Hm... I am really critical of my work recently. I do not like this one. I mean i like parts of it, and I like the idea of it, but I just think I wrote it awfully. *smacks head against desk* Oh well, I really just do not have the patience to rewrite it. Anyway yup, next few are episode chapters which just equally suck. blah. oh yeah, Happy Labor Day. =D no school, that's all I care about.
"Er… my head," Artemis said sitting up. Crystals of various colors glowed on the ceiling above her and on the floor in the corners lighting the room. It looked like a cave that she was sitting in. There were numerous beds in the room. All of them were sheeted with white sheets.
She recognized the room as an infirmary for the Servants of the World. She wasn't sure why or how she got there, but she was there and she needed to find Arthur and Merlin to make sure they were alright. Artemis scouted to the edge of her bed. She was no longer in the blue dress, but rather in a loose robe. Artemis stumbled out of the door into on of the hallway like tunnels.
"Ah, Ambrosine," someone said. Artemis turned to her left. A women was walking down the hall. She was wearing an all green dress that stopped to her knees and had no sleeves. She had long brown hair. Arthur and Merlin were walking on either side of her.
"Ah, Althea," Artemis said meeting her halfway through the hallway. "What happened?"
"You nearly drowned. If Arthur, here, hadn't risked his life, you would have." Artemis looked at Arthur.
"I believe I owe you a thank you," she said. She turned her attention back to Althea. "But… why are we here of all places?"
"You really shouldn't mess with magical objects that you know nothing about," Althea said. "That crystal ball was very dark magic, Amber. You're lucky it didn't kill you."
"What is it?" Althea laughed.
"Do you honestly think I know? The Grand Master wouldn't tell me. You'll have to ask them yourself."
"And Arthur and Merlin?"
"They've been standard class 3 clearance."
"Ah, understood."
"Your room is untouched if you'd like to change."
"Oh, yes, I suppose I will. Thank you." She looked at Arthur and Merlin. "I don't care what you do. You may follow or you may not." They decided to follow her down a few hallways until the appeared in a hallway clad in blue. Artemis took the key that was her trunk's and unlocked the door with it. They entered. The room was cluttered with books, papers, a various amount of jars with everything you can think of in them, and weaponry. It was decorated in blue and green. Several candle were scattered throughout the room. Artemis swiped one of the nearby mahogany tables. Dust came off it. Artemis rubbed her fingers in disgust.
"When Althea said that no one has been here she really meant it." Artemis walked to her small bed in the corner of the room. On top was two sets of clothes, one was an evening gown the other was a normal set of clothes. In between the two was a scroll. Artemis opened it and read quickly:
Ambrosine,
The clothes on your right are for regular wear while you are here. The clothes on your left is for your dinner with the Masters this evening. All of them. They expect you at seven. Merlin and Arthur will also be attending. They already know this. Teach them what you can before tonight so they don't make complete yapilars of themselves. Good luck and see you tonight.
~Master Saoirse
Artemis set down the note with a smile remembering her old master. It's been too long. Artemis took the clothes on the right and went behind a screen to dress.
"What did the note say?" Merlin asked.
"Nothing important. It was just telling me we'll going to go to dinner tonight."
"Yeah, Arthur and I got the same note."
"I'm aware. It said that too." Artemis stepped out from behind the screen. She was wearing blue of course. It was a dress that like Althea was short only reaching above her knees. It had sleeves that went to her mid forearm. There was a thin black belt around the middle emphasizing her body a little more. She had black suede boots on. Artemis pulled her hair up before picking up a small crystal necklace and putting it around her neck. "There," she said happily. "And now for an education on the Servants of the World. Everyone should be in training right now. Come on," she said. She walked to the door. Athur and Merlin followed. They went deeper down the tunnels until they reached a large open room. There was hundreds of people inside. They aged from about 4 to 40. Some were lounging against the wall or on seat shaped rocks. Others were training in martial arts or weaponry. Some were reading and studying. Some were chatting away.
"AMBER!" A girl ran to Artemis and tackled her.
"Aditi!" Artemis yelled as the young brunette squeezed Artemis tight. They were both on the floor now. "Couldn't you just have hugged me?"
"Forget hugs! I'm tackling you!"
"So you've finally come back?" a boy behind the girl said. Artemis laughed and stood with Aditi.
"Hi, Amadi. How's everything been?"
"Boring without you," Aditi said.
"You exaggerate," Artemis said.
"She doesn't," Amadi said. "It really was. How have you been?"
"Um… not bored actually. There's always something in Camelot. Speaking of… this is my brother, Merlin," Merlin waved. "And Arthur, he's not important."
"Thanks Artemis. You think you'd be a little more grateful. I did save your life."
"Nope." Amadi and Aditi looked at each other.
"You're not by chance Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot?"
"I am," he said. Aditi giggled.
"Oh, Amber. Always playing with the prophecies." Artemis grinned.
"Well," Artemis said, "I have to educate this two bumbling idiots. We're having dinner with the Masters tonight."
"Which ones?" Aditi asked.
"All of them." Aditi and Amadi looked at her in a bit of shock.
"Wow, good luck with that."
"It'll be fine."
"She's right," Amadi said. "The Masters always favored, Amber, as have I," he said with a smile. It lit up his green eyes.
"Give it up, Amadi," Aditi said. "She's a 456. You're a 302."
"Are you two the ones who made up that ridiculous point system?" Arthur asked. Aditi laughed and nodded.
"Why?"
"I am a 89."
"No, you went up," Artemis informed him, "for rescuing me I moved you to 94."
"Rescuing you is only worth 5 points?"
"Of course not. You went down after you lied to me about dinner, and then you slowly recovered, and not you're a 94." Arthur laughed slightly.
"You are ridiculous."
"I know," she said. "Okay… education… I'm getting distracted. Come." Arthur and Merlin followed at one side while Aditi and Amadi were on the other side. "Okay, so there are different fractions here. They are separated by color. You can tell what fraction they are in based on the color they wear. Each represent their personality. First are the Whites." In one corner whispering among themselves were the whites. They all wore white. "They believe that life is necessary. They believe we must not interfere with the lives of those outside the organization. Their opposite is the Blacks." In an opposite corner sat the blacks. They were staring at Artemis's group with hate and disgust. "They believe all who do wrong must be purged from society. They must be killed. They believe we must be the leaders of the human race or we are doomed. The browns," who were sitting in the center of the room were observing plants in jars, "believe in the power of the earth. As long as the earth is respected, they don't care for the squabbles of men. The reds are loving. They believe that none should be killed and we should love each other. It's rather annoying." The reds were staring at the group. The girls were giggling as they stared at the boys. The Red boys were staring at the girls with smirks. Artemis rolled her eyes. Reds were annoying. "The greens are healers. They believe like the reds that none should be killed. They believe in rehabilitation." The greens were all around healing those from the training. "The Yellows believe in happiness. As long as people are happy there is no reason to interfere." The yellow were resting against the wall. They looked like happy, peaceful people. "The purple's believe in royalty. They believe if you are born royalty that you have every right to rule, and nothing can change that."
"I like them," Arthur said.
"You would," Artemis muttered. The purples were staring at Arthur. When he looked their way, they bowed. Arthur nodded. "Last, is the blues like me, Aditi, and Amadi. We are… the rarest fraction. We are freedom. We don't fit in one category. We are a mix and proud of it. I have beliefs similar to all them as does Aditi and Amadi. We are the only three blues here. There are a few others, but for the most part it is just us… and Master Gwydion and Master Saoirse."
"Still," Aditi said, "We're the strongest faction."
"True," Artemis said. "We are."
"The other fractions are nice. The reds are too touchy though. The darks are too sinister. The Whites couldn't care less, but other than that the others are kind."
"Amber exaggerates. The dark despise us and… not many like Amber as a person," Aditi said with a shrug.
"Why do you call her that?" Arthur asked.
"What?"
"Why do you call Artemis, Amber?"
"It's short for Ambrosine. All of us have different names than what the outside uses. My real name is Shannon," Aditi giggled. "But of course I never really felt like a Shannon. Aditi means freedom." Aditi giggled again. "Ambrosine is the feminine version of Ambrose. Ambrose means immortal." Aditi giggled again. "Ambrose was the name of the founder of the Servants of the World. No one but Amber's been named after him."
"And it's a deep honor for that name to chose me," Artemis said.
"The name chose you?" Artemis smiled slightly.
"We don't choose are names nor does anyone. It is embedded in us like a code. The Masters know your true name when they see you."
"It's part of the reason not many like Amber," Amadi said. "People believe that the Masters treat Artemis better than the rest. Not that they're wrong. They do treat Amber like she's special." Artemis smiled. "But then again you deserve it. You've mastered things that most wouldn't without 50 years of training."
"You flatter me, Amadi," Artemis teased. "What time is it?"
"Nearly six."
"Damn. Okay, just a few more things you two should know. When you walk in the hall, you are expected to circle around the table passing each master and greeting them. First is Master Dmitri. He will shake your hand. His hands are dirty so fair warning. Next is Master Kyne. He will probably bow to Arthur and simply nod to you Merlin. Next is Master Jovita. She will be happy to meet you. Hug you both. Accept it. Next is Master Amorina. She will full on kiss you. It's how she is. She'll say something about how cute your are or whatever and you will thank you and tell her she's very beautiful and move on. Next is Master Galen. He seems big and intimidating, but he not. He's funny and will give you a warm hug. He'll laugh, probably make a joke. He's amazing, and sings horribly loud and off-key when he's drunk. He'll make a comment about your bone structure or something. Move on. Master Eleanor is next. When you greet her, she will simply give you her hand. Kiss it. Move on. Next is Master Tynan. He's an ass. He'll just give you a curt nod and a glare. Return the nod, move on. Next is my master, Master Saoirse. I don't know what she'll do. She's insane. Last is Master Gwydion. He will bow. Bow back. Turn and go to the other side of the table and find the spot with your name on a little note on the plate. Understand?"
"Uh… can you repeat that?" Merlin asked.
"No. I have to go get ready for this stupid dinner. Do not make a fool of me or yourselves," she warned before turning around and leaving.
The dinning hall was quite a feat. It was huge with one long table. The Masters were all seated on one side. A chandelier made of crystal hung from the ceiling above the table. The floor were made of marble and the seats seemed to be made of gold as were the plates and silverware. Arthur and Merlin were seated. There was one spot open at the right of master Gwydion and the left of Arthur for Artemis. Everything went like Artemis said. Master Saoirse simply smiled at them and shook both their hands.
"You're student is late Saoirse," Master Tynan said. He was of the black fraction. It was clear by his all black clothes that matched his features.
"Announcing, Lady Ambrosine," a servant said.
"Just on time, Tynan," Saoirse said. She was a pretty woman, who although looked nothing like Artemis with blonde hair and brown eyes, somehow reminded Arthur and Merlin of Artemis. The servant opened the door. Artemis entered, but she was practically unrecognizable to Arthur and Merlin. She wore a long blue gown. The dress fit Artemis like a glove. It was a deep blue that matched and lit up her eyes. It showed just enough skin without being inappropriate. It was a simple dress, but one that made her look stunning. Her hair had been done and there was a circlet around her head. She held herself like a Lady. She approached each master, and did the same thing Arthur and Merlin did. She reached Master Saoirse.
"You look stunning. I am very jealous," she teased before hugging her.
"It's been too long," Artemis said.
"You've been busy. One cannot deny that." Artemis nodded before moving on. Master Gwydion did not bow to her. He kissed her on both cheeks.
"Welcome back."
"Thank you, Gwydion. You humble me." Arthur jumped up as she approached and pulled her chair out for her. "Thank you, Arthur." She sat. Arthur pushed in her chair before sitting.
"A boy with chivalry now that's refreshing," Saoirse said.
"Still no luck with finding a husband," Artemis teased as they were served a small course first.
"Well, Amber, dearest. Not all of us has your charm."
"Charm?" Arthur said. "I believe you're mistaken her with a different Artemis." Saoirse laughed as did a few other Masters.
"You're lucky boy that she doesn't pull the shit she does with us," Master Galen said. Artemis was right. He was intimidating. He was a huge man both in weight and stature. He had a long red beard and hair. He had a booming laugh. "She's different around each of us. She knows how to play people, and sometimes it's frustrating, but you've got to admire it."
"I don't play you, Galen," Artemis said. "I just… rebuild myself every few minutes." Some of the masters snickered.
"Yes like that time you told me that you had the urge to heal, and then let me go on a lecture about healing. Then at the end, you thanked me and ran off. I later discovered you stole gold from my pocket." Some of the masters laughed.
"That's a disgrace," Master Tynan said drinking from his goblet.
"Lighten up, Tynan," Galen said. "She was a child."
"And she is still a child and yet you all treat her like she's a master of the arts."
"Do you have a problem with my student?" Saoirse said standing. "You stupid galfemire."
"Really, Saoirse, I'm not in the mood for your gibberish today," he replied.
"Look, just because your student wasn't chosen doesn't mean my student is defective. If you have problem with her, you say it to my face. Not hers. Are we understood?" Tynan looked at Saoirse.
"That's the problem with you blues. You always think that you're better than everyone and you never know what personality to expect. Just like your student there," Kynan said. "She's arrogant, disrespectful, ignorant, unintelligent, uncommitted, indecisive, emotional, unreliable, weak, selfish, and thoughtless." Before Saoirse could response, Arthur beat her to it. He stood fuming. Artemis tried to pull him back to his seat, but he wouldn't.
"How dare you," Arthur said disgusted. "Artemis may have flaws, but she none of those things at least not in the way you speak them. In fact, she is the exact opposite. She's wise, thoughtful, intelligent, strong, reliable, committed, decisive… and so much more than bitter old fool like you could ever be. And yes, she can be disrespectful, but she only speaks her mind and that makes her courageous."
"You forget your place, Prince. You are nothing but an ant to us. A little pawn in our game." It was Master Eleanor, who was a tall woman with a blank face, dull brown hair, and plain hazel eyes, who spoke this time. "Don't tell me you are in love with her, because boy if you are get out now. You are nothing to her. You are pawn. She is changing you to the vision that we want you to be. She knows how to play your mind. It is what she is good at. It may seem like she cares, but she does not. It is a lie." Before either could react Master Amorina, a petit woman with red hair and green eyes, spoke.
"I see you're still bitter, Eleanor. So bitter that you want to ruin the relationship between Prince Arthur and Amber. You were always were this way. You don't think it's fair that she gets to be free to her emotions while you are barred from such luxuries." Eleanor looked at Amorina bitterly before both White and Black both started to argue back.
"I believe," Gwydion said, "that we all must relax. Let us talk of pleasanter things." They fell silent. "How are you, Amber?" Master Gwydion asked.
"I am fine, Master. Thank you. How are you?"
"Content," he replied. "Do you like Camelot?" Artemis laughed.
"There is never a dull moment, sir." Gwydion chuckled.
"I remember my youth in Camelot."
"Sir?" Artemis asked. "Did you grow up in Camelot?"
"Many years ago I called Camelot my home, my dear. It is so far gone, but still lies in my heart. Camelot has always been that way. Leaving a lasting impression on those who visit, and you will be no different. Even when you move on from Camelot, you will still think of it now and again as I do." Artemis nodded.
"Camelot… is the first place I've called home since Valde. It's a rare event, and one that makes me… happy," she said.
"You look happier," Jovita noted. Jovita was an average woman with hay colored hair and bright, happy blue eyes.
"Healthier too," Galen added. Amorina giggled.
"What are you giggling at, Amorina?" Saoirse asked eyeing the curly haired blonde.
"Isn't it obvious? She's in love." Artemis laughed as she picked up her goblet and took a sip.
"Now there's a thought," she said placing the goblet back on the table. "Since when do I meet any decent men?" she asked.
"Still impossible to tame," Galen teased.
"Always," she replied.
"Arthur," Gwydion asked changing the subject for Artemis's sake. She may have seemed relaxed, but he knew that this topic was making her tense.
"Yes?" he asked looking at Master Gwydion slightly surprised that the leader addressed him so familiarly.
"Hm… you look like your mother," he said after a moment of observing him.
"You knew my mother?" Arthur asked.
"She was a great friend to me. I am sorry to hear of her death. She was a kind, caring woman. A woman I am proud to have known. I know your father as well however we had a falling out around the time of the Great Purge. He believed sorcery should be demolished; I believe that sorcery should help maintain our balance. No doubt you were brought up to believing sorcery should be demolished and I do not wish to argue about that. I understand why your father thinks it is so evil. There are many who seek it for evil uses, and that's the Servants of the World's job. To get rid of those who cause humanity to suffer." The plates were removed and the next dish was served.
"Then, my father knows of you? Of the Servants of the World?" Arthur asked.
"Oh, yes, monarchs know of us, but only when they are crown king or queen or emperor or empress or any form of leader of a large group of people."
"How does one become a Servant of the World?"
"There are many ways, but mainly we seek them out. We seek out certain people. We seek out those with abilities, those with interesting lineages, those who could cause problems in the future, or those who are written about in certain prophecies. Amber," he said nodding to Artemis, "falls under all of these categories. I'm sure you've noticed she's a very talented person. She is both skilled in mental and physical warfare, but she also knows how to comfort a person and much of the times she knows what to say to a person to gain trust, love, fear, loyalty, any emotion. It is a valuable and rare talent. She is able to evoke any emotion that she chooses. That is to say it is hard to tell what she truly fells and how she truly is. However, I believe deeply that Amber… or Artemis if you will, does care about Camelot more any other place. In the depths of her heart, she would even defy us to protect you."
"Master?" Artemis asked. He smiled at her.
"That's right. I am the Master. I still see straight through you as I always have." Artemis was silent while he spoke. "I consider you my own student, Amber. I consider you like family to me."
"Master… thank you… for… for everything… when I was a child you… gave me a chance. You gave me my life. I… could not be this way if it was not for you." Gwydion shook his head.
"Your Light was always there, my dear. It was just a matter of showing you. You were always a child meant for greatness. Now you are a woman meant for greatness. Your life will be filled with happiness, love, hope, trust, faith. There will be sorrow and pain, but who's life does not have that."
"I would like to be believe that."
"Are you perhaps… hopeless?" he asked. Artemis stared at Master Gwydion. His dulled down, faded and yet piercing eyes bored into her. She spoke careful not to trip up on her words.
"I believe that… I will never be normal and… what I want is unachievable… I loved Kael," she said with a sad smile, "but he's dead. Everyone I care about… seems to die in the end whether it's because of something I did or not. I am cursed to live my life alone." She sighed. "I wish… it was different, but all the Masters of Life and Death end up alone in the end. There was time that all I wanted out of life was to fall in love; get married; have a bunch little brats; have a small shop in a quiet village; and die happily. That's not my destiny. My destiny is apparently great, but the sad thing is I don't want greatness. All people want glory and honor and greatness. They want riches and power and large castles. Every little girl wants to marry that knight in shining armor who rescues them from some 'boring' life. They want to marry prince charming. Every person but me. I could be happy with a ramshackle, little hut that's falling apart with no money as long as I was with someone I love, but… that's not enough… to love another… for me… it… just… hurts. They'll never know me, not real me. I'm forced to hide who I am. To know I can never fully share my life with another just tears me apart."
"You don't believe in love anymore? At least not for you?" Amorina said. Artemis laughed slightly.
"I really wish I could say yes, but that feeling of being torn and worn and hurt is nothing compared to love. Love is something so odd, so different, so marvelous that I would gladly take all the suffering and all the pain in the world for just one kiss from a man who loves me and who I love in return. I have given up on the idea of a love that lasts. I don't see the point if it won't last, if it can't be," she admitted. "My head says who cares, but my heart says… you do stupid. I can tell myself over and over that I will never love, but I cannot control my heart."
"You truly are poetic," Arthur replied. Artemis looked to him and smiled.
"I told you I was. I actually wasn't lying that time," she teased.
"Very wise," Gwydion noted. She looked to Master Gwydion and began speaking a different language so Arthur nor Merlin would pick it up.
"Why did you bring Arthur and Merlin here?" she asked. "Be honest." Gwydion was silent for a moment. His hands in front of him on the table and his fingertips together seeming to think carefully..
"Your destiny is closely tied to Arthur's," he replied in the same language. "He is part of you as you are of him. I just wished to meet the man you would leave the Servants of the World for." Artemis stared, but she laughed and shook her head.
"I wouldn't leave the organization," she said.
"You will. It has been foreseen. I can tell you love him."
"No, I don't," she replied chuckling.
"You deny it even to yourself. I understand, but you can't hide from yourself forever. You will have to admit eventually. There is a Light in you… that wasn't there before. Love does that."
"I don't love him. I care about him, but I do not love, Arthur. He's Arthur," she said as if it were that simple. Gwydion changed the subject.
"As for Emrys, I would like to see how strong his magic truly is. It is even stronger than yours, Amber. That's interesting."
"My brother is strong."
"It appears so. We debated making him one of us as well, but to interfere in his destiny was wrong. He must learn magic on his own."
"Yes, Master." The last course was set in front of them. It was a bit of chitchat here and there, but nothing like the beginning of the meal. There was still much laughter and talking. Artemis was very comfortable around the Masters. She laughed a lot more than usual, and it didn't escape the notice of Arthur and Merlin. The dinner ended and all present company rose. They left the hall and they all went their separate ways. Artemis, Merlin, and Arthur walked together. They were staying in the guest quarters in the Blue Hallway.
"Well, that was… interesting," Merlin said. Artemis laughed.
"The masters are well um… interesting."
"You um… your really um… comfortable around them," Merlin said. Artemis looked at him.
"Of course."
"Well… I mean you just seem… happier here," Merlin said. Artemis smiled.
"I am happy here."
"Then why did you leave?" Arthur asked. Artemis smiled sadly.
"I realized that home shouldn't be made here. It should be made elsewhere. So I searched for home for many years."
"Did you find it?" Arthur asked.
"I found that… home isn't a tangible thing. It's a feeling you get when you realize you are surround by those you love and care for. To call a place home is to have memories there and a future. Camelot is home for me now. I'm happy there."
"You seem happier here, though." Artemis sighed.
"I am more open here, because well I can say whatever I want without thinking of the consequences. One day, I believe Camelot will be like that, but for now… I have to watch what I say. If I say something about me believing that Uther shouldn't king or something along those lines I could be executed. Uther does not like to be challenge, which is stupid to say the least. He should accept criticism. Sorry…," she said with a smile, "I'll shut my mouth about my opinions on your father."
"You have a right to your opinion," Arthur replied. Artemis reached her door.
"Well, good night boys," she said. "I believe we are leaving not tomorrow, but the day after back to Camelot before Uther sends an army after Arthur."
"Night," they both said as she entered her room.
The following day, Artemis was no where to be seen. She was in her room or the training room or the dining hall in which Merlin and Arthur ate nor anywhere that Arthur or Merlin knew about. Aditi and Amadi wasn't sure where she was either. They argued about where she would be.
"In the Hall of Prophecies?" Amadi asked.
"No," Aditi said. "She doesn't have clearance to go in there. You know that. I bet she's with Master Gwydion."
"Yeah, that's true. He would be at the Spiritual Oasis meditating, but also check to library. She does love the library. Or she could be with Saoirse at the cliffs. How about this, I'll show Arthur to the Spiritual Oasis and you can show Merlin to the library? I'll head to the cliffs after I drop Arthur off. We'll meet up in training room?"
"Deal," Aditi said. They finished breakfast before Arthur and Merlin went their separate way. Amadi went quickly through the halls until there were all the was on the east side of the caves. They stopped at a round door.
"It's through here," Amadi said. "It's pretty big. So you'll have to look around. I'll see in the training room." Amadi left. Arthur opened the door and stepped in. Inside a waterfall fell into a lake. A huge forest of colorfully leaved trees stretched out into the open top of the cave. There was no ceiling to this cave. It was surprisingly warm. Arthur pulled his jacket off and left it on the ground before walking across a small wooden bridge that went over a stream. Arthur walked across the ground. He went among the trees looking between them for Artemis. Instead as he reached the middle of the forest, he saw Gwydion sitting crisscross on carved rock in the middle of the ground. His eyes were closed, and he was meditating. Arthur was about to turn and leave him, but Gwydion spoke.
"You are looking for Artemis?" Gwydion asked.
"Yes… sir," Arthur said adding the last part. He knew that treating this man with the utmost respect was the right thing to do.
"She is not here. She is on her own in a different meditation chamber."
"Why?" Arthur asked. "She just disappeared."
"Sit," Gwydion said nodding to the rock across from him. Arthur did as he said. "Artemis is making an attempt to clear her head. She might not show it, but the dinner last night caused her much distress."
"Why?"
"She is always trying to please everyone."
"She shouldn't have to."
"I agree," Gwydion said. "But it is who she is. She wants everyone to be happy."
"I know."
"Do you?" Gwydion asked. "Do you truly know Artemis?" Arthur was silent. He wasn't sure how to answer.
"Some days…," Arthur said, "I think I do. Others I know I don't. I know she hides a lot from me, and it takes a lot more than a little coaxing to get her to open up to me. I know that I don't truly know her."
"Do you want to?"
"I do."
"Then allow me to tell you of the beginning," Gwydion said. "The first day Artemis entered the Servants as a student and the day she was considered one of us…"
The Masters stood in the Caves of Vetus. They looked no different than he did on this day. They were awaiting a new charge. Gwydion knew many things, but he wasn't sure whom he was waiting for. He felt it was important though. He stood and there was a slight flash. Across from him, a few yards away a young girl stood. She was pale with dark hair and cold eyes. She held part of a candle. Above her, Gwydion could see her true name, Ambrosine, a name that Gwydion would never forget. It was a girl, who would become a woman who in many prophecies would become a dark, twisted creature.
"Can… can you help me?" the girl asked scared. The Masters stared. Gwydion knew the answer they must give.
"I am sorry child," Amorina said. "We cannot. You are too far gone." Ambrosine shook her head slow at first and then furiously.
"Please," she begged. "Please! I'm scared! I'm so scared! Help me! Please!" She was crying, begging for them to do something. Her eyes flashed gold and she let out a scream of pain before she collapsed to the ground and curled up in a ball, her hands over her eyes. She rocked back and forth. She was crying.
"We can't just leave her like that!" Saoirse yelled. "She needs us!" she yelled at Gwydion. He knew she spoke the truth.
"This thing is meant for evil!" Tynan yelled.
"She's a human being!" Saoirse yelled back, but the Masters were all against her. However, it was Gwydion who had the final say.
"Bring her to the Blocking Room," he said to Galen. Galen nodded and picked up the girl. He brought her followed by Saoirse and Gwydion to a small room that was plain with no light in it. Galen set her down. She stopped crying. She looked around confused before she skidded to a corner and cowered there. Gwydion pulled a hand mirror for his robes. "Use this. Meditate with it. You have to stay in her alone for month. If you cannot do that-"
"No," she said. "I will do anything to gain control over these nightmares." Gwydion nodded. He closed the door to the room leaving the girl alone hoping it wasn't a mistake.
"She was left alone in a small, dark room and entire month?" Arthur said in disbelief.
"She had to be. It would have worked no other way," Gywdion replied. "But there are affects to all magic. Having Artemis heal with that mirror wiped her emotions clean. She was blank, and I'm afraid that the Servants did not care. We thought the fact that she was blank was a good thing. She was easier to work with. She absorbed information better. We taught her everything, but did bother to instill her emotions back in her. It was like we forgot. We taught her manners, fighting, languages, culture, weaponry, martial arts, everything. We taught how to use emotions to get to others. We taught her how to tell what someone is feeling, but we never taught her how to feel again. Finally, we felt she was ready and we sent her off. Each time she came back after a mission, she was different. She had gained some more light, some emotion, but it wasn't until Valde that it was noticeable. What you don't understand, Arthur, is that if Valde hadn't fallen… you would have met the more emotionless side of her. The side that only served us, but when Valde fell… something changed. I don't know what changed her. I know for a fact the day before the ball she was still the same. She planned to leave Valde and Kael behind once it was all over just like after every other mission, but it was after she was hurt that something changed. It's a mystery even to me. Her emotion were back… all of them… maybe not strongly… but they grew as she traveled with Ava and Kael, and now you… you have changed her deeply in a way no one has. To be able to touch her life like that. I thank you. You have made her a better person."
"She has made me a better person as well." Gwydion nodded. "
"This is a good thing. How can you hope to be a good king if you are not a good person?"
"She said that… she has to leave when I become King," Arthur said. "She said it's her job."
"Artemis thinks she knows all, but we have not told her everything. We have not told her the part she will play in Camelot's rising. We have hidden that from her."
"Why?"
"No one should know to much of their own destiny." Gwydion opened his eyes and looked at Arthur. "Be careful. Do not overstep your bounds when it comes to Artemis. She has never been patient when it comes to some matters." Arthur nodded. "Go out this door and go the left. You will soon hit a door. Artemis will be there."
"Thank you," Arthur said bowing.
"Take care of her young monarch. She needs it more than you know." Arthur left the Oasis and went to the left. He hit a plain looking door. He knocked gently.
"Enter," Artemis's voice said. Arthur entered. Artemis sat in the middle of the room. She was in the same sitting position as Master Gwydion was in. The room was filled with hundreds of lit candles. "What would you like, Arthur?"
"How did you know it was me?" Arthur asked.
"I know the sound of your footsteps well," she replied.
"I was just speaking to Gwydion."
"Were you?" she asked.
"I want to know… what changed? What made you stay with Kael? What made you feel again?" Arthur asked. That question seemed to unsettle her. She opened her eyes and stared at him.
"That is a personal question."
"It is," he admitted. Artemis stared.
"I had a dream… a vision… really."
"Of what?"
"What my life could have been. I saw exactly what I needed to."
"And what was that?" Arthur asked.
"I saw my children, my life. I was happy. I knew I was dying as I watched this vision, and I was scared. I realized how much I trul wanted that life. When I awoke I realized what a fool I had been. There is… this idea that those who are ruled by their emotions are fools, but those who believe that are wrong. Those with no emotions at all are the fools. They can search the whole world to find some sort of self-gratification, but they will never find it. They will always feel empty, because they have nothing to feel. I suddenly became aware of this. I knew Kael loved me, and… I didn't care until I realized what I had to loose. If I had not followed the path I did… I would not be who I am today. Being selfish is better that being selfless. Trust me on that. Being selfless… causes you to be cold and withdrawn. It causes you to not care about others feelings towards you. If I had died back then… it wouldn't have mattered to me. I didn't care, and I didn't care who I would have hurt leaving this world. Now I do. Now I actually care for people instead of just caring about what affect a person would have on the kingdom."
"I'm glad you changed," Arthur said. "I would not have you any other way than the way you are now." Artemis smiled gently. She stood.
"Ah, thanks Arthur. I would have change everything about you," she teased. Arthur laughed.
"Ah, thanks, Artemis."
"You're welcome," she laughed. "Let's go meet up with the others. It's my last day here. I probabl won't be back for , Arthur and Artemis walked out of the room.
"Take care," Master Saoirse said hugging Artemis. Arthur, Merlin, and Artemis were standing in front of the cave entrance. It wasn't the Caves of Vetus, but more of a branch hideout known as the Caves of Elry. "You are like a daughter to me. Don't be afraid of what you feel."
"I will attempt not to be." Saoirse looked at Merlin.
"Practice," she said simply, "Fulfill your duty." Merlin nodded.
"I will." They shook hands. Saoirse looked at Arthur.
"You really are a stupid yalumek."
"What?" Arthur asked. Realization dawned on him. "Artemis picked up gibberish from you?"
"She was worse when she was younger," Saoirse admitted. She stared at Arthur for a moment before nodded. "I approve."
"Approve what?" he asked. Saoirse laughed before walking away. Gwydion stepped forward. He hugged Artemis and stared at her.
'Don't let things get out of hand in Camelot,' Gwydion said speaking to her telepathically. Artemis nodded.
"I won't." He moved to Merlin and stared at him carefully.
"A sword is no good without the handle," he said. Merlin nodded. "Stay on the right path." He moved to Arthur and stared. "Several pieces of advice for you young monarch. One: we must be the change we wish to see in the world. To see a better tomorrow for Camelot, you must be a better person to become the king to bring that change about. Two: leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character; it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint. Remember this well. And last: the course of true love never did run smooth. Where there is the greatest love, there are always miracles. Understand?" Arthur nodded.
"Yes. I understand."
"Okay, enough chat!" Artemis said. "We have to go back to Camelot." Gwydion nodded.
"Take care," he said.
"We will. Write if you need anything," Artemis said before pulling herself onto her horse. Together Arthur, Merlin, and Artemis left the Caves of Elry.