Author's note: Student Teaching is literally turning my brain to mush. It is so freaking time-consuming. Nothing on earth could ever prepare you for it. But I'm still writing! Every chance I get which is not many, unfortunately.

-6-

Ryll awakened just after dawn, the rising sun intruding in her eyes as she tried to sleep. For the first time in a long time, she had slept through the night without a nightmare. She stretched her arms, sitting up in bed, letting the newfound energy she felt rush through her veins. Even after the excitement the day before, she had not been visited by dreams.

Getting out of bed, she pulled on one of the dresses Morgana had given her – this one a deep purple threaded with silver – and ran a brush through her long, golden curls. She fingered the silver ring around her neck, feeling a small surge of power run through the metal. In a way, it frightened her, but it also excited her. She vowed to try healing someone with its power. She tried to remember back to her childhood and to her mother, but all she could remember was watching everyone she knew die around her, the terrible disease ravaging the entire village. All but her. She shook the dark thoughts from her head and wandered down to the dining hall. Uther and Arthur were absent as usual, but Morgana was there. She smiled when she saw Ryll.

"You're looking well after your eventful day," she said. "Arthur told me how you killed the beast. You saved his life whether or not he'll admit it."

"He did thank me."

"Usually if a girl saves his life, he tries to deny it. Obviously he thinks differently of you."

Ryll smiled. "I'm sure he only admitted it because I was injured while saving him."

"How is your arm?" Morgana looked down at Ryll's left arm. Ryll realized that she had forgotten to replace the bandage. She tugged the sleeve a little further down until it nearly covered her hand.

"Fine. A little painful." The lie felt bitter on her tongue, but Morgana was too close to Uther for Ryll to tell her the truth – even if Morgana would keep it a secret, which Ryll knew she would, she was still Uther's ward. Ryll did not want to get her in trouble.

"Well, you've certainly been through a lot since your arrival in Camelot."

"That is most certainly true." Ryll sighed, concentrating on her breakfast. "Never a dull day here."

"Between Uther accusing everyone of magic and Arthur's life being threatened…." Morgana rolled her eyes.

"Why would anyone threaten Arthur's life? It's Uther who persecutes sorcerers."

"Many want revenge against Uther. They know that they only thing he holds dear besides his power is Arthur." Morgana's words were bitter as she spoke. Ryll looked up at her.

"You're his ward, surely he must care for you as well," she said.

"You would think so. He would have me believe so, but Uther and I do not see eye to eye on much of anything. Sometimes I think Camelot would be better off without him."

"You don't mean that."

"I do."

Ryll studied her friend. "Perhaps he is too harsh sometimes." She hesitated. "What happened to your parents? If you don't mind me asking."

Morgana's light blue eyes were clear as she spoke. "They died when I was very young. My father went to war. He was supposed to receive reinforcements, but they did not come, and he was killed. Uther took me in when I was ten years old."

"I'm sorry," Ryll said.

"Don't be. It was a long time ago." Morgana smiled, but Ryll could tell it was forced. "Life isn't fair; that's one thing I've learned living with Uther Pendragon as my guardian."

"It's better than having no one to call family and no where to call home." Ryll looked down at the bread she had been eating. It now looked unappealing.

"I'm sorry, Ryll. I'm being ungrateful. Of course it's better than having nothing. But now you have friends here, and you can always call Camelot your home if you wish."

"I'd like that. I really would." She meant it. Being in Camelot felt closer to being home than she had felt in a long time.

"You said you were headed to Camelot when I first met you. Did you have some purpose here?" Morgana asked.

Ryll frowned. "My mother always told me as a child that I would find myself in Camelot. I never knew what she meant. She used to tell me tales of the Great Dragon and of Avalon. It seemed only right to come here after she died. It took me a long time to get here though. I'd forgotten her words until I heard a story of Camelot in a small village I was passing through. Somehow I felt I was always meant to come here. I can't explain it."

Before Morgana could respond, the doors to the dining hall burst open, and Arthur strode in, his blue eyes looking fierce, his blonde hair slightly disheveled as if he had just ridden hard.

"Arthur, what-" Morgana started, but Arthur cut her off.

"I need to speak with you, Ryll. Now." Ryll narrowed her eyes at him.

"That is no way to speak to her," Morgana shot at him.

He ignored her, keeping his eyes on Ryll. "Please."

Ryll got up from the table, casting a mystified look back at Morgana before following Arthur out into the corridor. He led her away from the dining hall before turning on her, hands on his hips, expression livid.

"This morning I went out into the forest to make sure there weren't anymore of those beasts roaming around. And what do you think I found?" His eyes cut into hers. Ryll scuffed her boot against the stone floor.

"I have no idea," she said.

"I found," his voice raised as he continued to speak, "another beast. But it was already dead. Do you know how it died?"

"Umm….no."

"Arrows. Arrows that look particularly similar to your own. I think you and Merlin found it last night."

"Well, it's dead, so what does it matter?"

"What matters is that you didn't think to tell me about that last night. You could have been killed! Both of you. I'm going to tan Merlin's hide for this." He turned away, still fuming.

"Don't be angry with him! I was the one who wanted to go back into the forest, I was the one who killed the beast. He tried to protect me."

Arthur turned back to look at her. His blue eyes were still livid, but Ryll saw another emotion there now. Was it worry? Relief? "Just promise me you won't do anything like that again," Arthur requested, his tone softer.

Ryll nodded. "I promise. I'll come get you if I need to traipse into a dark forest filled with dangerous beasts again." The corners of Arthur's mouth turned up at this. "But really, you have to admit you're impressed. That's two beasts I've killed in a day."

"Don't go getting a big head. I am going to personally lock you in your room if another beast comes anywhere near Camelot."

"I'd like to see you try." Ryll bit her lip, realizing that she was bantering with the prince of Camelot. "Your highness," she added a little too late.

"If you call me Your Highness, I'll be forced to call you Amaryllis," Arthur said, giving her a crooked smile.

"Arthur it is."

After a pause, Arthur said, "With all the commotion, the knighting ceremony planned for yesterday had been moved to today. There's to be a celebration afterwards. I was wondering if you might accompany me to it." Ryll stared at him. "You don't have to do anything," Arthur added in a rush. "Just enjoy the food and make light conversation with other people."

Ryll laughed. "That doesn't sound too painful."

"Good, well, I'll come to your room just before sunset to escort you down." He turned to leave.

"Arthur," Ryll called out before he could go. He turned back to her. She saw that all the anger had drained from his eyes, leaving them clear. "Thank you. For caring first of all – that's something new for me. And for inviting me to the ceremony."

He nodded. "I suppose I should thank you as well."

"For what?"

"For ridding Camelot of not one but two beasts. You did make my job a lot easier."

Ryll grinned at him. "Well, if you need an archer, you know where to come."

…

A trill of excitement ran through Ryll as Gwen helped her into a new gown Morgana had loaned her. This one was a deep gold that rippled down to the floor like a river, nearly covering the golden slippers she donned. The skirt was full in the back, gathered together at the small of her back. The sleeves were sheer and fell away from the shoulders like golden pennants. Morgana had also given her a small golden band to wear across her forehead. Gwen had done up her hair in an elaborate bun, letting a few stray strands tumble down her neck. Looking in the mirror above her vanity, Ryll smiled at her own reflection. She felt like a princess.

"You look beautiful," Gwen said in awe. She too was dressed in one of her best gowns, a lilac colored one with an ivory bodice. Her black curls were neatly tucked back behind her ears.

"You do too," Ryll said, taking her hands and pulling her in front of the mirror so that both girls were reflected. "Are you ready?" Gwen nodded. She would be accompanying Morgana to the feast. Ryll wondered if Merlin would be there too.

Arthur was waiting outside Ryll's room, looking princely in his formal garb – Merlin must have washed it after all – and slightly nervous. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Ryll. Gwen bowed to the prince before going to finish helping Morgana ready herself.

"Your highness." Ryll bowed as well, suddenly feeling flustered.

"Amaryllis," Arthur greeted her, lifting an eyebrow. This brought Ryll to her senses.

"Ryll," she corrected. "I cannot always be addressing you so familiarly. You are the prince, after all, and this is a formal occasion. But I am not royalty, so the same guidelines don't apply to me."

"You've got this all figured out, haven't you?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yes."

Arthur laughed and then held out an arm. Ryll took it, allowing herself to be led down to the throne room where the knighting would take place. Eyes followed her from all sides as she walked alongside Arthur, arm still looped around his. She stood by Arthur's side, feeling slightly awkward and glancing around self-consciously. A few of the women of the court whispered amongst themselves, casting curious glances in her direction.

"You look beautiful," Arthur whispered to her.

Ryll blushed. "Thank you. Really, Gwen and Morgana should get the credit. They turned a ragamuffin into a lady."

"Ragamuffin?" Arthur questioned. "You were hardly a beggar."

"Close enough."

"You think too little of yourself."

Ryll found herself feeling very pleased as the ceremony began. She watched absently as Sir Hector was knighted by the king, joining in the applause when the ceremony was complete. The celebrations began, and she watched as most of the men grabbed a mug of ale.

"Disgraceful how quickly the men take to the ale." Ryll turned to see that Morgana had joined her, looking exotic in a deep red dress that bared her shoulders. Her dark hair was coiled up at the back of her head, and long ruby earrings dangled from her ears.

"They do seem to enjoy it." Ryll watched as Arthur toasted the Sir Hector. Even Merlin was joining in the drinking, she noticed. He was having a conversation with Gwen across the room. Ryll caught his eye and smiled. She watched his expression change for a moment before he turned back to speak with Gwen.

"Everyone is wondering who you are," Morgana said. "You've caught every young man's eye in the castle tonight."

Ryll laughed. "I doubt that very much."

"You're just not used to such attention. Arthur is quite taken with you."

"Not as taken with me as the ale."

"It's been a long few days. Your arm must be feeling better."

Ryll had taken the pretense to lightly bandage her left arm before allowing Gwen to help her dress. "Yes, much."

Morgana wandered off after a moment, leaving Ryll to watch the people around her. They all seemed blissfully unaware of the recent threat of the humbata. Ryll smiled to herself.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" She turned around to face Arthur, looking a little dazed after an hour of drinking. In fact, a few of the men, Sir Hector in particular, were looking a little tipsy.

"Yes, thank you."

"Would you like to escape the crowd for a moment?" he asked, nodding toward a side corridor.

"It is getting a little warm in here." Ryll followed him as he led them, unnoticed, into the hall. They stopped when the rumble of conversation started to fade. Ryll looked out one of the small windows, admiring the city at night. The moon hung low over Camelot, casting a silver glow over the city. Arthur stood next to her, his eyes a little distant.

"Do you like it here in Camelot?" he asked.

"Yes, very much so." Ryll turned to peer at him, feeling suddenly nervous.

"You can stay here as long as you like, you know," Arthur said, turning his blue eyes on her. They seemed clearer now that they had left the clamor of the crowd.

"I know. I haven't anywhere else to go anyway." Ryll smiled.

"Earlier today, this morning when after I discovered the beast…." Arthur trailed off.

"Yes?" Ryll urged him on.

"Well, I'm sorry for being so short with you. I realized that I would have done the same thing in your situation – kill the beast. And I can see why you didn't tell me. I did act irrationally."

"I don't think you were irrational. Perhaps just a little over concerned," Ryll countered.

"I'd just hate to see you get hurt." Arthur's eyes were serious now, watching her intently. Ryll looked down at her bandaged arm. "Well, more hurt," Arthur added. "I'm sorry you got hurt at all."

They fell silent, and Ryll turned her gaze back to the window. After a moment, Arthur spoke again. "I've never quite known anyone like you," he said.

Ryll turned to look at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, surprised.

"Well, you show up out of no where, save Morgana's life, survive an arrow wound, kill two beasts, and save my life. And yet here you are, standing there with only a light bandage on one arm."

Ryll shrugged. "I guess I'm just lucky."

"Lucky and skilled."

"You're jealous." Ryll smirked.

"Jealous?" Arthur looked affronted.

"Yes, jealous."

"Hardly." He turned away, but Ryll stepped in front of him, grinning.

"You just don't want to admit that I might be as skilled as you. You haven't seen me with a sword yet."

"Now that would be a difficult thing to beat me at seeing as I've been practicing with a sword practically since birth. I'm the best swords-person Camelot has."

"And so modest."

Arthur laughed. "You seem to bring out the worst in me sometimes," he said. Ryll looked down, unsure of what he meant. When she looked back up, Arthur was still watching her, his brow furrowed slightly as if he was confused. Then he leaned closer, and Ryll's breath caught in her throat. All she could see was Arthur's blue eyes and all she could hear was his slow, steady breathing.

"Arthur?" A loud voice cut in, and Arthur pulled away quickly. Merlin came around the corner.

"What is it, Merlin?" Arthur asked with barely concealed impatience.

"I was just wondering where you went off too. Your father was looking for you." He looked between Ryll and Arthur, looking suddenly downcast. "I hope I wasn't interrupting something."

"No, not at all, we were just talking." Arthur's tone was all business now, and Ryll forced herself to smile.

"I'm feeling quite tired. Please excuse me." Before either boy could speak, she left them behind, heading toward her room feeling both confused and disappointed.