The year we turned twelve Morgana and I rarely saw Arthur anymore. To tell the truth, without Arthur to keep us at bay, we ran about the castle like wild things. Morgana convinced me to participate in mischeif, resulting in some close calls and many baffled servants. I remember when we snuck into the kitchen pantrys and rearranged all the preserves. Then we stole some of Cook's fresh baked pastries and ran away giggling.

That winter, just after Morgana turned eleven, she fell ill with scarlet fever. I was terrified that she would die, even though Gaise, the physician said her life was in no danger. To loose Morgana would be like loosing family, like loosing a sister. I sat up long nights with Gaise, releaving him when he grew tierd. "You might just make a good docter some day." He smiled at me as I dabbed her forehead with a wet cloth. I grinned back, proud that he trusted me to take care of m'lady. Then, due to my long hours and Morgana's catching sickness, I fell ill with the same ailment. By this time Morgana was well enough to eat and sit up in bed.

I am told that I was even sicker the her, and that she insisted that another bed be put in her room for me to lie in. She commanded Gaise to tend to me as well as her, and even Arthur begged his training master to allow him to visit me. When I found this out I was secretly pleased, though I took great care not to show it. Morgana teased me enough about Arthur's attentions. When I grew better, I took to watching him practice out the castle windows. My father was allowed to come and go to see me when I was ill, and I was glad of this. Who would take care of him if I died? Who would make his luch and keep the house tidy?

When I was still sick I would secretly take out my locket and hold it. It was dented slightly from wear, even though I tried to keep it safe. Morgana had gone out to visit one of the ladies and I was sitting her bed, thinking about Arthur. I had begun to notice him more lately, how his eyes were the same color as the sky, and how his knight training had given him new muscles that made him kind of...attractive.

I was just remembering his golden hair when Uthur barged in. He stared at me sitting in Morgana's bed, much as the same as he had stared at me all those years ago, when he had found me in Morgana's clothes. He opened his mouth, then closed it. His cheeks that had been red in anger a moment before turned pale, pale as a ghost. He looked at the trinket I held in my hand with a forlorn, lost look that turned back to absolute, terrifing , white lipped rage.

"Where did you get that necklace." He asked in a calm voice which was almost scarier then his yelling.

"Prince Arthur gave it to me, sire." I bowed my head respectfully, as I was still too sick to stand and curtsey. I was dimly aware that I was in my nightgown when his voice lashed out like a whip.

"Liar! That is-was- the Queen's necklace. I gave it to her. You stole it, didn't you! You little witch! You STOLE IGRANE'S LOCKET! HOW DARE YOU?" He strode toword me and ripped the small heart from my hands. I wimpered, for Arthur had given it to me and that made it precious. He grabbed my arm and dragged me from Morgana's bed. "And you dare to lay in the bed of royalty? You are dismissed; don't let me see your face in my halls again!" He threw me onto the floor and left, clutching the locket so tight his knuckles were white. I lay on the cool floor for a moment, to tierd to do anything else. Then I dragged myself to my feet and stumbled out the door and down the hall. I was dizzy, and I barely felt the pain of falling down. I did fall down, or so they tell me, down a flight of sixteen stair. I don't remember. I think I fell asleep.

According to Gaise, one of the maids found me there and called for him. He brought me to his quarters and tended me for a concussion and broken arm, plus many brusies besides. Morgana came running in when she found me gone from her chambers and pestered the maids until they told her where I was. She burst in, her cheeks rosy from sprinting (or so I imagine). She knelt by me and held my hand; refused to speak to Uthur until he apologized. Arthur admitted that he had taken his mother's necklace and given it to me, and although His Magesty did not apologize, he did reinstate me to my place as Morgana's maid, as soon as I was well. This satisfied Morgana, and soon she was as light hearted as she always was.

Spring passed; summer came and along with it my thirteenth birthday. My father gave me a new dress; the castle gave me new chores. My role as Morgana's companian and playmate ceased, and I began bringing meals, washing clothes, cleaning her room and doing other jobs around the castle. My days stealing from the cook were over and my time of washing bedclothes had begun.

In truth, Morgana grew up some too. She needed me for a playmate less and I could be her playmate less. All was well, until that fall.