Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Five (II)

"He does," Gaius erasure her. Artura snorts rolling her eyes. "I know that at times it may seem impossible to see but..."

"No you don't understand Gaius. Do you have to hide who you are? No! Do you have to play a part just to be loved by your father who should love you unconditionally? No! Do you miss out on the chance to be normal, t-to be a girl?..... Gaius I'm so alone." Artura ranted letting out the extra frustration she had that hadn't already been taken out on Sir Leon and Merlin.

Gaius had both eyebrows raised clearly not ready for a rant like that. Artura rarely complained, mostly because she tried not to. It didn't seem fair to complain about silly problems about hiding such a simple secret. She knew there were those in the world who had to suppress their magic because of her and her Father.

Artura's eyes fell to the floor embarrassed. "Sorry Gaius that was insensitive. So many people have and will continue to suffer because of Uther and I.... I'm one of those monsters from legends aren't I?" Artura asked.

She hated herself when she looked in the mirror all she could see was the monster people saw her for. She expressed her hatred for herself to Gwen all the time even if she didn't know she was talking about herself. And the worst part Gwen did little to nothing to defend Arthur.

Gaius eyes widened. "No," he said sternly glaring down at her. "Don't you ever think that again. It is true you aren't an angel, but this does not mean you cannot change. Artura you are an amazing young woman even if I'm the only.one who can see it.

Artura smiled suppressing the tears. "Thank you," she said standing up taking her potions. He hand three to her plus one other different potion.

"If snoopy little Merlin asks its to help with your weak immune system." Gaius says smiling lovingly at her. He shakes the other potion saying, "This is to help with your nerves. Your going to do fine and if you lose I will never leave your side."

"Thank you again Gaius. I hope Merlin is as great as you claim him to be."

"He is someone you can count on. And Artura you don't have to explain your situation but maybe you should turn to him for comfort of sorts." Gaius said.

Artura moves towards the door placing the bottles in her pocket. "You really trust this odd idiotic young man don't you?"

"With my life," Gaius said seriously. Artura nods hoping she really had just found a new trusted ally and that one day she could tell Merlin her secret about being a girl.
                  ~~~~~~~~~~
Artura stood tall watching her opponents. A lot could be said about how one might fight in battle based off how they acted before hand. She choose to show no emotion keep her gaze forward and calculating. Merlin rushed around her placing the armor on her. He would mutter where it would go. Rolling her eyes as he put another price on she asked, "You do know the tournament starts today?"

Merlin sighed. "Yes, Sire." He spun around her making sure everything looked good before going back fixing the buckles on the piece he had just added.

Merlin looked up to her tilting his head a little. "You nervous?" he asked trying to get a conversation going.

"I don't get nervous." she replied rolling her shoulder ignoring the butterfly party in her stomach.

"Really? I thought everyone got nervous." Merlin said thinking about all the times he had gotten nervous. He knew that if he was in Artura's place he would most definitely be freaking out.

All his chatter brought the butterflies to fly around like a roller coaster. Her nerves spiked up vanishing the bottle she had taken earlier to calm the nerves. "Will you shut up!" She shouted hoping her nerves and stomach could find peace once again.