Pomp and Circumstance

If someone had told Gwen a week ago that she would be sent to the dungeons of the palace, she would have laughed. She never got into any trouble, always played by the rules: the quintessential goody two shoes.

She almost expected pigs to start flying around her cell at any moment.

Whether she wanted to believe it or not, she was here, trapped in a cell at his majesty's request. It could be months, even years, before she was let out. Her father had always told her that the good path is never easy. He also told her that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. She honestly did not know where to draw the line between the two.

There were footsteps coming down the hall rapidly. Gwen closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. She really didn't want any more trouble.

"I know you're awake," said a very haughty, distinctly female voice.

Gwen cracked one eye open and turned her head to look between the bars of her cell. Her eyes were bombarded with the brightest of blues. It took her a second to realize it was a dress, the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Her eyes traveled up a very slender body, landing on icy blue eyes.

"That's better," she said, her fingers wrapping around the bars of Gwen's cell. "I saw what you did back there. It was incredibly stupid of you, yes, but very brave. You really know how to pick your battles, don't you?"

"Prince Arthur is a bully, Milady," Gwen said with a wry smile. "Someone needed to teach him a lesson."

The woman eyed her strangely. "Are you sure you should be mouthing off to the king's ward?"

Of course she was the king's ward. Her bad luck never ceased to amaze her.

"I won't change my beliefs to suit your fancy or anyone else's," Gwen said, looking the woman straight in the eye. "You shouldn't use your status to silence others. "

"Indeed I shouldn't," she said slowly, meeting Gwen's gaze. "I'm Morgana La Fey. Pleased to meet your acquaintance. It's not every day I meet a man with a moral code."

That's because I'm not a man, Gwen thought ruely. My life is the epitome of irony these days.

"I am Prince Gwyddno," said Gwen. She hoped that Morgana would not see through her lie. She didn't know the woman very well, but something told her she was very clever. "I am very pleased to meet you as well. I'm sorry I didn't tidy up the place. You dropped in so suddenly."

"Prince Gwyddno, you say?" Morgana tapped her chin with her hand and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "If you were a prince, you would have demanded to be let out of here hours ago. All you would have to do is mention your father's name and show your royal seal."

"Everything I own is on my horse," Gwen explained. "Someone's probably stolen all of it by now."

"That's a very convenient story," said Morgana, leaning against the bars of the cell. "What are you going to do next, ask me to let you out so you can go check? I'm not a fool, you know."

"Actually, I was going to ask if you could send someone to retrieve my belongings." Gwen smiled, softly. "You don't trust easily, do you?"

Morgana remained silent for a moment before snapping her fingers. A guard appeared beside her and bowed.

"I seem to have left my horse tied up in the market place. Please send a servant to retrieve him," Morgana said. She sounded every bit like royalty. Gwen knew she could never dream to emit so much power and authority with so few words. "On second thought, don't send any servant. Send Merlin. Tell him to also bring my satchel to the dungeons."

The guard eyed Gwen suspiciously, but nodded nonetheless. "If the lady insists."

Gwen waited until the guard's footsteps disappeared to speak up. "You are much too kind, Milady."

"I told you, my name is Morgana," she scoffed. "After all, there is no need for formalities among friends."

"Friends?" Gwen was really confused. Had she not accused her of trying to escape a few moments ago. "We've only just met. How do you know I'm not trying to trick you or something."

"I can tell you have a good heart, Gwyddno," said Morgana, smiling. Gwen was astounded at the woman's beauty. "There's something about you… I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Well, thank you, Morgana." Gwen reached up through the bars and gently gripped one of her hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles. She assumed it was the princely thing to do. "I don't know what I would have done, had you not come to visit me."

She brushed prettily, hiding her face behind the sleeve of her dress. "It was nothing, really."

"Modesty doesn't become you, Morgana," Gwen teased. "Where has all that haughtiness gone?"

"I should have known!"

Morgana jumped back and Gwen rose to her feet, grasping the hilt of her sword. Prince Arthur was marching toward them, Merlin in tow. He was holding her satchel in his hands.

"You were planning to escape, weren't you?" He asked, his tone accusatory. "You even tricked Morgana into helping you. Look at you, trying to seduce the king's ward. You're pathetic!"

Morgana looked stricken. She turned to Gwen, her eyes sad. "Tell me it's not true."

"Of course it's not true!" Gwen exclaimed angrily. "Me a seduc…tor? That's laughable."

"Though that would be a sight to behold," muttered Merlin, his face bright red.

"I don't even want to know what's going on in that head of yours, Merlin, " Arthur growled. "He must be a sorcerer, he's enchanted you both."

Morgana rolled her eyes. "I can't believe this. You sound just like Uther."

Arthur ignored her. "I bet if I open this satchel, it'll reveal all his secrets."

"If I had secrets, I wouldn't keep them in a satchel," Gwen retorted.

Merlin snorted and his laughter behind his hand.

Arthur turned the bag upside down, revealing its contents. The clang of gold, silver, and copper coins hitting the stone floor rung through out the cell. A roll of parchment landed atop the mountain of coins.

"So you're a thief as well as a magician," said Arthur smugly. "My father will have you hanged for this treachery."

"I have money, ergo, I am a magical thief. Such wonderful logic," Gwen said, rolling her eyes. "Are you a thief as well?"

She suddenly did not care that he was Prince of Camelot. Hell, she didn't care if he ruled the world. She was becoming more disgusted with his behavior by the minute. He was definitely not the man she thought he would be.

"You cannot speak to me in that manner. I deserve respect, " Arthur said, glaring at her.

"Respect is something that must be earned, Milord," she said, meeting his glare with one of her own.

"Did you steal this as well? " he asked, grabbing the scroll off the top of the pile. He seemed to be ignoring her previous comment. He unrolled it and cleared his throat. "Prince Gwyddno Leodegrance… of Cameliard."

Gwen watched with satisfaction as the blood drained from Arthur's face. She knew it was wrong to enjoy anothers' mortification, but enjoy it she did.

"Leodegrance," Morgana mused. "He's…"

"…one of father's most trusted allies," Arthur finished. He turned to face Gwen, absolutely livid. "Where did you get this, you despicable fiend?"

"I don't believe this," Gwen muttered. Though she sounded scandalized, her heart was pounding because Arthur had come so close to the truth without realizing it. "I'm Prince Gwyddno. What more do you need?"

Arthur reached into his pockets and produced the key to Gwen's cell. He unlocked it swiftly and roughly grabbed her arm. Gwen bit her lip to stop herself from crying out in pain. They had taken away her armor when she was captured so she could feel the strong grip of his arm. If he squeezed any harder, he would break her bone.

"Arthur! What do you think you're doing?"

"Quiet, Morgana!" Arthur shouted. "I'm taking him to my see my father."

"For what?" Merlin asked. He winced at the sight of Arthur's grip on Gwen's arm. "What has he done?"

"He's murdered Prince Gwyddno. He's an imposter," Arthur said, in a matter of fact tone. "Father will prove this."

Then, he dragged her away despite the yells of protest from Morgana and Merlin. As Gwen looked back, she glanced at Merlin for a moment. The boy was whispering something, words she could not discern. Then, the pain in her arm went away and a tingling feeling spread throughout her body. He gave her a knowing look and a smile before placing his head in his hands acting every bit like the helpless servant.

"Father!"

Arthur burst through the doors of the throne room, pushing Gwen ahead of him and holding her arm behind her back.

King Uther looked up from the maps he had been studying to glare at his son. Gwen lifted her eyes and dared to look upon him. He was quite handsome for his age. His form radiated regality and command. His eyebrows furrowed and his face seemed to be contorted in a permanent frown.

The king met her gaze and a cold feeling of dread washed over her in an instant. There was no explanation for it, really. He had never done anything to offend her personally, though she had heard stories of his ruthlessness. It was another feeling entirely. She felt guilt in his brown eyes, guilt and the weight of a terrible secret.

"Father, this man is a murderer and an imposter!" Arthur's voice brought her out of her revelry. She needed to focus on the situation at hand. "He says he's Prince Gwyddno Leodegrance of Cameliard."

"Release him, Arthur," King Uther said softly.

"But father—"

"Do as your father commands!" Uther boomed. "Release him!"

He released her, but as soon as he did, she wished he hadn't. Now she felt terribly alone.

"Raise your head, boy," Uther commanded.

Gwen lifted her head and stared into his eyes, feeling sick to her stomach.

"You say you are Prince Gwyddno?"

"Yes, sire," she squeaked. She hoped "Gwyddno's" voice sounded more confident than her own.

"Recite the creed of the royal house of Leodegrance," said Uther.

She froze.

"Hurry up, boy. If you are who you say you are, it should roll off your tongue—"

Then, suddenly, the words began to slip out of her mouth on their own accord. They were phrases describing a history she knew nothing of and a code of honor she was vaguely familiar with. She spoke for what seemed like hours until, finally, the words stopped and she was in control of her own mouth again.

Uther turned to Arthur, his eyes flashing in anger. "What is the meaning of this, my son? This boy is Richard's son, without a doubt! If his father were to hear of this…"

"I won't tell my father," Gwen suddenly said. "I will not have him think of me as a coward. I came here to prove to him I can become a knight, and that's what I shall do. I don't want any special treatment."

"Very well," said Uther, leaning back into his chair. "But I will house you. I won't take no for an answer. It's the least I can do for my son's foolish mistake. He will apologize, of course."

Arthur was not about to give up that easily. He played his one trump card. "But father, he attacked me."

"I'm sure it was for a good reason," Uther said, waving him off. "Now apologize."

He turned towards Gwen and gave the most slight bow she had ever seen. It was almost as though he had merely twitched. "I'm… sorry. I shouldn't have accused you of murder."

"And thievery, and magic," she said, counting his offences off on her fingers.

"Don't push it," he muttered, glaring at her.

"Arthur, fetch your manservant. Tell him to show Prince Gwyddno to his quarters," he said, looking down to concentrate on his maps again. "Don't ever waste my time like that again or I'll send you to the stocks."

Gwen had to cover her mouth to hide her smile. It was no small victory that she had just won.

"I don't know who that man is," Arthur grumled, angrily as he closed the doors behind him, "but he is supposed to be my father, not yours."

"Indeed he is," Gwen mused. Uther had conceded far too quickly for her liking. She wasn't sure she wanted to know why. She wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"MERLIN! Quit pretending like you haven't been listening to our entire conversation," Arthur barked.

After a few second's delay, Merlin appeared from behind the curtains, a mischievous smile on his face.

"You too, Morgana, " Arthur added.

"Ugh! Every time!" Morgana exclaimed incredulously as she appeared from around the corner. "I'm beginning to think you have some sort of sixth sense."

"I wonder if he's got any sense at all," Merlin said quietly.

Morgana giggled as she walked over to Gwen. She placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled gently. "I'm glad you're alright. I thought the great prat would really convince Uther that you were an impostor."

"If you're quite done, Morgana," Arthur interrupted. "Merlin is to take…Prince Gwyddno to the guest quarters. But I suppose you both already knew that, didn't you?"

"Come along, then," said Merlin, gently grasping her arm. "If we stay here any longer, he'll find some other reason to wrongly persecute you."

"Hey!" Arthur barked yet again.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Have you found another offense already?"

"I'm on to you, Prince Gwyddno," said Arthur, closing the distance between them within seconds. He was so close that she could feel his breath tickling her ear and the heat radiating off his body. "There's definitely something off about you. I don't know what it is, but I'm going to find out. I'm going to make your path to knighthood a living hell for humiliating me."

"I think you did a good enough job of that on your own. You didn't need help from anyone," she retorted, patting him on the back in mock reassurance. "As for your challenge, I accept. Work me as hard as you want, I can take it. But you know as well as I do that you still must follow the code of Camelot, lest your father hear about any more of your misdeeds."

Gwen nodded at Merlin, and he led her up the stairs to her chambers.

Arthur stared after her, open-mouthed for a few moments, before turning to look at a rather smug Morgana.

"I think you've met your match," she said, smirking. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"He's no match for me," Arthur seethed. "I'll show him…"

But deep inside, Arthur knew he was lying to himself. The other prince was a witty one; he would have to be on his toes if he wished to defeat him and, when he did, it would be in the most humiliating of ways.

"I didn't need help, you know, in the market place," said Merlin as he and Gwen reached her room. "Arthur wasn't really trying to hurt me. We're… sort of friends, he and I."

Gwen sighed. "I wish you would have told me that before I picked a fight with him! I could have avoided this entire mess."

He placed his hand behind his head, sheepishly. "I tried. You just wouldn't see reason."

Gwen ignored him and continued, "And if I had known you were a magician—"

Merlin stopped smiling. "I'm not a magician."

"Do you take me for a fool?" Gwen asked. "I saw you, you were muttering an incantation or something. You put a spell on me that helped me answer Uther's question. Don't deny it."

"What are you going to do?" Merlin asked quietly. "Tell Uther?"

"You helped me," Gwen said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You helped me knowing that I'm not who I say I am. I will never reveal your secret. I have nothing against magic when it is used for good."

"You are certainly one of a kind, Gwyddno," said Merlin, shaking his head. He looked as though a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. "I won't reveal your secret either. I can promise you that."

Gwen smiled gratefully. "Out of curiosity, what do you see when you look at me?"

"I see a golden glow surrounding you. I don't see a man at all, but a rather pretty woman," he said rather quickly. "It was a strange sight seeing you in armor. I thought I was going crazy."

"I wonder if anyone else can see the real me…" she mused. She sounded merely contemplative, but, on the inside, she was terrified. "Gwyddno warned me of this, but I didn't listen."

"That sounds oftly familiar," Merlin said, tapping his chin.

"Oh, why must you give me such a hard time? I know I should listen more often, you've made your point." She scowled at him and punched him playfully on the arm.

"Ouch!"

"Whoops," she said, rubbing his arm gently. "I forgot: you're a magician not a warrior."

"And I'm much more sane because of it." He ducked, avoiding another one of her punches. "I'll be off, now, Gwyn. Arthur will be calling me to clean the stables soon."

"Ooo," she winced, glancing at him apologetically. "Have fun with that."

Merlin nodded and waved as he walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Gwen let out a breath she did not know she was holding. So someone knew her secret… she supposed it couldn't be avoided. She was glad it had been Merlin and no one else. His magic may prove useful in covering her tracks in the future.

She lifted her head and, for the first time, got a really good look at her room. It was magnificent. The sunlight streaming through the windows gave the area an ethereal feel. Her bed was draped in red satin and plush white and gold pillows. It was a room fit for a prince, not a lowly peasant.

Gwyddno must feel miserable if this is what he's used to, she thought ignoring the pangs of guilt she felt in her heart. I might as well enjoy it while I can.

She rolled her arm in a circle, cringing at the cracking sounds it made. The one thing she wanted in the world was a bath. At home, she had just used the lake in the back. She would feel horrible asking one of the servants to prepare her bath when she was of the same class as them, but anything else would make her look suspicious.

Eventually decided that, like it or not, she was going to have to ask for a bath. She couldn't best Arthur smelling like horse dung.

She opened the double doors of her room, expecting the hallway to be empty. She was mistaken. A man with short hair brown stood in front of her, holding a wooden tub. She couldn't quite see his face as he was looking down at his feet.

"Is that for me?" Gwen asked, barely able to contain her joy. "How did you know I was thinking about taking a bath."

"Merlin thought you might want a bath after being confined to the dungeons for such a long time," he said so quietly that Gwen had to focus to hear his words. "May I come in?"

"Certainly," she said, opening the door wide to let him in.

He set the tub down on the floor next to the dresser then stood up, waiting for instruction, still keeping his eyes trained onto the floor.

"Why are you not looking at me," Gwen asked, confused. "I cannot be that bad looking."

The man looked up and Gwen could swear her heart stopped beating. This man was an Adonis, too beautiful for words. He wasn't handsome in the loud sort of way Arthur was. His eyes held a quiet dignity. Though he wasn't a noble, she could tell he had a noble spirit.

"I did not mean to offend you Milord," said the man. "In Camelot, we servants are not permitted to look royalty in the eye unless they request it.

"But Merlin…"

The man smiled, ruefully. "Merlin, as you may have discovered, is a very special case. He never follows the rules, that one. Always worms his way out of trouble too."

"The only difference between us is our social status." Gwen had had just about enough of the classism. She knew it would never completely disappear, but she wished people of lower classes had some semblance of human rights.

"People should be treated with respect no matter what their background." She looked up at the man, shaking her head. "From now on, I want you to look me in the eye…"

"Lancelot," he finished for her. "My name is Lancelot du Lac."

"Lancelot," she repeated, liking the sound of his name on her lips. She caught herself before she started daydreaming. "I never want to see you looking down at the floor when you address me again, you hear me?"

"Yes, Milor—"

"It's Gwyn," she interrupted him. "Call me Gwyn."

"You're unlike any prince I've ever met, Gwyn," Lancelot said, clearly awed. "I can only imagine what kind of place Cameliard is for you to have developed such idealism."

You and me both, she thought. She wasn't sure if she was in character or not, and, frankly, she didn't care.

"I miss it," said Gwen, thinking of her own home. She wondered if her father realized she was gone yet, if he missed her at all. "But I want more than anything to become a knight and I won't leave here until I've accomplished my goal, no matter what Arthur does to thwart me."

Lancelot gave her a look, full of understanding. "Then I shall do whatever I can to help you."

"How do you propose you'll do that?" asked Gwen. She did not mean to be rude, she just wondered how a palace servant could help her become a better fighter.

"You might be surprised," Lancelot said, smiling. "I have been assigned to be your manservant after all, so it is my job to serve you in whatever way I can."

"Uh," she managed to utter, looking completely dumbfounded. "Did you just say manservant?"

"Indeed I did si—I mean Gwyn," he said looking at her strangely. "If you want another person for the job, I can gladly find someone suitable to your needs."

You suit my needs just fine, she thought. That's the problem.

"No!" She shouted a little too loudly. "It's fine. I don't like the idea of having a manservant. I suppose, if I must, I would be glad to have you."

"It's settled then," Lancelot said, clapping his hands together. He picked up a sponge from inside the tub and wrung it. "Now, are you ready for your bath?"

He would be the death of her, this man.

The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!

Othello Act 3, scene 3, 350-357

Hey! It's me again. The finals Gods have given me a days pause so that I could deliver this to you! Lancelot has finally appeared, yet not in the capacity you may have expected (he's a manservant! Gwen, you lucky dog, you). Morgana is intrigued. Arthur is still a prat. Will this cause conflict? That's like asking whether the sky is blue. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know what you think. I need to know whether people are reading this story and whether I'm crazy for writing it.

Until next time (which may or may not be in the next few days depending on how much studying I need to get done),

Miki-Hime