WOW! So many reviews *happy dancing* :D 26! Woo hoo!
Okay, from what I have seen, the result is:
Hunith: 10
Gwaine: 12
There are also a few who wish for Hunith, but admit that Gwaine will be more fun. It's up to you by this point. :D hahah
The next morning, Merlynn gathered herbs in the forest just as she did every fortnight. She allowed this time to think about her future; she could see it. Merlynn would enter their chamber in the morning to see them sleeping in the same bed, have to watch as the two kissed and acted like a married couple together. She couldn't kiss him, nor could she comfort him like she usually did. That was too much of a closeness for them while he was married; Merlynn loved Arthur more than she loved any man but, if he ended up married to Elena, she would not destroy a strong-linked marriage.
She was not a woman like that. 'I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens,' she had told him a couple of years ago. And Merlynn still believed in that: no matter what.
Glancing up, she caught sight of Grunhilda stomping through the forest, her back to her. She smiled in amusement as she watched her trip; curiousity peaked, she followed the old, robust nurse, weaving through the trees. When she found her once again, Grunhilda was perched on a rock, feet delved in the water, with a strange choking noise emitting from her.
Her head shot forward. Merlynn frowned at the action; her eyes flashed gold, slowing time. What she saw made her eyes widen. Grunhilda had a long, purple tongue, and was collecting flies and eating them. She gaped in shock and rushed off into the underbrush toward Camelot.
"She's a frog!" she exclaimed to herself as she stumbled over the small bushes.
oOo
Merlynn relayed what she had seen to Gaius. He listened attentively the whole time, trying to decipher what exactly was the cause of the odd tongue, and the strange appetitive. "I've seen some strange tongues in my time," he remarked as she finished. "Maybe she was suffering from an infection. Was it discoloured?"
"Discoloured? Yes." Merlynn shuddered.
He hummed. "Brown?"
She shook her head, and picked up the thick, around metre or so long stick from the table. "Purple. And long, like this." She hovered it in front of her mouth.
Gaius' eyes widened slightly in surprise. "That's not an infection," he stated.
"No. It's magic," she concluded. "Some sort of magical creature has infiltrated Lord Godwyn's household. The question is: why?"
"I don't know. But I have a feeling we should probably find out," he mused ruefully.
oOo
Gaius headed out to snoop around in Elena's guest chambers. As he did so, Merlynn was left alone to...wait. For the first time in her life, it wasn't her who had to creep about like a silent shadow in search for knowledge concerning evil beings, now she was Gaius usually in this situation.
She had to sit there, and wait. Merlynn was getting impatient. Moments later, the door opened. Instead of Gaius that she had thought, it was Arthur. She frowned slightly in confusion. Arthur didn't say a single word; however, he simply stormed over to her and captured her lips with his. The kiss was rough, desperate, filled with longing that they had supressed.
Merlynn was quick to grab onto the table behind her in shock with one hand, the other reaching up to grip onto the back of his neck. He pulled back for a moment to catch his breath, before slamming them together once more. Arthur's hands gripped at her neck, waist, thighs, dragging his nails over her skin.
She was pressed into the table; he soon lifted her up, and pulled her closer. A groan left his mouth. Soon, rationality returned to her body and she pushed him back slightly, dropping to her unsteady feet.
"Arthur, what are you doing?" she asked, breathless.
He licked his lips. "I had to see you. I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to spend any time with you, and all this marriage nonsense is stressing me out to the point where I could punch a wall!"
"Oh," she replied. "What if Gaius had been here?"
"Then I would have taken you back to my chambers and ravished you there," he muttered.
Merlynn sighed. "With your father and Lord Godwyn watching you like a hawk? Arthur, we need to be careful."
"I hate this! I really do. I don't want to marry that...girl, have you seen her? She's so horrid," he complained.
"She really can't be that bad," she returned.
Arthur pouted. "Oh, she really is. Did you see her at dinner? Eugh, I have never seen someone so appalling! Even the people in the Lower Town have more manners."
"That may be the case but that's what both your father's want. They will not stop until you two are married, and you know this, Arthur!" she said, almost heatedly.
"It's like you want this to happen," he accused.
"Of course I don't!" she burst out. "But you knew, from the beginning, that we could never be together. I knew there would be a time when you'd be given a marriage choice, and you need to go through with it, Arthur. It's what is right."
Arthur slumped, his arms crossing limply across his chest. "I want to marry for love, I want to marry you. I do not love her; I never will. Merlynn, I couldn't spend my life with that woman. I don't feel anything toward her, and I will not go through with it. Never."
"You cannot change two-hundred years of history, Arthur," she said sadly, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. He turned his head; Arthur brought their lips together again. It was more tender, sad, and soon he brought her into his arms, kissing her head gently.
"I need to go, but I love you," he told her fondly.
"As I love you," she returned with a small, dejected smile.
Minutes after he left, Gaius waltzed in. Merlynn pasted on another smile and pretended to be interested in whatever he was saying about Grunhilda and Elena. But, she was solemn and kept glancing at the door as if Arthur was still there. Their lives were in more peril than ever before...Her ears perked when she heard the words 'pixie dust'.
"Pixie dust?" she echoed.
He nodded, and finished pacing. "There's no mistaking it. Grunhilda is a pixie. It would explain a thing or two. Pixies have one weakness, which is for...more...distinguished gentlemen."
"What are you trying to say?" she questioned, cocking her brow.
"Grunhilda has shown a certain interest toward me," he confessed hesitantly.
Her upper lip curled in revoltion. "She likes you?" He nodded. "Oh, that is disgusting." Gaius turned to her, outraged. "Imagine...imagine if she kissed you. Ugh."
"Merlynn!" he barked. "Pixies are the servants of the Sidhe. To them Elena could be very valuable. I think Elena may be a changeling."
"Changeling?" she repeated, confused.
"Inhabited by a fairy at birth," he explained. "It would explain the clumsiness."
"And Elena has no idea this thing's inside of her?"
He shook his head. "And when the time comes, it will possess her entirely."
"You think that time is now," she said in realisation.
"The Sidhe live for more than a thousand years. They're a patient people. It may be that they have created this changeling knowing that Lord Godwyn and the House of Pendragon would one day seek unity through marriage," Gaius declared. "That would give the Sidhe something they want more than anything."
Her eyes widened. "A Sidhe queen."
oOo
Merlynn and Gwen had been ordered to be the personal servers for the Pendragon dinner. She didn't really want to go, but Gwen begged her to. It was becoming stranger to spend her time with Arthur, trying to hide the feelings that brewed within for him. She lay Arthur's plate of food in front of him, quickly withdrawing her hand as his fingers secretly brushed over her skin/
"Father, there is a delicate matter I wish to discuss with you," he began, taking a quick glance at Merlynn, then at Gwen, who nodded.
Arthur was brooding on one of the stone benches around the castle. His head rested on his hands as he propped himself up on his knees. Gwen carried Morgana's washing through the corridor, and paused slightly when she caught sight of him. She knew the pain that Merlynn was going through; she didn't want Merlynn to go through the agony of seeing the man she loved constantly among his 'bride'.
She took a seat next to him. His head raised slightly, and saddened eyes acknowledged her. Gwen frowned. "Arthur, there is a matter we wish to discuss."
"Is this about Merlynn?" he asked.
"Of course it is! Do you have any idea how depressed she is?" she snapped. "I have to watch as she slowly becomes detached from the world, and I know you love her."
"You don't think I'm going through the same agony?" he barked back. "I don't care for Elena, nor do I want to marry her. She knows that; but she also realises the determination of my father."
"Well, if you truly love her, like I know you do, then you'll tell your father that you will not marry Elena. You are my friend, Arthur. I don't want to see you in misery and more than I want to see Merlynn in the same state," she announced, and rubbed his shoulder. "Your father might see, all you need to do is ask."
Arthur sighed and watched as Gwen strolled away, washing basket in hand.
"Your proposal. Excellent!" Uther exclaimed joyously. "We must make a fuss. Women like that kind of thing, isn't that right, Morgana?"
Morgana laughed. She was a lot more relaxed, even with Merlynn serving her dinner. However, Merlynn purposely brushed the plate near her nose, so she could check if she had poisoned it. It was a ritual that passed between them, for she knew that Morgana would sniff at the food and look like a troubled rabbit. Morgana nodded slightly and let her lay the food in front of her.
"I have no idea," she giggled. "I'm delighted to hear the news, though."
Uther grinned. "I couldn't be more thrilled."
"She's a wonderful woman," Morgana commented.
"She'll make a wonderful wife," he added.
Arthur sighed; he leaned forward on his forearms and stared dead-on into his father's eyes, determined. "No, she won't." Uther bristled. "Not for me, anyway. Father, I have tried to get to know Elena, but the truth is, I have no feelings for her." He glanced at Gwen, who sent him an encouraged nod. "I'm, I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but I cannot marry someone I don't love."
"You can, and you will," Uther spat finally.
He turned his attention to Merlynn; his heart clenched in his chest as he caught sight of her defeated eyes. She looked away, upset. What the two didn't know was that Morgana caught the exchange between them. She had no idea...This would change things indeed. Morgana had always been curious as to why the two were so close, why they spent so much time together. She never really suspected romance between them. She seethed in her seat; Merlynn, a petty, defiant servant had captured her half-brother's heart, Prince Arthur.
oOo
Merlynn walked through the corridors, moping about. There was no chance that she or Arthur could ever be together, for sure now. Arthur was destined to marry Elena. She sighed. As she headed down the upper corridors which lead to Elena's guest chambers, she heard a high-pitched, pained wail coming from her room. Merlynn lifted herself up onto the small talbe, and peeked through the metal grate into her room. Grunhilda rushed over to the wailing Princess' bedside and sprinkled her pixie dust over her face, making the Sidhe within appear then disappeared.
Merlynn gasped; in that second, she lost her footing and stumbled off the table, knocking it down to the stone floor. It made a loud clang. She bolted away from the scene, Grunhilda catching sight of her tunic as she turned the corner.
"You were right," Merlynn announced as she burst inside the physician's chambers. "Poor girl, no wonder she's got a wind problem. You should see what she's got trapped inside her. We have to tell the King."
Gaius stood. "Merlynn, Lord Godwyn is one of Uther's dearest friends. Accusing him of having a Sidhe for a daughter and a pixie for a nurse is not something that can be undertaken lightly," he pointed out.
"But Uther wants Arthur to marry her," she whined.
"Then we don't have much time," he stated. "We have to find a spell that will force the fairy out of her."
Merlynn thought for a second, then shrugged helplessly. "I don't know anything about Sidhe magic. I know dragon, witch, warlock and sorcery, but Sidhe? No."
"Then it's time we learned." He handed Merynn one of his many Sidhe books.
It was hours. Hours they spent, looking through large, small-fonted books with information about various spells, the history of the Sidhe and all the magical powers they possessed. Merlynn was having to prop her aching head; the small cursive was making her eyes water.
"I think my brain is going to burst, and my eyes just pop out of their sockets," she complained.
"Now, don't make a mess over this one," he jested, handing her another book.
She scoffed. "Why? Is it any more useful than any of the others?"
"It's the last one we looked at, and by the ancient law of Sod, it must provide the answer," he shrugged.
Merlynn frowned; she had never heard anything of the 'ancient law of Sod'. It was one of those gobbledygook stories Gaius told. "What?"
"There is this potion, created long ago by the witches of Marador, which if I am right, will force the fairy out of the girl." He sighed. "I've no idea how to make it. I've no idea what a lot of these ingredients are."
She sighed. "Then we're dead. Arthur will," she gulped, "marry a Sidhe and soon we'll have a blue creature for a queen. Great."
oOo
Merlynn decided to go to Arthur's chambers while Gaius brewed the potion. He was the one who suggested it; but, she found herself wanting to speak to him. As she entered, Merlynn found Arthur standing at his window, leaning against the stone archway. He stared out mournfully, gazing at the happy people walking around the Square, oblivious to his inner turmoil.
He turned, his eyes lighting up slightly at the sight of her. "Merlynn," he greeted softly.
"Hello, Arthur," she returned, and shut the door behind her, walking closer to him. "Everyone's talking about your marriage to Elena. I know you said that it isn't what you wanted, but I also know that you can't always have what you want. I know that very well."
He sighed, and pressed their foreheads together, just like he always did. This time, his eyes shone with desperation. "Is what I want really that insane?" he breathed.
"Yes, Arthur. From anyone's perspective, apart from yours and mine, and maybe Gwen's, it's completely insane," she muttered sadly.
He harshly kissed her temple. "Then I'm happy being insane. Surely it's better than being miserable."
She smiled slightly. "I don't think she will make you miserable. She has a good heart. She and I get along well; we can be somewhat friends."
"But you're more than I could ever want," he whispered.
Merlynn pulled back, and kept a safe distance between the two of them. "We both know it can't be. I've told you this."
"But if I do it." He shut his eyes, before re-opening them. They were stinging slightly with tears. "If I marry her, what will you do?"
"As I've always said, I will be by your side forever, watching you grow into the King that Camelot deserves," she told him softly. "Always." She then left, leaving Arthur to stare after her longingly.
oOo
"Please tell me you fixed the potion," she wailed as she stormed into the room. Gaius jumped from the sudden burst, and took his spectacles from his face. "I can't have Arthur marry a...changeling!"
"Witches of Marador are the worst recipe writers I've known," he grumbled, flicking through one of the books.
She sent him a withering glare. "Gaius!"
"I'm working on it. But we need to find the stamen of the Dropwort flower. They're rarer than a four leaf clover," he returned hastily.
oOo
Arthur waited. He watched as Elena stumbled down the aisle toward him, where he stood with a tense disposition. Elena smiled nervously as she stood in front of him; her hands clasped behind her back.
"I am honoured to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend, Lord Godwyn, and his wonderful daughter, Elena. The people of this kingdom are very dear to me. This place is my life. I hope one day to continue the good work of my father, and to make Camelot a place of peace and happiness," he declared immediately; his voice was curt, with no feeling whatsoever, except maybe the ultimate defeat.
He glanced at the crowd for a moment as they applauded. Arthur wondered where Merlynn was but, then decided, it would be easier for him to not see her disheartened face. Arthur gulped and prepared himself; he never thought proposing would be so painful.
"It is my sincerest hope that you, Princess Elena, share these dreams. With this in mind..." he regretfully went down on one knee. "I would like to ask you to do me the honour of being my...wife."
oOo
Merlynn had run like a wild horse through the forest, in search of the required plant for the potion. She was covered in dirt and grass; she smelt of danky water and damp underbrush. Gaius was brewing the potion as she entered and watched, perplexed, when she held up the plant triumphantly.
"I got it!" she cried in victory.
"Grown in boggy and marshy terrain?" he questioned with a critical expression on his face.
Merlynn narrowed her own eyes at the plant. "In the middle of boggy, marshy terrain. Right in the middle."
"You did a good job," he observed. "This'll sort things out. Hopefully before tomorrow's wedding." He noted that Merlynn's expression dimmed considerably at the mention of the wedding; he knew of Arthur and Merlynn's feelings for each other, and was sad to see her so crestfallen.
"Will it hurt her when the fairy leaves?" she asked worriedly.
"She'll feel like a new person. She probably doesn't realise how much trouble it's been causing her."
oOo
While Merlynn slumbered in her bed, the Sidhe Elder slid from beneath the door in his little, indescribable blue ball of light and hovered over the girl. He scoffed; this little insignificant human could do nothing to the works of the Sidhe, but knew that she could be a little distraction. Merlynn's eyes caught on the luminescent glow beneath her lids and she groggily awoke as the Elder prepared to kill her with his power. Gasping, she rolled from the bed and reached wildly for the Tir-Mor staff as a scorch mark appeared where Merlynn's head previously rested against the pillow.
She dragged the staff from it's hiding place and aimed it at the Sidhe Elder, rushing down the stairs after it. With a blast of power, the ball of light incinerated; however, she didn't take in account that the anti-changeling potion would be in line of the explosion, and broke it in the process.
Merlynn turned to Gaius, who had shot awake during the ruckus. "Please tell me that wasn't all of it." He sent her a sad look; she sighed.
Hours later, Gaius had remade the anti-changeling potion from scratch. The two were both exhausted from another late night; Merlynn was basically falling asleep from where she sat, watching blearily as he brewed the red, sticky liquid. When he finished, he tapped her shoulder and revealed the vial of potion for her to see.
"That's it?" she asked hopefully.
He nodded.
"Thank goodness for that," she breathed.
"Well, there's one more thing. How are we going to get Elena to drink this with Grunhilda around?" he asked, perplexed.
Merlynn had a knowing look in her eyes as she glanced his way. He frowned - he didn't like that expression. "I think I might know a way."
oOo
They had locked Grunhilda in the Camelot Vaults, magically locked in there by Merlynn's powers. From the moment the two had run off from the isolated cage, she kept her mouth shut, but couldn't help release small snickers at the sight of Gaius' saliva - covered face.
"Never speak of it, Merlynn," he warned. "That's what we agreed."
Merlynn nodded. "Of course. But she eats flies, you know."
Now, the two stood outside Elena's guest chambers; their voices were hushed, Merlynn gripping the Tir-Mor staff in her hands, holding it behind her back as an attempt at being inconspicuous.
"You got your staff. When the Sidhe is released, it might not be very happy," Gaius declared.
Merlynn smirked. "Don't worry, I'll be ready for it."
"You better be ready for me first!" Grunhilda roared from behind them. The servant girl whirled around in shock and fired a beam at her, throwing the rather larger woman/pixie to her feet. However, she got up and growled angrily.
She was quick to turn back to Gaius, and pushed him toward the door. "I'll see how long I can hold her off, you better be quick."
Grunhilda attempted to charge at her, but she evaded the attack, forcing the pixie to crash into the wall. Merlynn snickered; she kept a safe distance between them, not wanting some pixie spell to be cast on her. Grunhilda, for an overweight person, was very agile on her feet, avoiding the beams that were aimed at her. Finally, Merlynn cheated. Eyes flashing gold, she slowed time. She then poised the staff in the direction of Grunhilda and sent a large, fiery ball of energy in her direction. It was stronger than the last - the pixie exploded into small pebbles and dust.
Merlynn stormed into Elena's chambers and noticed that the clumsy princess wasn't passed out at all. She sent Gaius an impatient look.
"I'm trying," he whispered in defence.
She sighed; she had to do everything herself. Merlynn took the vial from Elena's hands. "Elena, this will make you feel better. Okay?" She pinched her nose, hung her head back and forced the potion down her throat.
Elena drooped back as Merlynn let her go and writhed as the anti-changeling potion took immediate effect on her body. She began to writhe, the Sidhe desperately trying to fight it's way through the pain of the liquid. Soon, however, the power was too vast and it poured from Elena's mouth.
Merlynn quickly killed it with the Tir-Mor staff. She sighed in relief and leaned on the staff, watching as Elena awoke. The princess sat up primly with a bright smile; she looked a little disoriented, but otherwise healthy.
"Not to worry, my dear. I think you must've fainted," Gaius reassured. "Such excitement!"
"Fainted? I feel...amazing," she gushed. "I haven't felt this good in years!" Then, she frowned, and looked around the room in confusion. "Where is Grunhilda?"
Merlynn smiled slightly. "We'll look into it. You have to get ready. You're, uh, you're getting married today." Her smile depleted, her eyes dimmed sadly. Her whole body seemed to collapse except for her legs, which remained shaky but stable for the most part. She hurried out. It was her duty to give Arthur the ceremonial sword, but she knew she couldn't. Merlynn didn't want to be a mother sending her son to war; a kiss on the cheek, watching as one of the people she truly cherished was being carried off to leave her.
Merlynn hauled herself to Gwen - she was the only person who could do that for her. Gaius wouldn't; Gwen understood what she was going through, somewhat. As soon as she entered Gwen's home, it seemed like the chambermaid was already waiting for her.
"Oh, Merlynn," she sighed, taking notice of her tear-filled eyes and shaky disposition. "Come here."
Merlynn immediately rushed into her arms, taking solace in what her friend could provide for her. Comfort, reassurance. For the first time in a long time, she truly cried; not out of guilt, but of dispair, the loss of Arthur, everything. Gwen didn't mind, she simply pulled her tighter and let her dampen her dress with tears.
When she was finally ready to pull back, Gwen tentatively kissed her cheek and rubbed away her tears. "I would never wish this on anyone," she said sadly.
"Me neither," she hiccuped. "I can't believe it; I mean, I - I told him that I'd keep by him, but there's so much misery. Oh, god."
Gwen kissed her cheek again. "Don't go then. Just stay here, or in your chambers, and I'll come see you with some treats. We never go to do that like I promised. Or you can go out for a horse ride, clear your head."
"But I must," she sobbed. "Arthur's ceremonial sword. I - It's i - in the armoury and he needs it."
She shushed her softly, wiping the stray tears from her cheeks with a reassuring smile. "I'll do it. You just stay here. I'm so sorry, Merlynn."
Merlynn took a seat on the table and rested her head in her hands as Gwen hurried out to give the ceremonial sword to Arthur.
oOo
Gwen gripped the ceremonial sword horizontally, letting it rest within the blazing red material it was wrapped in. She found Arthur in the Throne Room antechamber, looking more petrified and miserable than she had ever seen him before. "I brought you your ceremonial sword," she announced; Arthur whirled around, looking a little disappointed to see her there.
"So Merlynn isn't here, I presume?" he asked with an empty voice.
Gwen sighed. "Of course she isn't. I wouldn't either; she came to me in tears. Here." She handed him the weapon.
"I hope this is me to fall on," he grumbled, slipping it into its sheath. "Should I marry, Elena?"
"That's not really my place to say so," she answered back hesitantly. Gwen wanted to scream at him that he couldn't, but knew that she really had no say in this.
"I'm asking you, it's your job to answer, as my friend," he begged.
Gwen composed herself to look completely dignified. "If you really want to know what I think..." He gestured for her to continue. "Fine. This royal system is completely bonkers! People should marry for love, for true love, not convenience. And if Uther thinks an unhaking makes for a stronger kingdom, then he's wrong. 'Cause you may be destined to rule Camelot, but you have a choice...as to how you do it." She sighed. "But, whatever choice you make, Merlynn and I will be behind you the entire way."
The Throne Room doors opened. Arthur shut his eyes for a few moments, before he turned and hurried inside. She followed after him and took her place near the front next to Morgana; she sent Arthur a pitying, apologetic look.
The whole room turned as Godwyn and Elena entered. Gwen was shocked; she looked more beautiful than she ever expected her to be. The audience seemed to agree with what she saw, and gasped in amazement at the beauty of Princess Elena. Even Arthur was a little surprised to see her walk perfectly, and look clean and beautiful.
Arthur took her hands hesitantly.
"My lords, ladies, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate the ancient rite of hand-fasting, the union of Arthur Pendragon and Princess Elena of Gawant. Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?" Geoffrey announced expectantly, glancing at the prince.
No. "It is," he gulped.
"Is it your wish, Elena, to become one with this man?" he read from his scroll of traditional vows.
Elena glanced at her father doubtfully, then at the floor before she returned her eyes to her soon-to-be-husband. "It is."
"Do any say nay? Then as we gather here today, we are all witness to this rite -"
Merlynn couldn't just let him get married alone. She was still his friend, she still loved him dearly, and he was probably going through more despair than she could ever; he was, of course, the one who was actually going through with the marriage. So, she decided not to wallow in her misery, but go to the wedding as moral support.
She crept into the Throne Room. Merlynn noticed that Elena looked every bit of a princess like she should, and smiled slightly. Arthur glanced toward the back of the room as he heard a slight noise; his eyes caught onto Merlynn's, and he froze. He couldn't marry Elena.
Arthur would never be able to kiss Merlynn, or spend close time with her. Never be able to hold her, or be a normal human around her. That would be expected behaviour around his wife.
"Wait!" he cut Geoffrey off.
There was a tense silence. Uther glared at his son; Godwyn just stared at him confusedly. "There's something you would like to say, Arthur?" Geoffrey questioned.
"Something I should've said a long time ago. Something from the heart I dare not speak," Arthur declared. "Elena, you are a wonderful woman, and a beautiful bride, but I cannot deny my feelings."
Elena smiled. "You do not love me."
Arthur shook his head; she didn't seem upset, instead, she glanced over in the direction of Merlynn and her smile seemed to widen. "And I think, if you are honest, you do not love me either."
"No," she agreed.
Merlynn's eyes were bulging from her head. She couldn't believe that he had actually cancelled the marriage between them. Morgana smirked slightly, and looked back to where Merlynn's eyes were glued to the pair up front.
She knew it.
Gwen, on the other hand, was sufficiently delighted that Arthur had been true to his heart and morals, instead of his father's. She held back tears of joy for her two close friends.
"Then we are both here out of duty. Can you forgive me?" he asked with a relieved smile.
Her father looked upfronted, disappointed, but Elena didn't care. "I agree with all you have said. Thank you, Arthur."
oOo
Merlynn was saddened to see Elena go; the two had become quite close in their short time together. She was doning a prettier dress than the mustard, velvet yellow gown she had worn when possessed by the changeling. Arthur hadn't left her side since Godwyn announced that he was leaving Camelot with Elena.
The two walked down the stairs into the Square, and smiled as the princess made her way over to them.
"I wish you well, Arthur Pendragon. I hope one day we both find the love we deserve," she said, sending Merlynn a secret wink. The servant's mouth gaped with shock; how could she know? Elena offered Arthur her hand and smirked as he kissed it. "In the meantime, if you ever want to be beaten in a horserace, you know where to find me."
"We can team up on him," Merlynn joked. Elena drew her into a tight embrace; she had never been so close to someone, other than Grunhilda, so it was nice to have someone she could be friends with. "It was a wonder to meet you."
"You as well. I must visit again, or I might invite you down to my kingdom," she responded fondly. "I must say, I'll miss you." Elena leaned in and lowered her voice. "But I'm glad I'm going, I don't want my father to shove me into something that will never be mine."
Merlynn flushed, and pulled back from the hug. "Goodbye, Elena."
They waited until Elena and Godwyn had disappeared from sight before they headed back up to Arthur's chambers. As they entered, Arthur slammed the door behind him before pulling her into his arms, pressing a tender kiss to her hair.
"I missed you," she muttered against his neck, kissing the skin there.
Arthur lifted his head only to capture their lips; he had longed for another kiss between them. He could only imagine life as a married man and having Merlynn around him, but never being able to touch her. She lingered for a few moments before pulling back with a slight smile.
"I missed that," she added, laughing.
"To think that I'd never be able to kiss you again," he sighed.
Merlynn shrugged. "I don't know, I don't think you were good enough for her. She's a really very lovely girl," she remarked.
"Mmm. Well, I had hoped to have forsaken her for one equally as lovely. Who knows, perhaps even more so," Arthur hinted.
"I do not know of such a person," she shrugged with the small suggestion of a grin.
"Me neither. But I guess only time will tell." He chuckled.
Merlynn rolled her eyes. "I'm sure, Arthur."
Okay! I will miss Elena - she was a fun sort, and she and Merlynn are a bit close! So...what did you guys think? I'm almost finished writing the Castle of Fyrian, so I hope you enjoy what I've done with it; hopefully it's not too complicated 0.o
