So this is the second chapter, you could call it a bit of a filler perhaps, thanks to Hallows07 for reviewing the last chapter, once agin any reviews would be appreciated.
Disclaimer: As much as I may like to, I do not own any of the character from the BBC series, and only own the interpretation of my OC.
"So are you looking forward to meeting the princess?" Merlin asked brightly as he picked up Arthur's shield, which was propped against the wall in the prince's chamber. He had spent the morning tidying whilst Arthur had rode out with his father's guard and now was set to attend his master whilst he practise his close combat skills, it was not a task that he relished, it usually involved him getting cut, bruised and/or knocked out, but he did it because he had to, and because the alternative was mucking out the stables, which, he hated. He watched Arthur for a moment, considering that he was possibly about to get the "You're my servant, it's none of your business" speech, but Arthur simply frowned slightly and replied,
"Well, it may be interesting, I don't know really hmm". He suddenly seemed to become very interested in examining his sword, Merlin took the opportunity to continue,
"I hear she's very pretty", this seemed to regain Arthur's attention,
"Oh yes?",
"Yeah", Merlin replied, smirking a little, "All fiery in colouring, and personality at times apparently, but hey what do I know, I'm only a servant after all",
"Oh shut up Merlin", Arthur replied as he walked towards the door, with a sudden determination to get outside, so much so that Merlin had to run to keep up with him. When Merlin did eventually fall into step behind Arthur it was just in time to see Ginny moving swiftly up the corridor, she saw Merlin and smiled, then seeing Arthur, dipped her head and offered a swift curtsey as she continued on her way. Merlin followed her with his eyes, then turned back in the direction he was moving, only to find Arthur smirking at him,
"Who was that?", he asked,
"Oh her?", Merlin attempted to sound casual, "That's Ginny, one of Lady Guinevere's serving girls". Arthur nodded, he'd guessed as much his self, having decided that she must be new, he'd have noticed her already otherwise, as the two men continued on their way to the fields where they were going to train, or rather Arthur was going to train and Merlin was going to take a beating.
***
That evening the final preparations for the princess' arrival had been put into place all that remained was for the servants that had arrived early to find the accommodation to which they had been assigned and rest before riding out to meet the princess for her entrance into the city the following morning. The small group of servants moved through the crowds in the market place, giggling and gossiping as they went. Some of them had already caught a glimpse of Prince Arthur and some of the other males around the court and were eager to compare notes,
"Oh he's so handsome", said one of the girls, "Just dreamy, and oh my, his eyes, you could just drown in them", the other girls replied with giggles, but stopped as they noticed one of their number was not laughing, "Are you alright?", one of the girls asked Ginny cautiously. Her head snapped up, giving the appearance that she had been woken suddenly from some sort of dream,
"Who me?, yes I'm fine", she registered the look of concern on each of the other girls faces, "Oh come now", she said, "Don't let me spoil your fun, I'm as happy to gossip as the next girl, and anyway, we have to o something until our lay arrives tomorrow", she shot them her best mischievous smile, "Oh wait, that reminds me, I need a blacksmith, and a seamstress if I can find one, what are the chances of that I wonder?". She hadn't noticed a girl, about her own age in similar clothes, with darker skin walking nearby, the girl looked up and said,
"Well actually, a very good chance, my father is the local blacksmith, I'm a seamstress too as it happens, what do you need us for?",
"Well basically", Ginny replied, "The buckle on the dress I'm meant to be wearing tomorrow has worn through and snapped and has torn the dress, and I'm completely useless at needlework", she said with a sheepish smile.
"Ah", the other girl replied, "Well I could take you to see my father if you like, and maybe he could make you a new buckle and I could mend the dress if you like, oh by the way, my name's Gwen", she said extending her hand,
"Ginny", the other girl replied, grasping her hand and shaking it. Ginny nodded towards the other servants, who all introduce themselves as they walked towards the small house where the servants had been quartered together, then Ginny followed Gwen to the home and workshop that she shared with her father.
The two girls sat opposite one another in a small room in the home Gwen shared with her father, they chattered as Gwen set about repairing the dress whilst Ginny watched her companion with interest, listening to the sound the girl's father working in the next room.
"So, what do you think of Camelot?", she asked, looking up from her work. Ginny smiled and replied,
"It's a beautiful place, and all the people seem so friendly, it's quite remarkable",
"Oh it is", Gwen agreed, "Do you think the Princess is going to like it here?", she asked, Ginny chuckled slightly,
"She probably will".
The young women continued to talk, discussing their respective roles, their homes and their families. They talked about the wonders of the courts they served in, and most of all they talked about the Princess that would arrive the next day, who future, it was felt had already been decided by the king, her father, and the king of Camelot.
"But do you think she'll be happy?", Gwen asked curiously,
"I don't know, I really don't", Ginny replied, her features darkening slightly as she looked down, she didn't want this conversation to go any further, and thankfully for her at that moment the curtain between the room in which she and Gwen were sitting was pushed aside and in stepped Gwen's father, he smiled at both the young women warmly,
"Well I've mended that buckle for you", he said as he stretched out his hand and passed the piece of metal to Ginny, "However I wasn't certain it would be strong enough for more than temporary use, so I made this one too", he said, passing her a second piece of metal. Ginny turned it over in her hands, the smooth metal was inlayed with small delicate swirling patterns, so delicate that it seemed amazing that such a strong looking man had made them,
"Thank you so much", she said, "It's lovely". A few moments later Gwen laid down her tools and stood up,
"Well that's done too", she said cheerily as she passed the garment back to it's owner,
"It's brilliant, you can't even tell it was torn, thank you", she hugged Gwen warmly, "What am I to pay you?", she enquired,
"Absolutely nothing", Gwen's father replied,
"Exactly", agreed Gwen, "Consider it a favour between friends", she said sincerely,
"Well I look forward to being able to repay it", Ginny replied laughing, "Anyway I had better be getting back to my room, the other's will wonder what I'm doing and we have to check on the horses before morning, thank you again" she said as she left the building and walked towards the rooms in which she would be spending the night, thinking about the day that lay ahead of her.