Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with the Camelot TV Series.
Reposting this after I accidently took it down.
Chapter One: Death of the King.
Focusing on her work, Evienne kept her eyes down as she worked on her sewing that her mistress had instructed her to do; she had been surprised when her father had managed to get her such a fine position. Her father was a knight and that didn't merit much for his status in the kingdom since he had long since retired to his farm where he lived with his family; he had raised three children there and had done his best by them.
Kay, Evienne and Arthur had been well cared for and had wanted for nothing while they had been growing up especially Arthur who seemed to get away with most things. It was hard to believe that she hadn't seen her home in months, Lady Helena often allowed her ladies to travel home to visit their families but as of late the visits had been few and far between.
Things were changing and she feared for the ladies that she had welcomed into her home preparing them for the day that they married and had households of their own to run; she had no children of her own and she treated those in her charge well. Her husband had long since died but from what Evienne heard he had been a good man, who had treated his wife with kindness and granted her freedom to do as she pleased within reason; it had been a quick and sudden illness that had taken him in the end leaving Lady Helena alone.
"I don't know how you can sit here and not be bored," Dindrane complained quietly, her sewing sitting on her lap and she looked out of the window behind them wishing that they could be outside on such a beautiful day. It made the task that they had been assigned even more dull and Dindrane wanted nothing more than to just leave her sewing and go outside; to enjoy the weather before it turned bleak and they were trapped indoors.
Evienne rolled her eyes, smiling at her dearest and closest friend; she could hardly believe that it had been several years since they had meet and the two had become as close as sisters. She'd never had a sister, she had begged her mother so much for one when she had been younger however all she had ended up with was two brothers. Kay and Arthur. There there was a time that she wouldn't have been caught dead doing lady-like things instead she could be found playing with her brothers around the farm where they lived.
"Lady Helena expects us to finish this, I would hate to think what she might do if we disappointed her," Evienne said continuing with her work without pausing, she was sure that they were nearly done anyway. It was no secret that Lady Helena was downsizing her household and no one wanted to be one of the first to be sent home; it would be seen as they had done something wrong if they were so quickly dismissed.
"Have you heard from your brother?" Evienne asked changing the subject knowing that it should help them finish their work, she knew how much Dindrane missed her brother and wished that he would write to her more. He was often away and Evienne could only imagine how busy he was working on the King's orders; she was sure he had important matters to attend to.
Dindrane shook her head, he was the only family that she had left and she hated that she didn't hear from him more; she wished that he would write even if he couldn't tell her what he was doing. The two of them fell into a silence and continued with their work, both of them thinking about the homes that they had left behind to come here and the families that they missed. The doors to the chambers burst open making the two jump in surprise, they both turned to see that it was another lady that had done so and she looked rather panicked.
"Lady Helena has summoned us all, news has arrived from Pendragon Castle," the lady announced rather excited, she couldn't imagine why they would be receiving news from where the King lived but she hoped it was a summons to court. The idea that they might be called there was an exciting one, not many people got to say that they saw King Uther or his beautiful Queen Ingrid.
Evienne and Dindrane shared a look, this was rather unexpected and neither was sure why anyone in Pendragon Castle would be writing to Lady Helena; surely the Queen would not need new ladies.
"The King is dead," Lady Helena announced to her ladies, a feeling of dread building inside of her as she looked around the room knowing that she would have to dismiss her household and send them back to their families. If it was true and Lady Helena could only imagine what would come next, she had heard rumours that Uther's daughter had returned and claimed her father's throne and had sought an alliance with King Lot.
Lady Helena was no fool, there would be rioting and people would start to fight; there was no way that they could defend themselves here and the place would be quickly over run. The very idea that her ladies would be taken like a dog would take a bitch was enough to make Lady Helena certain of her next move; they must act quickly and there could be no delay.
"That is why I have made the decision that you must all return to your families… we are entering dark days and I pray that we shall make it out of this," Lady Helena told them, many would protest but she knew that there was no way that they could stay here. Whispers erupted in the room, many knew only the rule of Uther not the fighting that had taken place before he had claimed the throne; none knew what would happen now that their King was dead and he had no son that might take his place.
Evienne and Dindrane shared a look, this was not the news that any of them had been expecting; there had been whispers when they arrived that some of them might have even been sent to serve as ladies to the Queen. It was clear that things weren't happy nor would they be staying here, it was a shock and many were left unsure what to do next; there was no telling what home they might have left when they reached there.
Reaching out and taking Dindrane's hand, Evienne offered her a smile no doubt in her mind that her parents would be more than happy to take her in if need be as long as she helped out around the farm. The two had been close friends in their years here together and Evienne would never abandon Dindrane when she needed her most; especially with the land thrown into terror at the death of their King.
"I shall help as many of you as I can make the arrangements to return to your homes," Lady Helena offered, she would be sad to see them go but she wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to them because of her. Slowly the gathering disbursed, many starting to leave the room so that they could start packing so that they could return home; some lingered whispering between themselves about what this could mean for them.
It was no secret that the King might have been the only thing keeping peace across the land; now that he was dead there was no telling what might happen. They knew of his daughter but from what they knew she had been sent to a convent when the King had married his second wife and since then there had not been much of a word from the abandoned daughter.
"What am I to do? Percival is away and I have no idea where he might be," Dindrane whispered knowing that things were a mess, she had never thought that she would find herself without a roof over her head. When her parents had died, they hadn't left their children much and Percival had always looked out for her; he had tried to ensure that she was well cared for and he worked hard to provide for her.
"You will come with me… Father and Mother will not turn you away," Evienne reassured softly, she squeezed her friend's hand before she got to her feet doubting that they would have much time to pack. The roads would be dangerous and there was no telling just what would be waiting for them as they made the ride to her home; the sooner that they made the journey the better.
Dindrane smiled at her, thankful that she had a friend who was willing to help her right now; she would be stuck without Evienne and she couldn't imagine what she would do without her friend. The two of them headed for their Quarters, they were sure that Lady Helena would give ladies horses to travel back to their homes but they would have to be quick before the stables were empty. There were many that would want to leave before the sunset, making the journey to their homes while they had the chance and before the country was engulfed in another war for the throne.
"Dindrane. I trust you will continue to practice your sewing," Lady Helena encouraged smiling at the girl when she stepped out of the house, she was sad to see each of her ladies leave and she prayed they had a safe journey. She had insisted on speaking with each of them as they left and she would miss each of them in their own way; she was proud of the women that they had each become.
"And I hope to hear you sing again for me soon," Lady Helena continued taking Dindrane's hands, she had changed so much since she had first arrived and it was wonderful to see her come out of her shell. Lady Helena had known her mother and she had been saddened to hear of her passing from the sweat that had also claimed her husband; she was sure she would be so proud of her daughter.
"Thank you for everything Lady Helena… I don't know what I will do without you," Dindrane replied offering her a sad smile, she wasn't sure what she would do now especially when she had no idea where her brother was. It had occurred to her that she might never be able to track her brother down; he had been sent on a mission by the late King before he had died and she didn't even know if Percival would know that Uther had passed.
Lady Helena gave Dindrane a hug, she closed her eyes and prayed that she would find her way; she couldn't imagine what would happen to her if she didn't quickly find her feet. Dindrane was a simple girl and she would make any man a fine wife, she might not have much in the way of a dowry but any man would be lucky to have her by his side.
Stepping away from Lady Helena, Dindrane offered her one final curtsy before she slowly made her way over to the horse that had been secured for her so that she may leave. What little valuables that she could carry with her and that she had were in her pack already mounted to the horse; she felt tears prick her eyes knowing this would be her last time here.
"Evienne," Lady Helena greeted warmly, she was sad to see her go and could fondly remember the day that Sir Ector had dropped his only daughter off to begin her education on becoming a proper lady. She reached out to the girl thinking about how much she had grown in her years of service; she was sure that her father would have no problem finding a good match for her either. Evienne had been a wonderful surprise when she arrived, knowing already how to run a simple household from her mother along with the surprising skill of archery that she had clearly learned from one of her brothers behind her father's back.
"I shall miss you Lady Helena," Evienne told her, she had spent so many years serving the woman and now she was returning home to her family; it was going to be strange and she wished that things hadn't ended this way. In her eighteen years, Evienne had never thought that this would be how things would end; she had assumed that she still had many years in Lady Helena's service. Especially with no sign of a match being made for her by her father, her father hadn't said anything about seeking out a good match for his only daughter when last, she had spoken with him.
"As I shall miss you. I am sure your mother and father will have plenty of things to keep you busy at home… and hopefully your father will find you a good match," Lady Helena encouraged with a smile. The last thing that she wanted for any of her girls was for them to end up with less than happy marriages; she was aware what men could be like and she feared for them all.
Ector was not a rich man, nor did he own a lot of land; the small farm were the family lived was all they had and it wasn't much especially when it came to a dowry for his daughter or finding wives for his sons. Evienne was his only daughter, she had two older brothers if Lady Helena recalled correctly and she wasn't entirely sure what they had gotten up to in recent years but she was sure they were helping around the farm.
Lady Helena ushered her away, this was not the time for long goodbyes and she watched as Evienne mounted the horse that she had been given before her and Dindrane started to ride away. They needed to reach the farm before nightfall, there was no telling what would happen if they weren't and what might happen to them should they be caught on the roads now that the King was dead.
Riding off into the forest, Evienne and Dindrane prayed that they would not run into any bandits on the roads; they didn't have much on them of value that could be used to buy them off. Time was not on their side and Evienne could only hope that her parents would already know that she was on her way home.
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