I looked into my sister's eyes and grimaced. Her smile was not the smile I had loved to see in the past. This one was full of darkness and showed her full potential.
"What has happened to you, Morgana?" I asked, pain showing clearly in my face. She carried on smiling, that dreadful smile making me feel angrier and angrier. "You used to love everyone and everything. You told me all of the time to never hate someone...to try to love them, no matter how much they deserved to hate," I told her.
"Do you still believe in this, sister?" She taunted. My eyes hardened and I merely shook my head.
"No." I stated. "You deserve the hate I feel for you...you are no sister of mine," I continued. Morgana's smile dropped and her face showed a clear momentary glimpse of weakness.
"You truly belong to Arthur's side now?" She asked, coldly. I nodded.
"He wasn't the one to kill our Father," I concluded. Morgana's rage flew and she raised her hand, forcing me into the air and backwards into a wall. I heard Gwen's cry of worry as I rolled onto my front and made no effort to move.
"Leave her Morgana!" I heard Arthur yell as he came in through the doorway. My sight faded as I saw the fight between my brother and sister begin.
THREE YEARS LATER.
I was stood in my temporary bed chambers in the castle of Nemeth; the home of Mithian and her father, King Rodor. Mithian had invited me to spend two months with her there during the season of Summer. After making sure all was well in my duties in Camelot, I had set off with my three trunks and My Lady's Maid, Cecilian.
Now, nearing the end of my visit, I felt that I had spent the summer leisurely and my letters to Gwen had made me miss Camelot, my home, a lot. But that wasn't to say I had not enjoyed my stay in Nemeth. The kingdom held a certain sense of peace and tranquility that made me feel more in connection with my powers regarding of Nature. I smiled as I thought back to the day when Arthur had made magic lawful again. The day when I was crowned as Camelot's Princess and Protector.
A knock on the door of my bed chambers made me start and I turned to see who it was.
"Cecilian told me you were up here," Mithian said with an easy smile. I smiled too and greeted her with a hug and a kiss to the cheek. We sat in the chairs by the unlit fire. "Two days left and then home for you," She added. I smiled, then frowned.
"I was just thinking of that." I replied. "I believe I will so miss it here, Mithian. This kingdom is so ...full of earthly powers, much more than Camelot in fact...I feel so refreshed,"
"It is well known that many of the Old- Religion once dwelled here. It's only natural their powers were drawn to the power that the earth beneath us be holds," She said. I nodded. "Father and I will miss you being around," She continued. I smiled and touched her hand in a comfortingly way.
"I will you and Rodor too, Mithian. These past two months has let me breath," I answered.
"I'm glad. The people of Camelot will be commenting on your healthy glow when you go back. Plus the dresses you have had made also will be fit for every ball that is held there," She complimented. I said my thanks and then stood to check my hair in my gilded full length mirror.
"You must visit me at Camelot...even if it just for a short stay," I said, watching her in my reflection. "And Rodor too. Hunting season is still in full flow. And Arthur and Gwen both would love to see you," Mithian smiled and stood too.
"I will try my best to drag Father from here and to Camelot I promise. Now, let us walk into the town and over the meadows of Harrowford," She answered. I agreed and placed my summer cloak over my shoulders, fastening the small engraved buckle quickly. I grabbed my thin muslin gloves as well and then we left my bed chambers and diverted to Mithian's own chambers hurriedly so she could fetch her cloak and gloves too before we exited the castle and the courtyard, smiling at the courtiers and tradesmen who were around there, both holding our baskets should any flowers be picked or items be bought. The sun was warm and inviting so a lot of people were out and about. As we entered the higher town, we stopped to look at the stalls. I found a jewellery stall that caught my eye and listened as the stall holder- a quite young woman who looked to be healthy and in spirits at talking to the Castle's Guest- told me about her various items. A large clasped bracelet was bought finally and I walked to Mithian's side as she called for me. She, herself, was by the silk and muslin stall and looked undecided about something.
"What is it Mithian?" I asked as I stopped by her side.
"I don't know whether to buy this muslin for a repair of my saffron muslin dress or not." She answered. I knew the dress she spoke of was one of her favourites so I nodded and encouraged the buy. Mithian thanked me and bought a decent length of it and we moved on.
"So what did you buy, Elvina?" She asked as we walked into the lower town.
"A bracelet for tomorrow's festivities," I replied. She smiled and nodded.
"Have you decided on the dress you'll wear yet?" She asked. I inclined my head to the side and shrugged.
"Honestly, Mithian...I'm torn between two. I want something that looks elegant and befits me well,but I also want it practical if I am to wear all day. My ball dress however is sorted. I've chosen the red one," I explained. Mithian smiled and clapped her hands at my decision.
"Oh, that one suits you so well!" She exclaimed. I laughed at her excited expression and linked our arms together.
"So...let us talk about your dresses for tomorrow..." I said and Mithian grinned and launched into a description of the dresses and accessories she had chosen.
It was mid afternoon and I was curled up in my chambers on the window seat, reading a book of poems that I had been given for my last birthday by Gwen. King Rodor and Mithian were in council with their Knights and I felt that I would be intruding upon them if I joined too, so I decided to steal an hour or so of quietness and relax from this morning's walk. Cecilian was cleaning around me, changing the vases of flowers and making sure my dress for tonight's dinner was pressed and hung ready for me to change into soon. I looked up as Cecilian approached me.
"Can I get you anything, My Lady?" She asked me. I thought for a moment or so and nodded my head.
"Can you bring me a tray of tea, Cece," I replied. Cecilian nodded and disappeared down to the kitchens. I felt the slight chill from the afternoon air and moved away from the window to one of the armchairs, where I began to get myself comfortable once more. I had ready around three more poems before Cecilian reappeared with the tray of tea. She set it out in front of me and then moved away. I sat up and poured myself a cup of the tea and sipped it gingerly.
Ten minutes later a knock on the door sounded and I nodded to Cecilian to answer it. Mithian's face appeared and I waved her over.
"Tea?" I asked. She nodded and I poured her a cup also. "How was the meeting?" I asked.
"Tiresome. It seems someone has been poaching our deer in the Northern borders." Mithian replied. I tutted sympathetically.
"No clue to who it could be?" I enquired as I stood up and got my shawl from the chaise longer at the end of the four poster bed.
"Someone from outside of the border most certainly," Mithian answered. I nodded, taking the information in as I wrapped my shawl around me. "Are you cold Elvina?" She asked, taking in my actions. I nodded.
"Just a slight chill," I replied. "I fear it may be quite a cold night tonight," I added.
"I can't say I'm looking forward to the cold nights of Autumn and Winter," Mithian said. I sent her a grimace in understanding. I returned to my seat and drank some more of my tea, watching Mithian do so too. "What were you reading when I came in?" She asked. I showed her my book of poems and she began to flick through the pages, nodding at some of the poems.
"Gwen gave it to me as a birthday gift," I stated as I watched her reading one of the poems. After a few moments she looked up and smiled.
"I like this book...I shall have to look out for another copy of it if there is one," She said. I smiled in understanding. Most of the poems were about affairs of the heart or nature. Two things that any lady, particularly one of Mithian's disposition, would enjoy.
"I'll ask Gwen where she brought it from or...I could get it copied for you?" I offered. Mithian looked up smiling, then shook her head.
"No no. To get a book of this size copied would cost an enormous amount of money, Elvina...I couldn't ask you to spend it on me," She said. I laughed.
"Mithian, I'm the Princess and Heir to Camelot's throne. I can afford it and anyway, think of it as a thank you gift for having me stay here," I replied. Mithian smiled in reply to my smile.
"Thank you then. I should like that very much," She said. My smile grew and I clapped my hands together.
"Then it is settled!" I exclaimed.
We carried on talking until the bell rang out the time of nearly seven in the evening. Mithian and I arose to get changed and presentable for dinner. Once she had left my chambers, I turned to Cecilian who helped me out of my dress and release the ties of my corset. My other dress was helped over my head and I smiled as she nimbly made sure the hem of the dress was pulled low enough to be modest and more formal for a dinner. My shoes were changed for a higher heeled slipper and my hair pulled up into a casual updo.
I went down to dinner with Cecilian walking behind me. I reached the dining chamber and entered to see Mithian and Rodor already seated.
"Sorry I am late, Rodor, Mithian," I said as I took my place on the opposite of Mithian; Rodor took the head of the table.
"No matter, Elvina." Rodor said with a warm and inviting smile. I smiled in reply and nodded as the servant stepped forward to pour me a goblet of the fruit wine. "We were just talking of how wonderful the activities will be tomorrow," He added.
"I cannot wait. Mithian has spoke of it being a joyous occasion," I replied as I sipped at my wine.
"It is...and to share it with you will make this year more special," Rodor said. I smiled and then we began to eat our meal.
It was very late when I returned to my chambers. Cecilian was waiting for me with my night gown and candle by my bedside ready. She helped me out of my dress and corset and underdress, then slipped the night gown over my head and waited until I was into bed safety before blowing out all candles around the room except the one on the table beside my bed. She bade me goodnight and left to go to her own chamber just down the hallway. I read until the candle burned low, then blew it out and settled down for sleep.