Camelot

July, 504 AD

I stood looking over my desk while carefully analysing a map of early medieval Britain as I tried to figure out if the people could be taken into the territories of allied kingdoms by cart so that they could eat there. It was a complicated plan that would require some strong diplomacy skills from Uther (if he was even willing to do it) and, with our track record, I doubted it would even work; but it was worth a shot. We were running out of options and all of Camelot's welfare was at stake.

However, my contemplations were interrupted when none other than the great sh*t-head Arthur Pendragon entered my room abruptly and began to pace, his jaw clenched and his shoulders tense.

I blinked rapidly for a few seconds as I stared at him, then I seized the opportunity to quote Sheldon Cooper as I said sarcastically, "Who is it? Oh, hello, Prince Charming, it's open. Come in!"

He stopped pacing for a moment to give me a glare, and then he continued. I scoffed, still feeling pretty upset with what he did to the unicorn. I could try to kick him out, but I had a feeling that it would spark an unnecessary argument; so I simply rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the map.

"That sorcerer dared to use my unique hunting prize as an excuse to terrorise Camelot!" he exclaimed angrily after a few moments. I raised an eyebrow as I glanced up at him, then I shook my head and looked back down. "And on top of that, my senseless servant believes he is telling the truth! I should sack him for that! How dare he!?"

I tuned him out as best I could while trying to focus on my task. I already felt annoyed because the dumb quill pen I was using to make notes refused to cooperate, the last thing I needed was to engage that jerk in a conversation.

I recoiled and took a step backwards when Arthur suddenly strode up to me with a fiery look in his eyes. "Are you even listening?!" he snarled.

"Yes, yes," I responded while letting out a shaky sigh (which I prayed he didn't notice). "Magic man bad. Merlin this n' that. Blah, blah, blah."

"Astraea!" he exclaimed angrily.

I flinched and quickly composed myself as I rolled my eyes, "You already know what I think of the subject, so why are you telling me this?"

"Because…" he trailed off and averted his gaze while his shoulders slumped. "You are a good listener… and you are smart…" he said as he moved to sit on my bed… on top of my Avengers blanket, and I considered that an invasion of my highly-valued personal space, but I decided to allow it just this once because his words had apparently caused my vocal chords to freeze, "and you always want to do the right thing."

My heart was suddenly racing like a radioactive Herbie and I felt dazed for a minute as I stared at the Prince, unable to speak. Then he lifted his eyes to mine and I quickly looked away and forced myself to get out of the weird state he'd put me in.

"Okay, fine," I relented with a sigh, then I moved the map away so that I could sit on the table and give him my undivided attention. "What else did this sorcerer say?" I asked as I began to play with my spare hair-tie in an effort to dissipate some anxiety.

"He said that I have to prove myself and make amends for killing the unicorn. Otherwise Camelot will be lost forever," he explained in a soft tone.

"Did he specify how?" I questioned and began to nibble on my bottom lip.

"He said that I will be tested," the Prince replied. I could feel his eyes fixed intently on me, but I refused to meet his gaze lest he make all the anger I felt towards him fade away. I can't let other feelings rise up. Not when I'll be leaving Camelot soon.

My heart churned again at that thought, which was puzzling. I should be happy, shouldn't I?!

"In what way?" I asked.

"He did not say," he answered with a frustrated huff.

I raised my eyebrows and let out a puff. "Well, I'm sure you'll know when the test comes, right?" I noted. I glanced up for a moment and watched as he shrugged a little and nodded before dropping my gaze again. "Right, so, when it does… you can look for Merlin… or me, I guess… and we'll help ya'."

He let out a shaky breath and I looked up once more. It was clear that he felt regret for what he'd done, and he was facing some sort of magical retribution for his actions, which seemed fair… if you ignore the fact that innocents are suffering… The troubled look on his features caused my negative feelings towards him to start fading quickly, even when I begged them to stay, and I was left wishing I could lift this huge burden off his shoulders and solve the matter myself so that he wouldn't have to be upset anymore.

That settles it, I'm getting a lobotomy as soon as I get to Texas.

I hopped off the table and slowly moved to stand beside Arthur. Then I hesitantly lifted a hand and gently placed it on his shoulder. His head quickly snapped towards me and we made eye-contact. It would've been impossible to miss the storm in his deep cerulean eyes. My breath hitched when he suddenly raised a hand and placed it on top of mine, making me feel really small as the size comparison dawned upon me. Sparks travelled through my skin under his touch, making me gulp. I willed myself to stay in place against the instinct to back away.

"W-we'll work it out," I stuttered out little as I gave him an awkward grin, "y-you'll see." A small smile graced his lips at that and his eyes scanned my face. "What?" I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious as my cheeks warmed up and I quickly removed my hand as if it'd been burnt, then I took a step back.

The Prince let his own hand drop while releasing a sigh and averting his gaze. "Nothing," he replied.

Early on the next morning, I completed the proposal for my plan to get the citizens to other kingdoms and left my room with the map in my hand so that I could take the idea to Uther. However, I was stopped in the corridor by Gwen, who eagerly informed me that Camelot had access to water again. My eyes widened and a smile formed on my lips, and I forgot about my original quest as I rushed off to find Merlin and/or Arthur; knowing that they had likely done something to appease the gods of the unicorns, or whatever.

"I never knew water could taste so good," I heard the Prince say in relief as I neared his room and I entered it when I found the door open.

My eyes found a water pitcher sitting atop the dining table and then I looked between the two boys as a grin grew on my face. Arthur grabbed a cup and he filled it before gallantly handing it to me. I thanked him before taking it and downing its cool contents in a matter of seconds.

"My throat was so dry, I thought I would not be able to talk," Merlin stated with a sigh of contentment.

"At least some good would have come from the drought, then," Arthur shot back and I couldn't restrain a chuckle. Merlin gave him an unimpressed look before turning to me with a glare.

"What? It was a good one," I noted with a shrug and then offered Arthur a high-five, but I only got a confused frown in return. I huffed in disappointment and grabbed his hand, guiding it to complete the gesture while trying to ignore the tingling feeling produced by his touch. He smiled a little. "It's called a high-five," I explained as I dropped his hand and took a step back, "it's a gesture of joy or achievement. Just go with it."

My best friend cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow when I turned to look at him. I tilted my head in confusion and he simply snorted before grabbing the metal pitcher and asking, "More?"

"Heck yeah!" I exclaimed and he chivalrously filled up my cup before filling Arthur's, and then his own.

The room fell silent for a moment as the three of us drank.

"The sand has disappeared… the water has returned to the well…" the Prince began to list while his expression turned pensive. "It does not make any sense."

I frowned, "Wait, I thought this happened 'cause you passed the unicorn wizard's test."

"I believe he did," Merlin noted while staring at Arthur in puzzlement, then he turned to me. "Last night, there was a villager stealing from the grain storage, and he let him go even though Uther has ordered for looters to be executed," he explained. "The man said it would bring its own reward."

A proud grin formed on my lips at hearing about the Prince's generous actions. He may yet be able to live up to the legends.

Arthur scoffed, "He was merely grateful, and so he should have been."

"Maybe that was your first test. You passed it, so the curse has begun to lift," Merlin countered, an excited glint shining in his eyes. "Perhaps this is your reward," he added while gesturing towards the water pitcher.

The Prince looked down with a frown, as if he disagreed with my friend's words.

So… never mind. He's still an idiot.

Merlin sighed, "I know you do not have to listen to me–"

"Glad we agree on something," Arthur cut him off.

My friend and I shared an unimpressed look and he huffed before addressing the himbo once more, this time more emphatically, "If you are tested again, you have a chance to end your people's suffering. I know you want that more than anything." That seemed to get through the Prince's thick skull as his gaze softened and he gulped. "Perhaps we should seek Anhora out," the sorcerer suggested in a whisper.

Arthur met his gaze for a moment, then he looked away and shook his head a little, "I cannot negotiate with sorcerers. My father would not hear of it."

"Don't tell 'em, then," I said with a shrug.

The Prince narrowed his eyes at my friend and remained still for a moment, as if contemplating the idea. Then he shook his head again and got up quickly while claiming in a mumble that he had to check on the guards. "See if you can find me some food," he commanded Merlin before leaving the room.

"Stubborn jerk," I muttered under my breath.

I felt fairly annoyed when Sir Leon showed up at my room to inform me that Leo and Mason were back and asking for me once more. I thanked the knight for his troubles and slowly made my way down the stairs and towards the courtyard, once again fearing that they'd make me go back before the unicorn problem was fully resolved.

"Astraea – we're hungry!" Mason whined at me as soon as I exited the castle. "And we were supposed to go back as soon as we found you! So stop pretending like you're some kinda hero and let's go!"

I scoffed, "I told you, I'm one of the King's advisors! Camelot's in serious trouble and I can't just abandon them!"

"It can manage without you, you're not even supposed to be here," Leo pointed out, his voice softer than his friend's.

I froze for a moment and gulped at the intensity and realness of his words, and my gaze dropped to the ground. He's absolutely right, of course. I mean, I'm not sure how timelines work, but what if my being here could mess up history?

"You either come with us right now, or we'll leave you here to rot!" Mason snarled.

Of course I want to go back to my time and see my family, friends – wait, no, I don't have any friends. Uh. My teachers and classmates… I guess. No, that sounds like hell. And, in any case, everyone's graduated by now and I'll probably just get a GED if I get back… And then… I don't know, I guess I'll go back to being a recluse. I'll probably apply to some universities and keep my head low…

Glancing around at the castle, I couldn't help but realise that I feel truly happy for the first time in my life, it seems like. In the midst of all the danger, and the battles, and the executions; I've found the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for in Merlin, a sweet parental figure in Gaius, good friends in Morgana and Gwen, some sort of buddy in Uther. And… something else in Arthur. A frenemy, I suppose?

I know that this had never been meant to last, but now that the end is nearing, I wish that I could just freeze time and enjoy Camelot a little while longer.

"What? No, Mason, we can't do that. Remember her uncle? And the school?" Leo's voice broke me out of my thoughts as he turned to his best friend with an alarmed look. Mason sighed in frustration and I tilted my head, wondering what the blond meant by that.

"Fine," the brunet grunted. Then he turned to me and spoke sternly, "You have three days. If the 'crisis' isn't over by then, we'll knock you out and drag you back home."

I didn't doubt him one bit. "Fair enough," I replied in a mumble without looking up at them, and then I left, figuring that I should probably talk to Merlin.

My heart and lungs felt like they were being squeezed and I had to steady myself against a wall for a moment to catch my breath; and once I was semi-stable, I continued on my way.

I searched a fair chunk of the castle for the sorcerer, finally finding him exiting the kitchen. "Hey, Merls, can w–" I cut myself off when I noticed that his face was red from laughter. "Why are you laughing?" I asked instead as his smile caused one to form on my lips as well.

"I am about to play a prank on Arthur," he replied while gesturing to a casserole he was carrying.

"Cool, what is it?" I asked, suddenly forgetting about my troubles as I became invested in my friend's mischief, a smirk forming on my lips.

"Rat stew," he replied with a wink and I raised my eyebrows, wondering where he'd gotten that from. Then I decided that it was probably best not to ask and bursted out laughing.

"I'm so proud of you, Merls," I told him in between laughs, earning a gentle nudge to the side.

We giggled all the way to Arthur's room, where we waited for a few minutes before the Prince finally came in, and he instantly plopped down at his dining table, looking upset once more. My heart churned at the sight.

Merlin and I shared a mischievous grin before he moved to serve Arthur, keeping a nonchalant attitude while a smile clearly tugged at the corner of his mouth. I scrunched up my nose at the sight of the stew, which had a colour reminiscent of horse manure.

"I have lost my appetite," the blond claimed with a slight pout that made my smile fade. I don't like seeing him sad!

"You have to eat something," Merlin argued.

"I cannot," Arthur replied weakly. "Not while my people are starving."

Sympathy filled my veins and I stood up, moving to place a hand on his shoulder like I'd done two days before. He glanced up at me and my stomach twisted at the clear anguish in his eyes. Lucky for my accelerating heart, he didn't hold my gaze for long as he looked ahead again. I let my hand drop.

"Do you really believe I am responsible for the curse?" he asked.

"I am afraid so," "Unfortunately…" Merlin and I responded at the same time.

The Prince frowned as he looked down, trouble flashing past his features.

"We are going to the forest, first thing in the morning," he told Merlin after a few moments. "Maybe… we can pick up Anhora's trail. Whatever it takes."

My eyes widened in surprise and I shared a smile with my best friend. The Prince certainly makes my head spin in befuddlement, but I'm back to believing that he's a truly good man, even if he's far from perfect.

"All right, but you have to eat," Merlin cleverly replied while shooting me a wink. "You will not be able to help anyone if you are too weak to pass the test."

Arthur relented and grabbed his spoon, taking some food from his bowl before bringing it up to his lips. I looked away as I felt slightly nauseated by the thought of what he was putting in his mouth.

I noticed that my best friend had moved to look out the window with his back to the Prince, obviously so that he wouldn't be seen laughing. I wished I could do the same, but I think it would raise suspicions, so I simply stood by and kept my eyes on the floor.

"What kind of meat is this?" Arthur asked, causing my eyes to return to him. "It has a very strange texture."

"It is pork," Merlin quickly replied.

"This is not pork," the Prince argued as he rolled the food around with his spoon. I slapped a hand over my mouth, struggling hard to keep myself from laughing. "It is far too stringy… What is it? It is, uh..." he continued rambling as he tried to describe it.

Suddenly, Arthur put down his spoon as he froze in apparent realisation and his eyes travelled to Merlin, "It is rat, is it not?"

I gave up on restraining my laughter and had to steady myself against a bedpost as I doubled over while clutching my stomach.

"Try not to think about it," my best friend told the Prince, still holding himself together.

Arthur quickly took a long drink from a cup of water, which, for some reason, made me laugh harder. He sent me a glare, then he turned back to Merlin as a grin formed on his lips. I slapped a hand over my mouth to try to compose myself, thinking that I might need to be ready to defend my friend.

"Look at me. I am being rude," Arthur stated while staring intently at my friend. "Here I am, stuffing my face with this delicious stew when you are hungry, too!" Merlin's face fell as the blond stood up. "Come on," the Prince commanded while patting the seat of the chair. I started to laugh again. "Take a seat."

I watched as Merlin was all but forced to sit down, amusement long gone as his face now looked miserable.

"Eat," Arthur ordered. My friend slowly took a spoonful of the stew and his arm trembled slightly as he brought it up to his mouth. "Mmm," the Prince mocked, a satisfied grin forming on his lips.

I stopped laughing as a thought crossed my mind and I eyed the door warily, wondering if I should make a run for it. Perhaps I could find Leo and Mason and get back to Texas before I could be somehow coerced into eating rat… Then I tilted my head, thinking that there's nothing that the Prince and my best friend can possibly do to make me do that short of restraining me violently and shoving the food down my throat, which I doubted they would do. Come to think of it… Merlin could've just ran away instead of complying.

I raised an eyebrow at my own thoughts and rolled my shoulders backwards, relieving some tension. Then I allowed a smile to form on my lips again as my eyes darted between the pair. I grimaced when Merlin suddenly dropped the spoon and pressed a fist to his lips, as if he were trying to will himself not to throw up.

"It is actually pretty tasty," he stated, obviously in an attempt to put out the joke, but no one would've bought his words and I started to feel bad for him.

"Well, I am glad you like it," Arthur said as he moved to pick up the casserole, "because there is plenty more."

A knock on the door put an end to Merlin's torture – at least momentarily.

Morgana entered the room. She glanced around for a moment and I gave her a little wave when her eyes stopped on me, to which she responded with a little grin. Then she turned to address Arthur, "I hate to ask, but I was wondering if you had anything to eat..."

I watched in concern as Arthur and Merlin shared a wicked smirk, and the former moved to grab the casserole once again before handing it to her with an innocent smile.

My eyes widened. "Morg, don't–" I tried to warn her, but she had already left in a haste. I bit down on my lip, wondering if I should chase after her and tell her. I moved towards the door, but Arthur quickly caught my arm and stopped me.

"Do not you dare," he said sternly.

I huffed, but relented. I'll just help Morgana with a creative revenge later… or not, 'cause I'm leaving soon. Ι felt a sudden wave of sadness travel my body and I shrugged off the Prince's hold before leaving the room and going towards my own.