The next few days were painful for all of the Kingdom. Uther was becoming ill. He kept seeing things and people who were not alive any longer. Merlin was pretty sure who was causing it but he wasn't positive, after all Katie had only just arrived when Uther started seeing things.
Katie was worried. Merlin was avoiding her completely and even though she knew Uther would be dieing soon, it was too quick. To top it all off, Arthur was refusing to take his fathers place.
Katie walked through the castle quickly. She walked past Merlin as she grabbed Arthur's sword, he was cleaning the prince's boots. They said nothing to each other but his eyes grew wide, he started to speak when she turned and walked away from him. Katie had chased Merlin throughout the castle day after day to try and find out what was wrong but he always refused to tell her anything.
She stormed past him, holding the sword and Merlin followed, "Lady Kathryn!" He started, audience I don't think I could even put down in words how angry this made Katie. She paused, feeling anger bubble up inside her like lava and growled slightly. She then walked faster than she had before, towards Arthur's room. Merlin followed in silence.
Just before she passed Arthur's room she flung open the door. He was sat at his desk, looking stressed. Arthur looked up at her and she threw his sword at him, knowing he would catch it, "Courtyard, now." She demanded.
"I haven't got-"
"I don't care." She growled. "Courtyard." Katie then walked away and Arthur's brow furrowed.
"What's wrong with her?" He asked Merlin.
Merlin could hear Arthur saying something but he wasn't listening, he was staring off after Katie. "Merlin!" Arthur yelled, the boy jumped. "Get my armour."
"It's only Katie." Merlin scoffed.
"You obviously have never seen one of our fights." Arthur responded, sighing.
Katie was waiting for him in the courtyard fully clad in armour with a sword in hand. Louise was stood nearby looking excited. Merlin stared at the floor as he walked into the ring with Arthur. "I assume there is a good reason for this." Arthur stated, taking his sword from Merlin.
"What happened to wanting to fight, just for the hell of it?" She said through her helmet, trying to sound like she was teasing him.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Always." She replied. Arthur lunged and Katie hit away his sword.
She then lunged forward and their swords hit hard. "What are you playing at, Arthur?" She asked softly.
"Ah now I see, you want to tell me what an idiot I am." He growled.
They released each other and took a step back. "You need to take the throne. Camelot has no leader."
"It has a King as long as my father is alive!" He yelled, moving forward again and swiping just as Katie jumped back.
"That is not what I said. It needs a leader." She sighed moving towards him and stabbing. Arthur deflected it.
"I will not defy my father." He growled.
"You are not defying him. He is sick." Katie said kindly and almost desperately.
Merlin stared at her, his suspicions rising. Arthur yelled, grabbed her arm and flung her around so his sword was at her neck.
"What is wrong with you?" Arthur asked after a few seconds, holding his sword to her throat, more tearfully than angrily.
Katie said nothing but moved her head back so it was almost resting on his shoulder. She caught a glimpse of Gwen in the corner of her eye. "Go to her. Talk to her. She knows what's best for you." Katie whispered, a lump in her throat.
Arthur moved his arm down and walked away, taking off his helmet as he did so. Merlin stood still as Katie removed her father's helmet. He distinctly saw tear tracks and she wouldn't talk to Louise as she passed the girl her armour.
00000
Later that night Arthur sent Merlin to Katie with a message, "You're right." and even though Katie was the last person Merlin wanted to talk to, it was part of his job. He got to the door to Katie's room and hesitated, he took a deep breath, got ready to knock when he heard a voice inside.
"Katie?" Louise asked, her mistress was sat staring into the fire absentmindedly. Louise had been trying to talk to her properly ever since the fight.
"Hm." She replied.
"Can I ask you a question? If it's not too forward of me."
"Of course." Katie turned to look at her servant and smiled sadly.
"Why did you fight the Prince today?"
Katie motioned for the girl to sit beside her, next to the fire, the girl did as she was told. "Arthur and I have always been close. Have I ever told you that we were engaged to be married?"
Louise shook her head.
"Before I ran away from home I was meant to marry Arthur. I thought I loved him. I've always known what makes him tick and what calms him. Fighting has always cleared his mind and I know that today he needed clarity more than ever. Camelot needs a leader and he is more than qualified. He just needs some self belief, which is why I lost today."
"You lost on purpose?" The girl asked.
"I used to train with Arthur but, unlike him, I used my skills on the road and developed them further. He has never won in a fight against me. Today he needed to win."
"One win against you will give him all the self belief he needs?" Louise asked sceptically.
"It can make all the difference in the world to a desperate man." Katie sighed and stared back into the fire. "I just hope it worked." She whispered.
"You didn't answer him. When he asked what was wrong." Louise offered up.
"It will never be the same." She mumbled.
"What will never be the same?" The girl asked.
"You are too bold." Katie growled, a lump in her throat.
"Of course, I apologise my lady." Louise immediately stood up and collected the plates on the table, embarrassed. She then turned to leave.
"Louise," Katie started, looking away from the fire for a second, "I'm sorry. I just- It's- I'm sorry." She turned back to the fire again.
Louise left without another word and missed Merlin. Merlin didn't let the door shut and heard Katie whisper, "Merlin." To the fire.