A/N: So...I already have five chapters written, so I thought you deserved at least two to start. ;) Happy New Year everyone!

1. No rest for the brave

Lily felt strangely lost as she stepped into Camelot's courtyard for the first time in thirty years.

She felt even more lost as heads turned in her wake, as people muttered and smiled to see her back.

Or, perhaps, they were happy to see Gwaine back.

Even if two days was hardly long, despite his change in hairstyle.

Merlin squeezed his friend's hand as he sensed her distress, and Lily's mind opened to his immediately.

"Why are they looking at us like that?"

The warlock smiled. "They're happy to see the Lady Knight again."

She was about to reply something witty when suddenly, the castle's huge wooden doors opened, revealing Gaius.

Lily didn't think twice before going to embrace her old teacher.

"I am happy to see you well, Lily."

"And I you, Gaius. I hope you are ready to to find yourself once again with two students rather than one."

Gaius opened his mouth to answer, only to be interrupted by Arthur.

"I don't think you'll be able to resume learning how to be a physician, Lily." Her eyes betrayed her surprise, as he carried on. "We'll talk about this later. First, you and Gwaine settle."

So the Knight and Lady Knight entered the castle and were met with the huge smile of most servants.

The maids that had, long ago, shared Lily's dorm, saluted her and shook hands with her, clearly happy to see her.

It was so strange to be thus welcomed, when in Storybrooke she had been looked at as a monster.

Gwaine pecked her cheek before hurrying behind Percival towards his chambers, as Lily stopped in front of her old room, a little further from those of the Knights of the Round Table.

Settling down in her old chambers felt different. It was as if someone – and she had a hunch to whom – had kept the place as a mausoleum.

Her old armour and tunic laid on the table, perfectly cleaned and polished. Her sword was lying next to it, and that's what she laid her hand on first.

Whirling the blade around herself, beginning to remember the weight and touch of it.

"I've given it a name, you know."

Lily whirled around, and faced a grinning Merlin.

She smirked. "And what would it be?"

"Fang. I thought it fitting. For a Dragonlord."

Her green eyes fell to the blade, as sharp as one of Kilgharrah's teeth, and as deadly, no doubt. "Yes, fitting."

There was a short silence, until Merlin spoke again.

"I wondered if you'd need help with your armour, considering it's been a while."

Lily chuckled. "You're adorable, Merlie, but I think I remember how to put it on."

He shrugged. "Good, because Arthur wants to see you. As soon as you're properly dressed. His words, not mine."

Lily would have made a comment about how her modern-day jeans and tunic were not proper, but her brow furrowed.

Why would Arthur want to see her for so soon?

The Crown Prince had taken on his father's office as his own. As Lily understood as Merlin briefed her on their way, Uther was still as mad as he had been when she left. But Arthur still refused to replace him.

His hope was vain, she thought.

When she entered the small room, a sudden rush of memories struck.

Of Leon and her standing right there, in happier times. Preparing a siege.

"Ah Lily. Come in, I have to talk to you."

She closed the door behind her and walked to the desk he was sat at.

Lily had never seen Arthur sitting at a desk clad in full armour before. Only the cape was missing.

"What is this about, Sire?"

The prince stood, his expression grave. "I initially wanted to wait before bringing this upon you, but the current state of the kingdom pushes me to. Camelot is in no good shape, and rumours spread of Morgana gathering an army." He paused. "Leon is dead. And with him the Captain of the Knights."

Lily felt a pang in her chest, but nodded. "I suppose you wish my advice to elect his successor?"

Arthur made a face. "Not exactly." And then, it was as if fate was befalling Lily in a heavy blow. "I wish you to replace him."

Lily's heart constricted painfully in her chest, and her breath evened. "But...I can't...I mean, the Knights won't ever agree!"

Arthur smiled. "As a matter of fact, they already did agree. And if my memory serves me well, you have a supporter in Percival."

She smiled at the thought that the kind giant trusted her as his captain.

So the smile wore off, and she nodded. "I accept the task, Sire."

Arthur sat back down. "Good. For, honestly, I could not think of someone more fitting."

Lily was about to take her leave, when a question tucked at her mind.

"Does your father agree?"

The prince sighed. "My father is only the shadow of what he once was. He disagrees. Of course he does. But, I believe that, sometimes, the well-being of the realm is more important than our personal beliefs."

Lily felt the weight of Arthur's destiny as The Once and Future King as he said those words.

So, as she bowed her head and left, she thought about something that had her insides twitch.

She really needed to see Kilgharrah.

Merlin was waiting for her outside, a goofy grin on his lips. "So, have you accepted?"

Lily sighed. Of course Merlin would have known. In fact, the idea probably came from him in the start.

She nodded. "I have."

Her friend encircled her with his arms, hugging her tight. "You'll do perfect. Captain."

She closed her eyes tightly. "Oh, Lord."

Later, as she stepped into the armoury, she was assaulted by two enormous arms lifting her up and sitting her into one shoulder.

"Percy! Please set me down!"

The giant shook his head as cheers erupted around them. "No way I can, Captain."

Lily rolled her eyes.

Under her, Lancelot and Elyan were cheering, goblets into their hands.

Gwaine, on the other hand, had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Does that mean that I have to obey you?"

It set the whole room into laughter.

In general, Lily's return to Camelot was smoothly managed.

The sole thing she regretted was that she didn't spend time with Gwaine for two days.

The third day after she returned, Lily was not meant to train the youngsters, so instead, she walked straight into the training field reserved to the senior knights, where Arthur was currently sparring against Lancelot.

The knight was visibly not trying hard, since Lily knew that his way with a sword was way better than Arthur's, and it obviously annoyed the prince.

"I told you before! Stop being easy on me! Hit me!" He grunted then whirled around, where his gaze met Lily's. "Ah, Lily. Come, and spar against me."

She smirked while unsheathing Fang. "Why, My Lord? Are you so sure to win?"

All knights laughed at that.

Arthur didn't.

Lily's last time with a sword in hand had been special. She had used her magic to stay alive against the cards. She couldn't use magic against Arthur.

So more than once Fang's hilt almost slipped off her grip.

Until the instinct finally kicked in, and she sparred stronger and stronger.

Still, she fell to Arthur's hand.

He had been her teacher, after all...

That evening, Lily dined with the Knights of the Round Table in the knights' hall.

All was well...until...

"So, we left you two alone. Are you finally together?"

Lily's gaze snapped up at Elyan, who had been the one talking.

Gwaine's chuckle erupted soon after. "Ah, my friend, I won't tell."

Lily's frown made her companions laugh.

"Come, my lady, there is no reasons to be shy."

She snorted. "I have all the reasons in the world not to want to speak about it. So, unless you'd wish to wipe the floors with the servants tomorrow, Elyan, I'd shut it."

Lancelot "oooed".

Lily's glare was enough to make all shut up.

So she stood and left.

Gwaine soon caught up with her on her way back to her chambers. "Lily! Wait!"

She sighed and stopped in her tracks. "What is it?"

Gwaine looked around, then took her hand. "Not here. Come."

He pulled her a little further in the corridor, until they reached his door.

Once he had closed it behind him, the knight faced his lady once again. "Why are you so on edge?"

Lily's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that, ever since we've come back, we haven't spent much time together. It is as if you were avoiding me."

She shook her head. "I am not. I'm sorry I can't spend as much time with you as I can, but with my new responsibilities, it isn't possible."

Gwaine snorted. "Nonsense. You could still come to me in the evening, make us dine together." He paced forward, placing himself right in front of her.

His proximity unnerved her as it always had, and she found herself blushing.

"Are you still mine, Lily, or do I still have to share you with a dead man?"

Lily's heart constricted as painfully as ever.

The feeling was still there.

That sense that she was betraying Leon with her feelings for Gwaine.

But she had never been able to ignore those feelings.

The knight lifted her chin, and met her wet gaze with his own black one.

"Listen. Leon was my friend. And we talked about this many times after I was knighted. He wished nothing more than you being happy. With whomever it was you'd choose."

Tears fell on her cheeks. "I'm sorry I'm making you suffer, I am... But...being back here... It is as if he was still there, as if I was betraying him all over again."

Gwaine took her in his arms, gently, and kissed the top of her head. "We'll figure this all out, together. For now, will you please do me a favour?"

She sniffed her tears away. "Anything."

"Sleep here tonight."

So she did.