18. A lesson in vengeance

"You know, I think wearing these is useless now everyone knows."

Lily whirled around and let her belt drop, her chainmail tense on her now visibly swollen belly. She smiled up at Mordred, who was leaning against the door. "Oh shush! I am still Captain, shall I remind you!"

"Then perhaps you should ask for a new one to be made. More...loose around the stomach."

The smirk he wore on his lips made Lily huff. "You are kidding me."

"I am not."

"Mordred, as much as you're my brother and I love you, you'd better stop implying I'm fat this instant."

"You're not fat, you're pregnant! Which is the same, except the roundness of your belly isn't provoked by too much stew at diner."

This had her laugh. She dropped her chainmail. "You're right. I'll wear a simple tunic today, and ask for another mail to be done. No need to hide since everyone knows."

"Exactly. See, I made you see sense!"

She made a face, interrupted by a knock on the door.

Mordred opened. It was Lancelot.

"Lance?"

The Knight looked from Mordred to Lily, his black eyes grave. "There has been an attempt on the King's life earlier. We believe it might be Tyr."

Lily's eyes widened the size of tennis balls. "Tyr? Tyr Seward?" Lancelot nodded. "No way."

Mordred, brow furrowed, looked from his fellow knight to his sister. "Who is this Tyr?"

"He's the stable-boy working at Arthur's and Gwen's service. I've known him for years, he's as sweet as a pie, he wouldn't do this. Ever."

"Well, apparently, there was evidence found. Arthur's already condemned him to death."

The Lady Knight sighed, grabbing Fang and wrapping the belt just under the swell of her stomach. "I'll go talk to him. Thanks, Lance."

The Knight nodded and exited the room, while Mordred turned to her. "Do you think it might have been Morgana?"

She shook her head. "Morgana has never framed anyone for her doings. She's assuming plain responsibility. No, it wasn't her. And that is troubling me a great deal."

"I doubt you'll change Arthur's mind if Merlin could not."

"At least I can play the part that, with my powers, I could see if Tyr is lying or not and pay him a visit in the dungeons."

"At least, yes. Do you need assistance?"

She met his eyes, and he was serious. Concerned for her, for the certain number of stairs she'd have to descend then climb. She smiled. "I'll call upon you. Thanks, little brother."

He smiled back, then left her.

She checked her overall appearance in the mirror and muttered. "Tyr. No bloody way."

Lily stumbled across Gwen on her way to Arthur's chambers.

For someone who had lost her brother only a few weeks back, she was strangely...happy. Or at least beaming when she saw the Lady Knight approach her.

"Lily! Good morning! And how is this little one?" She sauntered over to her – something unusual as well – and put a hand on Lily's belly, smiling widely.

Lily's eyes widened a little, but she plastered a smile on her lips as well. "Lancelot just told me about the accident this morning. I was merely coming to see if everything was alright."

"Oh yes, of course! The person responsible for this attack has been arrested and is to be hanged. All is well, I assure you."

And again, that strange feeling.

Lily smiled again. "Yes, I can see that. Well, then, I'll just report for duty. Although I can't see what duty I'm able to do in this state..." She chuckled.

Gwen chuckled back and passed her. "He'll find something, he always does." And she departed.

Lily's smiled faded as soon as the Queen disappeared in the corridor.

Stranger and stranger...

"Lily! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She closed the door behind her and walked to the King's desk, gesturing to a chair. "Can I?"

"Of course you can! Why ask, in your state!"

She smirked and sat down. "Lancelot has just told me of the...incident this morning. And of whom you've arrested."

The King sighed. "And, just like Merlin, you're going to tell me Tyr couldn't have done it."

"Exactly. I know Tyr, as well as you do. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

"I know. But...the evidence points to him and I can't let that pass."

"Arthur...," she put a hand over his on the desk, "he's been framed and you know it."

"Maybe. But how prove it?"

"Let me speak to him. He knows me, trusts me. Maybe he'll talk."

Arthur sighed. "Fine. Report to me right after."

"Yes, Sire. Thank you." She stood, a hand going on her belly at once.

"Lily? Do you need any help getting down to the dungeons?"

She smirked. "My brother already offered, thank you."

It took her and Mordred about half an hour to get down all the stairs. She had to pause every once in a while, her breath coming out laboured.

"I hadn't realised I'd been confined to the same aisle for so long. I lack exercise!"

Mordred smiled, gripping her hand harder as they got down the last few steps. "You won't lack exercise when that little one enters the world, I can assure you..."

Tyr was fidgeting with his tunic when she entered his cell.

He who had such a kind face and kind character. She could not believe it.

"Hello, Tyr!"

He looked up at her, his brown eyes lighting up as he recognized her. "Lady Lily! I am glad to see you! It's been a while!" He looked down at her belly as she sat down, gulping at the sight. "I've heard, of course. Congratulations."

She smiled. "Thank you. And, for god's sake, I told you to call me Lily!"

"And I've told you my mother'd skin me if I did."

"But she's not here, is she?" She nudged him with her shoulder, and her smile faded. "You know why I'm here, don't you?"

He nodded and sighed. "I can't tell you anything, Lad-Lily. I'm sorry."

"But, Tyr, we both know you haven't done anything."

"No, that I didn't! I'm telling the truth!"

"I know you are. But if you know anything that could help us arrest the right person... You'd need to do it now."

The young man looked at her then away, shaking his head. "I can't. I'm sorry."

Knowing a lost cause when she saw one, Lily sighed and stood. "Well...it seems I lost an hour of my life on these steps. I hope I'll see you, Tyr. And not on the gallows."

Mordred found it extremely amusing that she had gone down all this way for only three minutes top.

Lily didn't find it amusing. At. All.

The following morning, Lily woke up and the first sound she produced was a grunt.

Gwaine, next to her, started, then sighed deeply while rubbing his eyes. "Bad dream again?"

She grunted once more and rubbed her belly, turning to the side where it was more comfortable. "No. Your child is just kicking me with all the might he can muster."

"That's my baby." He rolled over, wrapping an arm around his wife, his face coming close to her stomach. "Hey there, young one. Stop hitting your Mummy or she'll be an even bigger pain in everyone's ass."

Lily chuckled and nudged her husband's head. "Oi, you, behave! Don't put any preconceived idea inside his unborn head!"

Gwaine merely chuckled.

And once again, their moment was broken as a knock on the door finished to wake them.

When Gwaine opened the door, he was surprised to see Merlin. As he knew Lily hadn't been the closest with the serving boy for quite a time – which, surprisingly, coincided with Mordred's arrival.

"Merlin?"

"Is Lily in?"

"She is, still in bed. What is it?"

"You're needed at the King's side. I must speak with her. Alone."

Gwaine looked over at Lily, who nodded, knowing something very grave should have happened for Merlin to come to her.

He went to grab his chainmail and trousers, and exited the room after blowing her a kiss.

Merlin came to stand by the bed, his face grave.

Lily sat up straighter. "Merlin? What's happened?"

"Tyr... He's been killed."

"What?" The cry echoed around the room as Lily put her hand before her mouth. "Who did this?"

"We have no clue, but...he was about to tell me who was behind this. Surely this person heard of it and decided to end him to make sure he wouldn't talk."

Lily knew Merlin far too well to think that was the only thing he had to discuss. "What else have you come to tell me?"

The warlock sighed, leaning in to whisper. "I think Gwen's behind this somehow. Have you noticed a strange behaviour as of late?"

Lily nodded. "I have, although I thought I was the only one."

"You're not. I'm sure Morgana did something to her in the Dark Tower. Something that had graver repercussions than we initially believed."

"Then we have to be extra careful."

"Indeed. That's why I wanted to ask you...to keep an eye on her?"

Lily's brow furrowed. "In my state?"

"Yes, that's the perfect disguise! Spending time with your friend, preparing...I don't know, the nursery, the baby's clothes, anything baby related! She won't suspect you!"

The Lady Knight pondered his words, then nodded. "This makes sense. I'll try."

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

And, as he left her once more, Lily realised it was the first genuine conversation they'd had in a long time.

Maybe their friendship could be mended.

But only maybe.

That evening, Arthur was poisoned, Merlin, arrested, and then, the King returned to health seemingly thanks to Gaius.

But Lily knew better.

So, when Mordred told her the following morning of an old man with a long beard roaming the castle, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Dragoon the Great, seriously?"

She could not shake his appearance out of her mind, how ridiculous he looked.

Her brother stared at her, then made a face. "You know something."

She laughed again. "That I do, dear brother, but I'd be damned if I told you."