Familiar

-A Similar Offer-

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It was rather frustrating, that she did not seem able to stay awake longer than five or ten minutes. Eventually, she had improved enough that she could walk about the room under Gaius' watchful eye. Still, being so used to the bustle of a serving life, Kate was bored stupid, and Gaius often scolded her for not being able to stay still.

One evening, almost a week after it had happened, Kate was once again begging to move. "Come on, Gauis, at least let me sort ingredients! That won't hurt my shoulder! Please, I'm going mad just sitting in bed."

Gaius looked up exasperatedly, then straightened, surprised, saying "My lady, what-"

Gwen was standing in the doorway, smiling amusedly, and she walked in, saying "Please, Gaius, just Gwen. Arthur's so paranoid, I have a guard all day, and this is the first time I've been allowed to leave my chambers. I am just so sick of people calling me my lady, and your highness."

Gaius smiled "Oh all right, Gwen. Are you quite all right?"

Kate was watching this exchange with wide eyes, looking as though she half wanted to sink into the bed and disappear. After Gwen had assured Gaius that she was fine, thank you, she turned to Kate, who swallowed and awkwardly tried to curtsy, then gave up, and said "My lady…"

Gwen shook her head exasperatedly "Didn't you hear me before? I don't want the title. Especially from someone who saved my life." Kate blushed, and Gwen continued "And also, not from someone who reminds me so much of myself."

Kate looked surprised, then she blushed as she remembered that the queen had once been a servant. She said softly "Thank you, my la- Thank you. That means more than I can say."

Gwen looked at Kate, who finally met her eyes, and she smiled. "No, thank you. Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for quite possibly saving Camelot."

Kate blushed even more fiercely, and, looking down, said "My la-." She swallowed. "I'm sure someone would have figured it out… Someone would have noticed."

Gwen said "Maybe. But not in time. For either one. And Kate?"

Kate met her eyes. "You'd better get used to calling me Gwen." When Kate looked at her dubiously, she smiled "That is, if you'll agree to come work for me."

Kate's eyes grew wide, and she said "You mean-"

Gwen nodded "I'd like you to be my maidservant, Kate. I need someone to remind me of who I was- am, and I need a friend."

Kate swallowed, and her eyes shining, said "I think I can do that, my la- Gwen."

Gwen smiled, a real, genuine smile, and Kate did as well, and Gwen squeezed her hand, and said "Then it's settled. As soon as Gaius feels you're up to it, you can start."

Kate looked at the queen, and said "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Gwen smiled, and said "No, thank you.

The queen left, exchanging a few words with Gaius, and slipping out, her guard detail immediately enclosing her as she rolled her eyes. Kate chuckled, then Gaius went over to her, and said "Here, take this." Kate wearily uncapped the potion and chugged it, and asked "What is it?" Gaius smiled. "A sleeping potion, Kate." She weakly protested, but her eyes were already beginning to close.

A/N Sorry this one's so short, but it felt like a good place to end. Not much to say, except... Everything is coming to an end. Not the story, but... just everything eventually does have to.

Forgive my melodramatic teenage episode. I never understood why people got depressed and now look at me spilling my guts to people I've never met and listening to Fix You by Coldplay on loop.

Thanks for reading my stories, I can't tell me how much it means to be heard.

Love, Leviosa