Disclaimer: I own nothing related to BBC's Merlin I also do not own the song that Laya sings in this chapter. I just love them both. I want to thank those of you who read and favorited the story.

Sure enough, once they got back to Gaius' chambers, Merlin began to look for the dress again. Laya shook her head and went to clean herself up. Merlin, having not found what he was looking for decided that he would have to go with plan B...he went to Morgana for help. He knocked gently on her door, "Lady Morgana, it's Merlin."

"Enter." came a soft reply. "Merlin, what can I help you with?" she asked when he opened the door, watching him from her vanity.

"My lady, I know I have not the right but I need a favor." he said, looking down at his feet.

"It must be a massive one as you have never asked one of me before." she said. "Oh, Merlin. Please, look at me. I would like to think us friends."

He looked up and gave her a smile. "Sorry, Morgana. You are right though. You see, my cousin is set to meet the King at dinner tonight..."

"The girl who best Arthur at his own game?" Morgana asked. "Leon told me." she said, smiling at the look on his face. He chuckled. "Yeah. Well, you see, she does not own any ...feminie clothing. She's more comfortable in my old rags...I was wondering..."

"If I had a spare gown for her to wear to the dinner tonight?" Morgana finished, still smiling. Merlin nodded sheepishly. "If it would not be too much trouble."

Morgana rose to her feet and glided over to Merlin, placing her hands on his shoulders. "I would love to help you, Merlin." Merlin's smile grew as he thanked her and darted from the room. He ran all the way back to his chambers and got there just as Laya was finishing getting cleaned up.

"Merlin!" she snapped as he grabbed her by the wrist and began to pull her towards Morgana's chambers. "Where are we going?" He didn't answer her and knocked on Morgana's door again. "Morgana, it's Merlin. I brought Laya with me."

"Morgana?" she asked more to herself then anyone else.

"Yes, Arthur's sister." Merlin said, as Gwen opened the door.

"Hello Merlin." Gwen said before turning to Laya. "My name is Guinevere but everyone calls me Gwen."

"Gwen!" she said, excitedly. "Your brother let me borrow your bow earlier. Thank you for that. It was perfection."

Gwen blushed and smiled. "I'm glad that it was useful to you." she said.

Merlin took that moment to bow out and told them in a fond voice to not kill each other and that he would be back to escort Laya down to dinner. Gwen led her deeper into Morgana's chambers.

"Hello, my name is Morgana Le Fey." she said. "Sir Leon has told me some about you."

"Has he?" she asked, trying to remember which one Sir Leon was, she hoped that it wasn't 'Sir Flirst Alot.' "You'll have to point him out to me tonight at the dinner, I fear I will never get them all straight. There are so many. Maybe I'll just give them all nicknames."

The girls giggled as Laya tried on a few of Morgana's gowns and described the knights that she met so that Morgana and Gwen could tell them their proper names. She remembered Elyan and Lancelot. She found out that Leon was Arthur's second hand when it came to the nights and that 'Sir Flirts Alot' was Gwaine.

In the end, they picked out a gorgeous blood red gown that had soft gold trim to it. It brought out the olive complexion that she had a lot more and made her eyes appear softer. Gwen combed the tangles out of her hair and began to braid it down her back before pinning it to the back of her hair with a few decorative combs. "You're hair is so thick." Gwen commented when she was done with the braid. "We'll be done with you in a few moments."

"Shouldn't you be getting her Lady ready as well?" Laya asked, looking at them in the glass.

"I got her ready before Merlin first got here." Gwen said with a soft smile, pinning roses into the braid.

Laya smiled, deciding that she liked both the women immensely. Gwen was soft spoken and gentle while Morgana held a fierceness about her. They reminded her of people she knew but she couldn't remember who.

Just as they were finishing up, there was a knock on the door again. It was Merlin, he was dressed in his nicest tunic and his smile grew when he saw Laya. "She finally looks like a lady." he said. "Still can kick your ass though." she said, sweeping over to him.

"You clean up nice." she said, smiling.

"As do you," he said, with a mock bow. "Shall we, ladies?" He held his arms out to both Laya and Morgana.

The girls shared a smile and linked their arms with his. "All the men will be jealous, cousin." Laya said. "You with both of us on your arms and them standing their lonely."

Merlin laughed and so did Morgana. "Yes," he said. "Gwaine and Leon will be extremely jealous."

They soon reached the doors that lead into the dining area and Merlin felt Laya falter slightly. "You'll be fine. The king will love you, just as everyone else has."

"Yes, but not everyone in this room has bested his son at his own game." Laya said, taking a shaky breath.

"True," Morgana said, reaching over with her free hand and gripping hers. "Which is all the more reason you will have his respect." Laya nodded and smiled. "Thank you, both of you."

The men guarding the door opened it, allowing Merlin to escort the women into the room.

"So, this is the young woman who beat a prince." King Uther said, standing to greet the women.

"Yes, sire." she said, bowing slightly, grateful that Merlin was still holding onto her because she felt her knee give out. "It had to be done, sire."

"Oh did it." he asked with a chuckle, indicating to a chair next to Morgana. Merlin pulled it out for her to sit and then pushed it in for her. She smiled at her cousin and watched him move about to perform his duties.

"Yes." she said, smirking a bit at Arthur who was slowly turning red with embarrassment. "You see, sire, the Prince, here, wounded my feelings by assuming that I was a boy from behind."

"Clearly, the Prince needs his eyes checked by Gaius." Uther said, still smirking at his son. "What were the stakes wagered in this little competition. Not the kingdom, I should hope."

"Nothing as serious as all that, sire." Laya said.

"Laya, here, is Merlin's cousin." Morgana said. "Her family was tragically lost to her in a fire and Merlin's mother could not keep her. So she came to look for work here with her cousin."

"Yes," Laya said. "I would gladly share a room with my cousin as I have since I arrived yesterday. But I would like to have some form of work."

"What are your talents?" Uther asked. "I'm sure that we can find something for you here in the palace."

"I can sing and dance sire, I can also cook if there is work in the kitchen that needs to be done." Laya said, bowing her head slightly.

"We have enough kitchen staff." Arthur said, looking at his father. "However, I would like to hear you sing if you would."

"Name the time, your highness and I will do it." she said.

"Why not now?" Arthur said, a smirk hidden in his eyes. He hoped to catch her in a lie.

Laya stood up and moved around the massive table till she was standing further away from them and took a breath.

"Once there was the sun,

bright and warm and wonderful.

Shining like the love within my heart!

Now there's no more sun,

Winter has killed everything!

And although it's dark December

Forever, I'll remember sun."

When she was finished she moved back to the table and took her seat again, tilting her cheek as Merlin pressed a kiss to it. "That was lovely, Laya." Morgana said, wiping at the tears in her eyes.

"It is decided then, you will be our new singer at different parties." Uther said, with a deafening clap of his hands. "Also, we will move you out of your cousin's chambers and into one of our rooms."

They also decided that they would buy her a full new wardrobe when Morgana mentioned that she was in one her gowns.

Laya smiled at her cousin but couldn't help but wonder what the hell she had gotten herself into.