10. The sword in the stone (part 2)

They ran for what seemed like hours. The night was deep and at its darkest when they finally arrived in sight of a cave.

Merlin stopped, and with one gaze towards Lily, she understood she had to stop too.

Arthur turned to them. "What are you doing?"

She smirked as an answer. "We need to shake them off our back. I guess a little dragon-fire should do it. Go inside, I'll be right with you."

The King of Camelot's eyes widened as he took in the fierce look in the sorceress eyes, the carnal smile she produced while taking off her gloves.

If she hadn't been his ally, she would have scared the bones out of him.

Lily whirled around, one hand gripping Merlin's for support, the other outstretched before her as she reached far and wide to find that small part of herself which was always linked with a big scaled creature.

"O dracon! Vetende mai ochikarun suth katakoron toron!"

The growl faded in her throat, and Merlin's fingers squeezed hers hard. "Do you think he's far?"

She shook her head. "He felt close."

Before their eyes, a hundred torches approached, some figure could be made in the faint darkness, and right in front, walked Agravaine.

Lily's teeth gritted so hard she thought Merlin could hear it.

And then, out of the sky, a great, huge blackened figure came leaping down, and swirls of fire went down onto their pursuers.

The Lady Knight huffed contently as she saw Agravaine jumping aside to protect himself from a deadly rush of blaze, and she looked up, revelling in the sight of Kilgharrah, faintly lighted by his own fire mixing with the torches' light.

She reached him while whirling around to rejoin her companions. "Thank you, Kilghie."

"Anything for you, Vivian."

The tunnels they hid in were a former playground of Merlin's when he was a boy.

It was only natural he became their guide once they got in.

Unfortunately, they didn't have torches of their own. Or didn't they?

Lily rolled her eyes and took the three dead torches lying on the ground. "Here, hold them." She handed one to Tristan, one to Arthur, and one to Merlin. Then she took out her glove again, shoving it in her pocket. "Biaeldon burne."

A flame grew high on each torch.

Arthur rolled his eyes and turned to Tristan. "Not a word."

The smuggler's eyes were still widened, but he nodded silently.

Isolde smiled, and put a hand on Lily's arm. "I'm starting to get very fond of you."

A little further down the tunnels, though, it became obvious Agravaine had managed to save some of his men and had followed them in.

Arthur turned to Merlin. "I thought you said we'd lost them."

Lily then felt the familiar tug at the back of her mind and reached out instantly. "Kilgharrah?"

"Arthur's uncle has escaped me. He's following you with a dozen men."

"Thank you. You can go wherever you wish now. I'll see you soon, I promise."

"I'll wait."

She closed her eyes one second, then put a hand on Arthur's arm. "They're only a few."

"And how would you know?"

She made a face.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Merlin then moved past them. "I'm going back."

Arthur's eyes widened. "What are you gonna do?"

"I'll make a diversion."

"That's too risky!"

"I know these tunnels, Agravaine doesn't. You keep going!"

There was a pregnant pause, and Lily knew in that instant that Arthur feared for Merlin's life. She exchanged a quick glance with Lancelot, who smiled in answer.

"Merlin...don't do anything stupid."

He smirked before launching himself forward.

Arthur rolled his eyes again and then moved in front of the group.

While he passed Lily, she chuckled. "You could have said something nice, you know."

"No more talking, Lady Lily, or it's the stocks for you!"

She chuckled again and turned to Gwen. "As if. I can kick his ass using one finger."

It didn't take more than a couple of minutes to the royal prat to go back after his best friend.

Tristan was impressed.

The rest...was annoyed.

Lily took the lead. "Seriously, these two need to talk, or the realm shall burn. No offence, Gwen."

Her friend smiled. "None taken. I agree." She turned to Lancelot, still supporting Isolde. "Are you alright?"

He smiled softly at her. "I'm fine."

They reached the edge of the mountain a few minutes later, Merlin and Arthur quickly catching up with the rest of the group.

Lily was swift to contact the warlock in mind. "How did it go?"

He looked over at her, his still beautiful blue eyes somehow clouded. "I've killed them. All of them."

"And Agravaine?"

"He's dead too."

She gritted her teeth. "Pity. I'd have loved to take care of him myself." But her thoughts weren't shared as she understood what was plaguing her friend. She put a soothing hand on his shoulder under the quizzical gaze of Lancelot, who had given Isolde back to her beloved Tristan for a while. "You were protecting yourself and those you care about. Don't regret any of this."

"Maybe I'm not as strong as you."

Lancelot snorted. "Nonsense. You're the toughest of all of us." He smiled then moved aside.

Lily made a face and joined him. "Thanks."

"I didn't do it for you."

She stuck her tongue at him.

They moved towards the Forest of Essetir, where Merlin thought some knights might have gone into hiding.

But once there, Arthur's morale went down and down again.

He was no longer king.

He was...nothing.

So Lily took Lancelot's arm and pulled him towards Merlin one evening.

"We have to do something for him, or else he'll sulk on his own until this is all over."

Merlin nodded. "I agree. He doesn't think he's worthy to be king anymore."

Lancelot scratched his chin. "Maybe there's a way. I doubt Guinevere or any of us for that matter could make him see sense, but..."

"I know the way."

Two sets of eyes settled onto Lily, who smirked. "I know a sword. And the legend that goes with it." She stared at Merlin.

Lancelot's black eyes widened. "Did I miss something?"

Merlin sighed. "You remember the sword I used against the Undying?" The knight nodded. "I planted it in a stone nearby."

"And?"

Lily chuckled. "Back in my world, Excalibur is Arthur's sword. A sword he pulled out of a stone to prove his right to Camelot's throne."

Lancelot smiled. "Perfect."

But Merlin shook his head. "No, not perfect! How the hell am I supposed to find it in this maze and then to convince the dollophead to follow me there?"

Lily smirked. "You'll think of something."

That evening, the warlock joined Lily as she gathered firewood.

And she knew by the way he was looking at her that he wanted something.

"What?"

He shushed her down. "Be quiet! I need to speak with Kilgharrah."

She rolled her eyes. "For heaven's sake! Is there any time you wouldn't need his help?"

He made a face. "Please?"

She sighed. "Alright. Name the place."

"There's a meadow a mile north."

"Done."

He smiled. "Thanks."

She sighed again. "Anytime." Then her mind came reaching for her dragon's. "Kilghie?"

"Yes, Vivian."

"Merlin wants to speak with you."

"What does the warlock need my help for?"

"No idea. He's asked you to meet him in the meadow a little far north from where I am."

"I see. Do you want me to go?"

She smiled. "That's your choice, not mine. You may be my dragon, but you still have your free will."

"Then I will go. And wish to see you sooner."

She smiled wider and repeated his earlier words. "I'll wait."

"What are you smiling for?"

Lily turned around, and smiled at Lancelot, who was joining her chore, apparently. "No particular reason. I was speaking with my old friend."

"Ah...so he too can-" he made a gesture with his fingers near his head, "woosh in your head?"

She chuckled lightly. "Yes he can."

There was a pause during which both gathered enough firewood for the night. It's only when they made their way back to camp that Lancelot stopped her in her tracks.

"Hey, I... I learned. About your engagement." He took a deep breath. "Why didn't you tell me after you revived me?"

Lily shrugged. "I forgot."

"You forgot to tell me two of my best friends were going to get married? Just like that?"

"Come on, Lance, you can't possibly be angry with me for that!"

"Yes I can! Was I even invited?"

"Yes you were, stop your nonsense!"

"Alright I stop!" And he did. Then a smile formed on his lips. "But it was about bloody time."

Lily smirked. "Shut up."

The following morning, all three women were making breakfast while Tristan and Lancelot were polishing their swords.

Merlin woke Arthur and asked him to join him for a walk, and the warlock exchanged a look of connivance with Lily.

They weren't gone for five minutes when she stopped the others in their tasks. "Okay, so...stop whatever you're doing. We're following them."

Tristan sneered. "And why?"

"Because..." She widened her eyes. "Because Merlin is about to show Arthur he is worthy of Camelot's throne. And because...we need to be there. Especially you." She pointed at Gwen, who sprang to her feet.

And soon, they did follow.

Merlin was giving Lily silent directions as they moved through trees and paths that all looked the same, until they erupted in a small clearing...in the centre of which stood a stone. In which was embedded a sword.

A sword Lily as seen from very close.

Arthur stood there, back facing them as they arrived, and as a group of people – peasants, courtiers from Camelot – made their way towards them.

Among them was Percival.

Whose eyes met Lily's, then Lancelot's, with a wide smile only he could perform.

The group moved to join the others – now growing with a certain number of knights all cheering their Captain as she passed – and stopped next to Percy.

Whose big hand clapped Lily so hard on the back she stumbled a few paces.

"I can say I'm glad to see you, Lily! And you, Lancelot!"

She massaged her shoulder and snorted. "That isn't quite reciprocated, Percy..."

He chuckled, and leaned down – really down for someone as tall as he – to whisper in her ear. "Keep telling yourself that."

A few moments later, after quite an inner struggle – everyone could see the thin sheet of sweat on Arthur's brow as he tried to pull out the sword – Excalibur was set free, and an awed cheer erupted in the ranks.

Lily smirked to herself, glad her idea hadn't been that stupid after all, and yelled among the others. "Long live the King!"

That evening in the woods, it was decided that a few hundreds able to fight would go and retake Camelot from Morgana's hands. The knights' valour was unmatched, and they would fight to the death for the king.

So...Lily...as Captain, ordered a few groups around.

And when she was done, only three remained.

Herself...and two others.

Percival stood by her. "And what shall we do, Captain?"

Lancelot stood on her other side. "Yes, what use do we have?"

She smirked. "You my friends...are helping me get my fiancé back."

There was only one little more thing to take care of, and Merlin did it, hiding once again under the disguise of Dragoon the Great, or Emrys, as he was known to Morgana thus.

So, in the morning, when the battle for Camelot began, two people at least knew that she was out of the picture.

Still, one thing bothered the Captain as the knights made their way towards one side entry to the city.

"Seriously though? The cloaks! A little conspicuous, isn't it?"

Arthur shut her up. "I know you don't like them, but they're part of the outfit. Now shush!"

Lily made her way, Lancelot and Percival in tow, towards the cells, her sword whirling around as if it had its own will.

Many Southerners, choosing her as a target of choice since she was a woman, fell to her blows.

Percival, next to her, was going to be caught by a blade when she outstretched her palm.

Her eyes glowed gold, and the assailant flew back, dead.

The knight whirled around and tilted his head. "Thanks."

She smirked. "Told you before you were rubbish with a sword."

They reached the far end in no time, Percy taking care of the locks while Lily stood in the corner in case.

She smirked when she heard Gwaine's voice. "Come on, boys, what's taken you so long?"

The door opened, and she heard him grunt.

Cursing under her breath, she whirled around and sheathed Fang.

He was a mess.

Bruised, battered, probably starving.

She walked up to him and wrapped his arm safely around her shoulders, helping him up and out.

"I hoped I'd deserve a better reunion than that."

She chuckled. "Let's carry you over to Gaius' office, and let me see to you before you ever think the word 'snog'."

"Woman..." He paused. "I've missed you."

"And I you." She looked over at him, and soft smile on her lips. "More than I can say."

Gaius himself was in no shape to tend to anyone's wounds, so Percy went to lie him down on his bed and, along with Elyan, who was the less battered of all three, he guarded the door.

Lily settled Gwaine down on Merlin's bed. "I'll be right back. Gaius needs me more than you do."

"Go." He kissed her knuckles and laid back, grunting in the process.

Gaius was highly dehydrated, so Lily gave him plenty of water to sip on regularly.

Other than that, he was fine.

Gwaine, on the other hand, had a few broken ribs, a concussion, and many – many – bruises on all his body.

Lily applied a poultice to his wounds, bind his chest tightly, and gave him something to eat.

Her knight had been devouring her with his gaze all the while.

"I feel like I'm in a dream."

She chuckled while adjusting his tunic over the fresh bandages. "Wrong. If it had been a dream, I'd probably be naked under you."

"Ah, but that could still come later."

She smiled softly and carefully leaned down, touching his lips with her own.

The kiss was slow and careful, as she didn't want to hurt him, but held many emotions. Both were relieved to see their other half safe and sound, both had missed the other.

Both loved the other.

When they parted, Lily's forehead rested on Gwaine's. "Promise me never to do something like that again."

"Only if you agree to something first."

"What?"

"Marry me."

She huffed. "I've already agreed to marry you."

"No. You've agreed to bind yourself to me, and we both know you never thought about marrying. Now I'm asking. Marry me."

Lily didn't answer right away. Her eyes opened and met his hazel ones.

He was waiting. Just that.

So...it made her will shatter to pieces.

"I will."

"Good." His hand went to the back of her neck, and then he was pulling her down for another kiss.

Later, as they attended Arthur and Gwen's wedding, Lily and Gwaine held hands.

On her finger: a brand new ring.