Chapter 21 Wishes

Tayla and Tristan walked into Arthur's room, somehow miraculously within the five minute time frame Arthur had given them.

"About time," Arthur said, "What took you so long?" Tayla glared at him, mostly because his comments induced a blush that she didn't want anyone to see.

"I think, Arthur, that being dressed and in here within five minutes of being woken up, rudely I might add, is in fact, quite a feat," she replied, slightly more snappy than she meant to.

"Fiesty in the morning, aren't you?" Arthur said, noting Tristan was having a hard time not laughing.

"Arthur please, my head hurts. It was a rough night, can we please eat?" Tayla begged.

Arthur noted the change in expression on Tristan's face and, realising she spoke the truth, he stopped teasing her.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked concerned now.

"I had a very bad dream last night," Tayla replied, noticing that Tristan had stepped just a little closer to her after she had admitted her head hurt.

"Bad dream? What about?" Arthur asked, her words bringing his to the front of this mind.

Tayla looked at him, not sure if she wanted to tell him. But she couldn't lie to him, not now.

"You, Uther. He killed you, in your bed. You were sleeping and he stabbed you in the heart." Arthur went slightly pale and she frowned. She hadn't meant to scare him, that was why she hadn't referenced the comment about Gwen.

"I had one too, the same, only it was Guinevere." Arthur replied. Tayla looked at him, shocked, could they really have had the same dream, though slightly different?

"Yes, you both sent me to check things out." Arthur looked at Merlin and then back to Tayla.

"I asked Merlin if you were okay, I was worried," Tayla said with a slight smile of apology to Merlin.

"At least you didn't make me sneak into someone elses room and risk my neck to the stocks. I thank you from the bottom of my heart as well as my neck, Princess." Given the drama of the dreams, neither Arthur or Tayla could help but laugh at Merlin's comment. It was a welcome relief.

"Alright, let us eat then whilst we talk," said Arthur, sitting down.

Tayla, Tristan and Merlin joined Arthur at his table and started eating.

"So what did you want to talk about Arthur?' Tayla asked.

"My father called me to his room this morning. It is getting to be a habit I hope won't continue."

"What about this time?" Tayla asked, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"About Guinevere," Arthur said. Tayla looked up, excited. Was it possible Uther had changed his mind? Arthur certainly didn't sound mad.

"He has decided to accept my choice, he doesn't like it but he won't stand in my way."

"Oh Arthur, that is wonderful," Tayla replied, delighted.

"Absolutely my Lord!" Merlin said, gleefully, so happy for his two closest friends.

"I have to ask Tayla, did you visit my father last night?" Arthur asked, looking at her carefully to gauge her reaction to the question.

"No," Tayla denied, completely honestly. There was no way she would go see Uther last night.

"So what did you do?" Arthur asked, sure she had something to do with this change of heart from his father, though not sure how.

Tayla looked at him.

"You or Merlin," Arthur started to say.

"What did I do?" squeaked Merlin, cutting Arthur off mid-sentence.

"You or Tayla, I believe, had something to do with a visit my father had from my mother last night. Well, someone who looked like my mother anyway," Arthur said looking between the two of them.

"I didn't do anything I was here with you all night, except when I risked my neck for you," Merlin protested.

"It is alright Merlin. I had hoped Arthur wouldn't need to know," Tayla said. Merlin and Arthur both looked at her, shocked at her admittance of guilt.

"Look, last night after the dream about you, I was full of rage against Uther for doing that. It appears that even my dreams can influence my emotions enough to affect my power. I went to Tristan and he helped me, he kept me safe whilst I called your mother," Tayla said, hoping that Arthur wouldn't mind her interference.

"But that can only be done by family," said Merlin, frowning as he tried to figure out how she had done it.

"Apparently I am close enough," Tayla smiled at Arthur.

"What did you ask her to do?" Arthur asked, though he wanted to ask more. He had never met his mother, he had so many questions.

"Talk to Uther. She wanted to anyway. She's wanted to for a while. She just needed someone to bring her back," Tayla replied.

"So my mother convinced my father to let me pursue Guinevere?" Arthur said in slight disbelief.

"She loves you, Arthur. She just wants you to be happy. So do I," Tayla said. She had enjoyed meeting Arthur's mother, and even though she hadn't had much time with her, the visit had explained at lot about him.

Arthur was quiet for a moment, then he smiled.

"Thank you," Arthur said, sincerely.

"My Lady?" asked Merlin.

"Yes Merlin?" Tayla turned to look Merlin.

"That was a rather powerful spell. Weren't you afraid?" Merlin asked her, knowing how she had battled with the fear of the power turning her.

"No, Merlin. Thanks to you and Tristan I wasn't," Tayla replied gently.

"What did I do?" Merlin asked confused.

"You told me I was powerful in other ways, and that because of that, it wouldn't change me. And with Tristan by my side keeping me safe, giving me something to hold on to,"

"Literally" interrupted Arthur. Tayla glared at him, another flush coming over her cheeks.

"I knew I could do it," she finished.

"Well done my Lady," Merlin said with a little tilt of his head. He was very proud of the Princess for taking such as risk. She was much stronger than he had first thought, in many ways.

"Looks like we both have gotten our wish," said Arthur, glancing between Tayla and Tristan.

"Looks like it," said Tayla with a soft smile, glancing sideway sat Tristan, who had frowned at the comment, not understanding. Tayla turned back to Arthur and gave him a look, one she hoped conveyed her wish that he talk to Tristan today. Arthur understood.

"Thank you for the food Merlin," said Arthur, "Tristan, I would like to talk to you, shall we take a walk?" Arthur continued, standing up.

"Yes, my Lord," Tristan replied, frowning at Tayla who had suddenly blushed and turned her head away from him.

"Thank you?" Merlin said softly as if trying to understand something. Then suddenly he grinned and looked at Arthur. "You were thanking me for saving you with magic, all those times!" So that is what Arthur had been meaning out by the apple tree yesterday when he had thanked him.

"Well done Merlin, took your time," said Arthur on his way out the door.

Tayla turned to Merlin, a concerned look on her face, after the door closed.

"Merlin, he will be alright won't he?" Tayla asked, nervously.

"Who, Arthur or Tristan?" Merlin asked rather cheekily. She thought about it for a moment.

"Honestly Merlin, I am not sure," Tayla said truthfully. Merlin laughed.

"Arthur will be on his best behaviour I am sure," Merlin said, very convincingly.

"Why?" Tayla asked.

"Because he probably thinks if he isn't, then as soon as you are better, you'll come after him with some sticks."

Tayla laughed and stood up, walking over to Merlin.

"Thank you Merlin," Tayla said, and kissed him on the cheek.

After Arthur and Tristan left the room, Arthur led them away from the chambers. As they started down the stairs Arthur finally broke the silence.

"So, Tristan, would you be interested in joining the knights of Camelot?" Arthur asked.

"For training, my Lord?" asked Tristan.

"No. Joining," said Arthur. He was going to enjoy getting to play big brother.

"My Lord, forgive me, I do not understand your question," Tristan asked frowning.

"Would you like to be a knight of Camelot?" Arthur asked more clearly this time.

"My Lord, I have sworn an oath to King Henry. As much as it would be an honour to be one of your knights, That is not possible," Tristan replied.

"Oh, but Sir Tristan it is." Tristan stopped on the stairs. Arthur stopped as well and turned around.

"My Lord, what do you mean?" Tristan asked. Arthur saw the look of confusion on his face.

"If King Henry was to release you from your oath it would be," Arthur said, wondering if he was pushing his luck. Tayla wouldn't be pleased if he toyed with Tristan too much.

"Why would he do that?"

"So you can join the Camelot knights," Arthur replied simply.

"My Lord, please," Tristan begged.

"If you were a knight of Camelot what would that mean for your relationship with the Princess?" Tristan thought. His first thought was that he would no longer be with her, no longer able to protect her. His face betrayed the anguish that the thought brought to him and Arthur noted it.

"Think positive Tristan," Arthur said. Tristan looked Arthur for a moment. Arthur sighed. Tayla would be sure to make him pay if he made Tristan suffer anymore.

"Tristan, you would be free to marry my sister, if you were a knight of Camelot. That is if you care for her that way. Do you?" Arthur asked, a serious look coming over his face now he had dispensed with the, well, torture.

"Care for Tayla? You know I do my Lord, I want nothing more from life that to be with her, but how..." Tristan trailed off, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Tayla and I were quite persuasive yesterday. King Henry is willing to release you and, you can then become a knight of Camelot, free to pursue the relationship with Tayla. Should you wish to marry her, then it will form a alliance between Dover and Camelot, you could call it beneficial to all parties," Arthur explained.

"Should I wish ... of course I do my Lord," Tristan replied, with conviction that Arthur was most pleased about. He certainly didn't want to see someone indecisive with his sister.

"Then Sir Tristan, perhaps we should go see a king about an oath." They turned around heading up the stairs towards the guest quarters that King Henry and Queen Isobel were currently occupying. Tristan remained quiet as the meaning of everything sank in. Arthur took the opportunity to continue to speak.

"You know, now that I know I am Tayla's brother, I should warn you about something," Arthur said, glancing sideways at Tristan.

"What is that my Lord?" Tristan asked, still wondering about his impending release and just how did they do it.

"If you hurt her, I will hurt you," Arthur said, firmly and seriously. He wasn't playing around. He really did mean it.

"I would never..." Tristan started to say. Arthur cut him off.

"I know, but it needed to be said. Since you won't, no need to think about it anymore. Just don't forget it," Arthur said, holding back a smile.

"Never, my Lord." Tristan smiled. "I guess Merlin was right."

"He usually is though I don't tend to tell him often. But, what exactly was he right about this time?" asked Arthur.

"Last night, he said to me that you are the Princess were more similar than he first thought. He then mentioned that you were fighting for Gwen and pehaps I shouldn't give up hope." It had been the reason for Tristan's behaviour this morning, if he hadn't had the hope that Merlin had given him, he would not have been so suggestive with the Princess. He remembered her reaction to his words, his hope had grown a little at that. He smiled at the memory, thankful that Arthur didn't know his thoughts.

"Yes, I guess Merlin was right. Perhaps this is one of the times when we should tell him," Arthur said as they had arrived at the door to Henry and Isobel's chambers.

"Are you ready then Tristan?" Arthur asked.

"More than ready my Lord."

Arthur knocked.