She Needed A Hero, So Thats What She Became.

She needed a hero, so that’s what she became.

Choices   Chapters 3

Jorah did not see her for two days. His anger had long since burned away, now he was just worried about her.

He saw her on the third day in early evening, she was carrying a bundle of firewood.

"Karcia" he called. she turned at the sound of her name, when she saw who it was it looked like she wanted to turn and flee, but she didn't. He jogged over to her. She kept her bundle between them.

"Karcia, I was worried. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I have been staying with a friend."

"A man friend?"

"Yes" he felt a bolt of jealousy shoot through him "and his wife and three children." Relief washed over him.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'm sorry too. Perhaps we can continue this somewhere more private." He came to realize that they were drawing their fair share of interested stares. He took the bundle out of her arms and placed it on the ground, than he took her hand and lead her through the camp, back to their tent. Once they were alone and standing face to face she couldn't seem to look at him, she looked around and than began to pace.

"Jorah the Andal, I don't know if you noticed lately, but I am different."

"Different?"

"Quick to smile, quick to anger, quick to be jealous. There is a reason for this" she took a deep breath "I am with child." Jorah's legs grew week. He sat on a wooden stool, the only thing other than the bed and floor to sit on.

"My child?" He asked, half question half statement. She faced him, looking him directly in the eyes.

"Jorah the Andal, you are the only man I have been with. The first lover I have had in many years." A child. He didn't know what he felt, shock, confusion, fear and happiness. Karcia sat down on the bed facing him, her face solemn.

"Are you not happy?"

"I am afraid" She looked off in to the distance, she seemed to be deciding something "I was pregnant once before, with the Khal. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was perfect in every way, except one leg that twisted inward. Do you know what my people do with babies not considered normal?" she asked in a detached manner. He nodded, any babies born with deformities were left in the wilderness to die.

"I begged the Khal not to, I said in time the leg may heal, but he would not listen. When he took my son from me I screamed, and screamed. Later the women would tell me they had never heard such screams, like a tormented animal. Afterwards I prayed to the Great Stillion, I prayed that he would not send me another child. He answered my pray, for I never again bore a living child for the Khal. But now..." He got on his knees in front of her, his hands caressing her face.

"Please listen to me, I am not the Khal. No matter what happens I will never abandon our child, I will defend them with my dying breath if need be." She gave him a sad smile, her eyes filled with tears, and he pulled her into a desperate embrace.

(chapter 1) (chapter 2)

The many skins of Carol 

(insp)

Change   Chapter 3

Merlin stayed close to Gwen for the next little while. He interrupted any interactions between Gwen and Sir Leon, sometimes using magic, but sometimes his presence was enough to stop any romantic interludes. They were obviously not ready to share their affections in public, and Merlin was now sure there was an attraction between them. They would often seek each other out to converse privately, Leon would often try to touch Gwen, but Merlin found ways of preventing him. Merlin knew this wasn't a long term solution to the problem, but it was all he could come up with at the moment. Merlin had tried studying the old books to see if there was any spell that would make two people dislike each other, but the only ones he could find were to break an existing curse, which he didn't think they were under, or for them to feel disgusted and repelled, which he didn't want want either, it would look most strange if the Queen and one of her trusted advisers suddenly feel out.

On Friday morning Merlin exited his room, tried from another long night studying the books.

"Merlin" called Gaius " can you do something for me today?"

"Depends."

"I need you collect feverfew for me, my supply is running dangerously low." Merlin sighed.

"Can't David do it for you?"

"David's mother is ill, nothing serious, but she needs his care. Haven't you noticed that he hasn't been around for the last few days?" To tell the truth he hadn't noticed.

"I'm sorry Gaius I can't today, Gwen needs me."

"Does Gwen need you or do you need to be around Gwen?" Merlin fidgeted.

"I don't know what you mean."

"What I mean is every day you leave here early in the morning and spend your day by Gwen's side or close by, and don't come back until she has retired for the evening. Do you realize it has been almost two weeks since you visited your cottage? This is the longest you have gone without visiting it since you made it your home. In the past if I asked you to collect herbs you would have done so happily, so that afterwards you could spend the night at your home, than bring me the herbs the next day."

"Well, I don't know if I'd say happily" Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Look Gaius, I understand what you are saying. I will visit the cottage, and collect your herbs, but not today."

"When? Merlin you can't continue to follow Gwen around like a lost dog, others will begin to notice, if they haven't already." At that moment a knock sounded at the door. Gaius bid them enter. The door opened revealing one of Camelot's guards.

"Good morning gentlemen, Merlin the Queen would like a word with you in her private chambers." Merlin and Gaius exchanged a look.

"Of course" said Merlin as he followed the guard out of the room.

(chapter 1) (chapter 2)

Change   Chapter 5

After his meeting with Gwen Merlin walked the castle grounds for a time, thinking about all she said, before returning to Gaius. Gaius was seated, supposedly reading, but he looked up as soon as Merlin entered.

"How did it go?" Gaius inquired.

"You were right. She noticed my strange behaviour, and the magic I thought I had hidden so well." Merlin told Gaius everything they had discussed, Gaius nodded frequently, but did not interrupt until he was finished.

"Gwen is turning out to be an astute Queen for one so young and with all the trails she has had to face."

"But, is she right?"

"About Sir Leon or Arthur?"

"Either." Gaius sighed.

"Merlin death is never an easy thing. When someone dies it can feel like the world should stop, but life continues, the crops must be harvested, animals need to be feed, the sick must be tended to, and finding love is part of life."

"But, Arthur isn't dead, not in the true sense."

"We are all aware of the dragon's prophesy, but we can not suspend our lives waiting for it to occur. Arthur himself had to deal with death, he had to continue on after his father passed, he had to adapt to a new life. Do you really think that if Arthur came back today that he would be angry at Gwen for living?" Merlin didn't answer Gaius, but he thought long and hard about what he said. That night when they were preparing for bed Merlin asked

"How are you so wise?" Gaius allowed himself a small smile.

"Wisdom comes from age and experience. You are a great deal wiser than when we first met, and someday when you are my age you will know things beyond my comprehension." He gave Merlin's shoulder a squeeze, and headed to his bed. Merlin walked towards his room, but stopped on the threshold and turned.

"Thank you, Gaius."

"For what?"

"For always being there for me."

"It's been an honour Merlin, it truly has."

From that day forth Merlin no longer interfered between Gwen and Sir Leon. Actually, he made sure that the servants and members of the court gave them the privacy they required. It was not always easy, he often doubted himself, but then he would think back to that conversation with Gaius. He knew the answer to Gaius' question, Arthur would not be angry at Gwen, he would want her to live and find joy. Also, by helping Gwen he came to realize he himself wasn't living a full life, he had been living a partial life, a suspended life, waiting on Arthur's return. It was time for him to make some changes, if Arthur would want happiness for Gwen, he would want the same thing for Merlin too.

The End

(chapter 1) (chapter 2) (chapter 3) (chapter 4)

Realization   Daryl & Carol

Note: This is my first attempt at a Daryl/Carol fic. This takes place sometime after 6x08. 

His feet pounded up the stairs, but as he approaches her room he slows, takes a moment to breathe, and opens the door. She is on the bed, laying on her side, facing away from him.

"Rossita," she calls over her shoulder "did you bring another pain pill?" He doesn't respond, just walks around the bed so he can be in her field of vision. She intakes a deep breath of air, but it must of been painful because she winces, after a moment she gives him a weak smile.

"You're back."

"Yeah" he says as he sits in a chair beside her bed. She reaches her hand out and he grabs it, so glad to feel her touch.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, but your'e not."

"I'm better than I was, but it looks like I am going to be pretty useless for a few days. I know there are still walkers out there, that the place needs to be cleared out and the walls repaired."

"You don't need to worry about any of that." Suddenly Daryl felt an overwhelming urge to cry, but he holds it in. Something must have shown on his face, because Carol covered their entwined fingers with her other hand.

"Hey, I'm alright."

"But, you almost weren't, and I wasn't here."

"Daryl you couldn't have known what was going to happen, none of us could."

"If you were gone ..." he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"I've got nine lives remember" he nodded. They stayed in the same position, hands clasped, for a long time, at one point he thought Carol drifted off, but couldn't bring himself to release her hand. Later she opened her eyes. She stared at him for a long time, as if she was looking for something.

"Daryl, you know I've loved you for a long time right?" Shock coursed through his system, but he manged to shake his head no.

"I should have told you a long time ago."

"Why didn't ...?"

"Because the people I love end up dead, and I guess I foolishly thought that if I never said it you'd be safe, but that's not how this world works."

"How long?" he croaked out.

"What?"

"You said you've loved me for a long time, how long?" She took a moment to think.

"Since Cherokee Rose." The tears did flow then, he couldn't hold them in. She caressed his hair, and when he was spent, she wiped the remaining tears from his eyes. Than he got down on his knees beside the bed, and he leaned into kiss her. Just a gentle meeting of the mouths, but when he tried to embrace her, she yelped out in pain, and he pulled back.

"I'm sorry" she said "I know my timing sucks."

"It's perfect" he replied, as he touched her face, than he gave her a smile, the biggest smile she had ever seen on Daryl Dixon's face.

(A03)