Marilyn was late to waking up Arthur, she hadn't woken early enough to slowly stumble her way to his chambers, leaving the dizzy girl to try and rush, which only provided her with bruises from encounters with the stone floor. The prince teased her on reasons to be late and much to his disappointment, Marilyn didn't tease or send quips back. She just mumbled "sorry sire" and proceeded to make his bed. She stifled a yawn and set to gathering the laundry, bending and rising slowly to keep from collapsing. Arthur watched his maidservant cautiously, something was not right.

"Marilyn?" the girl jumped, dropping the clothes to the floor. She moved to retrieve them when a hand encircled her wrist, she spun around too fast "Marilyn, just leave them. The sky looks like rain so they will not dry."

"Very well sire, but would you not prefer them in a basket out of the way?" she kept her voice soft and quiet.

"What's the matter with you?" Arthur burst.

"Sire?" the door opened slightly and Leon's sandy blonde hair popped into view, his green eyes confused.

"Leon" the price greeted. The older knight's eyes dropped to where Arthur had a firm grip on his friend's wrist, then floated to her
pained face.

"Everything alright Mare?" concern thickly laced his words. She offered a light nod in response, tightly shutting her eyes. Arthur released her to follow Leon to the corridor to discus whatever it was the two talked about. Marilyn knew there would be bruises on her wrist .He didn't intend to hurt me, she told herself again,he never does. She soothed herself before the men reentered the prince's chambers.

They both wore light smiles and traces of laughter lingered.Probably laughing at how foolish and clumsy I am, Marilyn thought bitterly. "Pardon me sire, Sir Leon" she quickly exited the room that seemed to be getting smaller the longer she stayed there. Not bothering to close the door, she fled down a few corridors until she came upon an empty one. Tears leaked down the girl's pale face as she pulled the dagger out from under her skirt. It had been Arthur's, but he gifted it to her after a particular hunt where they had been ambushed. She has never used it to defend herself, rather she has used it to spill her own magical blood.

Arthur stared at the spot where is maid had disappeared from then turned back to Leon who seemed just as confused as he was. They walked out into the corridor and almost crashed into Gwen and Morgana "our apologies, we hadn't seen you" Arthur greeted.

"All is forgiven, is Marilyn here? We had a question for her" Morgana asked.

"She left just a moment ago, I know not where"

"Thank you, we'll find her" Gwen offered. Arthur nodded and made his way to Gaius's chambers to see if she went back to her room. The two girls roamed the corridors in search of their younger friend. They finally spotted her leaning heavily against a wall in an abandoned corridor.

"Marilyn, what are you doing here?" Gwen did nothing to hide her surprise. Marilyn looked up, panicked. They were too far away to see the dagger hidden in her other hand and the blood that was working its way downer her arm and to the floor. She yanked down her sleeves and concealed her weapon once more.

She walked to them so they didn't see the blood on the floor. "Lady Morgana, I have your gown, give me a moment to fetch it. I'll just bring it to your chambers" she moved to pass them when Morgana stopped her.

"Keep it. It looks lovely on you; I never wear it anyway."

"Thank you my Lady" Marilyn bowed her head.

"None of that Marilyn, you're my friend" Morgana scolded. Marilyn was about to apologize to the other witch when an awful screech sounded. The girl took off in a dead sprint, searching for the source of the noise. A little girl stood in a corridor, a man gripping her arm roughly while shaking her. He had his free hand clamped over her mouth.

Marilyn moved closer "hello Addie, is there a problem here sir?" she asked quietly. The man glared at her.

"This little scrap was going to rob me" he growled. Marilyn noticed a door cracked open and a shattered vial with a purple liquid spread
about.

"No, she was on an errand for the Court Physician. She was only going to put the remedy on your bedside table, as instructed."

"What makes you so sure? The brat ain't carrying anything."

"There's a smashed vial on the floor, I assume she dropped it when you grabbed for her. Anyone delivering for Gaius is instructed to leave the vial on the bedside table if no one is there to accept it."

The man threw the girl to the floor. Marilyn helped her up and glared daggers at him "how dare you? She was just doing her job. You are a despicable man" a hand came down hard across Marilyn's cheek, the force sending her to the ground.

"You dare talk to me like that!" he kicked the poor servant who was crying out in pain. The little girl ran to find help, knowing what Marilyn's fate would be.

She ran straight into who she was hoping to find. Gwaine and Lancelot "please you must come quickly, Emrys needs you" she led them back to where the sorceress was. When they found her she was curled up against the wall, the man nowhere in sight.

"Mare?" Gwaine reached a hand to her shoulder, she flinched before relaxing a bit. He scooped her up in his arms "we'll take you to Gaius."

"No!" she cried "no no. I'm fine. I have to get back to Arthur, I must finish my chores."

"Fine then, to Arthur it is" he carried her to the prince's chambers, Lancelot opened the door for them. Arthur stood when he heard the wooden door creak, expecting to see his maid scuttle in. Instead he saw Lancelot followed by Gwaine, who was holding a shaking blue bundle in his arms.

"Marilyn" worried, Arthur walked swiftly to the pair. Gwaine gently put her back on her feet and Arthur examined her. Bruises blossomed on her right cheek and collar bones. If there were more, he could not see them "you must get to Gaius. God Marilyn, what happened?" Lancelot told Arthur what the little girl explained to them.

Rage flashed through the prince "did you recognize him Marilyn? He had no right to treat you in such a way, he should be punished" his blue eyes were wild.

"No sire, it is alright, I'm quite fine" Marilyn protested "are you hungry? Shall I fetch you some lunch?"

"Oy, Marilyn, did you hit your head or something? I've never seen you so formal" Gwaine joked.

"No, I did not" Marilyn set about collecting the laundry in a basket while the knights talked in hushed tones.

"Marilyn, come here for a moment please" Lancelot called. The maid set the basket down and lightly limped over to where the men stood "we wanted to talk to and make sure-my god, Marilyn you're bleeding" she looked down to the growing stain on her sleeve, Gwaine reached for her wrist but she pulled away.

"It's nothing, it got cut on the vial Addie was bringing to the man. I must go, the water will get cold" Marilyn scooped up the basket and scurried off to the laundry room. She swayed dangerously before collapsing into an unconscious heap of blue material and black curls.