Lady of Magic

IX

Ava stands on the balcony with Gwen. The two women look out over the city, seeing the horses of the party enter. Arthur led some of the knights, his uncle, and Merlin out to intercept scouts on the border. He had asked Ava to remain in order to remain and run the kingdom in his absence. 

"There is no prisoners," Gwen notices.

"Maybe they scared the men off," Ava hopes. "As long as our men are safe."

Arthur enters the room and goes to hug Gwen. Merlin comes right over and pulls the princess away. The two embrace each other before sharing a quick kiss. She places her hand on his cheek in order to look him in the eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Agravaine convinced Arthur to kill an unarmed man, Caerleon."

Ava mutters strings of curses as she process this. Caerleon was a king who had been trying to take Camelot's land since Uther's death. If his wife finds out how he died, that could mean war for the kingdoms. 

"This just keeps proving that Agravaine is trying to sabotage us," she states. "He knows the consequences with these actions and yet he insisted Arthur took them. Even though it is against Arthur's nature as well. Who knows what he is going to try to convince Arthur is right now."

"I don't even want to think about that."

She lets out a sigh and rests her forehead against him. He lowers his chin onto her head and pulls her close. Her arms wrap around him and they just stand there. Stress weighing them both down, but it feels the they keep each other from crushing under the weight of it. What she would give for this one moment to never end. But even she knows that if there is to be any progress, they can't. They pull away from each other before kissing again. 

~~~

A messenger arrives at the palace. A deceleration of war has been issued by Queen Annis. A response to the killing of her husband. Arthur feels so guilty for causing the battle to happen. The Camelot forces are position on a cliff, ready for the battle to take place. Ava is currently in the Council tent with Agravaine and Arthur. The king is sitting in a chair. On the table is a map of the battlefield. 

"We should meet with Annis," the red head argues. "See if we can come to peaceful terms before we risk lives."

"It would be a show of weakness," Agravaine counters. "She and every other leader will assume our King is afraid of fighting."

"It is not weakness. It is a strength only true leaders can provide. It would help prevent senseless bloodshed because of him listening to you."

"Out," Arthur calmly orders. He looks at his uncle and his sister. "Now."

"Yes sir," the lord responds, leaving. Ava just nods her head. The two leave him to think. Merlin goes to talk to him. The princess sits by Leon, pulling out of her sword. The two work on sharpening their weapons.

"I heard you arguing with Agravaine," he states. "All of us would lie our lives down for your brother and the kingdom."

"I believe you," she states. "But if there is a way to prevent anyone from dying, we must take it. I remember when we thought you were dead. No one should have to feel that pain."

He nods his head before sheathing his sword. Merlin hurries over and gets the princess. She is instructed to go back to the king's tent. She goes back in alone. Arthur is pacing back and forth.

"What if we do try and negotiate terms of peace?" Arthur asks. "She may try to take more than I can give."

"Then we make a deal with her," Ava responds. "I will fight a champion provided by her. If I win, no battle."

"And if we lose?"

"Give her something she wants. But this will be the best choice."

He considers this for a moment before glancing out the crack in the tent.

"We should be good to go soon. Grab your cloak and meet me here once everyone is asleep."

She agrees before heading back to her tent. She takes off her sword, switching to her dagger. She pulls the green cloak around her and ties it. She pulls the hood up and prepare to leave. Just as she is about to exit the tent, Merlin steps in.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"Try and stop a war," she informs him. "Please stay here. We can't risk this going wrong."

"Does Arthur know?" She doesn't respond. "He is going with you, isn't he?"

"Just stay here. Please."

The princess sneaks out of her tent and meets with her brother. The two move quietly out of the camp, not letting anyone know they were leaving. The siblings move through the woods and into another camp so far away. A guard grabs Ava's arm and another grabs Arthur. They pull the two royals into the biggest tent where Queen Annis is waiting. Their hoods are pulled back to reveal who they are.

"Are you here to request for me to leave?" she asks. "Because that will not happen. You, boy, unjustly killed my husband."

"I was wrong," he states. Another guard enters, dragging in Merlin.

"Who is this?" the queen asks.

"My serving boy," Arthur answers. 

"We didn't know he was following us," the princess adds. She glares at the sorcerer who just shrugs it off.

"So what is it you want?" Annis asks.

"A deal," Ava informs her. "A battle between champions to avoid more innocent blood shed. If we win, the battle is called off."

"And if I win?"

"You will gain half of Camelot's lands," Arthur informs her.

"And who is to fight for your side."

Ava opens her mouth to respond, but her brother answers for her.

"I will."

The queen considers it before agreeing to the terms. The time for the fight is set and the three from Camelot head back to the camp. They go straight into Arthur's tent. Ava flings her cloak down before turning to the two men with her.

"Both of you," she snaps. She points at her brother. "What were you thinking volunteering? I was suppose to take the role. What is to happen if you die in this fight?"

"I will not let anyone die for me," he states. "And you would take the crown if I die."

"Not a brilliant idea." She turns to Merlin. "And you shouldn't have followed us. That was idiotic."

"I had to make sure you two didn't get hurt."

She lets out a groan before pushing her hair out of her face. She looks up at the roof of the clothed structure.

"You two are going to be the death of me," she weakly chuckles, shaking her head.

"Yet you still deal with us," Merlin laughs. She couldn't but smirk a bit.

"Get some rest you two," she orders. She mumbles something about having to act like a mother before scooping up the pile of green fabric. The Lady heads back to her tent and tries to get some sleep as well. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.