Chapter Nine: News

   After dismounting off Rose, I noticed that Merlin and Delrand were already talking outside the door.

   ‘Merlin!’ I shouted enthusiastically and ran to give him a hug.

   ‘Hello. Delrand has done a good job. So you’re not a bad teacher after all. Why you thought that I’ll never know.’

   ‘I have a good apprentice.’ Merlin knows about us. Don’t worry; he added at my reaction, he just laughed.

  We walked inside and into the front room. Justin and Harrod were there; surely Merlin’s news didn’t involve them. They were sat beside each other on one of the sofas. Delrand and I sat and occupied the other. Merlin stood in the centre of the room. We all watched him, anticipating what his news might be. You couldn’t help but watch Merlin; he had a demanding presence about him.

   ‘As you all know Mordred’s decided to show himself again. I’ve tried my best to get as many allies on the guard as I can but it’s still not enough.’

   ‘How many so far?’ Delrand asked, he sounded worried about the situation. I knew where this would turn.

   ‘Twenty. I know it’s nowhere near the amount we need. We only have one back up if it all goes downhill for us.’ They all turned to face me. I looked at them all in turn and then down to the floor.

   I knew they expected much from me, but from my point of view it was too much. I was powerful, yes, but I still couldn’t believe I was the only one who could defeat Mordred. He’d overpowered me once; it was obvious he could do it again. Delrand had told me that wasn’t possible now I knew my potential.

   ‘Elara, you can’t deny the inevitable. You’ll have to face him sooner or later,’ Merlin continued.

   ‘I can’t do it alone.’

   ‘You won’t be alone,’ Delrand reassured me. ‘But you will be the one to finish him off.’

   ‘That’s the problem. It sounds so simple when you say it, but in reality it will be so much more impossible. What if I fail to kill him; he’ll kill me and you’ll all be doomed.’

   ‘Don’t say that, he doesn’t know what’s waiting for him. He underestimates your power, something he always does and never learns from it.’ Merlin spoke as if it was possible that what we hope would happen, will. ‘I’ve told your father that you’ll be arriving in a few days in Camelot. I told him the situation and he ordered you to return home.’ I looked sideways at Delrand he must have been told all this when I was riding back towards the house. ‘You’d best leave as soon as possible if you’re to arrive there in time.’

   ‘In time for what?’ I didn’t ask this, Delrand did.

   ‘In time to sort strategies out with Arthur.’

   ‘Strategies? You mean there’s going to be a war.’ I wasn’t expecting this, it was going too far. No one had considered a compromise with Mordred. I had only met him in life once; even then I sensed intelligence. He would at least listen, and then he could make up his mind. ‘Is there nothing we can do to stop it?’

   ‘Nothing but fight back.’

   I folded my arms but smiled. I was going home, I knew that was the good part, but the bad part was many times worse. ‘You’ve got me on the ranks then.’

   ‘That’s good, only you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into,’ said Delrand, slightly amused.

   ‘You all have to go, by the way. Where’s Oscar?’ asked Merlin.

   ‘He’s delivering a letter for me,’ I answered while keeping my eyes off Harrod and Justin.

   ‘Is that all Merlin? Nothing else happening around?’ asked Delrand.

   ‘No, that’s all. Now I had best be off, I still have a few others to try and persuade. I’ll meet you at Camelot.’ And with that he disappeared.

   Delrand then turned to me with a broader smile than before. ‘Best start packing, Elara.’

   ‘What? We’re leaving today?’

   ‘He did say to leave as soon as possible.’

   ‘You’re crazy, Delrand, I hope you know that.’ Justin stated.

   ‘Aren’t we all?’ And with that Delrand grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the room, behind him. When we were out of earshot of the others he placed his arm around my waist instead. He walked me to my room and came inside with me.

   That was close, he said as we walked through the door.

   What was close? And why aren’t you talking out loud? I had one eyebrow raised at his strange behaviour.

   We don’t have many nights left that we can spend together. At Camelot I’ll be expected to attend all the meetings as Merlin’s apprentice, you’ll be there as Princess. That depends on whether you’ll be allowed to know what’s going on.

   Oh, I’ll be there. One question, doesn’t it take a few years to prepare for a war?

   Yes, it does. He changed the subject. So, do you want me in here tonight?

   Please... I thought we were packing?

   That was to prevent them from nosing around. His head turned slightly to the side and his eyes focused on the door. I followed his gaze and heard a faint clicking as the lock set in place. He wore his crooked smile. I quickly put on a frightened face and began to back up towards the wall behind me. It was nothing serious, he knew I understood. He advanced on me and I smirked back at him. My head fell down slightly but my gaze remained on his eyes.

   A few steps away and he pulled me into his grasp by the waist with one arm; his other hand took mine and placed it on his shoulder. He wanted every moment with me as romantic as could be. I let him take control; I knew I could trust him with my life if it ever led to that choice.

   He leant down and kissed me on the neck. He sweetly moved his lips onto my jaw line and continued up my cheek, gradually meeting my lips. I moved my other hand (the one on his shoulder didn’t... couldn’t move) and placed it on his cheek. He gently squeezed me closer.

   I suddenly tensed my lips and pulled back my head. It was an automatic response to something at the back of my mind. It seemed to be a throbbing that made me feel guilty. It seemed strange, but I couldn’t kiss him again tonight. I turned away.

   Elara, did I do something wrong?

   No, it’s me. I need some time to think. What I meant by that was that I needed to focus my attention on the upending matter. Delrand took it that I meant for him to go. He let go of me, kissed me on the cheek and walked to the door. ‘Why are you going?’

   ‘Giving you some privacy to think. That’s what you want.’

   ‘Don’t be silly. I didn’t mean that, I need to be able to focus and I can’t do that with you kissing me. Come here.’

   ‘Why didn’t you say so?’

   I walked up to him, grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the window seat. He sat down beside me and I leant into him, as I had done the previous night. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my next few days. I let my thoughts wonder off and they focused on my family and friends in my far away home.

   Quite some time passed before my eyes opened again. He was sat there so calmly, as though there was no disastrous event that would change our lives completely if some small outcome went wrong for us. I also understood that we may have long enough to spend all these nights together but eventually the serious planning would have to start if no compromise could be sorted.

   At least she’ll have some fun before we’re needed. I knew he wasn’t talking to me, though ‘she’ had to be me.

   Who are you talking to? That surprised him.

   ‘How did you do that?’

   ‘I don’t know. I just focused in on you and heard what you just said.’

   ‘Odd. Anyway, that was Merlin I was talking to, if you want to know? Do you know what happens at this time of year at Camelot?’

   ‘Nothing. It’s just the beginning of the year, nothing special.’

   ‘You don’t remember then. Taking you away has slowed down your thoughts about your true home.’

   ‘What would you say if I said I hadn’t got a clue what you’re talking about?’ And I hadn’t, nothing ever happened at Camelot this time of year. He began to laugh; I scowled at him and, in seeing my expression, bent down and kissed my forehead. What’s going on? I asked calmly and slowly.

   ‘You honestly can’t remember. Let me give you a clue: knights, jousts and horses.’

   Then I suddenly remembered and my eyes lit up. ‘The tournament, of course, how on earth could I forget that?’

   ‘With a little help from me, that’s how.’

   ‘Then we do have to leave as soon as possible. I always compete in it. Ever since my first one, I’ve never not been in one. I’ve won many of them, but not last year.’

   ‘And I’m afraid you’ll have to miss this one.’

   ‘What? Why?’ I couldn’t miss this one, not after everything I’ve been through recently. I knew I was stronger than before, though it would be unfair if I were to use magic to help me win.

   ‘Your father ordered that you’re not to compete. Now you’re ... eighteen, he wants it to be different than all the previous championships.’

   I knew what he meant. ‘You mean that I’m meant to marry whoever wins.’ I giggled. ‘Well, I’m sorry but there’s no way I’ll agree. Can’t you persuade him out of it?’

   ‘You know full well that no one can tell the king what to do. Maybe he’d listen to you, but I doubt he’ll accept your disposition.’

   I folded my arms and pouted. ‘It’s just not fair. I’ve met all the knights that compete every year. Now and again a new one turns up, but none of them are near what you’d call charming. Anyway, I’m going to tell him about us after we arrive.’

   ‘You can’t do that; by the way I’m taking his side on this and so is Merlin. I’m afraid there’s no getting out of this.’

   ‘Believe me, I’ll find a way.’

   ‘And I’ll be keeping a closer eye on you than I do now. There won’t be any time when I don’t know your exact location.’

   I scowled at him again and he just grinned back. ‘And I thought you loved me so much that not even this would be acceptable. Why are you doing this?’

   ‘I just want the pleasure of seeing them trying to impress you. That won’t be easy and seeing their expressions when you turn them down will be a laugh. And I do love you; if it comes to it I’ll have to kiss you in front of them all.’

   ‘You wouldn’t?’

   ‘I would. And you can’t really stop me if I do.’

   I folded my arms, pursed my lips and sighed. He smiled again and brushed my lips with his fingers. I looked at his eyes; they were apple green (which I had figured out meant he wanted to kiss).

   Don’t push your luck any further. I didn’t mean for it to sound so harsh but it did.

   ‘Don’t be like that. I didn’t make the decision.’ He lifted my head up gently by the chin and my frustration extinguished.

   ‘But you did choose a side,’ I simply replied.

   ‘One that’s better for the both of us in the long run. Can I stay tonight?’

   ‘Of course, you don’t really need to ask.’

   ‘I know I don’t but I know I would regret not asking.’ He slowly placed his hands on my back; I watched his arms and then turned back to his face. My hands moved onto his chest. Our heads moved closer and our lips met like they always did every night. Then I thought about something. I pushed him reluctantly away and pulled back. He stopped kissing me and drew back his head to see what was wrong.

   ‘Are you going to kiss me every night?’ I was curious about his answer. If we were going to be together forever I needed to know what he thought more than I did now.

   ‘I’ve made it a commitment to. If I don’t what would you think of me?’

   ‘Don’t make this about me. Delrand, you need to be a lot more open if you want me to stay with you.’

   He suddenly looked a little hurt, but then it changed to a thoughtful look. ‘In what way?’ His eyes dazzled me as they always did and I briefly lost my train of thought. I shook my head.

   ‘Not changing the subject when I ask you easy questions. And you’re going to have to stop doing that.’

   ‘Stop doing what?’ He sounded so innocent but I knew better than to believe that.

   ‘Making me light headed with your eyes.’

   ‘Why’s that, I wonder?’

   ‘I don’t know, but it is lovely that they do that. I just wish you could control it when we’re talking.’

   He hummed for awhile. ‘Why? Does it dazzle you and stop you from thinking?’

   ‘That’s exactly what it does.’ How did he know? It didn’t really matter right now because he had started to kiss me again. I returned his gesture.

   Then he did something he had never done before. One of his hands moved done my back and onto my thigh. He found the back of my knee and pressed into the joint. My knee bent and he pulled my leg up onto his lap. I had only just realised what he had done when he carried on down my calf muscle. I stopped kissing him straight away and forced him to release my back. After I had removed his hand from my leg, I stood up and went to get into bed. I never looked back to see his face. I also didn’t care that I was still in the wrong clothes to sleep in. Once I had lied down on the comfy mattress I pulled the duvet over my head and remained perfectly rigid.

   His mind softly brushed against mine, and he spoke to me just as gently. Elara, forgive me. I didn’t mean for it to lead anywhere. I’m sorry.

   You should have thought about the way I’d take it before you did it.

   Believe me, I never meant to hurt you. You’re too precious to me to lose. I’ll go if you don’t want me tonight. Good night, Elara.

   He was really good when it came to messing with my feelings. I knew I’d regret it tomorrow if I didn’t let him stay or know that I knew he just wanted to prove that he loved me more than I thought.

   Delrand, please come back. I forgive you but you should have known that I would reject the intention, no matter what you meant by it. I love you, and I don’t want to lose you either.

   The duvet moved from over my head and I saw that he was kneeling on the floor at the head of the bed, in line with me. I propped myself onto an elbow to see him better.

   You don’t need to say everything all the time. I can feel what you want to say if I focus on your mind hard enough, and it was very disrespectful of me to do that to you. He reached for my free hand and kissed the back of it. His other hand combed through my hair. It felt so right that we were like this together, as though nature had made us to fit each other’s personalities. He needed me and I needed him. I knew that we would be more and more inseparable with every passing day.

   Want to join me? I asked him and hoped he would climb onto the bed.

   I think I’ve taken enough dignity out of you for one night.

   Please, for me? I’ll be stronger this time than before.

   If you’re sure? And I promise to behave myself from now on when we’re alone. And he vanished only to materialise behind me (I felt the mattress sink a little). I turned over and faced him. He didn’t look comfortable lying there with me. I knew it would be hard for him to suppress his impulse. So I noted to myself not to kiss him. I placed a hand over where his heart was and smiled warmly at him. He smiled back at me, but it wasn’t convincing enough.

   Delrand, relax. Nothing is going to happen. I’ll push you out if something does. Just hold me, and I’ll fall asleep. There’s no need for all this suspicion.

   Not for you, may be. I can easily overpower you physically. That’s what I’m worried about; if I ever hurt you I’ll never forgive myself.

   I’m a lot stronger than you think. You haven’t seen me fighting with the knights.

   As true as that may be, I’m not taking any chances. I don’t want to risk anything, risk losing your faith in me.

   I pressed my fingers gently onto his lips, even though he wasn’t speaking out loud. Stop. Don’t talk like that. If I need to kiss you to force you to stop, I will.

   Then that’s what you’ll have to do. So I did. As I had tried to tell him, nothing happened. He didn’t even try to reposition himself. When we stopped I relayed that to him, and he seemed to relax. His arms moved to where they belonged, around me. And I slept better than I had been recently. Though as soon as I was on the verge of sleep his body tensed up again.

   What now? I complained.

   What do you mean ‘what now’?

   You still seem uncomfortable.

   And I should be. His features became more dignified. You’ve got me in bed with you and I don’t think we should have let this happen this early.

   Look, if it makes it any easier, I’ll turn my back to you.

   I don’t know. It may make it worse. We can try it.

   So I turned over and then shuffled back so my back just touched his front. I felt him move his top arm over my waist. I reached down with mine to hold his hand.

   Better?

   Definitely. He pressed his face into my hair. I smiled to myself, sighed happily and finally fell asleep.

   I woke up early the next day just so I could be with him longer. I found that around Delrand time seemed to pass by really quickly. I couldn’t feel his arm around me and checked over my shoulder. His eyes were still shut but he usually pretended he was asleep. There has never been a time when I had beaten him in waking up first.

   ‘Delrand?’ I whispered.

   ‘You’ve finally decided to wake up at last,’ he teased, opening his eyes to look at me.

   ‘Do you ever sleep?’

   ‘Of course I do. I just sleep so deep that I wake up earlier than you might expect.’

   ‘What time’s that?’

   ‘Around sunrise.’

   ‘I’ll never get what it is with you, sunsets and sunrises.’

   ‘And I’ll never let you understand or find out.’

   ‘I can always ask Merlin,’ I ventured.

   ‘Even he doesn’t know. It’s a thing for me to know and you to find out, if you can.’ He suddenly lent down kissed me on the cheek and got up. ‘I’ll see you downstairs.’

   ‘Aren’t you going to help me pack?’

   He stopped with his hand on the door knob. ‘I already did it for you.’

   ‘You must have gotten up early then.’

   ‘No, I just magicked it ready.’ Trust him to say that.

   ‘And you were the one who said not to use magic for small insignificant things,’ I said sarcastically.

   ‘I’d best go, the others want a word. What about, I haven’t a clue, but they’re not going to boss me around; after all I am much more powerful than all of them put together. Sometimes I wonder what they really see in me.’ His eyes were misty, as though he was looking back on a memory or distant thought. Then he walked out the door. I listened to his steps until they had fainted from earshot. I got up and changed into clean clothes.

   Outside, the sun hung high in the clear blue sky. If only it could resemble the way I felt deep down inside. Unfortunately, the window of this room looked over the front of the house. I peered out of the lace blinds and saw three figures down on the drive. I focused on them for a while and discovered what I was truly seeing.

   Two of them were facing each other, not too close but just out of arms’ reach. The other stood at the side watching, but only there, possibly, to stop an upraising fight from breaking out. I knew what was going on. Harrod thought it a good idea to give Delrand a piece of his mind. And then I remembered that Delrand had personally told me about his short temper. He had his hands clenched into fists by his sides. I didn’t want to get involved, unless it got too serious.

   I watched a bit more, and then decided to go down for some breakfast. As I walked onto the landing that led to the stairs, heavy paced footfalls came up to me. Alice appeared on the top step, panting hard. She clearly must have been watching from the kitchen window. She looked a little panicky.

   ‘Alice, what’s wrong? What’s happened?’

   ‘Get down there! Delrand and Harrod…’ She needn’t say anymore, I rushed past her and almost flew down the stairs. Skipping the last four steps and spinning round the newel post at the end. I stopped just before the door and listened closely. All I heard was the sound of lightning cracking. I lunged out through the door in rage at what Harrod had done. If he challenges him he faces me, I thought.

   ‘Harrod, back off or prepare for a surprise.’

   Delrand grabbed my upper arm as I stormed past him. He spun me round and grabbed my other arm. ‘Elara, what are you doing?’

   ‘What does it look like? Let me go.’

   ‘No.’ He sounded definite.

   ‘He dared to force you to fight. Let - me - go.’

   ‘I won’t let you do something you’ll regret.’

   I knew he wouldn’t let go without a fight.

   I closed my eyes and tensed my muscles and shoulders; I imagined my body shield to grow like a solid wall between his hands and my skin. Anger grew in my mind. I turned around to face my target. Harrod’s eyebrows were furrowed and he wore a smug smile.

   ‘At last, we get to see what you’re really capable of.’

   ‘You’re forgetting that my magic is sorcery based.’

   ‘Elara, don’t do this.’ I heard Delrand almost pleading with me to stop what I intended. Though I didn’t (as he thought) intend to wound or kill Harrod, as long as he learnt that he had given me enough misery.

   My fingers tingled with energy from my focus. I knew his power could never challenge the potential of mine, so I carefully measured the amount I needed to release. I aimed at his torso and pulsed my fingers at him. A sleek stream of purple light screamed through the air between us and struck him in the stomach. He was bent double and launched into the air. He hit the floor and few metres away from where he stood just before his feet left the earth.

   At least that was how the bad side of me imagined it to happen. I opened my eyes again and saw Delrand in front of me, he still held me firmly at the top of my arms.

   ‘Elara, what are you doing?’

   ‘I was going to fight him, but I changed my mind. I thought I’d come out to stop him, but really came here to protect you.’

   ‘That’s sweet, but we’ve sorted it out. No need for the fuss, Alice.’ He called behind him to the front door where Alice stood pale faced. We’re leaving first; the others will catch up later on.

   I let him lead me to the rear of the house where Rose and Volareus stood. Delrand never brought along his stallion in the end, he saw it as just another mouth to feed and let him roam around the country by himself (Delrand also said that his stallion always came back home no matter what). All of my luggage was split between the two steeds and I saw my sword hanging on Rose’s saddle. I was glad to see it again; I hadn’t worn or used it for months. Delrand mounted Volareus; his cape swirled behind him as it caught the wind. He slowly trotted into a circle. I climbed up onto Rose’s back and she was as steady as ever.

   Then it occurred to me. ‘Won’t it take longer to get to Camelot? Since we’re not at the school, and that took just over a week.’

   ‘We’re not riding all the way. I thought we may as well take advantage of your powers. We’ll magic ourselves and the horses outside the walls.’

   ‘That’s cheating.’

   ‘Nothing’s ever concrete. Think you can manage? It’s a long way.’

   ‘We’ll have to wait and see. See you there.’ And I disappeared from his view.