By the time they made their way back to Camelot she had arrived at the gates first, as she warned Edwin that to ride in together would set some tongues wagging, since she was a lady with a man and no chaperone. It was easier to avoid such gossip if he just followed a little later.

That and she wanted to be alone. The entire ride with him next to her, the confusion for what she felt had grown. she avoided his glances not to encourage him to try and kiss her again. If she were honest, he very well could have been Arthur who met her lips, just without the revolution to make her gag added on top.

She wanted time to let her mind clear.

Edwin had stuck to the plan and she hurriedly settled her mare in its stall, thanking the stable boy for the fresh hay and water for her horse. She felt exhausted all of a sudden and wanted nothing more than for a hot bath.

It was nice to be back inside her own room. Pouches of lavender were nestled in corners so the scent welcomed her inside, soothing her body which felt depleted with all that had happened. A chill crept in and she sealed the stain glass windows which had been the appealing feature of this room, when she first moved into the castle, though had been the smallest. Size didn't matter, she wouldn't dine in here, for if not in the hall then she would sit in with morgana or Arthur. She just needed a place for a handsome bookcase, which was a safe keep from her family home, including a deep blue rug with gold filigree. The blue was a welcome break from the traditional red of the pendragons. At least here, there was that reminder of her house as a tapestry hung on the wall with a stag as the family emblem as well. She was a ward to the castle and of the royal family, but she refused to lose her identity and bloodline to the supposed honour.

What was able to fit in the room, was the source of the steam creating smoking tendrils since Elaina closed the window. Gwen in preparation of her lady's return from a ride, had already poured Elaina a bath in wait. It was stunningly alluring and she swiped a hand over its surface setting off ripples.

"heavenly," she mouthed, sparing no time in hauling her dress up over her head.

It was a struggle and a few seams roared with protest since Elaina didn't want to be unlaced, but she just about managed with a few scrapes, that left her with some red puffed out cheeks. One leg, then the other, she sunk into its depths letting the water ease her muscles only breaking the surface when Gwen returned.

At the loud splash she made, Gwen clung to her chest at the fright from Elaina.

"my lady you startled me!"

Elaina just giggled and rested her head back, lulled by the aroma and comfort which the warmth of the water was providing her with.

in the meantime, Gwen was salvaging the dress laying crumpled on the stone floor, where Elaina had kicked it. the corset was still laced and she inspected it thoroughly guessing her lady had forced it off, whether the dressed had liked it or not.

Elaina ducked under to her nose, with the handmaid warning her to have a care. These things might not mean much to her, but the woman who made it would not appreciate her work being treated thusly.

"patience would do you some good!" Gwen scolded, folding the dress neatly back up to put in the wardrobe.

It had been a while since she had to clean up after her mistress in her own room. It was nice change of surroundings. Morgana's room can often feel intimidating at the grandness; however, Elaina's approach was more homely in her décor. Slightly cluttered with items that carried stories. It reminded her of the way she and her father kept things. Her book selection was also impressive and Elaina encouraged she take which ever book appealed to her, not caring on its return. she would even find in her basket fine silks and threads to sow with, or medicinal items for her father whose health could be improved on. She never made a fuss about it, because she knew it would pressure and embarrass Gwen should she press these things on her. from Elaina, acts of kindness like this never made Gwen feel she did so out of charity, but a genuine need her lady had to share things. Gwen had a right to nice things the same as Elaina, so she fulfilled that belief she carried.

As much as she loved morgana, Gwen still kept in protocol with her, while Elaina; she gave off such an accepting vibe about her, it was impossible not to relax into it. she teased and poked fun at the lady, talking of things she would with another commoner on the street. Elaina was like kindred, whereas morgana was by appearance and presence, someone who emanated grandness, which was often intimidating. Morgana lived up to the expectation of. a lady and enjoyed it, if she were honest. Elaina much better appreciated not being the centre of attention and joking around with the handmaid and merlin.

"you haven't ruined it thank goodness. Did you enjoy your ride? Morgana was livid you didn't invite her."

If they did have a childish sibling rivalry, it was about riding. The sisters would battle it out over who was better accomplished at it, as their father had taught them from a young age. So, Elaina didn't doubt that morgana would by the next day, be going out by herself to get her hours up over Elaina for the week, with a comment on any tricky trails she took. It was an innocent game really, but one they took seriously.

"it was spur of the moment."

Gwen grabbed a stool and placed it behind Elaina, using scented soaps and oils on her Lady's damp hair to clean and brush it out with. Elaina's toes curled at the bristles on her scalp and could feel herself drifting off, but Gwen had concerns.

"was it? my lady I saw who you went out with."

It seemed Gwen hadn't changed her opinion over Edwin, or as she knew him Muirden. She was a clever girl, if anyone was going to suss something out it would be her and she would do as she thought honourable by her friends if she thought them at risk. Elaina didn't chip in a defence for Edwin. She was curious to see where Gwen would go with her suspicions, because Elaina had her own to bare regarding her old friend.

Her heart pinched slightly at her referring to him as an old friend. Had you asked her before, she might not have known what her status with him was, but it was slowly becoming apparent that from her side of things, the reality was she carried no romantic feelings towards him. That the dream, was a fantasy she had built upon because of the abruptness things had stopped at with him and she. What she had created was the appeal, so now there was a cruel disappointment that they had not lived up to expectation.

"my lady I don't want you to be alone with him. There's something about this Muirden."

Elaina turned her head, "Don't hold back Gwen, what do you think he is up to?"

She whispered like there was someone who could hear them, which was understandable as Edwin had gained an amiable reputation with Uther's favour on his side, while she was just a servant. But it also implied that she was afraid of him which Elaina could not accept.

"I came back into the room when he was tending to morgana. He was acting strange and was angry I had come in. and that blood… I would have seen it when I was washing her. He hasn't been honest with anyone. He put that blood there, I know it."

it was like the piece of a jigsaw Elaina had been wilfully ignoring. As she recalled his announcement, worry had been too powerful to question him on it and then followed by relief. Now as she stopped to think on it, Gwen had a very valid point of interest to explore.

That figure in the courtyard, obviously it was Edwin, but it was funny how he appeared at the same time as the floral arrangement for morgana. Without a note, when men flocked to tell her their names in hopes that they be remembered.

"the lilies…"

Gwen squinted to fathom what Elaina meant in bringing them up, but she wouldn't consider how simple things can be used as tools and instruments of magic. Someone else would however, who has been working closely with Edwin.

"Gwen, can you have merlin see me in the morning?"

Elaina had not joined in breakfast and was sheltering herself inside her room, not daring to step out from it in case she ran across Edwin. She even went as far as to have Gwen doing a secret nock so Elaina knew it was her, as she would not answer unless she was sure of who was on the other side. Nor would she allow morgana in, as her sister would see instantly how anxious Elaina was and demand to know why. It was best she be kept in the dark on this. The extra worry wouldn't do her good, when she was just getting back on her feet.

"Right," Elaina began, summoning a plan, "if anyone asks say I'm lying in this morning. Don't say that I'm ill, they will just send Muirden to examine me. say that…I have my courses!"

A shrill came from the door, "Oh Elaina!"

Merlin had entered on his own accord and clearly disgusted, though it would serve him right for barging into a lady's room. His fingers were pressed inside his ears, but it was too late now. Really, he must of tended to women going through their monthly pains with Gaius, but as his response was to press his fingers to his ears, Gaius must have left him out on those appointments.

Gwen blushed for a boy to have overheard of what they as women put up with, but Elaina just laughed at his expression, "Sorry merlin."

"right, well. Gwen said you wanted to see me."

He still looked a little sickened, but there was no time for that now.

"Merlin, is there anything out of the ordinary you've noticed about Muirden? You usually have a-" Elaina coughed, suggestively raising her eyebrow, "sense, about these things in people."

He stared dopily at her. He wasn't a morning person which was unfortunate for a servant who was required to wake at the crack of dawn. Especially for Arthur, who could not fend for himself without the first thing he sees when he wakes, being a servant to take him step by step through his morning routine.

He scratched his dishevelled black hair and you could practically see the light go on inside his head. Just by the way he was acting, Elaina knew that merlin was aware that Edwin had magic. By thinking he had used it to save morgana, the young sorcerer may not have said anything to respect and protect Edwin. But how many have genuinely had good intentions towards Camelot, with magic at their disposal.

"why do you ask?"

Gwen explained to merlin what she had expressed to Elaina. In light of the fact that it was becoming clear Edwin was fast becoming the new physician, in Gaius's stead, merlin wasn't exactly thrilled with his presence much more so he listened intently.

"morgana's illness was far too random," Elaina chipped in, "Even with Gaius's or muirden's supposed diagnosis, there would have been symptoms leading up to it. she was perfectly well and then some lilies were sent to her. Following that, morgana was ill and Muirden appeared."

Merlin suddenly bounced on his feet, now figuring and imparting another piece which was creating an image of this puzzle.

"what creeps in flowers?" he exclaimed.

Elaina shrugged in response.

"insects! He had a strange box on his desk with beetles inside…and the lettering was. It was nothing I had seen of any language."

That was a hint of magic. A box of beetles, Elaina thought. Nothing tingled her power. She would need to see and at least hold the thing.

"Do you think you can sneak them out?"

Merlin scrunched his face, "He's caught me snooping once already."

Merlin wasn't a good actor. If he was caught before he could slip out, he wouldn't be able to bluff his way from Edwin. Being in his room without permission and reason would tick him off that something was going on. Who was plausible to creep inside with the possibility of getting by without notice of anything untoward, was Elaina.

The idea of seeing him wasn't what she wanted. Especially when she was going behind his back to prove that his word in not harming Uther was worth nothing. She wouldn't be able to really disguise the saltiness in her tone, as even the suggestion he had done something to morgana enraged her.

"What did it look like?"

Merlin used his hands to imitate the size and width, "its sitting on the table. Red oak. open it and you'll see what I mean."

It was a fair point. Surely no one needs more than one box of insects. She may be able to identify it now that she had an idea what to look for.

"ok, wait here."