Chapter 4
Jasmina was restless. She hated sitting still in the castle with nothing to do. How could the nobles stand it? All her life she had been kept busy in one way or another, but now? Now she had nothing.
She paced back and forth across the chambers which King Uther had been kind enough to let her stay in. This inactivity was driving her crazy. If she had to endure one more day of this, she felt that she would scream.
A sudden knock on the door, startled her out of her thoughts. "Come in." A young woman entered and curtsied politely. "Can I help you?" Jasmina asked. Something about this younger woman caught her immediate attention.
"I'm Gwen." the young woman introduced herself. "I'm a seamstress. I heard about what happened to you, and, well, I thought that I might make you some new clothes seeing as you have none. Free of charge." She spoke kindly and Jasmina felt herself taking an instant liking to her.
"Why, thank you!" she smiled warmly at Gwen. " That is a most generous offer and I'll gladly accept it." For the next several minutes they chatted amiably while Gwen took Jasmina's measurements.
"So...have you lived in Camelot long?" asked Jasmina. Gwen nodded. "All my life. I love it here." Gwen's eyes sparkled as she spoke and Jasmina guessed the reason for it. "Is that because you have a sweetheart here?"
Gwen blushed, but quickly tried to hide it. "No." she said firmly, but Jasmina knew the truth. "Alright, you don't have to tell me." she teased.
"Do you live here in the castle or with your family?"she asked changing the subject. Much to Jasmina's surprise, Gwen suddenly seemed rather sad.
"I...have no family. Not anymore, anyway." Jasmina felt for her. "I am so sorry! May I asked what happened?"
"My father died...almost two years ago. He was a blacksmith." Jasmina suddenly felt light headed. A sudden suspicion began to grow in her mind.
"A blacksmith?" she tried to sound casual. "What was his name?" Please...
"Tom." There Gwen had said it. Jasmina suddenly fell from where she had been standing and landed with a thud. "Are you alright?" asked Gwen concerned.
"I'm fine." lied Jasmina. "Gwen...is that short for something?"
"Guinevere." Jasmina felt tears spring to eyes. She quickly wiped them away. "Gwen...it has been nice meeting you, but I suddenly feel unwell. If you would be so good as to leave me alone..."
"Of course." said Gwen understandingly. "Perhaps you should see Gaius, the court physician?"
"No, I'll be alright." insisted Jasmina. "I just need some rest, and then I'll be alright." Gwen smiled at there then left closing the door behind her. Jasmina watched her as she did so. "At last...and yet I am too late." She buried her face in her hands and wept as she felt her heartbreaking.