by L. H. Nicole
“Are you going to stare or help the Lady Aliana down, boy?” Gawain shot him an exasperated look. “You’ve seen beautiful ladies before.”
The kid flushed, ducking his head, apologizing in a soft stuttering voice as he set down a stool another boy had brought over. The guys started laughing loudly and Aliana glowered at them.
“Leave him alone, boys.”
The kid flashed her an embarrassed but grateful smile. Leaning into Merlin, Aliana lifted her leg over the horse. The boy’s hand was at her waist steadying her as he took her hand and helped her down.
“Thank you,” she said while Merlin and the guys dismounted. “I’m Aliana, what’s your name?”
He never got to answer.
“Raven is one of our newest stable hands.” Merlin looked like he was going to say more but another familiar voice drew his attention.
“You’ve finally returned.” Lancelot’s voice was the same as it was in Aliana’s time, accented with just a touch of superiority. But the most surprising thing was the red-haired woman at his side, her arm tucked into Lancelot’s. Her skin was pale with a light dusting of freckles and rich brown eyes.
“Lancelot, Guinevere!” Percival greeted the pair with a hard pat on Lancelot’s arm and a kiss dropped on Guinevere’s cheek.
“Look who we finally tracked down,” Gawain teased, taking Lancelot’s arm in a warrior’s greeting, then kissing Guinevere’s other cheek.
“And I see he didn’t come alone.” Lancelot regarded Aliana with an open and frank curiosity.
Clenching the loose pink fabric of her dress sleeve, Aliana took a breath trying to stow her building panic. As familiar as all these knights were, it was impossible to forget that these guys weren’t her knights. They didn’t know her from Eve, and it was going to take more than Merlin’s vouching for her to get them to accept her.
But then maybe it would be better if they didn’t really get to know her. It had been hard enough to not slip up with their names so far; what would happen if she slipped and gave herself away? She couldn’t risk doing damage to the world’s timeline.
Merlin introduced her to Lancelot and Guinevere, telling the same effortless lie that he had to Percival and Gawain. He told them about wanting to introduce her to Arthur and getting her settled into a room in the castle.
“Welcome to Camelot, Lady Aliana,” Guinevere said, coming to her side. “It will be so nice to have another girl around here. These men can get a bit boring at times,” she added in a fake whisper.
Aliana giggled. It seemed like she and Guinevere would get along very well. Her delight faltered at the thought, however, since Guinevere was supposed to die.
Before she could think on it too much, Merlin and the others led her out of the stables and up a staircase into a brightly lit hallway. The tall windows were exactly what she remembered from the ruined Camelot she had seen in the Isle of the Blessed, but they were much more beautiful now that the colored glass was whole and glowing in the late afternoon sun. Guinevere told her a little about the castle and the people who made their home there. All of the knights had their own rooms in the castle, as well as their own lands not far from the castle’s city. She also warned her about some of the women that lived there. Aliana flashed back to Merlin’s mirror room, at his house back in Aliana’s world. She remembered Arthur telling her some of the horror stories of the women who had vied for his affection, including one about a girl ripping another’s dress.
They walked down another hall way and up a curving flight of stairs she recognized. They were going to the throne room! Her anxiety ratcheted up, as her experiences in that room weren’t exactly the best. Titania’s bombshell reveal that Camelot could live again. Learning Titania was grandmother to her and Owen. Her finally opening up to Galahad about her past and her ex-boyfriend. Then of course there was Mordrid’s attack that had nearly killed Galahad at the end.
She shook her head, trying to dispel that horrible, gut wrenching memory.
“Are you all right?” Guinevere questioned.
Aliana smiled quickly. “I’ve never met a king before, in his castle. I’m just nervous, I guess.”
Guinevere laid a sympathetic hand on Aliana’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve known Arthur since we were children. He will welcome you to Camelot happily.”
“Thanks.” She took a breath and pushed aside her worry, for now.
Guinevere went to her husband’s side as Merlin dropped back to join Aliana. “You ready for this?”
She nodded at the Druid. “I’m sorry you have to lie to your friends because of me.”
He shrugged. “They would understand if they were in my position. Do not fret about it.”
She still didn’t like it, but it was a necessary evil right now. She would at least be protected in the castle and have Merlin’s aid. She needed to quickly complete whatever task Titania wanted of her so she could get back home. To her family, to her friends and knights. They had to be going crazy by now.
The beach, where she had last been in Arthur and Galahad’s arms, flashed in her mind, but the creaking wooden doors of the throne room opened, shattering the memory.
Golden sunlight spilled into the room, and the large pit in the center popped and hissed as a servant fed a few logs onto the building fire. More than a dozen warrior-looking men were gathered around a large round table just the other side of the pit, most of whom she didn’t recognize as her knights. They all wore outfits similar to what her knights wore: dark-colored or white tunics, leather vests and jackets, dark pants and boots, and all the men were armed with their sheathed swords. Her eyes fell on one knight in particular, who had his sword strapped across his back. Leo. Owen stood on one side of his quiet friend.
All the heads turned to them as they walked through the doors. Aliana fought to keep her feet from freezing where she stood when she met Arthur’s golden brown eyes across the fire. He was wearing a black shirt and leather jacket, his short dark hair swept across his forehead and tickling at his ears. He had the faint shadow of late day stubble and his features were just as strong and sharp as ever. But there was a presence about him, an utterly confident posture that was new.
Her Arthur, in her world, was plagued with worry and doubt, with so much at stake and everything to lose. She had seen glimpses of the King Arthur she now stood in front of, but never quite like this. Then again, nearly dying, losing your kingdom and having to make a magic vow to Titania could definitely affect a guy’s confidence.
Merlin’s hand rested on the small of her back and led her around the fire pit to where all the burly knights and advisors stood. Her eyes widened as she saw Excalibur secured across a tall chair beside the golden king.
Arthur watched them approach, as did all the others, but it was Arthur who had Aliana’s hands trembling.
“Glad to see you’re back, my friend.” The king set his eyes on her again, openly appraising her, though not unkindly. She knew Arthur’s looks, and she could tell by the tiny smile on one corner of his mouth that he was happy with what he saw. “Who is your companion? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her in Camelot.”
Aliana bit her tongue. He didn’t need to talk about her like she wasn’t standing right in front of him.
Merlin grinned and nudged her forward. She curtsied slightly, feeling awkward with all the eyes in the room watching her. “Sire, this is Lady Aliana. Her clan has been well acquainted with mine for some time. She has finally decided to come and visit me here in Camelot.”
“You traveled alone, my lady?” Arthur asked with a raised brow.
She hid her annoyance that he would be so chauvinistic, but this was the sixth century after all. “I often travel on my own, your majesty.”
He smirked, then turned to the men gathered around them. “I think we are done for tonight.” The men bowed and gathered their things before leaving hurriedly. Only Owen and Leo remained.
“Do you plan to stay in Camelot for long, Lady Aliana?” Arthur crossed his
arms over his broad chest as he leaned his hip against the sturdy wooden table. Aliana’s eyes roamed over his hot body quickly before meeting his eyes again.
“I guess that depends.”
Merlin drew Arthur’s attention from her. “I had hoped that you would allow Lady Aliana to stay here in the castle, during the duration of her visit.”
Arthur’s lips thinned as he thought over the request.
A door opened behind the group before he could answer. The only thing that kept her from gasping was the fact that all the air was stolen from her lungs. She watched Galahad stroll into the throne room, two girls flanking him on both sides. But she didn’t really see the girls; her eyes were focused on her former white knight, and the world paused.
His wavy light brown hair was slightly shorter than it was in her world; it only just brushed the collar of his dark leather jacket and green tunic. His jaw was square and peppered with stubble around strong lips she had kissed too many times to count. The tall knight stopped as his clear blue eyes fell on her.
A thrill of excitement laced with worry arrowed down her spine. His eyes roamed over her, much like the others had. She saw the heat that started to blaze in those eyes, eyes that had the power to hypnotize her with their intensity. She had given her Galahad her heart, her love and her trust, and he had shattered the fragile bond between them with one deed.
“Ah, Galahad,” Arthur said as the world seemed to move again. “Come meet our guest.”
Aliana raised her eyes, deftly avoiding looking at Galahad, focusing instead on the two girls who still flanked him. The first girl, in a simple dark green dress with a thick silver belt around her waist, was short with long curling brown hair, blue eyes, and an air of innocence that made her seem no older than fifteen.
The other girl was a little taller, her gray dress highlighting her long apricot-flesh-colored hair and eyes of such pale green they were almost translucent. Her skin was a creamy pale with just a faint hint of blue.
She had to be the Fae Merlin had mentioned, but Aliana’s overwhelmed brain couldn’t recall her name. The exotic, curvy girl glided to Arthur’s side, resting a hand on his muscular arm. Arthur turned and smiled at her, an air of such familiar comfort around them that a small spark of jealousy flared in Aliana’s chest. They held each other’s gaze for what seemed like forever, but really couldn’t have been more than a heartbeat.
Clearly they had a very strong connection, one that Aliana thought she might actually be able to see if she wasn’t hiding her magic. She felt the blood drain from her face as one mystery of her Arthur’s past suddenly became clear.
Green eyes.
Green eyes that Arthur said were the only thing he could remember of the ghost girl that haunted his dreams. This Fae was his mystery girl! The girl he couldn’t remember but knew that he had loved at some point in his past. The past she was now trapped in.
4
I know we’re here for a very great reason, but this is my first time in London! I want to explore the city, not just look at it as we drive through it to pick up supplies for our trip to Avalon. The closer we get the more it calls to me. There’s something telling me I’m gonna find more there than just a way to find Lia. Lacy and I have discussed bringing the guys in on our plans, but we’re not sure they’d let us do it. Good thing we’ve created a way to talk to each other despite being in different realms. My stupid heart wants to talk to Wade about it, but I just haven’t been able to fully forgive him yet. I wish I could, I miss my other best friend, even though he’s right next to me!
~Dawn
MERLIN’S HAND TOUCHED HERS inconspicuously, and she only then realized she had tensed up and clenched her fists. “Are you well? What is wrong?”
Merlin’s questions in her mind were enough to snap her back to reality. With a ruthless determination she was sure would have met with Titania’s approval, Aliana wrenched her emotions back in check and made her body relax. Her fingers pressed against his, twining together for a moment and she met the Druid’s pale eyes.
“Sorry, I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed. Remember this isn’t my time. Is she the Fae you told me about earlier?”
“Yes.” Merlin gave her a small smile of reassurance. Aliana discreetly pulled her fingers away hoping no one had noticed. From the questioning looks on everyone’s faces, that was an epic fail.
“Lady Aliana,” Arthur took a step closer to her, the Fae girl’s hand falling from his arm as he did. “I would be happy for you to make Camelot your home for as long as you desire. You already know a few members of my inner circle, so please allow me to introduce you to the others.”
Aliana smiled and looked to Owen and Leo. Of all the knights, they seemed the most similar to her knights, as they were in her time. Her soon-to-be cousin had his dark hair chopped short, his shoulders were wide, his long torso covered with a vest that seemed to be a leather version of chest armor. His slightly rounded face was open and honest, and his smile was just as easy as always.
The sandy blond Leo was slightly shorter than Percival, Galahad and Arthur, his vest similar to Owen’s with the strap of his sword snug across his wide chest. His thoughtful dove gray eyes looked at her then to the side, in Galahad’s direction.
Owen offered her a cool grin as he bowed his head to her. “I am Sir Owaine, it is a pleasure to meet you. It is rare we get to meet people from our Druid’s past.”
“I am Sir Leyon.” His Scottish accent was present, just as it was in her time, but it was very surprising. What was a Scot doing in sixth century Britain?
“It is nice to meet both of you,” she replied.
She looked away, meeting the green eyes of the Fae who held Arthur’s heart. Aliana was stunned at the bold move the Fae pulled next. “I am honored to greet one of the queen’s lineage. May I greet you in the manner befitting one of your importance?”
Panic resurfaced and Aliana replied hastily hoping to head off the girl. “Please don’t. Who my family is, is not something that is to be made known.” Aliana hoped the girl would assume that meant Titania didn’t want her identity known. How else would she have convinced Delphina to not give her away? “Thank you for the offer. I hope that we can have some time to get to know each other.”
That added thought felt a bit masochistic, but she couldn’t stop herself from making the offer. Merlin had been right, she might be able to help figure out what she was to do.
The Fae dipped into a small curtsy. “I am Delphina, ambassador of Queen Titania, ruler of the Isle of the Blessed.” Her voice was like that of a high pitched but soft musical note, pure and bright and genuinely warm.
Aliana mimicked her curtsy and smiled. “It’s an honor to meet you.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Galahad step up to her side and she felt a small tremor of dread.
Knowing she couldn’t avoid it, she turned to face him, her hands clenched so tightly she could feel her nails pressing into her skin. It didn’t help that it felt like everyone in the room was watching her to see what she did, like she was the night’s entertainment.
“I am Sir Galahad.” He smiled boldly, his deep voice rolling off his tongue with his lovely accent that drew out his A’s and E’s. His blazing blue eyes drank her up like a man thirsty for water, just like they had when she first freed him from his stone prison, in the Sidhe’s keep, so long ago. He had been out of control for those first few minutes, but then his sense returned to him and he became the man she had fallen in love with.
He held his hand out to her, just as he had then, but Aliana couldn’t move her hand from her side. Thankfully the girl next to him cleared her throat loudly, drawing his attention, and he dropped his hand. Aliana knew she wasn’t strong enough to handle feeling their intense silver sparking bond right now. Her heart was still too raw and bloodied from his betrayal.
“Forgive me,” he said with a grin, not seeming to notice her discomfort or hesitation. He placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder as she came closer. “This is my little
sister, Lady Sophvira.”
Aliana’s eyes widened. This was his sister? Surprised, she smiled at the girl, saying hello as she took stock of the similarities between the two. Their hair color was the same, just like their paler skin tone and distinctly Roman features.
“Well, now that we are all acquainted I’m sure you’d like to get settled in to a room.” Arthur’s friendly words distracted her from Galahad. She looked at the man who, in her time, was one of her dearest friends.
“The rooms near to mine are empty, Arthur,” Delphina offered quickly.
“Merlin,” Arthur asked, “does that arrangement suit you?”
Merlin nodded. “Thank you, sire.”
“I can show you to your rooms!” Sophvira said with delight.
“Why don’t all the women show Lady Aliana the way? I’m sure you three can see she is settled in and comfortable.” Arthur’s golden gaze returned to Aliana and held hers for a long moment, nearly as mesmerizing as Galahad’s.
Gawain broke up the moment. “Yes, we still have a few things that need to be discussed.”
Arthur gestured to Leyon and Owaine who started to redistribute the papers and maps that were on the round table.
Guinevere came to Aliana’s side while Delphina led the way, Sophvira giddily following them. As they reached the door, Arthur called out to them.
“Lady Aliana, I hope you will join us for dinner tonight. You must be desperate for a good meal after traveling all day.”
Her stomach twisted at the thought of food. She hadn’t really eaten since before the whole beach thing with Arthur and Galahad. With the way time flowed between the realms and now her traveling to the past, who knew how long it had been since that last meal?
“I would be honored,” she said, more than grateful that Merlin had helped her create the language spell.
He turned back to his knights who all were hunched over the legendary Round Table. All except Galahad.
