Krysia had not been allowed to prepare for the coming of Lord Godwyn and his daughter, not officially, but she had carried out a few conversations with Clay and Enid to assist in preparations. Uther seemed nervous enough for the visit that he hadn't noticed, and she understood why when she was walking the throne room to check the hangings. Merlin raised an eyebrow when he saw her, but he followed Arthur regardless.

"Arthur," Uther said. "It is an exciting day."

"The arrival of Lord Godwyn is always a cause for celebration," Arthur said.

"And Princess Elena," Uther said.

The princess had never come, always preferring to stay in Gawant. Krysia approached the dais, and she said, "Sire, the princess may have use of my maid while she is here."

"She travels with her own help," Uther said, before turning his attention on Arthur again. "I hear she's something of a beauty."

"Really?" Arthur said, exchanging a look with Krysia.

"Oh, yes. Beautiful, charming, witty. Strategic."

Krysia bit her lip to hide her laugh at the horrified look on Arthur's face.

"Is she?" Krysia said.

"I have always thought so," Uther said. "W-we have always thought so. That is, Lord Godwyn and myself. That is, he finds you strategic, not Princess Elena."

"He finds me strategic?" Arthur said.

"Oh, yes," Uther said.

"Perhaps he finds you beautiful as well," Krysia said.

Merlin covered his snort as a cough, and the doors to the throne room opened. Krysia turned taking her placed for the arrival of Lord Godwyn, who was entering, followed by his daughter and a very stout woman who must be her servant.

"Father, what are you trying to say?" Arthur said.

"Lord Godwyn is a serious ally," Uther muttered. "The strength of such a match cannot be underestimated."

"Please tell me you mean a jousting match."

"Keep up, Arthur," Krysia said, not hiding her amusement. "He means a love match."

"Love?" Arthur said, a little louder than he should.

"Not love," Uther said. "Love has nothing to do with it, but the other bit. You know, a permanent union."

"Marriage?" Arthur said, a bit louder.

"And he got there in the end," Krysia said through her smile as Lord Godwyn approached the dais.

"Godwyn!" Uther cried, embracing his old friend.

Lord Godwyn seemed a kindly man, with a smile like a grandfatherly figure. Krysia had always been inclined to like him, and when he visited while she was a child, he'd snuck her sweets.

"Oh, it's been too long," Godwyn said.

Uther took a step back and addressed Godwyn's daughter now, and Krysia noticed her hair looked a bit wild, perhaps from a hard ride.

"Princess Elena," Uther said, "you are most welcome."

She took a few steps forward and fell forward flat on her face. Krysia and Arthur looked at each other again, and her alarm was nothing to his uncomfortable dismay.

/-/

Uther paced the corridor outside Arthur's room several times. He had no guidance in these matters, and Lord Inthorn, as much a guardian as he was, had always left the matter up to Uther and Zosia, which had proved something of a mistake, in Uther's eyes. No, it was best to press the point home.

He opened the door and was surprised to find a pillow landing at his feet, thrown across the room from where Arthur was on the bed.

"A word," he said. "Alone," he added to Arthur's servant.

The servant nodded, picked up the pillow, and left, closing the door behind him.

"I need to talk to you about Elena," Uther said. "I realize that this is a delicate situation."

Arthur, unamused, said, "There's nothing delicate about her. Krysia spent her whole life as a servant and has more poise."

That was true, Uther knew, but beside the point. He understood better than Arthur realized the allure of a beautiful, poised woman, but for all the charms both Zosia and Ygraine possessed, their strategic importance couldn't be overstated, either.

"Lord Godwyn, as you know," Uther said, "is not only a very good friend of mine, but a longstanding ally of Camelot."

"I have nothing against Lord Godwyn," Arthur said. "I've nothing against Elena. Except marriage."

Uther put on his sternest face, trying to channel his own father and the conversations he'd had with Uther's eldest brother, although the memories were brittle and faded.

"When we talk about your future, Arthur," Uther said, "we're not just talking about your happiness, but the safety and security of the whole of Camelot. You may one day be a husband, but more importantly, you will one day be king."

"But I have no feelings for her whatsoever," Arthur said.

"Then I would encourage you to find some," Uther pressed.

/-/

Krysia had promised Arthur that she would see him and Elena off in the morning when they went on their ride, but it wasn't until she arrived in the square early and he came up to her urgently that she understood why.

"Can you ride in that dress?" Arthur said.

"Pardon?" Krysia said, looking down at the green velvet gown she'd let Enid select for her. "I mean, I suppose I can ride in anything, but I don't think you're asking for no reason."

"It's a dry day," he said. "No mud. Please, I can't do this on my own."

Krysia smiled weakly and her friend, clapped his arm, and said, "Arthur, I am not going to serve as a chaperone between you and Princess Elena. If you don't want to marry her, or even if you do, that's really none of my business." His face fell, and she said, "If it makes a difference, she's a sweet girl."

He was about to say something, but Elena had come and was approaching her horse.

"Here, let me assist you," he said.

"Oh, please," Elena said, brushing him off, "this is something I can actually do."

Elena mounted her horse with ease and nudged her horse into a run. Krysia and Merlin and Arthur watched her take off with great speed before Krysia said, "Were you not meant to be riding with her?"

"Damn," Arthur muttered, mounting his horse and taking off after her.

Merlin spared Krysia a weary look before he did the same, and she returned to the castle feeling a bit melancholy. She could understand, in a way, the things Elena felt. When you had a certain skill set and were expected to live with on you didn't have, that didn't allow you to shine, no wonder the girl preferred to stay in Gawant.

She just hoped that Uther could see past strategy and recognize that Elena wasn't the queen he truly wanted for Camelot, or Arthur was bound to disappoint him.

/-/

Leon had a few spare hours before he had to dress for the banquet, and he was just heading back to his quarters when he was passing the vault where the silver was kept. He froze, took a few steps back, feeling there was something not quite right at the profile in the doorway.

Sure enough, there was Krysia, in her beautiful gown, with her hair draped over one shoulder to expose the curve of her neck, checking each piece of silver before the feast. She held up a fork to the light and he cleared his throat.

She startled, then laughed nervously when she realized it was him.

"My lady," he said, bowing his head slightly. "I'm quite sure the king said you weren't meant to be doing these things."

"And how does he expect his household to maintain the same standard if I don't?" she said. "This is an important guest."

She set the fork aside and gracefully selected another one.

"Krysia—"

"I'm already dressed for the feast," she said. She set aside that fork, then turned to him. "You've seen what he's doing to Arthur."

"Yes," Leon said, smiling weakly. "Hard to miss."

Krysia shook her head, smiling wryly, and she selected a spoon and gently polished a spot he couldn't see on the handle. He silently agreed that Uther would be disappointed with the results if Krysia suddenly ceased all work in the castle, even if the king didn't realize. No one had attention to detail like her.

"I had a thought today," she said, "that once Arthur is securely married off, he'll be turning his attention to Morgana's prospects, and mine. Perhaps especially mine. Dyfed isn't officially claimed by Camelot, but if he were to lose Powys and Andor in one marriage ceremony…" She paused, frowning. "I suppose he'd lose his claim to the northern plains as well."

Leon hummed. It would be a quarter of the kingdom gone in an instant, and land Camelot could only lay claim to because the heirs had been his sworn knights, and they could not swear to others once they were dead. But if Krysia chose to swear to others…

"You could help me," she said, examining a spoon.

He startled, thinking for a wild moment that she was suggesting courtship. If she was courting Leon, strategically speaking, Camelot would have no loss. His family's lands were all pledged to the king and gifted by the king. There could be few more secure ties, although many more prestigious.

"My lady?" he said.

She looked up, almost laughing at him, and she said, "If you helped me with this, it would go much more quickly, and we'd have much less chance of my being caught, wouldn't we?"

He should have realized, and he silently cursed himself for letting his mind carry away to the impossible. He was even more upset with himself for begin disappointed.

"Quicker, perhaps," he said forcing a smile. "But I am afraid I could never meet your exacting standards, my lady. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

He kissed the hand that was holding a fork and he retreated before his face showed the result of his allowing himself for a moment to hope.

/-/

Krysia approached her chair at the feast, and she was surprised when Lord Godwyn paused before approaching his. He took her hand, kissed it, and said, "I should have seen her in you years ago, my dear."

"Pardon?" Krysia said, so startled she couldn't make sense of his words.

"Zosia was a dear friend," Godwyn said. "We saw much of each other for a time. You have something of her bearing as well."

He leaned closer and whispered, "And I'm sure you put the feast together with your usual acumen, but don't worry, I won't tell Uther."

He winked his grandfatherly wink, and Krysia tried not to laugh. He told her and Morgana both that they looked lovely, and they thanked him before taking their seats.

Krysia watched Arthur, looking tired as he waited behind his chair for Elena to be seated before he could sit. With so many ladies at the table, he must have felt quite outnumbered.

"It's a big occasion," Godwyn was saying to Uther as the feast began. "The total joining of our two families."

"Indeed," Uther said, "this union would cement what has long been an unofficial alliance between our kingdoms."

"It would give me great pleasure," Godwyn said brightly. "I can assure you, my heart lies with yours. As for their hearts, who can say?"

Morgana and Krysia exchanged a look.

"Poor Arthur," Krysia whispered, and Morgana hummed.

"No matter," Uther said. "The affairs of state take precedence over feelings. Arthur knows that. I'm sure Elena does too."

Godwyn said something a bit softer, and Krysia saw Uther look at her, almost startled and embarrassed, before he brushed off whatever Godwyn said and focused on his food.

Krysia tried to focus on her food, her manners, and enjoying herself, but finally, forcing a smile, she said to Morgana, "How do you get used to everyone watching you eat?"

Morgana gave her a sympathetic smile and said, "Everyone watches everything I do. It helps if I tell myself they just want to look at something beautiful."

"That helps?" Krysia said, dubious.

She reached for her glass and nearly knocked it over with surprise as Elena found food down her dress, picked it out, and ate it. Morgana watched, horrified, as did Arthur.

Elena hiccupped and said, "Oh dear. I seem to have, erm…had a little too much…of what is in that glass. What, erm…what is in that glass?"

Morgana and Krysia shared a horrified look, and Krysia didn't miss Gwen squeezing Arthur's shoulder as she passed.

Everyone would see a princess without grace, but Krysia felt some blame the servant. They should have switched to water some time ago, as soon as she showed signs of intoxication. She was making a mental note of having words with the servant, and then she remembered bitterly that it wasn't her job anymore.

/-/

Uther took a nightcap with Godwyn the following night to discuss how long it might take to put the two together, or at least he thought that was what his old friend wanted to discuss. He was surprised, then, when Godwyn sat and said, "You're doing it again, you know."

"Doing what again?" Uther said. He took a sip of his wine.

Godwyn shook his head with a sad smile and said, "Did you not learn with Zo?"

Uther thought back over the last few days, wondering if there was something about Krysia that would have given Godwyn alarm, but there hadn't seemed to be. In fact, Godwyn still seemed as fond as ever of her.

"You pushed and pushed," Godwyn said, "and in the end, you pushed her away."

Uther stared at his wine. Godwyn was the last man in the world who could speak thus to Uther, now that Gorlois was gone. No, he shouldn't have thought of Gorlois either, because that loss, too, was tangled in Zosia.

He closed his eyes and tried to push away all the memories, all the failures.

"She didn't want to be queen," Uther whispered. "It is not my fault that Inthorn did not instill in his daughter the proper sense of duty."

Godwyn set his goblet down, and his face was sterner than Uther could ever recall seeing it.

"That's quite a thing to say about a man who took you on when you were stripped of everything and helped you become a man yourself," Godwyn whispered. "I have always admired how Lord Inthorn raised his daughters. His model of parenthood and of ruling is what I use, in fact. Gawant is prosperous, and my daughter is a happy, healthy young woman. I have no complaints."

Uther had a mind to point out where Elena's raising was a bit wanting, but he held his tongue. It would do no good to sling insults.

Godwyn whispered, "The rediscovery of Lady Krysia is a gift, Uther. It should serve as a reminder, a second chance. Do not make the mistakes you made before. Let things take their course. The world has a way of working itself out."

Uther didn't believe that, he knew it wasn't true, because all the world had ever done was strip things away from him. If he hadn't bent the world to his will, he would be the deposed boy who arrived on Lord Inthorn's doorstep in the night, nothing and no one.

He took another sip of wine and continued to try to push aside the memories.

/-/

At a quiet dinner with the Pendragons—it still felt strange to think of Morgana as a Pendragon when so few knew—Krysia tried to ignore how uncomfortable the seams of her dress were. How did Morgana always look like nothing she wore was more than cloud?

"Father," Arthur said as Gwen poured him more wine, "there is a delicate matter I wish to discuss with you."

Uther brightened and said, "Your proposal. Excellent! We must make a fuss. Women like that kind of thing, isn't that right, Morgana? Krysia?"

Krysia startled to be addressed, and Morgana laughed.

"I have no idea," Morgana said. "I'm delighted to hear the news, though."

Krysia took a quick sip of wine to gather herself and said, "I'm afraid I'm not sure either. I suppose some do."

"She's a wonderful woman," Morgana said.

"She'll make a wonderful wife," Uther pressed.

"No, she won't," Arthur said, and it felt like the room went cold. "Not for me, anyway. Father, I have tried to get to know Elena, but the truth is, I have no feelings or her. I'm…I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but I cannot marry someone I don't love."

Morgana and Krysia both sat very still as Uther took this in. Gwen went to refill Krysia's glass, but Krysia said no, trying not to draw attention to herself.

"You can," Uther said, "and you will."

Krysia held her breath as Arthur looked up over Krysia's shoulder at Gwen. Morgana turned to see Gwen's expression, and Krysia didn't have to turn to know her friend was upset. But what Morgana knowing about the exchange would do, Krysia couldn't be sure. Whatever it was, she knew it would lead to nothing good.

/-/

Leon stood in the council chamber, watching Elena approach Arthur, who looked uncomfortable, watching Krysia stand in a white dress with gold braiding. Certainly everyone was watching Arthur, but Leon couldn't look away, noticing that she was wearing his mother's pendant, and how perfectly it rested against her collarbone.

"I am honored to be standing before you today in the presence of our dear friend, Lord Godwyn," Arthur was saying, "and his wonderful daughter, Elena. The people of this kingdom are very dear to me. This place is my life. I hope one day to continue the good work of my father, and to make Camelot a place of peace and happiness."

The court applauded, and Leon watched Krysia's hands come together. She would hate this, he knew. Whoever proposed to her should do so privately, perhaps on a ride, or in the library, or beside a roaring fire on a cool night, or…

"It is my sincerest hope that you, Princess Elena, share these dreams. With this in mind… I would like to ask you to do me the honor of being my…wife."

Krysia was right, Leon realized. Uther would begin pressing for strategic marriages for her and Morgana soon, and Gwaine would not feature into that, even if he wasn't banished. But his mind racing ahead of him the other day had reminded him of something. Even if he wasn't the man she loved, perhaps he could be a good match that she liked. Perhaps he could give her an option to be married to a friend, someone Uther might approve of. If it was all she could have, unfair as it was, maybe…maybe he could dare to dream.

A/N:

To tatysantannag: I'm so glad I'm giving you something to look forward to! I've definitely worked hard to weave her in, not make major changes. I think that's my favorite kind of fan fiction, the kind where it's a complimentary plot, filling gaps and tweaking stories. The only one I've really changed was the Catrina storyline, but that's because the original wasn't something I wanted to cover, but I didn't feel like I could just ignore it as an opportunity.

I'll have another chapter out for y'all soon, today or tomorrow. I'm on a new work schedule which gives me more time on Fridays, so we shall see!

-C