Chapter 31: New Feelings

Arthur and the others had followed Merlin to the place where they thought Lyra to be. "Merlin...Where is she?" Morgana asked, as she saw the rage on Arthur's face.

"She was here!" He said, "Hanging from that tree! I swear!"

Arthur threw his sword into the ground. "We have wasted an entire day!" He then stormed of and sat on a log, away from his friends.

"We should camp here tonight... Arthur we will find her, I promise." Gwaine said.

Arthur glanced back at him, "If she's not already dead, you mean?"

Gwaine nodded slightly, he had never seen Arthur like this before. He returned to the others. "Merlin, you should go talk to him."

Merlin shock his head, "No, we should let him rest. He'll need it."

Sefa and Eira had built a fire for them. "I'm starving!" Gwaine said.

"Me too!" Then Merlin remembered the rabbits. "Over here." He found them, but they didn't look advertising anymore... The flys that surrounded them were huge and black and it looked more like bones then meat by now.

"I think I'll go find something... um... fresher..." Gwaine said, a look of disgust on his face.

"Good idea..."

Mordred had been hunting that morning, with Sir Leon and some other knights. They had caught three dears and five rabbits, already, and the King decided to return to Camelot.

"Sir Leon, I want you to send some guards to the doors of my chambers and under the balcony. Do you understand?" He asked. The order was a strange one, but Sir Leon had come to respect his new King and had no right to refuse, anyway so he nodded.

"Good, and make sure the princess doesn't leave or enter without my permission." He then walked away, leaving Leon to choose some guards.

Mordred had some other business to take care of. Arthur and Morgana and some others had escaped and Mordred would still keep his word; His sword will be the weapon to kill Arthur. It was his destiny. And Morgana would kill anyone who sit on the thrown of Camelot so in other words, he'd have to kill her also.

Merlin had to die too, another powerful sorcerer could ruin everything. Mordred had the power to kill him. He'll use it, no matter what it took.

Lyra was becoming frustrated, the sun had already started to set and Mordred still hadn't returned, even if he usually comes later, Lyra couldn't help but think that he wouldn't come until she had fallen asleep.

The hours flew by and he still hadn't returned from whatever he was doing... She wondered if he'd forgive Arthur?

She had a flash back, when Arthur and her were having dinner before the picnic, where it all changed.

"Where are we going again?" Lyra asked, excitedly.

Arthur chuckled. "To the river near the meadows under the hollow tree." Lyra sighed happily.

"Oh, Arthur," she said, "You are so good to me. I love you so." she stated.

"I love you more." Arthur challenged.

"I love you most." Then, she felt it... A dark presence from behind her... Could that have been Mordred?

She hadn't told Arthur, she didn't want to worry him. But she was certain something had been watching her. It always felt the same when Mordred was around...So dark...

"You look tired." A voice said from behind her. Mordred was sitting on the bed, he had been staring at her for a while.

Lyra jumped a little, then to Mordred's surprise Lyra smiled. "Mordred. I wanted to ask you a few things, if you please?" She asked.

"I wont guarantee an answer." Lyra found that fair enough, so she started.

"What do you do... When you leave me here?" She asked him nervously.

He smiled at her question. "I've been fulfilling my duties as King. You should know that, you are a princess after all."

"Yes, but-"

"I'll give you two more questions. Choose them carefully."

"Are you good to the people?" She looked directly, for the first time willingly, into his eyes.

Mordred wanted to know what she was up to, but didn't ask anything just yet. "Of course, what kind of King would I be if was bad to them. When Arthur was here the people were almost starving! But with me, they will live... Magic isn't always used for evil, you know." He smiled at her, and Lyra could see in his eyes that he was not lying to her. "Last question."

"OK... Why is it you seek revenge on Arthur? It wasn't his fault your home was destroyed! He was following Uther's orders and-!"

"Why do I seek revenge?" His smile had faded and he stood. "He still did it, didn't he? If he wasn't such a father's boy, my people would still be alive! We could have lived in proper homes, if magic wasn't outlawed! Now, with him gone I will make Camelot a kingdom instead of a hell for sorcerers!" He said, his fists on the table.

"But it was a misunderstanding, remember? He thought you had kidnapped Morgana! And...and he saved your life." She said gazing at the floor.

"Misunderstanding?" He looked at her, disbelief in his eyes. "Arthur would see druids and sorcerers hanged, burned or beheaded!"

"I know... But now he knows about Merlin he wouldn't-..." She trailed of as she saw the look on his face. He was infuriated, and she knew not to do so further. "Forgive me... I-"

He frowned slightly. "Why? It's not you who has ruined lives, Lyra."

"Will you let me go?"

He scoffed. "No, you are my wife. You will stay here."

"Then at least let me leave this room!" She pleaded. "I can't stay here forever. It's unbearable! Please I-"

"Fine." He said simply.

"What?" She asked.

Mordred smiled at her, and it wasn't just a smirk or anything like that... It was kind, caring almost. "You can leave this room, but Lyra, promise me, you will not go past the castle gates." He held her arms in a much more gentle way then he did before.

"I give you my word." She said.

He smiled. "Thank you."

This chapter took a whole afternoon! I'm so glad it's finally finished! I can hardly feel my fingers!

Mordred and Lyra are starting to be kinder-ish to each other. It's kinda cute really! ^^

But I wonder what Arthur will have to say about this... Hope you enjoyed! ^^