Elizabeth

The Moment of Truth

"Liz!" I turned from my horse I was preparing for the ride Arthur and I were to go on to see Merlin running to us.

"You're late Merlin." Arthur told him. Uther had required us to have at least one person to watch us just to make sure that nothing inappropriate happened.

"Liz! Mum's here something happened back home!" he told me and I dropped what I was holding.

"Where is she?!"

Mother stood before Uther, Arthur, Morgana and I and the rest of the court.

"The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children. Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is, and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help." My mother begged Uther.

"Ealdor's in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility." Uther reminded her.

"We've appealed to our King, but he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope." my mother told him and I didn't doubt it. King Cenred never really cared for them even before I was there.

"I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth." Uther told her. His words made me hopeful that we could help.

"You'll help us?" My mother asked him.

"I wish I could." Uther told her.

"Surely we can spare a few men?" Arthur said grabbing my hand. He knew how much she meant to Merlin and I and I knew he would do what he could.

"Resources are not the problem." Uther told him.

"Then what is?" I asked him.

"Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war." Uther told me and my mother dropped to her knees.

"I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."

"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help." I glared at him and helped my mother up then escorted her to Gaius's chambers with Arthur and Merlin behind me.

"You've changed so much." My mother told me as we walked.

"I hope not too much, I wouldn't want to have you not recognize me." I told her smiling.

"It's not that kind of change, my dear. I must admit though the royal garb suits you, it's an inward change. You must care for him deeply." mother told me and I looked to Arthur behind us and smiled before turning back around. "And you Merlin, is there a woman in your life?" mother asked him.

"No." he told her.

"That all depends on who you ask. He says no but everyone knows he's in love with a young woman named Gwen." I told her laughing slightly.

"No I'm not." Merlin told her and I laughed at him.

"I'm glad to see your new station in life hasn't changed your relationship with each other." Mother told us.

"I don't think anything could do that." Arthur told her from behind us. I slowed so I could walk next to him behind Merlin and our mother. "There are times when we'll be looking all over for her and she'll be in Gaius' Chambers just talking with the two of them." My mother laughed a little at him.

"That sounds like them." She told him. We continued walking and talking about the past and somethings we've come across since we'd been here, keeping my near death out of it.