A cloud of dust trails after the prince's horse as they race for Camelot, the flower carefully placed in a small pouch on the saddle. Anxiety works its way to the front of his mind. Please let her still be alive, he prays, racing home in record time.
Marilyn's breathing ceases as Gaius leaves her side for the first time in days. Gwaine, who was closest to her head, notices the lack of noise coming from her and panics "Marilyn? Marilyn! Breathe, damn it." His shouting attracts the attention of Lancelot, who had been napping.
"What's going on?" Lancelot asks, sleep still lingering in his voice and eyes.
"It's Marilyn, she's not breathing" Gwaine panics, smoothing raven hair away from the younger girl's face.
"I'll go fetch Gaius" Lancelot races out the door in search of the Court Physician. Gwaine lets tears fall, pleading with his friend to come back, but by the time Gaius reaches her, her heart has stopped as well.
Arthur announces his return to the Court as quickly as he can, and runs to Gaius and Marilyn's chambers, only to be stopped at the door "what are you doing? Move aside, I have the flower" Arthur pulls the flower from its hiding place and shows them. Gauis hangs his head.
"Sire, has no one told you? She's not breathing, sire, you're too late I'm afraid" his voice is hollow, tears washing all emotion away. Arthur shakes his head and shoves Lancelot aside, storming into the herb-scented room. There on the table lies Marilyn, his Marilyn, covered by a crisp white sheet. A strange, broken sound escapes the other three men enter slowly and watch Arthur pull the sheet down to uncover an abnormally pale Marilyn with blue tinted lips.
"Nonono, c'mon, get up you lazy girl. If you wake up, I promise we won't go on a hunt for a month" he tries to bribe her stiff form. To appease the prince, Gauis makes a tonic from the flower and helps make Marilyn drink it. Instantly, color spreads across her body, her grey skin becoming milky white again, and a healthy dusted rose color returns to her lips. She gasps for air, clinging to Arthur's arm, and coughs violently. Her eyes open and she looks wildly around the room.
"A-Arthur" her voice is weak and scared.
"Shhh, rest now, we can talk later" he soothes, wrapping his other arm around her back to help ease her onto the pillow Gwaine brought over for her. He moves to leave, but Marilyn grabs his hand, stopping him.
"No, stay. Please" she whispers. Arthur nods, happy she wants him there, and takes a seat beside her without untangling their hands. She smiles a little and closes her eyes, looking peaceful. All four men let out a sigh of relief.
"Gwaine, Lancelot, go down to the training fields, let the knights and Gwen know Marilyn is alright. Gaius, if you could inform my father and Morgana that she is recovering, and Nimueh was the one behind this" Arthur whispers, so not to wake his sleeping servant. They bow their heads and leave to complete their tasks.
While Marilyn sleeps, Gwen comes and brushes her smooth curls, and Morgana lays out two new dresses for the young maid. Never once does Arthur leave her side for the remainder of the afternoon and evening, always hoping her blue eyes will open and shine the way they used to, but the sun has long since set by the time she begins to stir. She shifts slightly, holding tighter to Arthur's hand, her body moving closer to his. He smiles and adjusts himself so he is up against the table, and her head rests on his shoulder. Gaius watches the pair with a knowing smirk, maybe they wouldn't admit it, but they clearly cared for each other far more deeply than they realize.