Braver than Knights

Chapter Eighteen: Family

The next morning, I got up and put on my linen clothing. I put my hair in a fishtail. The new auburn streaks made it especially beautiful. I put on black flats and rush down the stairs. I'm stopped by Merlin waiting for me. He notices me. "Ah, there you are." He said. "You were waiting for me?" I ask. He nods. "Why?" I ask. "I need to tell you something VERY IMPORTANT." He said. "Then talk and walk. I'm not gonna be late today." I said. We started to walk. "You aren't gonna believe me." He said. "I will certainly try." I said. He takes a deep breath. "Remember how I said we've never met?" He asked. "Yeah?" "I lied." "What! Why!" "Guias told me to not tell you until you were ready." "I'm plenty ready now!" He takes another deep breath. "I'm your brother." "WHAT! Okay, you're right. I don't believe you." "I know it's hard to believe, but our dad was a nobleman-dragon lord person." "YOUR dad." I corrected. "OUR dad." "MY dad was the royal archery master up until the Ancient War." I said. "So was mine. He was also a dragon lord." "I don't believe you." "Then how do you explain why you have magic?" "Magic chose me." "That's only half of the story!" He sighs in frustration and steps in front of me. "Magic chose Dad. Magic chose us because he chose our dad." "What about our mom? Huh? Where does she come in?" "She doesn't have magic." "Then I'm not your sister. I can't be. I am Madeline Skylark, Ward and Knight of Camelot." I say, pushing him out of the way. "Wait! No! You have to...." I ran off. To the training field.

Arthur catches me from running. "Whoa, there. What's up?" He said. "Sorry. I just heard the craziest explanation for what happened to me yesterday." I said. "That you have magic? Yeah, that's obvious." He said. "No, crazier." "Tell me." I sigh. "Merlin just told me I'm APPARENTLY his brother." I said. "Yeah, that IS crazy." He said. He seemed tense. "You okay?" I ask. "Yeah. I'm good." He said. I wasn't so sure. "You SURE nothing's wrong?" "Yes. No? I don't know!" "What's up?" I ask. "Something IS up. Josh's acting REALLY strange. He's not here. He NEVER misses a practice. I'm worried." He said. I thought for a moment. "I know. I'll go talk to him." I said.

I walked up to the door of his room. I knock. "Go away, George. You aren't dragging me to practice!" I heard through the door. "It's not George." I said. I heard him stand. "My Lady!" He said. I heard footsteps and the door opened. His short brown hair was all messed up and his hazel eyes seemed to be filled with tears. He wipes his eyes. "How may I help you?" He asked. "By going to practice." He looks away. "You NEVER miss practice, Josh. What's wrong?" I asked. He looked at me. "I'll be right there." He said, closing the door.

After practice, I walk Josh back to his room. "Why were you crying?" I ask. "I was?" He said. "Yeah. When I came to get you." "No reason." "Knights don't cry for no reason." He sighed. "The person I thought loved me doesn't." "Aw, I'm sorry. That happens sometimes. You'll find the love of your life, someday." I said. He smiled.

After walking him to his room, I put on a light green silk dress and matching flats and went straight for Guias. He has some explaining to do. I knock on his door. "Just a moment." He said. "Then make hast!" I said. It went quiet. He opens the door. "My Lady! What's the meaning of this pleasure?" He said. "Your 'Little Apprentice' has some explaining to do." I said, walking in. "I'm sorry if he upset you, My Lady. He made a mistake. It was a miscommunication." He said. I turn to him. "It better be." Merlin's door swings open. "Madeline!" "No informalities!" I said coldly. "Now that you're both in the same room for once, I can tell you what the truth is." Guias said. "Out with it. I haven't all day." I said. He takes a DEEP breath. "Yes, you aren't siblings. Let's make VERY clear." He said, looking at Merlin, mentally scolding him. "However, you are related. Your fathers were brothers. You are cousins."

"Cousins? With this Smart Alec? No thank you." I said. "I want nothing to do with her!" Merlin complained. "Stop it! You can't run from the truth, alright? You can't run from it!" Guias said. I stormed out.

That afternoon, I ran into Arthur. "Whoa. You okay?" He asked. "Just fine." I said. "You sound stressed." He said. "I'm. Fine." I said. "Alright, then. Come on. I'm taking you on a picnic. By order of the King. I kid you not." He said. I laugh. "Alright. If Uthur says it, it will be done."