A/N – So we'll have to wait to find out what Uther is up to, but here is some more to keep you entertained. I hope.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 12 Fresh Air, Sunshine and Surprises

(a couple of days later)

"Are you sure you are up for this my Lady?" asked Tristan as they walked with Morgana and Gwen through the castle to the training grounds. Tayla had finally been allowed to leave her room and she wasn't going to give this up.

"Of course I am Tristan. I have been cooped up in that room, as lovely as it is, for days now and am in desperate need from some fresh air and sunshine," she said, with such happiness in her voice, that it made it hard for Tristan to continue. He didn't want to deprive her of this happiness, but he was concerned about her.

"My Lady, it is a long way to the training area," Tristan added.

"Which is why you are here with me, should I need some assistance." Tayla smiled at him. "Tristan I promise, if I get tired I will tell you. I will not push myself too far," Tayla attempted to reassure him.

"Yes my Lady," Tristan replied and fell quiet as he walked close beside her, just in case she needed him sooner than expected.

"It is a shame you are not up to some training Tayla. It would be interesting to see how Arthur would go, especially with your recent improvements," Morgana said with a smile and a cheeky raise of her eyebrows.

"Perhaps when I have recovered I will see whether he would be interested in seeing my progress." Tayla thought she heard a noise from Tristan's direction and looked over at him, but his expression remained neutral. Perhaps it was nothing.

"I am sure he would. Who has been training you?" Morgana asked, wondering if it was the handsome knight beside her. She sensed Tayla felt more for him than would normally be the case.

"Tristan has. He is very good with both weapons so my father felt he would be a good teacher." Tayla looked over at him and saw him smile.

"Tristan still holds back though, protecting me. So, perhaps I should consider speaking to Arthur when I am better. So I can see for myself how much I have improved." She heard that noise again and this time caught Tristan out.

"Yes Tristan, is there something you wish to say?" Tayla asked, resisting the urge to smile, though only just.

"My Lady, as good as you are, I would prefer you didn't test your abilities out on someone who doesn't know how you fight. You could get hurt." Tristan said, not knowing if his plea would make a difference.

"Tristan, when I have to fight for real, they won't know how I fight nor will they take it easy on me. We have already experienced this," Tayla said. Dear sweet Tristan, she knew he would do anything to protect her.

"But..."

"It is alright Tristan. I am sure we will be back at Dover Castle well before I am ready to challenge Arthur. I am not foolish. You have nothing to fear. Anyway, Arthur would never let me forget it if he was to beat me," Tayla replied as they arrived at the training grounds and took a seat.

"As we have never let him," Morgana said with a knowing smile.

They acknowledged Arthur and Merlin's waves and settled back to watch. It had been six years since Tayla had watched Arthur fight and she noticed how much he had grown as a fighter, how his movements were still as fluid as ever, if not better. She also noted that he seemed to be being quite hard on his knights. She hoped he wasn't just trying to show off. She looked over at Tristan and noted the look in his eyes.

"You wish you were out there don't you Tristan?" Tayla asked him.

He looked over at her, a look in his eye she couldn't quite understand.

"I am where I wish to be my Lady," he replied, his look so intense that it made her breath catch in her throat.

"That is not a denial Tristan. Perhaps tomorrow Arthur would allow you to join them."

"Maybe," was all Tristan would say, looking back to observe the training.

Tayla looked over at Morgana and Gwen, giving them both a smile.

"It is just me or does it look like Arthur is pushing the knights quite hard?" Tayla asked.

"It is not just you. I was thinking the same thing," replied Morgana.

"So was I," added Gwen, as Merlin came over.

"Good morning my Ladies, my Lord. How are we all this morning?"

"Very well thank you Merlin. It is so nice to be outside again." Tayla smiled at Merlin and he blushed slightly, though it may have just been the heat of the day. It did make her wonder though if Arthur had been right.

"It is a lovely day," Merlin replied, smiling at her.

"Merlin, is everything alright with Arthur this morning?" asked Morgana. "It seems like he is being a bit harsh on the knights."

"It's not just the knights. He has been so moody the last couple of days. He has been working me much harder than normal, if that is possible. I don't know what is bothering him. Perhaps he just isn't happy that Uther ordered him back to work which keeps him away from you," Merlin replied with a cheeky smile at the Princess.

"Moody?" Morgana laughed. "Isn't he always?"

"Not this moody my Lady," Merlin replied. Arthur called out to Merlin, more like yelled.

"Oops, sorry. Duty calls," and with a slight bow to them all, Merlin ran back to Arthur and promptly received a slap on the back of the head.

"Ouch. Does he always do that to Merlin?" Tayla asked, concerned. What is wrong with Arthur this morning?

"Yes my Lady, he does. To be honest though, it seems more like a friendly thing. Arthur finds it hard to admit that Merlin is more than just a servant," replied Gwen.

Before the training had finished, Tayla found herself starting to get tired and looked at Tristan.

"Tristan, I think I need to head back in now, if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course, my Lady." Tristan replied standing reaching out his hand for her to take.

"Morgana, Gwen. Thank you for a lovely time this morning. Perhaps we can finish the walk through the gardens tomorrow," Tayla said.

"Definitely. Just let us know when you feel up for it," Morgana said as she stood up and placed a gentle kiss on Tayla's cheek. "Would you like us to come back with you?" asked Gwen, noting the tiredness on Tayla's face, she wondered if she should get Gaius to check on Tayla.

"No thank you. You two stay, enjoy. Make sure Arthur doesn't hurt Merlin too much." Tayla smiled and she and Tristan started the walk back to her chambers.

Late the next afternoon, having skipped watching the morning training session, Tayla sent word to Morgana asking if she was ready for a walk through the gardens. Morgana agreed to join her and Tristan, and they set off at a nice, gentle pace. They had been walking for a while when they came across Arthur, alone in one of the smaller, quiet gardens. Tayla said goodbye to Morgana and Tristan, she hadn't had much of a chance to speak with Arthur the last couple of days so she took this opportunity to spend some time with him. Perhaps in the process, she would find out what was wrong with him. She sat down next to him and Arthur looked at her. Smiling, he asked, "Did you enjoy watching the training yesterday?"

"Yes, you have definitely improved over the years. It was very impressive," Tayla replied as she watched him turn and look out at the garden.

Over the next several minutes their conversation was very one sided and Tayla wondered if Arthur was even listening. He certainly seemed to be very preoccupied.

"So, there was this fairy in my chambers this morning and took me out flying all around Camelot. It's an amazing view from above. You really should try it sometime, Arthur," Tayla said watching carefully for Arthur's reaction to her strange words.

"Yes, of course," Arthur replied absently.

"Arthur!" Tayla said sharply, causing Arthur to finally look at her.

"What?"

"I just told you I went flying with a fairy around Camelot and you agreed to try it. You were not listening were you?" Tayla asked wondering what could be so distracting. She had never known Arthur to be like this when they were talking together.

"I am sorry, Tayla. I have a lot on my mind," Arthur said to her, sincerely sorry that he had let his mind wander. He usually enjoyed their conversations very much.

"Then talk to me. Merlin was complaining about you being moody. And I would have to agree," Tayla said to him, a frown on her face.

"Moody?" asked Arthur. That wasn't exactly how he would describe what he was feeling.

"Come Arthur, please. You know you can talk to me. About anything," Tayla said reassuringly.

"Merlin always complains. Moody? Really?" Arthur said, frowning. How many others thought that?

"Yes, really," Tayla replied.

Arthur stood up and started pacing in front of her. After a few moments of silence Tayla spoke up.

"Arthur please," she said, standing, before she continued. "Arthur, you are worrying me." Tayla reached out to stop him pacing. Arthur turned around, and, reaching for her shoulders he looked her in the eye.

"Marry me."

A/N – so continue?