'Did you hear? There's a dance in the village hall tomorrow.'

Your fingers, which had been tapping rhythms on Meliodas's bare chest, stopped for a moment before beginning again. 'Yeah ... I heard.'

He shifted a little, arm tightening around your shoulders. 'Do you want to go?'

'You look beautiful.'

You couldn't help but blush as you watched his eyes trace your figure up and down. 'You too.'

'Don't know,' you said. You spread your hand flat and felt his hearts beating.

Meliodas heaved a sigh. 'Yeah.'

The music had already started when you and Meliodas arrived. Everyone was smiling. Those not dancing clapped to the beat of the musicians on the raised platform. You couldn't help but sway slightly, feeling the skirt of your dress brush against your legs.

Meliodas pulled you forward. 'Let's go.'

It had been almost a week since the funeral. You really should be packing, getting ready to move on to a new village, not wasting time at dances. There was no need to say this aloud. You knew Meliodas was thinking the same thing.

'Elizabeth would have gone to the dance,' you said slowly. 'She would ... tell us to go.' You sat up a little to look Meliodas in the eye. There were tears on his cheeks.

'Yeah,' he said again.

Your smile didn't feel as forced anymore. Meliodas spun you and you laughed. He beamed, eyes sparkling. The beat got slower and Meliodas's grip on your waist tightened. You ignored when the dance called for different partners, keeping your arms around Meliodas. He seemed equally intent on keeping you close.

A girl with long hair span by and, in your eyes, her hair turned silvery white. But when you blinked, Elizabeth was gone again. The girl's hair was brown.

The song ended and immediately changed into a new one. This song was meant to be danced to as a quartet, but you and Meliodas didn't look for another pair.

Twirl. Clap. Sway. Spin. The dance went on. And you smiled.

'Guess we should go then.' You brushed the tears from his cheeks and traced the shape of his lips with one finger.

'Guess we should.'

'We'll go together.'

When you woke up, the other side of the bed was cold. You smiled a little as you imagined the looks on the others' faces when they saw Meliodas was cooking breakfast again. But, you stretched, Hawk would be happy. And you knew Meliodas would dance with you in the kitchen if you asked him to.

Wait.

Why were you wearing Meliodas's shirt?

Oh.

Oh yeah.

You were alone.

—

It was right there. The Holy Sword was in reach. All Arthur had to do was pull it from the ground and he could rescue Cath. He could rescue all of Camelot. He could—

The ground exploded. Arthur flew, debris hitting his back. He landed hard, all the air knocked from his lungs. The taste of blood in his mouth. From behind came that unsettling dark power. Zeldris and the pink-haired Demon. Get up. Arthur had to get up. He pushed himself up halfway and stopped.

'Cath!'

The poor cat looked distinctly battered and was being held by the pink-haired Demon.

Arthur gritted his teeth, fighting back tears. 'Damn it. Damn you all!'

'Back off, you two,' said an almost familiar voice. But it was too harsh, too dark. It couldn't be Meliodas. The shape of the person got closer through the dust. Arthur froze. 'Enough,' said the Demon. 'This boy is an acquaintance of mine.'

Arthur gasped and forced himself to sit upright. That person looked like Meliodas so much, but they didn't have a cheeky smile or bright eyes. There was no kindness. No warmth. But ... that magical power ... the brand on his arm ... there was no denying.

'Arthur,' said Meliodas, glaring so harshly, 'this castle doesn't belong to you anymore. Get the hell out of here.'

'Is ... that you, Sir Meliodas?' Arthur couldn't move. Could only stare. 'Why are you here with those Demons? Is [Y/n] here too? And why do you look so different? And your power ... No way!'

Meliodas got closer. 'I decided to part with the Seven Deadly Sins. I'm not the same guy you used to know.'

It was getting harder to hold the tears back now. Arthur's vision was blurring but he couldn't seem to blink. 'Impossible,' he whispered.

He could still remember it all so clearly. Meliodas's easy smile, quick laugh, comforting presence. And now it was gone. Replaced by this ... by this Demon. The back of Arthur's throat was rough. His chest ached. And [Y/n] ... Did she know about this? She must, right? Meliodas hadn't just hurt Arthur, he'd hurt her too.

'Why?' The word burst from Arthur's lips louder than he was expecting. He screwed his eyes shut, hiding from this twisted Meliodas, and the tears finally ran down his cheeks. Arthur slammed a fist to the ground, barely feeling the pain. 'It can't be. It can't.'

Arthur was bored. Merlin had said she was busy from inside her workshop of interesting sounds and billowing smoke before shutting the door with a wave of her hand. So Arthur had pouted, kicked a wall, regretted it and set off to find something to do. So far, he had not been successful. But, just as he turned to start pacing down a new corridor, Arthur stopped. What about that new knight who had just arrived? She had known Merlin so maybe she would tell Arthur about the mage's past. What was her name again? Oh yeah, [Y/n].

And now Arthur was running through the castle and trying to think at the same time. It was nearing lunch, so the knights should be finishing morning training. And that meant [Y/n] would be ... outside somewhere? Arthur changed direction and promptly bumped into someone.

'I'm sorry!' He scrambled to his feet, ready to help whoever it was. 'Please forgive me. Are you hurt any— oh, Lady [Y/n]!'

She hadn't fallen, just pursed her lips like she was trying not to laugh. 'The fault is all mine, your highness. And please just call me [Y/n].'

'In that case, you must call me Arthur, Lady – er, I mean, [Y/n].' Arthur laughed sheepishly. 'So ... where are you headed?'

'I was going to grab some food. The captain let me off early.' [Y/n] tilted her head and looked at Arthur with eyes that made him feel oddly exposed. 'Would you like to join me?'

'Okay.'

Despite his eagerness to find her, now Arthur was with [Y/n], he didn't know what to say. She looked so young but gave the air of someone much older. He wasn't sure how to start a conversation and so they just walked to the kitchen, collected some food and took it to the courtyard in silence. It wasn't until [Y/n] offered him the last strawberry that Arthur thought of something to say.

'So ... why'd you come to Camelot?'

[Y/n] looked at him in that same way again. 'It felt like the right thing to do,' she said slowly.

Arthur blinked. 'Ah, I'm not really sure what you mean.'

She laughed but didn't elaborate. Instead, she said, 'Do you like it here, Arthur?'

'Yes!' Arthur blushed at his sudden enthusiasm, but [Y/n] didn't tease him so he continued. 'This kingdom and it's people mean so much to me. They've been so kind. I hope one day to become a king who can protect them from any harm. A king that they're proud of.'

'I'm sure you'll be a great king,' [Y/n] said. And something about the way she said it made Arthur feel all warm inside.

'[Y/n]! [Y/n]!'

'Woah, Arthur.' [Y/n] caught him by the shoulders. 'We don't have to meet like this every time, you know.'

Arthur apologised quickly, breathlessly, before moving on to what he wanted to say. 'I was talking to Merlin and she mentioned someone called Meliodas but when I asked her about him, she said I should ask you. She said he was your husband.'

She laughed. 'Why is that so shocking?'

'You're not wearing a wedding ring!' Arthur pointed to her bare left hand. 'And you came here alone. Oh.' He gasped. 'Did you two have a fight?'

'No, no, nothing like that,' [Y/n] said, waving her hand. 'And look, my ring is right here.' She pulled a thin chain from under her shirt. A golden ring had been threaded onto it. 'Never go anywhere without it.'

'Ah I see,' said Arthur. He didn't see. 'Why aren't you wearing it properly?'

[Y/n] rubbed the back of her neck. 'Well, it's not like I look like someone who should be married. My age, I mean. And ... the people who do know I'm married aren't exactly on my side right now.'

Arthur frowned. It seemed [Y/n] was just as mysterious as Merlin. 'Then why are you telling me?'

'Merlin trusts you,' said [Y/n]. 'But it's more than that. I can tell you're a good person, Artie.'

That warm feeling was back. There was something about [Y/n] that made him feel safe. 'So ... Sir Meliodas ... what's he like?'

It was like [Y/n]'s whole body lit up. She smiled so wide that Arthur swore he could count her teeth if he felt like it. 'He's amazing. My favourite person in the whole world. One day you'll meet him, Artie, and you'll see what I mean. Like there was this one time he ...'

Arthur coughed weakly and winced as even that small movement scratched his raw throat.

[Y/n] sighed as she replaced the towel on his forehead. 'I told you you were working too hard. And then you thought it would be a good idea to keep training in the rain? Seriously, Arthur?'

He looked away from her disapproving frown. 'I just ... I want to be stronger. Like you.'

'No one's strong all the time,' [Y/n] said, her voice softer now and when Arthur turned back to look at her, her frown had been replaced with a soft – almost sad – smile. 'Not me, Merlin or even Meliodas. That's why we work together.'

Arthur sniffled. 'Okay. I'm sorry.' His head felt tight like two giant hands were squeezing it. '[Y/n]?'

She hummed.

'Can you use your powers to heal me?'

'No.' Her frown was back. 'Is that why you did it? "Oh, it won't matter because [Y/n] will just fix me up!" is that what you thought? Well, I won't. Maybe then you'll ask for help next time instead of trying to do everything yourself.'

Arthur's cheeks burned not just from fever but from shame too. Maybe he had thought that. 'Sorry,' he said again.

It was quiet for a while. The only sound was the rain that kept hitting the windows.

But then [Y/n] said, 'What is it?'

'What do you mean?'

'Something's bothering you, Artie. I can tell. What's wrong?'

Arthur's bottom lip trembled. When was the last time he felt like this? Cared for by someone like a mother. Merlin was great and all, but she could be cold and dismissive. But [Y/n] was always warm (not physically) and she listened.

'I let them down. The citizens.' He whispered so his voice wouldn't break. 'They'll think I'm useless now. Not fit to be king.'

[Y/n] reached out and brushed his hair back. It felt nice. 'Meliodas told me once,' she said softly, 'that it's not what others think of you that's important, it's how you care about others.'

Arthur's tears stopped.

'Everyone in Camelot knows how much you care about them, Artie. Your tears, even your cold, are proof of your love, right?'

Ah. Arthur settled back into the pillows. That was right. 'Will you stay with me, [Y/n]?'

'Of course.'

'And—' he closed his eyes '—will you tell me another story about you and Sir Meliodas?'

She laughed lightly. 'Okay. Did I tell you about the time ...'

And now Arthur was in a Camelot he barely recognised full of dark power and with a Meliodas that didn't smile.

'I was so excited to meet you, Meliodas,' Arthur said as the tears still streamed down his face. He hit the floor again. '[Y/n] spoke so highly about you all the time. I looked up to you, even before I'd seen your face.' He gritted his teeth. 'Whatever your reasons are for doing this, betraying those who believe in you, all your friends, the person I thought you loved and who loved you more than anyone in the whole world—' his fist closed over Excalibur's hilt '—it's unforgivable!'

The Holy Sword was comforting in his hand. Arthur's fingers shifted intuitively so he could hold it properly to pull it free. Its power zinged up his arm and mixed with his anger.

'Now take it, Arthur,' said Cath's feeble voice.

'I'll never ever forgive you!'

Arthur pulled. And the Sword was free. It wasn't just in his arm anymore. The power was flowing through his whole body. His toes tingled. The hairs on his arms stood up. Arthur's hands didn't shake. It was like he was whole again. Now he would save them all.

—

No one said anything about you wearing Meliodas's shirt when they saw you, which you were grateful for. Not even Elizabeth did when she arrived after spending the night in the castle. You asked her if she'd had breakfast and gotten her something to eat before she answered.

Merlin appeared in the bar just as Elizabeth finished eating. 'I'd like to speak to everyone.'

'Aren't you fixing Gowther?' You paused on the way to the kitchen. 'Is something wrong with him?'

'I'm just waiting for Escanor and Hawk to return with supplies,' said Merlin. 'This isn't about him.'

And she was gone again before you could say anything more.

Elizabeth caught your eye and shrugged.

When Escanor and Hawk finally returned, Merlin called everyone to the outdoor area so Diane (at full size again) could join the discussion. On your way up the stairs, Hawk looked at you.

'Hey, [Y/n], you don't like that Ludociel guy, right?' he said.

'Yeah that's right.' You didn't elaborate, but Hawk didn't seem to need a reason.

'There, see? What did I tell you, Escanor?' The pig turned his snout to the air. 'Archangel Jerkface.'

Hiding your laugh behind your hand, you pushed the door to the balcony open. King, Diane and Merlin were already there.

'Okay,' said Merlin, wasting no time. 'I'm going to find Arthur.'

'Wait,' Diane interrupted. 'You're going to rescue him all by yourself? Seriously?'

King looked from Diane to Merlin. 'We're already preparing to head into Camelot with Stigma.'

Merlin folded her arms and looked down. 'If the Demons catch onto the fact that we're advancing, the warning net around Camelot will be drawn even tighter. Now's our only chance to save him.'

You frowned and said, 'Look, Merlin—'

'I'm against it,' said Escanor loudly. He stroked his moustache. 'It doesn't make sense to endanger yourself over one insignificant kid. Especially one who's barely old enough to wipe his own butt.'

Merlin glared, Escanor faltered and you sighed. You were worried about Arthur too. He had gone off so long ago with that Nanashi guy (who had very strange vibes) and now, with Meliodas and Zeldris in Camelot Castle ... Arthur had trusted Meliodas so much and didn't know any of the truth of the past. Poor kid must be feeling so lost and betrayed right now.

'Tell me, Merlin,' Hawk piped up, 'why are you so worried about Arthur in the first place? He hasn't even figured out his own Magical Power yet, has he?'

'Because Arthur is the Child of Hope who's been chosen by the Holy Sword.' Merlin didn't look at anyone as she spoke. 'The one who's destined to lead Britannia one day.'

The Holy Sword. You frowned and chewed at your bottom lip. Merlin had told you about it one night back in Camelot after you'd stumbled across the sword. You'd been wandering the castle, trying to find the reason you had been called to Camelot when you came across a room filled with a strange power. The room had been empty save for a sword that had been thrust into the ground. When you went to investigate further, maybe even pull the sword free, a strange feeling ran down your spine. And when you had grasped the sword's hilt, hands shaking, the strange feeling got even stronger. It was like the sword was a person, like it didn't like you. You didn't blame it.

But when Merlin had told you about the souls that resided in the sword, you began to understand a little. It wasn't that the Holy Sword didn't like you, per se, but that it had already chosen someone else. It had chosen Arthur. And Merlin, for whatever reason, had decided to help him. Which must mean that the reason the Curse had drawn you to Camelot was to help Arthur too. Well, you had conceded, at least helping Arthur would keep you busy until the Curse allowed you to return to Meliodas.

'Arthur has been acknowledged by the generations of Britannia's heroes that came before him as the King of Kings.'

~~~~~

stay safe 💕💕💕