Disclaimer: All rights to BBC
Marianna walked into her mistress' room, humming. She knew the woman had a late night because of her outing with the princess, so she moved as quietly as she possibly could, setting down the laundry basket and food gently. The king had requested all the nobles in the council hall by ten, so the servant girl went ahead and laid out the clothes.
She decided on a pale pink tunic with silver embroidery and white leggings, as pink was Sir Gwaine's favored color on the lady. She made sure to have socks and black boots waiting before also laying out her belt and sword. Marianna then went to retrieve hot water, which wasn't very hot this morning. Marianna had a feeling that as soon as Lady Jensen got in the water, however, it would instantly get hotter. She suspected the lady used magic, but that didn't matter much to her.
When Marianna returned, she filled the basin before walking to the windows and jerking the drapes open. In stark contrast to the day before, a crisp, cool morning breeze came through the still open window. "Good morning, milady!"
A muffled groan was all she heard. Marianna chuckled before turning and facing the bed for the first time that morning—revealing her mistress is a man's arms. She jumped in surprise and fell on her bum.
This cause both Lady Jen and Sir Gwaine to shoot straight up in bed. Their eyes darted to her and each other before Lady Jen blushed deeply. "Marianna, I am so sorry."
"It's alright Milady," Marianna gulped. "I'll just err...I'll go fetch breakfast and clothes for Sir Gwaine."
"Thank you Marianna!" he called, but the girl was gone.
Gwaine and Jen looked at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. When Gwaine leaned against the head board, he pulled her body back into his, wrapping an arm around her body over the sheets. She sighed happily as he pressed a kiss to her hair.
"Good morning," he murmured.
"Good morning," she replied, snuggling closer. "How did you sleep?"
"Magnificent," he answered. "A wonder of beauty, desirable...oh I'm sorry, I was thinking about you. Were you saying something?"
She laughed. "You are such a charmer."
"I was merely speaking aloud," he assured her. He began to stroke her arm affectionately. "It's what I thought when I first met you and you brought me to my knees."
"That was almost a month ago," she said, thinking back on it. "The laws are going into effect soon..."
"Yes, but your uncle has to come and sign a peace treaty," Gwaine said. She decided to ignore that his arm tightened gently around her, almost as if it was subconscious. "That'll take some time, right?"
"If all goes as planed, a week at most," Jen nibbled her lip. She turned to cuddle closer and lay her head on his chest. "But we don't have to think about that right now."
"I don't want to ever think about you leaving," Gwaine whispered.
In all honesty, Jen was surprised. Gwaine rarely ever showed vulnerability. Actually, in the month that she'd known him, he hadn't at all except for the one night she was attacked. Having him clearly open up to her touched Jen in a way she wasn't expecting. So, she sat up and looked at him intently. She laid her hand on his cheek and smiled.
"You can't get rid of me that easily silly man," she chuckled. Her thumb smoothed over his beard. "I like you too much."
"I haven't had more than one drink in a month. Times like these make me want to. When I feel insecure or worried." He paused with his eyes closed. "Or confused."
"You didn't stop drinking for me, Gwaine," she told him. "It was for your sister, seven months ago, remember? What did you tell me that she said?"
"She was proud of me for not being a drunkard anymore," he cleared his throat. "That I got my life together."
"So keep it together," she told him. Leaning forward, Jen pressed her lips to Gwaine's. "You've done so well. Don't give it up now because of me."
"Of course," Gwaine sighed. He grabbed her hand and tugged. "Now come here and kiss me woman."
She bit her lip and moved back to him, kissing him affectionately. "Hmm. Be careful, I might skip breakfast."
"There's no fooling me, you're entirely too fond of food."
"You catch on quick." Jen stood and found her robe. She tied herself in it and walked to the table, putting food on a plate. Just then, Mariana walked in with an extra plate and clothing for Gwaine.
The serving girl set it down. "Should I prepare a bath for Sir Gwaine?"
"No, I'll be joining Jen."
"Oh," Mariana said. "Of course. I forgot your boots. I'll return shortly."
When the blushing servant girl left, Jen and Gwaine shared a look.
And laughed until they cried.
)-(
A knock came at Ellie's door.
She looked over her shoulder to Drea, who was lacing up her shirt. "Can you please go see who that is? I'll put my boots on."
"Yes milady," she said. Drea walked to the door and opened it, automatically curtsying. "My lord."
"No need for formalities, Drea, it's just us," Arthur said. "May I come in?"
"Yes sire," Drea said, stepping back. She busied herself with setting up breakfast.
"How are you?" Arthur asked.
"Good," she answered. "Does Merlin know what happened?"
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "And who. We're holding council in a little while."
"My lord," Drea asked. "Pardon me, but are you joining Milady for breakfast?"
"Yes he is," Ellie told her. Arthur cocked an eyebrow, but she only mimicked the expression with eyes that dared him to challenge.
"I had plans to eat with my knights."
"But you'll be eating with me, correct?"
He started to argue, but only shook his head and laughed. "I will be eating with you."
"Drea?"
"I will inform his majesty's knights of the change," Drea smiled. "And return with a plate for him."
"Leave the door open darling!" Ellie called as her servant left. She turned and found Arthur staring at her, amused. "What?"
"You are infuriating," he laughed.
"Admit it, you like it," Ellie said. She finished lacing her boots. "Now are you going to sneak in a kiss or do I have to plan a romantic outing...but once more, is that not your job?"
Arthur laughed and pulled her near. He acted slowly, caressing her cheek lightly. Ellie closed her eyes at the feeling of his skin touching hers. The uncontrollable desire from the night before was gone, but the feeling in her chest that blossomed was still present. The king leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, followed by both her cheeks. Ellie shivered each time. When he pressed his lips against hers, she melted into the embrace, her hands resting on his shoulders and drawing him nearer.
"How impressive, my lord," she noted breathlessly. "You are no stranger to romance."
"You talk very formally when you're flushed," he countered. "That is when I know I've done something right."
"You do not want to challenge me," she bit her lip and pecked his lips. "So sit down while I get you some water."
"Yes your highness," Arthur rolled his eyes. Ellie blew him a kiss. "Will you tell me something about yourself?"
"What would you like to know?" Ellie asked. She turned and handed him his goblet.
"Why your parents allow you to roam around in feminized men's clothing," he chuckled. "Not that I don't enjoy it, but..."
"My father was not satisfied with only Jen protecting me when we were younger," she explained. "I had guards, yes, but he knew from when he was a young prince that there were times I may have to defend myself. After receiving sword fighting lessons and doing all the activities a prince would generally do, we discovered dresses were difficult to manage in training. So the royal seamstress was very kind in making Jen and me tunics that look more like dresses without skirts. I look like a princess, but I have more mobility for riding and for sword fighting."
"Your father is a very flexible man," Arthur commented. "Or accepting, I should say, and open to your ideas."
"If I'd had an older sibling, a brother perhaps, I may have never had the opportunity for it," she chuckled. "But yes, he is, because I will someday run his country. I believe that's what makes him a great ruler."
"What is your mother like?" Arthur asked.
"Much more stubborn," Ellie grinned. "Very set in her ways, but very brilliant. She rules beside my father rather than under him. I like to think I have all my father's compassion as well as her ability to rule as a woman, but I think I can be more like my mother where other people are concerned."
Their conversation was interrupted when Drea entered. Arthur, however, felt the need for the conversation to continue. He accepted the plate of good the servant offered before moving on. "And are you going to tell me who has hurt you?"
"What do you mean?" Ellie felt her eyebrows knit together in confusion, a slightly guarded feeling coming over her.
"Ellie, you are physically open with me but not emotionally," the King said. Arthur ignored Drea almost dropping a plate; that poor girl. "If we marry, we must trust each other." he leaned forward and took her hand.
Ellie had pushed the incident out of her mind for so long, she really didn't enjoy bringing it up again. Looking at Arthur's understanding and caring eyes, however, she sighed and gave in. "There isn't much to tell really. Bryant was a man who I thought loved me. He was slightly temperamental, but I fell in love at eighteen. My father did not like him and refused to grant him permission to court me. He began to despise my father for it. I was too young to see that he was a power hungry snake and I snuck out with him one night. He...took something from me that wasn't his to take and left me soiled in the woods."
Arthur's mouth dropped open, understanding her meaning.
"It was his plan to broadcast it to the entire kingdom and beyond," Ellie confessed, looking away from the man who gave her the most adoring look. "Who would want to marry a soiled princess? Jen got to him first however and made him bring her to me. By that time, my father's men took him and she was able to heal me from the abuse. I handled it emotionally over time, but have not accepted a courtier until you. Even though all who knew what happened were few and Bryant silenced, I couldn't bring myself to trust another man until recently."
"Ellie," Arthur murmured.
"I do not want your pity."
"I do not intend to give it," Arthur spoke firmly. "I do, however, wish to express admiration. I knew you were strong, Eilonwy, but not that strong. I am truly amazed by you."
Ellie looked into his eyes. "Pardon me?"
"Understand me now," he kept his eye contact steady. "You are not dirty and soiled. You are strong, independent, and beautiful, and you will make a splendid queen someday."
"That means the world to me Arthur," she sniffled. "Thank you."
He kissed her hand. "It is my honor, your highness."
Ellie smiled at him. He truly was a magnificent man.
)-(
Ellie and Jen sat on either side of Arthur in the court, due to their status. Jen felt odd in the former seat of Lady Morgana, but ignored it for Arthur's sake.
"Bring forward the lady in question," Arthur called.
A familiar looking woman was led by the guards to stand before Arthur. Her eyes were full of tears, and she fiddled nervously with her hands. She looked barely twenty.
"What have you done?" Arthur asked kindly. When she didn't answer, he sighed. "You have no need to fear, Lady Talia. Tell me what happened."
"Three days ago," she said shakily. "I cast a spell of fertility, as I've been having trouble conceiving."
"Is this like what my father did so my mother could conceive me?" Arthur asked Jen.
"No," Jen replied. "A fertility spell only works if you are not barren, and it can mend a womb depending on the damage inflicted. That, and using dark sorcery to create a life purely from magic are very different."
"And what happened because of the spell?" Arthur returned his attention to Lady Talia.
"It was stronger than expected," the woman confessed. "It affected a large portion of the city. The unbearable heat and...erm, desire...is an effect of the spell. It wasn't actually warm outside, that's only what it seemed like to most of the city."
"This fertility spell," Jen couldn't help but ask. "Has it worked for you?"
"I am unsure my lady," Talia answered nervously. Jen didn't risk glancing at Gwaine. She had been so intent on being with him the night before that she casted a silencing spell, but not a protection from childbearing spell.
"I cannot pass a sentence if you are with child," Arthur said. "You will be taken to my physician for an examination. I cannot let this go without punishment, as magic is still outlawed for now. Yet I would not hurt you while pregnant, and there was no real harm done. The court will reconvene when I've made a decision."
As men and women filed out, Gaius approached the king. "Sire, it is too soon for me to know."
"I have no intention of you doing an examination," Arthur said. "But of Merlin doing one."
"With magic?" Merlin asked. "But...?"
"While Gaius pretends to do one," Ellie said in understanding. "Merlin can be present to assist him. He will use magic and see if he senses any life forms added to Lady Talia's."
"Brilliant," Merlin said.
"You two think so much alike it sometimes scares me," Jen shook her head. "Anyways, I will accompany Merlin as well. Perhaps he can teach me something new, I've never done this before."
"I almost hope she is pregnant," Arthur sighed. "I wish to post pone her punishment until the laws are finished, which should be within the week."
"I hope so too, sire," Gaius told him. With that, he headed for his chambers, Merlin and Jen in tow.
Merlin gave her a side glance, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "This is hardly the time for a magic lesson. Why did you join me?"
"Gwaine and I..." Jen cleared her throat. "Well, the fertility spell encouraged us to be together. I need to know if it worked on the two of us."
"Of course," Merlin automatically said. He looked around and led Jen to a short hallway. Gaius would be too intent to notice they were gone. "All you have to do is stand there."
Jen nodded, stepping back and standing straight. She struggled to stand still while Merlin zeroed in on her stomach. His eyes flashed gold and stayed gold for a long moment as he searched. When he pulled his eyes away, he smiled.
"You are the only life form there," Merlin assured her. Jen couldn't deny a part of her was slightly disappointed, but mainly she was relieved. Now was not the time for a child.
"Thank you Merlin," she squeezed one of his hands. "Go on to Gaius."
Before Jen could return to the council hall, she found Gwaine awaiting her outside the hall.
"I know why you went with Merlin."
Jen licked her lips. "I'm not pregnant."
"Good," Gwaine nodded. He looked at her slightly hurt face. "Not that I don't someday wish for you to carry my children, but getting you pregnant would ruin your reputation. I refuse to do that."
"Gwaine—
"I know you can use a protection spell," Gwaine stopped her, resting a hand on her waist. "So I am not banning you from my bed. Only, we must be sure we are careful. I won't ruin you. Even though I would marry you if you were pregnant, I wouldn't want to arouse suspicion. You understand, do you not?"
"I do," Jen replied. "I had the same worries."
"I'm glad," he said, leaning in to kiss her softly. When he pulled back, he gave her a slight smirk. "Now, shall we see if we were the only ones affected?"
"Be appropriate, Sir Gwaine."
"Never, Milady."