"I am a priestess." She told them trying to hide her smile at the young man's excitement. She was not prepared for the reaction of the elder man at her words though.
"A priestess?!" Gaius exclaimed putting one hand on his forehead in shock. He had only heard of a few priestesses, they were beings blessed by the gods of the old religion. They did not age, nor did they become sick. The last priestess he encountered was Nimueh. "As in one of the high priestesses of the old religion? One who serves the three goddesses and leads over fellow sorcerers?"
"Kind of, but I only serve one goddess. And I don't rule over anyone." Kagome answered.
"How did you do that? Heal your hand, I mean." Merlin asked unable to contain his excitement. He had never witnessed power like that. It sent shivers down his back, and yet calmed him as the same time.
"It is one of my gifts as a priestess. I can heal, purify, create shields, and use my powers as a weapon." Kagome told him with a smile. Now that he was not grumpy, he actually was somewhat cute. "I can also manipulate the element and preform spells, much like you."
"Did you hear that, Gaius!? She is like me!" This was the best news ever! The only other sorcerer around him was Gaius and Morgana, and neither one of them came close to having as much power as he did.
"Yes, I heard. Might I ask what you are doing so far from home?" Gaius asked he knew by her accent that this was not her native language. "I can tell you are not from around here."
Kagome nodded. These people seemed nice enough and she would need people she could rely on while she was here. "I was told that I had another destiny to fulfill. That my gifts would be needed to save a kingdom."
"Me too!" Merlin shouted, startling both Gaius and Kagome at his sudden outbreak. "The great dragon said I had to protect Arthur and save Camelot!" Finally, he was not alone in his quest. He had another magic using companion. It was a good thing too. Morgana had been acting strangely and already showed a disliking to him since her return.
"Then it appears as though we will be working together, Merlin-san!" Kagome smiled bowed slightly. Maybe Midoriko was right, maybe she would make new friends here.
"Well if you are going to be staying here, my dear, perhaps we ought to find you some more suitable clothes." Gaius said with a kind smile, taking in her odd outfit covered in dirt and leaves.
Blushing, Kagome looked down at her clothes before nodding. "Yes, I do believe you are right." Glancing around she added, "I don't suppose you have any extra clothing?"
"Unfortunately, I do not." Gaius replied. "Merlin, why don't you see if Gwen has any old clothes she could spare."
Merlin seem to pay any attention to him, instead was staring at the young woman with a grin on his face. Apparently, she noticed it because a small blush made its way onto her cheeks. "Merlin!" Gaius shouted startling the boy out of his stupor. "Go see if Gwen has any spare clothes!"
"Ah.. Right…Sorry." Merlin said snapping out of his trance, before running out of the room, lest he do anything more embarrassing.
"Do not worry about him. He sometimes gets too caught up in his thoughts." Gaius said after Merlin had left. The blush on the girls cheeks were slowly starting to fade away.
"It's alright. I can be like that too."
Merlin walked at a leisurely pace, his mind returning to the young woman he had just left with Gaius. He had never met a girl, no woman like her. She seemed so innocent and she radiated a sense of peace and comfort. He felt sorry for accusing her of sacrificing an innocent life, perhaps he should apologize.
Merlin stopped before the door to the king's chambers. Knocking lightly, he waited for the door to open or for the word to enter. He made out the sound of footsteps approaching the door before it opened to reveal the exact person he was looking for.
"Merlin. What is it? The Arthur and the king are sleeping." Gwen whispered softly, trying not to disturb the two slumbering within the room.
"I needed to… wait... Arthur's sleeping?" Merlin asked, poking his head into the room to see the prince. There at the side of the bed, Arthur was completely sound asleep, even snoring slightly. All of the drama, emotions, and excitement must have finally taken its toll on the boy.
"Yes, sleeping. Now what is it that your needed?" She asked him again, pushing him out of the doorway before following suit, shutting the door behind her. Neither one of the royal family members needed to be waking up at the moment.
"Ahh.. right. I need to borrow some clothes." Merlin said scratching the back of his head and smiling.
Gwen had to stifle a laugh. "My clothes? Why on Earth would you need my clothes?" The idea of Merlin dressed as a girl entered her head, causing a giggle to escape her mouth.
"Wait..What?...No, not for me." Merlin quickly replied trying to hide his blush. If Arthur had been awake to hear that, he never would be able to live it down. "I found a girl in the forest yesterday. She woke up and is in need of new clothes."
"Ok, Merlin." Gwen said enjoying the flustered appearance of her friend. She can see why Arthur likes teasing him so much. "I believe I have an old dress she could have."
Gwen motioned one of the other servants over. "I need to run out. Watch the king and if any should happen, find the court physician." The maid nodded and quietly entered the room. Gwen turned back towards Merlin. "Follow me."
Morgana watched from the window as Gwen and Merlin exited the castle. She did nothing to hide her dark glare. How could this have happened? Morgause had assured her that the poison was incurable. Yet, she had seen the king himself, talking to Arthur when they entered the king's bedchambers. She would need to talk to her sister as soon as nightfall set, but first she would need to find out how he managed to survive.
"It's a good thing we are close to the same size." Gwen called out to the slightly shorter woman behind the screen. "When Merlin had asked to borrow my spare clothes, I was worried that they would not fit."
Gwen had forgotten to ask how tall the girl was. She was only 5'3" and if the girl were closer to Morgana's 5'6" form the outfit would not have fit.
"It's slightly big, but not enough to cause any issues." Kagome said as she stepped out from behind the screen. The dress was a simple navy blue dress with a white under top. The sleeves were a little long and the dress trailed a bit on the floor, but other than that, it fit. The corset allowed her to adjust the size in the midsection and Kagome's slightly larger chest meant that the neckline did not fall to low.
"Kagome, you look stunning." Gwen said with a smile on her face. The blue brought out the blue in her eyes and the gown looked amazing on her, despite the slightly longer sleeves and train. Her long black hair also popped against the white of the dress and Kagome's own pale skin.
"You really think so?" Kagome asked swooshing the dress around. It had been a while since she wore a dress and never had she worn one like this. She felt like a medieval princess.
"Absolutely." Gwen could tell that Kagome was not used to compliments. It made her wonder what kind of people she used to hang around. "Do you not think so too, Merlin?" Gwen asked the very quiet man.
He stood there for a few moment his mouth wide open, before finally registering Gwen's question. "Yes, you…you look very beautiful." He stuttered out a blush once again finding a home on his face.
"Thanks you two!" Kagome smiled at the two of them. She knew from the moment Gwen walked into the room that they would become good friends. Much like herself, Gwen had a selfless heart.
"Gwen, I was wondering if it would be too intrusive to ask if Kagome could stay with you." Gaius asked the young servant girl. "I only have one spare room and Merlin is currently occupying it."
"Oh! Of course she can." Gwen replied turning to Kagome with smile.
"Are you sure? I do not want to intrude." Kagome asked. She had not thought about where she was going to stay, but did not want to be a burden on her newly made friend.
"You won't be intruding. We have an extra room. My brother is never home and ever since my father passed away, the house has been lonely. I would enjoy company." Gwen said. Her heart still broke when thinking about her father. She had not touched his room since his death. Perhaps now was the right time to go through his things and clean out the room.
"Merlin!" Arthur's voice called out. Soon enough he came charging through the door, obviously irritated that he had been unable to find Merlin.
"Yes, Arthur." Merlin asked slightly smiling. "Is there something you need?"
Arthur looked towards Merlin, suddenly realizing he had an audience. "Ahhum… yes. My..armor..needs polishing." He managed to make out, taking in the slightly smiling faces. "Pardon my intrusion."
"So, this is Prince Arthur." Kagome asked she stepped forward to have a good look at him. "He isn't exactly what I imagined."
Arthur looked puzzled. Who was this female? She seemed to know of him, but what had she heard that did not line up to his image. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
Kagome brought her finger up to rest on her chin in thought. "Well, I suppose I pictured a heroic gentleman, who was calm natured and had a generous attitude towards people in all walks of life."
All Arthur could do was stutter in amazement. She held no regard to his royal status and practically insulted him. "I am heroic and a gentleman." He managed to huff out in retaliation.
"Hmmm….Seems to me you are nothing but a spoiled brat who likes to pick on those he deems weaker than him." Kagome said in thought. Merlin could not contain his laughter and it seemed neither could Gaius or Gwen.
"Who are you to insult me such, woman?" Arthur demanded no longer liking how this conversation was going. Instead of looking at him in fear or immediately apologizing as he expected her too, she flashed him an angry look.
"My name is Kagome. Use it." Kagome was sick and tired of being called anything other than her name. She was not about to receive any new nicknames and certainly not from a man who obviously had a big ego.
Ok, so, her answer was not exactly what he was looking for, but at least he knew the name of the woman insulting him. "Kagome then… What gives you the right to insult me, the prince of Camelot?" Arthur asked, reducing the irritation in his voice. Normally nothing scared him, but the look in that woman's eyes promised pain.
"To insult you would have had to say something disrespectful or rude. I was merely stating my thoughts. Where you not the one who asked what I meant?" Kagome asked him.
"She has a point Arthur. You did want to know what she meant." Merlin said behind a grin. This was too funny. Arthur was being put in his place and by a small female too. The best of it was she knew exactly how to comeback to make Arthur look even more foolish.
"Shut up, Merlin. Don't you have some armor to polish?" Arthur said, irritated. If he could not take his anger out on the woman, he would simply take it out on Merlin. Decided he was humiliated enough, he quickly excused himself, pulling the more reluctant Merlin behind him.
"Please excuse me as well, ladies. I have some medicine to deliver and I must check on the king." Gaius said bowing slightly to the two young women. He could tell things were going to get far more interesting around here.
"He really is not all that bad. He may act like a spoiled brat most of the time, but when it comes down to it, Arthur would sacrifice everything for his people." Gwen explained. Arthur often did not make a good first impression, especially to the common folk. She herself had thought of Arthur as just another spoiled princeling who cared only for himself.
"I know." Kagome said smiling at the door the two younger men went through. "He has a good heart."
Gwen nodded in agreement. "Then why say all that?"
"Because he will never change into the man he is destined to be if he does not notice his faults" Kagome told her before tossing her a sly smile. "That and it was so easy to rile him up."
That managed to make Gwen laugh. "You are right. I hardly ever get to see Arthur that riled up. Merlin teases him every day about his faults, but Arthur normally throws something at him and doesn't ever get riled up enough to stomp out of the room".
"You love him, don't you?" Kagome asked noticing the look on her face, the same look she used to give Inuyasha.
"What?!...No….He is a prince and I am just a servant girl." Gwen replied, trying to be as convincing as possible.
"It is ok. I won't tell anyone." Kagome placed a hand on Gwen's shoulders in hopes of reassuring her. "Beside I believe that you two are destined to be together."
Evening soon fell onto the castle and every servant was scurrying to get ready for dinner. Uther had decided that he wanted to celebrate his survival with a feast. Kagome thought it was because now that the poison was out of his system he was starving for food.
"I will introduce you to Morgana." Gwen told her. She was so excited to have another female around. Morgana had not been as talkative lately and often seemed to want her gone and none of the other servants spoke to her much.
Gwen led her along a hallway on the east side of the castle. She stopped alongside a door, knocking gently. "Come in." A voice echoed within the room.
The two girls made their way into the huge room. Sitting by the window was a beautiful woman. She had long brown hair and clear green eyes. "Morgana, I would like to introduce you to one of the new servants in the castle. She will be aiding Gaius." Gwen told the older female.
"Ah.. I heard there was someone new in the palace." Morgana turned as gave them a fake smile.
"Yes, this is Kagome. Merlin found her in the forest and brought her here last night." Morgana's smile faltered for a bit. If this girl knew Merlin, then she might know that she was able to use magic.
Morgana put back on her fake friendly face before addressing the small Asian woman. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kagome."
Kagome nodded to the woman. Her aura screamed hatred, resentment, turmoil, and power. "Pleasure."
"Uther wanted me to remind you that there is to be a feast tonight." Gwen replied setting down the linens she had carried into the room. Anger spiked in Morgana's aura, but her face remained friendly.
"Gwen, would you please tell the king that I am feeling unwell." Morgana pleaded. "I am afraid all this excitement has worn me out."
"Oh..of course. Would you like me to help you change?" Gwen asked.
"No need. You should go on home." Morgana said giving Gwen a slight smile. Ever since she had seen that vision of Gwen becoming queen of Camelot, she just could not stand being around her.
Gwen nodded and bowed before making her way out of the room. Kagome, however, waited until the curly haired brunette left. She needed to have a word with the young sorceress.
"You shouldn't let your anger consume you." Kagome knew she had caught the woman's attention even if she could not see. "Hated never leads to anything good, it only consume you."
Turning around to face the now glaring woman, Kagome gave her a small sad smile. "It will become your demise." With that said, Kagome left the room, leaving the witch to her thoughts.
Morgana did not know who that girl thought she was. That woman had no idea what she was dealing with, all the betrayal and pain. No, this was not good. There was no doubt that this Kagome knew more than she let on.
Standing up, Morgana opened her wardrobe clothes and pulled out her cloak. She needed to speak with her sister.
Morgana snuck silently out of the castle and into the woods, towards the cave she knew her sister was currently dwelling. The night was cold and the full moon shined brightly in the sky, illuminating the forest.
"Morgause." Morgana whispered into the forest. "Morgause."
"What troubles you, my dear sister?" Morgause asked stepping into the clearing. Her blonde hair glowed in the moonlight, but instead of appearing beautiful in made her look sinister when paired with the dark look on her face. However, her face scrunched up in worry, noticing the panic in her sister's face. "Has the king been poisoned?"
"He has." Morgana told her sister, trying to calm her nerves and anger. She needed to be able to think clearly in order to help plan their next move.
"Then what is the problem, dear sister?" Morgause reached over to touch her sister's tense arm. If the king had been poisoned then everything had gone according to plan. With the king removed, they just had to focus on removing Arthur and his annoying manservant.
"They found a way to cure the poison." Morgana told her. Her anger bubbled towards the surface at the thought that the king was still breathing.
"That is impossible." Morgause looked at her sister. Her face creased as she thought about what her sister was saying. She had specifically chosen wolf's bane because it did not have a cure. The only way to have restored his life was through the power of life and death and Morgana would know if the cup resided in the palace.
"Not impossible it seems. I have seen him walking and talking with my own eyes." Morgana seethed remembering when they had announced word that the king survived. When she had seen him, he had smiled at her, telling her not to worry that he was perfectly healthy. She wanted to choke him with her magic. It took all her willpower to smile at him and tell him how happy she was he recovered.
"That is not all, sister. Merlin brought back a woman from the forest." Morgana told her.
"Why do you care who Merlin brings back?" Morgause asked. Something was telling her that this woman was the cause of her sister's panic.
"She knew I have hatred for the king. I fear Merlin has told her about us." Morgana told her sister. This, Kagome, was not someone she had foreseen and she saw through her loving façade.
Morgause looked thoughtful for a moment. They would need to speed things up if their plans had any chance of succeeding. Merlin had already proved to be difficult to get rid of and to add another nuisance would only cause more trouble. "Keep an eye on her. I will talk to Cenred about our invasion plans. We need to move fast and quietly."
