Throw disclaimer here, and enjoy.
Artemis returned back to her duties as maid the next day. Arthur and her didn't speak while she pulled the sheets off the bed to replace them with new ones.
"Artemis," he started, but there was a knock on his door. Morgana entered. "What do you want Morgana?" he asked.
"I wanted to thank Artemis for the draft you gave me. It's worked amazingly."
"Of course it did," Artemis muttered before she started to make the bed.
"I was wondering… I finished the book you lent me. Could we continue today? I understand it now."
"Yes. Later." Artemis continued making Arthur's bed. Morgana was a little surprised by Artemis short blunt answers. She seemed a little moody, but nevertheless she nodded and left the room.
The awkward silence between Arthur and Artemis continued. Arthur watched her every move. Ava said she was broken. She only lives for others.
"Artemis," Arthur said.
"What?" she muttered tucking in the corner of the one of the sheets.
"Look at me," he ordered. She stopped what she was doing. "Please." She looked up at him, and what Ava said was confirmed. It wasn't right at the surface, but it was there. Arthur had seen the same look in Generals who have seen too much war. He had seen the same look in his father when his mother was mentioned. "I'm sorry," he said finally. Artemis blinked almost like confusion before she stood straight. She sighed.
"I'm sorry too. I let my temper get away with me. I'm usually pretty calm, but something about you just sets me off. I've never been this nasty to anyone." Arthur chuckled slightly.
"I agree. There's just something about you that makes me want to start a fight."
"Hm, I think you're still mad about me kicking your ass in Ealdor."
"I wasn't trying," he lied. Artemis laughed.
"Your trousers are alight dear sir," she teased.
"What?" he said confused looking down at his trousers. Artemis laughed.
"A phrase that won't be coined until many years. It means you're a liar."
"Saying my trouser are on fire… means I'm a liar. How and why?"
"I don't know." Artemis laughed and just shook her head. Merlin walked in with breakfast.
"Good morning, sire," he said. He looked to see Artemis standing near the bed and then to Arthur on the other side of the room. "You two aren't going to kill each other, are you?"
"No," Artemis said. "I believe we've come to a truce. Right, Arthur?"
"Yes. Now tell me Merlin, why can your sister get here on time, but you are here late?" Merlin seemed lost for words.
"Well… you see, sire," Merlin started.
"Merlin, I don't want to hear your excuses. Your trousers will just end up alight."
"What?" he asked confused. Artemis laughed. "You've been listening to Artemis's nonsense, haven't you?" Merlin said realizing that was something Artemis would say.
"Get to work, Merlin," Arthur said sitting at the table as Merlin set the food in front of him. Artemis finished with the bedding.
"If you need anything," Artemis said approaching the table, "I'll be with Morgana, and don't think just because we came to a truce I'll stop making fun of you. That will never happen."
"I wouldn't have any other way. Incompetent."
"Prat," she replied back.
"Useless."
"Zabawazaturnclock."
"What?" he asked confused. Artemis just laughed as she walked out of Arthur's chambers.
Artemis walked down to Morgana's chambers before she knocked lightly. Gwen opened the door.
"Artemis," she said with a sweet smile. "How are you?"
"Oh, I am fine. Arthur and I finally came to a truce so things have been better this morning. How are you?"
"Same as usual," she replied.
"Is Morgana here?" she asked.
"Yes, one minute." Gwen closed the door before a few minutes later Morgana walked out.
"Do you want to go for a ride?" she asked. "To somewhere more secluded."
"Yes. That would be nice." So together, Morgana and Artemis saddled their horses and set out on a rid. It was Artemis who actually led Morgana in the end. She led her to a lake in the woods. It was one surrounded by many trees and hidden deep inside the woods. Artemis got off her horse before she tied her to a tree. Morgana did the same. Artemis stood at the edge of the lake taking in the air. It was fresh air here.
"This is nice," Morgana said. Artemis smiled.
"The best places to learn complicated things like what you are trying is in a place were your mind is clear like here."
"Your book was very good at explaining," she said.
"I know. It really breaks it down well. So… how to start seeing things by choice is actually pretty easy."
"Really?"
"Well, the idea of it really actually is easy. Doing it, not so much. Okay, so, this is what I want you to do. Don't ask questions just do what I tell you. Okay, so close your eyes." Morgana did as Artemis told her. "Now picture something in the past that is a vivid memory. Something that you can remember every detail of it. Every little detail. What everyone was wearing. The exact phrasing of what was said. The exact detail of the place you were at when it happened." Morgana seemed to be concentrating. "Replay it in your mind. What do you notice that's unusual about memories?" Artemis asked. Morgan thought for a moment before frowning and shaking her head.
"I don't know."
"Hm? Are you sure? Don't you find it odd that when you replay memories in your mind that you see them from the outside? That you're watching you instead of it being you?"
"Yes, I suppose that is odd, but everyone's memories are like that."
"True, but it's such a natural part of life that we don't even realize what we're doing."
"What do you mean?"
"You're doing exactly what you would do when you see the future but in reverse."
"Is that even possible?" Morgana asked.
"Of course. You're looking into what already happened, but what is happening somewhere else. To our minds, it's so easy to look back, because we're taught it is. The future is easy to see when you get past that all it is is like looking in the past."
"You make it sound easy."
"At first, no it's not. It's like… when you first try to walk on your hands." Artemis said flipping upside down and walking on her hands. Morgana laughed. "At first, it seems impossible cause people want to bend their wrist slightly while they do it. They do it wrong. They think there's some sort of technique because they're scared they'll fall on their head, but there's not. You just do it. It's kind of like making your body do something that it doesn't want to like holding your breath for a longer period of time. You need to force your mind to do it. There's no technique. You just do it." Artemis flipped back to a proper standing position. "Okay, now, take that memory that you found early and fast forward to right now. Right here. Picture it vividly in your head. Picture every little movement. Feel the earth. Listen to everything around you. Hear the wind. The wind is making the trees move. Hear my voice picture me telling you this. You got it."
"I think so," Morgana said.
"Now push forward past now. Past here even if it's only a minute in the future or a second. Just push the line. Push that bar you're told exists." Morgana looked like she was concentrating. It was a few minutes later when Morgana shook her head.
"I can't," she admitted.
"You can. It'll just take more practice. When you master the art, you can reflect it on to other things. That's what crystal balls do, but water works the same way. Look down at the water." Morgana looked down and Artemis took a deep breath before pushing the bar and going several minutes into the future and projecting it onto the water. Morgana watched as an image of Morgana and Artemis talking and horseback riding back on the path to Camelot.
"Artemis?" Morgana asked.
"Yes?"
"What would happen if we tried to change that? What would happen if we were to stay here and challenge that future that you're projecting?"
"The future is never truly set, Morgana. This is simply one path. There are a million. This is one. There is another of us staying here I'm sure. Seers… must make judgment of what path will be taken based on what you know. The first time you pass the bar you won't have to make a decision, because it will be only a minute or two ahead, but once you reach somewhere were a decision must be made then that's when you chose the path you believe will be the future."
"Why do I see it in my sleep?"
"Come let's talk while we ride. I should get back." Morgana nodded and together they started down the road to Camelot. "You see the things you do in your dreams, because only your conscious mind carries that limitation that society sets in you. The subconscious mind has no limits."
"Then why doesn't everyone see what I do?" Artemis was silent for a moment before she finally responded.
"The human mind is chaotic. The main of what people see in dreams is what preoccupies them the most. Some like for instance Arthur may dream of training or of the anxiety of being king one day or of his annoyance with Merlin. Merlin may dream of the stress of all the chores he has to deal with or dream of his annoyance with Arthur. When people dream, they see certain symbolic things that signify the future or the present or the past. If you see a dragon in your dreams, it could symbolize your fierce will or it could symbolize future good luck and fortune."
"Then why do I see things so clearly?" she asked.
"Well, you are have a lot of things in your life Morgana. You don't really have much to worry about during the day, and what you do worry about is your dreams. Therefore you dream your dreams. You look to the future and not behind. Many people say they live in the future, but many do not. People like you and I do which causes us to dream about the future fully and clearly. Understand?"
"Yes, I think so. One more question," Morgana said as they reached the walls to Camelot.
"Yes, go on."
"How do you know all this?" she asked. "I mean who did you learn it from?" Artemis smiled.
"I learned it on my travels from traveling with many different people and meeting many different creatures."
"Like the dragons?" she asked lowly.
"Exactly. They know much." Morgana and her reached the palace, and both slide off their horse before Artemis put them back in the stables. Morgana was waiting for her in the square. Together, they went inside and started down the path to Morgana's chambers.
"How do you like Camelot so far?" she asked. Artemis smiled.
"It's just another city," she said. "But it's nice. My brother's here and you and Gwen have been really nice to me. Even Arthur and me struck a truce this morning not to take our insults personal at this point. It's not the buildings or anything that make Camelot. It's the people and so far they are very kind."
"Can I ask you, why do you avoid talking about yourself?" Morgana asked. Artemis sighed.
"I don't like bringing up what is already done. So what if I did something in some place some time ago?"
"It's part of who you are," Morgana said.
"It's part of who I was," she replied. "And perhaps my past is part of why I am the way I am now, but still… talking about what had happened is dangerous."
"How?"
"I have many enemies," she said after a moment. "I have many friends, but also many enemies… there is one particular that I don't want knowing I'm alive. So I keep to myself. The closer I am to my enemies the more I must keep to myself. If word slipped out about me, things would end bad not just for me but for Camelot. I should go. I've been missing from Arthur's life today. I'm sure he's just dying to see me," she said with a grin before disappearing. Morgana stood staring at her back as she walked away. It was strange to think that Artemis could have enemies. She was so likeable and helpful to everyone… except Arthur and even he doesn't hate her.
"What's with men always solving problems with fighting?" Artemis heard Gwen's voice said as she entered Arthur's chambers. When she came inside, Arthur and Vidar was on the floor trying to kill each. Furniture among other things were broken and toppled on the floor. Merlin and Gwen were standing there watching.
"I always said it was a birth defect most men were born with," Artemis replied as she stood next to Gwen and watched the two boys trying to the advantage on the other.
"What are they arguing about?" Artemis asked.
"I have no idea," Merlin said.
"Aren't you going to stop them?" she asked.
"No," Gwen and Merlin both said. Artemis sighed. Why must she be the one to bring peace? Artemis got between them separating them finally. One hand on each other their chest. Her arms extended so they were no longer at each others throats literally.
"What the hell are two beating each other for?" Artemis asked. They both kind of stared at her.
"No reason really. We were bored," Vidar said. Artemis smacked her forehead.
"I'm surround by idiots," she said.
"By the way, my lady, you look absolutely stunning as you do everyday," Vidar said taking her hand and kissing it gently. Artemis rolled her eyes.
"One, I am not a lady. Two, I am not easy to charm. And three, why are you even bothering? I am a maid here, nothing more."
"Because my lady," he said with a smile. "I speak the truth. You are by far one of the most beautiful creatures ever to grace this Earth. Judging from what Kael used to write about you, I have to say any man would be lucky to by your side. You are strong. You are fierce. You're-"
"Kael told you about the library incident, didn't he?" Artemis said narrowing her eyes.
"Er," he said rubbing the back of his head, "no."
"I'm going to kill him!" she yelled both angry and annoyed.
"Um… he's already dead," Vidar pointed out.
"Then, I will raise him from the dead and kill him again! That is a private, intimate moment between me and him. If you ever mention it to anyone, I mean ever, I will kill you! Do you understand?" she yelled nearly an inch from his face. She looked terrifying.
"Mhm," was all he could say.
"Um? Artemis?" Merlin asked confused.
"Nothing," she replied. "It was just a little incident a few years ago. Nothing that either of us is ever going to bring up, right Vidar?" she shouted him.
"Right. Although the detail in that letter were really…" he spaced off remembering the letter he was speaking of. Slowly a grin on his face appeared. Artemis twitched.
"I'll kill you!" she yelled before tackling him to the ground.
"Apparently Artemis shares that same birth defect," Gwen said as she watched Artemis hit Vidar and Vidar trying to pull her off him. Finally, Arthur intervened and pulled Artemis off Vidar. He held her around her waist from behind as she continued to struggle against him to get to Vidar.
"I know what you were thinking about, and if I ever see that stupid grin on your face while I'm in your presence I will castrate you!" she threatened before finally calming down. Arthur let go of her. Vidar stood from the ground.
"I think you busted my lip open," he said touching his hand to his lip carefully.
"Yeah, well, you deserved it, and Kael should have never told you personal details like that."
"No, he shouldn't, but as a sign of respect for you when I go back to my kingdom I'll burn the letter."
"Thank you," she replied, but she still wasn't happy. "Now if you'll excuse me, I am going home before I really do decide to kill you." She said before turning and leaving.
Vidar and his father stayed a week longer. Arthur and Vidar seemed to always be around each other. Whenever Artemis walked into Arthur or Vidar's room, they were usually on the floor trying to kill each other. According to Morgana, this was normal. Arthur and Vidar were like brothers. They were always competing with each other, always trying to get an upper hand on the other. By the end of the week, the royal household stood in the courtyard to say goodbye.
"You're going to have to come to Validus next time," Vidar said as him and Arthur shook hands. "And when you do bring Artemis with," he said grinning at her.
"Why? So you can anger me more?" Artemis asked annoyed. Vidar laughed as he got on his horse.
"Come, Vidar," King Astor said as he started to ride along the path out of the courtyard and on the path out of Camelot.
"I may enjoy angering you, Artemis, but I assure you what I say is true. You are one of the most fierce, smart, strong, beautiful woman I have ever had the honor to meet. Everything Kael told me about in his letters are true. You truly are one in a million. He was a lucky man."
"Yeah, you're okay," she grumbled before Vidar laughed and rode off after King Astor.