knight cannot wear another man's armour."
"What will happen to Arthur now?"
"What to you mean?"
Emma sighed loudly.
"He's most likely injured, surely he will not be competing tomorrow?"
"He can and he will, I trust enough in Gaius' methods and it is Arthur's duty to compete as the prince of Camelot."
She unlinked his arm and turned around.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"To make sure your son is alright."
Heading to the arena, Emma fought her way through the mass of people as she focused on getting to the sea of tents that housed the competitors and their equipment. Two guards and their sharpened pikes marked its protected entrance as a deterrent to civilians, thieves and other who would harm the equipment or hinder the knights in the quest for money. Underestimating the size of such a camp, Emma realised she would need help in finding Arthur lest she be lost among the canvas.
Without changing her pace, Emma was immediately in front of one of the guards.
"Prince Arthur?"
"That way, Milady, on the right. Can't miss it."
"Thank you," Emma called over her shoulder as she almost sprinted in the direction the guard had gestured. The guard was right when he had said you couldn't miss it, standing back from the other tents, dominating the area around it with its large size and bright red walls embroidered with golden dragons, the whole tent screamed with Pendragon power. Emma stopped short of the door, her heart beating loudly in her ears as she steeled herself to face the reality of Arthur's injuries.
With a loud breath, Emma walked into the tent and froze.
Her eyes opened wide in shock, her thoughts were in a stunned silence. Sat on a stool rested a topless Arthur, his shoulder slightly swollen and the beginning discolouration of a very nasty bruise decorated it. Settled close to him, with her hand tracing out the pattern of the bruise, sat Gwen whose eyes were locked with Arthur's.
Emma's mouth felt dry, both her body and mind in overwhelming shock. Although this is what Emma had planned, what she had wanted, she hadn't factored in how much it would break her heart to witness. Her eyes unwillingly filled with tears as she turned and left the tent as Arthur looked up and noticed her presence.
"Emma? Emma!"
His calls fell on deaf ears as Emma didn't turn back or acknowledge it, she did the only thing she knew how to, she ran away. Emma ran away from Arthur, from the sight she just saw and tried to run from the heavy feeling in her chest. Running through the maze of tents and people, she sprinted to the shelter of one of the castle walls, trying to catch her breath and thoughts. The mantra of 'This is what you wanted' played on repeat in her head as the image of Arthur and Gwen was burnt into her corneas. The romance of Arthur and Gwen had been written about for centuries, what had she expected? Emma leant her head against the coolness of the stone wall, her conflicted thoughts came to one conclusion, she didn't know what she wanted.
She wrapped her arms around herself as her eyes scanned the crowds of people. She was hiding again the wall, but the people walking pass her were far too excited after the jousting to pay her attention. Emma sighed audibly and began to debate her next move, should she return to the castle or try to find somewhere more comfortable to be alone when something unusual caught her eye.
A tall blonde woman in a long hooded dark blue cloak stood staring in Emma's direction, her hands playing with something Emma recognised straight away, a mobile phone. Emma blinked a few times to make sure her eyes were not playing tricks on her. Their eyes connected for a brief moment as the woman smirked at her, throwing caution to the wind, Emma took off after her. Her desperate thoughts demanded she find her and get answers as Emma's hope for finding a way home had been rekindled.
The woman started to walk away, knowing that she had Emma's full attention.
"Excuse me! Wait! Stop!"
Emma struggled to rush ahead in the crowd, using her hands to propel herself forward. Her lungs were burning as she used her strength in an attempt to get closer, however, she was finding herself increasingly frustrated at her lack of progress as the woman's speed was irrationally slow, yet the distance never decreased.
One of the gates connecting the castle grounds to the market loomed into view as the impossible woman breezed through unchallenged. Pushing herself harder and faster, Emma tried to control her frantic breathing, she needed answers, it wasn't a case of want. She was about to catapult through the gates when the guards suddenly appeared in front of her as she crashed, full speed into them.
The guard quickly got to his feet and dusted himself off as Emma sat on the ground, unable to catch her breath by her winded lungs. Scrambling to her feet, she attempted to go through the gate again, this time, she was stopped by the guards pikes. Emma looked frantically in the crowd ahead but the woman could not be seen.
"My Lady, please return to the castle."
Emma was still scanning the crowd, she needed to find this woman.
"I will, but I just need to find someone."
"My Lady, You are not allowed through."
She turned to him, her annoyance and anger beginning to bubble to the surface.
"I said I need to find someone, you can either let me through or come with me, But I need this woman found. Otherwise, we are going to lose her."
"I'm sorry, but you are not allowed pass this point by order of the King."
Emma let out a groan of frustration, the first glimmer of hope in the few months she had been in Camelot were being thwarted by orders of the King and the men who carry out his orders. Attempting to regain her composure and ignoring the crowd of people who were currently surrounding her, wary of the situation. Emma tried to think, tried to form a plan, her time was precious and every second stood there trying to get through was wasted.
"I will stay here. But please send some guards into the market and find her. She was tall, blonde in a blue cloak, you'll know her from the strange device in her hand. I need her brought to me as soon as possible."
The guard didn't have time to reply as a familiar voice called her name. Ignoring it, Emma kept her focus solely on the poor guard in front of her.
"Will you do this for me."
She stared at him, waiting for a response as he shuffled uncomfortably under her gaze. Emma's name was called more sharply as a hand gripped her shoulder and turned her.
"Emma, what are you doing?" Merlin's confused and concerned voice echoed in her ears.
"I'm trying to find someone and I'm not allowed through."
Merlin tried in vain to extract her from the spectacle she had inadvertently created, her stubbornness refused her to be moved.
"Emma, come with me and we'll get this sorted."
"You don't understand Merlin, I need this woman brought to me it is a matter of urgency."
"Why?"
Emma noticed the amount of faces listening in to their conversation and suddenly felt very self-conscious, she pulled Merlin with her as she led him off the road.
"She had a device from my time Merlin. I tried to follow her but I lost her through the gate."
"That's not possible."
"I know that Merlin, but I know what I saw. I need answers, we all do."
Merlin nodded and released Emma's desperate grip from his arm and made his way back to the guards. Emma watched them from a short distance, their conversation was not long, but Merlin managed to get the guards attention in a way Emma never did. He immediately signalled to the guards patrolling through the crowds and told them of their new task and they set off towards the marketplace as Merlin returned to Emma's side.
"Thank you."
"Emma, this is serious we need to talk to Gaius about this."
"Why?"
"It's strange, it doesn't make sense."
Merlin started to walk back the way he came as Emma jogged to his side.
"She might be able to take me home Merlin."
"She might be trying to Kill you Em. It could be a trap."
"We'll find out either way when the guards find her."
Emma took a breath. "They will find her, won't they?"
"I don't know."
Overwhelmed by the day's events, Emma fell silent. From the adrenaline from the jousting to the heartbreak thanks to Arthur and Gwen and then the hope and disappointment of the mysterious woman, all these emotions in one short day had exhausted her. Her thoughts were coming in quick succession, disjointed and disorientating, however, it wasn't long before she realised she was back in the tented area for the competitors, exactly where she didn't want to be.
"Where are we going?"
"Arthur told me to find you and bring you to him."
Emma stopped dead in her tracks.
"I thought we were going to Gaius?"
"We are, he was with Arthur when I left. He needs to know what's happened."
"No."
Merlin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"No? Emma, this could be dangerous, we need to be prepared."
"Or it could be someone sent to bring me home. Who seek's peace. We both know Arthur will hunt them down and my chance will be lost forever."
"I'm trying to protect you."
"Sometimes taking a risk is the only way forward."
Merlin looked at her strangely before opening the tent flap, gesturing for Emma to walk in. Defeated and trapped she did so slowly, watching Gaius and Arthur talk amongst themselves, their conversation stopped as they noticed her, she couldn't make eye contact with Arthur.
"Something happened." Merlin's voice moved the attention off her, for which she was grateful. He proceeded to tell them of what Emma had said and what the guard at the gate had told him. They listened in stunned silence until Merlin had finished his narrative, then all hell broke lose.
Emma was assaulted by questions from all sides, she found herself unnaturally weary, everything she had been through, everything she had suffered now felt like a giant weight dragging her down. She couldn't escape the feeling of helplessness and cupped her head in her hands, wishing for peace and quiet.
The questions were getting more intense and insistent with Emma's lack of response. Deciding enough was enough, she stood silently and began to walk out, regretting coming in, in the first place. Before she could leave, Arthur's body blocked the way.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Emma looked at him with despondent eyes.
"I can't do this anymore."
Merlin and Gaius averted their gaze as Arthur's confused form stepped towards her, his hand automatically reaching for her.
"I've had enough."
Emma stepped around him and left.
Thanks for Reading!
If you spot some grammatical or spelling errors, Please let me know.
