Trapped in the Past

Chapter 18

I was on my knees, crying my eyes out. But I was trying to kept silent. But then Uther came in. He ran towards me and hugged me tight, rocking me back anf forth in his arm, trying to comfort me. "What's wrong, my dear katarina?" he asked. He sounded very worried. i could not blame him for being a caring father.
 
"I… i… I am just scared…" I lied. Maybe that was not the whole lie. I was not scared of that man in the dungeon but I was scared that I would not be able to protect myself from evil that will lurked into the castle and bring this kingdom down. As much as I want to go home to my time, I now, belong here and my heart was telling me I care for this kingdom.
 
"I would not let anyone hurt you.. you will be alright… I promise.." he cooed me. Uther, who I think I should start call him 'father' , kissed my head and helped me up. I sat on my bed. "go to bed… you will feel better tomorrow…" I nodded. Then he realised something odd, "Where is your servant?"
 
"father… I sent her off.. She is too tired… please.. don’t be angry at her…" I persuaded him. Father was not very happy. Everyone knew it was hard to convince him. I gave him a convincing smile and then get under the blankets.  Father sighed and gave me a kiss on the forehead before he left.
 
 
Next morning, I got to know that Gregory was hanged. No one woke me up. Good that they did not because it would be too gruesome to watch a man struggled for oxygen while he was hanged. Gwen greeted me with a smile when he entered my room. I faked a smile. I still could not accept the fact that I was a muggle and better still someone else.  I showered and dressed up. Gwen helped me braided my hair. I thanked her once it was done. Breakfast was prepared in my chamber.
 
I walked out to the fighting ground and saw Arthur, Caleb and the knights were practicing. There Merlin stood at the swords stand. I walk towards him. Merlin looked at me, worried. "merlin… i… lose my magic…" I whispered. He gasped.
 
"Are you sure?" he asked.
 
"Yes… I have tried it once I got a premonition. Now… I am just another mortal…"I answered.
 
"I'm so sorry…. Is there a way to get it back?" he asked again. I just shook my head. I shuddered.
 
"Katarina….."My name was being called. I turned around to see Caleb walking towards me. He was fully armed. He had a sword on his right grip while a shield in the other hand. I acknowledged his calling by smiling at him. "How are you feeling. I heard you were crying yesterday…" He added. My cheeks turned red due to the embarrassment, although he did not say it out loud. "Hey… you don’t have to be embarrass…. It is alright to be scared. " I looked up at him.. and gave him a faint smile. "Katarina… how about we take a walk..."He asked.
 
"Sure.." was all I said. We did not take the horses because I preferred walking. "hmmm.. Caleb, not to sound as if I don’t want you here, but when are you leaving?" He chuckled and stopped. Didn't I know we arrived to a place where I never been before but to just heard of it. it was not a long walk yet it felt like it was.
 
"I am leaving in two days…. come.. here.. sit with me…."he invited me to sit next to him. Ahead of us was an ocean that was called Avian. It was being known for the clear water and beautiful scenery at night when the fireflies would fly around the place. "are you going to miss me?" he asked.
 
Looking deep into his eyes I answered, "of course…." even though I knew I would not. I barely knew him. But I had to sound polite. I hoped that was convincing enough. Caleb blushed for the first time. Well to me, he was…
 
"I will miss you too…" he said while trying to hide his affection towards me. What he had said made me smiled. "You are different now… I like that…"
 
"Im glad I could please you… I realised how spoilt I was.How heartless and selfish I was. I hope you wont think I was just acting because I am not…" I said.
 
"I know.. I can see it…"he smiled. 
 
Caleb and I started talking even more when we were disturbed by some bandits. Caleb was very careful. He drew out his sword in a split second, pushed me away and fought the bandit. I was not very scared with bandit. I fought for life.. well during my time. Then there were more bandits. They were trying to get me but I was running from tree to tree. That was stupid. I knew that  but I could not survive with nothing…  not in this time. Then I notice Caleb was fighting alone.
 
I spotted a sword in a distance. I ran as fast as I could with the gown attire and took the sword and swung my arm. I knew at least one bandit was behind me. Didn't I know I slid his throat. Then I felt the most guilt. Never in my life I had ever kill a man. Killing Salazar was just luck. 
 
Caleb needed my help.  although he was a prince and a knight, there are just too many bandit surrounding him. So I tear my gown at the bottom for easier movement. Then I started fighting my way through those bandits until the last one. The one who was going to stab Caleb who was flat on the ground, helpless. I drew that sword through his body, watched the bandit collapsed and die.
 
"Are you alright Caleb?" I asked Caleb. That very moment, I was hit in the head and was knocked out that instant.