A few miles west outside of the Kingdom sat Meliodas, perched on top of his beloved bar, The Boar Hat. He ran the mobile tavern with his two favourite pigs — not that he'd ever admit it — Hawk and Hawk's Mom. They've been traveling all around Britannia just the three of them for a few years now, ever since they first met in prison long ago. Meliodas busted himself and Hawk out pretty much the day they met and they quickly sought out Hawk's Mom. They formed a peculiar fast friendship full of bickering and empty threats and the rest was history.
The blonde demon let his mind wander about the events of the day. As he stared down at the sun barely touching the horizon, his arms up crossed behind his head, he briefly see's an image of a young woman with pink hair and a kind face. He quickly throws that thought out of his head as he wonders if he's doing the right thing. Involving himself into her life… again. Over the thousands of years he's been involved with an Elizabeth, one way or the other, she ends up in danger. The thought kills him to realize that maybe he's truly powerless in protecting her, that his one life's mission is fruitless after all. This reason is why he decided to stay out of her life in the first place. To give her to the King of Lioness — who else would be more equipped or inclined to protect the one person he cares about the most?
Well, he thought sarcastically, that worked out just peachy. Bartra, the man responsible for keeping her out of danger, was the one putting her directly into a vulnerable position. He realized he was probably being a tad overprotective but he figured that Bartra had the Princess' well being as a number one priority. He thought that that was something they both had in common, maybe the only thing. Apparently, King Bartra was capable of putting his Kingdom first in front of his own daughter. Meliodas couldn't decide if he respected Bartra's decision as his King, or deplored it as someone who would protect Elizabeth with his life.
Meliodas thinks back to the look on Bartra's face as he confronted him. He couldn't figure out why exactly the King would be so willing to send his third daughter to Camelot, but evidently there was no changing his mind. He could tell by his expression that, to him, there was good reason to send her there and that was that. He wonders what Merlin's position is, on all of this. He had half a mind to confront her as well if it would do any good, but he knew it wouldn't.
Of course Meliodas was fully aware of the friendship between Elizabeth and Merlin. He's known Merlin for decades, but she would've been insane if she didn't come to him first after being proposed the opportunity to help the Princess with her goddess powers. His mind briefly flashes to another Elizabeth he knew long long ago. He aways knew it was a possibility, especially after discovering the colour of her hair. His suspicions grew when one day, years ago, there was a great commotion in the Kingdom unlike any other. Whispers of the injured second princess and mentions of a miraculous light emanating from the third, had him wondering if it had finally happened. If a reincarnation of the true Elizabeth had finally come.
His suspicions were confirmed when Merlin came to him. He always respected Merlin for her wit and her vast knowledge but he hasn't always trusted her. He barely trusted anyone when it came down to protecting Elizabeth and he knew of Merlin's love for experiments. He obviously did not want Elizabeth caught up in that but he decided that in her case, even Merlin knew where the line was, she was a Princess of Lioness after all. Besides if there was one thing that he's learned from in his life time is that no one would get in between the safety of Elizabeth again… not this time.
And with that thought it was clear to him, as he watched the sun slowly fall under the world, that he was going to take up King Bartra's offer of being the silver haired Princess' escort to Camelot. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. Once, almost two decades ago, he thought that staying out of her life was for the best as he was always the reason she was in harms way. However, now he realizes that danger will always seek out Elizabeth, no matter what he does.
Elizabeth couldn't help but feel like something was off. There was a strange feeling looming over her entire morning. As she was getting dressed, as she was walking the corridors for breakfast, even as she sat down and ate with her family she was certain that something wasn't right. She didn't bring this to the attention of her father and sisters though, thinking it was all in her head, and decided to brush off the uncertainty as best she could. It didn't work however, as she walked back to her room she still couldn't shake it.
It was bothering her so much all morning that as she opened the door to her bedroom she was thoroughly startled as she saw Merlin, in her scantly clad glory, resting upon the foot of her bed.
"Eeep!" Her right hand flew straight to her chest, subconsciously trying to slow down her heart rate.
"Sorry Princess, it wasn't my intention to surprise you." Merlin couldn't help but let out a small strained smile.
"Merlin!" Elizabeth was happy to see her but still a bit excited from the scare. "I wasn't expecting you."
She let out a relieved laugh as she tried to calm down her nerves. Wow, I really have been on edge all day.
"You scared me half to death," she continued and smiled, "What brings you to the castle this morning? Did I forget about our lessons?"
"Well, Princess, first, I'm sorry to come to you with such little notice. As you know this is not how I like to do things."
More like no notice. Thought the princess, still willing her heart to revert back to a normal rate.
"But, I'm afraid, with the position I was put in, this was the only option." Her tone sounded annoyed. Elizabeth gathered that, whatever reason she was here, it was not her decision. This worried Elizabeth as it is not common to get Merlin to do something that she didn't already want to do.
"Merlin, what's going on? You don't seem like yourself." Elizabeth started to bite her lip worryingly. It was a bad habit, one she's tried hard to break but to no avail.
"Straight to the point then? Princess, your father, myself and other figures dedicated to protecting the people of Britannia, have come to a conclusion." With this Merlin stood up slowly approaching Elizabeth in an almost lazy manner. The third Princess was incredibly nervous. She clutched her hands to her chest waiting for Merlin to finish her explanation. She figured this conclusion had something to do with her but couldn't imagine what they had planned.
"There's been multiple cases of random, inexplainable, afflictions affecting the people of Camelot. It's been occurring for a few weeks now and King Arthur and I have been trying to protect the citizens, but with no success. We've had our first casualty from the random attacks just two days ago. It started out so subtly that no one was the wiser… questionable bruises here, a cut or two there. Then it got more serious; a gash to a maids left thigh so deep she almost bled out. This past week there was a horse breeder that lost his left lung. It just vanished. He had no idea until I had a look at him, he just thought that he was short of breath due to old age, poor bastard. Right then we knew we were out of our depth. I've been searching and researching to find the cause of all of these strange acts of violence and I believe we're getting close to an answer but only time will tell when we get to the bottom of all this. Time we don't have."
Elizabeth was absolutely horrified. She couldn't believe that the poor innocent people of Camelot were suffering so deeply, and from such a unusual cause. She immediately knew she wanted to help them in some way but was unsure if they would welcome her into the fold. Thankfully Merlin answered the uncertainly for her.
"This is why I've come to you, just as your father undoubtably will as well. We need your help Princess. King Arthur and I want you to come to Camelot and help heal the citizens. I am, unquestionably, impressive when it comes to my skills as a mage but only you are capable of healing the injured with your druid powers."
She paused for a beat. Letting the reality of the situation sink in. Something told Elizabeth that Merlin hasn't seen this kind of plague before. Just then, Merlin put both of her hands on her shoulders.
"So, Princess, what will it be? Will you come to Camelot to help your allied Kingdom?"
Elizabeth didn't even have to think about it.
"Yes!"
Hey there! So still doing a lot of background and story building so the chapters are a little on the short side. I think by next chapter we'll get more into the swing of things. Hopefully we'll get a meeting between our favourite blonde and silver duo. This story is kind of writing itself though so we'll see!
Glad you guys like it so far! I hope to update at least once a week but you never know. I haven't fully decided if I'll stick with this story the whole way through but I'll cross my fingers! :)
