8. The tears of Uther Pendragon

A week later, Lily woke to the sound of Tamara's voice in her kitchen.

Neal's fiancée had arrived not a day after he had settled at Lily's. At first, the woman looked very suspicious to Lily, but after small talks, she decided to mind her own business.

But promised herself she'd kill the girl if she ever dared hurting her brother.

"So. Neal here is Rumpelstiltskin's son, but what about you?"

Lily's still tired eyes looked up into the darkest pair of eyes. They reminded her of Balinor's. But deadlier. Far deadlier. "Ever heard of Camelot?"

Tamara chuckled darkly. "Of course I've heard of Camelot? Who do you think I am?"

Lily tilted her head in a meaning "shit I have no idea". "Well, let's say that, to be simple, I was Merlin's companion. I'm not in the tales because, when the curse struck, I was back in Fairytaleland."

"So you're not the Lady of the Lake then?"

Lily snorted. "Hell no. She was Merlin's lover, her name was Freya. She didn't live her love long enough though, poor darling. No, I wasn't the Lady of the Lake."

"Then why Lady of Avalon?"

"Honey, don't you think it's a little early?"

Lily's gaze settled on her brother, just out of the living-room. She smiled at him thankfully. "Thanks, Bae. Well, lovebirds, I'm off to the garden of doom. See you later!"

However, as she made her way to the dwarves and Anton for her morning gardening, something tickled Lily in the back of her mind.

She wasn't part of Camelot's legend, but neither was Leon...

More than a year had passed, and still Morgana was missing. After the episode of the Fires of Idirsholas, she had vanished in the arms of her sister Morgause.

Ever since Kilgharrah had left Camelot, Uther wasted no time and sent his son and almost all the Knights in search parties.

Meanwhile, Lily had stuck to her promise. She hadn't practised magic since her dragon had left, and she doubted she could now he was far off.

One day though, as she was taking care of a knight's room with Gwen – who had been replacing a plain maid for a while – the door burst open and revealed no one else than Leon.

Who looked straight past Lily and at Gwen. "Guinevere!"

Gwen stood up at the sound of urgency in his voice. "What is it, my lord?"

"It's the Lady Morgana, she's been found!"

Gwen gasped and hurried out of the room, while Lily's brow furrowed.

Silence stretched, and as Leon was about to go, Lily called his name. "Sir Knight?"

He sighed and whirled around.

She carefully walked to him and touched his shoulder. Blood oozed on her fingers. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing."

Her green eyes met his blue ones for the first time in what seemed like ages. "Please go to Gaius'. It could be worse than it looks." And with that, she exited the room as well.

Ever since her stunt with magic, Lily and Leon had barely spoken a word to each other. If by inadvertence they crossed each other's path in the corridors, he'd either ignore her or turn another way.

It drove her mad.

It drove her mad because she remembered her father's words, and it had been almost two years since she arrived in Camelot. He could call her back anytime. And she'd be crossed with the man she loved.

It drove her mad.

Two days after the King's ward's miraculous reappearance, Lily was called in her chambers.

Why Morgana of all people, she who ignored her very existence, would call on Lily made her feel strange.

Would she know?

Was it even possible that she knew?

The door was open when she reached it, but she knocked anyway.

"Come in!"

So she did. Morgana was radiant in her creamy gown. Gone were the tears, gone were the stigmates of a long imprisonment.

So soon? Very very suspicious indeed.

"Ah, Lily, isn't it? Come, sit with me."

Lily entered the room further. "You wanted to see me, my lady?"

"Yes, I did. Come now, I won't bite you." She chuckled, and it sent chills up Lily's spine. "How long have you been working here, Lily?"

Lily sat. "Two years, my lady."

"Indeed. Strange I didn't notice you before. Now, what I called you for. Gwen is a good friend to me, and a perfect maid, but she seems to be bowing under hundreds of chores. I have asked the king, and he agreed I could have a second maid to help Gwen. Would you like being this maid?"

Lily gasped. She definitely hadn't expected that. "Me, my lady?"

"You. Gwen and you are friends, I hear. And you are close to Merlin as well. So, who better? The friends of my friends are my friends, is it not?"

"I guess so, my lady. I would be honoured to be your maid."

"Then it's settled. I hope we'll get along. No, I'm sure we'll get along."

Lily shot up. "Shall I start now, my lady?"

Morgana smiled. A full of venom king of smile. "Yes, why not. Good day to you, Lily."

She curtsied. "And a bright day to you, my lady."

"Morgana wants you as her maid?" Merlin sat down on his bed. "But why?"

"She seems different, haven't you noticed?" He shook his head. "More distant, colder, implacable. I'm not entirely certain she has been detained during this year. She's escaped with Morgause, after all."

"So you think she knows about you."

"I'm sure she does. What she'll try to do to me remains unknown though."

"Then we'll be careful."

"Extra careful."

The following evening was dedicated to a feast in Morgana's honour. While Gwen attended as her servant, Lily was assigned to taking care of the knights, as she usually did.

As she was going to the kitchens to fetch more wine, though, she bumped into someone who was beyond drunk.

"Well, if this isn't the woman who broke my heart!"

Lily's eyes cast upwards. Leon's eyes were almost black, blinded by alcohol. He was barely standing on his feet. She sighed. "Come, my lord, let's put you to bed before you say things you'll regret."

"Oh... Will you curse me as you did once before? To silence me?"

She took his arm and pulled him forward. Unlike what she thought, he didn't resist and followed her. "No. But I will punch you."

By the time they reached his room though, Leon had already passed from aggressive drunk to sad drunk.

"I miss you, you know. Although you lied to me and used magic on me and everything, I miss you."

Lily sighed again and untied his cape, throwing it aside while she took his chainmail off. "And I miss you, sir knight, but-"

Leon's hand cupped her cheek. "Sir knight. I love when you call me that."

Green eyes met blue ones. He seemed sobered up a little. "Do you?"

"Yes, I do."

Lily's hand took his from her cheek, and she smirked. "Let me undress you, sire. It would uncomfortable to sleep all suited up like that."

"Lily." This time she could swear he was sobered up. She looked once again into his eyes. "I won't ask for excuses. But-"

"Sh." She put a finger on his lips. "Let me help you, sire. As much as I'd love to think you are sober, you still have far too much wine in your system not to speak nonsense."

She struggled with his chainmail a few more instants, and when Leon was left in his beige tunic and black trousers, she took a pace backwards. "There. All ready. Good night, Leon."

She whirled around as if to leave, but a strong hand gripped her wrist and pulled her back into one knight's embrace.

He kissed her so gently and tenderly she'd sworn this was their first kiss.

Like a reminder.

"Good night, Lily."

Two days later, Merlin came bursting in Morgana's room while Lily was attending to it.

"Is she around?" Lily shook her head, but he kept on whispering. "The King's state is worsening. And I've seen Morgana using mandrake roots on him."

Lily nodded. "I've heard it cry."

"So did I. I'm going after her tonight."

To that she grasped his hand. "No, Merlin. If she knows I have magic, I must go. She'd maybe try to win my loyalties. I won't bargain on that."

Night had fallen. Morgana had stolen a horse from the stables, but Lily knew the woods. She cast a spell on her feet so she made no sound, and followed the former ally of Camelot.

The journey lasted a good hour, before Morgana jumped off her horse.

Lily hid behind a fallen trunk. She quickly heard a few horses make their way towards the clearing Morgana had stopped in. Morgause was among the riders.

She kept hidden but opened her ears.

"Sorry you had to wait, there was much to discuss."

"You mean it was successful?"

"Cenred's army will ride on Camelot on my command."

"There's nothing you cannot do."

"It is you that gives me strength, sister. How goes Arthur's battle for Uther's mind?"

"When Cenred marches on Camelot, he will find a kingdom without a leader..." Lily could hear the hate in Morgana's words, and even if she despised the King herself, she wouldn't wish for his death either.

When she shifted again to peak over the trunk, Lily noticed a change in the women's behaviour. But she didn't think she had been seen.

"Finally we are ready."

"Not quite. Merlin suspects me."

"Has he told Arthur?"

"Not yet but he will. And he surely has told his little friend, the witch."

"Vivian?" Another chill went up Lily's spine. How on earth did Morgause know her name? By which sorcery did she cross that information? Not even the knights present that fateful night had known of her true name! "Well then we must stop them!"

"That will not be difficult."

"Why?"

"Because she's already here!"

Lily cursed under her breath and got out of her hiding place.

The evil sisters didn't stop her from running at first, only a spell from Morgause pulled her back and knocked her down.

When she came back to her senses, Lily was tied up by a cord, her magic silenced by the fabric of it, and Morgause and Morgana stood before her.

"Well well, little witch. Caught at last."

Lily glared at Morgause. "I don't think I've had the displeasure to meet you, High Priestess."

The blonde woman smirked. "Ah, but you know who I am, and I know who you are. I sensed your magic from afar. Now, you have a choice to make. Join my sister and I in our quest against Uther's reign, or die here a painful death."

Lily breathed one last deep breath, then yelled in the stars. "Kill me now then, witch!"

Morgause leaned back. "So be it. But I tell you now, the venom you'll be struck with is one of the deadliest. Farewell, Vivian."

And to that, Morgana spared her a falsely friendly look, and both sisters walked away.

Scorpions, enormous scorpions, soon appeared after Morgause's escort had gone.

Lily started hyperventilating. No spell she could think off was working on the chains tying her, and the creatures marching on her were all deadlier than the other.

The first strike, she caught in the back.

It burnt like fire, ran like wind, and in a matter of seconds, Lily thought she'd lose her mind with fever.

But she was a Dragonlord, she thought, and Dragonlords don't succumb that easily.

Casting the pain aside, she went deep within herself, and for the first time in many months, a deep growl escaped her lips.

"Oh dracon! Imalla! Suvente digonar! Tesur panekes!"

Her strengths left her soon after that, and Lily fell back onto the leaves, an unknown poison running through her veins.

Until...

Fire raged around her, never touching her, always teasing her.

Lily kept her eyes closed but managed a weak: "Thank you, Kilgharrah."

Two strong claws took her as tenderly as their sharps edges could, and the Great Dragon took flight. "Rest now, young one."

And so she did.

When she woke up a few hours later, at the break of dawn, Lily was shivering with fever.

She groaned a few times before managing to turn on her side.

She was lying at the edge of a cliff, and Kilgharrah was watching her, his big golden eyes like two pools of melted sun.

She smiled up at him. "I didn't think you'd answer my call."

"Vivian... I could not resist a Dragonlord, my Dragonlord. Even if I wanted to."

"I'm grateful, thank you." She tried to sit up, but she was too weak.

"Lie still."

She groaned. "My head."

"The surkat's poison is powerful. I've given you an enchantment that will help you heal. But it will take time."

Lily nodded her understanding and closed her eyes once again, drifting in the shadows.

When she woke up next, the day was already far on.

She had woken to the sound of a shrieking scream. Like...

The mandrake.

Her eyes looked for the dragon at her side. "You shouldn't have let me sleep!"

"I had no choice, young witch. The venom was too strong. Even for your great powers."

Lily rolled over and tried to get up. Her head was bobbing less, and she wasn't burning anymore. The spell had worked.

"I don't have time. I need to get back to Camelot. The kingdom is in danger and...it is my fault. We should have trusted you, Merlin and I. We shouldn't have trusted Morgana."

"You did what you felt was right. And that shows great courage. But trust is a double edged sword."

Lily rolled her eyes. "We thought – because she has magic – we thought...we were the same."

"In some ways you are."

Lily nearly snorted at that. "No. I'll never be like her, and neither will Merlin."

"You have learnt an important lesson, Vivian: your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing. But I fear that your futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love."

In other circumstances, Lily would have found the phrasing oddly similar to a wedding vows. But not now. "I need to get back to Camelot."

"You're not yet fully recovered, Vivian, and it's more than three days walk!"

An idea passed her mind. If he agreed, she'd enjoy herself. "I've no intention of walking."

"I am not a horse, young one!"

Lily took a pace forward and towards the edge. "No, you are not. But desperate situations need desperate means." She put a hand on his nose. "Please?"

Kilgharrah blew on her hand. It was warm, but not too hot. "Very well then."

Flying on a dragon's back was far from being comfortable, but Lily, linked as she was with the beast she rode, could feel his excitement everytime he had to change direction or rush into a wave of wind.

Kilgharrah had been imprisoned for far too long.

As she could see the castle's towers from where she was, Lily tried – and succeeded – to reach Merlin in mind.

"Lily, is that you?" She didn't have to answer. "Do you know how worried I was? It's been two days since you left!"

"Merlin, I have no time. Morgana and her sister have signed a treaty with Cenred. His army is marching on Camelot as we speak. Tell Arthur, tell him I said it even. But do not say anything about my sources. Let's pretend it was one of Cenred's general as I travelled to gather herbs."

"Right, calm down. Where are you?"

"On my favourite scaled horse. I'm coming home."

"On your-Kilgharrah?"

She chuckled. "You'll say hello another time. Go now, the clock ticks!"

Kilgharrah left her in the clearing they had fought so many moons prior, and Lily took no time in hurrying back to the castle.

Against all odds, the first room she went to was Leon's.

He opened the door after three knocks. Night was already deep. "Lily? Thank the heavens!"

He pulled her into a hug, and she revelled in the sight and scent and hold of him. It had been so long...

"Leon, there is something we must discuss, now. Can I come in?"

"Uh... Well..." He looked down at his tunic and trousers, then back into his room, and finally back at her. "Lily, it wouldn't be-"

"Proper?" She smirked and pushed a hand to his chest, gently pushing him backwards until she was inside. She closed the door behind her then went to sit on his bed. "The hour is dark."

"How so?"

"The King has been the victim of an enchantment. I've learnt it not far prior. Now that Gaius has found the source, he should be better soon. However, we have a more pressing matter at hand."

Leon sat beside her, his brow furrowed. "Tell me."

"Cenred's armies are marching on Camelot as we speak. Morgause might be behind it all. For all I know, Camelot is weak. Perhaps weak enough to be taken by force. Unless-"

"Unless we defend it." He shot up and went to put his chainmail back. "I won't ask how you've come across this information."

Lily got up and winced after a stab of pain coming from the point she had been pierced on. "Believe me, sir knight, this wasn't as pleasant as it sounds."

Leon was at her side in an instant. "You're hurt?" Fingers found her cheek, blue eyes bore into hers.

"Leon... If you keep staring at me like that, I might ravish you here and now."

His eyes shot aflame for a short second. Then he chuckled. "I might take on that offer later." Then he leaned down and kissed her, a long, tender kiss, before he escaped his room, barely clothed.

Lily had to remember how to breathe.

Two days.

She had to be missing for two days for Leon to forgive her...

However, right as she closed Leon's door behind her, another body came in contact with Lily's, and her assailant was sent flying back by the force of it.

Green eyes met icy ones.

"Morgana." Lily smirked and curtsied. "I hope you're ready for a long siege, my lady."

Morgana seemed to glared right through her. "You... How did you escape?"

"Ah ah... Maybe your sister didn't send the right creatures, after all. Tasty scorpions. I like the bitter sweet of their venom on my tongue."

And with that, Lily walked away.

She didn't even throw a look back as she shouted one last sentence. "Last thing, Morgana. I resign."

Her next stop was Arthur's chambers.

The crown prince was already bowed over a map of Camelot, with Leon and another knight Lily ignored the name of.

"Arthur."

The prince's eyes cast upwards. "Ah, Lily. Good, I was about to send Leon fetch you."

Lily's and Leon's gazes met and she couldn't help but smirk." I'm sure he knew where to look."

Arthur sighed. "Right, stop flirting, now's not the time. I need you."

An eyebrow quirted upwards. "You need me, sire? Me?" Her gaze settled on the knight at his side.

"Oh, do not worry. Keran was there with the dragon and everything."

"I do not remember any survivors apart from you and Leon."

"Well, Keran..."

The young one spoke up. "I ran away, ma'am."

Arthur placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. "And no one blames you for that."

Lily smiled kindly at him. "Neither do I. Had I been a mere mortal, I'd probably have saved my skin as well." Then he green eyes settled back on Arthur. "What do you need me for?"

"Well, no one apart from us three, Merlin, and probably Gaius as I know you, know of your powers, so we must be extra careful."

"Indeed."

"Leon and I need to take care of the doors. Think you could supervise the archers on the walls?"

She nodded. "Of course. My fire will be hidden by a volley of arrows. Good idea, sire. But what if the door falls?"

"The door won't fall." Arthur pushed his fist onto the wooden table. "Now, all of you, go. We have a siege to prepare, and no time to lose."

Lily curtsied and hurried to the door, Leon on her heels.

"And I'd very much like if you two didn't disappear in a dark corner for the next hours."

Both chuckled.

Night fell, and with it armies arrived.

The booming sound of their feet on the forest ground sent shivers in any of Camelot's inhabitants.

Gwen and Gaius were already in the great hall, waiting for the first casualties.

It had been agreed Merlin would survey Morgana.

Lily was already up on the walls, a hundred archers under her command, not wishing to know why but how could a woman be their leader.

She had traded her dark blue dress for dark leather trousers and a chainmail.

Well... Leon had liked the sight...

"Archers, on my command!"

Lily waved her arm in the air, ready to lower it when the time was right.

Under the cover of the arrows, her magic could easily take anyone down from a distance.

No one would notice.

Well, at least she hoped Morgause didn't sense her...

However, as minutes and after that hours passed, arrows went missing.

Ladders were put up the walls, and Lily soon found herself in need of a sword.

She lashed off the wall and into the mêlée below. She only had to pick.

During that long year, she had taken lessons in sparring, in the biggest secret.

If her magic had to remain unknown, then she had to know how to defend herself.

A few men fell at her hand, one lasting longer than the others, but when she sensed someone sneaking up on her from behind, she all but whirled around, her sword meeting her opponent's with a tremendous clash.

"I see my lessons have kicked in."

Lily's smirk returned. "Arthur."

"How's the wall faring?"

"Well, I think." She cast her gaze up. "Very well even. Your men are well-trained, sire."

"As are you."

Her smirk widened. "Well... I had the best of teachers, and I thought I might help him."

"Stick with me. Hate to have to face Leon if you went back with as much as a scratch."

When she looked back on that night, Lily always had to crack a smile.

Arthur may not have been her friend, not really, but he was a great ruler, and she had loved fighting by his side.

She had not felt weak anymore after Camelot's siege.

She had been as much a warrior as anyone else on that wall.

She was proud of herself.

"Lily? Are you listening to me?"

She shook her head off her thoughts and looked back at Granny's.

The teacup in her hands was now cold, but she didn't mind.

"I'm sorry, Granny. Some other memories."

The old woman leaned in onto her counter. "Well, I thought I might as well tell you, your soon-to-be sister-in-law is acting strange."

Lily's eyes widened. "Really? How so?"

"She lives with you, I know, and yet she comes into the inn for an hour, maybe more, every day since she arrived. I find it suspicious."

Lily frowned. "Very suspicious indeed. Thanks Granny."

"At your service."

Lily sipped the rest of her cold tea and left the bar, leaving a large tip on the counter.

So... Tamara was cheating on her brother, was she?

Well, she had no idea who was after her...