Lady of the Court

XXIV

Tick. Tick. Tick. The noise repeats over and over as she runs through the castle halls. A clock counting down. Counting down to what though? What is she running from? No. Not from, but to. To stop him. She makes it to the outside to see the flames shoot up. A ring of fire surround people she loves. Gaius, Arthur, Gwen, Merlin, Morgana, and her parents. No one is freaking out. No one is looking at her. She screams, but the wind carries her voice away. Merlin turns and smiles at her. The flames increase more, engulfing everyone. She cries out, unsure what to do.

Ava jolts up, breathing heavily. She goes to reach for Merlin, but he's not there. He hasn't been beside her the past couple nights. He's been acting weirder than normal and she's getting worried. But at least she didn't wake him up. She pulls her knees closer to herself, looking at the sheets. Maybe this relationship is too much for him. He does still have to keep his magic hidden while protecting Arthur. She thought her brother knowing about their relationship would make it easier, but it doesn't.

She slips out of bed, pressing her feet against the cold hardwood. Looking out the window, she sees the lights are mostly out through Camelot. Sun is starting to rise in the sky. Reddish streaks poke through as stars start to fade. She sighs, deciding to be up for the day. She goes to start a fire in the fire place to warm the room some. Starting to read, food is soon brought in.

"I see you are already up," Gwen points out. "Did you sleep well?"

"Decent," Ava responds, going to her table.

"Merlin hasn't been sneaking out lately. Is everything alright?"

"I actually don't know."

"Maybe he's just been busy with Arthur and Gaius."

"Maybe."

Ava offers for Gwen to eat some with her as she picks at her food. She hates feeling like this. If Merlin didn't feel the same anymore, he would tell her. Right? She got to be just messing with her own mind. Plus Gwen has a point. Merlin has probably been busy.

~~~

Merlin rushes around, setting up Arthur's breakfast. The prince gets out of bed and walks over towards his table. The blind starts eating as Merlin fills the cup.

"What is making you be a somewhat decent servant?" Arthur questions.

"Just trying to keep busy."

"Why?"

Merlin stops, thinking of his talk with Uther. The king told him he was a key player for the war against magic. Then the monarch threatened him after saying he's seen how Merlin looks at Ava. So if now he has to figure out what to do about their relationship. He looks at Arthur.

"Well Uther knows I have feelings for Ava."

The prince stops eating, laying his food down.

"What are you going to do?"

"No clue."

"Well I guess you need to be a bit smarter to come up with a plan."

"I still have more wits than you."

Arthur chuckles before getting serious.

"You might have to end your relationship. Father is not afraid to lock up his children to teach a lesson."

Merlin considers the idea while he starts cleaning up. He didn't want to even consider it as an option. But that might be the only way. He has to choose between risking it with Ava or fulfilling his destiny. This is ridiculous, but he knows what he needs to pick. Not cause he wants to, but have to. He accidentally spills the water in the pitcher.

"Go and talk to my sister," Arthur orders, jumooup from the cold water. "After you clean this mess."

Merlin hurries to clean up the mess. He then hurries to Ava's chambers. Bursting inside, he sees Gwen and Ava at where table. Gwen excuses herself, leaving the couple alone.

"I'm so sorry," He tells her. "Your father figured out I care for you and-"

"And threatened you," She quickly adds. "As per usual if anything goes against his plan."

"It's just we shouldn't... We shouldn't be together."

"Because we need to focus on protecting Arthur," She states. He watches her put on a false smile. Her eyes glisten with tears forming. How his heart shatters at the sight of that.

"Maybe one day we can be together without hiding it," she openly hopes.

"One day. When Arthur's king, we can be together."

She nods her head, tears start to fall. Merlin apologizes once again, leaving.