More than a Le Fay
"MERLIN!" Arthur stormed through the hallways of the castle, he was seething, that stupid man-servant, all four days spent in the tavern, it was still unknown to Arthur why for heaven's sake he was still keeping Merlin by his side.
Because you care about him… his inner voice replied, if with a face, his voice would be smirking. As ever, being the logical prince, he ignored the voice. Thinking of methods to punish Merlin, the bumbling fool came crashing round the corner.
"Arthur! Buddy!" Merlin was drunk. Arthur did not even need to guess how little he had drunk to be drunk. With every sense of patience washed from Arthur's body, he let Merlin miss the grip for Arthur's shoulder and was sent crashing to the floor. Arthur loomed over him, with a thunderous scowl that would send Odin's men running.
"I am very close to sending to the stock, Mer-lin" Arthur emphasised on the last syllable with extra bitter. Sensing Arthur's rage, Merlin instantaneously sobered and stood ground, brushing him off; he sent a goofy grin on Arthur's way.
"Sorry Arthur, I wasn't in the tavern, I've been boxing with Gwa-"Merlin stopped a second after realization of his mistake…here comes the lashing, he cried to himself inside. Arthur's eyes widened in horror after his realization also, of the unbelievable betrayal of his manservant.
"I have been working day and night for him and you have been BOXING? With Gwaine? Gwaine was supposed to pick up decorations, Coral Blue is only found in the beauty of coasts!" his arms flailing at Merlin while his anger consumed him.
"He has helped me deeply, with his family PERSONALLY invited, a sister he has not seen in five years, a sister of royalty may I add? And Elaine is going mental over the dress that you PROMISED to collect!" Arthur stopped to breath, glancing at Merlin's panicked look. Arthur could not believe it.
"Merlin…" he breathed threateningly…"Tell me, the dress has been collected…"
"It was…" Merlin's pleading voice replied, "But the bandits seem to have a new fetish…"
"AAAAAAARGH!" Arthur picked up the nearest thing close to him. A helmet, Merlin realizing Arthur's intent fled as quick as but Arthur's rage drove his legs to maximum speed. Like every other day, the servants got the thrill of watching Merlin being chased by Arthur through the rooms of Camelot. One thought in their mind; that goof of a man-servant.
"GWEN!" The resonating voice of Morgana rang throughout the kingdom, Guinevere sighed and dropped her brush after the third attempt to sit and paint a picture, however, today just wasn't a day for sitting in the shadows peacefully. Morgana strode in without much of an introduction; she took one look at Gwen before shaking her head in disbelief.
"Painting again, Gwen? When will you stop, there is no time for birds sitting on the balcony," Morgana's playful smirk betrayed her scolding voice. She was not surprised by Gwen's detachment from breakfast this morning. Father wasn't exactly speaking in turn. She took in Gwen's relaxed composure, Gwen was a quiet lady, she would resign to her chambers where she would either paint or sew, either way, and she could master an exquisite image of colour or fabric within minuscule of a second. With no reply, Morgana waited no further and threw the already open envelope into Gwen's hands, and waited anticipating her reaction.
Gwen, all but frowned, "Morgana, you know better than to read my letters from ELyan, they are private…" Her voice drifted off as her eyes scanned down the paper. Her eyes must have been deceiving her.
My beloved sister,
It seems only a decade has gone since I received your last letter, I did enjoy the painting very much, in fact I gave it to a very special lady, she accepted with tears in her eyes, told me it reminded her of the deepest desires of our hearts. Artist's eyes I will never understand. But I have a very important, if not urgent announcement, so please brace yourself.
I am betrothed and due to be married in the next week or so, such late notice I know, I made sure a messenger personally delivered this but it would do me such pleasure if you would attend. And my bride-to-be is anticipating your return.
If details need known, the wedding shall take place in the Castle of Camelot, I told you of my knighting and it was quite extraordinary, your elder brother has finally settled down. I can hardly believe it myself.
Please come, I want to see if you have changed from the five years we last met.
Take a chaperone, bandit scan find you easily, although I know you can fight well my dear sister.
Elyan
Gwen didn't speak. Her eyes scanned over and over the "I am betrothed", it had not been a decade! It had been several months, how could he have found someone so "special" that he promised himself to her within months! She fumed inside, but felt a pang of guilt seconds later. She felt a tears stream down her cheek, only now did reality show how long it had been since her dear brother had seen her face, Elyan and Gorlois did not see eye-to-eye, she couldn't blame him. Gwen and Gorlois did not share the same interests either. A father-daughter bond had not progressed between them for as long as they had been in each other's company, Gwen learned to accept that, Morgana filled the awkwardness with her natural confidence.
"Elyan…is betrothed?" She finally spoke in a squeak, her eyes still not leaving the ivory paper. Morgana's little squeal of excitement broke her daze. She glanced up to see Morgana grinning ear to ear.
"I know! It's wonderful, so long since I last saw Elyan, although I do wish he had been more favourable towards father, on the contrary, I understand his pain, he never does seem to see you, but this is most spectacular Gwen! Camelot is beautiful with the finest beauty…and the finest men" Morgana added a wink, Gwen would've laughed without a care, but her eyes had returned to the paper, still rigid from the shock.
"GWEN!" The paper was snatched from Gwen's fingers, she looked to see Morgana's eyebrow together in confusion.
"What is it Morgana?" She replied softly, if she felt any annoyance at Morgana, she hid it well
"YOU are going of course? With me?" Morgana eyes penetrated her, Gwen shrunk back lightly in intimidation.
"Since when are you leaving with me?" She asked sceptically, if anything, Morgana would not travel as far as Camelot.
"I have not seen Elyan in so long, it would be a privilege to meet him again," Morgana sighed with a fantasized look in her eyes, Morgana previously has a childhood fancy on Elyan, it seemed that crush remained.
"Gorlois won't agree with me leaving," It isn't as though he agrees with anything else, Gwen wanted to add bitterly.
"Father, you mean." Morgana corrected her hastily, "And leave father to me, he will agree."
"Morgana…" Gwen said with a query, she did not want Gorlois to be angered; her voice was still dry from the dispute this morning over breakfast.
"Gwen!" He voice now stained in annoyance. "We're going to Camelot, your dear brother is getting married and you're even hesitant to not go? None of it! We set off tomorrow!" Morgana announced with a triumphant smile. Gwen looked out past her shoulder to the window, she could not remember the last time she had set foot outside the kingdom, roamed through bandit infested lands…all because of one reason. Gwen focused her sight on Morgana who still wore her smile, Gwen smiled in agreement.
"To Camelot."
