The Dragonlady (A Merlin fanfiction; sequel to Camelot)

Chapter Fourteen

I was brushing my hair, when I heard a knock at my door.

"This better not be Arthur again." I mumbled under my breath.

I opened the door, and to my surprise, it was William. He was holding a basket with a sheet and some food.

"Wanna go for a picnic?" William smiled.

"Oh, William, I would love to." I kissed him on the cheek.

"Well, let's go, then. I already have a spot picked out for us."

I followed as William led the way.

After walking for a few minutes, there was the sound of footsteps not too far behind.

"Beatrice!" Someone called from behind

I turned around. Merlin was coming towards us.

He stopped in front of me "I know who started the fire in Morgana's room."

"Really?" I said "Who?"

"Morgana. Morgana started the fire."

"What?"

"Morgana has magic, but she didn't know it until today. As she was sleeping, she had a nightmare. She woke up and accidentally used the magic she didn't know she had to set her curtains on fire."

"Wait, hold on." William said "Morgana, Uther's ward, has magic?"

"Yes."

"Does the king know?"

"No."

"Well, do you think Uther will accept sorcerers when he finds out?"

Merlin just shook his head.

"How do you know all this?" I asked

"She told me." Merlin shrugged

"Morgana told you?"

"Yes. She trusts me completely."

"Well, has Morgana said anything else? You know, like wanting to overthrow the king..."

Merlin looked disgusted "Beatrice! Morgana is one of the kindest, most loyal people I know. She would never try to overcome the king!"

"I was just curious." I protested.

"Yeah, I know. Well, I'll let you two enjoy your picnic." And he rode off.

"Come on, Beatrice." William called as he started moving "We're almost there."

After walking for a few more minutes, we reached an open clearing, with beautiful flowers littering the ground. There were trees and bushes surrounding us, and the sky was clear.

"Here we are." William spread out the picnic sheet "Take a seat."

It was then that I recognized the place. It was the same place that Kilgarrah landed in my dream. I realized I would be visiting here again soon.

But, I put that aside for that moment, and decided to focus on William.

I sat down, and William took some strawberries and cheese out of his basket.

"Wow. This is perfect."

"I knew you would love it." He said as he popped a grape in his mouth.

I took a strawberry "How did you know about this spot?"

"Sometimes the Knights come here to train. I've watched them practice." He paused and sighed "You know, I've always wanted to be a knight."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's just that... knights are so respected. It's a sin to disrespect a knight, and I've always wanted to be treated the same way."

"Well, if it makes any difference, I respect you."

"Thank you."

"Sir William. I like that."

"Yeah, thanks, laddie."

"William?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you call me laddie? I mean, isn't laddie used for men? Don't people use lassie for women?"

"Well, yes. At first, I would look at you and get so nervous that I would trip over my words. But I soon decided that lassie just wasn't right for you. Laddie suited you a lot better, because you can shoot your bow better than any man in Camelot. That's why."

I smiled "Well, that's good. I was worried it was because you mistook me for a boy."

William laughed, and so did I.

"You always know how to make me laugh." He said softly.

"I never mean to make you laugh," I confessed "I just happen to say something stupid at the right time."

"Not stupid. More... adorable."

"Thank you, Sir William." I said teasingly

"Of course, laddie."

That's when I realized what was going on. The first dream I had ever had was coming true. This was the picnic. William wasn't actually a knight, it was just a fun nickname. I was falling in love even more with William.  I smiled at the ground.

"Have you ever realized how special you are?" William broke the silence

I shook my head "I fear the only special quality I possess is magic. Everything else about me is completely... ordinary."

He grabbed my chin softly and turned my head so he could stare right into my eyes "Don't ever say that about yourself, please. You are so special in so many different ways. You're brave, loyal, sweet, caring, funny, trustworthy, polite, humble, and honest. And beautiful. And I know that men have been searching all four corners of the earth for a woman like you. I'm just lucky I got to you first."

My vision became blurry with tears "Thank you. You're too kind."

William leaned in for a kiss, and my heart skipped a beat. I leaned forward as well.

And then our lips met. It was everything my dream said it would be, and more. It was the most passionate kiss I've ever had with William by far.

Then, he leaned back.

I sighed and smiled dreamily, and begin to play with my necklace "Thank you for the picnic. I had a great time."

"Thank you for coming," He said "Maybe we could do this again sometime?"

"Definitely." I gave him one last small kiss on the cheek.

William packed up the stuff, and we rode back to Camelot.