Elaina's hands were just as pale as her sisters, clutched tightly within them. Gwen had gotten her a stool at least, but for two days nothing worked on morgana and Elaina lost more hope. From morning to night, she remained in the same position, like a ghost, not eating or sleeping.

Not even Gwen could get her to say a single word. Her only order had been for the lily's to be taken out the room, many assuming because of their connection with death and kicked themselves for not noticing sooner.

She didn't protest to Uther being in the room which everyone thought, if something would annoy and break her from this miserable trance, it would be him being near her.

Fortunately, Arthur wasn't giving in to her antics and refused to treat Elaina any differently than he normally would. For each meal he insisted on bringing it to her and without taking no for an answer, forcefully fed it to her. Meanwhile he continued talking to morgana about her sister's nonsense, knowing she would agree in Elaina acting like a pitiful fool. That she did her sister no good in this state and may be the reason morgana won't wake up, with such a depressive cloud in the room.

Merlin and the others had thought he was going too far with it, but in the afternoon, they were all surprised to see that Elaina had washed and changed with a little help from Gwen.

"much better," Arthur had encouraged going another step further, "come, a walk will do you good."

He could see she was hesitant. When their father died, it had been on the battlefield. Neither she nor morgana had been given the chance to say their goodbye's and it was a constant source of pain for them both. She didn't want to risk missing that opportunity again, if things were going that way with her sister.

So he added, "only to the steps, for some fresh air. then you can come back."

Arthur hated Elaina being so silent. It wasn't normal for her and was desperate for her to poke fun at him in any way she wanted. He was worried about morgana too, they all were, but for Elaina, he could tell it would be like losing a part of her soul.

He had hoped to make it, so that they could sit on the steps on the courtyard, but as they came out the doors, a man was standing there with a long cloak on, covering him well.

"ah your majesty. Forgive me but I was just about to send a message concerning that fellow there. he wishes for an audience."

Arthur grumbled not having time or energy for this and didn't want to waste this opportunity in Elaina clearing her mind. But since the man was in their way in any case, there was no way he could ignore him and patted Elaina's hand hinting that it won't take him long to send the figure on their way.

"what's your business here?" Arthur asked with the full authority of a prince.

He did not answer straight away, for it was like he knew from years of dealing with such looks it would take a moment for Arthur to adjust to the state if his face. There was a reason they kept themselves hooded and that was for the burn marks ravishing the right side of their face. They were jagged and risen, texturing his face with the movements the fire must have made against him.

Elaina had noticed as well. Her eyes softening with some expression finally. What Arthur couldn't understand was that this man would have her instant sympathy, because of the relationship she had with the dangers of fire, after seeing it devour two people and claim their son as well.

These were old wounds, but a part of her wanted to touch them and ask if he was alright. A silly gesture really but more than that, another part also had this urge to wrap her arms around the figure. Beneath his hood she could see the odd auburn curl wavering in the wind, and it took her breath away. She waited if he would answer with a name, she wouldn't move until he said one, all the while trying to peek to see the other side of his face that was clear of injury.

"I am Muirden sire; and I have a remedy to cure all ills."

She did not recognise it at all and whether it was from tiredness or because of the thought she knew this man, who bore a resemblance to someone from her past, she laughed coldly. It was like when she first lost Edwin and every redheaded child from the back, she always mistook them for him, despite knowing he was gone.

Arthur could see his attention was needed elsewhere from this man and did not encourage him to continue, though he asked for an audience with the king.

"come along Elaina."

As they turned to walk away, Elaina was slow to match Arthur's fast pace, due to the interest that remained with the mystery man. And he himself was not done with them.

"I hear the lady morgana is gravely ill!" he called.

No one outside the castle knew of this, not even some who worked inside, apart from a few close confidents. There was no way this man would have known of morgana's state unless someone had told him. Arthur looked accusingly at the guards, but they looked just as confused, like it was news to them, as it should have been.

Some people when he made the claim, even turned to look at Arthur and Elaina, since morgana was well loved by the people, which is why they hadn't said anything. So, he was scared one of them would come up to Elaina and overwhelm her with questions or sympathy.

"that is no concern of yours."

No matter what Arthur said, Elaina stormed up to the man who lowered his face in modesty.

"how do you know that?" she demanded, her voice shaking. She didn't know no announcement had been made regarding her sister and thought for a moment the council had done it because they were waiting on the worst to happen, with no chance of her sister pulling through, thus preparing the people for the loss.

"I may be able to help her," he whispered.

At this point only Gaius had been tending to morgana, with nothing found or the slightest bit helpful in making any kind of difference. Not even her gift was giving her any hints on what to do and at the start she had made merlin bring every potion to her so she could try and get a sense of what might work, that no one else would have thought about.

Outside her mind seemed to be working a lot soundly, thus she knew something more sinister was happening to her sister. She knew because her gift was making her focus in on morgana obsessively, as if waiting for Elaina to notice something. That's why she appeared worse physically, otherwise she would be marching around doing what she could to help morgana.

Now finally something is inspiring her, in that they can do something or at least tell her a secret in helping morgana.

Before she could ask how, Arthur had swooped in and removed her from the man.

"we already have a physician."

Elaina pulled back but Arthur was too strong, and she was mentally not in the state to protest.

"I'll be at the inn. In case you change your mind."

Frustrated Arthur wouldn't delve deeper into the man's credentials, they came around a corner where more privacy was provided for Elaina's outburst.

"Arthur do you not understand that morgana is not just ill. But she is dying!"

Her tone of anger mixed with heartbreak made it sound all the more frightening to Arthur, who had just been used to the fun side of Elaina until recent events and he didn't know quite how to handle her. That's why he was so determined to get her back to some form of her usual self. He didn't want to feel like he was on the verge of losing both morgana and Elaina, so he understood that statement quite well.

"this is morgana. For her I would make a deal with the greatest evil, just to see her eyes open again. If there is a chance with him, then please put pride aside and let him try. I don't care if it doesn't work, or that he might be a fake. I won't be able to live with myself if I hadn't tried everything to save her. please…"

His rational told him it was stupid to let that man have the time of day due to his great claim. 'a remedy to cure all ills' what sort of nonsense is that. Nothing but a miracle could carry that kind of power and Elaina could see it written all over his face.

With that she was done with her walk and without another word, left Arthur to stand and dwell on it, while she returned to morgana.

Another morning had come, bringing forth the third day that morgana had not eaten or drank among other things.

Gwen could barely take it being in the same room as the sisters. the sorrow was just too much watching as Elaina lost the only thing that mattered to her. the last of her family to join Gorlois on the afterlife. She dreaded to think what would become of her lady. Without morgana Camelot was no home to Elaina and there would be no mediator between she and Uther, as the two have never gotten along, though Arthur would try his best. As much as Elaina protected morgana, her sister did the same, keeping the king sweet so that Elaina would pass by him, for he always lashed out his anger in her direction and made no secret of his intolerance. It was hard to be somewhere you are not wanted, especially by the likes of a man such as Uther.

She would surely leave and what then? The outside world was a dangerous place. How long would she last? Gwen knew that Elaina was strong, but would she care enough not to put her life at risk, when there was no one she loved left in it. she had her friends here of course, but her blood tie to morgana will always be strongest.

"my lady."

Gwen brought in some steaming tea to give a little rejuvenation back into Elaina's body. Out of kindness she accepted it, though it would just sit in her hands until it went cold and without so much as a sip.

Elaina knew she was making the handmaid worry. She was not just a servant to her and morgana, but an honest and true friend. They always went out their way to make sure Gwen was doing well and didn't overexert herself on their account. They weren't so luxurious that they didn't know how to bathe or dress themselves and would often let Gwen go home early with some extra coin. The pair were known for their charity within Camelot, providing those in poverty with coin, garments, food medicine and sometimes a simple conversation. Their reputation went beyond their beauty, but the light of their hearts also. If both were to leave Camelot, it would leave a hole that could never be filled.

At that the creak of the door signalled the return of the king and Arthur. Gaius was like Elaina, in that he did not leave morgana's side, less the worse should happen and he was not there.

The king's face was like thunder. Anger was never too far behind the man as it was one of few of the emotions, he was capable of, but for morgana it was for her he could feel something of warmth and concern for another's welfare.

Arthur had been nervous to see Elaina again after their last altercation and all through the night he had run her words over and over again, with merlin in the background pestering him as usual. He knew that she was right when she said, she would not stop in asking herself what if, should they not try something different which was available to them. Because he felt the same. He had waited on the news of morgana's death all the while knowing he would share in the burden of blame and he could not stand the thought.

So, when he saw once more that she was still in the same vegetative state, he had made up his mind.

"I cannot preserve her life much longer. She has hours maybe less."

Gaius wouldn't sugar coat anything before the king. nor would he be so cruel to Elaina in fabricating the severity of the matter. But for Arthur, he could not believe what he was hearing, like the old man had all but given up and would refuse to do much more than he already had.

He would not spend this day waiting for morgana's last breath, nor for Elaina's screams.

"we cannot let her die!" he blurted out.

Uther ushered him to stay silent, that he did not want for anyone to say anything more especially someone like Arthur who couldn't possibly know of such things in the regions of healing. Gaius had never let him down before, so if he said there was no hope. Then there was none.

He sat on the bed with morgana and gazed at her with devotion.

It was strange, he mimicked perfectly the look their own father would give his daughters, Elaina pointed out to herself. What man could muster this love, for a girl who has only lived in the castle for a short time and who really, he didn't spend that much time with, even then. The relationship he had with Elaina, wasn't healthy but it was far more understandable than his with morgana.

Then it hit Elaina. A vision which on its onset made her body tingle like when your brushed by a nettle.

A woman, a near perfect image of morgana but for the brown eyes, which shone like acorns, the same as Morgause. She was tearful, not long losing her first child and alone with her second, who she could not comfort as the reminder of her first child's lost was to near, that any contact with this daughter was too painful. She was maddened with hatred as she looked into the fireplace. Then Elaina could hear her enchanting a spell. It was powerful magic only a high priestess could perform. Yet she did it with ease, there in the fire whatever she saw pleased her. Thus, the vision transformed to Vivienne waltzing into the castle in search for the king. she seduced him, in empathising the loneliest she felt without her husband, knowing it would play with his own, regarding his wife. Then they embraced each other passionately. Gorlois had been away at war during this time, but on his return, another babe was waiting for him in the cradle. Which had not been in Vivienne's womb when he left.

Morgana.

It would have been a couple of seconds for all that to play before Elaina, but it felt like a lifetime for her. finally, it all made sense. Why Uther took them in, not for the sake of Gorlois but because it was his own child which risked destitution, while Elaina was taken in unless it look suspicious. Morgana was an illegitimate Pendragon and luckily for Uther, nothing physically similar to him, which is why it had gone unknown for so long, but obviously he had known the moment she had been born.

Elaina felt ill to think her mother could be so devious and knew where Morgause took it from, for she had glimpses into her life as an adult now and then, and she wasn't a merciful being. Only Elaina had missed what her mother had seen in the flames to make her betray Gorlois the way she did. Whatever it was it pleased her thirst for revenge, and she had held morgana far more dearly in her arms, than she had Elaina in the end. Morgana promised Vivienne something great…

"Elaina!"

At the call of her name, it snapped her out her dizzying vision and saw Arthur was antsy on his feet.

"tell father of the man, the one who came to the castle yesterday."

It took her a minute to remember, however it was hard to forget a person like him and how after she had departed and tried to convince herself otherwise, she toyed with the idea that he was all too familiar. The way he moved, the air around him, the manner in how he spoke…

"he claims he can cure her," Arthur continued to ramble.

"that's ridiculous he doesn't know what's wrong with her," Uther argued with a fair point, which neither she nor Arthur had ignored if they were honest, but couldn't care about.

"he says he has a remedy to cure all ills."

The only sane mind that remained in the room doubted the possibility, after studying medicine for as long as he had. Gaius had never heard of such a thing existing. Even in the magical world, everything came with its limits and here is where it lay with whatever was wrong with morgana. All his assessments had come to one conclusion, that she would die and if there was anything which could help her, within his own capabilities, he would have done it by now. a remedy to cure all ills, that was only a dream every pure hearted physician had.

"for morgana's sake, surely we should at least hear him out. I mean what have we got to lose. Please father."

Arthur exchanged a look with Elaina who was proud he was stepping up and voicing his opinion which he rarely did before Uther. She mustered the best smile she could manage, indicating that she was sorry for what she had said to him yesterday, or at least the tone in which she had said it. she wasn't sorry that it had worked and more and more she sees a change in Arthur all for the better. Dare she say it makes her swell with pride.

"probably some charlatan hoping for a quick shilling."

Gaius did not want Morgana's situation to be taken advantage of, since she was in enough of a sorry state as it was. No need to let someone in and go announcing to world he had seen to the lady and allow for stories and poems to be written of her tragic death, to benefit from. He had seen as much done before.

"I don't care! If she's about to die what harm can it do? Give him his shilling. If there's one chance in a million he can save her, then why not?"

Arthur was hoping the same affect Elain's words had on him, would do the same for his father, who looked like a woeful dog. He was not strong enough to argue back surely and just as desperate as the rest of them, to save morgana.

There was a pause before Gaius, raised his whitened brows, that he would not mind in what the king instructed. Thus, Uther gave his permission.

"send for him."

Immediately, Arthur turned out the room, but he was stopped by Elaina, who to the surprise of everyone had jumped out her seat in pursuit of the prince.

"Arthur, let me go" she ordered catching up with him as he bolted down the hallway.

"what? Elaina we don't have time for this!"

He was all flustered with his cheeks turning red, as he knew of the urgency to get morgana seen to.

Elaina grabbed his arm, nearly piercing through the leather tunic he wore with her long nails.

"no, we don't and I'm the fastest rider, who doesn't need guards to protect me. Stay here and don't let them change their minds!"

She wasn't going to give in. morgana was her responsibility and the man seemed more open with her than he had with Arthur and she couldn't trust that if he did one wrong thing Infront of the prince, he would refuse to bring him, less he be made to look a fool before his father. Elaina knew nothing would stop her in getting the job done and besides, he still needed an audience with the king before seeing to morgana, so if Arthur could prepare that, the quicker things will move along.

She flung his arm back and sped off.

"who says you don't need guards!" he Hollard, which had been a lie on her part, as she hadn't done anything without and entourage since joining the royal family as a ward. What was most opportune however, was that just as she was about the descend, to make it to the stables, Merlin had popped up at the top of the same stair well.

"I'll take merlin!"

Poor merlin nearly fell back down the steps he had climbed, as Elaina claimed his arm. Not knowing what was going on, he knew it was best just to follow as he always did, and everything would become clearer along the way.