Camelot

April, 505 AD

Even if I'd seen it before, my heart still raced as I watched the zombies flood Hershel's farm in the season two finale of 'The Walking Dead', and I found myself hugging my Spider-Man pillow tightly to my chest as the humans scrambled to survive.

My body jolted when I heard a knock on my door and I glared at it while pausing the episode. Then I turned off my tablet and hid it under the duvet.

"Yeah?" I called out while swallowing a groan, fearing that I'd be made to move out of the cocoon I'd created for myself with my pillows and blankets. The British climate is a dream come true compared to the climate in Texas – even in spring, it's chilly!

"Astraea, can we talk?" I heard Arthur's voice on the other side, which sounded slightly shaky. I frowned, wondering what could be wrong as dread struck at my chest. However, none of that deterred me from giving a silly answer.

"Of course we can! We've both spent many years mastering the skill!"

The door opened and I grinned at the Prince, who gave a playful roll of his eyes before he tilted his head while scanning my figure. I felt myself blush under his gaze and pulled my Avengers blanket tighter around my shoulders. I know I probably look like a child, but I don't care.

"You know that is not what I meant," he grumbled as he closed the door behind him.

As he stepped a bit closer, I noticed that he seemed slightly flushed. I guess he's just returning from training. Maybe he'll ask me to work with him and Bronze on something!

"I know, but it's fun to mess with you," I replied and shot him a smirk as I straightened up slightly, sitting criss-cross while fiddling with the tags on the Spider-Man pillow. "Is everything okay, Art?" I asked.

He sighed and moved to sit near me. The action caused my brain to start flooding with memories from that time he kissed me, and I dropped my head as I felt my face and neck get warmer while my heart-beat sped up.

I wonder if Merlin knows any spells that can rid a person of a crush, because I hate feeling like this!

"I was just thinking–" Arthur began.

"Oh oh."

"Astra," he whined.

"Sorry, I can't help myself. Go on."

He sighed and was silent for a few seconds. I felt grateful that he wasn't staring at me anymore, but at his fiddling hands on his lap.

"After what happened with Gwen, Merlin and Lancelot… and my misunderstanding of your relationship with my servant… it became clear to me that it is important to talk about things," he stated slowly.

Oh, crap. He's finally gonna tell me that what happened that night meant nothing to him. I really wish he wouldn't! Talking about things is overrated anyways! I mean, I tend to swallow most stuff and… actually, I'm not the best example to give. But… that's totally unrelated. Trust me – talking is overrated.

I swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat and shot him a wink as I noted, "You should write that one down, Art-istotle." He gave me an unimpressed look and I responded with a sheepish grin. "Sorry," I whispered and dropped my head.

"Astraea," he said softly, which caused me to look up at him for a moment before I dropped my gaze again, "we have not talked about what happened between us on the night when you returned from Amariker…"

My heart-rate began to accelerate and I drew in a shaky breath. "Don't worry about it, Art. We got caught up in the moment," I said in a mumble and gave a shrug, trying to appear nonchalant.

Suddenly, Arthur scooted closer to me and cupped the side of my face, forcing me to look at him. I gulped as my lungs froze.

"Astraea, I have feelings for you," he blurted out, causing my eyes to widen. He has to be joking! "Romantic feelings. And I do not want to keep them quiet any longer. I want you to know, even if you do not feel the same way."

I shrugged off my blanket, suddenly feeling very hot as my heart slammed against my chest – he could probably hear it! – and I had to drop my head again as my stomach buzzed. No, 'buzz' is too small. An entire wasp hive was tearing through my intestines.

How the hell do I respond to that!? What happens next?! I mean, should I take him to a psychiatrist and have his head checked? 'Cause there's no reasonable explanation to why he could be saying these things… unless it's a prank. Is it a prank? It has to be, right? And if it's not? And if there's nothing [seriously] wrong with his head?

I'm certain about my feelings for him. There's no other explanation for how my nervous system seems to go crazy when he's around. But… y'know… it's scary… Terrifying! I've gotten kinda used to living in the limbo. I've had crushes on fictional characters since I was old enough to – so I know unrequited love, in a sense. A real relationship, though? I've never had a glimpse of that! I have no idea what to do!

I felt some tears forming and I quickly blinked them away.

"Astra, breathe!" a suddenly alarmed Arthur commanded as his hands gripped my shoulders.

I sighed shakily and glanced up at his eyes for a moment, finding that he looked slightly concerned. "D-do you…" I paused to gulp and mentally cursed myself for appearing so vulnerable. "Do you really like me?"

"I really do, Astra," he answered softly.

"I-I…" Damn it! Why is this so hard!? Why am I suddenly shaking like a radioactive Chihuahua?! Just say it, stupid brain!

Fearing that he'd get annoyed and leave, I jumped to hug him tightly. My words are failing miserably, but maybe he can feel how much I truly do like him. He was quick to return the embrace and he gently rubbed circles on the small of my back.

"I like you, too, Artie," I was finally able to get out in a rush. For a moment, I wondered if he'd understood me. Then he chuckled softly and tightened his grip on me while sighing in what appeared to be relief.

This is surreal! It's as if my brain has suddenly been placed inside a blender! What the heck is even happening?! What are the implications of it?! What are the expectations?! Oh, crap, the expectations! What's the protocol for a relationship?!

And what about Uther?! He's never gonna allow his son to be with a random nobody from nowhere! If anything comes out of this, it's gonna crash and burn!

I felt myself freeze again, then I pulled away from Arthur, letting out a long exhale as I hugged my knees to my chest.

"Are you all right?" he asked kindly.

"Y-yeah," I responded in a low tone. "A little confused…"

"I understand if you want to take things slow," he stated. I finally found the courage to look up at him again and I think my bones melted a little when I saw the complete tenderness in his gaze. "I do not care how long I have to wait, I just need to know that there is a possibility for us to become… something," he finished gently.

I nibbled on my bottom lip as I tried to process his words. He really does want a relationship?! Like… boyfriend and girlfriend?! I must be dreaming! Surely that's it! He's too amazing to be real!

Knowing that it was dumb, but doing it anyways; I pinched my arm and frowned when nothing happened. So… it's likely not a dream… Oh, well.

So I looked back up at the Prince, who had a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I'd like that," I squeaked out.

My heart-rate began to accelerate once more when he leaned down, almost hesitantly, and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. I must've looked like freaking Elmo's cousin as my face warmed to a million degrees. "Thank you, Astra. You will not regret it," he whispered.

And we're back to the dream theory! Nothing makes sense otherwise! Why would he want me? Me! I'm an outcast girl from Texas who's overly sarcastic, and filled with nightmares, and is not quite wired to live around humans! Not to mention – I'm average-looking at best! He's freaking gorgeous! He can have any girl he wants! He's Arthur freaking Pendragon! The universe must be playing a prank!

"Astra!" a wide-eyed Prince suddenly shook my shoulders and I jolted as my senses were pulled back to the present, blinking rapidly while taking a deep breath. "You stopped breathing again," he stated.

"Sorry, just thinkin'," I mumbled.

"Oh oh," he copied my words from earlier, which caused a smile to break out on my face and I quickly hugged him again, sighing as I finally released all (well, most) of the tension that my body had amassed during the emotionally heavy conversation. Arthur didn't seem to hesitate before wrapping his arms around my body.

If the universe is playing a prank, I want to enjoy it for as long as possible.

I pushed away from him once more when another thought crossed my mind.

"Wait, what about your dad?" I questioned rapidly. "Will he approve of… this?"

"My father quite likes you, Astra," the Prince claimed.

"Maybe… as, like, a pet… But I doubt he's gonna wanna see you involved with anyone short of a Princess! He'll ship me right back to America if he finds out!"

"I doubt it," he responded with a soft chuckle. He grabbed my hand and gently ran his thumb over my knuckles, causing my eyes to dart down when a bunch of electrical impulses toured my body. "But we do not have to tell him yet, if you are worried."

Hiding around's not gonna get exhausting anytime soon! But I think that I'll happily pay that price to be with him…

I nodded, "All right."


I merrily sang Lifehouse's 'Between The Raindrops' while I skipped along the corridors as I made my way towards the physician's chambers after a warm bath following a full day working with the horses; my positive mood unwavering after the shock of my conversation with Arthur had (sort of) worn off.

But my song was cut halfway as I took a bad step and fell to the floor with a yelp.

I heard a gasp and looked up to find an unfamiliar middle-aged woman approaching me. Olive-skinned, brunette, tall, slim, and staring at me with a bewildered expression. I frowned as I scrambled to my feet without taking my eyes off her as I tried to figure out if I've seen her before. Her gallant silver dress and gold necklace inform me that she belongs to the upper half of the medieval social hierarchy; but I'm almost certain that she's not a courtier. I didn't know we'd be housing guests!

Realising that I'd been staring for longer than is typically considered appropriate, I offered an awkward wave. "Hi. Don't mind me. I have two left feet."

"You must be the Lady Astraea," she noted, regarding me with a look that I would call slightly judgmental.

"Well, I don't know if I must be, but yes," I replied with a small smirk while quoting Beverly Hofstadter in 'The Big Bang Theory'. I despise that character, but she has a couple of fun lines worth using. The woman narrowed her dark brown eyes at me. "Who are you?" I asked her.

"I am Lady Catrina from the House of Tregor," she responded while straightening up a little.

I raised my eyebrows and mumbled, "That's a mouthful."

"Astraea, please, show some respect!" The unexpected booming of the King's voice startled me and I turned to find him approaching with decisive strides that made me shrink a little as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie.

"Hey, Utah," I greeted him, offering a grin.

He rolled his eyes. "The Lady Catrina is an old friend of Camelot. She came seeking refuge after a tragic attack on her kingdom," he explained.

My stomach dropped, instantly feeling bad for her. "Oh, that sucks. My condolences, ma'am," I said in a gentler tone as I turned to the woman, sending her a sympathetic smile. She responded with a barely-noticeable grin before turning to the King expectantly.

"I will show you to your chambers," he told her as he offered her his arm. I raised an eyebrow at the gesture. "Astraea," the King nodded at me before leading the woman away. I didn't miss the strange glint in his eyes as he walked by me.

"Weird," I whispered to myself before continuing to make my way towards Gaius's place, resuming my song.

"Hey, what's up with Utah's lady friend?" I asked as I entered the cosy apartment.

Only Gaius was there and his head snapped towards me, his expression seeming startled for a second before he produced a warm smile. I grinned back and hopped to sit on a table.

"She is an honourable lady. I remember treating her when she was a child," he responded.

"Cool," I noted with a nod before moving to raid the kitchen for some food. It's time for dinner, after all.

"I made paster," the physician suddenly informed me. "I will serve it as soon as Merlin gets back, if you are willing to wait."

I grinned and promptly returned to sit on the table. "Where's he, anyways?" I asked.

"Running an errand for me," he replied cryptically. I tilted my head in curiosity. "You will find out soon," Gaius promised and I smiled again before starting to play with the spare hair-tie on my wrist.

Merlin showed up only a few minutes later and I smiled at seeing him while sending him an enthusiastic wave. "You're in a good mood," he stated, his lips contorting into a smirk. "Is that related to why Arthur is also in a good mood?"

My eyes widened and I felt my face get warm. "Maybe…"

Before he could start teasing me, Gaius called his name in a questioning tone.

Merlin moved towards the work table and set down a vial. I tilted my head at the sight, wondering what it was. "She did not ask for it. She did not need it. She did not even want it," he informed the physician.

I sent both of them a questioning look.

"Interesting," Gaius mumbled.

I fixed my gaze on him, "Care to fill me in?"

"When I treated her as a child, it was for an incurable disease," the physician revealed. "Catrina had a rare bone disorder affecting her joints. She often had difficulty walking, especially after a long ride… My tonic was the only thing that brought her relief."

I shared a puzzled look with Merlin and returned my attention to Gaius as I raised an eyebrow, "Well, no offence, but she walks better than you do." That earned me a disapproving look from him and a snort from my best friend.

"So the tonic was some kind of… test?" the sorcerer questioned.

"Indeed," Gaius nodded, his expression turning slightly troubled. "And I am starting to wonder if the Lady Catrina is really the Lady Catrina at all."

"Impostor. Noice," I noted as a smirk formed on my lips. "Can we have dinner now?"


As part of my new nightly routine – starting today – I slowly made my way towards Arthur's room, making sure that no one would see me, so that I could say good-night to him. And maybe give him a hug.

My body was pretty much shaking as I knocked on the door, but I forced my feet to stay in place. I have to pull my weight if I want a romantic relationship with him and… well, who wouldn't?

The Prince opened the door seconds later and a dazzling smile instantly formed on his lips. I gave a little grin in response. He stepped aside to let me in and I hesitated for a moment before entering.

"You know, my father was quite bothered that you did not join us for dinner," he noted as he closed the door behind me.

I tilted my head in confusion, "He knows I take turns dining with y'all, and dining with Gaius and Merls." Well, to be fair, 'take turns' is a bit of a reach. I dine with the royals, like, once a week – if that – but it's not my fault that I have more fun with the physician and my best friend! I don't have to watch my tongue around them!

"Yes, but he was hoping you would get to know the Lady Catrina a little more," Arthur responded. That's weird. We've had 'important' visitors before and Uther's never been bothered that I don't socialise. In fact, he's probably relieved that I avoid most strangers like the plague.

"Oh, well, maybe tomorrow," I replied with a shrug.

The Prince gave a soft chuckle before stepping closer towards me. My body tensed up and I had to mentally smack down my flight instinct. He slowly grabbed my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles like he'd done earlier. My entire arm felt like it had been flung into a furnace, but I didn't dare to pull away.

"I missed you," he said in a low tone.

"Well, you're welcome to join the party at Gaius's anytime!" I assured him while shooting him a grin, which caused him to laugh.

"I will keep that in mind," he responded before leaning down a little to where his forehead was almost touching mine and I could feel his exhales brushing over my face.

My heart-rate sky-rocketed and I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing. Again.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked in a whisper.

I gulped, feeling as if a lightning bolt had suddenly struck me. I remember liking our first kiss… and the second one even more, 'cause I actually knew what was happening… kinda. I glanced down at his soft-looking lips and my heart skipped a beat. I definitely wouldn't mind kissing him again…

"Y-yeah," I stuttered in response.

His free hand came up to cup the side of my face and I leaned into his touch almost instinctively. I watched as he closed his eyes and he slowly closed the distance between us until his lips gently made contact with mine. My guts melted.

The feeling was as good and electrifying as I remember it being, even if it seemed completely foreign again. I mean, I doubt I could ever get used to it.

I closed my eyes, willing myself to get over the initial shock and I tried to mimic his subtle movements in an attempt to, y'know, pull my weight; while mentally praying I wasn't turning a sweet kiss into an awful one. I guess I have a lot to learn.

I felt him grin before he pulled away and a shaky sigh escaped me as our eyes connected. Looking into his enchanting irises is another thing I'll never get used to – and my insanely accelerated heart-beat was sure to remind me of it.

"Good night," I blurted out before scrambling to get away and rushing off to my room, my face feeling hotter than the tenth circle of hell.


After yet another long day of work and a quick bath, I returned to Gaius's apartment for dinner. I know that I told Atrthur that I might join them, but the intrigue surrounding the Lady Catrina is killing me and I want to know more! Not to mention, I'm still kinda embarrassed of how I ran away yesterday after that kiss. And I'm sort of scared that Uther will somehow be able to tell that things between his son and I have changed.

"Have you figured out what's wrong with 'Trina yet?" I questioned as I plopped down at the kitchen bench next to my best friend. "Was she bitten by a werewolf? Did she travel to the twenty-first century to get cured? Did she die and come back as a vampire?"

"Jonas, her servant, has a tail," Merlin dead-panned, causing me to stop my rambling as my eyes widened. I never would've guessed that!

"A tail?!" I asked. My best friend nodded. "Like a… dog? Rat? Giraffe? Horse?"

"I do not know how to describe it, but, yes, I saw a tail," Merlin replied, frowning slightly.

I huffed. "All right. Medieval Britain's insane. I'm going back to the future," I mumbled.

What kind of humanoid creature has a tail?! A Kanima?!

"Stop being so dramatic, Lady McFly," Merlin quipped with a smirk.

My jaw dropped. Then a big smile made its way onto my lips. "No way! You remembered!" I chirped as I hugged him tightly.

Wanting to help figure out what we're dealing with before it can make our existence a living hell, I helped the two males browse through an assortment of books in search of possible explanations for Jonas's freaking tail.

The task might sound boring to some, but I quite enjoyed it. I love learning about all the crazy magical creatures that litter the land, and I adore the smell of old books, and how aesthetically pleasing they are to behold. Even if they're a little dusty.

"Don't ya' think we should talk to Utah? Maybe tell him about her bone condition and how strange it is that she's okay now? Plant a little seed in his noggin, if you will?" I suggested as I closed my second book of the night without having any relevant findings.

"He seems infatuated with her, I doubt he would listen," Merlin instantly shut me down with a shake of his head.

"Perhaps it could work," Gaius sided with me, shrugging. I sent him a grin.

And so, we decided to take a break from our research so that the physician could speak to the King while Merlin and I ventured outside to try to find out more about the possibly-fake Lady Catrina and her disturbing servant.

"Dude, you're crazier than I am! This is a terrible idea!" I whispered to Merlin in exasperation as he dragged me towards Arthur's room.

He had brilliantly determined that our best course of action was to use the Prince's bedroom window – and a little magic – to spy on Catrina; seeing as her room is right below his.

"I know, but it was our best one," my best friend shot back with a pointed look, tightening his grip on my arm when I almost managed to free myself.

"No – our best idea was to hide my phone in her wardrobe and record her," I countered.

"We cannot risk Uther finding out about your origins," he responded.

Okay, he has a point.

"Fine. But if we get caught, you're explaining," I warned my friend while pointing a menacing finger. He nodded in agreement and gestured for me to be quiet before moving to open the door to the Prince's bedroom.

I mentally slapped my brain for thinking it was a good idea to remember the night before at that moment.

Merlin and I quietly snuck inside and I instantly froze when my eyes landed on Arthur's well-muscled shirtless figure on the bed. My heart started to race and my ears started to ring and I quickly turned around and tried to leave the room; but my best friend grabbed my arm and sent me a warning look that silently demanded I stay inside or else… I gulped, but relented and pulled my hood over my head, figuring that it would shield my badly blushing face and restrict my field of vision so that I wouldn't, like, die.

The sorcerer stole a mirror that sat atop a cupboard and moved towards the window while I remained practically frozen by the door. The mirror started to float, so I assume that Merlin enchanted it, and then he sent it outside and started to lower it slowly until it disappeared from view.

Honestly, this is a whole new level of creep behaviour from us. But, given our track record, I think it's justifiable.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arthur stirring and I ran out of the room, pressing my back against the wall right by the door. He doesn't need more reasons to kick me to the curb! And I can't be confronted by him when he's not wearing a shirt!

"Merlin!" I heard the Prince say in a startled tone. Then I heard a loud crash, which told me that my best friend had likely dropped the mirror. "I have no doubt, Merlin, that you have prepared a very good explanation for this."

I grinned in anticipation of what sort of mad excuse my best friend would be able to come up with.

"Yes… no… uh," Merlin stuttered and I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a snicker.

"Apparently, I am wrong," Arthur stated and some moments of silence followed before he spoke again. "Please tell me you were not spying on Lady Catrina."

"It is not what it seems," my best friend assured, sounding reasonably panicked.

"Yes, Merlin. It is exactly what it seems," Arthur responded. "You have led a sheltered life, you have no social skills whatsoever… and Catrina is, I admit, an attractive woman..." Ah, crap, he's realising that he can do much better than me. This was short-lived. "I understand completely. And if I ever find you doing it again, I will feed you to the dogs. Do I make myself clear?"

Wait, there are dogs around here?! Where?!

"Y-yes Sire…"

Merlin exited the room shortly after and immediately shoved me to the side as he gave me a deadly glare, his face flushed. "You are a traitor!" he whisper-yelled. Then he grabbed my arm once more and started to drag me down the corridor.

"Survival of the fittest!" I defended before I finally allowed myself to burst out laughing, earning another glare. "I'm sorry, I love you," I offered in an attempt to butter him up.

"Shut up," he grumbled.

All right, then.

Some moments later, he jumped to explaining how he saw Catrina turn into some sort of fugly monster; so now he was dragging me towards her room in hopes that we might be able to see her more clearly and report back to Gaius.

We rounded the corridor just in time to see a sturdy cloaked figure exit the room and start heading down the hall, so we waited to give it some space in order to avoid getting caught, and then we continued to follow it from afar.

A frown formed on my face when it led us across the servants' quarters and towards a narrow (and claustrophobia-inducing) spiral staircase that led to the basement, or whatever. After some more dizzying twists and turns, it finally stopped moving and settled down in a corner somewhere.

Merlin and I creeped closer and recoiled at the same time when a nauseating scent hit us. I pressed my arm over my nose and mouth and sent him a puzzled look as I fought to keep my dinner down. It smelled kinda like a mix of poop, rotten fish, mould, and something sour that I couldn't place.

I heard the buzzing of flies and determined that we were in some sort of garbage dump. My best friend was brave enough to move closer to where the figure had settled down while I hung back, not really feeling like throwing up the delicious veggie stew that Gaius had fed us earlier.

I started when I heard some prolonged fart noises and the stench immediately intensified. I backed further away from the scene.

Merlin rushed back towards me and grabbed my hand as we took off running back upstairs before we could die from asphyxiation.

"What the fork was that?!" I asked in an exasperated whisper.

"I have no idea!" Merlin responded while casting me a bewildered look, and I shuddered.

Maybe Catrina is kinda like Princess Fiona and she turns into an ogre at night! And the garbage dump is her version of Shrek's swamp!

"I love you, too," my best friend finally mumbled as we neared Gaius's apartment, causing a smile to form on my face.