Like Sam had said, the guards at the city gates hadn't battered an eye at him as he told them where he was off to. not even inspecting his wagon before he rode off. They left it until the patrols had gone by as well, with a few early morning greetings from the stable boy, some reciprocated others ignored. Eventually the wagon stopped, and the three men hidden could get out to stretch their legs and open the canopy at the world beyond to make the journey more bearable.
"that was well done Sam!" Edwin exclaimed, appealing to his better side to maintain common ground unless the boy ran off to tell some guards after some thought.
He wasn't to go with them to the lake. Arthur wouldn't put the boy at risk when the roads were clearly dangerous at this time and if he was going to protect his company, it would be made an easier job if the numbers were few. Sam hadn't seen any conflict before in any case and it would only distress him if things were to happen.
Arthur took the reins of the horses pulling the wagon in the stableboy's stead, "I wish we could bring you along, but it might be too dangerous."
He shrugged, "my aunt's farm isn't too far, where I get the Hay. If we meet here again in the evening, none shall be the wiser."
Merlin broke off a piece of bread and chewed, missing his morning breakfast. He offered Edwin a piece of the same loaf which he denied, while Arthur rolled his eyes at the servant who thought so much about his own stomach.
Meanwhile Sam noticed that the cluster of lavender flowers he had picked were still perched atop Elain's chest with its smooth green ribbon brightening as it captured the morning sun.
Edwin saw what sam was staring at, the appreciation that someone had cared to keep his gift close to Elaina clear on his face. He hadn't known why he had brought it with them when he had picked Elaina up from her bed, but it had felt wrong to leave it behind when Sam had put so much care in bringing it to her.
Edwin was glad that he did, just for that look on his face, seeing why Elaina had nurtured a friendship with the boy, as she often did with broken things.
'they are the most deserving of love.'
He twitched at the sound of her voice in his head. Not a memory, but like a projection and when he focused where the skin of her fingers touched the flowers, something like golden dust made her fingertips glow.
"…lavender, it's used for purification and healing, as well as symbolising love and devotion. A wise gift Sam for our Lady."
Arthur tugged at the reins for the horses to march forwards after faring Sam goodbye, jerking Edwin back down into his seat. still chewing furiously at the day-old bread, Merlin was confused in how limp Edwin seemed by the way he slumped down with his arms dangling at his side.
'you look like you've seen a ghost," merlin commented.
Edwin touched his lips to silence him, then pointed to Elaina's hands where the gold still sparkled like fairy dust.
Merlin's eyes widened and he placed the bread down, dusting off his hands from the crumbs. He edged his way to sit in direct eyeline between Elaina and Arthur, as this wasn't something the prince should see, nor could they pass it off as an effect of the poison. Compared to the black curse snuffing out her life, this was memorising and alluring with merlin feeling the power emanating from it.
"Seems the lavender or maybe the gesture behind it is allowing Elaina to push through. Then again, she's a grimoire but a long lineage of high priestess's stand behind her, if it takes one to break the poison it can be her own strength fighting back."
Edwin cast a glance over his shoulder to the road ahead and he was pleased that it looked smooth and from his quick analysis, without threat for the moment though that could easily change if Elaina's predicament was anything to go by.
He stretched and decided that he was going to go with his hunch of what this display meant, but he would lose awareness of reality for a while which meant the servant and idiot prince were going to be alone for a moment. He didn't have great confidence in either of them, so Edwin leant merlin a safety net in case help was needed at any point.
"merlin, if we incur on a hiccup I give you permission to hit me."
His brow scrunched and he repeated Edwin's words, "to hit you- what do you mean?"
It was a pointless question as he would soon see what Edwin meant and he reached and grabbed Elaina's hands, linking his fingers through hers.
A few deep breaths and he could feel his spirit suddenly being pulled into Elaina's subconscious, making him smirk.
"your still there and kicking, my love."