"so, what did I miss during my three-day snooze."
The following morning and you wouldn't think anything had been the matter with morgana. She was walking by herself, no effect on her appetite and seemed all but refreshed from the incident. Whatever Muirden had provided her with, it had done wonders.
Even so, Elaina still had not left her side and had yet to return to her own quarters, sleeping next to her sister with a hand on morgana's chest to make sure she was still breathing.
"what could we have possibly gotten up to, when you all had us terrified!" Elaina protested, trying to pick out a dress Gwen had brought a selection of.
Morgana pointed at the one in the middle which Elaina had laid out on the bed, "this one makes your eyes look like emeralds."
A long velvet red with beaded chiffon sleeves, with the work intricately sown around the neck too. It corseted up the front to keep things fixed in place, with a silver chain belt to empathises the waist. Flower petals were scattered on the bottom of the skirt with silver thread, to tie in the belt and shoes.
It was a favourite of Elaina's and one of her more expensive ones, that had been purchased from the seamstress during some grand feast or another. it was a bit much to wear just for parading around the castle.
As Elaina wondered what would make morgana possibly pick it, she winked at Elaina in the mirror, "I'm sure Mr Muirden will be mesmerised."
Elaina's eyes widened madly, "morgana!"
Her sister just giggled incessantly making Elaina throw a pillow at her to try and shut her up, "shhh, what if someone overhears you?"
It wasn't denial which was Elaina's mistake and Morgana was quick to catch on, "oh, then my suspicions are correct."
What suspicions could she have? The only time she and Muirden have been near each other in front of morgana was when she woke. That was for a fleeting moment, because she had then been clinging to morgana possessively, less she disappeared. Did someone catch their exchange in the hallway?
She was sure she hadn't so much as mentioned him aloud. Elaina slumped onto the bed and threw her body back, letting her hair splay around her head like a halo. She thought she was a little old to be having these troubles. This was what young girls dealt with, not women. She felt embarrassed, confused and excited all at once. A mixture of emotions that didn't go with each other and pained her head if she thought about it for too long and made her feel sick. A real woman would just face it all in her stride, but the idea to put this dress on as some flirtatious display as morgana suggested just felt wrong.
"I don't know what's going on with me," Elaina admitted.
Usually this was a mother's duty to set her daughter down the straight and narrow. However, since she abandoned them without so much as a goodbye, they hadn't had those special moments to prepare them for life and all its little surprises.
"careful with that," morgana warned, "Gwen isn't very fond of him."
At that, Gwen entered with a washing basket filled with fresh sheets that smelled heavenly.
"what gives you that idea."
The sisters exchanged a knowing look and took the basket from her hands, which annoyed her sometimes when they took over her tasks, as she never minded doing them and liked being kept busy. Then again, they were never a bore, even if she spent most days listening to their innocent chatter.
"please you're like an open book Gwen. You can't hide anything."
A pure heart like Gwen's never could. Elaina couldn't think of one lie or tall tale Gwen had even attempted. If the handmaiden did, she imagined it would be like a little girl terrified of getting caught. When the sisters used to get her to cover for them with Arthur, he always found them without failure or struggle, saying their handmaid had said where to find them.
"I just think we should be cautious. I mean a strange man comes out of the blue just when morgana is ill with some cure. It's all a little too coincidental if you ask me."
Elaina could see her point. But at the same time, when else was a stranger with medicinal knowledge going to pop up in Camelot to offer their help, other than when one of their own was ill.
She was giving him the benefit of the doubt. She knew this and couldn't think of why. but he had saved her sister and watching morgana twirl around her room it was worth it, even if he turns out to be the devil.
As it goes, Elaina didn't go for the red dress. She would not have felt the least bit comfortable in it and would have waited on Arthur saying something to seal the deal. But where she wouldn't lift a finger towards morgana, nothing would stop her in punching him.
Instead, a nice earth tone dress made from linen suited her well, with gold embroidery. She had worn it often so no one would think she was trying to make an impression and together with morgana they arrived at the throne room, where Uther wanted to personally give Muirden his thanks.
"you kept us waiting ladies."
Arthur was not seated but leant on the back of his chair and who's place was next to him, but Elaina's, so she made sure to stick her tongue out at him when she walked pass.
He smirked, glad to see she was herself again and things could go back to normal now morgana was fit and well. Which was greats news, because he had missed a few training sessions in light of all that had happened and he could practically feel his body begin to plump, having gone without swinging a sword.
"name your reward," Uther asked, as he was keen in the reputation of paying his debts for those who had serviced him. So that more with great talents would flock to Camelot to allow it to thrive in their skills, knowing they would be thanked by their king. If Camelot was to survive the test of time, it must grow.
"I desire nothing more than the good health of my patient sire."
Humility, Uther liked that, "there must be something I can do for you."
Elaina already knew there wasn't. At least he hadn't taken anything from her when she had asked, with her own thanks. Although she didn't carry the wealth of a king, so she was eager to see if he had changed his mind.
"no. I will wait until the lady morgana is fully recovered and then I will be on my way."
That was in a few days, Elaina thought. Two maybe. She found she didn't want Muirden to go without getting to know him better, which was ridiculous. What indicated he wanted the same? Really, He would get bored quick and run off earlier than expected. At least if she distanced herself, he could still believe in the fantasy she was this 'great lady' as he called her.
"why don't you stay awhile? You could live here in the palace."
An offering of a room in the castle was not to be taken lightly. It was an honour for a king to provide lodgings, especially to a commoner, where they weren't expected to serve. In that case they would be held in the servant's quarters, but to remain where he was as a guest. Uther was indeed grateful.
"no, I fear I would be trespassing, and you already have a court physician."
That perked Elaina's ears. Uther had not mentioned anything of him being a physician. Only that he would have him stay awhile and if she picked up that hint, others must have to.
Arthur was closest, only he was in agreement with his farther, nodding his approval and ignoring Elaina's drilling gaze. Some fresh meat among the servants he thought would shake things up, as the castle had been the same faces for years, with the exception of Merlin. The difference being Muirden was actually good at his job.
"I'm sure Gaius would be glad of your help."
So that was how things were going. Suddenly Elaina felt guilt being in the room, like this was all going behind the old man's back in finding his replacement. Gaius would never sneak around; he would tell of his intentions and he deserved the same in return. Goodness he had been in the employment of Uther for long enough to have some respect from him and loyalty.
"it is a kind offer but-"
Elaina rose up from her chair and politely excused herself. Taking the back exit to avoid any more of a spectacle is she walked past the man, that she was obviously snubbing by her departure on the mentioning of him working with Gaius.
Uther's teeth could be heard gritting from a mile away, "think about it. dine with me later and give me your decision."