Night had fallen and Arthur still had not seen his maid, worry grew as a sickening pit in his stomach. He had asked all the servants he came across if they had seen her, but none could provide any comforting news. The prince checked the laundry room twice as well as the armory. The scrawny maidservant was no where to be found. Arthur began pacing once again, trying to think where else Marilyn could be when a soft hesitant knock sounded upon the door. Arthur opened the door and released a sigh of relief when he saw the younger girl "Marilyn, where have you been? I've been looking all over for you and no one had seen you since this morning" the prince fought the urge to hug his maid.

"Were you worried, Arthur?" Marilyn arched an eyebrow.

"No, I-uh-I-there was no one to bring my dinner around"

"I doubt that no one would have brought the royal clotpole his supper" Arthur smiled, a hint of the old Marilyn was showing.

"Oy, Who are you calling a clotpole, you dollophead" Marilyn laughed, a beautifully musical sound that was becoming more rare.

But just as suddenly as it came, all happiness left her and her eyes became watery. She walked into the room, her back to her friend.
"I apologize for my absence, it will not happen again sire" Marilyn set the bed and fluffed the pillows so everything would be prepared for when the prince went to sleep. "Will that be all for tonight sire?" Marilyn clasped her hands in front of her
and waited to be dismissed.

"Yes, goodnight Marilyn."

"Goodnight sire" Marilyn bowed her head and left for Gaius's chambers. She walked to her room without acknowledging her uncle and slipped
into a cream-colored nightgown.

Marilyn woke early and cut herself an apple slice, nibbling on it on her way to wake Arthur. She stopped and forced a smile for a few
passing servants before continuing her walk. Arthur was already up and dressed, sitting at the table with a plate of food before him. "Morning Marilyn. I'm giving you today off, go do as you please. Morgana and I will be going for a ride into the
forest so Gwen is also available. Perhaps you two could spend the day together. Oh, and this is for you to get yourself something at the market" the older blonde boy handed her a pouch filled with coins. She thanked him before seeking out the older
girl. The two talked and smiled on their way to the market, greeting people along the way.

Arthur felt bad for his poor friend, a day off was the very least he could give her after her ordeal yesterday. Morgana met him in
the citadel and they rode to the edge of the forest where they enjoyed a picnic and light conversation. Magic was starting to reveal itself in the princess, and Arthur was certainly taking notice. If his sister was practicing magic, Arthur was sure
she would tell him. He, after all, was not his father. He did not like magic, but he did not hate it or believe purging the world of it was right.

Marilyn and Gwen took to the lower town, stopping at every stall. Gwen had purchased a new shawl and cloth for a new dress. Marilyn
was glancing around when a merchant beckoned her over. She caught a glimpse of the familiar Druid symbol on his arm. She stood before him and smiled, bowing lightly, a gesture well returned. "It is an honor Emrys. A gift from the Triple Goddess. Happy
birthday Emrys" he carefully handed her a silver crescent moon pendant with a sapphire in the middle on a thick black ribbon. She secured it tight around her neck and thanked the man who would not accept payment, telling him her birthday wasn't for
another few days "the rise of Albion is all I wish."

Gwen spotted her friend as she was walking back "Marilyn, where were you? I thought-" she stopped upon seeing the necklace "oh Marilyn
it's lovely, and it matches your eyes" the maidservant smiled brilliantly at her chocolate haired friend. By high-noon both girls had worked up an appetite and traveled to the tavern for lunch.

"Oi, Mare! Come for a drink? Oh, hello Guenivire."

"You wish Gwaine. Recommend any of the food?" Marilyn laughed.

"Wonderful soups, better mixed with mead" Gwen smiled and shook her head. They ordered their soups and ate quickly before paying and
leaving for the castle. They enjoyed a restful afternoon in Marilyn's room, chatting happily.

Gwen left late evening to go turn down Morgana's bed. Marilyn sighed and supposed she should do the same for Arthur. Just as she started
the doors opened, frightening her "Marilyn, what are you doing? Did I frighten you?"

"No! I just stepped on...something. I'm turning down the bed, your clothes are on the changing screen" Marilyn turned back to the bed
while the prince changed into a nightshirt. By the time Arthur had finished Marilyn already left to room, giving no chance for conversation.

Morning came slow for everyone, especially a certain maidservant. The girl was more herself, to the relief to her friends. Her smile
was bright again and the sparkle was back in her big blue eyes. She was joking with Gwaine, and teasing Arthur at every opportunity. Lancelot was troubled by the quick change in the girl, it didn't seem right. He shared his concern with Gwaine who
agreed. The two knights were searching for her when she crashed into them, falling immediately. She scurried to her feet, cheeks flushed with embarrassment "oh! Hello, sorry I wasn't paying attention. Again. Anyway, where are you to headed?" she chuckled
nervously, rubbing her right arm.

"We were looking for you, actually. Is everything alright Marilyn?" Lancelot looked down on her with worry clear in his eyes.

"Oh, of course, why wouldn't it be?" the sorceress kept her eyes downward to avoid being caught in another lie.

"You seem to be distracted this morning" Gwaine observed loudly, fighting for her attention. Marilyn's eyes snapped up and glowed for
a moment. "Oy, Marilyn when did you get here?"

"Just now silly, I'm on my way to see Arthur. Everything is fine" her golden eyes bore into the empty stares of the men. They repeated
her last sentence and her eyes returned to blue as she smiled and walked away. Lancelot turned and watched her go, knowing she was up to something.

Marilyn opened the door to Morgana's chambers and found her two friends by the dressing table. "Marilyn, how lovely to see you" Morgana
smiled brightly. Marilyn returned a tight smile and bowed her head. Gwen stopped fussing with her princess's hair and grabbed the other maid's hands and gave a light squeeze.

"Gwen I would like to talk to Morgana alone for a moment please" Gwen nodded and left the room "my lady, I know what you are. Do not
be afraid, we are sisters in this way. I also posses strong magic and I'll not breathe a word I swear" fear came ad went from the other girl's green eyes.

"How did you find out?" she breathed.

"The Great Dragon told me. He lives in a cave under the castle, your father has kept him there all these years. Uther is your father
Morgana."

"Yes, I know, I confronted him. Thank you Marilyn." the servant bowed and fled the room to find Arthur. When she opened the door she
was met with insults and yelling. He yanked her in by her upper arm and tossed her farther into the chamber.

"And why are you late this time you lazy girl? Fall asleep on the way? Or have you just taken another tumble? Maybe you just decided
to skip my breakfast and to not clean my room" she knew he was furious, she knew she'd be mucking the stables for weeks, she knew he didn't care about her. She realized he never did.

She bowed her head "I'm deeply sorry sire" Marilyn whispered so low he barely heard her weak voice.

"As you should be. You are to tend the stables, polish my armor, clean the boots of the entire army, clean my chambers, wash the floors,
and do my laundry. Go" she walked away from the blonde prince with tears in her eyes. After finishing in the stables she did not bother to clean herself, she did not care how she appeared. She limped back and found the room empty. Grateful, she quickly
finished her chores in there and bounced down to the armory. The boots were lined up and waiting for her undivided attention.

Hours later she started on her master's armor. By the time she had finished every inch of her body ached. Gathering up the metal as
best she could, she made her way back upstairs. She made it half way before a dizzy spell hit her, sending her and the armor back down the stairs.

It was almost nightfall and Arthur stood pacing the floor.Where could she have gone?
style="font-size: 15pt; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"No one had seen Marilyn since that morning. He noted all her chores were done. However his armor still was not returned. He let out a sigh and sent Gwen to check for her. The dark girl saw the heap of metal and blue fabric from the top of the
stairwell. She raced down and tossed the armor aside and uncovered her friend's body. Blood trickled down her head onto the marble floor. Gwen screamed for help, praying someone would hear her.

Gwaine happened to be walking by as Gwen's cries began. He raced to her and discovered his best friend in her arms. "What happened?"
his voice far past calm. Gwen shook her head.

"She must've fallen carrying that up the stairs" she began to sob while Gwaine scooped up the tiny girl. He noted how thin and light
she felt in his arms as he carried her to Gaius. The old man was not in his chambers, so Gwen raced around the castle to find him. She questioned everyone she came into contact with until she found him with Arthur and Morgana. "Gaius you must come
quick, it's Marilyn. I fear she's dying" The physician, prince, and princess ran after the serving girl until they reached his chambers where his ward lay on a table with Gwaine clinging to her hand and smoothing back her hair while whispering that
she will be ok. Gaius began an examination, trying his best to ignore the fact that his niece was bleeding everywhere.

Arthur punched a stone wall "this is my fault" he growled "I've overworked her, forgotten who she is, ignored her safety. I put her
in danger" hot tears welled up in his baby blue eyes. Morgana rested a hand on his shoulder to soothe him.

"I'm afraid I must ask you all leave" Gaius said with a heavy heart. Cries of protest stumbled on top of each other "very well, gentlemen
turn away, ladies I may require your assistance" the girls nodded while the men turned their backs to their dying friend. Morgana pulled Marilyn's tattered and bloodied dress away from her body and gasped. "Oh Marilyn, what have you done?"cuts and
scars littered her body, bones jutted out from her pale bruised skin. The three were no longer able to hide the tears. Arthur and Gwaine desperately wanted to turn and see what was the matter, but knew their friend was exposed. Gaius covered her feminine
parts to protect her modesty. "You may turn if you wish"

Nothing could have prepared them for wha they saw. An inhuman sound tore out of the prince's throat. Gwaine bit his fist to keep from
screaming. The four teenagers clung to each other while the court physician got to work on his niece. Suddenly her body lifted into the air and she let out a scream as golden light erupted from her body. Her eyes opened and became a brilliant gold
and words flew from her, erasing the memory of the last few hours from her friends. When the glowing stopped she yanked her dress back on before their eyes could recover.

Confused glances were exchanged "what are you all doing here?" Marilyn asked sweetly. She watched them struggle to answer "oh never
mind that, it's late, off to bed all of you" she waved her arm and shooed them out the door. She sighed as her body sagged against the table "goodnight uncle Gaius"