Okay all, the third chapter is here. Anyways I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
The Daughter.
Chapter Three – That Bond We All Need.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Rhiannon was now twelve years old. As she had grown older, Arthur commented to Lancelot, Gwen and Elaine, how much Rhiannon resembled her mother. However, Rhiannon still possessed her father's eyes and smile. Her dark hair was still as straight as her father's hair had been. Today Rhiannon was dressed in a long blue tunic and a pair of grey breeches, and black boots. She was wandering around with Dylan and Galahad in the forest now. The pair had become best friends, with a little nudge in the right direction from Rhiannon. Dylan and Galahad had decided (without telling either of their parents) that they were going to go hunting. They had also dragged Rhiannon along with them. Rhiannon, however graceful and elegant she was in the castle, had no sense of grace when it came to hunting. Another trait she'd inherited from her father.
"Rhiannon that's the third prize we've lost!" Dylan exclaimed. Rhiannon felt angry at this statement.
"Well I don't know why you wanted me to come hunting with you two in the first place! I certainly didn't ask to go! I hate watching you two kill and gut poor defenceless animals!" Rhiannon yelled back. She stomped off then, into the woods, leaving the two boys blinking at her retreat.
As she stormed off, she knew the boys hadn't followed her. She was quite fast when she wanted to be after all. She walked for about twenty minutes, but soon she realised she was lost. She glared to herself angrily.
"Where are those stupid boys when you need them?" Rhiannon said to herself. She took another step forward and realised she was standing on air. Then she screamed loudly as she fell headfirst down a dry ravine, snagging her tunic on a random branch. She heard a loud snap and felt excruciating pain in her right leg. She hit her head on a large rock, and everything went black.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Elaine was walking the corridors of the castle, when she bumped into her husband.
"Lancelot, have you seen Galahad, Dylan and Rhiannon? They seem to have disappeared?" Elaine asked gently. Lancelot shrugged his shoulders.
"They're probably off somewhere in the lower town trying to avoid their tutor. They'll be back before sundown." Lancelot replied. Elaine sighed as Lancelot walked off towards the throne room to speak with Arthur. Elaine went to sit in her chambers. Although Camelot had become her home, she still felt unwelcomed. The main reason for this was Queen Guinevere. She didn't know why, but Guinevere didn't like her at all. Elaine looked at the window that was across from her. Usually, Rhiannon would come and sit on the windowsill and speak with her. Elaine couldn't help liking the young girl. Rhiannon reminded her of Morgana, who had been a childhood friend of hers. She stared out of the window waiting for a glimpse of the children to return. She felt that something wasn't right and just hoped that it was just her imagination.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Dylan and Galahad were worried now. Rhiannon seemed to have disappeared on them and both were afraid that something had happened to her.
"Rhia!" Dylan yelled desperately. He cupped his hand over his mouth and yelled again.
"RHIA! WHERE ARE YOU?" Dylan yelled even louder than before. They had thought Rhiannon would come back after a few minutes, and so hadn't followed her. Now both boys were fearful that she'd been hurt.
"Rhiannon!" Galahad joined in yelling. Both boys looked at each other fearfully, both hoping that Rhiannon was just trying to play a joke on them. They carried on calling for her and searching through the forest, trying to find any trace of her. It was nearly sundown, and neither boy wanted to leave Rhiannon in the forest after dark and all alone.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Rhiannon opened her eyes groggily. She couldn't make them stay open for long, her head hurt far too much. She felt a sticky substance dripping slowly down her face. She wanted to lift her hand to see what it was, but couldn't find the energy. She tried to force her eyes open once again, for longer. She saw she was at the bottom of a deep ravine. But she could climb out if she could move. It was nearly dark, and she knew everyone would be worried. She tried to make herself move, but she found she had no energy. She slowly managed to turn her head to look down at her leg, and saw that it was twisted in the wrong direction. She didn't need anyone to tell her that her right shin was broken. Her leg was extremely swollen. Rhiannon could feel herself slipping back into the darkness. She tried to stay awake but somehow her body wouldn't let her.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur was now sat talking with his Knights when Elaine rushed into the hall with Gwen behind her. Arthur, Lancelot and the other Knights stared at them curiously.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Sire, but my son Galahad, your son, Prince Dylan, and the Lady Rhiannon, have disappeared. Their tutor could not find them anywhere. He said he hasn't seen them since early this morning. It's dark now and they haven't returned." Elaine said worriedly. Arthur stood up and looked at Lancelot.
"We need to go and find them." Arthur stated. He looked at Elaine and Gwen.
"If either of you wish to accompany us you have that right." Arthur said softly. Elaine immediately nodded. Gwen declined.
"They may just have lost track of time and come back here by themselves. I'll stay so that if they do, you can be informed they are safe quickly." Gwen stated. Arthur nodded, and the group left. Gwen just glared out of the window angrily once they were gone.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Dylan and Galahad both came across a ravine in their search. Galahad and Dylan were scanning around, when Galahad spotted a flash of blue material caught on one of the bushes near the edge of the ravine.
"Dylan, take a look." Galahad stated, pointing at the material. Dylan's eyes widened. He moved closer to the edge, and saw something, or someone, in a heap at the bottom.
"Look Galahad, it's Rhia!" Dylan exclaimed.
"We need to get down there." Dylan added. It was getting darker and darker by the minute.
"Dylan, if either of us tries to climb down there we could end up in the same position. We can't see what we're doing, and we'll make the situation worse." Galahad stated. Dylan glared.
"I'm not going to leave her down there all alone." Dylan hissed angrily. Then he started to climb down, while Galahad protested from above. Within a few minutes, Dylan had managed to climb down. He was horrified, when he saw the state of his friend. He could see her leg was broken, and she had a horrible gash along her forehead. He tried to get closer to her to see if she was breathing.
"Galahad! Run and get help! Be quick Rhia is in a really bad way!" Dylan yelled. He looked at Rhiannon carefully, trying to find the tell-tale signs of breathing. He saw a slight rise and fall of her chest, and let out a sigh of relief, as he realised that she was in fact breathing.
"I'm going now Dylan. I'll yell to you if I get lost. Make sure you're listening." Galahad called down.
"Alright, just hurry up! Tell them Rhiannon's leg is broken and she's not conscious!" Dylan yelled back. He heard Galahad call back to him, and then heard his footsteps running off. He sat on a small rock, next to Rhiannon, hoping that someone would come to help soon.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur, Lancelot, Elaine and quite a few of the Knights had saddled their horses, when they heard someone running towards them. It had taken a while to get guards to make sure that the castle was safe while they were out searching. It was dark now, and they'd lit torches to see where they were going. They were all shocked when Galahad ran into the stables. He looked terrified and exhausted.
"Galahad where are Dylan and Rhiannon?" Arthur asked. He tried to be calm as he looked at the boy.
"Sire, Rhiannon is injured. She got mad at us and stormed off. She must have fallen down a ravine. Dylan and I found her, and Dylan climbed down because he didn't want to leave Rhiannon alone. He said she was in bad shape. He said her leg is broken and she's not conscious." Galahad rushed out.
"Do you know where they are?" Lancelot asked his son gently. Galahad nodded definitely.
"Yes Father. I can take you there. I don't know how we'll get Rhiannon out of there, but I know where they are." Galahad stated. Arthur nodded. He looked at one of the guards.
"You heard what Galahad said. Go and inform Gaius that we will be bringing my ward to him, and what condition she will be in." Arthur stated. The guard ran off to do as he was bidden. Then Arthur looked at Galahad seriously.
"Lead the way Galahad." Arthur stated.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Dylan was scared for Rhiannon. He looked at his dearest friend, and was struck by the realisation that she was far paler than usual. It seemed like hours since Galahad had gone to get help. Dylan wanted for Rhiannon to wake up. He looked at her pale face and saw her eyes trying to open.
"Rhia! Come on Rhia! Open your eyes!" Dylan exclaimed frantically. He heard the girl groan painfully. Her eyes fluttered to mere slits.
"Dilly... my head... it hurts..." Rhiannon trailed out slowly. Dylan almost cried from relief that she was talking. He tried to move closer and grabbed hold of Rhiannon's pale hand.
"It's going to be alright Rhia. Galahad went to get my father. You're going to be fine. Just keep talking to me." Dylan stated sternly. Rhiannon's eyes kept fluttering, as though her eyelids were too heavy to keep them open. That was when Dylan heard the hooves of horses. He knew they were nearly there.
"Rhia can you hear that? I can hear horses. My father probably. It's going to be alright." Dylan said kindly. Rhia tried to talk but didn't manage to get out any words. There were tears trailing down her cheeks now.
"My leg hurts Dilly." Rhiannon whispered. Dylan squeezed Rhiannon's hand tightly.
"Dylan?" Dylan heard Galahad call down to him.
"Dylan?" Dylan grinned when he heard his father call also.
"I'm still here. Rhiannon's awake, but barely." Dylan called up. He saw a figure climbing down. It turned out to be his father.
"Dylan, I want you to climb up first, and then I'll bring Rhiannon up." Arthur stated firmly. Dylan nodded. He climbed up quickly and looked down at his father cautiously.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur bent down and gently picked up Rhiannon, who screamed in pain. Arthur felt tears come to his eyes to see the child he raised in such agony. He could see that Rhiannon's leg was badly broken.
"Rhiannon, I know it hurts, but I need you to hold on to my neck so I can climb up with you. We need to get you back home so that Gaius can fix your leg sweetheart." Arthur said softly. Rhiannon's eyes fluttered halfway open and she nodded, as she grasped on around Arthur's neck tightly. Arthur started climbing up then.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
When the group got back to Camelot, all Rhiannon could remember was burning pain. She couldn't even open her eyes and think clearly. She just wanted the pain to stop. She felt herself lifted onto a horse and remembered hearing a scream as she was jostled up. She knew the scream was hers but she couldn't recall opening her mouth. She felt someone sit behind her and heard Arthur shushing her. She felt his arms wrap around her and hug her close. She was jostled all along the ride back to Camelot, and she felt tears dripping down her cheeks. She heard sobs coming from her mouth but she barely knew they were her own anguished cries. She was lifted down from the horse, after what felt like minutes and she heard the sound of Arthur's boots on the cobblestones, carrying her gently. She heard other sets of feet running along beside him, and assumed it was Dylan and Galahad trying to check on her.
When she finally heard the echoing sounds of them going up the tower steps to Gaius' chambers, Rhiannon wanted to call out. She wanted to see Gaius. The door opened and she heard the gasp of an old man. She knew it had to be Gaius. She was lowered on to the examination table. She felt something touch her leg, and screamed out in pain.
"Sire, you must hold her down or I will be unable to set the broken bone." Rhiannon heard Gaius say. She felt a strong body hold her down tightly. Then she felt Gaius take hold of her pain-ravaged leg, and yank. She screamed until everything went black for her again.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur looked at Elaine gratefully.
"You didn't have to stay and watch this." Arthur stated gently.
"She needed someone. I know you're here Arthur. But she is a girl. She needs a female role model. I mean no offence when I say this, but your wife has no interest in Rhiannon at all. In fact, she seems to hate her. I care deeply about Rhiannon. When I got here, she was kind when she didn't have to be. If I had a daughter I would want one like her. She reminds me so much of Morgana..." Elaine trailed off. Arthur nodded his understanding.
"I know that you care for Rhiannon, Elaine. I'm very grateful for that. I know of my wife's seeming hatred for her. But like you, I don't know the reason. I wish I did. Thank you... for caring about her as much as you do." Arthur said kindly. He looked at Gaius, who was cleaning a wound on Rhiannon's forehead. The old man was stitching the wound.
"Gaius when will she be able to go to her own chambers? She'll be more comfortable there." Arthur asked kindly.
"As soon as I've cleaned up her injuries, it should be fine to take her to her chambers. But someone must support her leg." Gaius replied.
"I'll do it." Elaine stated.
Once Gaius had finished stitching the gaping wound on Rhiannon's forehead, Arthur picked her up, and Elaine supported Rhiannon's leg. It was strapped tightly with thick pieces of wood to brace her leg on either side. Gaius followed after them. Once they had gotten Rhiannon to her chambers, Brianna was waiting inside. She gasped in shock when she saw the state of her closest friend.
"Pull back the sheets please Brianna." Arthur stated firmly. Brianna nodded rapidly and ran over to pull back the bed sheets. Arthur laid Rhiannon down gently, and under Gaius' directions, he placed a few pillows under Rhiannon's leg. He saw Rhiannon's face scrunch up in pain, even in unconsciousness.
"I will stay with her Sire." Brianna said softly.
"So will I." Elaine added. Arthur nodded and turned to leave the room. He looked over his shoulder at the females.
"I will be back after I've found out what happened from my son and Galahad." Arthur stated. Then he left the room.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Dylan and Galahad were sat in the throne room, waiting for Arthur to arrive. They knew they were in at least a little bit of trouble.
"I wish I hadn't dragged Rhia along with us." Dylan said softly. Galahad looked at Dylan carefully.
"It wasn't your fault you know. She tripped and fell. It was an accident." Galahad said kindly.
"I don't understand why she didn't use magic to stop herself from falling." Dylan replied.
"Because she is still learning to control her magic. Some people react instinctively to danger and some freeze up. Magic is the same. Rhiannon's magic probably just didn't react." The two boys stared at Arthur as they jumped to their feet hastily.
"I swear father I wouldn't have dragged Rhiannon with us if I knew she'd get hurt." Dylan pleaded.
"I know that Dylan. I know both of you don't want to see Rhiannon hurt. I just wanted to know what happened." Arthur said calmly. Dylan and Galahad told Arthur everything they knew. Surprisingly, when they got to the part where Rhiannon had yelled at them, and what she'd said, Arthur started laughing. The boys stared at him in confusion.
"Sorry boys. It's that lovely statement you're telling me Rhiannon made. It reminds me of her parents. Especially her father. He hated going hunting when I dragged him along with me." Arthur said amusedly. The boys looked genuinely cowed at that moment. Arthur ruffled the hair of both boys.
"Don't worry boys. Rhiannon will be fine. Gaius fixed her leg, and now Brianna and Lady Elaine are both sat with her. She won't be able to run around with you for awhile though." Arthur stated.
"Can we see her tomorrow?" Dylan asked. Arthur pulled the thirteen year old into a one armed hug.
"We'll see how she's doing." Arthur replied.
"Now both of you go and get something to eat and go to sleep. You must both be exhausted." Arthur stated. Both boys were about to protest that they weren't tired, when they let out loud yawns. They then left the throne room, leaving a slightly amused Arthur in their wake.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
When Rhiannon woke up, she found herself lying in her bed. She looked to see Brianna sitting at the edge of the bed. She was asleep, using her arms as a cushion, as she leaned on Rhiannon's bed. She also saw Elaine and Arthur, both sat on chairs, sleeping. She saw Elaine's eyes flutter open. Elaine let a relieved sounding sigh, when she looked at Rhiannon. She stood up and walked over to the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, next to Rhiannon and brushed some of her stray strands of hair from her face.
"We were all so worried about you Rhiannon. Dylan climbed down that ravine and refused to leave your side until you could be moved from there. Galahad ran all the way back to the castle and led us all the way to you. Your Uncle Arthur has not left your side since he found you. Well he did for five minutes to go and speak to the boys and find out what had happened, then he came straight back. Brianna hasn't left either." Elaine explained quietly.
"I almost thought that I dreamed yesterday. Then I woke up and realised my leg still hurts. How comes you're here Lady Elaine?" Rhiannon asked.
"I stayed here to make sure you were alright. You gave us all a fright." Elaine said gently. Rhiannon smirked.
"I bet I didn't give Aunt Gwen a fright at all." Rhiannon stated seriously. Elaine sighed and brushed Rhiannon's hair from her face gently.
"Don't worry about your Aunt Gwen. She'll realise what a wonderful child you are sooner or later." Elaine stated kindly. Rhiannon gave a weak smile. That was when Gaius walked in. Rhiannon's eyes lit up immediately.
"Gaius!" Rhiannon exclaimed cheerfully. Gaius gave the child a smile. Then set down his bag.
"I see you're feeling a little better Rhiannon." Gaius stated. Rhiannon pouted.
"You're going to give me one of those vials of awful tasting medicine aren't you?" Rhiannon asked. Gaius chuckled at the girl good-naturedly. That was when Brianna and Arthur awoke. He got up from his seat and gave Rhiannon a hug.
"We were all worried about you." Arthur stated seriously. Rhiannon looked up at Arthur seriously.
"I'm sorry I worried everyone. I don't remember much of what happened yesterday. I remember loads of pain. I think Dylan was there. Then you were there Uncle Arthur, and then I heard Gaius. It was all a bit strange." Rhiannon recalled gently. Brianna was listening intently. Arthur still hugged the twelve year old tightly.
"Sire, your ward must drink this medicine. It will ease the pain in her leg." Gaius stated calmly. Arthur stood back and Gaius handed Rhiannon the vial of greyish, green medicine. Rhiannon gave the vial a sour look and then took it from Gaius with a resigned look on her face. She pinched her nose together with two fingers and with her free hand she gulped the vial of medicine down as fast as she could. As soon as she'd finished swallowing it, her face took on an even more painful scrunched look.
"That was vile Gaius! I can't believe you made me drink that!" Rhiannon exclaimed loudly. Gaius tousled Rhiannon's hair gently.
"You'll be back to normal soon. Your leg, however, will take awhile to heal. It was broken in a nasty way. You won't be able to start running around anywhere for awhile. In fact you won't be getting out of that bed for awhile." Gaius explained gently. Rhiannon's eyes welled with tears.
"I won't even be able to have a bath!" Rhiannon whined pitifully. Then she pouted irritably at her bedcovers.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Gwen was angry. Dylan had been wandering the corridors and had not to see his tutor and now she was looking for him. She found him sitting at the top of the battlements, where she knew Arthur had gone a lot to look out over Camelot.
"Dylan why are you not with your tutor?" Gwen asked irritably.
"I'm thinking about Rhiannon mother. Isn't that what you should be doing? Isn't she your best friend's child? Don't you care that she got hurt at all? Does nothing bother you?" Dylan asked angrily. Gwen glared sharply at her son.
"I don't need my thirteen year old son to lecture me. Go to your lessons. I'm sick of hearing about Rhiannon." Gwen stated coldly. She turned to go back down the stairs and into the castle when she heard her son's hate-fuelled whisper.
"What would you know?" Gwen shot round and stared at her son in shocked anger. She reached out and slapped him across the face. Dylan looked shocked. He raised a hand to gingerly touch the spot on his cheek that his mother had struck.
"Don't ever answer me back. Go to your lessons and don't let me here you giving anymore trouble to anyone." Gwen threatened coldly. Dylan got up and walked past her without acknowledgement. As he made to walk down the stairs he turned his face towards his mother and Gwen could see the hate reflected in the boy's eyes. She blamed Rhiannon for it all. She truly wished that the child had died yesterday in the forest. At least then Rhiannon would no longer be a problem to her. Then a thought occurred to her. Something that she had never dared to think before. This was the most dark and evil thought that Guinevere, the Queen of Camelot, had ever had, and she knew she would carry it out. Despite the fact that she had lost every trace of her old self, something told her she would finally be rid of her weaker ways with this last act. She walked off to complete her plans with no expression on her face.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Dylan found himself outside Rhiannon's room. Brianna came out of the room with a bowl of soup. Dylan could see that the food was cold and barely touched. Brianna gave a curtsey as soon as she took note of the young Princes' presence.
"Isn't Rhiannon eating at all?" Dylan asked softly. Brianna shook her head.
"No Prince Dylan. She says she doesn't want anything. She says it's because she's in pain. But I think it's because she's alone." Brianna said softly. Dylan nodded. He knew Rhiannon very well. He knew that sometimes, especially when she wasn't feeling well or when she celebrated another birthday, she wished for her parents.
"I'll go and talk to her for a while Brianna. Go and tell Gaius what you've told me. Maybe he can help." Dylan said gently. Brianna nodded and curtsied before she ran off to do as she was asked. The plates on the try tinkled as she hurried along. Dylan knocked on Rhiannon's door and heard her call a greeting to him. He opened her door and saw his pale friend staring at her bed sheets. Her broken leg was propped up and her face looked anxious.
"Rhia?" He said gently. She turned her head and gave him a weak smile.
"Hi Dilly. Aren't you supposed to be with your tutor?" Rhiannon asked kindly. Dylan smirked.
"I'd rather sit with you. How are you doing?" He asked. Rhiannon smiled.
"I'm alright. My leg hurts but Gaius said that's to be expected and he gives me pain reducing, vile medicine." Rhiannon replied. Both children frowned at the thought of Gaius' foul tasting concoctions.
"Brianna said you're not eating." Dylan quipped.
"I'm not hungry." Rhiannon replied.
"You're missing your parents." Dylan shot back.
"Wouldn't you?" Rhiannon asked.
"They'll be back Rhia. Father said they will. They promised to come back. They told him that it might take them a long time. Things are different in Avalon." Dylan tried to reassure. Rhiannon's eyes clouded over with unshed tears. In fact, Dylan knew that Rhiannon never shed tears over her parents if she could possibly help it.
"Maybe they've forgotten about me Dylan. It's been twelve years. I get older, I have more birthdays, go to more festivals, I learn all about the world because Uncle Arthur wants me to learn like you do. I'm using swords and I'm learning to control my magic. They're not here. I could've died yesterday and they would never have really known me. They're missing everything and all I want is for them to come back. I want to see them for five minutes. Just so I know they're real people. I wonder if they're a dream sometimes. Maybe they're a bedtime story that Uncle Arthur made up to make me feel important. Who says that my parents are even real people? The only ones who ever talk about them are Uncle Arthur and Gaius. Lady Elaine does too. But..." Rhiannon trailed off. She didn't want to think that her parents didn't exist. Her dreams told her that they did. Arthur told her they did. She just wanted that moment that would allow her to understand why they were gone. She wanted to know them through more than stories and hearsay. Dylan took hold of her hand and Rhiannon, for the first time, started to cry real tears for the parents she didn't know.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Gwen looked at her little mixture. Porridge with small, chopped up pieces of leaves and little red pieces of rhubarb. There was a large jug of green gunk and a jug of water on the tray next to the porridge as well as a large tankard for drinking. Gwen had done her own studying. Rhiannon favoured porridge with rhubarb. Its sour taste didn't bother her. In fact she enjoyed putting extra sugar on her porridge just to eat rhubarb. Gwen had also been told that Rhiannon wasn't eating. She didn't even consider a need to involve anyone else. She knew what these little leaves would do to her husband's ward. She hoped that Rhiannon's immune system, already weakened with yesterday's events, would not be able to save her. With so much of the rhubarb leaves there, Gwen knew the likelihood of Rhiannon's survival was extremely low.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Later that day, after Brianna had helped Rhiannon to have some sort of wash and had helped her change her clothes and bed sheets, Rhiannon was once again comfortable in bed, a few pillows propping her broken leg. Rhiannon sighed as she looked at the book she was trying to read. She knew that Arthur had to carry on with his kingly duties, and Lady Elaine had to tend to Lancelot and Galahad. She knew Dylan was in the courtyard, practising his sword technique. Rhiannon was very bored. That was when she heard her door open. She looked and saw Gwen coming in. Rhiannon wasn't sure if she even managed to keep the look of shock concealed.
Gwen gave Rhiannon a gentle smile. A smile she usually reserved for Enid and Bran. Not for Dylan, and especially not for her. Rhiannon felt confused as Gwen placed a tray in front of her. Brianna smelt her favourite porridge with rhubarb in it and her stomach growled. She looked at Gwen in confusion.
"I've heard that you haven't been eating Rhiannon. You need to eat something. After all, your mother and father wouldn't want you to be ill." Gwen said kindly. Rhiannon looked at the porridge and the tiny bowl of sugar sat next to it. She noticed the small pieces of green leaf in her food. She gave Gwen a curious look.
"They're to help with the pain in your leg Rhiannon. I know how much you enjoy rhubarb and porridge. Gaius thought it would be a nicer way for you to be relieved of pain. Of course this jug has the same medicine in it. You must keep drinking it with water." Gwen said gently. Rhiannon smiled brightly.
"Thanks Aunt Gwen." Rhiannon said brightly. She couldn't help but want for Gwen to care about her. So she poured the green gunk into a tankard and drank it down, washing it down with water and she ate the porridge. Every last little morsel. That included the boiled rhubarb leaves that Gwen had placed in the food purposely. After all, how was Rhiannon supposed to know that the boiled rhubarb leaves were extremely poisonous?
Gwen watched as Rhiannon ate the poisoned food. Rhubarb leaves were a perfect poison. Boiling them and allowing someone to eat them was a practically a foolproof way to kill someone. Of course very few people could still manage to fight off the poisoning. It was like having food poisoning. Of course Gwen had been told as a child by her own mother about the properties of rhubarb leaves. That was why they were removed when rhubarb was cooked. However Gwen couldn't be traced back to the leaves she'd placed in Rhiannon's food. After all, any cook could mess up with such a thing. Gwen smiled as Rhiannon placed the bowl back on the tray and smiled at her. Gwen almost felt a tiny drop of pity rise in her at the smile Rhiannon bestowed on her. But she pushed that drop away very quickly, by reminding herself exactly what kind of threat Rhiannon was to her.
"Thanks for the porridge Aunt Gwen. It tasted a little weird but that was the herbs Gaius put in, right?" Rhiannon asked. Her face genuinely lit up with happiness.
"That's right Rhiannon. Don't worry. You'll be feeling better soon. Remember to drink that whole jug of medicine." Gwen replied. She stood up and made to take the tray when Rhiannon asked her a question.
"Aunt Gwen? Do you think my mother and father are alright?" Rhiannon asked. Gwen turned around and looked at Rhiannon. She felt old memories flood into her mind unbidden. Memories of Merlin running around the castle, always doing too much at once. Memories of Morgana, planning how she would be able to irritate her guardian by wearing clothing that was only just appropriate.
"Yes I think they're both fine. I think they both miss you." Gwen replied. It was the first and only honest answer that she had ever given Rhiannon. Or that she ever would give Rhiannon. She left as she watched Rhiannon drink down another tankard of rhubarb leaves.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Elaine was sat reading in the castle garden. That was when she heard footsteps coming towards her. She saw Queen Guinevere walking towards her. Elaine stood quickly and curtsied. Gwen gave a half-smile.
"I was wondering whether you would like to accompany us on a walk today Lady Elaine?" Gwen asked. That was when Elaine noted that all the children were there. Even Galahad was stood next to Prince Dylan. Both boys look uncomfortable.
"I was about to go and check on Rhiannon your highness." Elaine said gently. Gwen just smiled fully.
"Well I just checked on her a few minutes ago. She was fast asleep. Why not come for a walk with us on this lovely day and check on Rhiannon later? I will be." Gwen said kindly. Elaine wasn't sure why, but something felt wrong with the situation. But none the less, she agreed to the walk. After all, no one refused the Queen of Camelot.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Rhiannon felt extraordinarily sick. She couldn't figure out why that was. She also felt a lot weaker. Her throat and mouth burned and her eyes ached. She rubbed at her eyes that were sore and painful and was taking large gulps of air. Her breathing was becoming difficult. Soon Rhiannon knew she was about to vomit. She grabbed the empty jug that had been filled with the green medicine that Gwen had given her, and she began to vomit violently. She felt her throat and mouth burning even more. Her eyes were watering and painful and soon Rhiannon placed the jug back on the side. She grasped the jug of water, trying to pour a glass. Her hands were shaking, and before Rhiannon could gain any control the water jug slipped from her hands and broke on the stone floor. She couldn't stop the shaking and soon she had no sense of what was happening to her. All she knew was that her whole body shook violently and she had no idea how to call for help. She couldn't even open her mouth as she convulsed on her bed. Soon she was no longer conscious.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Later that evening, Brianna came into the room with a pile of laudry.
"How are you feeling milady?" Brianna asked gently. She started putting away laundry. She knew that Rhiannon was not very happy today, and so she carried on chattering away, trying to cheer her up.
"I heard that the Queen took Prince Dylan and Galahad on a walk with her, when she took Princess Enid and Prince Bran. She even invited Lady Elaine along." Brianna stated. That was when Brianna noted that her mistress had not answered her. Brianna blinked, as she took note that there was a broken water jug on the floor next to Rhiannon's bed. She had been kept busy in the kitchen most of the day on the Queen's orders and had not seen her mistress. She walked round to the side of the bed, and noticed that Rhiannon was not moving. She took note of the vomit in the nearest available object, another jug, and then tried to shake Rhiannon awake.
"Milady? You need to wake up. Have you been sick?" Brianna tried gently. Rhiannon remained unmoving.
"Rhiannon?" Brianna said softly now. Still Rhiannon didn't move.
"Rhiannon?" Brianna tried a little louder. She tried giving Rhiannon a gentle shake. Nothing happened.
"RHIANNON!" Brianna yelled as she shook her mistress hard. Still Rhiannon didn't move. Brianna stared at the unconscious form of her dearest friend and started screaming.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Lady Elaine was on her way to check on Rhiannon. After the walk she had taken with the Queen and the other children, they seemed to have arrived late and were eating dinner. Elaine had just gotten a moment to get away to go and see Rhiannon, when she heard a terrified girls scream come from the direction of Rhiannon's room. She ran towards the room and flung open the door to see Brianna screaming and shaking Rhiannon. Elaine could tell Rhiannon's state was not good, as the girl was limp and lifeless on her bed. Her lips were slightly parted as though she were having difficulty breathing and her skin was so white it was the colour of bone. Elaine ran over to Rhiannon's bedside, and shook Brianna gently. The girl stopped screaming and seemed to be trying to make sure she didn't start again.
"Brianna, listen to me. I need you to tell me what happened." Elaine said gently.
"Oh Lady Elaine, she wasn't moving, she wasn't even awake. I came in and I was talking to her, but she didn't answer me so I tried to wake her up and she wouldn't and..." Brianna didn't continue. Elaine could tell the young maidservant had no clue what had happened to Rhiannon. In fact the girl seemed traumatised.
"I need you to go and get Gaius, Brianna. Then you must go to the banquet hall and speak to the King. Tell him his ward has taken ill." Elaine said gently. She let go of Brianna who stood still for only a moment. Then the girl ran as if hell were chasing her.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Gaius was in the great hall. It had been the first time in years he had come to the hall. That was when Brianna, Rhiannon's maidservant, burst into the hall. Her face looked wild and frightened, and her actions spoke of the same emotions. She ran to Gaius quickly. The old man took note that Arthur stared with confusion at the young girl. He stood from his seat and walked over to where Gaius was sat himself. Arthur made it to Gaius before Brianna did, being closer to the old man, then the girl was.
"Gaius you have to come. Lady Rhiannon is very ill. She's not even awake." Brianna cried out fearfully. A look of fear crossed Arthur's face at that moment.
"What's wrong with Rhiannon?" He asked. Brianna had tears streaming down her face. She shook her head as the tears dripped onto the collar of her dress.
"I don't know Sire. I just went to check on her and she wasn't awake. I tried everything I could to wake her but she just..." Brianna didn't say another word. Both Arthur and Gaius left the hall, following Brianna. Gwen didn't speak a word. She kept her face expressionless. Inside, she understood perfectly what had happened. They had discovered Rhiannon too late to save her.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Late that night, Gaius worked over what he had to go on. Rhiannon's vomit and the signs of her condition. The girl was in a coma. Gaius was frustrated. He felt that he couldn't allow anything to happen to Rhiannon. That was when he noticed pieces of undigested rhubarb and leaf in Rhiannon's vomit. Everything made sense to him then. Of course, who could possibly have given the girl rhubarb leaves.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur sat by Rhiannon's bedside. The child looked as though she weren't living. The only sign of life that came from her was her much laboured breathing. Every so often she seemed to slip into convulsions even whilst unconscious. That was when Gaius arrived in the room.
"You haven't been gone long Gaius." Arthur said softly.
"I've been gone for three hours sire." Gaius replied. Arthur nodded.
"Do you know what's wrong with Rhiannon?" Arthur asked softly. He saw Gaius nod from the corner of his eye.
"She has been poisoned. Rhubarb leaves." Gaius replied. Arthur turned his face to look at Gaius.
"Could this have been an accident?" Arthur asked.
"No Sire. The amount that I found in her vomit, not to mention the symptoms she is displaying point to someone purposely poisoning your ward. Someone who knew the properties of rhubarb leaves. If she wakes we can only hope that she remembers or knows how she ingested such a large amount of rhubarb leaves." Gaius said softly. Arthur's trembled as his feelings of grief took over. The very idea that Rhiannon may not wake up was too devastating.
"She will wake Gaius. She must. I could never face Merlin and Morgana knowing that their child was killed in my care. I care too much about her for her to die like this." Arthur uttered. Gaius placed a comforting old hand on the King's shoulder and the two stayed by Rhiannon's side.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
It had been a month and Rhiannon had not woken from her coma. Everyone feared that Rhiannon would die soon. Gaius had fluids poured down the child's throat so that she would live. The only person who seemed unaffected by all this was Gwen, who carried on as normal. Arthur attended his duties, but his heart wasn't in it really. Dylan and Galahad practised half-heartedly with their swords, or half-listened to their tutor. Enid moped in the nursery, tears streaming down her small cheeks. Lady Elaine did her best to try and comfort the smaller child. The whole castle had fallen into a pall of darkness. There was only one plus side to the situation. That was that Rhiannon's leg had healed nicely. She hadn't moved at all so her leg had healed up quickly.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
It had been nearly two months now. Dylan had been forbidden by his mother to go to Rhiannon's room. This particular night, he was wondering the halls, unable to sleep when he walked past Rhiannon's room. He decided he would go in. She had stopped convulsing two weeks into her coma, and had just lain there in complete stillness. Her breathing had become less laboured. Gaius had said these were signs of improvement. However, Dylan didn't think this was true. She looked like she was already dead. Dylan took hold of her hand and started speaking to her.
"I wish you'd wake up Rhia. We're all missing you so much." Dylan said gently.
"Why I didn't go anywhere." Dylan heard the whispered reply. His eyes widened and he looked down at Rhiannon. Her deep blue eyes were open and looking at him.
"What's wrong Dilly? I know I was feeling really sick. I don't really know what happened after that. I'm not even really sure what happened before that." Rhiannon asked softly. Dylan couldn't help but hug Rhiannon tightly.
"Father will tell you everything soon." Dylan replied.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Okay all, that's the end of this chapter. I hope you all liked it. I'll admit that Rhubarb wasn't even in Europe until the sixteenth century, but seeing as there are tales of King Arthur set in the sixteenth century, I thought I could just about get away with it. And yes rhubarb leaves are actually poisonous. Especially in a large amount. Although it's rare for someone to slip into a coma and die it can happen so do NOT eat rhubarb leaves. The stalks are supposed to be safe but the leaves are NOT safe.
Anywho, thanks to all of you for reading. Please let me know what you think and I'll try and update as soon as I can.