The Changeling
"Have you ever met the Princess Elena?" Anna asks, the two curtseying as Arthur and Uther enter the throne room, pausing as they ascend the raised dais.
"I have never had the pleasure. Although I think Meliodas met her once. He said she was very interesting, not at all like your usual princess," Evaine answers, the two glancing to the end of the room as the doors open, King Godwyn, Princess Elena and her maid Grunhilda entering.
"Godwyn!" Uther greets as the group reach the dais. Evaine and Anna curtsey deeply before them before standing.
"Oh, it's been too long," Godwyn greets, holding his arms out and hugging Uther tightly.
"Princess Elena, you are most welcome," Uther greets as he parts from Godwyn. He holds his hand out for her, and Elena walks forward but falls flat on her face, the court gasping. Evaine gasps, stepping forward and helping her up.
"Thank you!" Elena says, Evaine smiling at the princess. She nods her head in respect before stepping back, glancing over at Merlin who smirks at her.
Evaine walks beside Anna, the two laughing as Merlin struggles with the Elena's bags.
"You put them in the best guest quarters?" Arthur asks Gwen, the two walking in front of the group.
"Everything's arranged. Princess Elena can't fail to be impressed," Gwen answers. The two pause, Anna also bumping into Merlin's back.
"And Merlin, it would be good if the bags were to arrive before they did," Arthur tells him. Evaine shakes her head at him, turning to Anna and Gwen.
"Would you both mind helping poor Merlin?" Evaine asks, and the two nod, Merlin hiding his blush. Evaine and Arthur watch them hurry past, before Evaine glances at Arthur.
"What is it, Arthur? You seem troubled," she asks, and Arthur avoids looking at her.
"My, er, my father had some surprising news for me. He expects me to marry Princess Elena," he tells her, and Evaine's eyes widen.
"Marry?" she repeats.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to," Arthur tells her, and Evaine nods, glancing down.
"I wasn't worried," she says, and he nods.
"No. No, why would you be?" Arthur asks, the two glancing at one another before Evaine hurries back to her own chambers.
XXXXXX
Evaine stands next to the window, watching Arthur and Elena preparing to go riding. Anna stops arranging the flowers on the table, coming to stand next to her and looking over her shoulder.
"Is the rumour true? Are they really going to marry?" Anna asks and Evaine, shrugs her shoulders.
"Arthur told me he won't, but he can hardly refuse his father's wishes for him," she answers, and Anna smiles sadly, placing her hand on her shoulder.
"Cheer up, Evaine. There is to be another feast tonight," Anna said, and Evaine nods, smiling softly as she moves away from the window.
Evaine smiles as she sits next to Leon, her dark red dress matching his cape. She glances across as Arthur waits until Elena sits down before taking his own seat.
"As lovely as ever," Leon compliments, breaking Evaine's gaze from Arthur.
"Thank you. Are you enjoying the feast?" she asks, raising her goblet to take a sip as Leon smiles at those around them.
"I am," he says, before moving his head closer to hers and whispering, "Although I do get bored of them sometimes. I would much rather be out in the forest."
"Or in the tavern?" she asks, teasing him as he laughs. They glance to the main table, hiding their laughs as Elena begins to hiccup from the wine. "Poor girl," Evaine mutters, glancing at Arthur who is watching her and Leon.
"Poor Arthur," Leon says, and Evaine glances back at the knight. "When I marry, I hope it will be for love, and returned by the lady," he says, looking at her intently.
"She will be very lucky, I'm sure," Evaine tells him, her cheeks reddening slightly. Leon smiles before another knight grabs his attention. Evaine doesn't look, but she can feel Arthur's eyes burning into the back of her head.
XXXXXX
Evaine had been invited to dine with Uther and Arthur by Morgana, and she hesitated before agreeing. She sat and smiled softly next to Morgana, her head lifting when Arthur speaks.
"Father, there is a delicate matter I wish to discuss with you," he begins, looking at his plate.
"Your proposal. Excellent! We must make a fuss. Women like that kind of thing, isn't that right, Morgana?" Uther asks.
"I have no idea. I'm delighted to hear the news, though," Morgana tells Arthur.
"I couldn't be more thrilled," Uther says excitedly.
"She's a wonderful woman," Evaine says, and Arthur glances at her, Evaine looking back at her plate as their eyes meet.
"She'll make a wonderful wife," Uther agrees.
"No, she won't. Not for me, anyway. Father, I have tried to get to know Elena, but the truth is, I have no feelings for her. I'm, I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but I cannot marry someone I don't love," Arthur tells him.
"You can, and you will," Uther states, his words silencing him on the matter. Evaine looks up, her eyes meeting Arthur's, but she looks away, banishing the tear threatening to fall.
The next day, Evaine visits Morgana, the two smiling as they sit and read in companionable silence.
"I wouldn't like to be in Arthur's shoes," Morgana says suddenly, and Evaine looks up from her book.
"What do you mean?" Evaine asks.
"Forced to marry someone against his will," Morgana explains.
"I don't think he'll marry her if he feels that way," Evaine says, looking back to her book but not taking in any of the words.
"I know it's hard to believe, but he may not have a choice. Even if it isn't what he wants. Even if his heart belongs to another?" Morgana asks, and Evaine stills. "Even if she feels the same way. Evaine, you are my dear friend, I can see it in your eyes. You like him, don't you?"
"No. Don't be silly," Evaine says, smiling as she shakes her head.
"And he likes you," Morgana says, ignoring her.
"It can never come to anything," Evaine whispers, glancing up at her friend. Morgana smiles, standing from her seat and moving to stand next to her.
"I'd like to think it was possible. But Arthur can't change 200 years of history no matter how much he may want to," Morgana tells her, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it gently.
"I know," Evaine says softly, smiling up at her friend. "If you'll excuse me, I feel a little unwell," Evaine says, and Morgana nods, smiling sadly at her.
"Of course," Morgana says, hugging her before Evaine leaves, heading for Arthur's chambers instead of her own. She hesitates before knocking.
"Evaine," Arthur greets in surprise, Merlin still with Gaius.
"I'm sorry. I had to see you," Evaine says, and enters as Arthur walks to the window, leaning against the wall. "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," she says, Arthur looking at her.
"Is what I want really that insane?" he asks, his voice soft.
"Yes, Arthur. From anyone's perspective, apart from yours and mine, it's completely insane," she tells him, her voice breaking slightly.
"Then I'm happy being insane," Arthur says, and Evaine laughs slightly. "Surely, it's better than being miserable."
"I don't think she will make you miserable. She has a good heart," Evaine points out.
"As do you," he states.
"We both know it can't be," Evaine says softly, looking to the floor.
"But if I do it. If I marry her, what will you do?" he asks, and Evaine looks at him.
"I will watch you grow into the King that Camelot deserves. It is as it should be. My father is still pressing for my own marriage, I will have to marry soon myself," she says, wiping a tear from her eyes.
"But I don't want that," he says, coming to stand in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"And I don't want you to marry her," Evaine says, looking up at him. "But we both know we can't have what we want. The sooner we accept it, the better," she says, closing her eyes as Arthur kisses the top of her head.
Anna holds Evaine's arm as the two stand, watching Elena stand next to Arthur before the court.
"I am honored to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend King 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. It is my sincerest hope that you, Princess Elena, share these dreams. With this in mind, I would like to ask you to do me the honour of being my wife," Arthur asks, kneeling down on one knee before Elena. Anna squeezes Evaine's hand as Elena mumbles her agreement to the proposal.
"It's done," Evaine whispers, her eyes closing tightly.
XXXXXX
Evaine stands next to Leon, dressed in a deep green dress. "Are you alright, my lady?" Leon asks, Evaine smiling softly at him.
"I just felt a little ill last night. Nothing a remedy from Gaius couldn't solve," she says, and he nods, his eyes lingering on her before Uther approaches the two.
"It's wonderful to see you on such a joyous day," Uther says, taking Evaine's hand and patting Leon on the arm. The two smile and nod in agreement, watching as he walks and greets more guests. Trumpets sound and the doors open. Everyone turns to see Arthur enter, walking forwards to the altar. Evaine keeps her eyes to the floor, curtseying as he passes, only looking at him as she rises. Their eyes meet, and she smiles softly at him before he looks away, Elena entering with her father. Arthur takes her hands in his, smiling tensely.
"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 asks, Arthur glancing at Evaine before answering.
"It is," Arthur answers, and Evaine looks down.
"Is it your wish, Elena, to become one with this man?" Geoffrey asks.
"It is," Elena answers, looking to floor as well.
"Do any say nay?" Geoffrey asks, leaving a pause. Then as we gather here today, we are all witness to this rite."
"Wait," Arthur says, stopping him.
"There's something you would like to say, Arthur?" Geoffrey asks. Evaine looks up, frowning in confusion.
"Something I should've said a long time ago. Something from the heart I dare not speak. Elena, you are a wonderful woman, and a beautiful bride, but I cannot deny my feelings," Arthur tells her.
"You do not love me," she states. Arthur bites his lip, shaking his head.
"And I think, if you are honest, you do not love me either," he says, and she shakes her head also.
"No."
"Then we are both here out of duty. Can you forgive me?" Arthur asks quietly.
"I agree with all you have said. Thank you, Arthur," Elena says, and the two nod. Evaine smiles softly, fighting back tears of joy.
XXXXXX
"I'm going for a ride, Anna," Evaine calls, smiling as Anna shoos her away as she cleans. She hurries down the corridors and down the griffin staircase. Her smile widens on seeing Arthur walking up them.
"So... I'm still a single man," Arthur states, and Evaine smiles.
"Indeed. I don't think you deserve her, actually. She's really very lovely," Evaine teases.
"Mmm... Well, I had hoped to have forsaken her for one equally as lovely. Who knows, perhaps even more so," Arthur says, and Evaine shrugs her shoulders.
"I do not know of such a person," she says, and Arthur smirks.
"Me neither. But I guess only time will tell," he says, and Evaine smiles, nodding her head as she carries on walking down to the stables, smiling as she hears Arthur skip up the stairs.