chapter twelve!
012. act of kindness

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ARTHUR DIDN'T want to die.

He refused▬he was too stubborn to die here, in this darkness with no company except for the sound of scuttling spiders in the distance, slowly making their way towards his dangling figure with revenge on their fangs. But there was a terrifying moment where he believed that this would be it. That he wouldn't make it back to Merlin▬that he'd perish here, and leave his kingdom without anything; alone and ... and scared in this endless darkness.

Fear didn't make someone a coward if they acted against it, he knew that. Arthur didn't feel like a coward, he felt like a failure. A failure to himself, to his father and his kingdom, but most importantly, a failure to the boy lying on his death bead across the slopes and back in Camelot.

He struggled to stay holding on, his arms trembling and his breath just as quivering▬he strained his arms to keep himself from falling, his gloved fingers grasping so harshly on the stone it started to cut through the leather and make his skin sting. Arthur grunted, his legs kicking for some other support, but they fell short.

He couldn't let go. He wouldn't let go.

But he was getting tired. He couldn't hang there forever, no matter how his stubbornness deemed he will.

Arthur had little hope. His fingers were aching, as were his limbs▬his chest pained from hitting the rock when he jumped, and he knew those beastly things with eight legs were getting closer and closer. There was no hope, right now. He couldn't see where he might climb▬nor could he see where this damned flower was. There was no hope. Arthur didn't want to die, but his death was the only rational thing here right now.

Strange and unwelcome, a voice▬unusual in his mind▬decided to remind him then and there: there is always hope.

Arthur damned her, too. He wanted to banish her nativity and dreams from his mind right now. But as soon as he heard her voice, he heard it again▬just as stubborn as he. She was waiting back home, too, begging that he'd come back with the cure for Merlin▬hoping with her dangerous faith for the impossible. He imagined her there, right now, tending to Merlin's fever just as she had been when Arthur first set him down; her blonde hair falling out of the twist she kept it up in, her eyes narrowed as if she was telling Fate itself to change its mind. Just as annoying, determined and frustrating as she always had been. There is always hope, he heard her again.

God's graces, if Arthur somehow survived this, he was never going to admit that it was Odette that he thought of moments before he might just die.

(She'd never let him live it down, in her quiet, subtle and mocking ways).

And like that▬with that thought on his mind▬Arthur breathed a strained smile, ridiculous that of all things he could be thinking of, it was of her and her smug pride; and his chuckles echoed softly out into the dark, miraculous and light. He was going to die, and yet somehow, that strange, annoying girl he once knew as a kid made him laugh.

He needed to get out of here. He needed to find that flower, even if he's groping in the dark, and get back home.

And then something truly strange happened. Arthur frowned as he suddenly could see his arms, and his hands grasping the small ledge▬they were illuminated in a ghostly blue light. His breath hitched, and he glanced over▬he could see where his eyes wandered, and he could see the what was giving him such light.

Hovering to face him was a floating ball of swirling, churning, blue moonlight.

His heart paced yet again▬was this some game from that witch? Had she finally come back to finish him off? Arthur tensed. He tried to kick the light away, but it just gently floated around him▬calm, serene and peaceful.

It was magic. He knew it was magic▬and magic could never be peaceful.

"Come on, then!" he shouted at it. He waited for it to attack him, but it did nothing; it infuriated him. "What are you waiting for?! Finish me off!"

Arthur breathed heavily, unable to look away▬fearful, and yet confused as the ball of moonlight only hovered to the ledge above ... showing him the perfect place to climb. His brows furrowed. He didn't trust it. He refused to trust it. His father said: all magic was evil, and it sought to destroy everything he stood for▬Arthur felt like he'd betray his father's word and wisdom if he listened to the advice the light seemed to give him.

And yet ... what other choice did Arthur have?

With a strained grunt, Arthur heaved his sword arm up further to the ledge and heaved himself up. When he landed on the ledge, he slumped, sighing out a breath of relief as felt the rock against his back. He could just lie here and fall asleep, but he couldn't let himself▬he had to keep on going.

Taking a deep breath, he reconfigured himself. He shook the exhaustion from his mind and his arms, sheathing his blade and gazing back up at the light that stopped a few paces above, waiting for him.

He frowned at it▬it was peculiar, there was something so familiar about it. But that was ridiculous, it was merely just light.

Arthur forced those thoughts away and set his glower on the rock face around him. He pulled himself onto his feet, keeping to the cliff to stay balanced. The stone cracked at his boots, but he kept his heart in his chest▬brave and daring. He kept looking; even though he was sure this light wanted him to escape without what he came for, he knew he wasn't going to leave without it.

And then he found it. Arthur took a sharp breath through his nose▬there it was; barely visible in the dark, but he saw the yellow petals creviced in the rock.

He gritted his teeth and shuffled across the ledge closer to them. Arthur found a footing and lifted himself up higher, climbing the rock face towards the deadly flower illuminated in the ghostly blue glow.

As he did, the sound of scathing legs made him glance back down. He clenched his jaw▬he could see the beasts now; they clambered up the rock towards him. A whole army of spiders, some so big they could rival a small pony. Arthur's stomach jolted with fear, but he pushed past it. He kept climbing. He was not going to leave without this flower.

When he got close enough, Arthur stretched out his hand. He fell just short. He cried out, annoyed and tried again. His fingers grasped for the flower, only inches from its stem. Below, the spiders were gaining on him▬fast.

Arthur clenched his teeth. He huffed through his nose, reaching for the flower until he was sure his arm would lodge itself from its socket. And then▬his fingers clasped the stem. He pulled, and the flower fell away from the rock and into his palm. He stared at it for a moment, unable to believe he finally had it▬until he remembered the creatures below and rushed to stuff it inside the pouch at his hip.

He pulled the string, securing it▬he glanced down, he could see their red eyes in the dark getting closer and closer like a pack of rabid wolves.

Arthur had to move▬and he had to move fast.

He grasped for the handhold above. His fingers slipped. Arthur gritted his teeth and tried again▬he could not get a grip; the stone was too damp and wet.

Not wasting another attempt, he tugged free his fingers from his gloves with his teeth; throwing them down. Arthur grasped the rock this time and pulled himself up. The light above rose yet again, lighting the way back towards the surface. He followed it, climbing as fast as he could. His fingers stung, his heart pounded, his breath was heavy▬the spiders were only mere feet away.

He climbed until his arms ached and his palms were bloody, and he climbed more still. He eyed the light above, watching it pass through the the crevice and into the night▬Arthur's only escape.

There was a surge of determination that swept through his body▬from his fingers right down to his toes. His pain did not matter▬every ache seemed to become numb to him, and what replaced it was a buzzing energy. He quickened his pace▬he was going to make it out of here alive. He was going to get back in time.

When he reached the surface, he could finally breathe again. He rolled onto the grass of the Forest of Baloch, greeting the moonlight like an old, and very welcomed friend. He breathed it in, as much as his lungs could bear. He made it. He had made it.

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NEWS OF Arthur's return reached the walls of the physician's chambers early the next morning. Odette woke from the pillow she slept upon to hear the bells of his arrival echo across the citadel. She blinked, rather confused▬exhausted and weary from the past few days, until she realised what they could mean, and in seconds, she was sitting up, her blanket falling off her shoulders.

Odette's breath hitched; she gazed around Merlin's chambers▬to which Gaius had made her sleep in after multiple nights of stressing herself to a terrible sleep at the warlock's bedside. Her heart pounded. Arthur was back. Arthur was back, and her hopeful nature knew he must have the flower with him. A grin made its way on her face and she raced out of bed with newfound energy. He must have the flower, and he must be on his way here and Merlin will be okay.

The young handmaiden rushed out of the chambers and down the small set of stairs. Though she skidded to a stop to find Gwen sitting where she had been these past few days, tending to Merlin's fever who had only gotten even worse overnight. He writhed and he kicked, too hot and too cold at the same time. His skin was deathly pale▬his cheeks without any colour; and he wheezed. He wheezed horrible sounds as he desperately fought for any breath.

    Gaius glanced up as well from where he sat on Merlin's other side. He held no potion, no concoction of relief▬there was nothing more to be done for Merlin other than to wait and hope for Arthur to have the flower. And yet, the Prince was nowhere▬and neither of her friends looked hopeful he'd come at all.

    Odette's excitement fell away. Gaius watched the way her entire body slumped sadly, "Forgive me, Odette, I let you sleep in. You've exhausted yourself these past two days."

    Her words choked in the back of her throat. She slept in? How long had she slept in? How much longer did Merlin have? Odette did not move forward from the steps. She pursed her lips, feeling tears already▬she did not even realise she still could have any tears left to cry. "Where▬where's Arthur?" she asked timidly. "Shouldn't▬shouldn't he be here? With the flower? Those bells▬those bells say he's back."

    "He's back," said Guinevere, nodding. She looked pale, too, dressed rather rushed in one of her yellow tunics▬she hadn't even tied it at her waist. "Lord Ronyn has gone to check whether he has the flowers. But ... Uther has put him in the dungeons."

    Odette's breath hitched. Her stomach turned over. "W▬what?"

    She knew why the King had done it▬she just never expected he'd do so to his own flesh and blood; to his son for disobeying him.

    The door to the chambers opened and Ronyn marched inside. He closed it behind him and stormed over in just a simple green tunic and trousers. His hair was a mess▬he must have came here straight from his manor in the Upper Town to then check on his best friend. Each of them held hopeful looks.

    When Ronyn didn't give an answer and just stood over the cot, staring down at Merlin with a harsh swallow, Gaius caught his attention with a stiff: "He hasn't got much longer. Has Arthur got the flower?"

    Ronyn sighed. He rubbed at his cheeks, "I don't know," he admitted, regretful. He looked just as tired as the rest of them▬if it was any other circumstance, Odette would find it sweet that he had grown to care about Merlin so quickly, just as he had said the day prior. "Uther won't allow anyone to see him▬not even me." He added at the look on Gwen's face. "And believe me, Guinevere, I argued as much as I dared."

    "No," she murmured, "I believe you."

    Odette might've crumbled right then and there. Her feet carried her the rest of the way towards the cot, her hands trembling beneath the shawl she had wrapped around herself, still in her nightwear. Her bare feet were cold on the stone. "Is there nothing we can do to help?" she asked, desperate.

    Gaius shook his head; all hope seemed to be lost. "Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him."

    "Then we have to find out if Arthur has it," argued Odette.

    Ronyn frowned at her▬he cared little of her state, much like a brother would gaze at his sister with every indifference. "Were you not just listening as to where I just was?" he pointed to himself. "Uther won't allow anyone to see him."

    But she only set her jaw, nodding to herself as an idea came to mind. "I can sneak into the dungeon," she decided.

   The others stared at her like she had gone mad. And perhaps she had. If she was caught, it could end very badly for her. But with just one glance at Merlin wheezing beside her, Odette knew none of that mattered.

    Gaius held a wary gaze, "That would be very dangerous."

    Odette started back towards the separate chambers, "I've got to▬Merlin will die if I don't."

    She did not wait for anyone else to convince her otherwise.

    Throwing on the same tunic she wore yesterday▬not that she had any other option, Odette didn't even bother to throw her hair back up. As soon as she had her slippers and woollen socks on, the young handmaiden rushed out of the physician's chambers and headed straight for the kitchens. The difference between her and Ronyn was that she could head anywhere and be forgotten; she was invisible. A servant could almost be anywhere and be assumed to be where she was supposed to be▬cleaning some tabletop, delivering someone's food or dusting some floor. Uther wouldn't care if she snuck into the dungeons, and neither would the guards. She was this castle's ghost, while eyes follow Ronyn wherever he went.

    Odette didn't want to stay in the kitchens for too long. She slipped around to grab a plate and the closest food she could take without being seen by the cook and ushered out with her wooden spoon. A piece of bread and a few slices of cheese weren't substantial for a Prince, but she was pretty sure Arthur wouldn't be eating it.

    No one saw her make her way to the dungeons▬she slipped past knights and guards, even other servants. Any passing Lord or Lady paid her no mind, and Odette's journey down below the stone stairs to the cells underneath the citadel turned out extremely easy.

    Once she reached the dungeons, she took a deep breath and flicked her hair out of her face with her fingers. She raised her chin and made sure she looked as purposeful as she possibly could▬as if she truly was meant to be here.

    Then, she travelled down the stairwell. Clutching the plate in her hands, she glanced briefly at the guards standing at the archway entrance and they nodded at the sight of her food. She walked up to the one closest and bowed her head politely, "Food for Prince Arthur."

    It only took one glance of her▬up and down▬before she was allowed to enter and Odette walked past into the hallway of cells, biting back the want to smirk in victory. It wasn't a victory yet. Arthur still had to have the flower, and she still had to get it back to Merlin.

    The Prince was locked in a dungeon a few from the front. Odette stopped by the door, waiting for the guard to meet her to open it▬and she caught his gaze through the bars. He sat at the back wall, looking murderous▬not at her, she was very much sure. But Odette couldn't believe the King▬she couldn't believe how any father could be so cruel to a son for his noble, courageous and kindness for doing as he did ...

    No, she did believe it.

    She just hoped no one else had to deal with a father such as Ronyn did.

    Odette could see his anger fall away ever-so-slightly as he recognised the look on her face. Arthur pursed his lips and looked down at his fingers, keeping his jaw set▬he didn't show how much being thrown in here affected him, but Odette knew it did ... how could it not?

    She eyed him for a few more seconds▬in his loose fitting red tunic and pants; Odette wanted to say much that she had no time for. She wanted to tell him thank you for going on the journey he did, even if he hadn't retrieved the flower. He had done the right thing. He had done a kind thing for someone else. He didn't deserve this for that.

    But then the guard unlocked the door and the moment passed. Odette nodded at him and stepped inside▬she didn't even take a few paces before Arthur spoke up, not even looking at her.

    "Set it down over there," he ordered, gaze shooting to the far right wall.

    Odette frowned at him, a little incredulous. Slowly, she awkwardly walked to the other end of the dungeon cell▬she felt Arthur's gaze follow her, burning into the back of her head. Without a word, Odette set the plate down and stepped back.

    As soon as she did, Arthur stood up. He brushed past her, risking a brief glance that she caught▬and she thought she noticed a breath of pride. Odette bit back the way the corner of her lips tugged upwards. She looked down at her hands, wringing them against her skirts.

    When he picked it up, Odette carefully turned around▬purposefully taking her time to get to the open cell door. She waited for the moment, and it came:

    "Wait a minute," Arthur stopped them.

    She glanced back and he set the plate back down, looking like he always did: infuriating. "I couldn't possibly eat this; it's disgusting."

    Odette arched a dubious brow by his choice of words. Subtly, he rolled his eyes at her judgment, scoffing to himself as he sat back down on the blankets by the back wall. "The state it's in," he told her▬his tone slow and stern, hoping that she'd understand what he meant, "I'm not sure it's fit for anyone."

    She continued to stare at him for a moment, wondering whether it was necessary to embarrass her in front of the guards. But he just scowled at her back, and Odette realised this was no time to try and win a glowering match.

    With an indignant huff, Odette marched over to the plate and picked it back up. In seeing the flower nestled there in between the broken bread, her gaze shot back over the tip of the plate to meet the Prince's yet again to see him already watching her. She managed a slight, thankful smile that turned into a beam before she quickly fixed herself. She closed her eyes and set her jaw, keeping her expression blank as she turned around and left the cell.

    She walked past the guards and headed straight for the stairs▬she didn't expect to be called to a stop. "You▬girl! Wait!"

    Odette bit back the want to snap, sighing to herself before plastering a polite, innocent look about her and spinning back around.

    She watched as one of the guards approached her. He smiled down at her through a ginger beard. He chuckled at her▬a chuckle she knew all too often, wary of the gaze he held on her hair. Achingly slow, he picked through the food on the plate with a smirk on his face. Odette took a deep breath through her nose, keeping her want to smack the plate into his nose to herself. She had to get back to Merlin, and he was wasting precious time.

    Finally, he chose to take a piece of bread. The guard held it up to her, "Waste not, want not, eh?" he stated. She kept her mouth shut. "We're not all as precious as her Royal Highness."

    Odette forced a smile on her face. Nodding at his comment with stiff amusement.

    She heard footsteps down the stairs, and her heart piqued. Odette tried not to seem startled as she turned around and saw another servant descend down with a plate of food and water▬Arthur's real food.

    She said not a word, nonchalantly passing her and back up the stairs. She tried to make haste without causing any suspicion▬but she knew she had been caught the moment the girl stopped at the guard and said, "Food for Prince Arthur▬"

    His gaze shot up to the handmaiden starting to run up the stairs, "You! Stay where you are▬!"

    Odette grabbed the flower and dropped the rest, taking the rest of the stairs at a sprint. Not looking back she ducked left as soon as she reached the doors and raced through the servants' exit back towards Gaius's chambers, losing the guard immediately.

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SHE FEARED she'd be too late.

    She outran the guard easily. Once she disappeared within those servants' hallways, she had been forgotten once again. Odette made her way back to Gaius's chambers as fast as she could, almost tripping over her own feet as she climbed the winding staircase of the tower. The flower was clutched tight in her hands, careful to not even let a petal fall from the stem.

    She knew Merlin had little time. She knew she had already wasted enough of it.

    Bursting through the door, she cried: "How is he?!"

    Gaius was on his feet, startled, but relieved, "Have you got the Mortaeus?"

    Odette nodded, running up to him and passing it over. She paced, wringing her hands and glancing down at Merlin's wheezing breaths, "His breathing▬it's much worse," she said weakly, but all they could do was prey that this Mortaeus flower would save him just as it almost killed him.

    "Yes," agreed Gaius, beginning to pull apart the flower amongst his worktable. "We have to hurry."

    The young girl took a shaky breath and sat down in the seat across from Guinevere. She met her friend's gaze, and the two of them shared a breathless, frantic exchange.

    Ronyn pursed his lips and clasped Odette's shoulder. He crouched down beside her, watching over Merlin with worried brows. "You did good, Odette," he praised her, though she barely listened.

     She just reached out to brush Merlin's hair out of his eyes again and held back a sob to find his skin sticky with sweat. "Come on," she whispered to him, not caring about everyone else around them. "Come on, Merlin▬please, fight it..."

    She heard Gaius start to ground the leaves into a mix with his pestle▬though, when he stopped, all three eyes around Merlin's bed glanced up in shock.

     "Why are you stopping?" demanded Ronyn.

    Gaius had come to a horrible realisation. His gaze flickered between Guinevere and Ronyn, the only two in this room who did not know of Merlin's magic▬but two was far too many. He was hesitant as he spoke, "The poison was created using magic," he told them, eyeing their reaction. "We may need magic to make an antidote..."

    Gwen frowned at him. She glanced at them all, not sure what why the air was suddenly so tense. Or why Odette briefly glanced at Merlin with a look that wasn't concern for his condition, but something else entirely. "But ... but we can't," she said. "It's forbidden, e▬even if we could."

     Ronyn was uncharacteristically silent by the idea. Odette arched a brow, taken aback by his hesitance, as if he was truly considering the idea. Her breath hitched, surprised.

    But at Guinevere's reaction, Gaius swallowed his tongue and nodded, "I'll try and make it work without."

    Odette risked a frown at him, wondering what he was playing at. She knew he feared that without magic, this cure would not work▬was he truly willing to risk that over Merlin's life? No, she couldn't dare think so. Then, she watched him act as if he had forgotten something entirely.

    "Oh!" exclaimed Gaius, momentarily turning to his bench to grab a small vial. "I need some fresh water." He held it out to Gwen and she took it without hesitation. "Ronyn, go with her."

    The young Lord stared blankly at him, confused. "What?"

    Gaius sighed at him, "To pull the well."

    Ronyn continued to frown. He pointed at Odette beside him, "Why can't she get it?"

    At the look on the physician's face, he knew better than to argue any more.

    Not used to be told to do something for someone else, Ronyn awkwardly stood back onto his feet. Turning around, as if not sure what to do with himself, the Lord Vecentia only did as he was told when Guinevere shot him a short look and his brows flew up, startled, but he followed her out the door anyway.

    As soon as they were gone, Gaius turned to stare at Odette. She knitted her brows, taken aback by the pale look upon his face. The physician took a breath, holding the mixture he had pounded in his hands▬they trembled slightly.

    "Gaius?" she asked warily. "What is it?"

    But he just took another long and foreboding breath. Odette watched, amazed, as her old mentor and a man she often looked up to as an uncle, or even a grandfather, looked down at the bowl in his hands and in a low, and soft whisper, he began to incant a spell:

    "Seópan ærest wearð feasceaft funden. Denum æfter dom. Dreamleas gebad he gewann langsum."

    Odette couldn't believe her ears▬magic; ancient spells she did not understand, but spoken in such a way that resonated deeply within her. She was amazed▬awestruck even▬as she watched a man she's known since a babe preform magic from the depths of his own memory. The potion in his hands boiled at his words; sizzling a concoction that hadn't been such before.

    Gaius opened his eyes. He seemed surprised he managed such a thing, and when he met Odette's gaze once more, she swallowed her want to ask questions▬to ask him every question she had.

    But the door had opened again, and all of Odette's questions and wonders held no place anymore as Gwen and Ronyn returned. The blacksmith's daughter rushed forward with the vial of water, followed at a very quick pace by the Lord Vecentia.

    Gaius took it and poured his concoction inside the vial. They all hurried to Odette who hitched her breath, stiff and tense in her seat.

    "Hold his nose," said Gaius and she did as she was told, reaching over and pinching the bridge.

    Ronyn and Gwen stood on the other side to watch, breaths bated with anticipation as Gaius tilted the cure into Merlin's lips. Odette chewed on the inside of her cheek, knowing it was this, or absolutely nothing...

    "Swallow, Merlin," whispered the physician in his worry. "Swallow it..."

    In the distance, the bells toned a chime that announced mid afternoon, but all Odette could hear was the sound of mourning. She waited▬they all waited▬for Merlin to swallow the cure, and for him to open his eyes and stare back at them all ... but he didn't.

    They waited, and they waited ... they watched his breath hitch, and then, even his wheezing breaths turned to nothing ... his chest fell.

    Odette's heart dropped with it.

    No▬

   She couldn't croak even a word, shaking her head in horror as she understood what had just happened. Her hands flew to her lips, muffling back her sudden sob▬this was supposed to work. The cure was supposed to save him.

    "He's stopped breathing," gasped Guinevere, eyes wide. "W▬what's happening? Why has he stopped breathing?" when the physician didn't answer, she spun to him, voice heavy with oncoming tears. "Gaius?"

    "But ..." Ronyn couldn't believe it. He looked ashen. "But you said this was the cure...?" his voice dropped off into a breathless, aching whisper as something inside him broke.

    Gaius looked just as horrified and stunned as them. He leaned forward, pressing his ear to Merlin's still chest▬desperate to hear a heartbeat, that they were all wrong ... but the way his entire face dropped told Odette all she did not wish to hear.

    "No▬" she choked, still shaking her head. "Please, Gaius, no..."

    Death was no stranger to Odette. She had witnessed it and felt it break her heart and break her very soul. She felt herself crawl back out of the depths of despair and wished herself never to face such ever again. Yet, here she was ... and it was just as heartbreaking as the first time.

    She stared down at Merlin, still awaiting for his eyes to open, for a miraculous breath to startle from his lips. There had been something special about Merlin▬something incredible. He couldn't die, not like this. It didn't seem right ... it wasn't right. Odette couldn't stand it. He was special; he was her friend, he was unlike any other she's met before.

    He had just turned seventeen ...

    "His heart has stopped," Gaius voiced all that they feared and Odette broke into muffled tears.

    Gwen swallowed back a lump in her throat. She stared at Gaius, at Odette's hitched sobs, at Ronyn's pale glance, and then back down to Merlin's awfully still body. "He's ... he's dead?"

    "He can't be," breathed Gaius, "... it can't be ..." he slowly stood up, unable to stay there sitting any longer. "It was his destiny..." None knew what he meant by those words, and yet they all agreed with it.

    For whatever Merlin's destiny was▬it can't have been this...

    Odette sniffled, wiping her tears from her cheeks as she finally managed to say, "It's▬it's my fault. If▬If I'd got here sooner▬If I'd have been quicker▬"

    Feeling Gaius gently place an arm around her shoulders, Odette was on her feet as her sobs escaped. "No, no..." sighed the physician, pulling the young girl into a tight hug. She clung onto his tunic, welcoming the embrace of a man who had been the only true father figure she's ever had in her life. "It was me ... I should have looked after him better. It's my fault."

    Gwen closed her eyes, tears shedding down her cheeks. She cupped her hand over them, holding the other at her stomach▬as if that would stop the overbearing need to let loose the aching pain she held deep within her chest. Ronyn stood there, sombre and sullen▬and with a soft glance at the handmaiden beside him, he carefully reached out to place a gentlemanly hand on her shoulder▬though he wasn't sure whether she even noticed.

    Together, the group of friends all mourned the death of the bravest of them each.

    Odette hid her face further amongst the comfort of Gaius's hold, not sure what she was going to do without Merlin. Already he had become such a figure in her life▬such a pleasant smile, a pleasant laugh. If destiny meant anything, it had seemed like Merlin was supposed to be someone who would stay in Odette's life a long time, at her side.

    How wrong she had been.

    "That's disgusting," a voice suddenly said. "You should be ashamed of yourself. You're old enough to be her grandfather!"

    Odette jumped away from Gaius, gasp hitched in the back of her throat as she spun back around and saw▬to her upmost surprise and delight▬Merlin staring right back at her. Across from them, Gwen's eyes lit up and slowly, a beam drew across her lips, shocked. Ronyn guffawed▬stumbling back a little and almost tripping into Gaius's shelf.

   "Merlin!" exclaimed Gaius▬euphoric. "You're alive!"

    The boy▬who had been moments ago far from the living▬cracked a cheeky smile upon his pale and sweaty faced, and joked: "No, I'm a ghost come back to haunt you▬"

    His words were cut off as a pair of lips pressed fiercely against his own. He hunched up, startled as Odette kissed him, so overwhelmed by happiness that she could not stop herself.

    It took a moment for her to realise what she had done. Before Merlin even got the chance to comprehend (and perhaps even kiss her, too▬) she pulled away, eyes wide and sheepish as she noticed everyone's surprised glances.

    Odette cleared her throat, bright red. She tapped her lips with her fingertips, the feeling still lingering. She gazed back down at Merlin who watched her, amazed.

    "Um..." she started. "I▬I▬don't know▬um▬I'm sorry, I'm just▬I just▬"

    "N▬no, it's▬it's okay▬"

    "▬you▬you weren't breathing, and you were▬well, you were dead▬"

    "▬it's more than okay▬!"

    "▬I just▬"

    "▬I mean▬"

    "▬I mean..."

    "▬Merlin!" Gwen's voice broke through the awkward silence as she quickly leaned down to hug him tightly. He chuckled and Odette breathed a smile, rushing back (quite happy for the interruption). "Oh, thank the Lord!"

    As she pulled away, Ronyn was there to give him a brief, stiff smile and clasp his shoulder as well. "Thought you had left us for good a moment there, Merlin."

     The servant managed another wry grin, "And who would be there to wash his Royal Prat's socks when they got dirty?"

    Ronyn laughed. They all laughed. Merlin was back.

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A WEEK passed. Merlin was slowly recovering, and the conversation of the▬well▬the kiss Odette had sprung upon them had yet initiated between the two of them. She had the slightest feeling it never might. There were some things that made sense in this world, and others that didn't. No matter the feelings felt between either of them, Destiny seemed to have already decided that Odette and Merlin would forever be friends and nothing more ... but she had the greatest suspicion ... what a friendship it will be. And Odette was okay with that. Truly, she was. She wasn't one to fight her own Fate▬to struggle against the shackles of the life written out for her. She might tackle it for others, but never for herself. It had so far given her everything she had asked for: two second chances, and right now, for her, that was enough to make her content.

    Once the week passed, Arthur was also let out of the stocks for disobeying his father. It would seem, a week was enough to settle the King's anger and frustration, and all that was left was a relief that his son was back▬alive and well. King Bayard and his party had been freed from the dungeons, and while peace was no longer on the horizon between their kingdoms, a war had been prevented▬and in times such as these, that was all they could ever hope for.

    Back to full-time on her duties with Morgana, Odette didn't know how she managed to find time to see herself outside the servants' door of Arthur's chambers yet again. But yet, here she was, softly knocking against the wood and smiling to herself when she heard him answer, knowing exactly who had come.

    Slowly, she opened the door, peering around the edge. She noticed him sitting at his desk, signing papers she couldn't begin to understand what were about▬but he put them aside as he heard the door creak ajar, and Odette was surprised when he smiled.

    "Odette," he greeted her. He looked weary and tired from his adventure (and a week sleeping on stone). But there was happiness in his gaze▬happiness that it hadn't been for nothing; that Merlin was alive and recovering in Gaius's chambers. The Prince placed his quill back in the ink; a dragon's maw. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the object.

    "I'm sorry, My Lord," she apologised swiftly, "I know I shouldn't just turn up like this..."

    Mischief danced in his eyes, "Perhaps▬but it never stopped you when we were younger, why is that?"

    She chuckled at it, looking down at her shoes and taking this as a welcome to come inside. She closed the door behind her. At the sound of her soft laughter, the Prince found that he was smiling to himself▬he remembered how her voice had egged him on back in that cave. There is always hope.

     He forced it down and leaned forward, resting his lips behind his fingers, "How is Merlin?" he asked.

    Odette nodded, shyly stepping forward as much as she dared, "Recovering," she told him. "But ... the fever's passed, and his breathing has improved ... it's to be expected as he did die, for a moment there..." She soon smiled gently, "But I always had hope he'd make it through."

    Arthur nodded, expecting the words. "You and your hope, Odette▬I sometimes wonder whether it's nativity or something else."

    She frowned a little at his choice of words, but let it slide. Maybe it was nativity, she wouldn't argue otherwise. But perhaps it was a blessing, that despite it all, she still stayed so gentle and blissful to this day. "Well," Odette shrugged, "I knew he'd make it, because I knew you'd come back with the flower. And you did. You made it back. Maybe it's just faith."

    Arthur stared at her, curious at what she said. He admittedly felt something in his chest grow warm at the word faith▬that she had faith in him to succeed. That she held him such high regard even after all this time. He was grateful for it. Though, he did not say this. Instead, a smirk played at his lips. "Why▬Odette, don't tell me you were fretting about my return, were you?"

    He watched her cheeks go bright pink. Odette stood stiff▬as still as a statue. "What?" she hitched▬she tried to take back what she said, searching for words that only stumbled over her tongue. "I▬I didn't say that." Arthur only nodded, mockingly serious in a way that made her want to stamp her foot. "I▬I never said that▬I just meant▬you know▬you're a good warrior▬" when his brows shot up, the smirk growing on his lips, she knew she said the wrong thing, "▬well, I should say, others could do the same, really▬not just you▬I just▬I was really fretting about Merlin▬w▬we▬we all believed you make it back. Not▬not just me."

    She subtly winced▬though he could see it very well, and was doing his very best not to laugh. "Odette."

    "And in all honesty▬" she kept going, "▬I'd rather say Sir Leon is just as much a fine warrior as you or▬or anybody, for that matter▬!"

    "Odette▬"

    "He's rather admirable, Sir Leon, I'd say! A▬a favourite amongst the maids, I assure you▬n▬not me. I never said me, of course. N▬not a favourite for me, obviously▬not▬not that I don't mean he isn't favourable, of course▬!"

    "Odette!" Arthur stressed with nothing else except gentle amusement. She stopped, peering at him with that look in her eye whenever she felt as if she had done something wrong, or said something wrong. And it made the Prince sigh▬his smirk turning to a sweet smile; one she did not expect from him. It made her brows lift, taken-aback. It was a kind smile▬one that made him seem thoughtful and▬dare she say it▬humble.

    The Prince watched her for a moment, as if the words he had planned to say were lost on him. He took a short breath and stated instead: "Thank you."

     Her brows furrowed, confused, "My ... what for, My Lord?"

    He shrugged, a little taken aback himself, even. "I don't know. Just ..." Arthur wouldn't admit it. He truly, couldn't admit it to her▬the thought made his throat tighten up and so would his chest, to think that she▬of all people▬always brought out a strange vulnerability to him, one no one else ever saw. "You ... and your hope, I suppose ..."

    She didn't realise her lips had gently parted▬or that her shoulders had dropped into a stance not surprised, but relaxed and calm; pleasant at his compliment▬to which Odette soon smiled. His eyes were such a brilliant blue: truly like a summer midday sky.

    "I suppose I should thank you, too, My Lord," she decided to say.

    Much like her, he had frowned. "What for?"

    She nodded, the smile not leaving her lips. "For being kind."

    Odette never thought she'd put kind and Arthur in the same sentence▬amongst all of her other alphabetically listed descriptive words for him, of which include (but are not limited to!): arrogant, big-headed, blustering, boastful, bumptious, conceited, contemptuous, disdainful, egotistical ... most of which were synonyms for the word arrogant itself, but as she got down to the letter 'k' in her alphabet, Odette supposed amongst all of her insults, she added kind.

    (Though she knew quite well half of that list included words far from insults at all).

    She left the Prince after that, excusing herself with a polite bow of her head▬much like always▬and made her way back to the Physician's Chambers, wanting to check on how Merlin was doing once more before she was to grab the washing she had done for Morgana in the kitchens and head to the Ward's rooms.

    When she knocked gently and stepped inside▬less hesitant and scared of interrupting anything here than she was anywhere else, Odette peered around the door and smiled softly when she noticed Merlin sitting at the dining table. A blanket over his shoulders, and still shivering a little, the recovering warlock ate little bites of his soup. Though, he glanced back when he heard her▬and met her smile with a weak one of his own.

    "All right, Odette?" he asked her.

    The young handmaiden slipped inside, pursing her lips playfully, "I was going to ask you the same thing."

    Merlin shrugged, "I'm all right," he said. "As all right as I can be. What brings you to this dark corner of the mighty castle?"

    "It's never a dark corner," chided Odette as she decided to come and sit beside him. Merlin shuffled over, though she stopped him before he stressed himself too much, comfortably sitting close against his shoulder. "It's rather bright in the morning, actually."

    She was happy that she managed to get a chuckle out of him.

    But as it faded, something awkward settled between them▬they were never awkward or tense; Odette always felt comfortable in Merlin's presence the short time she's known him. But she knew what the cause was, and she took a deep breath. "Look▬"

    "About▬" both of them stopped as they realised they spoke at the same time. Both friends stared at each other, red at the cheeks.

    Merlin quickly nodded at her, "You go▬"

    "No, no," Odette said politely. She nodded at him, too, "you go first▬"

    "No, it's okay, you can go first▬"

    "▬I don't mind, honestly▬"

    "▬really, no, you go▬"

    "▬okay."

    Despite taking the offer, Odette was silent. She chewed at her bottom lip▬there was a lot of things she did want to say. That she did like him, as something more than a friend, but she wasn't entirely sure whether she wanted to let anything come of it. She wanted to say she was glad he was alive, and that she would've been miserable if he hadn't survived. She wanted to say that she was in awe of him in almost every way▬and that she was lucky to have met him, and that she truly believed he had a true destiny ahead of him ... one that she didn't want to drag down, either.

    So, instead, Odette pushed all of that back and reached into her leather pouch at her hip. She hadn't the chance to give him the present she made a week ago, and so, she held it out to him with a smile. Merlin stared down at it with a frown, confused.

    "What's this?" he asked, a little incredulous.

    Odette shook the leather-braided strip slightly, grinning, "It can be anything you want! I made it▬and so, my artistic interpretation is the only answer: it could be absolutely anything you'd want to use it for. Decoration, to place in the pages of a book, to wear around your wrist or to put in your pocket. It's up to you, Merlin▬happy week-late birthday."

    The incredulous frown lifted off his face▬and the boy who was weak from his short adventure with death stared at her with such a gaze it almost seemed as if he might cry. Until he swallowed it back and took the simple present in his fingers, "I didn't ... I didn't think you even knew ...?"

    Odette shrugged, the smile playing on her lips gentle, "I know quite a lot of things. Besides, you're now one of my best friends, I wanted to give you something."

    "Best friend," Merlin smiled at that, and she realised with a breath of relief that he felt the same as her about everything. The warlock nodded, eyes shining with admiration and gratitude for the girl his age who had been one of the first to accept him here as Camelot▬to accept him for who he really was with every kindness in her heart. "Thank you, Odette. Truly."

    And so the two dearest friends chatted amongst each other for the rest of Odette's time before she had to leave, and both knew they'd never want it any other way.

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    a/n: odette making a running start at being literally the cutest person in camelot atm like-

    (lancelotttt next chapterrrrrr-)

    ALSO NOT ARTHUR THINKING OF ODETTE WITHOUT MEANING TO LIKE!!! GUYS!!!

    (lol, I talk about this like I'm not the one who wrote it and know exactly what I'm doing hahahah).

    odette and arthur >>>