Elaina did not remain in the throne room to hear the verdict. She had clearly done more than enough and could do no more even if none of it felt like it made any positive steps. so as the fresh air enveloped her, Elaina's eyes began to water as the reality of what she had done and said took its hold.

Deep down she knew she regretted none of it, as it was only a small portion of how she truly felt towards that tyrant, which she had held inside for years. Elaina had convinced herself it was for Gwaine's sake she had spoken out of turn and although true, it wasn't just for his sake she had done what she did in there. worryingly, she had wanted to hurt Uther as he threatened to do the same to her once more. She was sick of being made to accept what he did to her and could bear it no longer. If Elaina could, she would have gone as far as to scream bloody murder at him, for wanting to take one more good thing out from her life, whether in the past he was the direct cause or not.

She was just tired of losing so much she cared about, but just as people had warned, Elaina now feared that she had ruined any chance of a positive outcome for either Gwaine or her…

"Elaina?"

She quickly dried her eyes; the meek sound being taken for Gwen and it came as a surprise when actually it was her sister standing there. Elaina was stunned by the lack of cynicism that had fooled her into thinking it was her sweet handmaid, as well as a calming atmosphere that did not heighten Elaina's wits to be cautious around morgana. For once, there was a glimmer of the woman she had known, as morgana nervously twisted her sleeve debating on what to say next to her.

she had followed Elaina on instinct, having witnessed that hit as if it were done onto herself. The insult had maddened her, that Uther would dare have the audacity to strike her own blood, which was an ancient line that demanded respect just as Morgause had taught her. Were these days of old, whether he be a king or not, that hand would have been removed from Uther, if not his very life and the impulse to carry out that sentence had been within morgana's sights, as she felt the power within her flicker like a freshly lit match ready to carry out her will.

what she forgot was the lengths in which Elaina's courage went to, having followed Morgause's example and called her a coward due to her refusal to join them where she belonged. Admiration in how Elaina stood against the king had overflowed morgana and silently pleaded that her sister might see sense and become a united front with herself and Morgause. It did not matter if she had no magic, since Elaina's resolve was her power, which was as untameable as the sea.

Together the three would make short work of this land, becoming an unstoppable force, which would bring back the old religion stronger than ever.

And if morgana was willing to forgive her for the past, she dared hope Elaina could do the same for her. after all, it was what family did for each other. However, morgana knew she had to tread carefully and not press Elaina on the subject, as their relationship had suffered terrible blows that could not recover that easily, but now she saw the possibility for it to heal, which gladdened her heart.

Elaina continued to stare waiting for more to be said, or an explanation over what she wanted and none of her predictions had been for her sister to suddenly wrap her arms around her.

"I saw and heard everything."

Morgana's hold tightened in comfort, causing Elaina to whimper at the familiarity of the touch because just as her tone did, the hug also lacked any wickedness that chilled her. It felt exactly as it did before, so she rested deeper into her sisters' body, burying her face into the crook of morgana's neck and desperately holding back a cry. It's was a sentiment that brought Elaina back home, as that was who morgana had been to her for all the years she spent in this castle. her final shed of belonging until she cut the tethers that bound them together, leaving her isolated within these cold walls, especially when she had lost Edwin too.

Elaina wished to stop time so that she could make this last longer in order to be with her sister who she had lost and therefore savoured every second that went by, as it was more precious because the moment could not be frozen.

The only thing that frightened Elaina was that she was too willing to give in to this embrace, desperate almost, and after everything she knew morgana had done, as well as yet to do. Inside there came a voice that urged Elaina to give up the fight and surrender to her sisters as they strived to be rid of Uther, which was all she wanted considering the hatred she carried for the man. vengeance for all the crimes he had committed against Elaina and her people, would be a sweet reward after all the pain she has suffered.

Elaina could feel that it was in her to do that now, vulnerable to a sort of darkness she was sure had never even turned its ugly head towards her until now and she began to shake under morgana's hold frightened by this change she swore never to submit to.

"Elaina!"

Thankfully, faith had not relinquished its claim of her and had somehow known to send in a guiding light to bring Elaina back into the fold. It lightened her spirit to hear him calling to her, while morgana was the one to stiffen and without saying anything more she wandered off, as calmly as she came.

If Gwen had seen this exchange between them, she would have been so pleased, but as for merlin and Gaius, Elaina looked to see the men regarding her with suspicion over the embrace she had shared with her sister. They exchanged worrying glances that pinched her, to think that they would even briefly consider she might have changed her point of view, in just that one gesture from morgana. Then of course, she had once been the last person they had expected to turn to evil, so Elaina could not blame them for being cautious, remembering to try and ease their concerns later on if she could.

"Elaina what happened!" Gwaine hastened his steps, as soon as he caught the reddened mark on her face and as he went to take her cheek she hissed from the tenderness there, knowing it was going to bruise.

He did not need any explanation and had carried a few shiners in his time to know how one might come to earn one. He had also seen enough women with these horrible marks, to know if the pain they were burdened with was the result of a cruel man… "the king hit you!"

He was grinding his teeth in fury, so she quickly tried to defuse the situation but couldn't lie either. There was only so many times someone heard the excuse I fell over, that made the effort pointless and she shrugged, "to be fair, I would have hit me too."

Gwaine nestled Elaina under his arm and the guilt over her behaviour in the throne room made her feel undeserving to be held by him, since she had not acted in honour as he had before her, making Elaina feel as though she had sullied his noble actions in the arena.

"Arthur have you seen this!"

The colour drained from Elaina having not heard the prince's approach and from shame she hid into Gwaine's side, dreading what he might say to her and the group gathered. From all the times she had scolded him for his attitude he had every right to treat her with a cold shoulder and ignore her entire existence as she had been no more than a spiteful wench, he shouldn't dignify with even a look at.

But the prince knew that she would cool off sooner rather than later and be remorseful over steeping so low. no one was perfect and actually Arthur believed her outburst might have been long overdue, as none of what she had said was without reason. He didn't approve of course, but he at least understood why she did what she did.

He smiled wryly at her and like Gwaine went to touch the spot, like his fingers could instantly heal it, "believe me, her bark was so much worse, and she didn't lose that fight. Even if she looks like a battered peach."

Elaina scrunched her brows appreciating he was trying to make light of the situation, but it was still a little to close at home to make fun of his father raising a fist at her. the rest of the company thought the same and groaned disapprovingly, causing him to correct himself back into the formal prince.

"the king is prepared to overlook the fact you fought in the melee. But he is a stubborn man. He will not rescind his judgment… You must leave Camelot."

Gwaine had known the instant the guards had set him free from the dungeons that it was the sole kindness he was to receive, after merlin had informed him that the thug's intentions became known. stupidly, he thought it gave him the chance to earn more leniency from the king than what uther was capable of ever doing because to him, he culdnt see why the world would put elaina in his path, only to rip her away from him again. only, that is exactly what was happening and he tightened his hold on her, fearing he might never have her near him again.

Merlin couldn't understand, but he had not been in the throne room as Arthur had been and Elaina, which was why this, was more Elaina's punishment than it was Gwaine's though he did not admit to that allowed, as it was clear by her face, she already knew that fact.

"I'm sorry Gwaine. My father is wrong and if it were up to me-"

He did not need Arthur to prove he was different from his father. When he had been in that arena and heard the prince's willingness to give the field to him, Gwaine had seen for himself the honour in his actions, which he had always said was the true test of worth. He might not have been able to understand before people's respect for him, but now he was glad to know that one day this kingdom would see a fair and just king on the throne, which would be a rare and wonderful thing.

"you have until sunset."