Chapter 3

Charlotte rose from her seat at the high table and moved over to where Gwen was standing against the stonewall.

After the Lady Helen (or not so Lady Helen) was carted out of the hall the celebrations had really begun. Everyone was dancing and talking contently with each other while Charlotte had peacefully sat on her chair and gazed upon everyone else's merriment.

That was until she noticed Gwen looking exhaustedly over at Morgana and she could see on Gwen's face that she needed to go home and get well-deserved rest.

"Gwen," she jumped, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"That's alright," she replied sleepily.

"You should go home and get some rest, Gwen," Charlotte rested a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

"It's alright. I'm fine," she insisted.

"Gwen. Go home," her friend's brow creased, "Morgana won't mind and I'll explain to her why you had to leave."

"I really shouldn't –"

"Gwen, GO!" she took the metal jug from her hands and pushed her lightly towards the door, laughing.

"Thank-you," she gave her a quick curtsy and left.

Shaking her head and laughing, Charlotte turned around to find Merlin standing where Gwen and her were talking only moments ago.

Following his line of vision, she realised that he was gazing at the Lady Morgana. She was standing around a group of Knights and other Noblemen with a few other Lady's of the court. She was whispering into one of the men's ears and his eyes bulged. She just laughed and gave him a shove to let him know that she was only joking. He looked like he had caught on and joined in with her.

"She's very beautiful, isn't she?" she asked Merlin and he jumped and turned a shade lighter.

He looked at the ground, ashamed and murmured something under his breath.

"Don't worry. Everyone at some stage falls for Morgana. It must be some kind of code that's written in a book for men," she giggled and walked over to him.

"I don't feel for her that way," she gave him a stern look, "She is beautiful but she isn't really my type. Besides have you seen her! She's a Lady and I'm a servant so there's not really anything that needs to be discussed."

"So what if she's a Lady? No one can stop their emotions," she pushed because she just wanted one male in the universe to not be attracted to Morgana.

"I don't feel for her that way, honest," he smiled and she smiled back until she got lost in those deep, swirling sapphire eyes.

"Okay," she said unsurely while continuing to search his pools.

"You look lovely tonight, by the way," he managed to sputter out.

His words had taken her by surprise. Sure, she had admirers but no one had ever called her 'lovely' before. The mens' attention was always drawn to the Lady Morgana. The way he had said it as well, it made her heart flutter, like when she goes riding and gets butterflies in her stomach except, this time, it happened in Charlotte's heart.

"Thank-you," her teeth gleamed in the light.

An awkward silence followed suite until Camelot's Lady broke the tension, "Arthur's manservant? You should feel honoured."

He groaned and her smile broadened, "I can't wait to see this. It's going to be hilarious," Charlotte broke into laughter.

"Well, that makes one of us," he grumbled.

"I'm sorry," she unsuccessfully stifled a laugh, "I shouldn't be laughing," her face turned stern. When she caught sight of Merlin's face she cracked another laugh.

"I'm so sorry."

"That's alright," he said while rolling his eyes and smiling at her shaking form.

She eventually stopped laughing and said, "Again, I am sorry," she giggled a bit, "However I better go back to my chambers. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

"I understand," she nodded and began to leave when his enchanting voice froze her solid.

"Would you like me to accompany you?" she turned around and he never broke her gaze but she could tell that he was nervous.

A crystal smile broke over her facial features, "Yes, thank-you."

The journey back to Lady Charlotte's chambers was completely silent, apart from the metallic sound of Charlotte's heels scraping the floor and the shuffle of Merlin's boots.

"Um… This is me," Charlotte clarified as she stopped by her door.

"Alright. Goodnight, My Lady," he bowed but when he rose Charlotte gave him a hug as a tear rolled down her eye.

"My Lady?"

"I'm sorry," she pulled away and wiped her eyes, "It's just… I forgot to thank you for saving Arthur's life. Even though he can be arrogant and rude, he still means a lot to me. Thank-you, for saving his life."

"It was nothing –"

"No, Merlin. You saved him. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank-you."

Merlin's eyes turned soft, "Your welcome. I couldn't let him die now could I?" he smiled.

"No, you couldn't," Charlotte's face hurt from all her smiling, "Goodnight, Merlin. Sweet dreams," she whispered before slipping inside her chambers to retire for the night.

Merlin was left standing outside Camelot's Lady's room gobsmacked. He had never really saved a life before and he knew that he had never been praised how Charlotte had praised him in his entire life.

Warm sparks entered his heart and he had no idea what it was but he knew that it somehow involved the golden haired goddess who was leaning against the other side of that door.