1Chapter 1
The next time Ira awoke she had a horrid raging headache. She tried to open her eyes but the room around her kept spinning.
"I think she's waking up Gaius." An obnoxiously loud voice called.
"Drink this, it will help you feel better." A more soothing voice said.
Something smooth and cool touched her lips. She was about to protest when the glass was tipped forward and a sweet tasting liquid filled her mouth. It reminded her just how long it had been since she had had a drink of anything.
"Not to fast."
The glass was removed leaving her wanting more. Once again she opened her eyes. The light still caused her pain but it was manageable.
"Where am I?" She asked her voice coming out rough.
"You don't remember?"
Ira finally looked up at the speaker. As soon as she saw the bright white hair she remembered everything. Where she was and how and why she was here.
"Oh god." She whispered trying to sit up.
"No, lie back Ira, you had a terrible fever when you arrived. You must rest." Gaius said placing a hand on her shoulder.
She might of persisted if she weren't afraid she might spill the contents of her stomach on the floor.
"Is there any news from my village?" Ira asked instead.
"Not yet although it shouldn't be to long now."
Ira placed her hand on her forehead before once again looking up at the older man.
"Thank you," she said "I don't know if you even remember me but you knew my father."
"Yes it did take me a few minutes to recognize you. After all you were but ten when last I saw you, but rest now. You must keep your strength up."
"Promise me you will awaken me when there is news?"
"Of course my dear."
She barely heard his words before her eyes were closed again.
*O*
The next time she woke it was to voice arguing in the next room.
"She is not yet ready, she needs rest or she wont recover from that fever. In it's won right it should have killed her already." Gaius was saying.
"I do understand that but I need to hear what she has to say."
Ira didn't know who the stranger was but perhaps he had some news about her village. With much difficulty she pushed herself into a sitting position and swong her legs over the edge of the bed. With caution she placed a little wieght on them, and although they were a bit shaky they seemed to hold. She pulled herself up and slowly made her way to the door. When she opened the door all conversation stopped. In front of her stood Gaius and another man she had never seen before. He was hansome enough with golden blond hair and bright blue eyes.
"Ira, you should not be up." Gaius scolded coming up and steering her back to the bed.
"I heard voices," she mumbled "I thought maybe…"
She glanced back at the golden haired boy, who had followed them into the room.
"You need rest." Gaius said with disapproval.
"I only need a few minutes Gaius, please, let me speak with her." The man pleaded.
"A few minutes wont kill me Gaius." assured Ira.
The physician glared at the two of them before making a huffing sound.
"Five minutes." He said and left.
When he was gone the man turned back to her.
"My name is prince Arthur." He said coming to sit in a chair adjacent to the bed
Ira was stunned into silence, Prince? She moved to stand so she could bow but he shook his head.
"You have been through enough in the past few days, you need not worry about formalities this day." he said gently.
Again Ira was left speechless.
"I would like to ask you a few questions if that alright?"
She simply nodded.
"What do you remember about your village being attacked?"
Visions of that night came to her, causing her to shiver.
"They came in the middle of the nigh," She spoke finally "we were not prepared."
"You told one of my men they were sorcerers." He said.
"Yes, they used magic to set fire to our homes. Many died still laying in their beds." her hand began to shake so she hide them under the sheets.
"How did you escape?"
"Honestly I don't know, one of the Sorcerers had me cornered, he was about to kill me but he…stopped. He stared at me for a second then he told me to run."
Arthur looked down at the ground and sighed as if a great burden rested on his shoulders.
"Has there been any news of my village yet?"
He lifted his gaze to hers before answering.
"My men returned this morning," he said slowly "your village was destroyed."
"And…the survivors?" Ira asked in a hoarse whisper.
Arthur hesitated for a second to long and that was answer enough. It felt as if someone had pulled the very ground from underneath her feet, as if she were falling into the dark oblivion with no hope of being saved. Dimly she was aware of prince Arthur yelling to someone but she could not find it within herself to care. Her parents were dead, her friends all whipped cruelly from existence. The pain of this realization was almost too much for her. Suddenly something was pressed to her lips. Ira thrashed about, not wanting to be touched. A second later her arms and legs were being restrained and her mouth held open. The liquid burned as it went down her throat. Seconds later her limbs grew heavy and her mind fizzy before she lost consciousness completely.
*O*
When her eyes finally closed Arthur lessened his grip on her arms and placed them by her sides. Merlin released his grip on her jaw and Gaius sat back holding the vile of sleeping draught.
"Did I not tell you she wasn't ready?" Gaius asked angrily.
"You did but she had aa right to know what happened." Arthur reasoned.
"In her weaken state it could have harmed her." He snapped
Arthur looked down at the sleeping girl, tearstains still fresh on her cheeks. Guilt coursed through him, he should have listened to Gaius.
"You are right Gaius, I should have listened to you." he admitted quietly "Will you notify me when her condition changes?"
The physician nodded to Arthur who then left. Merlin watched as Gaius reached out to take her hand. Obviously this girl meant something to Gaius but he sensed now was not the time to question him about it.
Hope you guys liked this chapter! Let me know what you think, I'm always open to suggestions!