Chapter 101 I don't own Merlin. Llys Dôn 2
"Thank you for your hospitality, Hunith. I'm sorry for any trouble I caused." she muttered softly.
"Not nearly as much as Merlin used to. Give him a kiss for me when you see him." she said gently, smiling and kissing her lightly on the cheek. "Be safe, dear."
"Thank you, Hunith." Cassie said with sad eyes, smiling weakly and gripping her hand reassuringly. "I'll give Merlin your love."
"Goodbye, dear."
"Bye." Cassie said, walking away slowly with her head hung low, taking off in the direction of Camelot as she tried her hardest not to think of what lay ahead of her.
She walked in silence for hours, only focusing on the road ahead as she numbly walked on, stopping only when she saw the moon high above her head and making camp for the night.
"You shouldn't be alone in the dark, you know?" Gildas said hours later, looking at her face closely. "Cassie?"
"Please, leave me Gildas. Go back to what family you have left." Cassie said, turning her face from him and closing her eyes.
"Cassie, I don't blame you for anything." he said softly, turning her face back to him. "I thought, perhaps, leaving you with your friends would open your eyes to how special you are."
"The only thing special about me is my ability to kill without getting my hands dirty." Cassie muttered darkly, swatting his hand away and kicking dirt over the fire to douse it.
"No!" he said firmly, pulling her to her feet and looking into her eyes seriously. "You are Llys Dôn, the Beacon. And my friend! Addie would not want you to-"
"Addie is dead! Because of me! I killed her! I killed her! I'm not your friend. I'm no one's friend. Leave me alone."
"No, Cassie. I'll never leave you alone, because, like it or not, I consider you a dear friend. I've lived long enough to know when someone is to blame for something, and you're not! My father knew what was going to happen, Addie tripped. It was an accident!"
"WHY DON'T YOU HATE ME?! You should hate me! You should blame me, you should…" Cassie yelled, breaking into tears and letting him hug her close, sobbing into his shirt.
"I should forgive you. I have forgiven you. You followed your destiny. And she can be cruel, as you well know. I never blamed you. Not once. Cassie, Addie was my wife and the love of my very long life, yes, but if she were here and saw how you've been hurting yourself she'd slap you silly." he said staunchly, gripping her arms tightly. "Get over yourself! Forgive yourself. The only one that's blaming you is you. Geopene þæm infærelde to āsēċenne þæm windelstáne."
"Where are we going?"
"To Camelot. If anyone can talk some sense into you it's them." he said, dragging her through and appearing in the Tower. "Beclȳsaþ. Seek them out and mend your heart before the damage is irreversible, Casiopea. Forget destiny and all that crap, just protect your heart, don't let any darkness in because you would change completely. And I would hate for you to be someone else."
"I've already changed. I'm far from innocent! I haven't been innocent in five years! Spare this sanctimonious cr-"
"If that's what you think then I don't know if love ever really existed. Because all I can see in you is love; pure, innocent love." he said, cutting her off and turning around. "Don't forget to return the borrowed books."
"Fine." Cassie said softly, watching as he disappeared with a soft gust of wind and staring at the door to leave the Tower before she remembered she didn't have the keys and it was locked. "Idiot." Cassie muttered under her breath, going to where she knew the secret entrance to the tower was and trying to figure out how to open it since she'd never gone back out that way. "Or genius. I hate him." she said, seeing the faded runes etched onto the stone and rolling her eyes in defeat at his determination to make her use magic.
Stubborn as she was, however, Cassie just sat down with her back against the wall and closed her eyes, determined to never use it again and to wait as long as she had to. But that was clearly stupid of her because the moment her skin grazed the runes, they glew a bright blue and the wall behind her slid away.
"Oomph." she grunted as her head hit the hard stone, breathing hard and standing up as she felt her way along the wall until she reached the stairs and was cast in total darkness as the wall once again slid into place. "Great, guess I know what was up with the skeletons." she muttered defeatedly to herself, closing her eyes as she slid down the cold stone wall and cried into her hands until no more tears fell. With closed eyes and a shaky breath Cassie whispered, "Bescíne." opening them to find the soft blue orb floating weakly above her, fluttering in and out as her nerves and fear fought over her control. "Onþringee."
She slowly climbed up the stairs and rose out of the hole in the ground where the stone bench had been, stepping aside and watching it slide back practically silently. She closed her eyes and steeled herself before moving the tapestry back and looking to both ends of the deserted corridors, unsure of the time of night. Cassie snuck out quickly and made sure the tapestry looked exactly as it had done before she moved it, letting her feet carry her as her mind recoiled at the thought of having used her magic. She found herself in front of Sir Leon's door, knocking softly and waiting for an answer that didn't come. Cassie opened the door, peeking in sneakily and entering the empty room in defeat, not wanting to go to her empty chambers, not wanting to find anyone either.
She took a seat on his lovechair, twirling her ring in the dark and trying to control her nervous breathing when she heard voices coming from the other side of the door. When she failed to recognise the voice of the woman Cassie panicked and gripped the stone tightly, disappearing from view just in time for Leon to walk in with a beautiful tall woman who was laughing at something he said.
"Lady Katherine has decided to make something for the wedding night. As a gift." she said, serving two goblets of wine and handing one to him.
"I've heard of her…gifts. Please, don't make me think of-"
"Relax, Leon. I'll be in our traditional attire; the one mother is making me wear. I'll wear Lady Katherine's far from any prying, gossiping eyes." she said, pushing him playfully as he pulled a chair out for her to sit on.
"You look happy." he said with a wide smile, taking her hand and kissing it lightly.
"I am. Very happy. Are you?" she said, smiling at him as Cassie silently walked to the door and knocked.
"Ecstatic." he said, looking at the door and standing up to open it, peeking out and rolling his eyes. "Must be some…"
But Cassie didn't hear the rest of what he said as she ran away, stone still clutched tightly in her hand as she dodged a few servants and guards and found herself in front of Arthur's chambers, knocking frantically.
"Enter." he said, looking around in confusion as the door opened and no one appeared. "Who's there?" he called out, retrieving his sword and holding it tightly.
"So-I'm sorry, I-I forgot I was still-" Cassie said, breaking into quiet sobs as she appeared in front of him leaning into his chest and crying as he stood stiff for a fraction of a moment, dropping his sword on the bed and hugging her tightly as soon as he recognised her.
"Cassie, what's wrong?" he asked her softly, letting go of her enough to look at her tear-streaked face. "You know you can talk to me. I want to trust you, I'm trying. Will you try too?" he asked, leading her to the seating area in front of the fireplace and pulling a chair out for her. "What's wrong?"
"I should have stayed in Hispania." she sniffled, accepting the goblet of wine he'd poured for her and downing it with a shiver. "I made a huge mistake, Arthur. I heard my destiny and then I tried to follow it and my friend died. I did that, Arthur. She's dead because of me and Gildas says it's not my fault, but I know it is! And…the man I love is marrying another. I have nothing here anymore." she said in one breath, her hand shaking as she gripped the empty goblet.
"You have us. And for what it's worth, Leon's not marrying anyone. He's pining for you. Has been since before you left, as far as I know." he told her trying to take the goblet back.
"I just saw her, she's very beautiful. And much more worthy of him. I'm a murderer." she whispered, hanging her head and sobbing once more that night, her hold loosening.
"I don't know why you think that, Cassie. But, as much as it terrifies me to admit, what I saw in Ealdor, how you saved that boy, a murderer can't do that." he said, drying her tears and pulling a seat up next to her with a heavy sigh. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"About what?"
"Tell me about your friend."
"She had just had twins. Not even three months old and they're orphans. And it's all my fault. If I hadn't been so obsessed with the possibility of seeing him again. If I had just listened to his warnings…" Cassie said, biting her lip hard enough she drew blood to stop from crying out; whether in frustration or anger she didn't want to know.
"How'd she die?" Arthur asked softly, kneeling in front of her and putting a hand on her shoulder while pressing a handkerchief to her bloody lip.
"Gildas says she tripped, but I was struggling so hard I pushed her and she fell through and she was gone." Cassie said shakily, staring at the roaring fire.
"Gildas is the sorcerer from the clearing?" he asked, his jaw set.
"Yes, he is. He means no harm to you, he does not even live within your borders, my Lord." Cassie said, defending him absentmindedly.
"I don't want to seek him out. He's done me no harm." Arthur said, shaking his head and sighing. "Yet."
"He's an ally, Arthur. He's not evil."
"And neither are you. Mor-"
"Arthur. There are some documents we need to go over, I'm glad to see you're not yet in bed." Uther said, sweeping into the room regally, missing the panicked look between himself and Cassie.
"Father! Yes, of course. Let me just-" Arthur said, turning around to nod to Cassie only to find her gone. "Pour you a goblet of wine." Arthur said, taking the pitcher and pouring him some before taking the one Cassie had left and pouring one for himself.
She wandered through the palace back to the physician's tower, unsure if she wanted anyone else to see her tonight and thinking her old chambers to be empty. They were not empty, as she found out, opening her door and finding two black-haired people tangled in each other on her bed.
"I thought I told you no funny business in here." Cassie said, releasing her hold on the stone and rolling her eyes as they jumped apart and covered themselves up. Or tried to. It was rather funny really, she just stood there while Morgana tripped and fell off the bed and Merlin scrambled to cover himself up.
"Cassie!" Morgana cried happily, ignoring the sheets and hugging her tightly.
"It's good to know you've taken my rules to heart." Cassie said, hugging her back and blushing as Merlin sort of stammered and tried to hide his formidable member.
"Sorry." Morgana said, as if suddenly realising the predicament and picking up the sheets to wrap herself up and look at the ground embarrassedly.
"Forget it, you're clearly in the middle of something. I'll see you tomorrow. Preferably dressed." Cassie said, rolling her eyes and closing the door on them.
"Well, that's a big mess." Morgana said, dropping the sheets back to the ground and pulling Merlin back to her, smirking slightly as he stammered nervously. "Shh. You heard her. We're in the middle of something."
"Of course she said that." Cassie muttered as she heard her friend's voice ring through the empty main chamber, closing the door and locking it behind her as she walked back down to her chambers, the servants who had previously been seen completely gone. She slowly opened her door and walked into the dark room, not bothering to light any of the candles. She'd done this so many times before, she didn't need to feel around to find the screen and undress, taking her necklace off and stretching out slightly before she went to her bed and gently lay on the mattress, turning a few times before she got herself comfortable under the covers and fell asleep.
"Hmm." she groaned happily, feeling her eyes roll into the back of her head as she deepened the kiss and rolled him on top of her, only opening her eyes when her brain caught up to her body and she realised what was happening. "Leon, Leon stop." she mumbled, pushing against his bare chest and looking into his deep eyes as he came into focus.
"Why, Cassie?" he asked, breathing deeply as he kept his weight off her and stopped his rolling hips.
"This isn't a dream." she said, gently placing her hand on his face and watching as his eyes lit up in realisation.
"Oh. I apologise, my Lady. I shouldn't have…" he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and turning his back to her.
"No, you shouldn't." Cassie said softly, doing the same and looking around for something to put on. "Especially not with such a beautiful woman in your own bed." she added, taking the tunic Leon threw to her and putting it on quickly.
"What does Lydia have to do with anything?" he asked, turning around and staring at her in confusion.
"I heard you last night. In your chambers." Cassie admitted with a blush. "I, erm, I was there when you walked in and heard you speaking of your nuptials."
"My nuptials?" he asked, furrowing his brow some more and chuckling in realisation. "Cassie, Lydia's my sister."
"You're marrying your sister?" Cassie asked, looking horrified.
"No, she's marrying someone else. She stopped by to tell me about it and get a dress then she's going back. Did you think-" he said with a light laugh.
"Y-yes. I did." Cassie admitted, blushing even more.
"There's no one else for me, Cassie. It's always been you." he told her lovingly, walking around the bed and kneeling in front of her. "It'll always be you. There is no way I would ever be able to forget about you. No matter how many times you ask me to."
"Oh." Cassie said, smiling to herself and staring into his eyes. "I, em, I lo-"
"Shh." he said, kissing her deeply and stopping her from talking. "Not until you're certain, Cass." he said, kissing her lightly.
"I love you." she said, tearing up as she felt her chest swell, and she bent closer to him. "I'm completely certain about it, Sir Leon. I love you."
"I love you so much, Cassie." he said with a wide smile, closing the space between them and kissing her deeply as they fell back on the bed, peppering kisses along her neck and whispering to her as he let his hands travel over her body.
"Leon, I love you, but I can't love you in this bed." Cassie said, breathing deeply and stopping his hands as they travelled up her borrowed shirt. "I'm sorry."
"No, don't be. I understand. This is your marital bed, I shouldn't even be here, anyway." he said, getting off her with a red, stony face and walking over to the door.
"Leon, wait." Cassie said, standing up and walking over to him. "I do love you, I love you very much. I just can't be with you here. Not in this bed."
"I'll go to the barracks. It's still very early. You should get some rest." he said, his hand on the door handle.
"Please stay." Cassie whispered, stopping him from moving with a hand on his shoulder. "I want you to stay."
"I want to stay, as well." he said, bending down and kissing her lightly before she walked him back to the bed and they lay there, relishing in the feel of each other.
"Good night, Sir Leon." Cassie whispered, kissing his forearm lightly as she closed her eyes and smiled to herself.
"Sweet dreams, my love." he said, kissing her neck and closing his eyes as he held her tightly.
"Sir Leon, the King needs you in the council chambers. Inconsistencies with the- I apologise, I did not know you had company." a young squire said as he opened the door, spotting the mop of blonde hair and backing out of the room.
"I'll be down quickly." he said, sitting up in bed and dressing, scribbling something down and sneaking out of the room so as not to wake her.
"Leon?" Cassie asked, stretching out and looking around as the morning sun filtered in, hearing the crinkling of paper as she turned around.
"The King requested my presence in the council room. I hope you'll forgive me for not being there when you wake up. Dine with me later? I love you. Sir Leon."
"Great, I have to deal with Merlin and Morgana now." she groaned, sitting up and going behind the screen to change into her dress.
"Cassie! I heard you were back! Morgana said she ran into you last night on her way back from Gaius's for a sleeping draught." Gwen said happily as Cassie walked into Morgana's chambers.
"Hi Gwen. How've you been?" Cassie said with a fond chuckle, missing the girl's excited chatter.
"Better than you, from the looks of it, what's wrong?" she asked, sitting her down in Morgana's drawing room and handing her some wine.
"This early in the morning?"
"It's nearly lunchtime, Cassie." Gwen said with a shake of her head, giggling lightly.
"Is it? I hadn't noticed." Cassie admitted with a blush. "I have something for you, actually."
"What is it?" she asked, looking at her curiously.
"I, er, shouldn't give it to you within the city gates. I promised Arthur." she said, noticing the blush creeping up her friend's neck. "But, I can get Morgana to go riding with us later."
"I'll prepare the horses." Gwen said with a subtle wink as the door opened and Morgana walked in.
"Gwen, will you bri-"
"Actually I just came to invite you for a ride. I'd ask Merlin and Arthur, but I don't think they'll want to." Cassie interrupted, smirking as both girls blushed a little in much the same manner.
"I'll get changed into riding attire, then." Morgana said, disappearing behind her screen as Gwen walked out of the chambers.
"I'll have Adurey prepare us a picnic." Gwen said,
"I'll just sit here then." Cassie said, trying not to laugh.
"Listen, about last night." Morgana started, appearing in front of her. "I'm really sorry. We shouldn't have been… doing that."
"It's fine, I've been gone for a long time." Cassie said, taking a sip of the wine. "Besides, you weren't lying when you said he was well endowed."
"Cassie!" Morgana said in shock.
"Seems I'm now able to make you blush." she said with a triumphant wink, not nearly as lighthearted as she made a certain Lady think..
"You certainly are!" she said, giggling as she braided her hair back. "Gwen doesn't know."
"Yeah, I figured." Cassie said, looking at the floor. "You should tell her, I have a feeling she's been over him for a very long time."
"Well, you got here just in time for a jousting tournament in two weeks. Are you excited?" Morgana said, moving on to another topic.
"Hardly, the last tournament I saw…" Cassie said, shaking her head and frowning softly.
"Right." she said softly, standing up and plastering a smile on her face. "So, Hispania. You have to tell me all about it."
"In the forest, I can't really speak of 90 percent of what transpired here. It's taboo."
"Oh. Oh!" she said, her eyes alighting with curiosity.
"Yes, Oh. Come on, Gwen must be in the stables by now." Cassie said, winking at her with a small smile and taking her hand. "So, you and Merlin are still together?" Cassie asked, looking at her as they walked through the castle towards the main entrance.
"Last night tell you any different?"
"Do you love him? It's been two years; more." Cassie said softly, looking at her and spotting Merlin and Arthur walking towards them. "Look alive."
"Cassie, Morgana." he said, nodding at them in greeting.
"Prince Arthur. Good night?" Cassie asked, hoping he understood not to mention anything.
"Pleasant, yes." he answered. "Are you going somewhere?"
"On a ride. Would you like to come?" Morgana answered, batting her eyes at him teasingly.
"I know that look, you're going to practise your sword fighting, aren't you?"
"You know me so well." Morgana said, smiling widely at him. "I take that as a no?"
"Actually, I need to speak with Lady Casiopea. Go ahead. She'll catch up to you." he said, shooing her away.
"Cassie?"
"Go ahead, I'll catch up."
"Sir Leon! Accompany Lady Morgana and Guinevere on their ride. Lady Cassie will catch up in a bit." Arthur said as he spotted him walking back inside.
"Yes, Sire." he said, catching Cassie's eye as he walked away.
"I assume you two spoke?" Arthur asked, catching the look.
"We did, thanks." Cassie said, looking at Merlin awkwardly.
"Merlin, leave."
"Where?
"Go…muck out the stables." Arthur said, shooing him away.
"Fine." Merlin mumbled, looking at Cassie and walking away.
"About last night…" Arthur began moving her over to a corner and holding her by the wrist.
"I left before you two started to speak about those documents. I- er, don't worry."
"How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Go invisible."
"This ring." Cassie said, holding her hand up and showing it. "I cover the stone and go invisible."
"So it's passive magic?"
"I panicked last night. I'm sorry for using it. I won't do it again." Cassie said quickly, shaking her head at him.
"Thanks for telling me. I mean it." Arthur said, nodding at her. "But no more magic here."
"I know, I'm not going to… I swear."
"I believe you."
"Actually, I, erm, I want to stop, but I can't. I won't do any outright spells, but-"
"I don't want to know, Cassie." he said, stepping back and letting her through.
"Whenever you do, I want to tell you." Cassie told him, smiling softly.
"I'm sure Morgana and Gwen are dying to speak with you. Don't teach them any magic. Swear to me."
"If they don't have it running through their veins, they can't learn." Cassie said, smirking thoughtfully, ever the actress. "Except maybe how to fight the real way."
"Still the same Cassie." he said with a chuckle. "Go on."
"Arthur." Cassie said as he turned to walk away, stopping him with a gentle hand. "Thank you. For what you said and what you didn't. It means a lot."
"I'm trying." he said with a nod, walking away and leaving her there.
"What'd Arthur want?" Morgana asked as soon as she saw her in the clearing.
"Same old." Cassie answered, taking Leon's sword from his belt. "Who's first?"
"I want to see you fight Sir Leon." Morgana said, throwing her sword to him.
"My Ladies, I hardly think it appropriate to-"
"It seems the good Knight is afraid to lose to a girl half his size." Gwen teased goodnaturedly.
"I can assure you I am not." he said, sheathing the sword and looking at them seriously. "I am only here for your protection, not your entertainment."
"Fine. Go, protect." Cassie said, waving her hand dismissively and turning around and facing them. "Gwen? Morgana?"
"No, we've had enough of fighting. So, tell us. Is Gundemar as good in bed as he looked?" Morgana said, taking a seat and patting the ground beside her, noticing how Leon set his jaw and stared ahead with steely eyes.
"I wouldn't know. We never."
"In a year and a half you never?" Gwen asked in surprise.
"Exactly."
"Not even a kiss?" Morgana asked.
"Nothing more than a kiss. And a halfhearted one at that." Cassie answered, taking a sip from the waterskin and turning it upside down. "You drank all the water?"
"Yes."
"Can you fill it up, Leon?" Cassie asked with a sweet smile, throwing it at him.
"Yes, my Lady." he said with a bow.
"Thanks." she called after him, turning on her two friends and whispering, "you two are evil!"
"Are not, now tell us. Is he a good kisser? Why didn't you ever go any farther with him?" Gwen asked, leaning in curiously.
"We got married." Cassie admitted softly. "I-I was prepared to be his wife, he didn't want to be my husband. That's it. The marriage was annulled."
"He's not blind, that much is obvious. Is he strange?" Morgana asked with wide eyes.
"No! He's certainly not that." Cassie said, blushing slightly. "On our wedding night he sensed my reticence and decided to annul even though he was… quite ready. Quite the gentleman." Cassie said, smiling softly.
"Did you have feelings for him?"
"The same feelings you have for your own King." Cassie said. "He's a good man, a gentle and honourable man. He knew my heart belonged to another, he didn't push it."
"Sounds like you love him." Gwen noted while Morgana muttered just how much it didn't sound like Uther.
"No. I don't." Cassie said, wiping the tears away. "I miss him and the people, but I don't love him."
"You still love Owaine." Morgana said, nodding slowly.
"I'll always love him, but he's not who my heart belongs to." Cassie said quietly, her eyes watching as Leon walked back into the clearing and up to her.
"Your water, my Lady." he said with a bow.
"Thank you, Sir Knight." she replied, smiling at him and looking at the girls. "I have something for both of you. I'm going to open this. Fair warning." she said, taking the necklace off and placing it on the grass.
"I should leave. Uther is still my King." Leon said, bowing to them and going into the tree line. "I'll go look around, make sure there's no one here."
"My Lord." Cassie said, watching him leave with sad eyes.
"You know why. If he's ever asked, he can say he's never seen you do magic." Gwen said gently, knowing the look very well as she wore it whenever she looked at Arthur.
"I know." she said, pricking her finger and running the blood over the trunk. "Be min æðeling, geopene ond forþgelæde."
"How does that work? Why do you need your blood?"
"Security. I'm paranoid. Or I was. It didn't need the blood originally, so I modified it after I left. Now only the ones with magic more powerful than mine and the exact wording of the spell can open it." Cassie said, digging through and taking out the trunk of bronzework she'd bought as she looked for the two parcels.
"Is it this!" Morgana asked, taking the key that was fit into the lock and opening it. "Wow, these are gorgeous!"
"Take what you like." Cassie said, laughing lightly. "But that's not it. Here, these are for you." she said, holding two dresses out and standing up.
"These are gorgeous!"
"And your sizes. I had them made for you." Cassie told them. "Those…are presents."
"Not for us?"
"Well, I was going to wait to give them to you, but since you're just so curious, take your pick." Cassie said with a smile, winking at them as they folded the dresses and watching as they practically turned it over and dug through it like a pair of children.
"You picked enough?" Cassie asked them fifteen minutes later, chuckling at their bright eyes.
"Right, sorry." they said, blushing profusely. "How much did this cost you?"
"Nothing, they're presents for you. But the circlets are mine!" she said, taking the one with a crescent moon and blue crystal from Morgana and holding it tight.
"Okay, these are truly magnificent, Cassie. Thank you, We need to get you a present now." Morgana said, winking at Gwen as the trees rustled and Leon walked back through.
"Good luck explaining that." Leon said as he saw the bracelets and armbands in their hands.
"Won't have to, Uther never notices any of the trinkets I wear." Morgana said, putting them on and flashing a brilliant smile at him as Cassie took out a leather bag and put it all inside.
"I'm going to close it now." Cassie said, looking at him as he nodded.
"I'll go see to the horses." he said, turning back around as Cassie shook her head.
"Be min æðeling, betȳn ond scrinc." she muttered, watching as it closed and shrunk before tying it around her neck again.
"Seems very handy. When did you do this?" Gwen asked in a shaking voice, slightly unnerved but schooling her features.
"I made the spell when I was fourteen. It was one of the last things Edurne taught me. And a really complicated spell, she looked so proud that day." Cassie said, looking at the floor as she thought of the last complicated spell she invented.
"Cassie? What's wrong?" Morgana asked worriedly, looking up as she heard Leon running up to them.
"I killed Addie with a spell like this." she gasped out, letting Leon hug her tightly as Morgana and Gwen held her hands.
"We'll leave you guys alone for a while." Gwen said, nodding at Morgana and walking away from them.
"Shh, love, shh." he whispered soothingly, holding her close. "Cry all you want."
"I hate my magic." Cassie breathed out. "I tried to not use it! I-I can't. I hate it." she cried into his shoulder.
"Shh, just cry all you want, okay?" he said, holding her close and kissing her head. "What happened?" he asked her gently.
"I don't want to talk about it." Cassie sniffled, moving her head away and standing up, her eyes hard.
"Okay, I won't pry. Dry your eyes, Cass. Here." he said, gently using the end of his cloak to dry her face.
"Thanks." Cassie said, looking away embarrassedly. "We should go back, I suppose."
"If that's what you wish." he said, standing up and helping her up. "Allow me to help you, my Lady." he said, his hands on her waist as he helped her onto the horse and did the same with Morgana and Gwen.
"Cassie, dine with me tonight?" Morgana asked the moment they handed the reins to the stable hand.
"Sure." Cassie said with a small smile, looking at Sir Leon as he walked away.
"Maybe then you'll tell me about the man who owns your heart." Morgana said knowingly.
"Of course." Cassie said, smiling softly and seeing Gaius walking among the Lower Town. "Excuse me, I should say hi to Gaius. I haven't said anything yet." Cassie said, smiling at them and walking over to him.
"Cassie, Merlin told me you'd arrived last night."
"Yes, I did." Cassie said with a smile, hugging him tightly.
"It's lovely to see you again!" he replied, letting go of her and walking towards his tower.
"Believe me, Gaius. Not as lovely as it is to see you." Cassie said, smiling widely at him. "I have something for you." Cassie added, walking forward and up the winding staircase.
"Cassie, you did not have to bring me anything."
"I realise that it's as if I were returning what you gave me, but I saw it and I thought of you. Yours is almost bursting at the seams." Cassie said, looking at the bag and poking through the hole.
"Yes, I suppose it is rather broken in." he said with a chuckle as they walked into his chambers. "I'll leave this one for Merlin whenever he goes to gather the herbs."
"I think he'll use it for something else, but it does seem rather appropriate." Cassie said softly. "Here, I'll leave it for you when I empty it. I have some things in here for Morgana and Gwen."
"Thank you, my Lady." he said with a wide smile.
"Of course, physician." Cassie replied, giggling as he rolled his eyes. "I'll see you later, Gaius."
"Sir Leon! Wait!" Cassie called out, stopping him from walking any further down the corridor.
"Lady Cassie?" he asked, turning around and spotting her.
"I was hoping we could have a word." Cassie said, looking at a few passing nobles and smiling in greeting as they stopped to greet her.
"Whatever you want, my Lady." he said, nodding at the people who left and letting her take his hand.
"Is your sister still here?" Cassie asked as she led him back to her Midwife chambers.
"Yes, she hasn't found the perfect dress yet." Leon answered, opening the door for her and stepping aside.
"Thanks." Cassie said, pulling him in and closing the door quickly, kissing him without restraint.
"Nice word." Leon said breathlessly, smiling and kissing her lightly.
"You overheard my conversation with Morgana and Gwen?" Cassie said, looking into his eyes as he looked like a child caught getting in trouble.
"I, er, couldn't help it."
"Nothing happened with him."
"You got married, Cassie. Something happened."
"The marriage was annulled not an hour after."
"Was it you, or was it him?"
"He didn't want to force me into marriage. I was willing to marry him for the sake of the Kingdom." Cassie admitted, stepping back and looking nervously at him.
"I'm glad he is such a gentleman. You're too beautiful to not be tempted."
"And are you tempted as I am?" Cassie asked him, turning the key and locking the door.
"Depends." Leon answered, reaching behind her and unlocking the door. "I want our first time to be special."
"We've been together before, you know." Cassie pointed out, locking the door again.
"In a dream. I don't want to have you like this, a quick embrace before we go our separate ways." he told her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and letting his fingers trail down her spine. "Tonight, you and I."
"I'm dining with Lady Morgana tonight."
"I'll wait for you here." Leon told her, pushing her gently against the door as he kept his hands firmly on her waist.
"I'll be counting down the moments, my love." Cassie whispered, kissing him deeply and letting her hands tangle in his hair.
"Say it again." he mumbled, resting his forehead against hers.
"I'll be counting down the moments." Cassie said with a slight smile, watching as he rolled his eyes and brought his lips closer to hers.
"Say. It. Again." he said slowly, looking into her eyes.
"My love." Cassie said with a thundering heartbeat, smiling into the kiss as his lips lightly brushed hers. "Mhhm, my love." she mumbled again, jumping up into his arms and gasping as he pushed her against the wall and deepened the kiss. "My love." she said once more, smiling triumphantly as he groaned into their kiss and walked her over to the bedroom, throwing her on the bed and taking off his tunic.
"You win, darling Casiopea." he said softly, kissing her deeply as her hands travelled everywhere and she vanished the rest of their clothes.
"I know, my love." she breathed out, kissing his neck passionately as he pushed inside slowly, both of them moaning softly as they made love to each other on the bed.
"That was amazing, Sir Leon." Cassie said as they lay in each other, both slick with sweat and breathing hard.
"Yes, it was." he said, pushing her hair aside and kissing her neck lightly. "You taste of roses."
"I had a rosewater bath this morning." Cassie said, closing her eyes and pressing her back closer to his strong chest.
"I did not think the taste would linger for so long." he said, his lips travelling down her neck and over her shoulder.
"I soaked for a very long time. I had hoped you'd come back." Cassie said, turning around and fixing him with a flushed face and dark eyes. "So long my fingers wrinkled."
"They aren't anymore." he said, taking them and kissing each one while he looked into her eyes.
"I love you, Sir Leon." Cassie said, kissing him .
"Why do you always call me that?" he asked, chuckling as he broke apart from the kiss.
"To remind you how noble you are. You've earned your title because of your honour and nobility. Not just your birthright." Cassie told him, flipping him onto his back and placing a hand over his heart. "You'll always be noble here, and that's what matters."
"I love you." he said, sitting up and capturing her lips with his, smiling as she lifted herself off him slightly and aligned him with her centre, moving her hips quickly as he hardened and took control over their lovemaking.
"Cassie! I thought you wouldn't come." Morgana said nervously, closing her dressing gown.
"I apologise for my tardiness, Lady Morgana." Cassie said, looking past her and seeing Merlin fleeing through the servants entrance.
"Erm, I'm afraid I've already eaten. Do come in." she said, stepping aside as she glanced behind her breathing a sigh of relief when she found herself alone.
"Come back here, Merlin. I have to speak with you as well." Cassie said mentally, sitting down where Morgana led her to and taking the goblet of wine gratefully.
"So…" Morgana said awkwardly, her cheeks flushed.
"Relax, Morgana. I know it was Merlin who was in here." Cassie said, smiling widely as her friend relaxed. "And I know he's coming back. I asked him to."
"How?"
"I cannot utter the word."
"Why?"
"I can, but I promised Arthur and he's making an effort. So must I." Cassie said, looking into the bright fire. "It's proving harder than I thought. I've already failed. Quite a few times."
"Yes?" Merlin asked, walking in through the servant's door and looking at her nervously.
"I think you know what this is about." Cassie said, locking the doors and casting a silencing charm.
"Er…last night?"
"Very good, Merlin. You've been endowed with more than just your formidable manhood." Cassie said teasingly. "I was joking." she added as he flushed red and Morgana looked at her in shock. "It's too dangerous for you two to be… doing what you're doing. If anyone were to find out, you wouldn't be able to escape. And you'd be sent to an abbey."
"We're careful!" Morgana said, her cheeks flaming as she threw her arms out.
"Not careful enough it seems." Merlin muttered, looking away with a beet red face as he felt the stirring in his pants and Morgana noticed.
"My point exactly. Be careful. Both of you. And do try not to have me walk in on the two of you again. That happens far more often than I'd care to think about." Cassie said, frowning in sadness as she thought of the morning she made the Veil.
"Sorry." they said, properly chastised.
"Goodbye you two." Cassie said, twisting the ring on her finger thoughtfully as she walked through the castle and back to where Leon said he would be waiting, smiling softly to herself in spite of where her thoughts had taken her.