Chapter Twelve

When Jocelyn woke the next morning, her joints ached and she was muggy headed, but she could already feel any pain and discomfort drifting away. Struggling up to sit against her pillows she glanced around her room, surprised by the chill and darkness that seemed to pervade it. There appeared to have been no fire in the grate the night before and no candles lit for her in the evening. Casting her mind back, all she could remember was visiting Gaius after feeling faint.

She could, however, clearly recall that Gwen's father had been struck down by the sickness and this memory spurred her to get out of bed. Gwen was unlikely to be coming into work today and Jocelyn wanted to visit her and offer any comfort she could.

Jocelyn was shrugging herself into her dressing gown, when her door squeaked open and a girl she vaguely recognised as one of the kitchen maids slipped inside, balancing a bowl of water in her hands.

"Good morning," Jocelyn greeted her, as the girl seemed absorbed in her work and had yet to notice her mistress standing before her.

The girl screamed at the sound of her voice and dropped the bowl to smash on the floor.

"Oh, my lady, I'm so sorry, I didn't know – didn't think – "

The door banged open to reveal Morgana closely followed by Gaius, who had clearly come running at the maid's scream.

"Jocelyn!" Morgana exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her sister.

Jocelyn laughed at her sister's enthusiastic greeting, having to take a couple of steps to remain upright on her still unsteady legs.

"Morgana, what is it?" she asked, still smiling and pulling away, her smile fading as she noticed Morgana's tears.

"I thought – I thought – "

Morgana broke off, unable to voice her fears, and raised a shaking hand to brush away her tears. Gaius took a step forward, gently propelling Morgana to a chair and guiding Jocelyn to sit down on the bed while he examined her.

"My lady, you had the sickness."

"I what? But, I'm fine, I thought there was no cure?"

"There is not. But it appears you are well again. Your skin has cleared and the fever has abated, but you will feel the after effects for several days, so you must rest, my lady," he paused a moment, waiting for her promise, but prompted her when it was not given. "My lady?"

"Yes, of course, Gaius. I will rest."

"Good. Now I suggest you go back to bed, or at least sit by the fire. Quietly," This last was said with an arched eyebrow that clearly showed just how well he knew his patient. "I will inform the King of your recovery."

He nodded at Morgana before leaving the room.

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Gaius entered the council room to find Uther and Arthur waiting for him. He showed them the flower that had been in the water first and let them discuss their plans before telling them about Jocelyn.

"I do have some good news, your highness."

Uther looked up quickly. "You have discovered a cure," he guessed.

Gaius hesitated a moment before telling the truth. "No, I am afraid not. But I visited Lady Jocelyn this morning and she has made a full recovery."

"Gaius, are you sure?" The King had a painful grip on the physician's upper arm.

"Positive, sire. She will be weak for a few days, but she will be fine."

"Excellent," Uther smiled, looking triumphantly towards his son. "Excellent news, I will visit her immediately. Arthur, continue the search." He paused only to see his son nod in acknowledgement before leaving the room.

Arthur hesitated a moment before speaking. "Gaius, do you know how she recovered?"

"I do not sire."

He regarded the physician closely for a moment, before nodding and leaving the room as well.

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Jocelyn stretched in her chair, looking from the fire to the window to her sister and back to the fire again before sighing heavily. Morgana glanced up from the fabric she was running through her hands, selecting what she would send to the dressmakers later in the day, and smiled at her sister's obvious impatience.

"How long do you think Gaius will insist on me just sitting around?" Jocelyn asked, looking over her shoulder at her sister.

Morgana smiled more broadly as her suspicions were confirmed. "For as long as he feels you need to rest, you were very ill."

"But I'm not anymore." Jocelyn replied, turning back to the fire.

When the door opened moments later, she looked up expectantly, happy for something to distract her from her boredom.

"Gwen!" she exclaimed surprised, as the maid was revealed carrying an armful of Morgana's dresses. "I did not think you would be at work today. How is your father?"

Gwen smiled broadly. "He has made a full recovery, thank you my lady, as I hear you have."

"Yes, though I begin to doubt that I ever had the sickness at all. I think it is merely a conspiracy to keep me confined inside the castle."

Morgana and Gwen exchanged amused glances over her head as they moved towards Morgana's dressing room. Gwen returned quickly, spotting the flowers she had given Morgana, dead in their vase as she passed. Frowning in confusion, she picked them up and went to get rid of them.

Before she could complete her task, however, the door to Morgana's chambers banged open and Arthur appeared, flanked by two armoured guards.

"Seize her," he ordered briefly, standing to one side so the guards could stride forward and grip Gwen by the arms as he read the accusations against her. "Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes in contravention to the laws of Camelot. That you did practice enchantments."

"No." Gwen protested, shock clear in her tone as the guards attempted to drag her from the room.

"Arthur, what are you doing?" Jocelyn demanded, getting to her feet.

"But what have I done?" Gwen asked, looking back over the shoulders of her captors. "I haven't done anything! Help me, please!"

"Gwen?" Morgana questioned, coming into the room and watching her maid go before turning to Arthur. "What are you doing?"

"We found a magic poultice in her house, and an identical one in Jocelyn's room." He told them, already departing after his guards.

"Oh, that's ridiculous." Morgana said, disregarding it.

"How else do you explain her father's recovery? And Jocelyn's?"

"But she's innocent. You know she is innocent." She protested.

"What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye."

"Try harder!" Jocelyn exclaimed, outraged.

Arthur paused for a moment in the doorway, regarding them both. He sighed. "I am glad you are better, Jo." He said quietly, before leaving them seething in anger.

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