Here's the next chapter. Sorry it took so long but I got into writing my other fanfiction, Mercy.

Thank you nibby9 for inspiring me to keep going.

Secret Life

The sun was already beginning to rise when Gaia finally got back to Camelot. Using the darkness that still had a hold of Camelot, Gaia, as fast as she could, sprinted towards the outer wall. She had done this run many times before but her heart still pounded in her chest at the fear of being seen. She pressed one of her fists to her chest as if this would be able to muffle the sound of her heartbeats.

Her blood pumped in her ears as she pressed herself against the stonewall, trying to make herself as small as possible so that any soldier looking over the wall would not be able to see her.

Confident no one was looking, Gaia crouched down in front of the wall. Slowly she razed her right hand, pointing one of her slender fingers at the stone. The words of magic flowed like silk over her tongue as she spoke them under her breath. Gingerly she placed her outstretched finger against the stone and watched as small bolts of lightning danced across the stone, illuminating Gaia's face in the night. The outline of a door suddenly appeared in the wall's face. Gaia took one more look around her quickly. Knowing what the consequences would be if she were to get caught had made her more wary.

She quietly laughed to herself. What would Eris have thought if she could see her now? Eris always liked to jump first, look later, and she had usually taken Gaia tumbling down with her. Sometimes Gaia had found herself wondering why she let Eris drag her into things and then she would remember the thrill of running along side of a friend, knowing that you had one. It made all of the cuts, and sometimes broken bones, worth it.

It had been Eris who had suggested fighting in that first war. She had never been one for sitting around and watching. And Gaia, being the pushover that she had been, had said sure. After all, Eris had always been there, so why not fight by her side. But Gaia never did fight along side Eris. She had repaid Eris' kindness with betrayal. Yes, she had argued to Eris that she had not betrayed her, but deep down Gaia knew that Eris' accusations were anything but false.

She thought about this as she lent against the stone door she had created, slowly opening it a crack so she could peek out to see if there was anyone on the other side. Seeing no one, Gaia pushed harder on the door, managing to open it just enough to squeeze through. The door closed soundlessly behind her, transforming back into the solid rock that made up the wall.

Trying to look as normal as possible for someone who got up absurdly early in the morning, which she usually did since she found that many a night had been plagued with nightmares of the battlefield. Was it a crime to say that she missed it? That she missed the many different battle cries she had yelled as she charged into battle? Or the looks on her opponents face when they realized they had underestimated her? She would never tell anybody, but she longed to hold a sword and to wear armor. Eris believed that she was scarred. Yes, this was true, but not in the way she thought. The thought of what had happened to friends and family on that day still haunted her. It was those images that pushed Gaia to take the path she had. That pushed her to… No that was a story for another time.

Taking a deep breath, Gaia began the all too familiar stroll back to the citadel. The streets were empty as they usually were at this hour. So Gaia was startled when the dark form of one of the knights stepped out of the dark. The sudden appearance of Sir Leon caused her to stumble back into a display of clay pots, nearly knocking several over. She just managed to catch herself on the side of the table before she too went tumbling down.

"Sorry, you just startled me." Gaia said to ease Sir Leon's concerned features.

"My apologies miss, it was not my intention." She was surprised to hear him speaking so formally.

"When is it ever? And there is no need to speak so formally I am merely a servant." She said, brushing herself off.

"What are you doing out at this hour?" He quickly changed the subject.

"I was helping a friend at the tavern." Gaia lied easily.

"Ah, I see. I take it Sir Gwaine was there as well."

"He is our best customer."

"Be carful on your way back. The streets are dangerous in the dark."

"I wouldn't worry. I have the sunrise at my back." She waved goodbye to the knight and continued on her way. She had to take a few deep breaths in order to calm her nerves. That was close. Thank Gwaine's drinking habits.

Soon she found herself standing in the middle of the courtyard staring up at the tall towers of the citadel. Gaia wondered what secrets and lies were running along its hallways. What new deceptions did it hold? That was one of the reasons she had chosen this side of the battle, because of her curiosity.

Waking herself from her reveries, Gaia quickly found the side door that led to the servants' quarters. The door opened up onto a winding flight of stone stares. The sounds of her footsteps were awkwardly loud in the confined space of the staircase. Ignoring it she hurried on until she came to a hallway filled with doors, each one leading to a different servants small room. Gaia made her way down the hallway, counting the doors until she came to the fifth door on the right.

She reached her hand into a small bag that hung from her waste, rummaging around for the small brass key that would fit this door's lock. Her fingers met everything from string, to buttons, to needles for sewing. Her hand recoiled every time it met the sharp end of a needle. Finally the rusted surface of the key slipped into her grasp.

The door opened to reveal a simple room, filled only by a small bed, a side table, and a chair. Gaia had been lucky to get a room with a window, especially one that looked over the courtyard.

Gaia barely even sat down on her bed when a knock came at her door. She scrambled to open it, knowing full well who would be on the other side. The face of one of the older maids met her when she did finally manage to open the door. Her wrinkly features showed that she was not best pleased.

"Well don't just stand there, we have windows to clean." And without another word, her large form bustled down the hallway, with Gaia close at her heals.

Gaia was sure they had only cleaned these windows a few days ago, but already they were covered in grime. The old maid had throne a bucket of water and towel at her. "Clean." She barked the order.

That is how Gaia found herself wiping grime from the windows on a rainy day. Luckily she was cleaning them from the inside.

Being a maid did have its upsides. She did enjoy listening to the others gossip, even though the information she gathered usually had no use to it. But sometimes if she were lucky they would say something that would come into use later. Unfortunately this was not one of those times. So Gaia had to listen to them ramble on about who was dating one of the farmer's daughters.

While she was cleaning one of the windows the announcement came that the knights were returning from their search for the druids. Hearing this Gaia rushed over to one of the windows that looked out over the courtyard in time to see the first of the knights, with prince Arthur at their head.

She let out a breath she had not known she was holding when she saw that they had no prisoners. Her diversion must have worked. Filled with relief Gaia went back to cleaning the windows until the old maid called upon her.

She shoved a pile of cloths into her arms. "Take these to the prince's chambers and be quick about it. He needs them for tonight's banquet. Oh and ask him if he wants the usual, the cook wants to know."

Honestly sometimes Gaia wondered why they needed to have so many banquets. She didn't even want to know why they were having this one. But like every day Gaia did not complain.

The halls were strangely quiet as she made her way to the prince's chambers. She was not pleased with being given the job of delivering the prince's clothing. Usually she preferred to stay out of sight and not alert anyone to her presence. It would be better if none of them even thought that she existed.

She could have found the prince's room even if she had been blindfolded. She had been there often enough. Not to deliver clothing or clean but to, for lack of a better word, spy on the prince. Especially when word got around that they were going on a quest. She wanted to know as much as she could so that she could make sure their journey would be relatively safe.

Gaia knew that Merlin was there to protect Arthur and that she would not be able to redirect every group of bandits, magical beasts, or vengeful sorcerer. But she did manage to get most of them out of the way so that when the prince's party left the city they would have less trouble to deal with.

Throughout their journey's Eris and Gaia had met all manner of creature and folk. They had grown to respect the two friends.

Arthur's quests always seemed to lead him to the most dangerous parts of the kingdom. Gaia had had to call in quite a few debts already. It kept her busy.

The prince's chambers were the same as always. Gaia quickly made her way through the door and placed the cloths on the bed where they would be able to see them. She hoped to be quick with her work so she could leave before they reached the room. But it seems luck was not on her side on this rainy day.

The sound of voices from just outside the door caught her ear. She stiffened slightly but tried to relax and look as normal as possible.

Prince Arthur did not seem to be in the best of moods as he barged through the door to his room, Merlin following close behind. He threw down his sword on his desk in frustration.

"How did they get away?" He fumed, not taking any notice to the maid laying out cloths on his bed.

"I'm not sure sire." Was Merlin's simple response, he knew Arthur was not pleased. But Merlin was quite satisfied with the outcome to their search party.

"I could have sworn we were getting close."

"Yes, but the tracks did turn out to be from a pack of animals. It's a common mistake."

"Well I am not common." Arthur moaned.

"Perhaps you will have better luck next time."

"They will be far away by next time." Arthur plopped himself down in his chair.

"Now to get your mind off of it why don't we get you ready for tonight's feast." Merlin tried.

"There's a feast tonight?"

"Yes, your father's orders." Merlin went over to get the prince's cloths that the maid was still straightening out on the bed, making sure there weren't stained in any way. Merlin could hear Arthur's protests.

The maid finished checking the rest of the clothing and then made her way back to the door before stopping, seeming to remember something. She turned around.

"Sire?" She asked.

"Yes." Arthur acknowledged.

"The cook would like to know if you would like the usual for the feast."

"Yeah, sure." He stated simple them waved her away. She curtsied then left.

Once outside, Gaia's legs finally gave out on her and she lent against a wall for balance. She had never been that close before. Composing herself she hurried off to tell the cook the prince's answer.

Usually Gaia would have attended the banquet but that night she had decided otherwise. She was going to finish up a few extra chores the old maid had dropped on her then retire early. Her excursion the previous night had taken her sleeping time, she was tired.

Her last task was to take a basket of laundry down to the cleaners. It was that that caused her to travel down the hallway outside the prince's quarters for the second time that day.

The sound of a window creaking caused Gaia to stop in her tracks. It was coming from Arthur's room, but he was down at the banquet. So who was opening the window?

Old habits kicked in as Gaia stealthily entered the room. A few of the candles in the room were still lit, allowing Gaia to make out the form of someone climbing in through the open window.

Cliffhanger.

Thank you for reading and please REVIEW!

Reviews inspire me to write faster.

Sorry if this chapter was a little boring. I am trying to build up to the action.

Please give me ideas on where you want this story to go because I don't know.