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Estella smirks. The nerve of the man to turn the tables on her. Scoffing, she gracefully makes the impression that she is following him into the castle.
Gwaine catches on to her shadowing him and he grins with satisfaction. However, when he turns around to confront the Lady, she is gone.
Confused, he traces back his footsteps to a corridor a few paces back. The knight sees the beautiful cousin of his king as she quickly slips into a room without another glance at him.
"Ah, so she wants to be chased, does she?" Gwaine certainly does enjoy the chase and he is very much inclined to pursue this woman.
...
Morgana looks up as the door to the room opened. Her fair cousin enters their chambers, wearing a simple royal blue dress made of thin velvet. Estella is strange in that way, despite any temperature, she can wear warm material without feeling hot and suffocated. The younger woman also sees a slight spark of mirth in her cousin's gray eyes.
"You look pleased," Morgana comments. Estella ignores the remark, mutters a greeting, and pours herself some wine. "Well, you're avoiding the subject," Morgana drawls, "That can only mean that the happiness in your eyes is due to Sir Gwaine."
The older woman chocks on her wine. After she composes herself, she turns to face her cousin. "Morgana-"
"So, I was right," she teases, "I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from. He is very handsome, indeed."
Estella scoffs, "One, he was the one who approached me first and two, he is handsome enough but not the most tempting thing in the world."
The older woman receives a dry look. "You can admit you like him since it is obvious he likes you."
"I did actually by simply clarifying instead of denying anything." Estella then changes the subject. "Where are Freya and Merlin? Canoodling in a corner?"
A rather loud feminine squeak is heard from the adjourning room. The cousins go to investigate, only to find Merlin and Freya, literally in a corner and blushing. Estella stifles a snicker. "Well, it seems I was right." The two blush even more. "A word of advice, do this in your own chambers it keeps the blush down." The pair are literally speechless as they slowly inch apart and follow the Le Fays back to the other chamber.
"So, back to you and Gwaine-"
Estella interrupts, "No, Morgana, we are done with that. Let us speak of this investigation on King Uther's death."
The younger Le Fay sneers slightly, "We will go back to that." Out loud she says, "Well, what do you think? Do you think Ygraine's suspicions are correct?"
Shrugging, "My aunt may not have magic, but she is an intelligent and perceptive woman. There has to be a reason for her to believe that her husband was murdered."
The first night after they arrived in Camelot, the Le Fays met with Arthur and learned the details of the late king's death. It all sounded quite ordinary on the surface, but Ygraine's suspicions still obscured everything.
"So, what do we do?" Morgana asks.
"Sit back and watch. At the feast tonight, observe all the people in attendance. The king's death was barely two months ago, so if anyone is particularly joyous that should be taken into account." Estella turns to Freya and Merlin, "The two of you will probably be able to undertake this task the best, since I will be getting information from my aunt and Arthur will probably be keeping Morgana from observing."
Before the younger woman can retort, there is a knock at the door. A young woman with fair hair and olive-green eyes enters. "My Ladies," she addresses while curtsying. It is Hefina, the maid charged with looking after the Le Fays during their stay. While Merlin and Freya takes care of keeping the chambers in check (so as not to let anyone accidentally stumbling on some magic the Le Fays have with them) it is Hefina who does most of the chores.
"Yes, Hefina, what is it?"
The maidservant nods to Morgana, "I have a message from Sir Gwaine for Lady Estella." Morgana smirks and looks to her cousin. "Sir Gwaine would like to inform you of his answer to your invitation-"
"Oh, please he really must learn to distinguish a question from a request. Tell him I care not for his supposed answer or for his company." Estella lashes out rather harshly.
Morgana sighs, her cousin's moods are shifting again. It always happens when she is uneasy. "Our sincere apologies, Lady Estella is not feeling very well." She receives a scowl from her cousin, so she relents, "But inform Sir Gwaine in the most kindest of ways that my cousin's words."
Hefina curtsies, but before leaving, she is given a vial of some liquid. "Give this to Lady Ygraine, it will remedy her fever." And with that the servant leaves. Estella then turns to the Druid girl, "Freya, if you could fetch Morgana's purple and blue gown and my blue and green gown, I think it's time to start getting ready."
Freya nods and goes to retrieve the garments. While Merlin leaves the room for the women's privacy.
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