I'm very proud of this chapter I'm just hoping that the characters haven't gotten too OOC. Well here goes nothing…
Merlin felt a presence as they exited the Unbidden forest. He sighed, he had warned them. They never listen. Their horses and supplies were returned and they hurried away from the forest. After several hours of riding back to Camelot the presence began to fade. Soon it was gone all together he sighed when he saw the gates of Camelot loom over them. The sun was setting over the horizon.
They reached the courtyard and Merlin hopped down from his horse to retrieve Arthur's reins. Arthur sauntered off with Gwaine. He took the horses to the stable for the stable boys to take care of and hurried off after his master.
Then he felt it again. Someone or something was watching him. He turned his head slowly to the right. There! A flicker of black. What could it be? It felt… familiar, like he should know what it was. He sighed in frustration when he couldn't catch the memory floating in the back of his mind. A flicker if torch light caught his eye. Something had reflected off of it's light. Then the presence disappeared again.
He shrugged it off and headed for Gais' chambers. Arthur wasn't going to need him anymore tonight.
He opened the door quietly just incase Gais was sleeping already. To his surprise he wasn't even there. He walked in further.
"Gais are you here?" He called to make sure he wasn't there. No response. He wondered what his mentor was doing. "He's probably busy. His shift must have gone late because I wasn't here." He mumbled to himself. Wait… what was that?
"If you keep talking to yourself people might think you're insane." Merlin turned at the feminine voice. His mouth fell open. "Miss me? Come on, surely not? After all I'm not your king's best choice of friends, am I?"
He looked straight into her purple eyes. She was crouched precariously on one of the chairs. Her clothes seemingly perfect other than a splash of water on a pant leg. At her side was a longsword and a dagger sheath hung empty. He was amazed at her ability to stay balanced for so long with such a heavy object on her person.
"How did you get in here, and how did you get to Camelot so fast?" She raised her thin eyebrows and laughed.
"To answer your first question, the door was unlocked as was the window-" She was waving a knife around in one hand as she spoke and in the other a piece of wood. "-and to answer the second… well I'd be lying if I said I rode my horse faster than yours. I made it here around the same time you did. I just didn't stop for the stable boys."
Her smile almost reached from ear to ear. "I was curious… and when I'm curious it's hard for me to NOT leave it alone." She jumped off the chair and landed in front of him without a sound. She resheathed her dagger with the obsidian hilt back it it's place by her side. She was close to him again.
"Ever heard of personal space?" She stepped back.
"Sorry, did I… frighten you?" Her smirk was almost as infuriating as Morgana's. The pointed canines stared at him in the dark moonlit room.
"No." His gaze was fierce.
"Good." Her smirk became a real smile.
"What do you want from me?" Her eyes twinkled with curiosity.
"What are you?" He was taken aback by the strange question.
"What?!"
"Oh, I'm sorry let me rephrase that… what makes you seem to exhume an unlimited amount of power? Why do I sense a power so strong within you? I've felt magic before, plenty of times, but this… this is different. I can see an advisor hiding in a servant's skin. I can see—" She was cut off by the turning of the doorknob. He looked at the door and back to where the forest queen was standing. She wasn't there.
"Merlin you're back," Gais smiled as he spoke.
"Yeah…" He stared at the open window. How far was that above the ground?
XxxxX
She hung from the window and carefully climbed across rooftops and stone precipices. Her eyes scanned the horizon and the battlements below. She knew no one would notice her, no one ever looked up, but it was never good to be cocky.
She slipped down railings and eventually landed on the ground below. She stood slowly and brushed herself off. She headed in the direction of the lower town to her humble rooms in the tavern. She was patient enough to speak with the servant boy and again to the king at a later time.
She hurried through the tavern to the upper rooms. She hoped no one would recognize her. She never came twice a month. It was dangerous. She wondered what Fawn and her brother Septum were up to. She hoped he was being a good ruler in her stead and that Fawn was staying out of trouble.
She smiled to herself and shook her head. She was always getting in trouble. Her magic was still hard for her to control though. Her smile turned into a small frown. She was very gifted but she wondered why she couldn't control it right.
She sighed and wiped a hand across her tired eyes. She had been up way to long. This morning's events and her other queenly duties. She quickly double scanned the room to make sure it was secure and satisfied that it was, got ready to crawl into the bed.
She woke as the sun was peaking over the castle walls. She sighed and put on the servant's dress she always had on hand when she came to Camelot. She found the slit in the dress where she could keep her dagger. She quickly tied her hair into a quick braid letting strands fall into her face and fall out of it. She hurried down the streets toward the castle. 'The trick to sneaking in plain sight' she reminded herself 'is to believe you belong and everyone else will believe it.'
She stepped into the courtyard with her eyes averted and her posture was slightly slumped. She passed the guards with out a second glance. She grabbed a basket of the laundry and walked through the palace looking busy.
She heard the quick steps of someone behind her she tried moving out of the way as fast as she could but the man hit her.
"oh I'm so sorry!" She looked at the young man that hit her and knocked the laundry all about. It was a knight. He was in full armor. His mail shone bright in the morning sun. 'He is bigger than Austin.' Her eyes were wide. His hair was shaven close to his head. His blue-brown eyes were gentle despite his large, domineering size. He reminded her of Austin in that way.
"No, no I'm sorry milord I should have been quicker." She quickly got on her knees and began grabbing the clothing that was sprawled on the floor.
"No miss that was my fault. Let me help you." he got on his knees and helped her quickly pick up the clothing. She kept her eyes averted from the large knight's. When all the articles were placed back into the basket she stood carefully balancing the basket with her arm and hips. She dusted her skirts and curtsied to the man.
"Thank you milord, that was very kind of you."
"No problem miss." He was trying to look her in the eyes. "I'm Sir Percival. What's your name? I don't think I've seen you around here before."
She quickly looked him in the eyes. They were a violet blue. He suppressed a gasp.
"My name is Erin milord. I work at the castle every once in a while when I need an extra coin for my family." she curtsied again, her alias coming easily to her.
"There is no need for that."
"Yes milord…" She looked at him with curiosity. "Why were you running. If it so pleases you Ser." His expression changed to surprise and confusion.
"Oh! I needed to tell Arthur he needed to speak with the council. I've gotta go! Goodbye Erin." He waved and hurried down the corridor. That spiked her interest. She found a place for the basket and quickly followed behind the knight that reminded her so much of her friend.
He ran down hallway after hallway searching for his friend. He eventually came to a hall where the young king and Merlin were arguing over something insignificant. He smiled at their fond disagreements.
"And Merlin don't forget—"
"Arthur the council has been called."
"I'll be right there." Arthur answered. He saw Merlin roll his eyes with his mischievous lopsided grin. "Come on Merlin." Merlin groaned and they followed the king to the council chambers.
If they had been paying more attention they would have noticed a servant girl trailing behind them.
XxxxX
She found the servants' door and quietly entered. She found a spot by a pillar that gave her a good view of the chambers but kept her mostly out of sight. She quickly scanned the area and settled her eyes on Arthur.
"So let me get this straight," he said, "There has been anotherattack on a village by the outskirts. What happened to the guards we sent? Were they not enough to stop these bandits?" She heard a few quiet chuckles. It was coming from the manservant and the knight Sir Gwaine.
"Apparently not." Gwaine whispered a little too loudly. Arthur shot him a look and he chuckled again.
"Gwaine this is no laughing matter." Gwaine tried to look throughly chastised and failed utterly.
"This is not going to continue…" Arthur sat back down in his chair. "We are going to stop this and help my people…" She wondered what he could possibly be thinking, but by the look in Merlin's eyes she could tell he knew. He must have felt her gaze on him because their eyes met. He looked surprised for a moment. She smiled and winked. With the still puzzled look he turned his gaze back to Arthur.
"I'll go with a few knights. We are going to stop this." Her eyes grew wide at the courage of the man. He wasn't like other kings that 'sent' other men to do his work for him. She was amazed at his determination. 'Yes he is the one'She smiled and continued to listen.
"Sir Leon, Elian I need you to stay here. Sir Percival, Gwaine, you are coming with me we head out tonight." He stood up and gestured for the meeting to be over. Everyone bowed and headed for the door.
"Merlin get everything ready." Merlin bobbed his head and exited but not with out a quick glance at Artemis.
She headed back to the tavern. She burst into her room and changed back into her black leathers and cloak. She attached her sword to her belt and resheathed her dagger at her hip. She grabbed her bow and pulled on her quiver grabbing her bag as well. She had payed in advance for the room and hopped out the window. She bribed the stable boy with some gold to keep his silence and mounted her mare and off she went, following the King, the two knights, and the manservant.
XxxxxxX
They entered the forest just as night fell. The fire was crackling and the soup was simmering on it. Merlin sat back and stared into the flames.
"What's bothering you mate?" Gwaine came and sat by him and gave him a good pat on the back.
"…oh nothing… I've just got this weird feeling like…"
"Like what?"
"Like we are being watched."
"You've felt it too? Percival thought it was just me because the horses seem fine. So it can't be anything to bad."
"I guess you are right."
"Of course I'm right. Now how 'bout that soup eh?" Merlin chuckled.
"Yes sir!" He saluted mockingly and started handing out the food.
•••••••••
'He eats a lot more than Austin does.' She was crouching in the crook of to branches. She couldn't help chuckle at their banter. 'They are like brothers, bickering for the sake of argument.' She chuckled again.
"What was that?" It was the knight who bumped into her, Sir Percival.
She clamped her hand over her mouth. "eala, scite!" She swore quietly. 'I must stay still.'
The four men got to their feet and began to cautiously look around. Arthur, Gwaine and Percival had their swords drawn. She sighed. 'Well now is as good as any.'She jumped from the tree landing silently on her feet. She drew her sword and slowly entered the firelight.
"Hello your highness." They all turned on their heels and their swords were pointed at her chest. "Oh, jumpy aren't we?" She smiled making sure they saw her teeth.
"Declare yourself!" Arthur waved his sword point at her.
"Seriously, Arthur Pendragon, we just met. You've already forgotten me? That's sad." Sarcasm dripped from her voice. She pouted visibly.
"Drop your weapons, My Lady."
"So you do remember me! Good, good, Sir Gwaine it's lovely to see you again." He snorted at her and folded his arms across his chest. Sword bouncing in circles from his right hand. She pouted again. "And I don't believe I've met you, Sir…?"
"Percival."
'Erin has met him not Artemis,' she reminded herself. "Right."
The fire reflected off her blade and theirs. Her hood was up again. "Where are you adventuring off to your majesty?" She watched the men, carefully discerning their every move.
"That is none of your concern."Said Arthur. She sheathed her blade and leaned against a tree near by.
"Why?" He took a step back.
"What?"
"I said why?" Her eyes flashed with a strange fire and becoming a dark violet. "Why is it none of my concern? Do you know that for a fact or are you assuming that I need not concern myself with a man's duty?" Arthur was taken aback again.
"…it… it is Camelot's business that is why it is of no concern to you."
"What if I wanted to help you? Would you turn it down?" Arthur stared at her.
"Why would you want to help me of all people?" Arthur's eyebrows had disappeared behind his blond hairline.
"I'm not quite sure… I felt like this was something I needed to do… I'm sure you can understand."
"I'm sorry but we cannot allow you to come with us." It was Percival this time. "It would be to dangerous for you."
There was that fire again, that anger. Then it faded to a coal her eyes still simmered, but it was like dry ice now. So cold it burned. Her gaze almost made Percival flinch.
"WHAT!? TOO DANGEROUS MY ARSE! I don't just carry a bloody sword because I want to! Or a bow because I couldn't bloody shoot it!" They all did flinch this time. Her dagger was in her hand and she was walking towards Percival.
"People don't just carry a sword around because they can't use it! Just because I'm a woman doesn't change the fact that I'm dangerous!" Her dagger left her fingers and imbedded itself into a nearby tree. It vibrated violently. She was breathing heavily.
Gwaine leaned towards Percival and whispered in his ear. "Perce I think you should stay quiet…" Percival just nodded. She was right in front of him staring him down. Well, technically staring up at him.
"Queen Artemis, please calm down." She turned quickly and looked into the deep blue eyes of Merlin. Her shoulders sagged and she sighed. Merlin continued to look at her calmly. She held up her hands in surrender and nodded her head.
"Your right, I'm very sorry," She turned back to Percival. "I am extremely sorry. Please accept my apology."
"It's alright My Lady." He blinked a couple times and stared at her. 'She has purple eyes like the maidservant I accidentally ran into today. It must be a coincidence…'
She walked to the tree and pulled the dagger out with ease and resheathed it.
"Please excuse my behavior your majesty… I don't like to be thought of as weak just because I'm a woman."
"It's fine we should not have said anything. You still haven't told me exactly why you are here." Arthur's arms were crossed over his chest.
"I crave adventure-" She looked at her finger nails. "-and you seem to attract danger like moths to a flame." Her lips twitched upward. Gwaine was chuckling.
"That's true mate." Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Well I'm sorry My Lady but you can't come with-" He was cut off by a girl's scream.
"It's came from that way." Artemis almost whispered it. The queen took off and the men followed on her heels. Her cowl flew off as she ran. There was another scream and she changed her course the men almost falling over from the speed of her sudden turn. They burst into a clearing. There were eight men covered in grime and dirt with rusted swords and ugly gnarled crossbows. In the middle of them was a little girl brandishing a knife. It had a little bit of blood dripping from the blade. Artemis looked to the side when she heard a groan. A ninth man was laying on the ground with a hand over his side. She pulled out her bow and placed an arrow on the string.
"Take another step closer to her and you'll be so full of arrows you'll look like a hedgehog." She growled it out when she saw who the little girl really was. The men turned around. They started to laugh.
"What 'cha gonna do 'bout it doll face? You look like a breeze would knock ya over."
"That's very funny." She said it flatly.
Whoosh. Crack. Whump. The man fell to the floor whimpering holding his leg where an arrow protruded.
"I warned you… step away from the girl. Your lives depend on it…" The last statement seemed to ring in the air. The men looked at each other with discerning looks. One of them smiled maliciously.
"You know what boys? I think we've got ourselves easy pickin's. Let's get 'er."
Whap. Whap. Whap. Crack. She let three arrows fly as they stepped closer to her and the small figure. Two men fell silent, the third screeched shrilly and gripped his left arm.
She looked at the knights behind her and raised an eyebrow. "Well what are you waiting for? Charge!" She flung her bow aside and brandished her sword as she ran towards the bandits her braid whipping behind her. She cut one down easily and got to the little girl. Keeping one arm in front of her protectively.
The knights took up the cue as she yelled at them. They hurried into the fray cutting them down and keeping them at bay. One of them got lucky and gave Percival a cut along the arm. He cried out and quickly cut the man's throat. Two men tried to run. Artemis picked up her discarded bow and shot the men down.
"Well that didn't take very long." Merlin scoffed. "Percival are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine."
"Let me see that." As he was about to attend to his wounds Artemis yelled at the little girl.
"Damn it Fawn! You followed me here?! You could have gotten killed you could still get killed! Where is Austin?"
"Uhhh…" The little girl looked at her feet and played with her thumbs.
"Fawn." She stared at Fawn with her arms crossed.
"Itiedhimupwhilehewasasleepan dsnuckoutbeforedaddycouldnot ice." she took a big breath. "I just wanted an adventure and to be like you!"
"Merlin she could give you a run for your money," Arthur laughed.
"Ha ha very funny Arthur." He tied the bandage off and wiped his hands off. "There."
Artemis' face was stoney and cold with anger. She sighed and the anger disappeared. "Fawn, what have I told you repeatedly NOT to do?" She wiped a hand across her eyes.
"To follow you, but I was curious… you always said curiosity is man's greatest asset."
"Yes but I also said it killed the cat."
"And you also said he learned something we didn't." Fawn was staring defiantly up at her. Artemis sighed.
"Yes I guess I did say that." She got level with her. "You do realize that Austin could get into a lot of trouble. Your father is very protective of you."
"I know…" She looked sheepishly away.
"Fawn." Her green eyes flashed back to her aunt. "You go apologize and say thank you to those kind knights that put themselves in danger for you. Go on." Artemis pushed her toward Gwaine, Arthur, Percival, and Merlin.
She rubbed her shoulder and walked up to Percival first. "Thank you. I'm very sorry you got hurt." He smiled.
"Its alright little one." She smiled back at him.
"Can I see it?"
MHe looked at Merlin. Merlin shrugged and walked over to him. "I don't see why you would want to." He pulled the bandage off a little.
She covered her mouth with her delicate hands. "I'm very sorry." She got closer and cocked her head. She whispered something quietly and her eyes glowed gold. The cut healed quickly leaving a small white line where it had been.
"Oh, that's why…" Merlin said.
The words eala, scite mean oh shit btw
Happy reading and continued apologies...