Pairing/s: Gwen/Lancelot, Morgana/Gwen (unrequited)
Camelot Drabble Prompt 517: Suspicious
Merlin bingo M2115: I4 Unrequited Love
Disclaimer: I do not own the BBC version of Merlin; They and Shine do. I am very respectfully borrowing them with no intent to profit. No money has changed hands. No copyright infringement is intended.
Morgana waited until the light softened into dusk, waited in the dark with unlit candles and pain, waited until Gwen scurried in, her lips full of apologies.
Those same lips were red and swollen, stolen kisses obvious in the way Gwen kept licking at her mouth, as if tasting Lancelot there.
Morgana didn't want to be jealous. Her life was painful enough with Uther constantly at her to be the gracious lady, the princess in all but name. Like the warrior she should be if not kept from her birth right, she wanted to fight with swords, cut down villains and bandits, defend Camelot with steel and sinew and brilliance.
Instead, Uther kept her in a gilded cage.
But Uther had been inadvertently kind in one regard, not knowing the gift he'd bestowed on Morgana. When Gwen was assigned to her, she was like sunlight bursting into Morgana's life, bringing brilliance and colour where once there had been only cold and dark. Gwen was perfect, as maid, as confidant, as someone to love and be loved in return.
Gwen with her curls and stumbling words and bright smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief at times and sympathy at others. Smart but sweet and shy and so very beautiful.
Gwen didn't know her own worth, but Morgana did and kept her close. She thought it would never end, that they would always been together, that someday Gwen would realise that the love between them was rich and full and everlasting, that Morgana should be all that Gwen would ever need.
Until Lancelot came along with his dark eyes and handsome face. Ordinarily, Morgana would have taken joy in seeing the two of them circling around each other, the soft touches, the yearning looks. Gwen deserved everything wonderful, but not at Morgana's expense.
Not when Morgana loved Gwen with everything in her.
Not when Gwen didn't love her back.
Morgana would be ever alone, trapped in jewels and silk and Uther's expectations.
In the end, it would drive her mad.