Relics of Camelot

by L. H. Nicole

  She shrugged. “Titania sent us. I have to complete some obscure task for her and there’s something I need to find here. Something that I desperately need in the future…to save the realms.” She didn’t tell him from whom the realms needed to be saved. Dagg was right; they couldn’t interfere with the time stream. She’d seen enough movies and TV shows, read enough books, to know that the consequences could be disastrous. She was going to have to be very careful from now on what she said and did. Not like this wasn’t hard enough already!

  “Then we will need to help you discover your purpose here.”

  At least Merlin seemed like he was going to be more of a help than a hindrance. Maybe telling him the truth had been the right thing. It made her wonder if there were others here she could confide in too.

  “I’ll need to find a place to stay.” Aliana bit her lip trying to figure out how she was going to pull that one off without any money.

  “You will stay at the castle, of course,” Merlin answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We will tell the king of your business here, that you are on a quest for the Fae Queen. He will welcome you as an honored guest. We already have one of her court staying at the castle.”

  “No!” Aliana and Dagg said together.

  “He can’t know why I’m here. No one can besides you. Clearly Titania wants you involved but we can’t risk telling the others.” She paused, Merlin’s other statement breaking through her momentary panic. “What do you mean you already have a Fae staying at Camelot?”

  “Delphina has been a resident of our court for several years now. You were sent by the queen, I am sure she will be of help to you as well.”

  Aliana looked at Dagg, her confusion and surprise surely all over her face. “None of the guys ever mentioned a Fae girl in Camelot before!”

  Dagg’s Dragon lips pulled tight. “I am sure there is plenty they never told you about their lives in Camelot.”

  Aliana felt her face turn three shades of green. She flashed back to Arthur’s story in the Isle about kissing other girls.

  “My lady, are you all right?”

  Aliana mentally shook away those thoughts. “Fine, but I’m very clearly not from your world, and your Delphina is not going to know who I am.”

  Merlin unhooked his shield from his shoulders and turned from Aliana. “I can take care of that,” he said, re-securing the shield to the side of his saddle. “We should cast a spell on you so you can understand the others, and they you. I can say I know your clan, that you are connected to my family. Arthur will accept that and I can make sure you have everything you need to get by in Camelot.”

  Aliana accepted the offer. Now she’d just have to be sure to figure out whatever it was Titania wanted her to do and what object would lead her to the Grail of Power. “I would like to draw as little attention to myself as possible, if I can. Not having to worry about communicating would help a lot. And we can’t tell anyone why I’m really here or that I have magic.”

  He nodded. The Druid looked at Dagg then down to the ruby on her hand, set inside the soft cloth gauntlet Titania had given her. It was the Prophecy stone Titania had created to bind her prophecy of the Destined One and link all of Arthur’s knights to this quest to save the realms from Mordrid and Morgana.

  “There is no way for you to hide your magic completely. I could feel it well before I got to you. Any of the other magic users in Camelot will know you have magic.” He looked at Dagg again. “And there is no way for you to hide your guardian here.”

  Panic rose in her chest. She didn’t want anyone to know the extent of her powers, or anything else about her.

  “Breathe, Aliana,” Dagg commanded. “We will find a way to make this all work. Remember Arthur has no objection to magic.”

  Merlin spoke again before she could answer her Dragon. “That stone of yours has great power. If you want to keep that part of you hidden, I suggest you create a very strong magic cloak to hide it.”

  Aliana frowned at Merlin. “How do I do that and hide my magic?”

  His brow knit together. “Do you not know how to use your magic?”

  Aliana flushed. “Yes, I do. But I’ve had a bit of a crash course lately without a lot of real instruction.”

  Shrugging, Merlin came to stand in front of her and held out his hands. “Then I will help however I can. Having such great power without knowing how to use it or control it can be very dangerous to you and everyone around you.”

  Aliana crossed her arms. “Like I don’t already know that.”

  He grinned. “Give me your hands, oh fiery one. We can also cast the language spell now.”

  Coughing a laugh, Aliana relaxed and placed her hands in his.

  “Relax your mind and focus on your magic and that of your ruby.”

  She did what he asked as Dagg curled around her shoulders again and her magic soared.

  “Good. Now imagine a veil surrounding both of them and seal it together, like tying off a sack.”

  Aliana even added a layer of shields around the thinly constructed veil.

  “Very well done. Now focus on your voice and ears.”

  Her vocal cords tingled, a faint buzzing nagged her ears.

  “Will your magic to make your ears understand all they hear.”

  The buzzing grew louder but Aliana kept her focus on her magic.

  “Now command your voice to be clear and understood by all others.”

  The tingling in her vocal cords turned to an itch. The abuse of her senses ripped at her, but she kept focused on maintaining her magic. Her ears popped like she was surfacing from a deep dive. The itch in her throat soothed over like honey was coating her vocal cords. Her shoulders sagged, a big sigh of relief escaping her.

  Letting go of her hands, Merlin stood back, a look of impressed awe on his face.

  “Your power and your connection to Lord Daggerhorne is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I have never met another with magic like yours.”

  Aliana dropped her hands to her side, her insecurities and doubts flooding her as she bitterly stared at the ground. “Yeah, that’s me, the freak magic user.”

  “You misunderstand me, my lady.”

  She looked up at the Druid, trying to put the lid back on her emotional hidey-hole.

  “It is not a bad thing, to have magic like yours. It’s amazing!” His jubilant mood dimmed for a second. “But there will be many who may want to try to use you. You will have to be very careful. The veil you created is doing a fine job of muting the extent of your magic, but I can still feel it.”

  She didn’t need him to tell her that, but Aliana nodded anyway, slightly grateful that he didn’t hold her magic against her. Curious, she opened her own magical senses and felt out Merlin’s powers. She had never tested his strength before, because it always felt like an invasion, and she didn’t want him doing it to her. But this Merlin was different, maybe he wouldn’t mind.

  His magic was there; right up front, no barrier hiding it. So vibrant and powerful, she had trouble breathing for a moment. She pulled back wondering why she had never noticed the strength of Merlin’s magic before. No wonder he was said to be the most powerful Druid who ever lived.

  “Like what you saw?” A heaping dose of masculine pride colored his arrogant words.

  “It’s not bad.” She made sure she sounded unimpressed. He certainly didn’t need any ego stroking.

  He laughed and gathered up the reins of his horse. His mount wasn’t nearly as big as Belle had been, the Pegasus that had aided her in Avalon so long ago, but the animal before her now was no small thing either. “Is that sack there yours?” he asked, nodding his head to a spot behind her. Turning, Aliana’s eyes fell on her colorful pack. Strange, she hadn’t had it with her at Mordrid’s…

  “But how? Who?” She turned to Dagg, but the Dragon shrugged.

  Trotting over, Aliana scooped it up and slung it over her shoulders. She knew it was hers; she’d have to go through it once she reached
Camelot. Maybe Titania left her a clue as to what to do next? Only the Fae queen knew she was here, so no one else could have sent it.

  Merlin deftly lifted himself up into the saddle and held his hand out to her. “We need to get back to Camelot before dark, and it is a long ride.”

  Aliana took his hand, lifted her foot into the stirrup and gripped the back of the hard leather saddle. He easily pulled her up behind him, her hands grabbing at his waist to help steady herself.

  “What about your Dragon?” he asked.

  She looked at her little silver guardian hovering next to them. “I will fly ahead and scout the area. When we get close to Camelot I will be sure I am hidden.” Aliana knew he was referring to the bracelet form he took to keep others from seeing him.

  Kicking the horse’s sides, they took off in a fast trot. Aliana had to wrap her arms tight around Merlin to keep from sliding or bouncing from the back of the animal.

  “You haven’t ridden many horses have you?” Merlin’s voice in her head surprised her, but she shook it off.

  “I have, it’s just been a long time since I’ve needed to.”

  They rode for several hours, stopping only to water the horse and eat a few pieces of fruit they found along the way. Merlin disappeared for a moment to “relieve himself” and Aliana had nearly fainted from embarrassment when she had to do the same.

  One thing I definitely don’t like about the past, she thought to herself, having to use the forest as my toilet! So not sanitary.

  Thankfully Merlin didn’t seem to notice her discomfort and they quickly set back out on the road. Late afternoon settled in on them as Merlin told her about Camelot and the people who lived there.

  A pang of regret filled her heart. What wouldn’t her father have given to get to see Camelot like she was about to? Well, her adopted father, but Aliana had learned there was more to family than just a blood relation.

  “Your father would be proud of you, Aliana,” Dagg assured her.

  “Where are you?”

  “I am a few miles ahead of you two. There is a strange power around here that I am not sure I trust.”

  Aliana looked around nervously, opening her own senses. All she found was the strong magic of the elements, just there waiting for her to take if she needed them. “I don’t feel anything.”

  “I am going to look around, see if I can find the source of this power. I will meet you in Camelot. Please try to stay out of trouble until I return.”

  Aliana wished the smartass Dragon was near so she could glare at him. “Watch it or I’ll make you the pack mule again, or maybe I’ll just clip your wings!”

  Dagg’s laughter filled her mind before all traces of her guardian faded. Her last joke had her mood souring. The first time she had threatened to clip Dagg’s wings was when she and Galahad were flying through Avalon on Belle, racing to find Arthur so she could awaken him. The aching sadness she had managed to hide away almost leaked out, but she corralled it back in.

  Lost in her thoughts, Aliana didn’t notice the riders approaching them until Merlin slowed their mount.

  “Merlin!” a strong, smooth voice called. A voice she recognized.

  3

  Hours of searching yet I’ve found nothing. No trace of that magic’s source. It is familiar, but I cannot remember why. Even with the great distance between us I can still feel Aliana’s emotions. It’s a testament to the growing strength of our bond. Which is why I feel so guilty for not telling her how things were after she was taken. I worry telling her of the changes in Arthur and especially Galahad will hurt her even more. The way they both started to fall apart without her to hold the group together…is that Puck? What is he doing in Camelot?

  ~Dagg

  LOOKING PAST THE DRUID, she spotted a giant on horseback with a long face, quirky large smile, whisky-colored eyes and broad shoulders. Percy! Next to him was another rider with longer, dark brown curly hair, late afternoon stubble and friendly hazel eyes. Wade! she thought happily, but kept the names to herself, reminding her over-taxed brain that they didn’t go by those names here. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to know who they were. They flanked both sides of her and Merlin, both men appraising her with open fascination.

  “So, this fair maiden is why you took off from the castle so early this morning?” Wade joked with avid interest.

  Aliana fought to not roll her eyes. You’d think he’s never seen a girl before!

  “Enough, Gawain,” Merlin admonished, like a chastising father. “Lady Aliana is new to Camelot.”

  “Where are you from then?” Percival’s too large smile calmed her with its familiarity.

  “All over, I guess.” What other answer could she really give without giving away where she really was from?

  “And how does such a lovely creature know our killjoy Druid, Merlin?” Aliana giggled, turning toward Wade. His own silver Pendragon cuff was so well polished you almost missed the two long marks he had once gotten in battle. Percy’s was still in pristine shape.

  Gawain! She reminded herself. He’s Gawain here, and Percy is Percival! She hid a sigh; this was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

  “I have known Aliana and her family since I was a child,” Merlin said when she remained silent. “She has spent many years traveling all over and has now decided to come see me in Camelot.”

  It was amazing how effortlessly he lied to his friends. It set her a little on edge, but she reminded herself that this little white lie was for the good of her quest.

  “Will you be staying at the castle then?” Percy asked her.

  She nodded. “Merlin was kind enough to offer me a place to stay for the duration of my visit.” She cleared her throat. “And who are you two knights, if I may ask?”

  “My lady, forgive our lack of manners. I am Sir Percival of Camelot and that loud mouthed oaf is Sir Gawain of Camelot.”

  “I’m not the oaf here, you tree shaking giant,” Wade said with a fake heat to his voice.

  “Pleasure to meet you both.” She bowed her head to them and smiled. “I think we’re all going to be good friends.”

  Merlin sighed loudly and looked at both his brother knights. “Now that that’s settled, was there a purpose to you both finding us?”

  “Arthur was looking for you. You didn’t tell anyone where you were going and you’ve been gone for most the day.” Gawain, the knight who in her time was all but her brother, flicked his eyes quickly to her then back to Merlin. “He said there is an urgent matter he needs to discuss with you.”

  Her interest piqued, Aliana tried to pretend she wasn’t listening, hoping to find out what Wade, or rather Gawain, was talking about.

  “How long do you plan on staying in Camelot?” Percival asked, drawing her attention when Merlin quietly answered Gawain. Sneaky, sneaky Sir Percival!

  “I’m not sure.” She shrugged, putting on a flirty playful smile. “I guess it will largely depend on when Merlin gets tired of having me around.”

  Percival laughed, the booming sound drawing the attention of Merlin and Gawain.

  “If the king is waiting we need to hurry back.” Merlin kicked his horse back into high gear. Aliana gasped and tightened her hold on his waist again, her legs and thighs clenched tightly to the horse.

  The guys matched their pace and in no time they were clearing the forest road and entering a wide-open field filled with tall grass and a small patch of lavender flowers. The ground was wide open, and a lush, beautiful green was saturated by the sunlight. They made their way to a stark dirt road that led over a hill just in front of them. As they crested the top, as Merlin pulled on his horses’ reins and brought their little party to a halt. His horse trotted sideways so she had a clear view.

  Aliana’s jaw fell open, her eyes widening in delight. Settled near the edge of a cliff was the tallest castle she had ever seen. Its five spires looked like they were nearly touching the sky, with bright red and gold flags flying in the strong ocean breeze. It had to be four st
ories high at its shortest points and close to double that in others. Walls stretched from the sides of the castle down the sloping ground separating a small city-like village. Shorter walls ran through the village like a maze. Large inns and smaller homes were built in the areas in front of the majestic structure with another shorter wall protecting it—a village at the gates of one of the greatest kingdoms in recorded history.

  Aliana blinked and closed her mouth, but couldn’t banish her huge grin. “It’s beautiful, Merlin!”

  “Welcome to Camelot, Lady Aliana,” Percival said with a sweep of his hand.

  “Home to King Arthur and his legendary Knights of the Round Table,” Gawain added with a playful bow.

  Merlin swatted at Gawain, hitting his muscled arm with a loud smack. “Enough, the king is waiting.” He kicked his horse into a fast gallop, the other two knights racing beside them.

  Guards called to each other to open the gates as Aliana and the knights made their way to the outer walls of Camelot. It was weird to see all the soldiers and citizens of Camelot bowing their heads to the guys as they made their way up the slight slopes of the city toward the castle.

  The scent of roasting meat, herbs and livestock surrounding Aliana’s senses threatened to steal her attention from the colors and sights of the vibrant, small village. The sound of soldiers marching, people rushing about, some pulling carts, and merchants talking loudly to draw customers, had her eyes darting everywhere so fast dizziness was starting to set in. It was almost overwhelming in its difference from what she had always imagined Camelot would be like. But that was the thing about the Dark Ages: no one had any real proof of what things were like back then.

  Or is it now? This is going to give me a headache! Aliana shook her head as Merlin led his horse to the right and up a sloped alley into a wide open stable area. Servants scrambled to attention, rushing to the knights. A young boy—no older than maybe fourteen—rushed to Merlin.

  “Welcome back m’lord.” His smile was easy, excited and very friendly. And he couldn’t stop staring at Aliana.

  Fighting an uncomfortable blush and the desire to shy away, she offered the boy a smile. Take a picture kid, it’ll last longer.