Chapter 7

Ellie yawned and approached Merlin, pulling her shrug around her.

"Do you want me to do it?" She asked sympathetically nodding towards the horses that Merlin was trying to tack up. Merlin turned to her gratefully.

"Please." He said smiling. Ellie smiled at him, bruise on full display. Merlin frowned. "What happened to you?" He asked and pointed. Ellie tightened the girth on Arthur's saddle.

"Oh, this. Nothing I just walked into a door." She said not looking at him. "Do you think you could go and tell Izzy and Katie that we're almost ready to go please?" She asked smiling at him. Merlin nodded. "Sure. And thanks. For doing this." He said gratefully and walked into the castle. Ellie turned her attention back to the horses and tacked them up quickly.

Merlin went to Katie's room and knocked on the door. Izzy opened it.

"Oh, hey Merlin." She said surprised. "What are you doing here?" Merlin smiled shyly at her.

"Ellie asked me to come and tell you that we're almost ready to leave." Merlin said scratching the back of his neck. "She's tacking up Arthur's horse for me." He added. Izzy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh Ok. Katie!" she called behind her. "Come on we're going." Katie came out from behind the screen.

"Alright." And she grabbed her bag before they all headed down to the courtyard.

Ellie held onto the rains of all 4 horses and waited for Merlin to get back. The castle doors opened and King Uther stepped out, his son Arthur just behind him. Arthur looked around for Merlin and saw Ellie holding the rains of his horse. He walked over.

"Hello." He said softly standing next to her. His father was helped onto his own horse and watched them talk with a frown on his face. Ellie smiled at him.

"Good morning. Merlin's just gone to get Katie. I tacked up for him. So you should be safe." Ellie said happily. Arthur smiled with relief.

"That's good. At least I know I won't die from falling off my horse." Arthur said feeling happier than he had for days.

"Well you never know. I might have loosened the girth." She replied teasingly.

"Arthur, hurry up and mount. We have to get going." Uther shouted at him, not liking the looks Arthur gave Ellie. Arthur rolled his eyes and looked back to Ellie.

"Would you like me to help you mount your horse?" He asked chivalrously. Ellie smiled softly.

"I'd like that thank you." She replied and Arthur helped her on. Uther looked at them murderously.

Merlin, Izzy and Katie walked out just in time to see Arthur help Ellie onto her horse. Merlin stared shocked.

"Is he always like this with her?" He asked Izzy and Katie who was glaring at Arthur.

"Not in public." Katie said angrily. "In fact, he shouldn't even be going anywhere near here. Let alone touch her." And she stalked off towards her horse. Izzy smiled softly at Merlin then headed to where her father and Rob were standing. Merlin was left heading towards Arthur looking even more confused than usual.

After everyone was ready the left, with Uther leading the pack, towards King Oden's kingdom.

Arthur was just behind him talking with Robert and Merlin was talking to Lancelot. That left the girls and the rest of the knights behind them. Katie was glaring at Arthur's back the entire way there not joining in on the conversation. Ellie looked over at Katie worriedly.

"You promised." She whispered softly to Katie before going back to the conversation with Morgana. Katie ignored her and continued glaring.

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