CocoRocks – Thank you so much for your comment! If you like Evaine, please have a look at my other stories! I try to always have a strong female OC where I can!
Thanks and enjoy,
Phantomshadow99
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The Nightmare Begins
Evaine stood close to the window in Morgana's chambers, looking at the burnt and charred remains of the curtains and some of the furniture as Anna and Merlin cleaned it up.
"I came back in with some extra blankets. There was a candle, but I put it out," Gwen explained.
"Are you sure?" Uther asked, walking to where Evaine stood by the curtains.
"I blew it out, I swear," Gwen promised.
"Gwen's been Morgana's servant for years. If she said she blew it out, I believe her," Arthur said, after a meaningful glance between himself and Evaine.
"She could've been burnt alive," Uther stated.
"Lightning struck the castle roof last night, that could've started the fire," Arthur pointed out.
"Perhaps," Uther muttered, and Evaine frowned.
"What other explanation could there be?" Evaine asked, sharing a glance with Merlin and Arthur.
"Someone started the fire deliberately," Uther answered, and her eyes widened, glancing in worry at Gwen.
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Evaine went to visit Morgana later that day, bumping into Merlin. "Merlin, where are you off to in a hurry?" she asked, noticing the flowers he hid behind his back.
"Just to-" He trailed off, and she smirked.
"I'm sure Morgana will love them, but don't let Anna know, she may grow jealous," she teased her friend, the two walking to the chambers together.
"Ah, Merlin. I need you to... What are you hiding behind your back?" Arthur asked, passing the two. Evaine grinned when Merlin quickly hid the flowers behind his back once more.
"Nothing. See?" Merlin said, holding his arms out. Evaine hid her laugh when she realised he had tucked them through his belt.
"What are you up to?" Arthur asked, glancing to Evaine who shook her head in answer.
"What, nothing, honestly. Arthur, I would never lie to you. I respect you far too much for that. You wanted me to do something."
"My chainmail needs cleaning," Arthur stated, narrowing his eyes at his servant, trying to get him to admit the truth.
"Oh, well...I'll see to it right away," Merlin promised, waiting for a moment before rushing off, Evaine following behind him laughing at his behaviour. They reached Morgana's chambers, and Gwen smiled at the two when she opened the door. "How is she?" he asked.
"I've never seen her like this before. I'm scared to leave her on her own," Gwen said.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Merlin asked.
"I'd better get back to her," Gwen said, and Merlin hands Gwen the flowers. "I'll make sure she knows who they're from," she promised, Merlin leaving.
"I'll keep you company, Gwen," Evaine promised, the serving girl smiling gratefully as Evaine entered the room.
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Evaine rushed through the corridors, the warning bells ringing loudly in the castle. She rushed into Morgana's chambers, followed by Arthur.
"The guards have completed the search of the castle. There's no trace of her," Arthur informed his father.
"Encircle the city. No one gets in or out," Uther instructed, and Arthur gave the orders to the guards to carry them out.
"You sent for me, Sire?" Gaius asked.
"Yes. What time did you deliver the sleeping draught to Morgana?" Uther asked.
"Well, I..." Gaius began, but Arthur interrupted him.
"The guards said that Merlin delivered it after she retired to her chambers."
"So, she was safe then?" Uther asked, and Gaius nodded.
"Yes. Well, I suppose she must've been," Gaius agreed, and Evaine looked to Uther.
"Sire is there anything I can do?" she asked, and Uther shook his head.
"Not at the moment," he said, smiling tensely before beckoning her to follow Arthur and himself to the council chamber. "Have all the suspects been arrested?"
"Nearly. A few have gone to ground," Arthur informed.
"Issue a proclamation. "All the prisoners will be executed unless the Lady Morgana is returned to Camelot"," Uther said, and Arthur nodded, the knights nodding in agreement at the proclamation.
"I'll see to it, Sire," Arthur promised.
The next day, Evaine watched as all the knights of Camelot and numerous guards followed Arthur out of the castle, Anna placing her hand on Evaine's shoulder as they stood by the window.
"Arthur will find her, Evaine," Anna assured, and Evaine nodded, smiling at the thought of Arthur, but quickly letting it fall as she remembered her position.
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Evaine stood beside Uther on the steps to the courtyard, the two rushing down as Arthur held Morgana in his arms. Uther helps her down, pulling her into a tight embrace the moment her feet touched the floor.
"I was so, so worried about you," Uther whispered into her hair, Evaine's eyes meeting Morgana's as she smiled happily at the return of her friend.
"You were right. It was the druids. They kidnapped her," Arthur informed his father, and Uther glared into space at the news, his grip tightening on Morgana. Evaine smiled despite this news, sharing a relieved look with Arthur, before the two looked away.
