I Don't Belong Here

Arthur dies. Not on my fucking watch.

Arthur didn't let me join them on their hunt this morning. Fucking dick. Just because it isn't just him, Merlin and I, doesn't mean I can't come. Everyone knows I'm a fighter. They see me with swords all the time. Even the king has complimented me a couple of times on my swordsmanship. But no... I'm stuck doing laundry and cleaning his highness's room because 'it's too dangerous'. Fuck off, Arthur. I've saved your life far too many times to count at this point.

Suddenly the bell rings and I see Arthur, Merlin and the other knights all return in a hurry. But Sir Bedivere is missing. What the hell happened on that hunt?

"Merlin!" I run down the steps to meet him. "What's happened?"

"There was a monster," he says, the guard all stomping into the castle with urgency. Merlin and I follow. "It killed Sir Bedivere."

"What was it?" I ask.

"I don't know," he says as we file into the war room. "It had the head a crowned snake and the body of a spotted lion."

"Head of a-" I mutter, forming a picture in my mind. "You mean a cobra and a leopard?" He only shrugs. "I've never heard of that one, before." He gives me a worried look but I say nothing, as we wait for Arthur to explain the situation to Uther and Gaius.

Gaius's voice beings our attention from ourselves. "The beast you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast." Yup, never heard of that.

"Surely that's a myth," Arthur brushes off the possibility. Then what the fuck did you look at, idiot? A wolf? If I wasn't in the presence of the king and others, I would give Arthur an earful for that one.

Gaius continues, ignoring Arthur's flippancy. "According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval."

"Gaius, that's an old wives' tale," Uther reminds Gaius in a warning tone.

Sensing the tension, Arthur returns the conversation to the main focus. "Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city."

"Then we must kill it," Uther declares. "Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn."

If he thinks I'm letting him leave me out of this one, I'm going to rip him a new one.

On the way back, Arthur asks me to come with him. Merlin and I share a look but I obey while Merlin goes back to the office.

Arthur leads me to his room and I soon as I close the door he turns. "Y/n, I know what your thinking."

"Good," I smile innocently. "Then you know you won't stop me."

"I can try," he says seriously. "Y/n, this monster is nothing like we've ever seen. I don't want you getting hurt."

I cross my arms. "And you think I'm just gonna stay here while you and Merlin go and risk your lives?" I ask. "You think I'm gonna sleep soundly not knowing whether or not you'll return? Whether I could have prevented the worst?" His eyes soften a little and I can't help but soften as well. "Arthur, I'm your maid, but you're also my friend. I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt and I did nothing."

He sighs and looks out the window. "You'll follow even if I chained you to a wall, wouldn't you?"

I chuckle. "It's insulting if you think chains could restrain me."

He shakes his head. He goes to his dresser and pulls out a shirt and pants. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."

I smile victoriously. "Thank you, Princey," I smile. "I'll see you at dawn."