Elizabeth and the Goddess of Death

Chapter Fifteen

Elizabeth had a peaceful sleep, only thanks to Gaius' sleeping potions. Otherwise she'd have been to excited to properly rest, and as tempting as it was to stay up all night figuring out exactly what she'd say and do with Gwaine when he returned, she knew it would only hinder her in the tournament.

She had to win, make up for failing him when he had died. Looking back, she saw a list of faults with how she handled the situation. If she had gotten to the healing spells faster perhaps he'd still be alive. She shouldn't have doubted Merlin's capability to fight off Morgana, she knew he was more powerful than her. Fear rendered her incapable of thinking, and she hated herself for that.

She dressed herself for training but stopped for breakfast first, despite the desperate want to train. She knew keeping strength up was important as well, and the socialization involved was always fun.

Arthur, Guinevere, Gaius, Merlin and all the knights tended to have breakfast together to strengthen the family bond they all shared.

They'd often joke Gaius was everyone's father, that Elizabeth and Gwaine would for sure be the first ones to give him a heart attack with all the bar brawls that often got started whenever they went drinking.

In fairness, they never started it. It was usually a guy hitting on Elizabeth that wouldn't take no for an answer. But going in their knight clothes shut down most of the opportunities those men thought they had.

Merlin was definitely everyone's little brother. Usually the butt of jokes, but always had the backup of the knights if they witnessed someone trying to making fun of him. Of course he didn't need their defense now that magic was legal, but that didn't change their protectiveness over the lanky young man.

Morgana was starting to fit in as well, many of them surprisingly open to the former enemy. Elizabeth and Guinevere often worked on the sidelines to get her and Percival together. Morgana talked about him whenever the three spent time together, and Percival was a little flirty with her. So, like good sisters, they were actively working to get the two together and so far they were succeeding.

"Look at them, getting along." Guinevere points out to Elizabeth with a big grin, watching Morgana and Percival laugh together.

"I'm surprised he had interest in her. Pleasantly surprised, of course. I thought he might have held some hesitance, considering Gwaine. I'm happy for them, they both deserve the world." Elizabeth says.

"I always love breakfast, it feels good to do something altogether. It's even better now that you've joined us again." Guinevere admits.

"I missed it, I just...I didn't want to hurt anymore than I already was, and god forbid any other enemy rise against us and claim the lives of more. I just thought I'd be better off alone, not growing any more attached to people." Elizabeth explains, fiddling with her eggs.

"I understand, I almost did that when Elyan died. But it was just unbearable, feeling so alone."

"After being alone for so long, it just felt like second nature to me. The trouble for me was not being able to go anywhere without thinking of him. My room, old camp in the forest, the taverns. He was there with me in all those places, they all made me think of him. His kindness, loyalty, wit, laugh. Sleeping was the worst. In the darkness I saw his face, in the silence I could hear his screams from the Nathair. I just can't wait to have him home."

"We're all with you in this. Even Merlin had picked up sword training, when he wasn't cleaning off Gwaine's armor and his chair at our table."

"I thought it looked a little cleaner. He's got such a good soul, maybe we should get him with someone next." Elizabeth jokes, getting a giggle out of Guinevere.

With that, the girls went back to their breakfast, talking with the rest of their family members as well.

After all they've been through together, Elizabeth stopped calling them friends and referred to all of them as her brothers. With exceptions such as Morgana and Guinevere, whom she obviously called her sisters. She didn't acknowledge that Morgana was only a half sister or that Guinevere was her sister in law. It meant no difference to her, so she didn't waste breath adding in the clarification. She had addressed Gaius as her father for the longest time, he was the closest thing she had to a real father.

Helping her pack necessities to escape and riding out to the Forest of Ascetir with her so that way she had extra supplies, even helping set her up a tent. Far better than the "father" who abandoned her when she just needed to be held, told she wasn't a monster.

This was her family, and she wouldn't have it any other way.