King Arthur (2017 Legend of the Sword OC Fanfic)

4. Missing

The following morning Lucy woke to an unsettling silence. Usually, she would hear Mary bustling about the kitchen, but today was there was nothing. She quickly got up and changed, then searched the house for her sister, but found no one. Lucy couldn't help but panic, where was her sister? Mary always came home, yet she was nowhere to be seen. Lucy checked Mary's room one more time and found nothing missing which worried her even more. Quickly she ran to the pub where Mary worked in hopes of finding her there.

She burst through the door and immediately looked around for her sister. She didn't really know anyone as she never came here. She went to the bartender to ask him if he knew where her sister was.

''Hello there, what can I get for ya?'' The man asked.

''Um I'm looking for my sister, her name is Mary. She works here, upstairs.'' She answered, glancing in the direction of where she was hoping Mary would be.

''Um, I'm sorry miss but she left last night at her usual time.'' He answered.

''Was anyone with her? Did you see which direction she went?'' Lucy question erratically.

''No mam', not really. But there was a Celtic fellow who left right after she did. Maybe he knows where she is?" The barman suggested.

''Did she speak with him here? Was he a... customer?'' She asked, still uncomfortable with her sister's line of work. Lucy couldn't wrap her mind around sharing her body so frequently when she hadn't even done it once. There was no doubt that Mary was much more comfortable with herself than Lucy was.

''I couldn't tell you, I have my own customers to attend to miss.'' He shrugged his broad shoulders.

''Thank you for your help. If you see my sister, please tell her I'm looking for her.'' Lucy replied.

''Will do.'' He nodded and she left without another word.

Her panic had now turned to terror as Lucy began to imagine every bad thing possible that could have happened to her sister. Guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders as she couldn't help but replay their argument when they last spoke. If only she had found a better way for her sister to earn money. Lucy broke down right there in the street, dropping her head into her hands and crying her eyes out. Panic had overcome her and she dropped to her knees as she heaved unsteady breaths, barely getting enough oxygen. Before falling over and passing out due to her own anxiety, her savior caught her, picked her up and began carrying her as she passed out in the comfortable stranger's arms.

There was nothing but blackness, so much so that it was deafening. It was peaceful though, it made you feel impenetrable. Really it was one of those dead sleeps where the comfort comes from escaping reality without actually having to die in order to do so. But this blissful feeling only lasted so long before Lucy started to wake up. It took her a moment to figure out where she was and what happened but as it slowly came to her, she looked around taking in the most beautiful place she's ever been. The place had a sort of elegance to it that could only be described as royalty. Tapestries hung against the walls, all portraying beautiful scenes from around the kingdom. The needlework also was intense and oddly precise. Lucy wondered if this was a mage's work as no regular person could do such magnificent work.

''Oh, your awake?'' Arthur said, breaking her thoughts, and slightly scaring her as he entered from a doorway behind her. She turned around quickly, meeting his gaze.

''I'm at the castle.'' She said dumbstruck.

''Indeed you are.'' He replied.

''I need to find my sister, I need to do something.'' She said frantically quickly getting out of the heavenly bed she had been occupying.

''Calm down, no need to worry, I will find your sister, but you need to rest. My healer says you panicked so much that you passed out.''

''Yeah, well I'm fine now. Just let me go.'' She said hastily.

''Your not going anywhere.'' He said sternly.

''Excuse me?'' She asked. ''You can't tell me what to do.'' She crossed her arms over her chest.

''Maybe your right, but I can't go out looking for your sister while worrying about your safety. Just let me do my job.''

''Then take me with you. I'm not just going to sit here and do nothing.''

''I'm not taking you anywhere. Have you ever even been in a fight?'' He asked seriously.

''No, but you could teach me. Besides, your undefeated.''

''I don't have time to teach you nor protect you. I am only one man, I'm not a god. If you stay here I promise you will be safe and I will return with your sister. Do you trust me?''

''I... I don't know.'' She sighed after a long moment of silence. She was torn and confused and felt helpless.

''Please trust me, dear,'' He said coming in closer, and looking at her deeper. ''I know what I am doing.'' His fingers caressing her chin. She stared back at him, trying to decide if she could trust him or not but her mind was clouded. He was so close and all she wanted was to know what kissing him would be like.

He pulled away though and she was too passive to protest. Being able to think again she spoke.

''Yes I trust you, you are the King after all.'' She admitted.

''Thank you. Please stay here and rest. Maggie will be around a little later to show you around.'' He said. He turned to leave and only took a step before Lucy spoke again.

''When will you be back?'' She asked.

''Soon.'' He smiled at her before exiting the room.