A/N: As you get closer to the end of the fourth series, I get closer to the beginning of the fifth, and hell do I get feels...
9. The sword in the stone
"Lily! Wait!"
The Lady Knight stopped on her way to push herself up her stirrups, and whirled around, only to see Merlin hurrying her way.
"Merlie? What is it?"
The warlock stopped before her, panting, lifting a finger in the air so she waited until he had his breath back.
It took less than a minute.
"I've got a message for Gwen."
Lily smirked. "Oh yes? From whom, may I ask?"
"Who do you think?"
She chuckled. "Alright, what does he want me to tell her?"
Merlin looked around, making sure no one was listening, then leaned in to whisper. "That he misses her and regrets what happened."
Lily's brow furrowed. "Regrets? But...she took the decision alone, and knowing!"
"I know that... Tell her still, okay?"
She nodded, then climbed onto her horse, her chainmail clicking slightly. "Nothing for your mother?"
"Well...that I miss her, of course."
"Of course. I'll see you in a week then. Be careful, wary of Agravaine as always-"
"And look after Gwaine, I know." He smiled widely. "I think your absence will probably make him silent for a change."
"Then enjoy. I won't be long gone." And with that, she kicked her horse's sides and exited the courtyard and into the Lower City.
After what had happened with Lancelot, things changed a little in Camelot.
For one, Gwen, unable to forgive herself although hard she tried, decided to leave the capital for a while, going to live in Ealdor with Merlin's mother until she was ready to return.
Lily had been visiting her once a month ever since.
Lancelot had been offered his old post as a Knight back, but had refused, after being told what he had done under Morgana's influence. He too had left.
To where, no one knew, not even Merlin.
Lily's mind wasn't plagued by remorse, contrarily to what Kilgharrah had announced.
For the simplest reason that, to bring Lancelot back to the land of the living, she had used the willing soul of an elderly whose life was ending anyway.
She had found a way, and she had used her powers to save someone who was destined to great things.
One thing she regretted, though, was Arthur's trust. She had lost it by saving Lancelot, and was certain she would not retrieve it before long...
Three months had passed since.
And things were about to take a great turn for change...
Ealdor was in Lot's kingdom, on the northern border of Camelot.
It took Lily two days to rally the village, taking care of proving her good faith by stripping herself of her chainmail and sword.
It was still awfully uncommon to see a woman with a sword in those parts.
The guards at the border let her pass without comment, and she reached Ealdor as dusk fell onto the Earth.
Hunith, Merlin's mother, had almost immediately taken a fancy to her, especially since Merlin had told her about Lily's powers and legacy, and about her brief but enlightening meeting with Balinor a few years back.
When she stayed in Ealdor, Lily slept at Hunith's.
In Merlin's old room.
It would have been comical to some others.
Gwen had rented a little house of her own next to Hunith, and was growing a beautiful garden and vegetables. Everything was kept and tidy...except her.
When Lily dismounted in front of the stables, Hunith hurried to her, a basket of laundry under her arm.
"Lily dear! We were not expecting you for another couple of days!"
The Knight hugged the older woman quickly and smiled widely. "Well, I didn't have anything to do in Camelot, so I thought it better to drop by earlier than scheduled. I hope I'm not disturbing anything..."
Hunith smiled back. "God no! I was surprised, but in a good way! I was about to go to Gwen's for diner, you should join us!"
Lily winced. "Are you sure? She would have prepared everything for two, not three..."
"I can make a little more, don't worry."
Lily whirled around, smiling softly as she saw the figure of her friend walking up to her.
She had stripped herself from her maid's dresses, and was wearing leather pants and over it a loose beige tunic with a black belt.
She looked beautiful, as usual.
The Lady Knight walked to her and kissed her cheek. "How are you?"
"A little better, I guess. I miss Camelot. And my friends..." She paused.
Lily winked. "He says he missed you too."
Gwen's eyes twinkled a little, but she didn't smile.
Taking Lily's arm instead. "Come, or diner will be cold."
Usually, when Lily stayed in Ealdor, she enjoyed a much quieter life.
Gardening with Gwen, cooking with Hunith, helping the local healer with gathering herbs...
Sometimes, but only sometimes, helping herself with magic.
Two days after she arrived, late in the afternoon, she was helping Hunith sew back an apron before a good fire, and conversation took a turn Lily hadn't planned.
"So... Gwen told me you're engaged!"
Lily nearly choked on her own saliva in surprise. Her eyes widened the size of tennis balls. "I...am."
"And no ring, though?" Hunith was smirking to herself."
Lily snorted. "I don't think you're the best person to chastise me, Hunith...you weren't even married when you had Merlin."
"I'm not chastising you, I'm only curious! It's the Sir Gwaine, isn't it?" She looked up for a second, but didn't wait for the answer. "Some say he's as handsome as the devil."
Lily chuckled. "That he is."
"How did you meet each other?"
"Not so surprisingly, through Merlin. Gwaine had helped him and Arthur win a fight, he had been wounded, Gaius tended to him and left him in my care."
"So...love at first sight then?"
"No, not quite... I was still...linked to Sir Leon at that time. I knew Gwaine had feelings for me, as I had for him, but..."
"Your feelings for Sir Leon were stronger."
Lily winced. "Let's just say he was there first."
"I don't quite agree with that excuse, but let's say I do. How long have you been engaged?"
"It will soon be six months."
Hunith made a grimace of approval. "And have you thought about a date? For the big day?"
Lily winced again. "No... I try not to. It scares me to death. That all 'until death do us part' kind of thing."
Hunith chuckled. "It frightened me too. And then...Balinor had to leave, Merlin arrived, and I didn't have to think about it anymore. But now, as I remind myself, I would have loved married life."
The Knight put her work down, her gaze distant. "I'm not sure I'm someone to marry."
"I think you won't know until you've tried."
"Perhaps."
"I also heard you were born here but sent away."
Lily smirked. "You didn't hear. Merlin told you."
"Yes, alright, he told me. Is that true?"
"Yes. I was raised in another world, where time moves a lot faster than here."
"Then, how old would you be if you had stayed?"
Lily paused. "I had never thought about it before." Then she started calculating. "I'd be...six."
"Then you should be happy you're not. Sir Gwaine, I hope, would never have married a six-year-old."
Lily erupted in giggles, soon followed by her hostess.
The following day, everything changed.
And Lily didn't know if she had to feel relieved to have been away or angry to have been absent when Camelot was taken.
Anyway...
It was early afternoon when a familiar tug at the back of her mind made her drop her barriers at once.
She had expected Kilgharrah for some message of sorts...not Merlin.
"Lily!"
She started, quieting Hunith with a gesture when she moved to see what was wrong. "Merlie? What is it?" The urgency in his voice didn't pass unnoticed.
"Camelot is overrun. We've been attacked last night. By Morgana."
"Holy-! What happened?"
"Agravaine. He opened the gate. She has an army of southerners now. They took the citadel."
"Where are you?"
"In the forest. I managed to get Arthur out, along with Percival and Elyan. We're on our way to you."
Lily gritted her teeth. "Gwaine isn't with you."
"He decided to stay behind to give us time." He paused. "But I'm sure Morgana won't harm him."
She gripped the fence she had been standing at hard, her knuckled going white. "No you're not." Then she took a deep breath. "What would you have me do?"
"We need Lancelot. Quick. We're being followed."
"I'll ask Kilghie to look for him."
"Thank you. And Lily?"
"Yes?"
"Have faith. Gwaine is alive, I can sense it."
She didn't answer.
When Hunith's hand met her shoulder, tears began to fall.
"Lily? What is it? What's happened?"
The Knight looked over at her hostess. "Camelot has fallen. Merlin and Arthur are coming here for shelter."
Merlin's mother nodded gravely, then squeezed her shoulder harder. "Whatever Merlin has told you, I'm sure your knight is fine. And anyway, you need to be strong. You're the Captain, the Lady Knight. Save them. Once more." She sent her a small smile, then moved back, hurrying along towards Gwen's hut.
It took Lily more than an hour to be able to breathe again, so heavy the weight on her heart was.
She had already lost a man she loved.
She wouldn't survive it another time.
"Kilgharrah? Can you hear me?"
Over miles and miles, Lily's mind touched her dragon's. She could feel the wind on his scales, and knew he was travelling. "Vivian. You sound grave."
She sat down and took her head in her hands. Outside, the sun was setting. "Camelot has fallen to Morgana's hands once more."
The dragon didn't answer right away. "And you need my help. Although not for the retaking of the city."
"No. I need... I need Lancelot."
"The Knight is not close to you?"
"I don't know where he is. It could take me days to find him, maybe even weeks. You have wings, and he knows you. Could you go looking for him?"
"I could. I can sense his soul, since it has been touched by you. But it could still take days."
"Do your best."
"That I will." She was about to break the connection, but the creature kept it open, caressing her mind with his. "Do not fret. I can feel your fiancé yet lives."
And to hear Kilgharrah of all people say it...brought a small smile to her lips.
The following day got on with nothing to write about.
Lily spent most of it waiting for a sign of a dragon approaching, or a group of refugees arriving, but nothing.
She had to wait for a day more.
A little before midday, as she was polishing her sword in Hunith's house, she heard clamours on the street.
And as she exited the house, Lily's heart lifted a little in her chest.
Merlin was there. Hugging his mother while Arthur, dressed as a commoner, watched by, a couple waiting behind.
She hurried towards her friends.
"Arthur!"
The King's eyes widened, a small smile forming on her lips. "Ah, Lily. You've missed all the fun, as usual."
She chuckled. "And you're as infuriating as ever." She looked him up and down, a smirk forming on her own lips. "This look suits you."
"One more word..."
The man, waiting behind him, spoke up. "And you are?"
Lily looked over at him. Blonde, big, blue eyes, frown. "I am Lily."
Arthur sighed. "She's the Captain of my Knights."
The woman gasped, her grip tightening on the man's shoulder. "So the rumours were true. A woman is their Captain."
Lily smiled. "That I am. Although apparently, right now, I'm Captain of nothing." She stared at the woman. "You're injured. Let me see."
But Merlin put a hand on her arm, a goofy smile on his lips. "Let me." He took the woman's arm from the man's shoulder and wrapped it around his own. "This is Isolde. And her friend, Tristan."
Lily's eyes widened. In another land, those names were known far and wide. And held such a power over young maidens searching for their true love...
Arthur shook her out of her reverie. "I don't want to be rude, but...could we have something to eat, by any chance?"
Hunith smiled. "Of course. Come with me."
Lily saw to Arthur and Tristan's lunch, while Merlin tended to Isolde's wound.
The two men were conversing, and as she understood things, Tristan held a strong grudge against Arthur's policy.
Apparently, her existence had lifted his mood a little.
It did that to people, often.
"Lily, wait."
She had been about to go out to wash the dishes when the King called her back.
"Yes, Sire?"
He gestured her to sit down with him, while Tristan moved to look after Isolde. Merlin had gone out in the fading light to spend time with Hunith.
"You knew about Agravaine's treason, didn't you?"
She shrugged. "Why would you-?"
"You despised him first time you set eyes on him. And you were watching his back, always. You knew."
She sighed. "I had strong suspicions. He was disappearing into the woods at night, then surprisingly enough, Morgana had informations about what was happening within our walls. You never found it strange that merely instants after you told us you were to marry Gwen, Morgana raised Lancelot from the dead?"
Arthur cast his eyes down. "I would never have thought he was the one."
"Unfortunately, he is also her uncle. Do not forget that Vivienne was also his sister."
"Yes, but... I've never done anything-"
"He didn't need a reason. He had a blackened heart from the start. I know how hard it is to try and turn your back on your beliefs once they're established. If he thought you were wrong, he wouldn't have changed his mind."
The King paused, sighing again. "I wish you'd have told me."
"We both know you wouldn't have listened." She patted his shoulder and moved out this time, but not before counselling him one more time. "You should lie down. Your ribs need mending."
She was bent over a bucket of water, rubbing a wet cloth on one dish, when she heard a presence behind her.
Thinking to be Merlin, she didn't start.
It wasn't Merlin.
"I heard you needed me..."
Lily's eyes widened and she gasped, letting her work drop into the water, and whirling around, smiling widely. "Lance..."
Her arms went around his neck and she hugged tight, while he chuckled. "Careful there, you're soaking wet."
"I don't care, I've missed you too much."
He chuckled again, softly pushing her away. "About that... Next time, don't force me onto your dragon's back. It's awfully uncomfortable."
She chuckled, then took his hand. "Come, you must greet the others."
Night had fallen.
Merlin and Hunith were still out, talking, when Lancelot's arrival came to Arthur's ears.
He had borrowed a chainmail to the village's blacksmith, and was fastening a belt over it with Gwen's help when they entered the house.
After the surprise came the relief.
"Lancelot. I am glad to see you here."
The former – or still, who knows? – Knight shook hands with his King. "You have to thank Lily for her means to find me. I was quite far when her...friend found me."
Arthur's brow furrowed when he looked at Lily next. "Really?"
She shrugged. "I told you before that he'd help should I ask."
"Well...you'll thank him too, then."
Then there was a silence.
Gwen's eyes were locked onto Lancelot, pain written all over it.
The last time she had gazed into those dark depths, he had kissed her. In front of Arthur.
Lancelot smiled softly. "Hello Gwen."
She didn't return the smile. "Hello, Lancelot."
Then Lily cleared her throat. "Well, now. We are two Knights and one King...and Merlin. Fighting whomever is following you shan't be difficult, after all."
"You're forgetting I can wield a sword too." Gwen lifted a brow at her.
Then Isolde chuckled. "And Tristan and I aren't helpless either."
But Lily looked over at her. "We can't force you to help."
Tristan looked grave, then nodded. "We will. Arthur has saved Isolde's life. We owe him a debt."
To that the Lady Knight nodded.
At the same time as a cry erupted in the village's streets.
Merlin and his mother hurried back inside, a single word leaving his lips. 'Agravaine'
Lily gritted her teeth. "I'd give much to be able to kick his ass for real."
Lancelot huffed. "There'll be a queue."
Arthur concluded. "If someone has to end him, it'll be me."
And both knights tilted their heads. He had indeed more right than them.
Merlin made them all leave the house back the back, Hunith remaining, hiding in her room.
Lily made sure she was safe and thanked her again for her support and hospitality before drawing out Fang and joining the others.
Merlin was swift to come back to them as well.
He provided them with a diversion as he had set a cart on fire, and all exited the village, running like hell.
Lily was quick to reach her fellow sorcerer in mind after that. "Now what?"
"Now? We run. My plan doesn't go further."
She groaned, but carried on running, keeping her pace even with Gwen's as Arthur was leading.
Tristan, who was supporting Isolde, soon grunted in pain as he could not possibly run and support her as well.
Lancelot stopped and hurried to them. "Allow me." He scooped Isolde in his arms, and ran back to the others, Tristan in tow.
Lily smirked at him in the darkness. "Always the knight in shining armour."
He rolled his eyes. "Now might not be the opportune moment, Lily."
Arthur confirmed. "Yes, please stop bickering, if I have to remind you, we're being hunted down."
Lily rolled her eyes, and Lancelot chuckled.
Being hunted down...
If he let her, she'd set the whole bloody army on fire.
Without a second thought.