Lady of the Court

XVII

Arthur walks into his chambers, plopping on his bed. How could his sister and father hide such a secret? He had every right to know Ava is his sister. Honestly, it's more shocking he's more angry about that than his step mother being a troll. Merlin did warn him about that. Speaking of the devil, Merlin's head pops out from under the bed. Arthur jumps up.

"Have been here thee whole time?"

"Yes. Well, not here specifically."

"Good. Cause otherwise-" he cuts himself off. "Don't say 'Told you so'."

"I wasn't. But if you had listened to me-" Arthur just looks at him and stops. "Sorry. But Gaius and I think we may have a plan. We just need to get Ava."

"We do not need her."

"She can be quite convincing."

"I know."

Merlin looks at his friend.

"What happened?"

"She thought it was smart to not tell me she is my half sister."

"We need to convince the king you're dead. No one can do that better than your sister."

Arthur looks at him before agreeing. Merlin leaves only to return with Gaius and Ava. Gaius runs through the plan once more with everyone. Arthur questions whether or not every one can handle their end. There is the chance he could actually die. And he would prefer to live.

Ava watches as her brother drinks from the vial. He first was fine, then falls forward. All three rush to catch him. Once Gaius lays him on the ground, the two men leave. Ava focuses enough to seem in shock before release a scream. She rushes towards the door in an act of panic. Knights are already running to respond to her scream.

"Please get the king," she cries. "Arthur isn't breathing."

One rushes off and soon returns with Uther. He sees tears in Ava's eyes.

"I found him not breathing," she chokes out. He rushes towards his son. Soon Catrina rushes in. The troll tries to confince him that Arthur was a lost cause. However, the king keeps muttering how it is his fault. Reminding Ava how Uther truly is as a father. He turns towards Catrina before jumping back.

"You're a troll," he snap. The two start arguing about who is more disgusting. In the mean time, Merlin drains the antidote into Arthur's mouth from a cloth. The prince quickly raises from the false death. Catrina sends Merlin and Arthur flying back. The red headed lady grabs the sword near the door.

"Hey shit eater," Ava calls. The troll turns to her as she throws the sword towards Arthur. "I think my father wants to end this marriage."

Arthur drives the blade through the creature, ending her life. A few knights help clean up the mess in the prince's chambers. Arthur and Ava sit down by Uther, the three of them start laughing from the end of the stress. Uther puts his arms around his kids.

"Sorry for not telling you," he tells Arthur. "But I didn't the Graysons in anyway to be disrespected."

Arthur shakes his head, laughing.

"I think we just need to get some rest."

Ava spots Merlin, wishing them goodnight. She walks down the hall some before pulling the sorceror into her chambers. The two of them kiss each other, embracing each other. Eventually they pull away for air.

"You get banished again and we're going to have problems," the red head chuckles.

"Yes m'lady," he laughs. He pulls her towards the couch where they crash. They get comftorable and start reading the book they have been working on. Soon sleep takes over them.

Arthur walks in, spotting his sister and servant asleep. He wakes up Merlin before carrying Ava to her bed, trying not to wake her. The two men leave her to sleep. They walk down the halls until the prince stops.

"Thank you," Arthur tells him. "If it wasn't for you, I would-"

"Still have a troll for a step mother?" Arthur looks at him. "Sorry."

The prince moves a bit and Merlin goes for a hug. The blond stops him.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought you were going for a hug."

"No." Arthur starts to walk away. Soon he stops and turns back around. "Also be careful loving Ava. She's been outed as a princess now."

With that, he leaves him.