Opinions on a Queen

Mithian stood by a window of the castle, looking out as she watched Marayna and Arthur walking through the courtyard, Marayna's arm linked through Arthur's. They were walking at a sedate pace but she could see a hint of annoyance in Marayna's face though she had a fond smile on. It was likely Arthur that had set that particular pace. The man, she could admit, really did love his wife very much and his care and concern for her and their child was obvious to anyone. That was the thing she'd had a hard time accepting when it came to all of this. She was fond of Arthur, but more so in the way she might feel for a distant relative, like a cousin or something as she hadn't had the most often meeting relationship with the man. She saw Morgana more than Arthur so she didn't know him more than what Morgana told her of him.

It had been odd, to her, when Morgana would visit once a year. She had heard so many times how annoying Arthur was and how arrogant and…then she'd started to hear the word 'prat' pop up at times. Around that time though was when Morgana's stories started to change, speaking more fondly of Arthur, how he was proving himself to be a decent man, how he was maturing. In the span of only a few years it was like Arthur had completely changed, the boy she heard Morgana speak of the last time they'd met was so different from the man she'd started complaining of years ago that she was sure she would hardly recognize Arthur the next time she saw him. And she'd been right. Coming to Camelot, the regal man who stood before her and greeted her so cordially, who seemed so lighthearted and as un-arrogant as possible in removing his crown as though it were merely a hat…that was not the Arthur Morgana had spoke for years about.

Her father, she knew, at times, had threatened Uther with war unless they could resolve Gedref, sometimes that meant threatening to force a marriage between her and Arthur to see the land dispute resolved. She'd always managed to convince him away from that, telling him not to rush into it, telling him to think about the potential for other alliances with other kingdoms that might be better off for them and their people than Camelot. But still, in the back of her mind, she'd always known there was a possibility that she would be forced to marry Arthur one day. When she'd heard that he was going to wed Princess Elena, she'd been relieved that it wouldn't be her, that that threat would be off the table. But then, to find that he'd actually married his servant? She honestly wasn't sure if she was insulted for Elena, herself, or if she was still relieved. Even though she wasn't the one marrying Arthur, she almost felt offended that he would chose a servant over a princess.

She just couldn't fathom what could possibly be so wonderful about the new Queen that would make a prince like Arthur wish to marry her, to be so in love with her that he would be willing to give up everything he had to be with her as he'd said to her only the other day. She tried to be cordial, to be polite and well mannered and regal and proper as a princess should be. She tried not to be arrogant as Morgana had often called Arthur, she tried to be understanding of others and not put herself too far above them, though she WAS a princess. But to look at the Queen? All she saw was little things that she had been raised never to do.

If the Queen used the wrong utensil at dinner, she noticed. If the Queen rolled her eyes when someone spoke, she noticed. If the Queen took too long a to sip her water (Arthur would never allow her to drink wine in her condition), she noticed. There were so many things that went with being a princess, being a queen, that she just kept seeing Marayna not do. It was almost like an insult to royals to see a woman as…uncouth as Marayna being higher in status as her. The woman used vulgar words at times, she acted like a man at times with how she'd punch or nudged Arthur, she didn't walk with the grace of a princess. Her hair was hardly ever styled, her gowns were far too simple for her status, and she did chores herself instead of allowing a maid to help her, though she had noticed that the girl, Gwen, did help tend to her at times, picking up something Marayna might have dropped that she couldn't reach with her stomach, and other things.

It was just…seeing her doing all those things and acting the way she did made her skin crawl. And it was terrible because she knew it wasn't Marayna's fault, she was a servant, she'd been born a peasant. She wouldn't know all the little nuances that went with being a princess or queen and how to act properly in public. She knew the girl was trying, but there was still so many things that she couldn't help but notice when she didn't act entirely like a proper princess. She tried not to see it like that but…looking at Marayna, she just kept feeling like she was seeing a servant, a peasant, in a pretty dress that was playing the role of Queen instead of actually being it. It almost made her feel like Marayna wasn't taking her role seriously and was just enjoying the power and leisure that came with the title.

She looked to the side, seeing the girl, Gwen, greeting them speaking to them briefly and turned to make her way down to the courtyard. One of her men had told her that her horse had slipped a shoe and that it was too worn to be used again. She needed a new one crafted and she didn't want to have to ask Morgana or Arthur where she could get one. Gwen seemed kind enough and, being a servant, she might be willing to go and see to that.

"Gwen?" she called tentatively as she reached the courtyard just as Gwen reached the castle walls, Arthur and Marayna nowhere in sight.

"My Lady," Gwen gave a half-curtsy, "Did you need something?"

"Yes," she smiled, "My horse threw its shoe and I need another one crafted. I would like to inquire if you knew where I might find a blacksmith available to do such work?"

Gwen nodded, "My brother is a blacksmith," she told the woman, "However he's at training with the knights today and the forge is closed."

"I had been hoping to get my horse seen to this day…" Mithian frowned.

"I may know another in town," Gwen smiled, "If you'd like to inspect his work before allowing him near your horse, I can take you to him now. I was going to see to Rayna today but she's with Arthur and that should be fine."

Mithian nodded and turned to follow Gwen, though she had a small frown on her face, "Rayna?" she had to ask. She'd heard a few people call the Queen that, heard Merlin call her Aya, knew Arthur called her Mara, but…she hadn't heard anyone address her by 'Queen Marayna' since Arthur had introduced her as that, "Are you always so informal with your Queen?"

Gwen chuckled at that, not at all perturbed by Mithian's words, "Rayna would be cross if we WERE formal with her," she glanced at the princess, "She doesn't like titles, she doesn't like being thought of as the Queen."

"Then why would she wish to wed the future king?"

Gwen smiled softly, a hint of sadness in her smile, "She loved him."

Mithian blinked at that and nodded slowly, "And…no one calls her Marayna?"

"Not that I know of," Gwen smiled again, "Well, her mother does, but I suppose all mothers give the full name of their child. Everyone I know calls her Rayna. Well, except Arthur, he calls her Mara because he's just…the only one. Merlin's always called her Aya as long as I've known him, something about not being able to say her name as a child. Gwaine though," she laughed thinking on that, "He calls her Ray cos he got drunk once and forgot what her proper name was. Did the same to Merlin too. Most of us call her Rayna though."

"And she tells you not to call her Queen?"

"If she can get away with it," Gwen nodded, "Took the servants months before they realized they weren't going to be thrown in the stocks for calling her by her name instead of her title."

"How does she hold the respect of her people if she does not respect the title?"

Gwen glanced at her oddly, "The people actually respect her more for it. She uses the title when she has to, she's ALWAYS aware of the respect and responsibility that comes with it, but…the people feel closer to her when she tells them to call her Rayna. They feel like she's one of them, that she cares about them when they use her name. It makes them feel like she hears them, like they are familiar with her, friends with her. A noble who can maintain a friendship and love with their people is the most respected, in my opinion," she added quickly, "My Lady."

Mithian was silent the rest of the way, thinking on that, thinking about how that…actually made sense. It did make a people feel closer to their ruler to be able to call them their name instead of forced to address them by a title.

"We're here," Gwen smiled, reaching a forge and knocking on the door.

It opened and a young boy was standing there, "Gwen!" he cheered, hugging her, "Is Rayna with you?"

Mithian blinked at that, at how the boy seemed to expect a visit from the Queen.

"No," Gwen smiled, "I'm afraid Arthur's keeping her close."

"Because of the baby?"

"Yeah," Gwen laughed, "He's very excited to be a father and I think he thinks he'll miss it being born if he's away from her even a moment," it hurt, it still hurt to think about that, to think that there would be a baby there, that her friend was going to have a baby with her husband, while SHE could not but…Marayna was her friend and she WAS so happy for her. And…Marayna needed her, the kingdom needed her, now more than ever, with everything going on, they would need an extra pair of eyes to watch Agravaine.

"Are you the visiting princess?" the boy looked up at Mithian.

"I am," she nodded, tentatively holding out a hand to the boy, "Princess Mithian, of Nemeth."

The boy nodded and shook her hand, "Edmund of…Camelot," he shrugged.

"Is your master in Edmund?" Gwen asked him, "The Princess's horse has thrown its shoe and we need another crafted."

"I can do it!" Edmund volunteered, "My master's taught me how to do horse shoes AGES ago!" he raced back inside to get the supplies he'd need to be able to start crafting it, thinking the princess wouldn't wish for her horse to be brought to the forge so he would go to it and get the proper measurements, knowing that royalty preferred their horseshoes specifically crafted for their individual horse.

"He's rather…eager," Mithian smiled, "One does not often see a passion like that among the youth in apprentice ships at that age. Most have grown weary of it or disinterested."

"Not in Camelot," Gwen remarked, "Edmund wouldn't…" she cut herself off.

"Wouldn't what?" Mithian glanced at her.

Gwen sighed, lowering her voice, "Edmund likely wouldn't even be alive now, if not for Rayna. Wouldn't have survived the first winter, him or his friends."

"Why?" Mithian frowned, shocked at that.

"Edmund is an orphan," Gwen explained quietly, "Rayna saw him in the market her first week here, him and three others, and gave them food. Arthur was nearly livid that she'd wasted it on them but she explained Edmund was an orphan, told him about this sort of…program they had in her village, something one of the villagers used to do to help the orphans, take them in, find them apprenticeships so they'd have a craft in the future. I don't know exactly what she said, but it got through to Arthur and he and Morgana organized the same here. Edmund," she nodded at him, "He and the others are thriving, they're so excited to learn because they know it'll keep them alive in the future, keep them safe and secure to learn a craft. If it wasn't for Rayna…" she shook her head, unable to think of it.

Mithian looked back at the boy, carefully selecting a tool or two, "He seemed to expect her to come with you."

"Because she usually does," Gwen shrugged, "Rayna likes to surprise them with visits when she can. See how they're doing. They…" she let out a little laugh, "I think they're doing so well because they want to impress her. They want to do well and make her proud because, if it wasn't for her, they'd be in the streets still or worse."

"Ready!" Edmund cheered as he came back to the door, making sure the forge was secure and a note had been left for his master as he turned to follow them back, Mithian quiet as she thought on what Gwen had told her.

~8~

Mithian slowly made her way towards Morgana when she saw the woman at the edge of the training fields that were near the stables. Edmund was…a remarkable boy, very skilled, truly had a talent for his craft and he had assured her that her horse would be tended to before the day was out. Quite the promise for a boy, but she was starting to think that he would certainly get it set. She'd spotted Morgana standing there alone, and Gwen had quickly dismissed herself and rushed off, knowing that it meant Marayna was alone. She got the feeling that the queen would be a bit annoyed that someone was always tending to her, she seemed the sort, but right now there was something she wanted to ask Morgana about.

"What are they doing?" Mithian asked first, completely forgetting her first question when she saw what Morgana was grinning and cheering about. Merlin was standing in the middle of a ring of knights, facing Arthur, both men with their shirts off, staffs in their hands…and Merlin was WINNING.

"Arthur likes to tease Merlin about his skills with weapons, so Merlin always challenges him to a staff battle when he gets annoyed," Morgana smiled, "Arthur likes to think he's getting 'less rusty' with each staff battle against Merlin…but he really is just rubbish with a staff. I love seeing Merlin dueling like that, when HE isn't the one being embarrassed all the time."

"He's actually besting the prince?" Mithian blinked, "You told me once that Arthur could boast an expert in any weapon and prove it true."

Morgana sighed, "Yes, but that was against the knights."

Mithian looked at the knights gathered and back to her, "Aren't all of them but Merlin knights?"

"Yes, but the knights I was speaking of weren't there when I visited those times," Morgana agreed, "Three of them, Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan," she pointed them out, "Were the first of the Knights of the 'Other Houses.' Lancelot as well," she added quietly.

"Other houses?"

"Non-nobles."

Mithian gaped at her, "You have commoner knights?" she'd heard rumors of it but she'd thought it was just a rumor!

Morgana nodded, "Marayna spent ages whispering in Arthur's ear about that one…" she scoffed, "More like shouting at him about it."

"She convinced the king to ignore the code?" Mithian seemed horrified.

"She was right too," Morgana glance at her, "Mithian, with all the enemies that Camelot attracts because of Uther's tyranny…we lost so many men, so many good, noble men. Can you imagine any noble family in the kingdom that would be willing to supply more sons to a cause that would likely end with them dead before they could even be properly trained?" she shook her head, "Those men proved themselves over and over, their prowess with a blade, their skill with weapons, and their loyalty. What did it matter if they were not noble in blood if they were noble in heart?"

"And Arthur agreed?"

"He didn't exactly have a reason not to accept commoner knights when his wife was the same," Morgana gave her a pointed look, "And it was the best decision he could make. So many more men, men who are truly more skilled than quite a few knights, have joined the ranks now. Our army is stronger than ever with the new men joining and it has shown the other knights humility and how to be humble when they are bested by a farmer or by a woodchopper. The knights are less arrogant when it comes to the common people and they are more involved in Camelot, they have more respect for the strength of her citizens than they used to."

They looked over when they heard a rousing cheer to see that Merlin had knocked Arthur on his back, his staff flying to the side, with Merlin's pressed to his chest to keep him down, before Arthur knocked it to the side lightly with a wave and held a hand up to Merlin, allowing the former-servant to pull him up.

"You married a former servant as well," Mithian murmured.

Morgana glanced at her, "I married a man I love," she corrected, "Servant, former-servant, minor Lord…it matters not to me. I'd marry him if he were a fishmonger so long as he makes me happy and loves me…and he does."

Mithian looked at her, seeing the smile on Morgana's face, the sparkle in her eyes as she looked at Merlin and realized…he really did love her and make her happy, didn't he?

~8~

Merlin, as he was not a knight, was not expected to remain behind for the rest of training, something Mithian was a bit thankful for as it gave her an opportunity to catch up to the man as he headed back to the castle, Morgana remaining behind to watch the knights' progress, though she had a small suspicion that Morgana had guessed that she would want to speak to Merlin after her and remained behind for that.

"Prince Merlin…" she called, catching up to him in the corridor.

"Just Merlin," he gave her a tense smile, not exactly fond of her. He had seen how she was treating his sister at times and some of the remarks she'd made.

"But you ARE the prince," she countered, "You are Morgana's husband."

"And I'm still not used to that," Merlin told her, "I don't think I ever will be."

"Being a prince or being a husband?"

"Both," he smiled, thinking about it, "Being Morgana's husband…having her as my wife? It's a dream come true, I doubt I'll ever wake and realize it's reality instead," he looked at Mithian, "I know how you feel about Aya and I, because we were servants and now we're nobility. Gwen's the same though and you seemed to be speaking easily enough with her."

Mithian blinked at that, "She…is?"

Merlin nodded, "One of the knights, Lancelot, he was Gwen's husband. Makes her a minor Lady, even had a ceremony for it. He died."

Mithian's eyes widened at that, realizing that Morgana had mentioned a Lancelot before but she hadn't seen the man there, "I'm sorry."

"We all are," Merlin sighed, "And we're all aware of what you must think of us…"

"I don't…"

Merlin held up a hand to stop her, "I saw you, the looks you sent her, the comments you made, the way you act around my sister. I thought a princess, especially one on negotiations, was meant to be polite and respectful to her hosts? And for all your comments, my sister acted with more dignity and regality than you did," he eyed her a moment, "You're not the first you know, to think she's not the right fit to be queen because of where she comes from. Other nobles feel the same, or did, Uther's own council used to think that, the servants, but you know what? No one thinks it more than my sister does," Mithian looked up at that, "Arthur proposed to her once, she said no."

"What?"

He nodded, "She was terrified that she would do something that would harm the kingdom or negotiations," he gave her a pointed look, "Because she ISN'T a queen, she wasn't raised to be a princess, and she had no idea what she was doing. She knows that, she's tried so hard to be a queen that the people deserve and I think she's doing a remarkable job. She's got the castle running more efficiently than it has in decades, she's helped double the size of the army, she's prevented at least two wars, and she's done all she can to keep the servants she used to work beside as safe as possible, she's helped introduce laws to protect them and…"

"Laws to protect servants?" Mithian asked, though Merlin could hear more of a curiosity than derision in her voice.

"Years ago, before Aya was even really courting Arthur…it was suggested that laws should exist to give more protection to servants," he explained, "Aya and I we…have a history of getting involved in things we probably shouldn't have. We found things out, plots, other crimes going on. But, because we were servants, hardly anyone listened to us or believed us. If a noble said one thing or 'got offended' we could have been executed even being right. I think it was more that Aya was in danger than me but I don't really care because Arthur proposed laws to give servants a voice, to ensure they were listened to and that, if they were honestly making a mistake in accusations, that they wouldn't be executed for it. Servants felt better about bringing things up to the nobles when they saw something happening than before because their lives weren't at stake any longer."

"I hadn't heard of laws like that before."

"It was years ago though," Merlin shrugged, "But that's the point Mithian, I see you looking at my sister, expecting a Queen. But that won't ever be her. I can't count how many times she's said that she really only feels like a servant in a pretty dress, and that's how she wants it. She made a speech to the people that she will first and foremost be a servant, a servant to Camelot and to the people, and that's how she helps prove it. Her gowns mimic the ones she wore as a servant just of a better material. She doesn't want the people to see a distant queen, but a servant among them, that will help them."

He eyed Mithian for a long moment as she thought on that, "And I will always be a servant at heart as well, it shapes who we are, the sort of person we are, to hold onto our past. We can no more cast it off or change what we are inside as you or Arthur could throw off your crowns and call yourselves stable hands. As much as my sister may still act like a servant, I doubt you'd be able to stop acting like a princess," he gave a small laugh, "I've seen Arthur try to, it wasn't pretty."

And with that, he turned and headed down the halls again, leaving Mithian to her thoughts.

~8~

There was one more person Mithian felt she had to speak to. The more she learned about Marayna the more her opinion on the woman was changing and…there was one person she felt could offer even more light on the woman considering the man was both a council member…and the girl's uncle. Gaius had been a man who had come up in a few conversations with Morgana, when the woman would have a nightmare or two during her stay at the castle, the physician. He had been one of Uther's closest advisors, one of Arthur's as well, a man who had been there longer than most and would know the girl better than anyone.

She had…also heard tell from her father that, at one point, Gaius had practiced magic.

"Princess Mithian," Gaius greeted as the door to his chambers opened and she stepped inside, "Is there something you require, my Lady?"

"Yes, yes, I…wanted to speak with you about someone," Mithian began, shutting the door behind her and stepping over to the man.

"I will do my best to help with whatever you wish to know," he offered, "Within reason," he added, having a suspicion that she might be about to ask about Marayna.

"The Queen…" she began, seeing him stiffing and straighten at that, "You are one of the wisest men in the kingdom. I ask that if you…look past your ties to the Queen…do you think Arthur's marriage to her was wise?"

Gaius was silent a long while, considering that, "May I inquire why you are asking?"

"Nemeth and Camelot have been…tentative allies," she tried to explain, "Arthur has offered me a peace offering to strengthen that but…if we become firmer allies…I wish to be sure that there may not be complications that will arise in the future."

Gaius frowned, "You fear Rayna may cause a war?"

"I fear there may be other nobles and visiting king that are not as…tolerable as I have been with the manner in which the queen carries herself and how she acts."

Gaius's lips pursed at the slight against his niece, he knew she wasn't the perfect queen, but she had the heart and soul of a queen. He took a breath, trying to hold onto Mithian's request to give her an honest opinion without thinking of the familial ties between him and Marayna, "I do not believe you will have to concern yourself with such an event," he offered, "In the short while she has been queen…Rayna has prevented more wars than she has sparked and any that appeared to be sparked because of a slight against her, came from Arthur. She has endeavored to maintain the peace, as a Queen must."

"There has been threats of war then?" Mithian pressed.

Gaius sighed, "Arthur listened to…tainted advice from someone he thought to be a trusted advisor and took the life of Queen Annis's husband."

"From the Queen?"

"From his uncle," Gaius corrected instantly.

"I'm sorry," Mithian winced, "Go on."

"Rayna tried to prevent him from committing the act, however her attempts failed and Annis declared war. Armies marched," he offered, not about to tell her it was only a handful of knights against an army, not about to tell her the full effects of what had happened, "Eventually it came about that peace was brokered. Rayna had a hand in it. And only recently she was taken captive by Baron Christian."

"No!" Mithian gasped, even Nemeth was aware of Christian's slave trade, she could guess what had happened.

"Arthur was ready to declare war, nearly did, when he found that his wife had been beaten while in Christian's care. Rayna refused to allow it to happen. She made an argument that he wanted to avenge his wife, but that in so doing, he would cause harm and pains to hundreds of other wives. She tempered his anger and she kept peace between the two realms. Rayna would sooner lay down her life to protect her people and stop a war than to start it. She had gained the respect of UTHER's council for her efforts"

Mithian blinked, seeming surprised at that, Uther and his men were some of the hardest men to gain the trust or respect of, "I had heard that Uther himself arranged for the marriage between Arthur and the queen."

"Rayna," Gaius corrected, "I would suggest you call her that instead, she prefers that. And yes, Uther did. I believe he saw much of his own wife in my niece, the potential to be a good queen."

"I hardly think he saw magic in his wife," Mithian gave him a pointed look, "Do not fear that I will speak of seeing that to anyone, THAT I do know would truly start a war. Arthur…he will defend his wife to the death."

"Yes," Gaius nodded, "He would. And no, Uther did not know," at least, not in the end.

"It must take a brave woman to live in a kingdom such as this, to serve under a king like Uther and be what she is…" Mithian mused.

Gaius hesitated, not sure if he should say it, but knowing Mithian's friendship with Morgana…it might help her accept Marayna more, "Not just her, Merlin and Morgana as well."

Mithian's eyes widened more at that, before she closed them in sadness, Morgana's words and fears of living in Camelot coming back to her now. All the times she thought the woman was being paranoid…it was because, by then, she'd likely learned of her magic. For Morgana to live under Uther's very watch, for Marayna to marry the man's son…

It would take a brave woman indeed.

~8~

When the time came for Mithian and her party to depart, the Princess found herself waiting till it came for Marayna to wish her farewell especially. She knew that, given her behavior to the woman, that it would be entirely within her right for the queen to refuse to see her off. But from what she knew of Marayna and what she'd learned from those closest to her, it wasn't like her to do that and to risk any sort of slight against her or Nemeth. Still, when she saw the queen approach her with Arthur, she couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

"Might I have a word…Rayna?" she asked before Arthur or Marayna could even speak, "Privately?" she glanced at Arthur.

Arthur seemed hesitant to allow it, understandably, but Marayna nodded and led Mithian off to the side, "Is there anything wrong?" she asked the princess.

"No," Mithian smiled at her, "At least not with Camelot, not with you. I wish to apologize to you, Rayna, for my behavior towards you during the delegations."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Marayna shook her head, "I know I'm not exactly the queen most nobles expect to see. I fault no one for what they think of me for it."

"You may not, but my actions were inexcusable," Mithian continued, "As a princess…no, as a human being, I should have acted better to you. I have learned…so much about you in my stay here my Queen," she added, laughing a bit when she saw the Marayna roll he eyes at that, "And I have learned something that should have been obvious to me from the start. I ought not judge others by where they have come from, but instead where they are and what they are now…and you," she reached out to take Marayna's hand, "You are truly going to be the most magnificent queen, the best Camelot has ever had."

Marayna smiled at that, "Thank you," she whispered. It meant…quite a lot to her to hear that. She had always felt like she wasn't a proper queen, that she might not have what it took to truly be a good one…but to hear a real princess declare that? It was wonderful, "Sorry," she wiped at her eyes, "The baby makes me cry all the time now…that or slap Arthur in the head."

Mithian chuckled at that, "Well, from what I know of Pendragon men, sometimes it takes a good slap to get through to them."

Marayna laughed at that, "Or a punch. I actually punched Arthur within the first few days of meeting him."

"And now you're Queen," Mithian remarked, "Perhaps I ought to try that with some visiting princes."

"You knew know," she smiled, "It worked for me."

Mithian reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out a scroll, "If you could bestow this upon Arthur…Nemeth relinquishes their claim on Gedref."

Marayna's eyes widened, "Are you sure?"

Mithian nodded, "I believe we have gained more from this visit than a mere trifle of land. But a new friendship," she nodded, "And a new, stronger alliance."

"Camelot accepts," Marayna nodded, "And declares Nemeth among our friends."

Mithian leaned in and hugged her as much as she could with Marayna's prominent stomach in the way, pulling back to place her hand on it, "May I?" she asked first before doing so when Marayna nodded, smiling when she felt a strong kick, "I wager five gold coins it's a girl," she whispered, "Camelot could do with more princesses to kick the men into shape."

Marayna laughed heartily at that, "Perhaps it will be, I shall be sure to let you know."

"I look forward to it," Mithian squeezed Marayna's hand once more before she turned to return to her horse, nodding a prim goodbye to Arthur as she got on herself, and turned to gallop away with her men.

"What did she wish to speak of?" Arthur asked as Marayna moved back to his side, the two of them looking out and watching as the party left.

"Nemeth gives up Gedref in exchange for a stronger alliance."

"What?!" Arthur looked at her, stunned.

Marayna nodded, "And Mithian bets this is a girl," she patted her stomach.

Arthur just shook his head, laughing a little as he put his arm around her shoulder, resting his other hand on her stomach, "Whatever it is," he smiled at her, "I want it to be just like you," he whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek.

Marayna smiled, "Whatever it is," she mimicked, "It had best not have your ego."

Arthur laughed even more, "With you keeping it in check…I doubt it would."

Marayna's smile grew a bit sad at that, just a month, possibly less, and the baby would be there…or it wouldn't, or it would and she wouldn't or neither of them would or…

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, putting her hand on her stomach as well, feeling the baby kick against it and praying that everything would work out.

A/N: I hate the times when you're sick and you just sleep through everything :( I apologize for the second time this story is late, I apparently slept though my alarm for posting the chapters and didn't wake up till about 5 minutes ago, which is why there was no tumblr post to warn about the lateness :( -sigh- Sorry!

Some notes on reviews...

That's ok, I hope you enjoyed your holiday :) And I'm not upset nope, it was probably someone trying to start something :)

I ship Mergana yup :) I was torn because I thought Freya was cute with Merlin, but I just feel like it was too fast and he liked her more because she was a pretty girl who had magic instead of because of some deep profound connection and built up relationship :) Oh I don't think I could do a story like that, it might kill me to bring them all together. But I can say that, if I ever stopped writing in the future, that would be how I'd want to go, posting all the OCs getting together for one big send off :) I can say I have a one-shot crossover coming though on the 13th, a SuperWhoLock for Michelle, Proffy, and Leena :)

Oh I've got a twist planned for Kara ;)

Mithian won't make a move nope, I think she's more confused as to why he'd pick a servant/peasant over a princess, but she understands now :)

I actually try not to read stories in the same fandom that I am writing (or am going to write) a story in as I don't want to be influenced by the stories and want my own to be as original as possible. Once I finish my PJO story and post it, I'll be happy to check the story out, but it may not be for a while :)

The PJO probably won't be till next year or the year after, I've got a list of upcoming stories on my tumblr's 'Upcoming Stories' page that has all the stories for 2014 and the dates they'll be posted :) We have...2 more Doctor Who series, a Once Upon a Time, a Big Bang Theory, a Thor/OC, a Anakin/OC, and Aragorn/OC coming this year, along with 2 crossover stories (in less than a week, and in October) :) I think for Morgana it's more one of those friends you have for the sake of the kingdom or have been acquaintances with for a long time. I think Mithian was more confused about what a prince saw in a servant enough to marry her and make her queen so she sees everything Marayna does as having 'low' quality to it. You definitely nailed Marayna, she wouldn't want a war just because one princess was being less than warm to her ;) I can say a few things about names will come up before the end of the story ;) Oh the knights are definitely going to want in on being 'related' to the baby ;) I like it, it struck me as a 'silly face' yup, I like them both ;) Lol, I do tend to put smilies in a lot don't I? I think it's mostly because I'm just so happy to answer a review that I just put that smile into it :) Like now! Lol. Yup, the author that was plagiarizing my Supernatural story removed the stories (or they were removed by the site, I'm not entirely sure about that one) and changed their name to some number sequence I think, I keep an eye on their account though incase they try again, but so far, nothing :) I'm not sure if I'll do other Merlin stories, mostly because I feel like I'd want to do a Merlin/OC but I love him with (good)Morgana too much to really think I can make myself put him with an OC. So this might be the only Merlin series, similar to how Leena might be my only Sherlock series :)

We'll see quite a bit coming for Gwen, but more in Series 5 and a very big twist for her at the end of this story but I can't say what }:)

I don't care much for Harry/Ginny either. It was weird, at first I liked it, but then Luna came in and I just loved her :) I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far :)