"A Long, Overdue 'Thank You'" (Rose)
I give Merlin a tender, smile still wondering why he insists that he said nothing. I don't believe that for a second. I don't have much time to ponder on the matter, for when we turn around a tall, pale woman with striking long black hair and searing green eyes makes her way down the corridor to us, with a wide and white smile. Her lips are the color of a bright red rose and her facial features are sharp and stunning. "Hello," she says warmly as she nears us.
"Ah, Morgana," Arthur responds, sounding pleased by her arrival.
She closes the gaps between us in a few seconds and says, "Giving Merlin a hard time already, I see. It's a little early for exerting yourself too much isn't, dear Prince?"
Merlin bites back a laugh at her comment, while I freely giggle, "I thought his speech to be slightly limited this morning."
We laugh together. "Oh, I like this girl," she loops an arm around me.
Arthur retains a look of smugness, "Rose, meet the Lady Morgana."
"Pleased, I'm sure," I curtsey.
"Come now, my dear," she takes hold of my arm, pulling me up out of my bow, "No need for such formalities among friends." She gives me a wink, not before more footsteps echoed through the halls of the castle.
"Milady," a softer voice calls to her. I discover whom the voice belongs to before she comes into view- the sweet servant girl who cared for me during the day.
"Yes, Gwen," Morgana turns to face her, "What is it?"
"I was sent to you with a message from the king. He requests your presence at breakfast with him," she informs her.
"Oh, alright," she concedes, and looks back to me and the two men, "I can't keep His Majesty waiting. It's been a pleasure." She spins around and heads to wherever the meals are held in the castle. Gwen begins to follow her when I catch her attention.
"Rose!" she looks happy to see me up and about, "You're looking well! I'm so glad!"
"Yes, I am, thanks to you," we share an embrace.
"I just did what was right," she says, as if explaining her behavior.
"But you didn't have to, and that's why I owe you a long, overdue thank you," I smile brightly at her.
"You don't owe me a thing," she shakes her head quickly.
"Give yourself some credit! As great as Gaius and Merlin both are, I would have caught my death of cold in that dress I was wearing. If you hadn't come, they wouldn't have known what to do with me," I joke, causing Merlin to blush and Arthur to snigger. I look at her, square in the eye and say as sincerely as I know how, "Thank you for everything that you did. I shall do my best to return the favor somehow."
Merlin beams at the both of us, the scene before him clearly enriching his day, when Arthur steps forward.
"As beautiful as this moment is, I must interject," he holds his hands up in apology.
"He's right," Gwen snaps back to reality, "I should be going." She seems afraid that this will offend me somehow.
"Yes," I nod, "We, too, should get started. I have to look after these two," I motion to the two standing next to us.
She laughs, "Well, I wish you luck."
"You, as well," I join her in laughter.
"My Little Shadow" (Merlin)
I watch on with joy as Gwen turns to attend to her duties. With that, Rose spins around to face me, "So," she hides her hands behind her back, and tips back on her heels, then pushes onto her tiptoes, "Where to?"
"I usually let the prat decide that one," I tilt my head in Arthur's direction, only to receive a thwack to the head in response.
"The what?" he chides.
"Sorry, Sire," I wince, "I meant, the royal prat, of course."
Another smack, accompanied by a soft and stifled giggle from my new friend who seems to be filling the role of my right hand quite well, and right on cue, she takes it upon herself to distract Arthur from his petty anger and inability to take a joke. "If it's not too much trouble," she begins, "I would like to see more of where I'll be working for the day."
"Oh, of course," Arthur has a moment of revelation. I deem her quest successful. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to have the pleasure of showing you my home seeing that I have training with my knights every morning at this time. So, you're stuck with Merlin. I do so apologize."
"Oh," she carries on, "I'll be sure to muddle through, Your Majesty." Naturally, he's sure to grab her hand and kiss it, and she curtseys out of obligation. However, she is blushing. But, so am I ... Why must he do that? He's such an-
"Merlin?" a voice breaks through my harried, bitter thoughts.
I quickly shake my head, recovering what little dignity I still possess, "Right! Off we go!" I don't desire to leave anything that just happened open to questioning. Therefore, I will plow directly into this tour of the castle.
Much to my pleasure, she doesn't push the issue, and I am able to gather myself enough to act as I normally do. I offer her my arm, and she happily takes it. The overall mood eases greatly, and we set on our way with a spring in our step.
As we walk gingerly through the corridors, I explain what room is which and what happens there or to whom it belongs- all that. Rose looks on with an eager, wide-eyed look, seeming to want to take it all in and not miss a beat.
I make the executive decision to begin simply by tidying Arthur's room. I grab a few supplies and go on my way, picking up his clothes that are tossed about, and straightening up his possessions. I feel a pair of eyes watching me, but I know it's not Arthur, for I don't sense criticism. I actually sense something I don't normally get from anyone, except maybe Gaius. I sense admiration.
I peek over my shoulder to see Rose with a small smile on her face, which I return and continue cleaning. From behind me, I hear a very light pitter-patter of feet. I turn a bit, once more looking over my shoulder to see her taking it upon herself to mimic my actions and pick up a few things, putting them in a proper place. I smile to myself from the sudden warmth overtaking me. Something from within me is leading me to believe that work won't be so miserable today since my little shadow will be with me.