Hello all, I am sincerely sorry that I had not been updating. As you can see I am alive. These past few months had been difficult as I had been involved in an incident that required me to take some time away to focus on my mental health and emotional state so for a long while, I did not have the energy or motivation to write but I can now so please don't worry about me, I am doing much better than before.

Hope you enjoy the chapter and I will update again as soon as I can :)

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Mordred found himself irritated seeing Beth stick to Merlin like glue. He had overheard Gwen saying she found it adorable but to Mordred, it was extremely frustrating.

He knew Annabeth was 4 years his senior although she looked his age but still, she should be walking about on her own! Instead of clinging onto Merlin as if she was a shy sheltered child and the warlock was some older sibling.

What was she trying to do? Try to look more demure by toning down her fierce personality? Well tough luck, they've already seen how she really is!

"Mordred? What's wrong?"

The druid knight turned to see Gwaine looking quizzically at him, "Want to talk about it?"

"No"

"Does it have something to do with a pretty milkmaid?" Gwaine asked cheekily, hearing the curt reply.

Mordred snorted in obvious disagreement with that statement making Gwaine laugh.

"Come on now! You have to admit it! She is quite a looker!"

The former druid rolls his eyes causing Gwaine to shake his head in amusement.

He really doesn't like her does he?

Merlin was worried about Annabeth, she hasn't been her usual bubbly self at all, not even hints of it. I mean of course he understood that after something like that, she wouldn't be the same but Annabeth has been acting so out of character since they had left Ealdor that it disturbed him. He knew he should have made his mother take care of Annabeth for a bit.

It's not like the current Annabeth was a chore to take care of; she was quiet, polite and timid around everyone including himself, she would even follow him around every stop or break the group had and hold onto his arm when they weren't on their horse only to let go of him when he asked but the warlock had to admit, Anna was very cute but it also worried Merlin that Anna may be like this for a long time and hoped her current demeanor was short term despite the adorableness of it all.

"Merlin, is that Camelot?"

The warlock blinked and looked, seeing the familiar capitol building of Camelot.

"That's right, welcome to your new home Anna."

He turned and smiled making a silent promise to himself to help his dear friend settle in and hopefully, find it in herself to smile once again.

"Now Miss Emrys, I know you are upset-"

"That word doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now Village Leader."

The older man sighed, he was the same age as Hunith but looked older beyond his years due to the amount of white hair he had on his scalp and beard.

"Adam"

The man looked up at Hunith, his old friend and confidant who was looking at him in the eyes confidently.

"You and I both know your son has this coming for a long while."

"Yes but surely justice was served here? Merlin did quite a number on him wouldn't you say? Must I really press further charges?"

Layla narrowed her eyes at the older gentleman, "You're only objecting to this because Jeremiah is your son."

"Can you blame a father?"

"You son is an enemy of all the young women in the village! He has molested, violated and even raped some of them! This tirade has to stop! He MUST be sent to the castle for prosecution for his crimes!"

"He would be sent to jail Layla and I would never see my son again!"

Layla watched, her gaze unperturbed as she watched Jeremiah's father have a coughing fit after his loud protest.

"Fine then, if you refuse, we'll just let all older villagers know the truth."

"No! They-"

Hunith frowned seeing her old friend cough again.

"You have been taking your medicine haven't you?"

Adam clenched his fists, trying to keep steady, "No, it tastes foul."

Merlin's mother narrowed her eyes, obviously annoyed but her daughter in law stopped her so can speak.

"You know as well as I that if any of the young girls including myself comes forward and tells the entire village of Jeremiah's doing, the older villages will scream for his blood."

"This is blackmail" accused the man.

"Village Leader, you know your son has to learn his lesson. He can't keep having things go his way just because you're his father. Please."

The white-haired male sighed deeply, obviously at a loss on what to do.

"Adam, if you don't do this. Layla and I will tell the village everything and you will have a dead son instead of a living one. Besides, you could always visit Jeremiah at his cell once he is sentenced for his crimes."

The man sighed again after Hunith speaks, having no clue what to do.

"May I have some time to think this over?"

"You have until the end of the week."

Without another the word, the two women leave the village leader's home leaving Adam in a mess.

What am I going to do?

Merlin held Annabeth's hand as he led her to Gwen's old house which would be in fact, Anna's new home thanks to the ever so kind Queen Gwen of Camelot.

"I'm sorry for being a burden…"

This makes Merlin stop in his tracks, turning to look at his longtime friend, "Why would you say something like that?"

"I just feel weak, fragile and afraid...I-" Annabeth squeezes his hand in hers, tears forming in her eyes causing Merlin to turn to face her directly.

"Anna, this is not your fault. What you went through will not be easy to recover from so please just take your time. I do want you to get better definitely but I want you to do it at your own pace."

The younger adult starts to blinks her eyes rapidly causing her friend to hug her tightly to him, "Don't worry, I'm here. I promise."

For the rest of the week, Annabeth learned the ropes quickly and easily worked alongside Merlin to service the royal rulers of Camelot. When they weren't working, Merlin gave his friend the tour of Camelot, showing her around the castle and the town, taking her to the secret pathways and even introducing her to the townspeople. Annabeth loved having Merlin with her, he was such great support, very patient, very sweet; she remembered now why Merlin held such a big part of her heart not just as brotherly figure, friend or once a romantic interest but someone whom she could always count on. She hoped the people of Camelot saw him the same way she did because Merlin Emrys is truly one of a kind.

"You made the right decision Village Leader."

Adam frowned and shook his head, "Just take him there safely."

"You're the worst." his son hissed at him causing Hunith to glare at Jeremiah. Layla squeezed her mother-in-law's shoulder for comfort before stepping forward to Adam's son.

"Let's go rapist. I'll personally make sure you get what you deserve."

Hearing her cold and uncaring tone, the young man knew he was going to be a goner. Layla Emrys will definitely make sure he paid for his crimes.

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A review would be most appreciated! Hope you liked the chapter! ^^