Chapter Four

Reaching a new low in her relationship with her governess, Jocelyn spent the whole of the next day avoiding Mistress Coulthard. She didn't know why today, out of all the other days, she felt the need for this evasion, but after missing the time of their first lesson she had abandoned the idea of attending any of the others. The problem remained that she now required a place to hide.

Mid-afternoon, having exhausted all other possibilities, Jocelyn struck upon the idea of retreating to Gaius's chambers, hoping for a chance to learn something interesting and maybe meet the mysterious Merlin.

Hearing the physician's reply to her soft knock on the door, she entered the room. It was disappointingly lacking of any inhabitant other than Gaius himself, but Jocelyn was still happy to take the seat he offered to her.

"And how are you today, milady? No injuries from your fight yesterday?"

Jocelyn turned quickly to look at him, surprised at the question. Meeting his twinkling eyes however, she smiled, accepting that Gaius knew almost all that happened at the court of Camelot.

"No, none." She replied, her thoughts once more directed towards Arthur in annoyance.

The physician watched the gathering frown on her brow and smiled softly to himself. He had watched the child grow up into a young woman, even if it had escaped the other inhabitants of the castle, and he knew her moods and the frustration she felt at her confinement. Awakening from his reminisces; he quickly caught her hand as she reached towards an intriguing phial of blue liquid.

"Don't touch that!" he admonished, returning her hand to her. "It's dangerous."

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. There was a short silence between them before Gaius handed her a wooden box.

"Here, you can sort these. I need them in alphabetical order."

She took the sachets of powdered herbs happily enough. She had wondered how long it would be for him to lapse into his normal attitude towards her and drop the milady. If she was quiet he might tell her one of his stories.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Merlin entered Gaius' chambers some time later to find the physician telling the deeds of ancient days to a girl with laughing eyes, who listened with rapt attention. Jocelyn watched every movement of Gaius' hands and every expression that passed over his face as he described the dashing knights and their charming ladies.

It was the physician who first noticed that his audience had grown and he let his hands fall as he met Merlin's gaze.

"Merlin, there you are," he said, covering his slight confusion at being discovered telling children's stories. His apprentice grinned at him. Before Gaius could launch into an explanation or, more likely, chastise the boy into forgetting what he had seen, Jocelyn spoke.

"So, you are Merlin!" she exclaimed.

Merlin's dark gaze turned on her, the smile still playing on his lips. "Yes I am."

"You are not at all as I had expected." Jocelyn continued, giving him a considering look.

"I shall take that as a compliment." He replied, making her lips turn up.

Gaius got to his feet, frowning Merlin down. "This is the Lady Jocelyn," he told the younger man. "Morgana's sister."

"Oh," Merlin looked a little disconcerted.

"Don't worry," Jocelyn told him, also getting to her feet. "No one can tell we're sisters. It is very good to meet you, Merlin."

He took her outstretched hand in surprise, but before he could reply in kind she had left the room. He stared out of the door where she had disappeared for a moment before turning to Gaius.

"I can tell they're sisters," he said firmly.

"Yes, so can I." Gaius replied, watching after her in some apprehension.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Morgana's entrance into the room caused Jocelyn to turn her head towards the door and undo all the work Gwen had achieved.

"My lady!" the maid exclaimed, exasperated.

Jocelyn faced the mirror once more and met Gwen's eyes in it. "Gwen, I'm so sorry."

"Well, I shall just have to begin again." Resigned, Gwen began to remove all the hairpins she had so carefully placed.

In an attempt to pacify her dresser, Jocelyn held herself very still for a few minutes before addressing Morgana, very careful not to move her head.

"Was there something in particular?"

"I only wanted to know what you were going to wear, so we don't clash." Morgana explained, coming to stand in front of her sister's chair.

Jocelyn ran her eyes over Morgana's outfit. The shimmering red material flowed over her body, made up to a halter neckline displaying her white shoulders and arms; the gold of her belt drew the eye and emphasised her figure. There was no need to worry if they clashed - when they stood side by side, no one would be looking at what Jocelyn was wearing.

She refrained from saying this, however, merely commenting, "No, blue and red will be fine together."

Satisfied, Morgana smiled and retreated to sit down, allowing Gwen to complete her task.

"There!" Gwen finally declared, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

Jocelyn turned her head to try and see the back before smiling at the maid.

"Thank you, Gwen."

"Not at all. You look beautiful, my lady."

"Hmm." Jocelyn got gingerly to her feet and smoothed her skirts.

"She's right, Jocelyn. You look lovely." Morgana smiled at her, holding out a hand. "Come on." She invited, and the two sisters walked from the room and down towards the feast hand in hand.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X