I do not own Merlin
Chapter 1 - Lavender of the Maythen Kindred
Gwen listened to the rain starting to sheet heavily against the windows and it was only evening, didn't look like she'd be able to get home tonight. She sighed and sat on the edge of her mistresses bed, brushing a few strands of long black hair from Morgana's face, unintentionally waking her up.
"Gwen?" she muttered "I had a wonderful dream Gwen, about a woman, a beautiful woman, she wore a green dress, with long brunette curls hanging down her back she had blue eyes and everything was going to be okay Gwen."
"I'm sure it was..." soothed Gwen, stroking Morgana's hair wishing there was something she could do to lessen the pain of her mistresses illness, not even Gaius could find a cure. "Just try to get some rest"
*
The sound of thunder echoed through Camelot accompanied by flashes of lightening. Dark clouds blocked out the light of even the full moon, heavy rain falling mercilessly, cutting like blades of ice against anyone who dared enter it. Water ran through the streets like raging rivers. However the night guards of the gates of Camelot stood strong against the Storm, their cold soaked tunics keeping them alert and awake. As a dark, cloaked figure paced their way towards them, leading a surprisingly calm horse (considering the storm) by the reigns, they readied themselves, turning the tips of their spears toward the cloaked figure.
As it they neared them they noticed that it was a girl, with long dark curls and blue eyes. Her green cloak soaked through and her hood barely shielding her from the rain. She spoke.
*
Uther was none too pleased to be woken in the middle of the night. Especially for something a small as a traveler bearing 'urgent news' as they so claimed. He reluctantly dragged himself from his bed and made his way down to the main hall.
The young girl stood before him. She wasn't quite nobility, yet not an average villager like you'd expect from the outer regions. Definitely dignified and well educated, yet he still couldn't quite think what family she could be from.
"Sire, my name is Lavender of the Maythen kindred, I come from the hidden Isles hearing the grave news of the Lady Morgana's illness." she introduced, with complete confidence
"How does his concern you?" he asked, wondering why he recognized the name 'Maythen Kindred'
"The my people are widely known for our medical secrets, I make no promises but I think I may be able to conduct a cure." she explained
"Not possible, even our court physician was unable to cure her." said Uther,
Gaius stepped through the doors, right on cue "You're right Sire I was unable to find a cure, however the Maythen Kindred are truly exceptional physicians and this girl may be able to cure Lady Morgana."
"Well Gaius, if you trust her..."
"I do sire,"
"I guess she should be given a chance, you will be shown to my ward's chambers immediately."
*
Gwen was woken by a knock at the door, she'd fallen asleep on the floor with her head resting on Morgana's bed. She rubbed the fatigue from her eyes and got up to answer the door.
"Yes?" she asked on opening the door, it was Gaius, stood behind him was a young woman, identical to the one Morgana had described from her dream "A cure?" Gwen said before thinking
"Possibly, how did you know?" he asked curiously
"Um..." she had to think fast "Good guess?"
"Oh..." he looked thoughtful for a moment then stepped aside, letting the young woman behind him enter. Gwen wanted to stop her, but something stopped her. As the woman moved across the room, with an air of grace she'd only ever seen Morgana achieve, to Morgana's bedside, Gaius explained about the woman's claim of a cure.
"Hmm..." the woman was kneeling by Morgana, elbows resting on the bed, fingers pressed against her lips in thought " Could be ... maybe not ... no definitely ... probably not ... well .... no... hmm ..." she muttered to herself, before hastily taking off the leather bag she'd been carrying and unpacking it onto the floor, taking out all sorts of herbs, some Gaius recognized some he didn't then a pestle and mortar. Gwen had a sneeking suspicion there was allot more in the bag, but the woman spoke her. "Hi, Lavender" she introduced with a smile "What was your name?"
"Um, Gwen."
"Hi Gwen, would you mind getting me some water? Please?" she asked
Gwen nodded and went to fetch some water. She instantly liked this girl, not ordering her round, like the other nobility that had come to Camelot.
It didn't take long for Lavender to finish mixing the cure, infact in half the time that Gaius would of taken. Once administered to Morgana she was looking better within the hour.
*
"I don't know how to thank you." said Uther, Morgana back at his side, Arthur on the other
"No thanks are needed sire, I was merely doing what I was raised to do, cure the sick regardless of gender or ancestry... well ... as long as they don't study magic that is." she added, mainly talking to herself
"You must be rewarded though" argued Morgana "You saved my life."
"No, I couldn't." Lavender refused, looking slightly repulsed at the idea of a reward "I have to return home soon anyway, my father is expecting me back in four days."
Arthur stepped in "From what I heard the Hidden Isles are three days journey from here and very dangerous, am I right?" Lavender shrugged, Arthur turned to his father "Sire, my I suggest that a two man guard is organized for Miss Lavender's journey home?"
Uther looked at his son, slightly surprised "That's a very good idea Arthur. I shall not see such a beautiful young woman take a dangerous un-guarded, and I won't hear of excuses," he added before she could interrupt "as soon as you are ready to leave there shall be two men ready and waiting to accompany you on your journey home."