The Darkest Dawn (BBC Merlin) Book 3

A New Beginning

Kyra lay on the bed, tossing the small cloth ball she had made into the air before she heard footsteps, she looked upside down to see Merlin and Leon approaching, she grinned and rolled over onto her belly. "You're back!" she called with a smile, as they got closer she noticed, cuts and bruises on Leon and frowned, "what happened to you?" she asked, Merlin grinned before receiving a warning look from Leon. Kyra looked between the two with a raised eyebrow before she swung her legs off the bed and stood up, making her way to the bars and leaning on them, "Now I really have to know" she said with a grin, Leon smiled placatingly, "nothing happened, just the mission took a turn that's all", Kyra narrowed her eyes, "hmmmm" she said unconvinced, she looked at Merlin for answers, "Merlin?", he glanced at Leon, who shook his head warningly, "Leon got beaten by a girl" he snorted, Leon looked back at Kyra, the tips of his ears flushing red as he hurried to speak, "I did not, she was a creature, strength of at least twenty men", Kyra nodded with wide eyes as she stifled a grin, "I'm sure" she agreed placatingly, Leon flushed a deep red and pulled her closer through the bars gruffly, she grinned up at him.

"it was a Lamia" he said with a grumble, "what's a lamia?" Kyra asked, glancing at Merlin as she smoothed Leon's hair, "Half girl, half serpent, it catches its prey by beguiling men" Merlin answered, Kyra looked back at Leon and pulled his beard gently, "so she beguiled you, did she?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, "no, of course not" Leon answered quickly, she tightened her grip on his beard, "was she pretty?" she questioned, her eyes twinkling mischievously, "It was an enchantment, I couldn't help it" Leon said with a wince as she pulled his beard, "Merlin was she pretty?" Kyra asked, Merlin grinned at the sight of the tall Knight being held hostage by his beard, "Very" he answered, Leon glared at Merlin out the corner of his eye, "Merlin, you're not helping" he hissed.

Kyra narrowed her eyes before she let go of his beard and looked at Merlin, "so what did he do?", Merlin folded his arms and grinned, "well they were all besotted with her, Leon and Gwaine started fighting, Percival wouldn't let me near her, general rude behaviour on all fronts towards Gwen and I, the Lamia lured us to an empty castle and attacked them, Leon got beaten by a girl, Arthur came and saved us" he summarised quickly, Kyra looked reproachful at Leon, "so you got into a fight with my brother and were rude to Merlin?" Leon shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his head ruefully, "Apologize to Merlin, right now" she said shortly. "Hang on, Gwen was with you?" she suddenly realised, she raised an eyebrow at Merlin, "yes, the villagers were friends of hers, Arthur insisted she go" Leon answered, Kyra narrowed her eyes and continued to look at Merlin, "Guinevere... Recently disgraced Guinevere who betrayed us all, is now back at court?" she pressed, Merlin gave her a look, "it was an enchantment" Merlin finally said, returning Kyra's gaze. She searched his face before she answered, "hmmm" in an unconvinced tone, Leon tucked her hair behind her ear, bringing her attention back to him. "I have to go, Elyan said he needed me for something" he said quietly, Kyra made a face but nodded, "Alright, come and see me tomorrow?" she added hopefully, he smiled and kissed her through the bars. "of course I will, Merlin, I'm sure Arthur is looking for you" Leon said, pulling away from the bars and steering Merlin with him.

Kyra huffed and watched them walk away, "well at least I know I'm great company" she grumbled to herself and lay down on the bed to sleep.

As the sun began to creep into the sky the next morning, Kyra awoke with a jolt as a loud bang signalled that she had company.

Badden,  you're up" came a yell from the cell door,  Kyra sat up and looked at the guard quizzically as he unlocked the door. She got to her feet warily and watched as he stood aside,  letting Arthur past him, she curtseyed quickly. "Lady Kyra Badden, you have served your sentence,  you are now free,  on the premise that you will never disobey your king again... If there is a next time, you will suffer the full punishment" Arthur said solemnly, she nodded, "Yes sire, I understand" she curtseyed again,  deeply this time to acknowledge the King's decision.  A small smile quirked the corners of Arthur's mouth as he held out a hand to her, she took it and rose. "with that being said,  I owe you thanks for not only saving Sir Leon's life but ridding Camelot of the beast" he continued,  she stifled a smile  and nodded her head to him, "you would have done the same, my Lord"