Just because those two dolts have done their best to keep me from Sir Valiant, I now have tasks from my father, after Merlin insisted he task me with more work. Father was happy to, and I didn't show my displeasure to either of them. I took their tasks head on, as usual. I was sent out to get water and various herbs, since almost every knight Valiant fought, seemed to fall ill after. I was with Sir Ewan, a great knight. Father left to speak with the king, after Merlin brought back the head of one of the snakes from Valiant's magic shield, and Gwen went to fetch water for Ewan. I stroked the noble knight's cheek before freezing at the sound of a snake's hiss. I looked down and saw it creeping into Ewan's bed, not knowing I had seen or heard it. I carefully drew my dagger from my side and as it appeared at his head, waking him and about to strike, I made my move and sliced its head off. Ewan, nearly fully recovered, except for the exhaustion, sat up quickly and shoved the snake off him. I held him to me, comforting him as he almost took the attitude of a scared toddler. He was still very ill, and he definitely needs to recover from this.

"Aurora! Ewan!" Gwen and my Father rush into the room.

"Father, Gwen, we're alright, we're safe." I tell them, laying Ewan down to rest again, picking up the snake and placing it on a cloth to show king Uther more evidence. "I protected Sir Ewan, and myself."

"Oh thank goodness you're okay!" Gwen exclaims, collapsing in my arms. We had been close since we were both babies. I kiss her head.

"I'm safe." I stand tall, grabbing the cloth covered snake. "Father, please allow Sir Ewan to rest, I will go explain what has happened to King Uther, and if Valiant is there, I will go under the pretense that Ewan died."

"Alright. Be safe." He kisses my head, and before I leave, Ewan sits up.

"My Lady!" He exclaims weakly, but loudly. I turn to him, seeing such a loyal and brave man in pain, and I push him back to lay down gently.

"Rest, Sir Ewan, fear not, for I will make sure Sir Valiant does not get away with attempting at taking your life." I assure him.

"Once I'm well, my Lady, I swear to protect you, even if it costs my life."

"Don't say things like that. Focus more on getting well for your family. I can handle myself just fine." I stroke his sweat soaked forehead.

"You've saved my life, now it is my duty to protect yours." He claims.

"Rest. We will discuss this when you are well." He obeys hesitantly.

"I will stay and help Gaius with him." Gwen smiles at me.

"Thank you. I'll take my leave now." I hold the cloth to my chest, and hurry to the throne room. Once entering, I see Merlin and Arthur talking with the King, and Valiant isn't too far from the King. "Your highness."

"Lady Aurora. We were expecting your father, Gaius and Sir Ewan." King Uther said as I walked closer to where he and the others were gathered, more councilmen and ladies and lords present, but not where I was heading. "Has he sent you in his place?"

"I regret to inform you, that Sir Ewan was bitten again by another snake, very similar to the one Merlin managed to slay. See for yourself, your majesty." I bow, holding the clothed snake in my outstretched hands.

"Place it on the floor and uncover it." Uther commands and I obey.

"It managed to bite Sir Ewan before I slayed it with the knife his majesty gave me on my last birthday. It nearly struck me, if not for the fast reflexes I've managed to develop over the years." A tear rolls down my face, one of genuine fear and sadness, having been scared for Ewan's life.

"Guards. Have Sir Valiant's shield locked up as well as him. I will allow one final fight, between Valiant and Arthur, but no sorcery." Uther glares down at the knight, who's head is still held up high.

"Your highness, you surely won't believe the measly words of a Physician's daughter over a trusted Knight, surely?" Valiant speaks.

"I fear that he may have another snake under his control, and I might not be able to hold it off, should it come for me in the dark of night, my lord." I hold a hand to my mouth, truly scared it will come for me, or one of my friends and I will lose someone dear to me.

"Father, she's trembling." Arthur informs his father, wrapping his arms around me, holding me upright as Merlin looks between me, the royals, and Valiant. "Must we really hold a fight tomorrow? He is a sorcerer."

"Aurora." Uther looks to me, and my eyes tear up, causing him to nod. "Valiant will be executed at dawn. Guards, take him away. Dismissed."

Everyone leaves except for me, Prince Arthur, Merlin, and the King himself. I tremble more as I watch Valiant's cruel and violent glare before the servants close the doors of the throne room. I don't realize I've let out a whimper until Arthur's grip tightens and Uther looks at me gently.

"Aurora..." he whispers, holding his arms open for me. Even in Merlin's presence, he still shows his kindness to me. I run into his arms and sigh in relief, almost going entirely limp in Uther's arms. He was a second father to me through the years, and even though I knew his cruelty, I love him.

"Uther..." I whimper quietly as he gestures behind me, dismissing Merlin and Arthur. They leave and he sits in front of the throne with me.

"Shhh, child, its alright. He's gone, he will hurt you no longer."

"Uther... I must tell you." I look up at him, knowing my eyes are red now.

"Tell me what, child?" He strokes my cheeks, wiping my tears away.

"Sir Ewan is alive. We cured him, but the snake did try to kill him again, but I sliced its head off before it managed to bite him again."

"You are very clever." He smirks slightly, patting my shoulder.

"I've learned from the best." I smile up at him, leaning against him.

"Sir Ewan testifies that Sir Valiant truly used magic to harm him?" Uther asks. I nod quickly. "Then that's all that matters. Why didn't he show up though? If he truly was cured, he should have shown to testify."

"Ewan was weak when he awoke, and just surviving the snake bite and cure, exhausted him immensely. When I left him to come here, he was so very weak and tired. He needed time to recover, so thats why I said he was dead, so that Valiant didn't send another Snake to kill him in my absence. He also said that he will protect my life since I've saved his."

"An honorable and loyal Knight he is." Uther acknowledges. I nod softly. "I will announce him being alive to the councilmen and ladies and lords after Valiant's execution, just in case he tried killing him through the night. You must be very tired, go rest for now, and I excuse you from all duties tomorrow. You don't have to watch Valiant's execution."

"Thank you, sire." I smile up at him, kissing his cheek softly.

"You may call me Uncle in private, Aurora. We've been over this before."

"Yes, Uncle." I smile up at him brightly, and we stand up.

"Go and rest now, sweet Aurora. I'll make sure there are guards outside your chambers, and your father's." Uther gently pushes me to the doors. I leave and am escorted to my room by a guard and Arthur. The guard stands outside the door as Arthur follows me inside my room.

"Are you alright, my Lady Aurora?" His eyes hold genuine worry now.

"I'm fine, Prince Arthur, please don't worry about me." I bow before Lyria comes into my room, heading to my dresser. "Now I am going to rest."

"Of course. Sleep well, Lady Aurora." He then leaves. Lyria turns to me.

"He likes you." She smirks, holding up one of my silk night gowns.

"Nonsense. He is a Prince while I am only a Physician's daughter turned into a Lady by his father." I wave her off, heading behind the changing screen and getting dressed for bed. "Even if it were true, it wouldn't last."

"And why not? I find my Lady very charming and lovable. She is loved by everyone around her." Lyria says defensively, I laugh.

"While I find that quite flattering, Lyria, Prince Arthur can't possibly be with me. His father is the king, and I do not wish to dirty their lineage. Arthur will make a great and just King, he does not need me by his side in that way. I come from unknown origin, I could be from an enemy king and once Uther discovers that, I'd probably be killed."

"I don't think so, Lady Aurora. You are too kind hearted. And King Uther loves you dearly, as do Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana."

"Lyria, as much as I love our talks, I would like to rest for now."

"Yes, my lady, sleep well." She blows out the candle at my bedside and leaves my room quickly. Sleeping at my feet is the dog that Merlin made come to life out of one of the statues outside the castle. I didn't want him to be turned back, and I managed to bond with him, so Merlin reluctantly let me keep him. His name is Maximus, and he is very well behaved and more calm now that he is with me. Him and Sir Ewan would protect me from a lot of things, I can tell.