Chapter 9

The next week passed quickly for everyone. Elaina avoided Arthur every moment of the day. If they passed one another in a hallway she ignored him and avoided his gaze. She had still not spoken to Gaius despite Merlin telling her several times that she needed to.

Elaina stood at her window staring down at the training fields. Arthur had sent the knights away for the afternoon but he was still practicing. Her eyes traveled up and down his body as he moved. She had never seen anyone look so graceful with a sword in their hands. He moved as though he had been born to fight.

A knock at the door caused Elaina to jump in surprise .She turned away from the window as Arthur looked up at it. He merely saw the passing shadow as she turned away.

"Come in," Elaina called.

The door opened slowly revealing Gaius. He entered the room and bowed before speaking. "My Lady I need to discuss a rather urgent matter with you."

"I was actually on my way out Gaius. Is it possible to discuss this another time?"

"My Lady please, you don't understand what is happening to you."

Elaina stopped in the doorway, she kept her back to him as she spoke. "I know what is wrong with me Gaius, I've known for a long time."

"Why haven't you told anyone? A condition like yours has to be paid close attention to, without treatment you could die."

Elaina pursed her lips and turned to look at him. "How do I explain to people that… I have a disease of the blood Gaius? How do I tell people that I can never have children because of it? Or that I faint? Or that my condition makes me incredibly weak? How do I explain that as the future queen of Heideen?"

"Without treatment though, you could die! That's what happened on your trip here. How long did you go without treatment?"

"Two weeks."

"I need to treat you soon Elaina."

"No," Elaina said firmly.

Gaius stared at her in confusion. "If you go untreated you could die Elaina."

Elaina met his gaze with a steady one of her own. She knew the risk, but no one had ever given her the chance to beat this. Everyone just assumed that because she was a girl she would give up. She would let it win. For once she didn't want to walk into a room and have everyone feel bad for her because she was different.

"We could try a different treatment," Gaius suggested. "Perhaps there is a way to make you well and keep you strong at the same time. Let me try."

"Fine, but you can't tell anyone Gaius. No one can know."

Elaina had forgotten about the challenge until Morgana brought it up during lunch. She had more pressing matters on her mind, the fight with Arthur being one of them. The feast Uther was planning in her honor was another.

"Morgana I don't know if it's such a good idea," Elaina said quickly.

"Why not? Don't you want to prove to Arthur that he's wrong?"

"Of course but perhaps this isn't the way to do it."

"Then what is the problem?"

Elaina studied the other girl for a moment. "Nothing, there's no problem. I'm ready whenever Uther decides to select someone."

"He already has, you're going to fight Sir Leon tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow? Morgana I won't be ready by then, I haven't picked up a sword in weeks! Besides I don't have chain mail or armor."

"You can use mine! Why don't you go practice now?"

"I would but I don't have anything to wear."

"Let's see if Merlin can get you something."

An hour later, Elaina wore a pair of Merlin's pants and one of Arthur's old shirts. She'd borrowed a pair of boots from Morgana. She strode into the armory and began studying the sword rack. There were several options present but none of them appealed to Elaina.

"What are you doing in here," a voice asked from the corner.

Elaina jumped in surprise and turned around quickly. Arthur stood silently in the corner studying her. It was the first time he had spoken to her in a week.

"Looking for a sword," Elaina explained. "Apparently I am to fight Sir Leon tomorrow."

"I heard," Arthur said rather darkly.

"That doesn't surprise me." Elaina turned back to the swords. They were all fine weapons. She carefully pulled on out and checked the balance on it. She shook her head and placed it back. "What are you doing in here?"

"Thinking," Arthur said as though that explained everything.

"About what?" Elaina pulled out another sword and practiced a couple of passes.

Arthur didn't speak as he crossed the room. He stopped next to the rack and pulled out a sword. He reached around Elaina and took the sword out of her hand. "Use this one," he said softly. He pressed the one he selected into her hand.

Arthur put the other sword back and watched as Elaina checked the balance and swung the sword. She looked at him over her shoulder and sighed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You didn't answer my question," Elaina pointed out as she turned to face him.

Arthur studied her for a moment before speaking. "You, I was thinking about you and what a prat I made of myself."

Elaina didn't speak as she moved closer to Arthur. "You're not a prat."

"I behaved like on." His gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips. "I am sorry that I offended you with my assumptions."

"I forgive you," Elaina whispered as she leaned in. Their lips were a breath apart when the door banged open behind them. They jumped apart quickly. Elaina collided with a stack of shields which tumbled to the floor.

"Merlin," Arthur said in irritation. "What have I said about knocking?"

"Why would I knock on the armory?" Merlin glanced between Arthur and Elaina and instantly understood. "Sorry, I'll knock next time."

"Thank you," Arthur said gratefully. "Is there something you need?"

"Your father would like a word with you."

Arthur nodded slowly. He glanced at Elaina briefly before following Merlin out of the room. Elaina sighed and picked up the shields she had knocked over.

"You should be more careful," a voice said from the shadows.

Elaina yelped in surprise and spun around. Her gaze roamed wildly around the room until the man revealed himself. He stepped out of the shadows, he was as tall as Arthur perhaps taller. His dark hair didn't surprise Elaina, it was his eyes which were a pale gray.

"Who are you," Elaina asked sounding braver than she felt. She wondered briefly if the man had seen her and Arthur.

"My name is Mathew my Lady," he said lowly, he bowed deeply as he spoke. "It was not my intention to startle you."

Elaina continued to stare at the man waiting for him to explain his presence. He seemed to be waiting for her to speak as well.

"Are you a knight of Camelot?"

"No," he said simply. He moved further out of the shadows. Mathew slowly approached Elaina. His movements were animalistic, more cat like than human. "I've come to see you actually. We've heard about you my Lady."

"We," Elaina asked nervously.

"You'll find out who we are soon enough." Mathew stopped in front of her. He slowly reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I don't understand."

"You will soon enough my lady." His fingers trailed down the side of her neck causing her to shiver involuntarily. "We have plans for you."

Footsteps in the hallway caused Elaina to turn toward the doorway. Sir Leon entered the room and smiled warmly at her. Elaina whipped back around to look at Mathew but he was gone.

"Is everything alright my lady," Sir Leon asked from the doorway.

"There was a man," Elaina said. She turned to look at Sir Leon in confusion. She could see from the look on his face that he didn't believe her. "Never mind, I imagined it. I look forward to our fight tomorrow."

"As do I my Lady," Sir Leon said politely. "I was told you are an accomplished swordsman, woman."

"I suppose we will see, won't we? If you'll excuse me I have some practicing to do."

"Certainly, my Lady." Sir Leon bowed to her as she left the room. Elaina glanced around as she made her way out to the training field. She could still feel Mathew's penetrating gaze on her even though he was gone.