Hello everyone! 2020 has certainly become an insane year, and we're only in month three. My university has completely shut, and even though this is a real pain in the a***, this has given me a little time to get some writing done!
Please stay safe out there everyone, and remember not to panic. Life is crazy, but we will get through this as long as we're all sensible. If anyone has any worries about life right now and they don't know who to talk to, please PM and I will cheer you up with some wise Disney reference!
Thanks and enjoy,
Phantomshadow99
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The Crystal Cave
Evaine and Anna stood just next to Gwen and Merlin, the two listening intently to Arthur's report.
"The bandits probably have a stronghold somewhere in the White Mountains. How we escaped, I'll never know. Although, some credit must go to my servant, Merlin," Arthur states, and Evaine smiles at the warlock as Gwen nudges him. Evaine frowns when she notices his face, but she is distracted by Uther speaking.
"Dispatch a patrol. I want these men caught and brought to justice," he instructs.
"Immediately, Father," Arthur answers.
"For a moment, we feared you might miss Lady Morgana's birthday," Uther says, walking over to his son and patting him on the shoulder as he smiles.
"It'd take more than a bunch of thieves to keep me from such a feast," Arthur says, smirking over his shoulder as Morgana and Gwen follows them, Evaine and Anna trailing behind.
"Tomorrow promises to be quite a night," Uther states, the rest of the court dispersing.
"What will you be wearing tomorrow night?" Morgana asks, glancing over her shoulder and smiling at her friend.
"Oh, something that will probably be paled in comparison to you, Morgana," Evaine says, smiling as her friend laughs, hooking her arm through hers and walking to Morgana's chambers.
XXXXXX
"You have her present, don't you?" Evaine asks Anna as they leave for the feast. Anna holds the box up for the fifth time.
"I haven't lost it in the last ten seconds," Anna teases, and Evaine nudges her arm as they enter the hall of ceremonies. The two curtsey before Uther, before stopping in front of Morgana.
"The happiest of birthdays, my dear friend," Evaine smiles, taking the box from Anna and holding it out. Morgana smiles, opening it and gasping at the sight.
"Oh Evaine, you shouldn't have!" she cries, lifting the ornate headpiece up to show Uther.
"Oh come, you spoiled me for my birthday last year," Evaine answers, holding her arm out to show the bejeweled bracelet Morgana had gifted her. The two smile before Evaine takes her seat next to Sir Leon, the two greeting each other with a smile.
"You look beautiful," Leon tells her, and Evaine blushes, her eyes glancing to Arthur.
"Thank you, Leon. As always you are too kind," Evaine says, thanking him. Leon's gaze lingers on her before the court begin to applaud Arthur's gift to her, a dagger encrusted with jewels.
The night is one filled with laughter and celebration, and Evaine thanks Leon for walking her back to her chambers with Anna. "It seems he likes you," Anna tells her friend once the door is safely shut behind them.
"Oh, Anna you can't be serious," Evaine says, shaking her head. Anna grabs her arm softly, stopping Evaine from moving.
"I know that you and the prince have a connection. But at the end of the year, you must marry, or your father will choose for you. Surely a man as good as Leon can make you happy enough?" Anna asks, and Evaine's smile falls.
"I-"Evaine begins to answer, but Merlin bursts in. "How many times, Merlin?"
"It's Morgana," he says, and the two women share a look before they rush from the room, following Merlin to Gaius' chambers. They pass Arthur leaning against the wall.
"I'll be in a moment," Evaine says, glancing to Merlin and Anna. The two nod before entering the chambers. Evaine hesitates before placing her hand on Arthur's arm.
"She must have tripped and fell down the stairs. Her head was bleeding, and I couldn't do anything. She was so happy earlier," Arthur whispered, looking up at Evaine.
"Will she be alright?" she asks, and Arthur drops his head. "I'll go see her," she mutters, stepping away from Arthur. She breathes deeply before walking inside, smiling softly as Gaius looks up from his seat next to Morgana.
"Come in, child," Gaius tells her, standing from his seat. Evaine moves slowly towards them, her eyes watering as she sees Morgana's pale form. She sits next to her, taking her hand and feeling her weak pulse.
"Will she live?" Evaine asks.
Gaius pauses before answering. "All we can do is wait."
XXXXXX
A few days pass, and Evaine sits alone in Morgana's chambers, staring blankly out the window. She jumps as a hand is placed on her shoulder.
"Arthur," she greets, smiling weakly as she stands to face him. He looks at her, his other hand resting on her other shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asks softly. Evaine shakes her head, tears beginning to fall as Arthur pulls her close to him, and her arms wrap around him.
"We can't lose her, not after she was gone for so long," she sobs, and Arthur tightens his hold on her, kissing the top of her head. He shuts his eyes tightly, trying to stop himself from crying. They stand like that for a few moments, before Evaine's tears dry and she quietens. "The last person I lost was Dival. I can't go through it again," she says, looking up at him. Arthur wipes her eyes with his thumb, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He has no words he can offer to comfort her.
A few more days pass, and Evaine and Merlin stand in the pouring rain as Arthur slashes angrily at a training dummy. Evaine's cloak and hood grows heavy from the rain, but she moves forward to the prince after his attacks cease and he leans on his sword. She places her hand on his shoulder, the same way he did.
"Arthur," she says softly, and the prince turns to face her. She can just make out the tears through the rain, and she leans up and pulls him close to her. Merlin hangs his head as he watches the two, knowing he caused this. "Even with all your training, you could not have prevented this," she assures him. Arthur shakes his head, hiding his face in her shoulder.
"There must be something," Arthur mutters, his hands gripping onto her waist. She shakes her head, smoothing his soaked hair away from his face as they rest their foreheads together.
"There isn't," she whispers, feeling tears fall from her own eyes as they stand there.
XXXXXX
Evaine and Anna sit at the table in her rooms that night, the two picking at some food before glancing up at the knock on the door.
"Come in," Evaine calls, standing and smiling softly as Gwen walks in, tears streaming from her eyes. "Morgana?"
"She's awake," Gwen answers, gasping in relief as Evaine rushes around to hug her.
"I must see her," Evaine says, but Gwen stops her.
"She is with Uther right now. She's still very weak," Gwen tells her, and Evaine shakes her head, still smiling.
"This is joyous news though. We prayed for a miracle, and it has come," Evaine says, pulling Anna in for the hug as well.
