Chapter 23–Ealdor
Hey guys, I know it's been a while. Pain of a computer keeps playing up. I'm hoping to get a new one very very soon, then I can do one per day rather than taking forever. I have about 9 chapters left and then this story is done. Anyway remember do the quiz, and I don't own Merlin, but Laudine, Kay and Elizabeth are my characters. Enjoy.
It was late in the day when Merlin and I walked down into the lower town to collect water from the well. I had been with him practically the whole of the day, watching as Merlin did more work for Arthur than I gave Laudine in a year, "You do realize that you could get someone to help you with all your chores, don't you?" I questioned.
"Arthur would have my head if he thought I was getting help from someone else," Merlin responded immediately while collecting the water.
"I'll deal with Arthur," I promised, "You'll have less work by the end of the week."
We smiled at each other before Merlin turned away from me, "Mother?!" He questioned.
I turned to see Merlin's mother standing there. She moved over to hug Merlin, but I noticed the bruise lining her face, "What happened? Who did this to you?!" Merlin questioned sharply.
"Kanen," Merlin's mother replied simply, before finally noticing me, "And who is this lady?"
"My name is Elizabeth. You must be Merlin's mother, I had heard a lot about you," I smiled politely.
"My name is Hunith," She smiled back at me.
"If you need to see the King I can arrange it for you," I offered her.
"How can you get that arranged?" Hunith questioned.
"I am a Princess. It's easy," I smiled back at her before walking towards the castle and went to stand outside the throne room, "Stay here for a moment," I advised Hunith and Merlin before stepping inside the throne room to see Arthur, Uther, Morgana and some of the advisors already there, "My Lord," I said bowing my head.
"Elizabeth is something the matter?" Uther questioned me.
"There is a woman outside, Merlin's mother. She needs help," I explained.
Uther nodded his head at me, "Bring her in."
I went and opened the door to reveal Hunith and Merlin, "The King will see you now," Hunith smiled at me before standing in the centre of the court. I moved off to the side with Merlin.
"The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children. Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is, and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help," Hunith pleaded.
"Ealdor's in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility," Uther interrupted.
"We've appealed to our King, but he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope," Hunith explained.
Uther did actually look apologetic for once, "I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
"You'll help us?" Hunith questioned hopefully.
Uther just shook his head sadly, "I wish I could."
"Surely you could spare a few men?" I asked Uther trying to find a way around it.
"Resources are not the problem," Uther responded.
"Then what is?" Morgana inquired impatiently.
"Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war," Uther replied softly.
Hunith dropped down to her knees begging, "I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."
"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help," Uther said his voice turning harder and harder as he spoke.
I knew there was nothing left to say, Uther had made up his mind and when that happened it was final. I decided not to say anything instead I glared at Uther before taking Hunith up from the floor and walked out of the room followed closely behind by Merlin. We made our way quietly to my chambers. Hunith sat on my bed while I paced up and down, "That stupid man, he should have helped you," I exclaimed.
"It's not his fault, you know that," Hunith reminded me softly.
"Yeah, I guess I just wish I could help," I whispered moving to sit next to her leaving Merlin standing in front of us.
Merlin looked at me like an idea just came into his head, "Who's to say we can't?"
"You mean what I think you do?" I questioned getting onto the idea.
"Together we could stop him," Merlin smiled back at me proud with the idea.
"I don't think a Princess could put herself in that danger," Hunith argued back, "You're father wouldn't be happy."
"My father knows exactly what I'm like and anyway I'm not just a princess. I have a lot more abilities than just that," I said before holding my hands together and whispering a spell. I heard Hunith gasp as my eyes changed colour. As I pulled my hands apart a blue butterfly fluttered out and around Merlin's head. Hunith just watched in amazement.
"You have magic," She stated.
I nodded back, "And I protect your son, but if we're going we need to tell Arthur, he has a right to know."
Merlin nodded back at me before we quickly made our way up to the battlements where I knew Arthur would be, he was staring out across Camelot when we moved to stand next to him, "I'm sorry, if it were up to me we'd be on our way there now," Arthur spoke softly still staring out at Camelot.
"You tried, you both did," Merlin replied looking at me.
"Well we could have done more," I muttered under my breath, still loud enough for Merlin to hear me.
"I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they live," Arthur spoke with command reminding me of the king that he would one day be.
"I'm going back to Ealdor," Merlin explained.
Arthur nodded his head, "Of course."
"It's been an honour serving you," Merlin promised.
Arthur looked at him in confusion, "You'll be coming back."
"Well she's my mother," Merlin explained, "I have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?"
"I'd do exactly the same. Well, you've been terrible. Really, I mean it. The worse servant I've ever had," Arthur teased.
"Thank you sire," Merlin replied back just as sarcastically.
Merlin turned ready to leave us before Arthur called him back, "Merlin. Good luck," Merlin just nodded before leaving us alone.
Arthur turned and look one look at my face before speaking, "You're going with him aren't you?"
I took a deep breath, "I can't just leave him to do it on his own. You know Merlin, he will end up doing something stupidly brave and nearly dying in the process!"
"I know, but sometimes I just wish you weren't so...so kind," Arthur said softly.
I laughed lightly, "You would have never looked at me twice if I wasn't," I smiled before kissing him softly on the lips, "I'll come back to you afterwards, and I'm sure Merlin will too."
"I don't care..." Arthur started.
I interrupted him, "Oh come on Merlin is the only person minus Morgana and I who stands up to you and you're telling me you wouldn't miss him if he left?" Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but I held my finger up to his lips, "Actually don't say anything, I know what you're like. Now I have to go and pack, I'll see you later."
Arthur just nodded at me rather than argue back. He kissed me passionately before letting go off me so I could get back to my chamber. When I walked in Laudine and Kay were already there along with all our bags.
"Good new travels fast," I said sarcastically noticing how Laudine had managed to pack everything I could need to travel with in what seemed like moments.
"You didn't think we'd let you go alone did you?" Laudine questioned in disbelief.
"Well I think we need all the help we can get," I replied honestly, "Did you pack the potions?"
"As if she would ever forget those," Kay laughed from the seat he was in next to my bed.
I shrugged back, "Had to ask. So I take it if I get one of you..."
"You get both," Kay interrupted, "We're your protect my lady. Wherever you go we go."
I knew if there was only one of them against me, I may have been able to persuade them otherwise, but with both of them fighting for something it was impossible to stop them. It was one of the reasons we all got along for well. Loyalty, "You all pack then?" Laudine and Kay just nodded, "Then we need to get going."
All three of us grabbed the bags and made our way to the entrance of the castle. Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen and Hunith were already standing there with the horses, "Wow this is one hell of a goodbye party," I observed packing my bags onto my horse.
"Apparently we're all travelling there," Merlin explained to me.
I looked at Morgana and Gwen in confusion, "You're joining our adventure then?"
"How could we resist?" Morgana smirked at me.
I laughed before turning to Arthur and becoming more serious, "You came to say goodbye then?" I asked sadly.
"Anyone would think that you're going to miss me?" Arthur threw back the phrase I had once used on him.
I couldn't help but smile on that, "You have no idea," I kissed him lightly, "I promise to come back to you. I always do." I rested my forehead against his before taking a deep breath, before pulling away and getting on my horse. We rode out into the forest. It was mostly silent during the day with only the occasional moment of chatting, before long it was dark, "How far away are we now?" I questioned Hunith.
"A few hours," She replied.
I looked around and saw a clearing up ahead, "We're not going to be able to make it in the dark, and it's too dangerous. We should set up for the night I'll take first watch."
"I'll join you," Merlin offered before we set up camp for the night. Merlin, Hunith and I ended up sitting up together.
"They shouldn't be here. Especially the Lady Morgana, isn't she the King's ward?" Hunith pointed out.
"Not that you'd know it," Merlin laughed lightly, "She's the only person who isn't frightened of him, oh and Elizabeth of course."
"Oh I'm frightened of Uther, just not for myself," I confessed quietly.
"It won't make any difference to Kanen that they're women," Hunith stated.
"I know. But I couldn't talk them out of coming," Merlin explained while looking closely at the bruises that were healing on his mother's face, "I want to make him pay for what he did to you."
Hunith didn't answer, "You should rest Hunith," I said to her softly, watching as she laid down to sleep.
Merlin and I stayed silent for a while just watching the fire. Merlin took a burning stick from the fire and then blew flecks into the air, "Draca," the glowing flecks moved around taking on the shape of the Pendragon's dragon, flying through the air and shining brightly in the night sky.
"You need to teach me that spell sometimes, but go now I'll keep watch," I encouraged Merlin. He nodded and moved to go to sleep.
Everything seemed quiet for a while, then there was a horse in the woods. I drew my sword and walked quietly into the wood. I felt someone point a sword against my back and prepared to use my magic, "I'd ask you for money, but I know you never carry any," A voice spoke from behind me.
"Arthur," I smiled whipping around to face him, both of us threw down our swords before I jumped into his arms, "You weren't coming."
"I changed my mind," He whispered into my ear before pulling away, "We should get back to the camp site before everyone notices you're gone."
I couldn't help but smile as we made our way back to the fire, I poked it to cause the flames to once again raise up again. I leant back against Arthur feeling his arms curl around me before he spoke, "How much further is it?"
"Hunith told me it would be a few hours," I informed him quietly becoming more serious.
"How many men does Kanen have?" Arthur questioned me again.
"I'm not sure, really. Hunith said along the lines of 40," I replied remembering one of the earlier conversations we had.
Arthur nodded at me before we fell back into silence. I felt more relaxed than I had since we began this mission, that was probably to do with the fact I had Arthur next to me, "You look tired," he observed.
"Just been a long day that all, I'm glad you came here," I replied moving into him.
"I couldn't leave you to fight this without me," Arthur whispered back into my hair.
I smirked back up at him, "So it isn't because Merlin is actually a good person, even if he's a rubbish servant?"
"Get some sleep," Arthur said snarky back without any heat.
"That is definitely a yes," I smiled back at him before heading over to my bed roll and falling asleep.
Thanks for reading, please review and let me know what you think.
Until next time
Artistic-Blue-Eyes
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