Chapter Text
Bright laughter spilt into the tavern as the door flew open, and a young pair scrambled inside. "One day, you will be the death of me, Gwaine," a young woman spoke, attempting to mould her face into a serious expression but failing as she burst out laughing again. "Could you please, just once, not get in a fight in every tavern we go to?"
"But Ava," Gwaine whined, nudging the woman as she fell into a seat, "you know you love the fights. If you didn't, you could always pay the bill. It's not like you don't have the money." He said the last phrase under his breath, but Ava still heard, her eyes squinting as she glared at her friend.
"My mother hid that money so I could live," Ava replied sarcastically, "not pay for your drinking habits. It's not like I can easily go and ask for more, can I?" Gwaine slumped next to her, raising his eyebrows at her. "Or maybe I could ask my father and get burned on the pyre within a single candle mark."
Gwaine sighed, "maybe you have a point," he stood back up, smiling brightly at the girl. "I'm getting an ale. Do you want a cider?" He waited for her to nod slightly before quickly shifting and grabbing her coin purse, shaking it with a cheeky grin. "First one's on you."
"Gwaine," Ava shouted, shaking her head in annoyance but making no move to chase after him. She glanced around the tavern, placing her hand protectively on the hilt of her dagger as strange men stared at her. She chuckled lightly when she saw Gwaine give a flirty smile to the barkeep before a dejected look covered his face, and he walked back to the table with the drinks in hand.
"Were you rejected again?" Ava giggled, grabbing her cider and taking a sip, an impudent smile gracing her lips. "One day, you'll find the person of your dreams and all of this pain will be but a memory." She laid her hand dramatically on her forehead and threw herself onto Gwaine's shoulder.
Gwaine pushed her off, bringing a hand to tickle her side slightly, making her squirm. "I'll have you know that many a lady and gentlemen would die to have me in their beds."
"And many would die to keep you out of them," Ava shot back. She flicked her eyes to the door as it swung open, tensing slightly and lowering her eyes to the ground. "Gwaine, we need to leave now."
"I've barely taken four sips of my dr-."
Ava cut him off with a harsh glare, "Prince Arthur of Camelot has just walked through the door. We have to leave." Ava stood up, heading towards the door, when she heard commotion behind her. She turned to see the Crowned Prince throw a thug onto a shelf, his manservant backing him up. "Gwaine, please, just leave it," she begged, sighing moments later when Gwaine smiled apologetically.
The woman rolled her eyes as Gwaine turned around and grabbed a tankard of mead off the manservant before punching the thug's face. "Wonderful," she muttered, heading over to the brawl.
By the time she'd moved through the rapidly forming crowd, the thug had pulled a dagger out and was waving it through the air. She watched with fury building in her chest as the blade slashed through Gwaine's leg. She ran forward, grabbing the thug's arm, barely suppressing a groan of pain as he swang around, making a thick cut along her stomach.
"Bad mistake," Ava uttered, pulling out her dagger and holding it threateningly to his throat, "if you know what's good for you, you'll take your men and leave. I will hunt you down if I ever find out you returned to this tavern." Her tone was dark and violent, her eyes flashing gold before the thug ran out of the alehouse, his gang quickly chasing him.
Ava spun around, her breathing picking up when she realised the Prince and Gwaine were missing. She threw her coin purse at the barmaid and shouted an apology before rushing out of the tavern. "Wait," she exclaimed, rushing towards Prince Arthur, who was helping pull an unconscious Gwaine onto the saddle of a horse. "He's my best friend, practically my family; please let me come with you."
Arthur looked her up and down, judging her before he nodded slightly. "We don't have a spare horse for you, though, so you'd have to ride with me or Merlin."
Ava turned sharply towards the manservant, a dazzling smile brightening her face. "Merlin, fancy seeing you here." She pulled the boy into a hug, laughing when he immediately bombarded her with questions. "I'm pretty sure Gwaine's dying, so could we catch up later?"
Merlin's cheeks blazed bright red as he nodded sheepishly. "Sorry," he mumbled, placing his foot in the stirrup and swinging onto his horse. He held out his hand for Ava to take, but she shook her head, raising her hand to her mouth and whistling.
A black stallion came scampering around the corner. Ava jumped on while he was still running and turned to look at Arthur. "We should get going," she didn't wait for a response before tearing away, leaving Merlin and Arthur to share a bemused look before chasing after her.
--
The horses galloped over the cobblestones, skidding to a halt in the main square. Avalon jumped from her horse, running over to Gwaine. She slid him from the horse, letting him fall into her arms. "Where am I going?" She pleaded, pulling Gwaine firmly into her hold. Her eyes looked wild as she stared at Arthur and Merlin.
"I'll take him," Arthur demanded, laughing incredulously when Ava shook her head, clutching the man tighter. Merlin sighed before leading Avalon up the stairs and through the castle. They reached a small tower when Merlin slammed a door open, startling Gaius, who was sitting at a small table reading through a book.
"Where's the fire?" Gaius asked before catching sight of the man hanging limply in Ava's hold. He motioned to the cot in the corner of the room, and Ava rushed over, gently placing him on the bed. She sunk down next to him and grabbed his hand, tears forming before she furiously blinked them away.
"Merlin, get me fresh water, towels, a needle, and silk thread?" Gaius ordered, ripping Gwaine's trousers to examine his wound. Merlin quickly left the room, shouting that he'd also get honey. "Honey should help fight any infection, Sire," Gaius explained.
Ava glanced up at Gaius, his eyes going wide in recognition. "Will he be okay?" Her voice tight as she asked. She couldn't imagine a life without Gwaine; he was her rock.
"Providing he's strong," Gaius started, "I'm sure he'll make a full recovery." Gaius grabbed some bandage and pressed it to Gwaine's thigh. "Are you okay?" He looked pointedly at her stomach, where her tunic was soaked in blood.
Avalon looked down, seemingly surprised by the sight. "I'm alright. It was just a scratch." She explained, averting her eyes when Gaius merely raised an eyebrow at her. "I bleed a lot, but I'm fine now. See," she raised her top, revealing a small cut along her abdomen.
Arthur cleared his throat, gaining their attention. He was surprised by the overlapping scars on Ava's stomach as she quickly lowered her tunic again. "I must report to my father," he spoke after a brief hesitation, heading to the door, "he saved my life, Gaius; give him whatever he needs."
Merlin returned shortly after Arthur left, handing Gaius the items before sitting next to Avalon. He grabbed her free hand, trying to give her some sympathy. Gaius worked silently for a while before he tied off a bandage and looked up to stare at Ava. "You haven't changed at all, you know? You've aged, yes, but you still look the same."
"It's good to see you too, Gaius," Avalon smiled. She moved around the bed to hug him tightly. "I never thought I'd step foot in Camelot again. I certainly never thought I'd find Merlin as the Prince's manservant. How are you not dead yet?"
Gaius snorted while Merlin burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking. "I informed the King's Council that I was a sorcerer within a month of being here," Merlin rebutted, growing more hysterical when he saw Ava's shocked expression. Gaius started stuttering, trying to devise an excuse when Ava interrupted him.
"It's alright, Gaius," Ava explained, "I already knew about his magic. I was ten when I made it to Ealdor. I sensed his magic and searched him out." Her eyes flashed gold, and one of Gwaine's used bandages floated above their heads.
"I see your powers have only grown stronger whilst you've been away," Gaius remarked, smiling when the bandages fell limply on the bed again. "From the sight of that ring, I'd say a lot stronger."
Ava blushed slightly, twisting the engraved ring around her finger. Merlin stared at it, sensing the power radiating from it in waves. "What is it?" He asked, tracing the pattern with his eyes. Ava pulled it off, dropping it into Merlin's palm.
"It was my mother's," Ava began, "passed down through generations of sorcerers. I could finally wear it when I successfully became a High Priestess." Merlin looked alarmed at the information, and Ava sighed. "Not all members of the High Court are evil. Nimueh and Morgause are exceptions. Most are simply peaceful people, keeping the balance of magic."
Merlin raised an eyebrow, "how do you know about Nimueh and Morgause? You're not working with them, are you? I would hate to have to fight you." He returned the ring, and she slipped it onto her right hand, sighing peacefully as the magic wrapped around her.
Ava rolled her eyes, pushing Merlin away with a wry smile. "I am peaceful until provoked, Emrys. I felt Nimueh die and her magic return to the earth. Morgause has attempted to invade Camelot twice now; that kind of news travels fast."
The trio continued talking until Avalon suddenly stood. "It's been lovely seeing you both again, but I cannot stay in Camelot." She stared at Gwaine, sighing as she brushed some hair from his face.
"What about Gwaine?" Merlin asked, refusing to let Avalon leave. He grabbed her wrist, attempting to stop her. "You can't just leave him here. Why don't you stay till he's better?"
"Gwaine will know where to find me; don't worry about him," Ava explained, pulling her hand free from Merlin's grip and pulling him into a tight hug. "I am not welcome in Camelot. I can't be here. I only came to make sure Gwaine was safe." She released him, bowing her head to Gaius before leaving the room, allowing no further arguments.
--
Arthur entered his father's council, bowing to the King as he stopped before him. "The hunt was successful, Sire," he reported, "although we could not return with our spoils as there was a slight altercation." The council smiled warmly as Morgana entered the room, standing to Arthur's left and curtseying.
"So I've been told," Uther replied, "apparently you returned with an injured man. The guards said a woman came running through the castle, holding him. I trust that he made it to Gaius safely?"
"Aye, my lord. Gaius believes he'll make a full recovery. He saved my life, so he'll want for nothing while he stays here." Arthur paused briefly before he continued, "the girl was his friend. She demanded to be returned with him. Merlin knew her; he called her Ava. It's strange, she seemed very familiar. Like I'd met her before somewhere." Uther flinched slightly at the name, shaking his head and looking at Morgana with delight in his eyes.
"Ah, young love," Morgana sighed, "are you sure you're not just falling for another pretty girl, Arthur?" Arthur denied the accusation immediately, but Morgana cut him off. "The guards say she was gorgeous."
"Never mind," Uther halted their bickering, "we owe them both a great deal for saving Arthur's life. They are to be given whatever reward they request." Uther dismissed the court, asking one Knight to remain behind.
Sir Leon stood silently, waiting for the room to empty before addressing his King. "What's the matter, Sire?"
"The girl," Uther paused, "bring her to me as soon as possible." There was a haunted look in his eyes as Leon bowed before leaving. "It's not possible," he whispered to himself, "she couldn't possibly still be alive."
--
Avalon was walking through the castle, looking around in amazement, when she bumped into a solid figure. "I am very sorry," she looked at the Knight, "I didn't mean to walk into you. I appear to be lost." The Knight was extremely handsome, with shoulder-length blonde hair. His face was warm and open, with a kind smile on his lips.
"Tis no worry, my lady," the Knight replied, "maybe I could help you find your way. Where are you trying to get to?" Avalon blushed when the Knight grasped her hand and gently kissed it.
"I was trying to get out of the castle, Sir," Ava responded, looking around in confusion, "the castle is so big that I can't work out how to leave. I need to get my horse from the Prince's stables, and then I'll be on my way."
"I can show you out of the castle, my lady, but I cannot let you take one of the Prince's horses." he explained, "all the horses in there belong to the Prince or his men. Follow me," he gently took her hand, leading her down the corridor.
Ava glanced up at the Knight, her cheeks burning red again. "I see. I came in with the Prince earlier and don't know where my horse is. If I'm honest, he's more of a friend to me than a horse."
"I'll sure we find him, my lady." The pair finally made it out of the castle to the main square. The square was bustling with life, guards marching around, people rushing through to work, and children laughing.
"I am no lady, Sir," Ava rebuked, laughing lightly, "my name's Avalon, but you can call me Ava if you wish."
The Knight smiled brightly at the beauty of her laugh. "And you may call me Leon, my lady. For surely a woman as beautiful as yourself is a lady," he commented smoothly, happy when Ava smiled softly at his compliment. "Did you say Ava? And you came in with the Prince after his hunt?"
"Yes, Sir Leon," Ava was confused, staring at him perplexedly. Leon had suddenly grown more serious. "What's wrong?"
"The King has requested your presence immediately. I must take you to him," Ava looked afraid, pulling her hand from Leon and glancing around in fear. "You don't have to be afraid, Ava."
Avalon closed her eyes and sighed, looking resigned. "I'm sure if the King has requested I be brought to him, we should make haste." Leon looked as if he wanted to say more before stopping himself. He turned, leading Avalon back through the castle.
They stopped outside the King's council chamber when Avalon turned to face Leon again. She stepped on her tiptoes, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek before falling back to her feet. She swallowed harshly as the doors swung open, revealing the King. He was sitting alone, rubbing his forehead in deep thought. Leon stepped into the room first, leaving Ava behind him, entirely hidden from view.
"Sire," Leon announced, bowing as Uther looked at him. "I have done as you wished." He stepped aside, and the King gasped.
"It is you. I thought you dead," the King said, rushing forward and stopping before Ava. His eyes traced her face, a smile cutting across his otherwise harsh features. Avalon shook her head, trying to deny the King's words. "I would recognise you anywhere, no matter how long it's been, Avalon Pendragon."