Chapter 7

Gwen led the way down the hallway to Elaina's room. It was two doors down from Arthur's chambers. Gwen pushed the door open and stepped aside to let the ladies enter. Elaina stepped inside, her gaze swept the room.

The arrangement was similar to Arthur's. Her bed was against the same wall, but adorned in blue fabric instead of red. There was a vanity instead of place for armor and swords. A wardrobe stood opposite the vanity. There was also a table for eating, a desk, and a couple of chair sprinkled throughout the room. In one corner sat a dressing screen and a second wardrobe. Fresh flowers sat in the center of the table and on the vanity. Blue curtains hung on the windows.

"It's beautiful," Elaina said as she moved toward the window. It looked out onto the training ground for the knights. Below she could see Arthur surrounded by his men, running them through drills.

"Merlin did an excellent job," Morgana commented. "Gwen and I simply organized the wardrobes."

"Thank you both, it's fantastic," Elaina replied. She turned away from the window and pretended she didn't notice the look Morgana was giving her.

"So, tell me about Heideen, Elaina," Morgana said as she sat down in one of the chairs.

"What do you want to know?" Elaina reluctantly joined Morgana at the table. Gwen was lingering in the door. "Come in Gwen, we won't bite."

"I've got chores to attend to. I will look in on you when I am done."

With that Gwen quickly left, leaving Elaina to wonder if she had somehow offended the girl. Elaina glanced at Morgana who looked unbothered by Gwen's behavior. "Did I do something wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Gwen's acting strange, did I do something to offend her?"

"Oh, no I don't think so. Since her father died she hasn't been the same. Not that I can blame her. It must be hard working for the man that killed your father."

"Uther killed Gwen's father?"

"Well not exactly. Her father was accused of consorting with a sorcerer he was killed while trying to escape."

"That's awful." Elaina glanced toward the door and sighed. "Was Arthur involved?"

"No, why?"

"Arthur seems to be a touchy subject for her. I thought perhaps they didn't get along."

"Arthur can be a prat. He's… he can be… let's just say that self-centeredness runs in his family. Gwen has little patience for things like that."

"Ah, yes I can see why that would cause a problem."

Morgana laughed brightly and shook her head at Elaina. "Enough about Arthur, tell me about Heideen."

Arthur threw himself in to training his men. Even though he was exhausted he fought like a man possessed. Elaina unnerved him, which no one ever did. He was the crown prince of Camelot. Arthur was used to being the one doing the unnerving, not the other way around.

He knocked yet another knight to the ground before dropping his shield. He ran a hand through his sweat drenched hair. "That's enough for today," he called.

The knights grunted in relief and drug themselves away before he changed his mind. Arthur stretched, feeling the pull in his muscles. He knew he would sore in the morning. Tonight he had dinner with his father, Morgana, and of course Elaina.

At the moment, his father was in a meeting with his advisors still trying to figure out what to do with Elaina. Uther seemed to think that if she was going to remain in Camelot she needed to marry. It was ridiculous though, the only one in Camelot who could marry her was Arthur, due to their stations in society. As the only heirs to their respective fathers' thrones they were a good match. It would double their lands, not to mention the amount of trade that could be done.

Ultimately it would be a good match. Arthur couldn't deny that being married to Elaina wouldn't be bad, it probably be fairly good. Arthur dropped his arms and shook his head. He had never spent so much time fixated on a girl before. Especially a girl he had only known for a day. He grabbed his sword and headed toward the stables. A ride before dinner was just what he needed to take his mind off things.

"Arthur," a voice called loudly.

Arthur turned to see Merlin rushing toward him. He had a piece of paper clutched in his hand. He stumbled slightly as he neared Arthur but managed to not fall down.

"What's the matter Merlin?"

"Your father told me to give this to you. What are you doing?"

Arthur broke the seal on the paper and read what his father had written. He shook his head and crumbled up the paper. "I was going to take a ride, but I need to talk to my father."

"Perhaps you should bathe first, you smell like a wet horse."

Arthur froze in his steps and turned to look at Merlin. "Like a wet horse?"

"Yes, wet horse. Did you get hit in the head during practice?"

"Merlin," Arthur said with a clenched jaw.

"Sorry I'll shut up now."

"Best idea you've had all day."