THE final day of the tournament arrived.
The whole town was buzzing with the news, people that hadn't attended before were queuing for seats. Elspeth once again joined Gwen near the front, knowing that when Morgana came down she would more than likely offer them to sit with her.
"So I spoke with my father." Gwen spoke, "He told me what happend."
"And-?" Elspeth prompted quietly.
"And I support him fully." Gwen said with a smile, "If Ishildr makes him happy than who am I to stand in his way? Besides, if they marry you and I will be sisters."
She smiled weakly. Guilt started to knaw at her side. Here Gwen was, being the perfect daughter and all El' could focus on was the promise her mother made her when she was five years old.
Sure enough, Morgana came and offerer the girls a seat with her in the front row.
And it may have been Elspeths imagination, but she could've swore the Ward look worried. Tired too.
Knight Valiant and prince Arthur took their positions in front of each other, Uther gave his son a nod before their helms came on and the fighting began.
Mid-fight, Arthur knocked knight Valiants helmet off, and a split second later took off his own.
Scarcely two minutes later, snakes, actual snakes, jumped out of Valiants shield. Gasps rippled through the air and Morgana instantly stood, soon followed by Gwen and Elspeth.
"He's using magic." She heard Uther mutter, he too standing.
The snakes went after the prince, cornering the young man. Morgana grabbed the kings sword from his belt and threw it to Arthur, who beheaded the snakes and resumed his fight.
"What is he doing?" Elspeth muttered, her hands hovering over her mouth.
Arthur won easily, muttering in Valiants ear before dropping the injured man to the ground. The arena errupted into applause, standing and cheering for their future king who stood panting.
Unlike before, when Arthur glanced at his father and received a nod, he didn't smile. His gaze went straight to Elspeth who slowly raised her hands and clapped.
The king wore an expression of disbelief and Arthur gave Merlin a pat on the shoulder as he passed him by.
***
The feast that night was just as glorious as the last.
Arthur escorted Morgana down the aisle, though they soon began bickering. Elspeth and Gwen served people their drinks, sharing grins as they watched they two.
"See? I told you." Merlin whispered, making El' jump. "He gets all the girls and glory."
"Not all the girls Merlin," Gwen corrected. "We still have you."
He gave her a teasing glare and she grinned. Elspeth giggled, her cheeks flushing red easily in the candel lit hall. Arthur stomped over to them and pulled Merlin aside. "Can you believe Morgana? She said she saved me. Like I needed any help."
At Merlins expression and Elspeths second fit of giggles, Arthur calmed. "I wanted to say... I made a mistake. It was unfair to sack you."
Elspeth bowed her head and smiled. It was a large smile that took over most of face, the biggest she had had in a long time.
Morgana walked over to them, casting a nasty look in Arthurs direction. "Can you believe him? He acts like he pulled that sword out of thin air."
"If I didn't know any better, my lady, I'd either say you were in love with him or you were his sister." El' said slyly, sharing a look with Gwen.
In high spirits, Elspeth walked home alone that night.
The moon seemed extra bright in the sky and the stars seemed to be making a melody. She hummed along to a random tune, passing by strangers familiar faces.
El' walked inside her and her mothers shared hut. She looked at the still working woman and smiled a little less.
"If being with him makes you happy, then I won't stand in your way." She said, making Ishildr pause. "I just... I just wish you would've told me the truth instead of lying to me."
"I didn't want to let you down." Her mother said softly, "I know how much you hold that promise to your heart."
"I still do." Elspeth responded quietly. "But... I'm starting to see not everything is as black and white as it seems. I want you to be happy, but next time, please just tell me the truth."
"I will." Her mother said, turning away from her work with a smile. "Why don't you sit and tell me everything I've missed out on this past week?"
"Well..." Elspeth began slowly. "I met Gaius' new assistant Merlin, got him out of trouble with the prince. Called him and the prince sexist pricks the next day, Merlin saved Arthurs life the day after that and got a new job as his assistant, Gaius taught me how to heal bruises, I went tp the tournament, I slept through an entire day, I got Gwen to speak with her father, I told Arthur about dad, a snake came out of a knights shield and tried to attack him but Morgana threw him a sword, they argued, we attended the feast and Arthur apologised to Merlin. I think I may have missed a few bits."
Her mother sat beside her with an incredibly confused expression.
After a moment she raised her brows, "So you're on first name basis with the prince?"
Elspeth sighed softly.
It was going to be a very, very long night.
***
A/N
You walked into the room and now my heart has been stolen
You took me back in time to when I was unbroken
Now you're all I want
And I knew it from the very first moment
'Cause a light came on when I heard that song and I want you to sing it again
I swear that every word you sing, you wrote them for me
Like it was a private show, I know you never saw me
When the lights come on and I'm on my own
Will you be there to sing it again?
Could I be the one you talk about in all your stories
Can I be him?
I heard there was someone but I know he don't deserve you
If you were mine I'd never let anyone hurt you, no, no
I wanna dry those tears, kiss those lips
It's all that I've been thinking about
'Cause a light came on when I heard that song and I want you to sing it again
I swear that every word you sing, you wrote them for me
Like it was a private show, but I know you never saw me
When the lights come on and I'm on my own
Will you be there to sing it again?
Could I be the one you talk about in all your stories?
Can I be the one
Can I be the one
Can I be the one
Oh, can I, can I be him?
Won't you sing it again?
Oh, when you sing it again
Can I be him?
Oh, sing it again, yeah
Oh, when you sing it again
Can I be him?
I swear that every word you sang, you wrote 'em for me
Like it was a private show, but I know you never saw me
When the lights come on and I'm on my own
Will you be there, will you be there?
Can I be the one you talk about in all your stories
Can I be him?
Can I be him?
Can I be him?
Can I be him?
Source: LyricFind
Okay so I've been thinking about it, and I've decided that I'm Gwen and arikay12
Is Elspeth. Literally.
Q: How are y'all doing in lockdown? Because I have 0 motivation for anything.
This chapter was dedicated to PEACE AND FRICKIN QUIET FROM THE SOUND OF PEOPLE FRICKIN GARDENING ALL THE TIME AND KIDS SCREAMING