Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. *le sigh*

A/N: Thanks to my first two reviewers for their helpful suggestions! Cookies for them! -hands cookies-

Chapter 2: Lady Elaine

Once more forced into wearing the ceremonial costume of Camelot, Merlin stood disgruntled beside Gwen and Gaius, the feathered hat had conveniently been unavailable and he'd made no attempt to find it. Yet, he still felt ridiculous.

King Uther Pendragon stood and clapped his hands for silence, gesturing for Morgana to rise. "My lords and ladies, it does me great pleasure to present to you, Lady Elaine of Astolat, the cousin of our fair Lady Morgana."

The doors to the great hall swung open, and she walked down the main aisle between the tables toward the main table that held Arthur, Uther and Morgana.

Merlin couldn't take his eyes off of her.

She was nothing special, but yet she was. As tall as Morgana and slighter if that was even possible. Her skin was pale, paler than his own, her face delicately shaped, not sharp or angular, but gentle. Her hair was red-brown, more brown than red, and had a slight wave in contrast to Morgana's perfect curls. But it was her eyes that really captivated. They were a dark shade of green, flecked by brown and gold.

As Elaine passed them on her way to the high table, she looked up, meeting Merlin's eyes. A shadow of a smile crossed her lips before she looked away. Her light blue gown made a soft rustling sound as she crossed the hall, the gauze veil that covered her head floating behind her. A silver chain hung around her neck, disappearing into the neckline before the ornament was revealed.

After what seemed like a lifetime, she reached the high table. Genuine smiles graced both the girls' faces, and their embrace was warm and sisterly. Merlin glanced to the left and grinned at the look on Arthur's face, somewhere between disgust and despair.

"Welcome cousin, it has been far too long since we met."

"Indeed it has my dear Morgana. My sister sends her love and regrets that she could not be here also."

As the king started the applause and gestured to the place between himself and Morgana for Elaine to sit, Arthur caught Merlin's eye and waved him over to refill his cup, downed the contents and grimaced.

"It's going to be a long year Merlin. A very long year."

"They're exactly alike! And they finish each other's sentences! And worse, they giggle. All the time!"

Merlin stood facing Arthur, once more equipped with a sword and armor. He was only half listening for two reasons. One he was trying to watch where he stepped and keep an eye on his opponent's sword at the same time, and two, Arthur had been going on about how much more annoying Morgana had become now that her "…long lost twin sister, always whispering and going on about the most ridiculous things!" had arrived at Camelot, for the entire full day that Lady Elaine had been present.

As Arthur lunged and missed, getting more and more agitated as he went on thinking about the two girls who "…shouldn't have this much power over me! I don't even want to be thinking about them!"

Merlin ducked and sidestepped, stumbling over an uneven patch of ground but managing to keep his footing. The young warlock did not like the look that had just crossed his master's face and scrambled to get out of the way as Arthur swung his sword viciously, not paying attention to the proximity of the weapon to his manservant's head. Merlin threw his arm up to protect himself and the cold metal bit into his arm, throwing him to the ground.

"Merlin! Really, how you managed to survive the journey here without breaking your neck, I'll never be able to understand." Arthur's expression was pure annoyance, he had no idea that his sword had connected with the body of his servant.

"Oh Arthur stop it! Can't you see you've hurt him?"

Morgana's voice was sharp as she criticized the prince, disapproval in her eyes. Merlin saw, from his vantage point at their feet, Arthur's fingers flex as it around the girl's neck. He forced a slightly more pleasant look on his face as he turned to glare at Morgana.
"Any other advice, My Lady?" His tone was filled with sarcasm and defiance.

"Oh Merlin, does it hurt very much? Arthur's such a bully."

The dark haired youth looked away from the potentially dangerous sight before his eyes to Gwen who was kneeling beside him, her dark eyes full of concern.

"Ah, no there's just a bit of blood. Really, its fine."

Merlin grinned up at her reassuringly, toning out the raising voices of Arthur and Morgana as they had their battle of wits.

"May I?"

The unfamiliar voice caused the boy to jump a bit as he looked for its source, near his right forearm.

Elaine had also knelt by his side. Her hair looked redder in the sunlight, or perhaps it was the dark green color of her dress and veil. When he looked at her she smiled and gestured to his arm. He nodded and allowed her to take his arm. As she looked over the wound, gentle fingers tracing it to determine the amount of damage, he thought he saw a glow in her dark eyes, but it faded to quickly for him to tell.

Their eyes met and she gave a reassuring smile, more for Gwen's benefit than his own.

"You'll survive. I'm Elaine by the way."

He took the hand she extended her left to accommodate his injury, and shook it, grinning.

"Merlin, Arthur's servant and physician's assistant. Thanks."

"FINE!"
"FINE!!"

Their argument apparently come to an end, Arthur stalked over, grabbed Merlin by the shoulder and hauled him up.

"Go get that checked by Gaius so Morgana doesn't start some servant abuse campaign against me. Be back in my rooms in time to help me prepare for dinner."

With that, the prince stalked off in the opposite direction than the one Morgana had stormed off in. Merlin smiled apologetically at Elaine, offering a hand to help her up. She took it, smiled and turned to follow her cousin, pausing to wait for Gwen who also got a hand up from Merlin.

"Thanks, you're really sweet Merlin. Not that I think you're sweet, but I'm just saying that was a very…kind thing to do and-"
Gwen cut off in mid sentence when he raised a bemused eyebrow at her.

"See you at dinner Gwen." He raised a hand in farewell as the girls moved to catch up to Morgana who was now stewing in anger by the pond.

Making to follow his master's instructions to see the healer, Merlin looked for a way to staunch the little bleeding that there was.

Except there wasn't any.

His arm which had borne the long, shallow gash minutes ago was completely unmarked.

Whirling around, Merlin looked at the retreating back of Elaine, astounded.