Camelot
April, 505 AD
I entered Gaius's apartment following my talk with Arthur and plopped down at the kitchen bench, crossing my arms over the table and resting my head atop them while letting out a long puff. The physician, who was the only one there, paused whatever he was doing and turned to me with a raised eyebrow.
"I take it that Arthur was not convinced?" he asked gently.
"Freaking sh*t-head laughed in my face," I grumbled. "I mean, I know it's my fault – I'm always making jokes. But I wouldn't joke about somethin' like this, y'know?"
"Believe me, I do know, dear girl," Gaius responded while moving to put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
I gave him a small grateful grin and then asked, "Where's Merls?"
"He had some work to get done. He will be back soon," he assured me.
With nothing better to do, I started to sort of help him prepare potions by passing him stuff, and mixing things, and labelling vials. His work is interesting and all, and it's fun to play chemist from time to time; but I could never do this for a living. It's too repetitive and involves no real physical activity; and the lack of it soon made me fidgety to the point where Gaius ended up proposing that I might be more helpful if I started to make dinner.
Chopping potatoes isn't nearly as exciting as riding horses, but it was certainly a step-up from my previous task.
As promised, my best friend returned soon and I grinned at him for a moment until I noticed the uneasy look on his face, which made me frown and tilt my head.
"I just had a conversation with Jonas," he informed, causing my eyes to widen. "He told me that he is a slave, and that Catrina is holding him against his will, and he told me how to stop her."
"How?" I questioned.
"He said that she keeps some potions below the castle, which she uses to maintain her human appearance. If we steal them…"
"She'll be forced to revert to her true form," I completed as a smirk formed on my face. He nodded in confirmation.
Gaius seemed sceptical as his eyes darted between us, "Are you sure he can be trusted?"
"Well, it's the best lead we've got," I responded with a shrug.
"And the only one," Merlin pointed out.
"Yup."
So, in the end, we decided to take a risk by following Jonas's instructions. Once all the lights in the castle were out, Merlin and I snuck out of the physician's chambers and silently retraced the path Catrina had led us on some nights prior in search of her waste dump.
We knew we had found it when the stench hit our noises and the buzzing of flies filled our ears. We shared a displeased look and simultaneously covered our noses before creeping closer to the spot.
To our great surprise, the troll wasn't in bed yet. Maybe it's busy with Uther… Ew!
"Hurry up before I pass out from the smell!" I whisper-yelled to my best friend as I started to frantically search for the potions Jonas had spoken of, using a sword I'd stolen from the armoury to move around the bits of rotten food and things I don't wanna know the origin of; obviously not wanting to directly touch anything.
Merlin was much braver than I and he got down on his knees as he searched the other side of the disgusting little cave with his bare hands.
"You will not find anything there," a grating voice suddenly startled the crap out of me and I turned around with a gasp to find the troll blocking the doorway.
"I like what you've done with the place," I said while offering a grin (hoping it wouldn't notice how slightly terrified I felt). The troll growled in response and I jolted backwards, bumping into Merlin in the process.
"You may possess some magic, wretch," 'Catrina' addressed him, "but you are no match for me."
I tightened my grip on the stolen sword and dashed towards the troll. However, the stone around the archway began to crumble and I had to slide to a stop before I could get buried in the rubble. I turned to look at Merlin as my heart began to race, then I clenched my jaw when I heard the beast laughing.
A second later, the entire archway was gone and my best friend and I were trapped in the little waste dump with no way out.
My lungs were quick to become constricted and I felt slightly dizzy as I tried to keep the oxygen flowing without removing my arm from over my nose. I looked up at Merlin, finding that he looked a bit scared and absolutely defeated as he panted and stared at the blockage with bewildered eyes.
"C-can't you use your magic to get us out?" I asked.
He nodded and promptly attempted a spell. It didn't work. So he tried again. But there still wasn't any change. I resigned to uncovering my nose, trying my best not to gag at the intensified smell that hit my nostrils like a tornado, and I tried to remove some of the rocks at the top of the pile of rubble, but not even the smallest bits would budge.
I glanced around and started to breathe more heavily as I felt the space getting smaller.
Merlin tried his spell again, but the results remained null.
We're gonna asphyxiate to death here!
Tears pooled in my eyes as a headache began to form and I started to feel a bit unsteady on my feet.
The sorcerer did not give up on his attempts as he tried again, now in a firmer tone; but it still didn't change anything.
I curled up in a corner of the cave and hugged my knees to my chest while squeezing my eyes shut, trying to imagine I was anywhere else as the heat from the torch that Merlin had brought started to warm up the space around us.
We might as well have been dragged into hell!
As my best friend switched up tactics and tried a different spell, I pushed my mind to focus on thoughts of Dallas, and the cross-country competitions we used to attend, and the exciting adrenaline that those always produced. But the image of an open field only made me more aware of the confinement and heat that surrounded me and it got even harder to breathe.
I stood up and started to pace the slim length of the waste dump.
Merlin tried again, and again, and again. I have to admire his persistence.
Black dots began to cloud my vision and I tripped over nothing, falling to my hands and knees. I crawled to the corner and curled up once more as I gasped for air.
"Astra?!" I flinched when Merlin suddenly put a hand on my shoulder, his voice sounding awfully worried.
This is so f*cking embarrassing.
"M'fine," I lied in between gasps. "Just… do your thing."
So he returned to doing his thing, not giving up.
I must've fallen asleep or passed out at some point, because the next thing I knew was that I was being startled awake by cool water splashing my face and I jolted up with a gasp to find Merlin hovering over me.
He pulled me to my feet while exclaiming, "Come on, we have to stop the wedding!"
I noticed that the blockage was gone and looked up at him with widened eyes. "Hey, you did it!"
"Yes, I did, come on!" He grabbed my hand and took off running, so I was forced to follow and we sprinted out of the underground maze together.
I took a deep breath as soon as we reached the courtyard, but I wasn't allowed to stop and bask in the newfound freedom of my lungs as Merlin tugged on my arm. We entered the castle and stumbled up the main staircase, then we ran past a wall of busy servants who were likely preparing the grand hall for the reception, and we sped up when we got to the corridor that leads to the throne room.
Jonas suddenly jumped out of seemingly nowhere and blocked our path, forcing us to skid to a stop.
"Master Merlin, Lady Astraea," the creepy humanoid spoke in an eerily low tone. "Can I help you? Are you lost?"
"Step aside, Jonas," my best friend commanded.
He pointed a menacing finger at us, "The King's wedding is by invitation only."
Merlin and I shared an annoyed look, then a nod, and we sprinted to get past Jonas. He can't get us both, right?
Well, it turns out he can. He swiftly grabbed us each by the neck, effectively restraining us.
I gulped as my oxygen intake became hindered once more.
"So sorry, but I regret to say, neither of you are invited," Jonas stupidly claimed. And, in a display of supernatural strength, he shoved us backwards, sending us flying some metres away from him before we landed on the floor with synchronised grunts.
Well, at least I can breathe now.
Merlin quickly scrambled to his feet and I followed suit, only a little slower as I felt some pain in my lower back.
Jonas suddenly kicked me in the abdomen and sent me flying backwards once more – knocking out all air again in the process and I was left gasping for oxygen again as I clutched the spot he'd hit. A bruise will surely form before long.
I watched through a slightly blurred vision as the humanoid thing grabbed Merlin's shirt and lifted him up. "Leave my mistress alone!" he roared. Something happened and the pair were sent flying in opposite directions, my best friend hitting a wall before falling to the ground.
"Merls," I croaked out as I pushed myself to sit up.
Luckily, the sorcerer recovered quickly and attacked Jonas with some magic, returning the favour of throwing him across the corridor. Then he pulled me to my feet and scanned me for a moment.
"I'm fine," I lied again, "let's go." And with that, we took off sprinting once again, me trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my torso.
We bursted into the throne room just to find everyone clapping as Uther and Catrina sealed their fates with a kiss.
I let out a soft groan – I'm not sure if it was from pain, exhaustion, disgust, or something else – and stumbled a little until I steadied myself against the doorframe, panting heavily once more.
"If it is hurting, you must let me inspect it," Gaius argued with a pointed look, his eyes darting between mine and my stomach.
"Just some bruisin', I promise," I waved him off, definitely not wanting him to see the aftermath of the struggle with Jonas. He'd see the scar from the car accident, too, and I don't want anyone to ever see that. "I'll be fine with your magic ointment."
"It is not magic, Astra," he grunted in response as he moved to get something from the cabinets, seemingly giving up on trying to check the bruises. I'm so good at diplomacy!
"Whatever, just gimme," I pressed.
And so, the physician begrudgingly started preparing a mix of arnica and something else to help with the swelling and pain. In the meantime, I started to skim through a book on elements, amusing myself by taking note of all the wrongful claims in it. I mean, I hated chemistry class, but I still paid attention.
I started when a bunch of guards and knights, led by Sir Leon, barged into the apartment. "Where is Merlin?" the curly blond demanded.
I frowned and shared a confused look with Gaius before he answered, "Where he always is at this time – working for Arthur."
The men flooded the apartment all the same and my heart started to race in worry.
"What is this about?" the physician questioned.
"We have come to arrest him," Leon revealed, causing my stomach to fall. "By order of the King."
Everything in me screamed to take off running and search for my best friend before they could get to him; but I knew that that would only get me in trouble as well, and I can't help to clear his name of whatever wrongful thing he's being accused of if I'm also in jail. So I gripped the edge of the table and bit down on my bottom lip to contain my impulses.
Miraculously, Merlin managed to evade the guards and made it back to the apartment shortly after Leon and the rest had left. I jumped to hug him tightly and sighed in relief. I don't know what I would ever do without my best friend.
"Are you all right?" Gaius questioned him in a worried tone.
"Yes," the sorcerer nodded, "Arthur allowed me to get away."
A small smile formed on my lips at that. Maybe the Prince thinks that I'm a pathological joker, but at least he's loyal to Merlin. That's commendable.
"What now?" I wondered as I finally released my friend. "Do we, like, run away to Ealdor?"
"No, we cannot give up," Merlin responded with a shake of his head.
Gaius nodded in agreement, but then he cautioned, "They will be searching the castle for you until they find you."
I bit down on my bottom lip while trying to figure out a way around that. We could disguise him… how funny would he look in a dress?! Or we could hide him during the day, and work on the quest during the night… Or we could…
"What if we can find a way to get the knights to believe you've left the castle?" I asked as I turned to my friend again.
"We can leave a fake trail!" he piled on as a smile grew on his face.
"And while they're out there chasin' their tails, you'll be camping out right under Utah's nose!" I chirped.
So, before sunrise the next morning, I snuck out of the castle while carrying one of Merlin's signature neckerchiefs and set out towards the forest with Dallas. We travelled in a straight line for about a half-hour, and then I hung the neckerchief from a tree, making sure that it was easily visible to anyone travelling the same path.
I smirked to myself and rubbed my horse's neck as I asked, "Are we geniuses, or what?" Obviously, he didn't respond, but I still felt pretty pleased with myself and I fed him a half carrot before turning him around and beginning the ride back to the castle. We took a different route this time, just 'cause I wanted to enjoy the open air and the unlimited oxygen for a bit longer as my lungs still felt a bit heavy from the infernal nightmare of two nights ago.
Our little trick worked like a charm, and the castle was soon left pretty much devoid of guards and knights as most of them swarmed the forest in search of the great Houdini. This meant that it was easier for Merlin to sneak around the corridors, and we promptly got back to working on trying to find a way to expose the troll.
We resorted to spying once again and trailed 'Catrina' for a while as she creeped along the castle corridors. She seemed awfully itchy as she kept scratching at her arms, which made me wonder if she might have fleas. Do trolls get fleas?
She went inside Jonas's bedroom and we were able to keep watching through an air vent. Her servant welcomed her eagerly, and she continued to scratch all over her body as her muscles, or whatever trolls have, began to spasm.
If trolls get fleas – does this mean that Uther is now covered in fleas as well? Seeing as they're, y'know, husband and wife? That's hilarious…
Oh, crap, did they do husband and wife things?! Did Uther visit the baby factory with a troll?! Is Arthur gonna have fugly siblings?!
I was snapped out of my thoughts when Catrina suddenly doubled over while grunting, and I watched as her back expanded a little bit. "Do I have to?" she asked in a strained tone.
"You must keep up the pretence!" Jonas snapped in response.
She slammed her hands on the table. "I hate being like this!" she grunted. "So clean! It is revolting! I cannot keep it up! This skin! This face! I just want to claw it off!" And then she actually started trying to claw off her fake face.
I grimaced, thinking of that scene in 'Captain America: The First Avenger' when Johann Schmidt takes off his human mask to reveal his Red Skull appearance.
"Think of all the money, and the power," Jonas said in a persuasive manner. The troll stopped being so dramatic as it perked up. "Soon it will all be yours." Then he placed a small vial on the table and 'Catrina' grinned before grabbing it. She quickly gulped down some of it and then she raised up the sleeve of her dress, allowing Merlin and I to watch as a patch of rugged grey skin disappeared from her arm.
So Jonas hadn't been lying about the potion!
'Catrina' moved to leave the room and we hastened to hide behind a column before she could spot us.
Merlin and I were quick to come up with a brilliant plan (we're smart that way, y'know?) and, while the royal household dined, we made another trip to Jonas's bedroom. I stood watch by the door while he stole the flask that contains the potion from a cabinet.
"Hey, look at that! You are a criminal, after all," I quipped in a whisper as we made our way back towards Gaius's apartment.
"Which makes you my accomplice," he responded.
"Like Bonnie and Clyde! I chirped. "Minus the murders… and we're not lovers."
"Is that from a movie?" Merlin questioned while frowning down at me, a small grin on his lips.
"There's a movie, but they were real," I responded. "Or will be real, I guess. This whole time-travel thing is trippy…"
We jumped to explain everything we'd found out during the day as we entered the apartment, slightly startling Gaius. Merlin placed the flask on top of a work table, "We saw her drink some of this potion and a patch of troll skin on her arm disappeared."
The physician grabbed it and inspected it carefully. "It must be pretty powerful magic to physically change her like that" he noted as he raised an eyebrow. He took off the lid and sniffed the contents, instantly recoiling in disgust.
"Could you make a potion that looks and tastes exactly as this?" Merlin asked with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
"I do not know," Gaius responded with a wary look. My best friend and I shared a nervous glance. "Yes, I suppose so," the elderly man changed his answer. "But without the troll magic, it would not have the same effect."
"Bingo!" I exclaimed, causing him to tilt his head.
"If we can replace this potion with one that is not magical, Catrina will keep taking it – except it will no longer work and she will turn into a troll," the young sorcerer revealed our master plan.
The physician's eyes widened in realisation and the ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.
"So? Can you do it?" I pressed while nibbling on my bottom lip.
"I do not know," Gaius responded in a slightly distressed tone.
"We have to make the switch before morning, or Jonas will notice," Merlin added.
"Then it is going to be a long night," the physician stated.
I inwardly groaned at that, wanting nothing more but to feel the comfort of a soft mattress underneath me – since my torso still hurt from being thrown around like a ragdoll – but I didn't complain aloud. In any case, like the lazy-butts we can be, Merlin and I fell asleep huddled on the floor with my Avengers blanket at some point during the night, leaving Gaius to do all the work on his own.
He woke us abruptly the next morning, excitedly claiming that he had achieved our goal.
"What is in it?" Merlin wondered, his eyes jumping between the stolen potion and its replacement. They were indeed identical. At least visually.
"Nothing too potent," Gaius responded. "Rat's guts, toad paste…" Merlin and I shared a wide-eyed look. "Take two toads, grind them up..."
"Okay, that's graphic enough," I whined.
"We get the picture," my best friend stated.
"Horse dung," the physician continued in a nonchalant manner, "crushed sheep's eyeball..."
"Lovely," Merlin quipped.
Gaius kept listing things, "Pond scum, three wolf spiders…"
"Oh, dude, please stop," I begged.
"And what potion is complete without a dash of sheep's brain?" he finally finished.
I squeezed my eyes shut as my body cowered from the mental images.
"Sounds delicious," Merlin sassed. .
"Good, because you are going to taste it," the physician replied to him as he reached to hand him the flask with an amused smile on his face.
My eyes widened. "I'm out," I announced in a mumble before rushing out of the room, ignoring my best friend's protests for me to get back and not be 'such a girl'. Unfortunately for him, I am a girl.
I kept my head low as I made my way towards my bedroom, wishing to tidy myself up a little considering that I spent the night on the floor and have been wearing the same clothes for almost twenty four hours. I did my best to put on a sombre expression – considering that I'm probably expected to be sad that my best friend turned out to be a criminal, or whatever.
"Lady Astraea!" I heard a male voice call down the hallway, causing my body to jolt and I turned around; finding a knight approaching me. I believe his name is Luc. "Where did Merlin go?" he asked sternly once he reached me.
"How would I know? We're really not that close," I responded with a nonchalant shrug before starting to walk again – but the robust man grabbed my arm, causing me to flinch
"It is treason to withhold information!" he growled and I recoiled.
"Unhand the lady!" Arthur suddenly appeared from nowhere, giving the knight a fierce look. I sighed in relief. Sir Luc quickly let go of me and bowed down, apologising in a mumble. "I do not want to see you touching her ever again. Is that clear?" the Prince continued to scold.
The knight scurried away and I watched him go while raising an eyebrow, then I glanced up at Arthur and gave him a little grin, "Thanks."
"I have not seen you in a while," he stated, seemingly skipping over my word as he gave me a quizzical look.
"Been busy," I responded with a shrug as I started walking again.
He quickly fell into step with me, "With what?"
"You won't believe me," I answered.
"Astra–"
"How's your new stepmother treatin' ya', by the way?" I asked cynically. "I hope better than she's treatin' Merls."
Arthur let out a huff and grabbed my arm, forcing me to keep up with him as he sped up in the direction of our rooms. He dragged me into his and closed the door before finally letting me go.
"You were right when you said that there is something wrong with her," he conceded, his voice almost a whisper. "She has convinced my father to implement a new tax on the people; and the ones already in place will increase in amount."
My eyes widened and my stomach clenched as I protested, "But they struggle to get by as it is!"
Maybe I can use the entirety of the dumb allowances I get from Uther to help the people, and they might be able to pay without so much struggle… but that's just putting a band-aid over the true reason for this: troll greediness.
"I know, but he refuses to listen," Arthur responded. I noticed that his eyes were slightly reddened and it made me wanna murder the darn troll with my bare hands. Not that I could.
My heart ached, not only for Camelot, but for the Prince. Even if he's being stupid by not believing that Catrina's a troll in the first place, it still sucks to see him so upset. I like it when he's happy!
"I need to keep up the act that I am looking for Merlin," he suddenly said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Would you join me for a walk around the lower town?"
A grin formed on my face and I nodded, "Sure. Lemme just get changed real quick."
I ran out of his room and towards my own, hurrying to change into fresh clothes and to fix my braid and brush my teeth; before rejoining Arthur in the corridor. His lips curved upwards a little bit and he gallantly offered me his arm. I felt myself blush as I accepted the gesture and we settled into a nice pace as we left the castle.
"Thank you, by the way," I said as we reached the main dirt path that crosses the town. He looked down at me with a slight frown. "For warning Merls," I clarified in a whisper. "You probably saved his life."
"It was nothing," he waved me off.
I nudged his side a little and gave him a playful glare. He loves Merlin! But I didn't push him on the subject and we fell into a comfortable silence.
I let my eyes wander around as I gazed at the people, watching them humbly work the hours away. Obviously, trolls have no moral compass. Or whatever version they have is very different from ours. Still, I can't believe that Uther would be so heartless as to increase taxes in this way! For all his faults, I've always thought that he's a good king in the sense that he always seems to prioritise the people's welfare… for the most part. But I guess he's too in love with Catrina to say 'no'. It's almost as if she's messing with his mind…
The sound of a struggle, grunts, and a pained cry in the near distance made me snap out of my thoughts and I felt Arthur tense up beside me. We picked up our pace and soon found the reason for the noise.
A couple of guards were rough-handling an elderly man dressed in rags, who had been forced to his knees. I soon recognised him as Pryce – the kind father of the local barber, whom I met once when I'd accompanied Merlin to get a haircut on a rainy afternoon when I'd had nothing to do.
"What do you think you are doing?!" the Prince asked the guards, obviously displeased with the situation.
"He is refusing to pay the King's tax," a guard responded.
"Y-you ask for too much!" the elderly man cried as he looked up at the Prince. "I have given all I can!"
My heart churned and I glanced around, finding that a crowd was gathering. Gwen was among them and we made eye-contact for a second before I looked up at Arthur, silently praying that he would do the right thing.
"That is not enough!" a guard spat back at Pryce.
The Prince also glanced around at the grievous-looking crowd before reaching towards one of the guards as he demanded, "Let me see." The man obediently handed over a coin pouch. Arthur peeked inside it; his face instantly falling as he gazed towards the elderly man with a stormy look in his eyes.
I sighed in relief when he handed the pouch to Pryce as he ordered the guards, "Release him."
"But the King said–"
"Release him," Arthur cut off sternly. "And give them back their money. All of it," he added while motioning towards the crowd.
The guards shared wary glances, but they still followed orders and Pryce was promptly helped to his feet before he was let go.
I watched with a warming heart as the people smiled and bowed to their Prince in gratitude, and he gave them nods in return as he started to walk away. I quickly caught up with him and let my emotions run me over as I threw my arms around his torso, hugging him tightly. He gasped and I quickly pulled away, feeling my cheeks get warm as embarrassment flooded my whole body.
"Sorry. I'm just very proud of you. You're an amazing man. Never change," I spoke rapidly without making eye-contact before running off towards Gaius's apartment. There's still a troll to catch, after all.
The court was summoned for mysterious circumstances again at around sunset; so Gaius and I were forced to attend while Merlin remained in the apartment, hidden in his room. Lucky for him, he has an awesome best friend who lends him some entertainment, so he was left watching 'Ant-Man'.
I remained beside the physician as we got to the council chamber – not really wanting to take my place with the royal household, considering that Catrina was among them – and I frowned in confusion when I couldn't find Arthur.
Murmurs sounded throughout the room, the courtiers seemingly puzzled as to what was going on. I'm kinda glad to know Gaius and I are not the only ones in the dark.
Suddenly, the handsome Prince entered the room, with Sir Leon walking right behind him, and he glanced around in confusion.
"Father?" he questioned when he got to Uther, who stood at the end of the room beside his stinky wife while perusing a document.
The King looked up with a grumpy expression. "I am relaxing your duties. Revoking your title," he revealed.
I choked on saliva and quickly slapped a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound. He's what?! How can he do that?! Is that even legal! I mean, I guess it must be, since he's the King… he can do whatever he wants… But still!
My fists clenched automatically when I spotted a smug smile on 'Catrina's' lips.
"What?!" the Prince asked.
"We live in dangerous times," the King responded with narrowed eyes. "I cannot allow you to undermine my authority.
My eyes widened as my stomach churned. This must be because of what happened with Pryce! I glanced up at Gaius, wondering if I should interfere. He grabbed my arm and shook his head. Darn it.
"You have always welcomed my council in the past…" Arthur replied.
"You stood against me for all the people to see," Uther stated.
"I am sorry," the Prince said. He took a glance around the room and his eyes connected with mine for a moment, allowing me to see the storm in them, before he returned his attention to his father, "Any future grievance I have will be held in private."
"It is too late for that," the King responded coldly as he turned around and walked back towards the troll.
Arthur took a step forwards as he protested, "Father–"
"You are to be disinherited!" Uther spat, turning back for a moment. I could physically feel my heart shatter as my lungs grew constricted. Gaius's grip on my arm tightened. "With immediate effect!" the King kept striking. "You are no longer Crown Prince of Camelot!"
The physician sent me a cautionary look before stepping forwards as he protested in a soft tone, "Sire, Arthur is your son – your natural heir."
"Gaius," the Prince stopped him while holding out a hand.
Uther seemed to falter for a moment and I tilted my head.
Arthur stepped closer to him as he said, "You have always taught me to be true to my heart, and that is all I have ever tried to do. To be the man you wanted me to be. Someone you were proud to call your son."
"Fork," I muttered under my breath while quickly wiping away a tear that escaped me.
The King regarded his son with a stoic expression for a moment. "My decision is final," he stated.
Arthur promptly walked out of the room and I didn't wait to hear what else Uther had to say as I sprinted after him. Obviously, there's nothing immediate I can do to help. The potion – which Merlin replaced in Jonas's room earlier – will take some time to wear off and I'd probably end up without a head if I try to bring up the troll situation to the King before that happens. But I figured that I can at least offer some support and reassurance to the Prince.
He obviously heard my footsteps behind him and he glanced back for a moment as I caught up. I slowed down to walk beside him and then dropped my head while starting to nibble on my bottom lip. I should've thought this through.
"I-I'm sorry… I dunno what to say," I said in a whisper.
"You do not have to say anything, Astra," he responded in a low tone.
I nodded and we kept walking in silence, heading towards the royal apartments. I kept my eyes trained on the floor, and the taste of blood suddenly filled my mouth, making me realise that I'd broken through my lip. I quickly ran my tongue over the cut a few times to clean it.
Arthur's hand suddenly brushed mine and I gulped while glancing up at him. His jaw was tense and his gaze fixed straight ahead. Maybe he didn't notice… I dropped my head once more.
Then it happened again, and he instantly grabbed my hand, gently holding it in his warm one. I felt a small grin forming on my lips and looked up at him once more to find that his expression had eased up a little bit. Interesting…
We reached his room and he didn't let go as we entered it, then he closed the door behind us and released a long sigh before pulling me closer. My eyes widened. Then he let go of my hand and wrapped his arms around my waist in a cosy hug. I returned it immediately and let my head rest against his chest, noticing his slightly accelerated heart-beat.
"Is Catrina really a troll?" he asked in a whisper after a minute or two.
"Yeah…" I responded in the same manner.
I felt him nod and he stated, "Then I believe you."
I pushed back slightly to look up at his face, "You do?"
Arthur nodded again, "I am sorry that it took so long."
"S'all right," I waved him off and went back to hugging him fully. "And don't worry," I added, "she'll be exposed soon enough."