Marilyn instantly regretted not sleeping once noon high came and the sun showed no mercy to the traveling group. As usual, Gwaine was telling tales of his tavern fights, Lancelot teased him mercilessly, Arthur checked on Marilyn when no one was looking, and the other knights joined in the laughter while Marilyn rode silently in the back, the joy they had seen the previous night now long gone.
Morgana stood atop the front stairs in wait for the return of her beloved friends and brother. A smile as wide as the ocean itself graced the Lady's face once the travelers reached the citadel. Once the horses were returned to their stalls, Morgana took Marilyn's arm and dragged her to her chambers where Gwen was waiting. Both of the older girls sat Marilyn on the bed and ordered her to wait while Gwen helped her mistress change. When Morgana moved from the changing screen she showed off a deep maroon dress with a chain holding it on her shoulder. Marilyn couldn't help but be envious, here in front of her was the face of beauty in Camelot, wearing such a magnificent gown that hugged her perfect frame in the best of places.
Gwen smiled mischievously while Morgana returned to her cupboard and pulled out a pool of golden silk. Marilyn began to protest. "Gana I'm a servant, I'm not supposed-"
"Mare, tonight you and Gwen are attending as my guests. Here, I'll help you." The material was soft and smooth, much like the young girl's skin. It bore a simple bodice and a ribbon tied around her neck to hold it up. the skirt of the gown was loose and flowing, with a small train in the back. There was no denying her beauty. The soft gold made her pale skin less harsh and brought out the golden flecks around her iris's. 'Thank you's poured out the small girl. She turned and saw Gwen wearing a similar deep blue dress. the three embraced and walked arm-in-arm to the feast. Jaws dropped, eyes staring, conversation fading, as the trio walked through the massive doors. Knights stuttered over themselves and began to whisper about the beautiful maidens. Arthur was the first to approach to guide his sister to her place on the left side of the king, and Arthur took his place on the right.
Gwen smiled "look at her, some people are just born to be queen."
"It would seem so" Marilyn giggled and Gwen slapped her arm lightly, causing the pair to laugh louder. Silence claimed the room as King Uther rose.
"Today, we celebrate fifteen years of peace, King Richard has come to us from the kingdom of Caline to join us as we toast to our success. To the peace treaty." Uther and the other nobles raised their wine goblets. Time slowed down and Marilyn sensed poison in the room. She paused the scene while she located it in Arthur's cup. Time started again and Marilyn screamed.
"There is poison!" outraged, the king stood and had guards bring her to him.
"What. Did you just say?" he growls.
"I said that Arthur's goblet has been poisoned."
"And what gives you that idea, you incompetent brat?" Uther spat at her.
"I cannot say, but I know it is there, sire." Uther glared at the servant.
"You will drink it, if you are right, the treaty is broken. But, if you are wrong, King Richard may bring you with him and do what he pleases" Marilyn gulped. Either way she was dead. She took the glass from Arthur, who was pleading her with his eyes not to drink it. She turned, toasted the king and drank the wine.
The moment it hit her throat she began to choke, she fell to the ground and writhed in pain. Screams of horror and shock were the only noise while the guards surrounded the other king. Arthur ran to his servant and clutched her to his chest. Gaius raced to his niece and ordered the prince to carry her to the physician's chambers. Arthur ran as fast as her could, begging Marilyn to live. "C'mon Marilyn, there's so much more out there for you. For us" he whispered "I know you can fight this Marilyn, you have to. Please."
Gently, Arthur placed her on the examining table while Gaius pulled books off the shelves. Gwen bursted in with the goblet in hand. The physician took it from her and examined it for traces of powder or plant parts. The prince hovered worriedly over the small girl, but would not fight with Gaius if it meant saving her. There was still hope, there had to be. Time seemed to pass far too slow, minutes felt like hours, hours felt like days. It wasn't quick enough, every moment that passed was a moment Marilyn was closer to dying. She let out an ear-splitting scream and convulsed for minutes, nothing able to sooth her. "Sire, this poison was created special for her, you were never meant to drink the wine. Whoever has done this has great skill, I cannot find anything close to this poison. I cannot cure her" Gaius murmured in defeat. Arthur was raging. Someone has targeted Marilyn, his Marilyn. If he ever found them, they will regret the day they first heard the servant's name.
People came and went, bringing flowers and small gifts. It had only been a day. Arthur began to feel hopeless until dusk, when an idea had struck. "Gaius, I believe there is more we can do for her. Can you trace some ingredients and their common locations?" Gaius stared at the prince in shock.
"I-I think so, let me look" Arthur paced around Marilyn while Gaius flipped through book after book for an hour "here Sire, most of the items I could identify are found in King's Hollow"
"Then I must go, whoever did this must be there."
"Sire I-"
" I have to do this. She would do it for me, has done it for me. It's my turn to save her" before he left he placed a soft kiss on Marilyn's damp forehead "the fever is higher" he told the physician and turned away
Arthur rode to the forest alone, hyperaware of everything around him. The forest was peaceful and quiet, warm sunlight shining through the leaves on the tall trees. By night, Arthur had just reached the arch that symbolizes the hollow. Weary of what may be inside, he set up his camp just a little ways away from it. Sleep would not come easy to the young prince, it had been years since he had slept outside without his servant with alongside him. Back in Camelot, Gaius, Gwaine, and Lancelot sat around Marilyn's bed, the light rise and fall of her chest was the only thing keeping them calm. They slept for only an hour each in turn. Two days have passed since the prince set out to find something to help cure Marilyn, who every day becomes more and more ill.
Lancelot and Gwaine neglect their duties, leaving the other knights to cover for them and still find time to visit the young servant, praying Arthur will return soon. Everyone, even the king is fearful of what will become of the fiery maidservant, and if the crowned prince will return in time to save her.
Out in the forest, morning comes quicker than Arthur likes, but he continues on, searching for anything to help Marilyn. And that's when fate choses to throw Arthur into danger again, this time, without the magic of Emrys to save him. A dark haired woman blocks the prince's path, blue eyes staring him down "Prince Arthur of Camelot, where is your companion, Marilyn, I believe?" Arthur jumps off his horse and grabs the woman by her arms "What have you done to her?" his voice is dangerous and low.
"Tsk tsk, foolish prince, coming out here alone. I knew she would sense the poison, you see, you would always be safe if your little servant was around. Camelot cannot be destroyed so long as she lives, I cannot kill you, or your father unless she's out of my way" her eyes turn gold for a moment, and an image of Marilyn appears in the puddle at her feet "look, you're almost too late, in just a few more hours Marilyn will be gone, and no one will stand a chance against me, or my kin" she smirks as Arthur stares at the image in horror.
He grips her tighter and growls deeply "you can have anything you wish, heal her" the woman, Nimueh, laughs, tossing her head back. She glares at Arthur.
"I cannot. There is a flower, but I have the last one. Best me and it is yours to take for her. If you lose, you watch her die, you watch everyone you love die, and then you die. Do we have a deal?" Arthur nods once and releases her. She conjures a sword and strikes out for his arm, but he deflects her blow perfectly. They carry on for twenty minutes before Arthur manages to place a blow to her side. She screeches and her eyes become wild "this will not be the last you see of me, Arthur Pendragon!" she disappears in a cloud of smoke, a small yellow flower left in her wake.