Sorry it took so long for me to update. I'm not going to be updating very often from now on because 1. I have two stories on the go and 2. I'm moving away to University so unfortunately I'm going to be very busy but I promise I'll try to update as much as possible.

"Whoa there." Katie said, as someone almost decapitated her. She would have been more impressed if she hadn't been walking behind the bloke who had a very large back swing. Arthur almost ran towards Katie.

"Oh, no. My dearest apologies, Lady Kathryn." The man bowed low.

"What is your name?" She asked kindly.

"O-Oliver." He stammered.

"Don't worry, Oliver, no harm has been done. Just don't swing it back so far, you'll find you have more controlled blows that way." She advised.

Arthur looked concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She half laughed. "Let me help." When Arthur looked like he was going to say 'no' she added, "Please?"

He groaned, "Fine." But there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Katie helped as many men as possible, even ended up practising with them, a few of them had ever even held a sword before.

Arthur announced that the men could have a break, they sat on the ground exhaustedly. Katie went to help dish out the food and get water for them. Her anger at Arthur was pushed aside for admiration that he was trying so hard to help the village.

Merlin re-appeared and homed in on Katie. "Sorry about Will."

"You always are he never is." She sighed and had the strangest urge to kiss him.

Merlin blushed. She walked inside and heard Arthur and Merlin talking outside the kitchen window. She didn't want to intrude. Hunith evidently did. The woman turned to the window and watched while Katie minded her own business.

The girl took out a huge pot of food and started spooning out ladles full into each villagers bowl. She stole a glance at Merlin and sighed, he looked so confused and wished she could help.

Gwen and Morgana walked back into the hut, followed closely by Merlin all looking for a bowl. "Is everything alright, Merlin?" Asked Gwen.

"Fine." He smiled.

"Probably troubles of the heart." Morgana laughed pretending to faint.

Merlin just smiled bashfully.

"Ahh the Lady Kathryn has bewitched you." Gwen grinned. "Understandable, she is a beautiful woman." She added when Merlin turned to look out of the window.

"But her heart belongs to Arthur." He sighed.

"Oh I wouldn't be so sure." Morgana said and Merlin turned to look at her. "I mean she wouldn't come to save just anyone's village."

"She is… generous."

"That's not what she told me." Gwen piped up. "She told me on the road it was every person for themselves."

"That was on the road." Merlin replied.

"She still lives by it. At least that's what she told me. And I don't think anyone would give up both their horses in favour of walking."

"She walks a lot." Merlin replied. Morgana and Gwen hummed with scepticism

"Here you go girls." Hunith passed them a bowl each and the two women left. "You know, they have a point."

"Mother…" Merlin groaned.

"She seems very fond of you. Plus, you like her." Hunith grinned, she had started to worry that Merlin would never find anyone.

Merlin was about to protest but gave in, grabbing a bowl and making his way to Katie. She was having a conversation with Will and as he was about to reach them she walked off.

00000

Just after Merlin had moved away from the window, Will had made his way over to Katie. "What are your intentions with him?" He sighed, knowing it sounded a little odd. Katie carried on giving food to the villagers while they spoke.

"Are you his father?" Katie replied coldly.

"You said he was your friend but he doesn't think of you in that way. He likes you."

"And you don't trust me?"

"Don't take it personally I don't trust anyone near any King." Will shrugged and Katie actually didn't detest the boy for a few seconds.

"He is a very good man and I promise you I will never do anything to hurt him." Katie smiled bashfully.

"I guess that will have to do." Will replied reluctantly. "And what's the deal with you and the prince? Merlin's worried about it."

"He is?" Katie asked, suddenly angry at herself. "There is nothing to be worried about. Arthur is my friend and Merlin is-" She cut herself off.

"Is what?" Will asked, suddenly very interested.

She looked over at the boys house and sighed, he was stood in the door way, "He is… a servant." She finished tearfully, it hadn't been what she was originally going to say but it dawned on her that no matter what their feelings for each other she could not be with him. "Excuse me." She said as Merlin walked towards them and she walked away, towards the stables.

"What did you do this time?" Merlin asked Will.

"Yeah of course I did something. For your information, she upset herself. Talking about you. And do you know what, I was right about her. You my friend are just her servant." Will had misread her tears of helplessness for tears of anger that he was right.

Merlin followed her towards the stables and could hear someone crying, "Katie?"

"Go away Merlin." She sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Please, just go away."

"I'm not leaving until I know you are alright."

"I'm fine." She tried to say without crying.

"I don't believe you."

"God, Merlin! Do you not get it? Go, before I do something I will really regret!" She shouted threateningly.

"Get what?"

"That I- You- We- Argh!" She yelled. Merlin moved forward and looked at her, she was pacing furiously. She was mumbling to herself but he caught. "It can't happen, not till Arthur is King."

"What can't?"

"We can't!"

"'We?'"

"Yes as in you and I." She sighed.

"You're crying over me?" He asked a little bewildered.

She laughed harshly, "Everything is over you! But you're so blind you can't see that!"

Merlin opened his mouth, not quite sure what to say. He wanted to say 'Katie I have never felt this way so lets get married.' or something along those lines but nothing would leave his lips.

Katie cried out angrily and walked towards him quickly, she took his face in her hands and kissed him. Merlin didn't do anything but in no way was he going to stop it. Eventually, he leaned down and kissed back, finally closing his eyes and letting his hands hold her against him.

"I told you." She said letting him go.

"What?" He sighed.

"That I'd do something I'd regret." She replied and left quickly, their kiss still clinging onto her lips.