The Once and Future Heir

Chapter 8

Light streamed in through the small window and onto Alex's face. Squeezing her eyes shut, she attempted to roll over only to be greeted by a wave of pain throughout her lower body. A sharp gasp escaped her lips and tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over her face. A familiar voice calmed her a little bit and made her forget the pain for a split second.

"Alex? Are you okay?" Merlin asked softly.

Alex opened her eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust to the brightness of the large room. She was lying on a sofa thing with tables and vials all over. Immediately she knew that she was in the physicians chambers. Bringing her hands up her bright blue eyes, she rubbed the sleep and wetness from them. She looked over at Merlin and met his worry-filled green eyes.

Merlin was sitting in a small wooden chair, barely big enough for a child. A bandage was wrapped around his stomach where there was a small spot of blood where his injury was. His hair was a mess from a restless nights sleep, and he was twiddling his thumbs nervously. Alex suppressed a smile before answering him.

"I'm fine, Merlin. Just a little sore," she said, her voice scratchy from all of the dust she inhaled.

Merlin's face seemed to say that he didn't believe her. "What happened?"

Alex thought for a minute before responding. "Honestly, I don't know. One minute I was talking with you and the next I was being crushed under falling debris."

There was a long, excruciating silence as they both recalled the painful experiences from the previous night. Alex sucked in a breath to calm her nerves, only to be greeted by a fit of coughing. After a few minutes, it finally subsided. Merlin looked into her eyes and Alex saw tears brimming in his eyes.

"How's the queen? Is she alright? Is the baby okay?" Alex asked suddenly, trying to sit up.

Merlin gently pushed her back into her bed. "Don't try and move. You have broken your legs and hips, so it will take awhile to recover. Queen Guinevere is fine, a few bumps and bruises but that's all. As for the baby, we don't know." He smiled. "If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be here. Neither would Gaius."

At that moment, the door burst open and the Arthur came stomping in. "Where is Alexandria?!" He shouted, panic lacing his words.

His hair was a mess, his shirt was torn and bloodied, his eyes were bloodshot and his sword was still in his hand. Merlin stood up and flinched, his wound still fresh.

Arthur looked at him, then looked at Alex and relief flooded his features. His piercing blue eyes softened and glistened with tears as he saw that Alex was alive. He rushed over, searching her body for injuries and grimacing when he saw the shape of her legs.

He carefully rested his sword on the beaten up table and kneeled by Alex's side. Tears fell down his cheeks as he looked at her, and Alex could sense the thankfulness that he was experiencing. She smiled and adjusted her sitting position, grimacing as pain shot up through her legs again. 

"Hey, hey. Take it easy," Arthur said, gently pushing her back into the blankets.

Nodding, Alex settled back into a comfortable resting position and looked back at Arthur. He looked at Merlin and nodded, suggesting that he give them a few moments of privacy. Understanding, Merlin carefully got up and shuffled towards the door, looking back at Alex with relief before opening the wooden door and heading out.

Once he had gone, Arthur turned to Alex, tears fresh in his eyes. "Alex, there are no words... I... Thank you." He chuckled lightly, wiping the tears that we're streaming down his cheeks. "Thank you so much for saving my family. There is nothing I can do to show my gratitude that will be enough. You risked everything for Gwen, the baby, and for Camelot. I shall forever be in your debt."

Alex, crying because of the sincerity of his words, patted Arthur's hand in reassurance. "Sire, I would do anything for you and your family."

Arthur smiled, then took her hand. Speaking softly, he said, "Alexandria, you have earned the highest honor I can give to you. I would like you to serve as Queen Gwenevere's personal servant. I don't think I could trust anyone as much as I could trust you."

Alex was speechless. This was monumental, knowing that she had only been in Camelot a few weeks. All she could do was nod and grin like a fool. He chuckled lightly, then gave her a small kiss on the forehead, then stood back up wearily. He retrieved his sword and headed for the door, looking back before walking briskly out into the hall.

Merlin shuffled back in, then carefully shut the door behind him. "You should rest. Those legs won't heal until you get sleep. It's been a rough night, trying to keep you alive and all..."

He trailed off and tears welled up in his emerald green eyes as he recalled the horrible events of the previous night. Alex reached up and grabbed his hand to comfort him. He looked at her and smiled, then set her hand gently at her side.

"Get some sleep."

Alex nodded sleepily then closed her blue eyes and drifted off into a fitful sleep.

Heyyo

Sorry, it's been sooooooo long since I've updated...... I've been busy 😣 Writers block has set in and it's taken me a week to finish this chapter. Please enjoy! Also, I'm not sure I want to continue with this book because it's definitely not my best work. I might delete it if nobody reads it. I'm writing a couple new books that I'm excited for. We'll see.
Anyways thanks for reading!
-Hammie