Okay...so I'm slightly terrified (but prepared) if you guys are disappointed with what I have chosen to do for this chapter. However, I was thinking with a hellova lot of logic - along with the very helpful mind of xXMistressMadHatterXx thank you very much :)
If you guys don't enjoy it, do tell me, but there isn't very much I can do about it I'm sure. Except, if you guys really don't enjoy it, I can add extra stuff and change it around a bit to the original plan...
Enjoy!
Merlynn left Arthur's chambers with a smile. She was in a much chipper mood than she previously had been in; everything seemed to be fine for the moment, and she allowed herself to simmer in all the happiness her days exuded. As she entered the physician's chambers, she noticed that it was otherwise empty, and sighed. Gaius was probably out tending to a patient late-night again; there was even a note, wishing her a goodnight's rest.
She smiled slightly and put the note down. It was then that she heard a creak from upstairs in her chambers. Merlynn paused, and stared up at the slightly open door of her room; something wasn't right. She slowly picked up the potion vial, which was the first thing that appeared in her hands, and crept up the stairs in trepidation.
Merlynn nudged open the door. "Hello?" she muttered.
There was a man, sitting on her bed. He stood as she stopped in the middle of the doorway, and she noticed his height and weight. The man could easily overpower her, with one quick swift of a limb and she would be down for the count. Merlynn gasped slightly in shock and tensed.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed, afraid.
He simply stepped toward her, sinister, threatening. Merlynn stumbled back and tripped on her stairs. She toppled down the wooden staircase, hitting each edge, until she was sprawled on the floor of the lower chambers. She coughed; there was a sharp pain in the back of her head, and she could feel blood begin to trickle down her neck. Merlynn began to crawl back when she heard the tell-tale noise of the man coming down the stairs after her, until her back touched the shins of another person. She was then tugged up harshly by her hair, and a cloth was shoved over her mouth.
Merlynn tried to scream, struggle, do something. She even attempted to use her magic, but the toxins on the cloth had dulled her mind, made her incoherent and vision blurry. With a final, strangled cough, she slipped into unconsciousness.
Darkness.
oOo
Arthur woke up late. He woke up angry. Merlynn wasn't there like she usually was, calling 'Good morning, Starshine! The Earth says 'hello'!' as she did nearly every morning. He quickly dressed and stormed to the Council Chamber for Sunday breakfast; as he took a seat, his father and Morgana seemed to notice his raging mood.
Gwen was serving breakfast this morning, which was usually a job shared by herself and Merlynn, and was a bit curious herself as to where the stumbling servant was. She, however, kept nonchalant about it for the moment. That was until Arthur put his hand over the cup, an angry, sharp look in her eyes.
"No, thank you," he denied curtly.
"Anything the matter?" Uther asked in a casual tone.
He sighed. "It seems like my servant didn't show up for work this morning. Which is rather strange."
"That's not like her," Gwen muttered to herself, catching the attention of the three royals. She swallowed. "Sorry, My Lord."
"I hope nothing's wrong," Morgana exclaimed, hand clutched at her collarbone. Inside, she was giggling like an old wife; her plan was working perfectly. Arthur was worried, which also meant her suspicions were confirmed.
"You needn't worry, the both of you," Uther reassured. "After all, Arthur, if your servant can no longer be relied upon, we can easily replace her."
Arthur ran a hand over his face. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon enough."
"I'm sure," Morgana agreed, the hint of a smirk on her lips.
oOo
After breakfast, Arthur caught up with Gwen. Worry overrode the anger that was quick to well up within his being. "Gwen!" he called, and she stopped with the same concerned look in her eyes. "Can you go to Merlynn's, and see if she's alright, please?"
"Of course, Arthur. I'll be quick," she said, hurrying off through the castle toward the physician's chambers.
When she crept into Merlynn's chambers, she was glad that Gaius was taking care of Sir Grant for the evening, and rushed up the stairs. "Merlynn?" she whispered. "Are you here?"
She pushed the door open; it was slightly cracked, as if something had slammed against it. Merlynn was not in her room, but there was a shift in the bed. Someone had sat down, or mussed up the sheets. Gwen turned and sighed - she wasn't home.
As she made her way back down the stairs, it was then that she noticed the small blotch of blood on the floor. Gasping, she crouched down and felt at it; a bit dry, but it still rubbed off onto her fingers. Gwen noted a small piece of cloth laying nearby the splotch and picked it up.
It was tainted.
oOo
Merlynn was dragged and tossed into a large throne room, where a man sat languidly on his elaborate throne, cutting up an apple. The blade he was using was long, sharp and easily used to slit her throat. She shuffled back, hands bound by rope.
"Merlynn," the man, who she realised was King Cenred, stood from his throne and strolled over to her. He was ruggedly handsome - with piercing dark eyes and an alluring tone to his voice. She glared back fearfully. "I trust you had a pleasant journey."
"Why have you brought me here? What have I done?" she asked.
He chuckled lowly, and leaned down, capturing her eyes in his. "I have a guest. I thought you'd be interested in seeing her."
Merlynn turned her head, curious, as to who the 'guest' was. She watched as a woman was dragged into the Throne Room, and tossed to her knees just like she was. Merlynn couldn't decipher her by the bag over her head, so waited until it was torn away.
When it was, she gasped.
"Mother!"
Hunith's red-rimmed eyes widened sufficiently at the sight of her and drew her into a motherly, protective embrace. She checked Merlynn over; gentle kisses were pressed to her forehead. "Merlynn," she breathed.
"Ah, a mother and daughter reunited," Cenred remarked sarcastically. "How quaint."
Merlynn glared up at the king from her position in her mother's arms, and kept Hunith behind her. "What do you want with us?"
"All in good time, my dears," he said. Cenred and his men then left, leaving Hunith and Merlynn alone in the Throne Room, crouched on the floor. Immediately, the servant girl turned to her mother and ran a hand over her face.
"Mother, have they hurt you?" she asked worriedly.
She shook her head, a reassuring smile on her face. "No, Merlynn. They've just kept me in a holding cell. I was just collecting food in the forest when these men came and overpowered me." Tears entered her eyes; a shaky hand covered her mouth. "I tried to run, but they - they drugged me. I woke up here."
Merlynn frowned. She kissed her temple softly, and checked her for any exterior injuries. "You are fine now, mother. I'll get you out of here." She paused. "What does he want with us? Surely we're of no importance."
Hunith sighed, and put her head over hers. "Who knows, Merlynn? How've you been?" her attempt at light-heartedness. "I kind of miss Camelot."
"Really, you don't," she chuckled. "It's not that great."
"Yes it is, because you're there," she said.
oOo
Gwen was quick to bolt to Arthur's chambers, where she knew he'd be waiting for her discovery. She gripped the drugged cloth in her hands and basically shoved it into his line of sight. He jumped back slightly in surprise, and stared at it in confusion. Then, he glanced up at her face, looking the least bit condescending toward the chambermaid, who simply looked horrified at the sight of the cloth.
"What is that?" he asked distastefully.
"I found it in Merlynn's chambers," she explained.
He cocked his brow. "It's a scrap of cloth."
"I know."
"Gaius is a physician, surely he has scraps of cloth around the place." He crossed his arms over his chest. "How could that be important, Guinevere?"
She pursed her lips. "It was near a splotch of blood. Smell it."
"Blood?" he questioned, then frowned further. "And no."
"Smell it, you donk!" she hissed, shoving it into his hands.
Arthur sighed and, after inhaling it deeply, promptly passed out onto the floor. Her eyes were wide as she watched him reawaken in shock of falling; his hand rubbed at his head, and he groaned. Slowly, he stood, then slumped on one of his many chairs in his chambers, his own eyes bleary and unfocused. Arthur coughed.
"What is that?" he croaked.
Gwen shrugged. "I'm not sure. But, when I asked Gaius, he said it was a mixed compound of hogswart and phylarian."
"You could knock a man out with that," he commented in a tired, still disoriented voice.
"Yes. Or a woman?" she hinted.
Arthur's eyes widened in realisation.
oOo
Hunith was carried away from her; she was left alone in the Throne Room with Cenred. They had met before - Merlynn was fourteen, and her mother had tried to beg with Cenred for the resources of Ealdor, but he denied her any sort of help. She hated him from that moment. He handed her a goblet of water and stared at her intensely with those calculating eyes of his. She guzzled the contents down; her mouth was like dried parchment, and needed to sate her throat. When she was finished, she released a much-needed breath of air and returned the gaze of Cenred, gaze darkening.
"Where did you take my mother?" she demaned.
"She's safe. For now," he added with a sinister edge to his tone.
She clutched the goblet tighter in her hands, and struggled the tiniest bit when it was stolen from her grip. "How do I know that?"
"We can talk about your mother later." Cenred circled her and leaned down to her ear, brushing her hair back softly. "I want to talk about you, and what you can do for me."
"What could I possibly do for you?" she snapped.
"You can bring me Arthur Pendragon," he answered with a slow chuckle which reverberated through her back.
Merlynn froze; Cenred felt it, and leered. She composed herself, blinking away sudden tears. "I'm just a servant, I have no influence with the Prince."
He laughed. "I think we both know that's not true."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied smoothly.
"Enough!" he roared and whirled her around, one hand coming up to clasp her chin. "You will bring him here. I don't care how you do it, all I care is that it is done. You have a week."
"And if I do not?" she asked, her last sliver of defiance in her tone.
"Then I'll let you watch while I tear Hunith's heart out," he replied in a casual, but threatening voice. He nodded to the person who had secretly popped up behind her while she was distracted.
There was a sharp pain at the back of her head, and then darkness.
oOo
Merlynn awoke in her own chambers, head throbbing. She absently rubbed at her wrists; the rope that had bound her hands rubbed her skin red-raw, and she had injuries on her ankle and the back of her head. Merlynn tried to ignore the sudden urge to cry as she realised that her mother was still with Cenred, and she had to bring Arthur to the wretched king in exchange for Hunith's safety.
Whatever was she supposed to do? She had to save her mother; she couldn't just leave her. Merlynn's mind reeled. Arthur would be out training for the moment, so she had time to collect his clothes to wash before he caught sight of her. She didn't want to see him just yet - she wasn't ready.
So, she quickly changed into cleaner clothes and scurried off to his chambers, hurrying to stuff all his dirty tunic and pants into his washing basket. Cleaning always cleared her mind for the most part. Merlynn then attempted at taking the back route of the castle down into the laundry, so as she could not be seen by anyone.
But, she slammed into a soft body and was propelled to her feet along with the stranger.
"Merlynn!" Gwen exclaimed with a soft 'oof' of surprise. Her eyes widened as she looked her over. "Where have you been? I've been searching the whole town for you. Arthur's been worried sick. He's been using me as his personal look-out minion."
"That's very sweet of him." She chuckled humorlessly. "I just had a cold, that's all. Nothing too big."
"I went to your house, Merlynn, you weren't there," Gwen stated, eyes capturing hers in a strong, worried gaze.
Merlynn sighed. "That was because I was - er - I was out gathering things for Gaius."
"I spoke to him," she countered. "He said he had no clue where you were." Merlynn looked panicked, but had a level of cool reserve which surprised Gwen slightly. That was until she glanced down and noticed the purplish-red bruises which banded around Merlynn's feminish wrist, something that she had obviously tried to hide. "Oh, Merlynn. Who did that to do?"
"Nobody," she denied, tugging her tunic sleeves down over her wrists.
"Merlynn. Tell me the truth. I know when you're lying now," she said.
Merlynn finally stared back at her, and her resolve was slowly breaking down. "It's fine," she assured shakily. "I'm - I'm fine." She didn't cry, but she put a hand over her mouth to muffle the dry sobs that were escaping her lips. Merlynn couldn't take it anymore - she had to expell her emotions, or they'd brew like a hurricane and overflow in bursts of magic.
Gwen was quick to grab her friend by the arm and take her, along with Arthur's laundry, to her quaint house for some tea. She needed the warm liquid, and so did Merlynn. As they travelled through the Lower Town, Merlynn had composed herself for the most part, and smiled reassuringly at those who stared slightly in concern for her. Or, they just simply wanted to find a reason to gossip about the clumsy servant.
Merlynn settled herself at Gwen's dining table. She watched as Gwen brewed some tea for them, and rested her head on her hands; she didn't look up when the chambermaid took her seat, too engrossed in her thoughts of Hunith.
"Merlynn, tell me what happened."
And she did. Everything. From being kidnapped, to seeing Hunith, to Cenred's threat and her final journey back to Camelot. For a moment, everything was silent as she finished her torturous situation, and Gwen simply stared at her.
Then, she finally spoke, her voice soft and quiet. "What I don't understand is how they knew." Gwen looked thoughtful as she considered it.
"About?" Merlynn questioned. She nodded in realisation. "Arthur's feelings for me."
Gwen sighed. "It's common knowledge Arthur would lay down his life for any of his subjects. Cenred could've taken anyone. But, it's strange that he had such confidence in that Arthur would do anything, and use Gwaine, of all people, as a threat."
"Do you really believe that?" she asked dubiously.
Her smile was assuring and her eyes shined with kindness as she rested a hand over hers. "All I know is you're back home safe with your friends. You don't have to face this alone."
"Yes, I do, Gwen," she said. Her mouth twisted bitterly. "I've always faced all my troubles alone. I especially can't involve Arthur now."
"You're forgetting something, Merlynn. Arthur's already involved."
"Not if I don't tell him about it. I can just infiltrate the kingdom, well, after I find it, and sneak my mother out and come back to Camelot," she declared, but there was a doubt in her eyes.
Gwen clasped her hand tighter. "Merlynn. Arthur's always come to you with his problems, don't you think that, just this once, he'd like for you to go to him?"
"Maybe. But," she growled in frustration, "it's just so difficult! It's my mother, but I cannot let a prince die."
"You're a good friend, and Arthur will willingly go, you know that. He's the only chance you have, Merlynn."
oOo
Gwen was by Merlynn's side the entire time that she relayed her story to Arthur. He didn't dare embrace her in Gwen's presence, for that was for when they were alone. Arthur's fists clenched when Cenred was mentioned; since his first attack, he had hidden himself, but now, it was an act of war.
An act of war that his father would only scoff at and disregard without any care.
Merlynn was shaken, he could tell, as could Gwen. He took a seat across from her and smiled as a soft of detached comfort. Arthur then couldn't help but wonder the same thing that they were all thinking of: how could Cenred know? One of his few weaknesses, his clumsy servant. Someone he'd risk everything for, including his throne.
He could understand Cenred's tactics for leverage, using her mother. Cenred knew Hunith, and Merlynn, for they both resided in his kingdom. Smart move, he grumbled to himself. But, he listened to her tale attentively and, as she described the castle from what she had briefly seen, his eyes widened in realisation.
"The Castle of Fyrien, I'm sure of it," he declared confidently.
Merlynn shrugged. "I have no knowledge of it."
"Fyrien was a merchant," he told them. "He built a castle on the sea of Marador as an outpost for trade routes to the east, but when war broke out with Caerleon, the trade dried up. The castle was abandoned."
"And so it's ruined now?" Gwen questioned.
"Well, no. It was built to withstand anything. For Cenred, it's the perfect hideout," Arthur answered.
"I didn't get to see the real outside, except once while I was flickering in and out of consciousness, but it couldn't be an easy place to infiltrate," Merlynn stated dubiously.
Gwen cocked her brow. "And you wanted to go alone."
"Shut up," she brushed off.
"You'll not be going alone. And, as for the question, it isn't. It will be well defended," he agreed, eyes flashing at the thought of Merlynn facing Cenred alone. She couldn't.
Merlynn drew her legs beneath her and began to play with her hair, it's dark, slightly knotted strands somewhat comforting, normal. "I'm sorry, Arthur. Gwen forced me to bring this to you."
"Good. You needed to. It concerns me," he retorted with a soft of 'pft' in his voice. Then, he sighed. "Hunith will come to no harm."
"How can you be so sure?" she snapped, a little defensively. Merlynn was in a panic when it came to her mother; once again her mother was in misery and pain because of her.
"Because we're going to rescue her," Arthur said, a hint of a smile on his lips, coming toward her. He leaned his arm on the table next to him.
Merlynn frowned slightly. "What do you mean "we"?"
"The three of us," he confirmed.
"Need I remind you, Arthur. Cenred wants you dead," Gwen pointed out in exasperation. "That's why he's doing this."
"I know. Cenred's wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember," he commented.
"Then we'll be walking into a trap," Merlynn remarked; her eyes narrowed at Arthur, trying to see how he'd react to the obvious truth.
As always, he paused, and attempted to ignore abformentioned obvious. "Not necessarily."
"Your father's never going to let you out," she reminded him.
He hummed thoughtfully. "That's true. So, we need to hatch up a plan. A good one, too."
Gwen stood. "I'm going to go home and pack, while you two decide how to escape. Merlynn, come back to my chambers when you're finished and tell me what happens, alright?"
"Why are you leaving?" she asked.
"I think you need some time alone," she whispered in her ear, winking at Arthur, then left.
Arthur watched her go, brow furrowed. "She's a strange one."
"More normal than I," Merlynn muttered to herself, and also stood. "Arthur, I'm so sorry for bringing you into this. I really shouldn't have. You have enough going on for me to add onto the stress."
He frowned and drew her into his arms, pressing soft, warm kisses onto her head. "You aren't facing this alone, I hope you know that. No matter how damn stubborn you are," he said.
Merlynn smiled slightly. "I'm the stubborn one? I don't understand why he'd take me, how he knew about...our relationship. He hasn't been around us to see it!" Her eyes widened in realisation after a few moments. "Someone had to have told him."
Morgana...
"But who would?" he asked dubiously.
"No idea," she returned, lying.
Arthur pulled back and let her sit upon his dining table, where she leaned against his shoulder. "How was your mother when you saw her?"
"Terrified, shaken, but she was trying to reassure me that she was okay." A wry, pitiful smile was on her face. "As my mother always was." He watched as tears entered her eyes, and he pulled her even closer to his form. "What if - what if she's being tortured while I'm here, sitting like a duck? If she's hurt -"
"Sh," he soothed. "We'll save her, and bring her back to Ealdor. I promise."
oOo
Their idea was strange, but the two knew of the King's very few weaknesses: one being Morgana. Arthur immediately came up with a plan for their escape.
"Father."
They now stood in the Council Chamber in front of Uther, who was looking over his various documentations that kings needed to look through. Merlynn didn't care for that sort of thing, but knew they were important. He glanced up, looking almost irritable at the sight of his son and servant; as if they had disrupted some sort of private silence he had worked for.
"Hmm?" Uther asked. "What is it?"
Arthur hesitated. "It's, er...it's slightly awkward," he replied.
"Oh?"
"I was drawn into a wager," he sighed. "...and I lost."
Uther cocked a brow, his lips pursed at the thought of wagers. "Arthur, you know how I disapprove of gambling."
"I know. I'm sorry..."
"How much do you owe?" he questioned finally, staring at his son with a strange look in his eyes.
Arthur glanced up, looking almost bashful. "Two silk dresses."
"Excuse me?" Uther scoffed.
Merlynn smirked. The prince clasped his hands behind his back from his position next to her, now casual, and exuding a cool disposition. "Well, at least enough silk to have them made, anyway," he said.
"What kind of wager was this, exactly?" the King glanced to Merlynn. "Merlynn?"
She bowed. "It was Lady Morgana's bet, Sire. It involved a sword, and a berry." Merlynn was improvising, thinking off the top of her head; she was a bit proud of herself, to be honest.
Uther laughed loudly. "I should have guessed. Really, Arthur, you should know better than to bet against Morgana," he remarked.
"I know. The thing is, the cloth cannot be obtained in Camelot," he began. "So, I'm going to have to leave the city for a couple days."
"I'd get going if I were you," he ushered. "Don't want to keep her waiting. She'll have your guts."
Arthur grinned and began to steer Merlynn out of the Council Chamber. "Thank you, Father."
oOo
Merlynn told Gaius everything the moment she laid eyes on him. Just as she had with Arthur, and Gwen. Except, she added her suspicion and confirmation of Morgana's further deceit. He was the only one who ever could believe that Morgana was a creature of evil.
"Morgana?" Gaius asked dubiously. "Are you certain?"
She nodded, a confident look in her eyes. "Yeah. She's been feeding Cenred information. How else would he know about Arthur's feelings for - for me?"
The physician couldn't help but have a hint of a knowing smile on his face. "Then there's no denying it," he said, a bit teasingly.
"No. And if I could just go to Arthur and tell him what I know..." she trailed off, staring at him expectantly.
"But you can't," he reminded her. "It'd be your word against Morgana's, and she's the King's daughter. She's found Arthur's weak spot somehow."
"I know," she commented with a bitter tone. "And one of my many."
"Well, Arthur can't sacrifice himself for Hunith. No matter -" he hesitated, worried. "No matter if it is your mother, Arthur cannot die," Gaius declared.
"No, of course not. We're going to rescue her instead," she replied.
"You're going to snatch Hunith from under Cenred's nose? You and Arthur? Morgana knows nothing of this?"
Merlynn scoffed. "No." Gaius still looked doubtful, even as he brought her into a loving embrace.
"Merlynn, look after yourself," he said, and kissed her head.
oOO
Merlynn decided to change out of her usual garb into that of her sleeping tunic, and the breastplate she used with her armour. It provided comfort and stability for her; the tunic also allowed the fresh air to tickle at her skin. She then headed down to the stables, where she grabbed three horses for the ride out. Firefoot was happy to be going out on such a large adventure and stood perfectly still for her rider to prepare her, as did the other two animals. She was glad for that; she'd hate to have to set up a rearing horse.
As she tightened the girth, there was a clearing of a throat from behind her. She didn't turn; she didn't care. That was, of course, until she heard a familiar, Irish-laced voice call out mockingly.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Merlynn froze, and finally whirled around to face Morgana, who had a satisfied smirk on her face.
She frowned defiantly. "I don't think so."
"But I'm coming with you. Hunith is close to me, too, you know? I want her safe just as much as you," she laughed, blinking innocently. "Didn't Arthur say?"
"No, he didn't," she hissed.
"Oops!"
Arthur hopped over the Courtyard Corridor ledge, sending Merlynn a grin, clad in his chainmail. He was prepared for battle, ready to face whatever hit them.
"We need another horse," Arthur declared, and a guard hurried off to satisfy the request of the prince.
Morgana smirked and pushed past Merlynn, walking over to Gwen. Merlynn stared after her for a few moments, before she stormed over to Arthur, a distressed look on her face.
"Why didn't you tell me she was coming?" she asked, her voice no louder than a whisper.
He shrugged. "Why should I? What difference does it make to you? Besides, it's better to have more numbers on our side."
"It's a bad idea," she told him.
"She's strong enough to hold her own, Merlynn, lest you forgot," he pointed out.
Merlynn frowned. "But, it'll just be another person we need to protect."
He snorted. "Morgana insisted. Case closed." Arthur then grinned. "Come on."
"I bet she insisted," she grumbled to herself, before she whirled around and mounted her horse.
oOo
The quartet headed down a trail in the woods. It was beautiful, Merlynn realised, to the point where she actually enjoyed herself here. It would be a wonderful day-ride; she and Arthur would have to go through here one day. Merlynn smiled slightly, but frowned when she saw Morgana smirking at her.
"What are you looking at?" she hissed quietly.
Morgana feigned innocence. "Whatever do you mean, Merlynn?"
The two sneered at each other, before Merlynn quickened Firefoot so she was next to Arthur and just in front of Gwen. "I love these woods," she told him.
Arthur chuckled. "You would, wouldn't you, Merlynn?" She rolled her eyes. "I used to be afraid of these woods."
Gwen snorted from her place next to Morgana. "I find that hard to believe!" she jested. Merlynn laughed along with her.
"My father would bring me here when I was a boy, and it seemed every falling leaf was a bandit, every puff of wind was a ghost," he confessed. "You just get used to it in the end." Arthur shrugged.
"I'm already used to it; this place is glorious," she beamed. "I don't understand how anyone could ever hate these woods."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "I could never get used to it. Just wait til' nighttime, Merlynn. You'll be normal like the rest of us."
"Yeah," Arthur agreed with a teasing grin Merlynn's way. "And when your knees start making a symphony, you've got me to protect you."
She chortled. "Aw, my hero," Merlynn joked. The two smiled at each other; it was just like they always were. A little teasing, but in the end, the affection was always there.
Arthur suddenly remembered they were not alone as usual, and glanced back to see Gwen and Morgana's knowing grin. He straightened and returned his attention back to the trail ahead of them. "What I mean is, in the event of an attack we'll watch out for each other. Morgana, I think I can rely on your protection?"
"Of course," she responded.
"And Gwen, you'll look after Merlynn, won't you?" he sent a wink in Merlynn's direction.
As Gwen giggled, Merlynn stuck her tongue out to Arthur. "If I recall, I kicked your arse in front of your knights not too long ago. And I've saved your life repeatedly."
Arthur sniffed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Gwen and Merlynn grinned secretly at each other, while Morgana looked on with narrowed eyes. Morgana could not believe that even Guinevere knew; that woman was a gossiper when she wanted to be, and wondered why she didn't at least bring up the topic of those two. She frowned. Morgana glanced at Merlynn, and looked her over for a few moments. She just couldn't understand how Arthur seemed so smitten with her - Merlynn was pretty, somewhat awkwardly beautiful, she would admit, but Arthur bullied and teased her relentlessly.
How could that form a bond? Morgana was confused, but didn't really care. Any way to bring Camelot to it's demise was enough for her.
Sorry for not using Gwaine but, to answer any questions as to why I will answer:
Logic.
Morgana could never know how close Merlynn and Gwaine are, because of the reason that Morgana and Merlynn hate each other, so there would be no reason how Morgana would have knowledge of their relationship. However, Morgana knew Hunith, and could see how close those two were/still are. She would be the better option for leverage.
I know: I had originally wrote it as Gwaine, but then logical reasoning entered my mind like a tic and held on... *sigh*
But, I did hope you enjoyed the chapter:D xx
I love you all.
3
