Chapter 2

                                    

                                          
I wake up to the twinkling noise and a faint buzzing. "Lucilla, it's time to wake up!" 
I opened my eyes to see Sigrid, with her tiny tanned body, green curly hair bouncing on her head, blue dress with leaf like fabric clinging to her torso, petal like long sleeves and a long sky blue skirt that is loose. 
I get a flashback from when we first met. Where I found her on the in the meadow of flowers. Poor thing. Her wing got caught by one of the hunters and she couldn't fly to her home. It took a few bread crumbs and my handful of water for her to trust in me and I brought her here, for Gaius and Merlin to fix her wing. 
Ever since, she stayed with me. 
Her wings flutters like a butterfly as she flies to the window and squeals "Dusk is arriving soon. We have to go!" I grinned at her happiness.
As I jumped off my white horse, Misty, and tied the reins onto a tree branch, giving her an apple as a treat, before I sat down on the meadow, overlooking the whole of Camelot kingdom and its villages. 
This is my favourite part of the day, watching the sun wake Camelot up and painting everything gold for a short time before taking it away. 
Sigrid sunk herself on my dress, tucking in her knees, astonished at the sight.
"Knew you would be here." 
"Shush Merlin! I want to hear the birds!" 
"Good morning to you too, Squeaks." 
I giggled at their usual banter as Merlin laid down on the grass beside me, passing me an apple. 
He pushes my side hair back, and placed something behind my ear. "A daisy, as a return for the lavender." 
I touched the daisy, smiling. I looked into his deep blue eyes. The very eyes that caught me in the forest that day. 
I rested my head on his shoulder and he rested his on the top of mine, and we watched as Camelot wakes up by the ball of fire.
~~~
Clang. Clang. 
The two metals clashes together. 
"Come on your Royal Pratness, you can do better than that." 
"Call me that again and I'm throwing you in the stocks." 
"I will stop when you drop down that sword." 
Both Gwen and I stood by a group of knights, watching Merlin and Arthur practice their sword fighting. 
Merlin is still a beginner but he seems to be getting better in the last few months. 
He has begged Arthur for these lessons as he felt bad when Elyan jumped to his rescue and got injured. So he wanted to try and show them he wants to do something. 
"I want to show them I can fight without them knowing I have magic" I heard him telling Gaius once before.
Everyone clapped when Merlin caught Arthur by surprise as he did a surprise twist and knocked the sword out of his hand. 
The knights cried out with laughter as Gwaine yelled out "Yeah, Merlin!" and I see a smirk across Merlin's face. 
I have seen both Merlin and Gwaine practicing at night. 
Arthur patted Merlin on the back as well as slamming the shield onto his chest lightly. "Well, someone has been having private lessons." he stared at Gwaine who jumped behind Percival, still cackling. 
"Who's next?" he questioned as Merlin gathers the armour. 
I raised my hand and everyone's jaws dropped. "I would like to have a go, my Lord." 
Merlin smirked, knowing he has been teaching me the same ways the King and his knights have taught him. 
Arthur stuttered, said something about women and not fighting and unladylike. 
I picked up the sword and positioned myself. Arthur looked at Gwen for approval and she inclined, knowing too. 
"Oh, and please don't be soft." I sarcastically smiled before charging at him. 
We carried on until I did what Merlin taught me, "Duck, leg, stand." I ducked as Arthur swung his shield, pulled my dominant leg out to sweep him off his feet and stood up with the sword pointing at his chest. 
A group of men fell on their floor, cackling at his surprise. 
I laughed as Merlin pulled Arthur up. "What was that about women and not fighting when you just got swept by one." 
Arthur brushed himself and raised his hand for a shake which I gave. "I see Merlin has taught you some bits. And you," he pointed to his not-so-innocent wife, "you knew. That's why you didn't stop." to which the Queen smiled and blew him a kiss. 
Merlin rested his arm over my shoulders and gave them a squeeze, before we departed to the armoury.
All the knights gave me a gently pat on the back to congratulate me for being beating their King and friend. 
Gwen walked in with Arthur and ran to hug me. "Thank you for proving him wrong." she chuckled before exiting with Arthur to go to the court with the others, leaving me and Merlin to put the swords away. 
"Thank you Lucilla, you didn't have to stay behind and help me." 
I passed him the shields, one by one. "I want to. Count this as a thank you for teaching me and for believing in me." 
I caught my finger on the sharp end of the sword and blood starts to leak through the fine cut. 
Merlin ripped a piece of his shirt and wrapped the fabric around my finger before kissing it. Be steady, my dear heart. Be steady. 
"That's a waste of fabric, it's just a little cut." I slapped his arm lightly. 
His eyes glistened into mine, still holding my hand. I desperately want to kiss him right here, right now. 
All the thoughts flies around my head which got interrupted by Leon coming in. 
We split up before he noticed how close we were. "I'm sorry but you are requested to be part of the audience in the court." he informed us before gesturing to follow behind. 
Thank you and damn you, Leon.