"Oh… my god…" Becca said quietly. She stared at the door realising what just happened. "Did that just happen?"
"I believe it did…" Holly said equally shocked.
"They want me in a dress?" Emma questioned herself. Merlin came running through the door with 7 different coloured dresses all folded neatly on top of each other.
"These are for you. It's up to you which one you choose." Merlin said as he put the dresses down on Emma's bed.
"What if they don't fit us?" Katie asked.
"I hadn't thought about that one…"
"Why don't you just make it our size?" Lili replied. "We know about you and your magic…"
"What…? How do you know?"
"That doesn't matter Merlin, but we swear to you we will not tell Uther and Arthur." Emma said seriously. "The dark blue's quite nice…" She picked the top dress up from the top of the pile and held it up against herself.
"Well… if we have no other option but to wear them, then I'll take Gryffindor red" Becca said reluctantly picking up the red dress from the pile. "Do we have to wear dresses to dinner?"
"Yes"
"I'll take..." Lili pondered a thought for a moment "the violet"
"Dark green – the dark green's nice" Holly said quite quietly. She walked over to Emma's bed and picked up the dark green and burnt orange dress for her and Lil. Katie walked over to where the dresses were laid out and picked up a light blue dress.
"I'll take this one. Will you be joining us at dinner Merlin?" Katie asked.
"I won't be eating with you but serving you" he replied. Suddenly, Emma's face lit up – she was the girl with a plan…
"Emma, I know that face. That's the face you have when you have an idea" Becca said worried.
"Merlin, would you like to help us pull a little prank on Gwaine?" Emma asked.
"Well, I'm supposed to be helping with dinner…"
"Oh come on! It will be fun..." Lili said with a singing tone in her voice.
"Why not…" And with that, the six of them gathered around Emma's bed and she explained her plan.
As Gwaine finished wiping the last of the shoe polish off his face, there was a faint knock at the chamber door followed by what could only be the sound of Camelot's latest guests giggling. Gwaine got up and opened the door to the sight of Becca and Holly clutching at small metal box with what looked to Gwaine like a thousand painted fireflies inside.
"Gwaaiiiinnneee" they almost sang, "You know how like, you're the bravest of the knights…" Rebecca started.
"And how we're not from around here…" Holly continued.
"Well, from where we're from, you're really famous, like Arthur-famous" Gwaine snapped to attention at the mention of being as famous as Arthur.
"You mean… You want... Does this have something to do with the firefly box you have?" Holly and Becca looked bemused at Gwaine before realising what he meant. Holly held up the camera phone as Becca began to explain the concept to Gwaine.
Meanwhile, outside the knights' chambers, Merlin was lying in wait for the signal from the others to start his magic and set the prank into action…
"So, basically, if someone presses this button then we will have a kind of eternal memory of meeting you." Becca concluded. "All we need now is someone-" She was suddenly interrupted by the sound of crashing silverware, a sound provided by Emma and Katie with pots and pans from the kitchen. "And I think we may have found our volunteer." She finished as Merlin handily walked in.
Whilst Holly explained to Merlin how to take a picture of them and Gwaine, Emma, Katie and Lili moved into position and counted down the seconds.
"5, 4, 3, 2, GO!" Emma shouting-whispered as the three of them ran in to catch Gwaine in perfect canon with Merlin's incantation. "High five!" She yelled, leaving Lili and Katie to fail with the task of carrying Gwaine's lifeless body.
"Uh, little bit of help here guys…" Lili spluttered from somewhere under Gwaine and a large pink dress. "He's actually a lot heavier than we first thought you know…" She murmured as the others helped to drag him away from the door and off of a slightly squashed Lili.
"You guys did great." Katie said to Becca and Holly as Merlin gave her a poke.
"If that's all you need me for I better be going bef-" Merlin began, but Emma swiftly cut him off.
"You haven't told us how long this sleep spell lasts, but I'm guessing about two hours right?" Merlin laughed at the suggestion as he brushed down his clothes.
"More like 45 minutes. At the most. Have fun!" He replied and went back to his duties.
"FORTY-FIVE MINUTES?!" Lili almost screamed at the manservant, who was now out of sight. "We'll never get him in this and get our own clothes on in that time. And that's not even considering the fact that we have to get all the way down to dinner as well!" She said as she began pacing violently.
"Then we better get started," Katie ordered, going into full commando mode. "Everyone knows what they've got to do, and if we work together we've got more than enough time providing we're quick." With that comment, they all sprouted into action. Emma proceeded by taking off Gwaine's boots and armour, Katie stuffed his chain mail in the most inventive places she could find, Becca pulled the first four layers of frills over his head, Holly unlaced the corset layer and Lili plaited his hair.
After what felt like an eternity of pulling and pushing, Gwaine was finally in the most hideously pink dress in all the five kingdoms. All that was left to do now was to make sure it looked like Gwaine's fault and to ensure that the dress wouldn't be coming off anytime soon. Becca, Emma and Katie were simultaneously knotting the ribbons and lace in the most complex way possible whilst Holly and Lili placed four large tankards around Gwaine's bed. Anyone who came to inspect what might have happened would only ever assume that Gwaine was very, very drunk.
"I think that's it! The hard part is over!" Holly said proudly, as they stepped back to admire their handy work.
"Yeah, but now we've got to face the hellish prospect of wearing those dresses for the evening…" Becca retorted, and Emma shuddered at the thought. "And we really don't have time to stand around waiting. Gwaine could wake up at any moment."
With that, they ran back to their room, hoping that none of the knights would be coming to make a last minute visit to their room.
Fifteen minutes later, Merlin came to collect the guests with a grin on his face. No one had discovered Gwaine, and he hadn't woken up yet, meaning that their plan was forming perfectly.
"The King awaits your presence, my Ladies." He joked from the outside of the door, knowing that they would be hating the situation. "And may I suggest you hurry up, if you know what I mean." He hissed, hoping that the threat of Gwaine awaking would encourage the girls to speed up.
Suddenly, the doors flew open, probably courtesy of a well-aimed kick from Emma's behalf, revealing five almost-princesses, much to Merlin's surprise.
"Are you ready then?" He asked.
"Oh, we're ready. Appropriately dressed and ready," Katie began,
"But, the question is, Merlin, will Camelot be?" Becca finished, and the others laughed as they made their way to dinner, leaving Merlin to wonder what on earth he had gotten himself into. Merlin quickly hurried away towards the palace kitchens, and the five girls walked slowly towards the banquet halls. Many startled servants were left trailing in their wake after receiving five attempts at a curtsey from the girls and a very polite "How do you do?" from each in turn. Very soon, perhaps too soon for some of the girls liking, they arrived outside the huge doors concealing the feast spread out behind them.
"Well… good luck everyone," said Holly unsure of what to make of the moment, as they stood staring at the doors in front of them. After this continued for a good ten seconds, the door guard cleared his throat at an attempt to attract their attention.
"Please my ladies," He said as the girls let out a giggle – so it was ladies now was it!? "If you could tell me your titles I will introduce you to the banquet." With that the girls gave a puzzled frown to the bewildered door guard who sighed, and waited patiently. He was used to it after all, the amount of people who had waited outside those doors before planning an assassination attempt really was quite astounding.
"Err, I'm Lady Rebecca of… Bournemouth?" Said the first girl who stepped forward hesitantly. Before she could say anything else however the guard pushed open the double doors and announced -
"I present to you, Lady Rebecca of Bournemouth," realising she had to make her entrance she tried to duck out at the side, only to be pushed back forwards by Katie and Holly. Finding herself suddenly alone in front of the doors, she gazed around at the faces gathered before her, and before she knew it another announcement meant someone else was to join her.
"Lady Holly of Bournemouth," was announced and the two girls walked over to their places at Arthur's round table – for them it was between Sirs Leon and Elyan, who stood to let them sit down. Not long after they had sat down, Lili, Katie and Emma had also been announced and had taken their seats between the Prince and Sirs Percival and Lancelot.
"May I say my Lady, you look absolutely lovely. You all look lovely" Lancelot said as he took Katie's hand and helped her to sit down at her seat. She blushed as the handsome knight gave her a quick smile. Becca and Holly rolled their eyes while Lili did a quick scan of the table and noticed everyone was here. There was however, a rather empty looking seat to Emma's right.
"Ah good everyone is… where is Gwaine?" Arthur said, about to start tucking into the magnificent feast before him, but instead standing up and hurriedly looking around the people in front of him. At this, the five girls hid a laugh, and Merlin too went as red as a beetroot. Arthur looked at the giggling girls, and let out a sigh, where was that stupid man? Said stupid man, was of course, still fast asleep in a… fetching pink frilly dress, with his long wavy hair now plaited and tied in pink ribbons. But no one else, apart from the girls and Merlin was to know that of course… at least not yet!
"Leon, Percival – go find Gwaine, and I want no excuses!" Arthur said wearily, really, he thought, Gwaine should know by now to only visit the tavern after any state business that he should attend, considering his position as a Knight of the Round table. And with that, and a worried sideways glance, Leon and Percival left the room, to go on a knight-hunt.
Time appeared to pass very slowly, with the girls starting to look worried about the fate of their latest model, and Merlin even making an excuse to go and find his friends.
"So," said Arthur, at a desperate attempt to make conversation "Are you well known for your netball skills back on your home village?"
"Well, I wouldn't quite say that Sire," said Lili clearly uncertain how she should take this question "We don't really play in any big competitions…" finished Katie. The conversation carried on like this for a number of minutes, before they heard some commotion from outside the doors. Merlin quickly ran in and whispered into Arthur's ear. The girls startled to giggle, guessing what was happening outside the door.
"I said no excuses Merlin! Bring him in!" Said Arthur, now thoroughly puzzled as to why Gwaine was so keen to not make an appearance – there was food here and everything! The girls however knew, and exchanged a mixture of excited and nervous glances between them. After some more yelps and something that sounded distinctly like an expensive vase breaking, the doors opened and Leon and Percival dragged in, what seemed to be a woman struggling desperately in their hold.
"I said bring me Gwaine, not-"Arthur stopped. Was that? No, surely not even Gwaine would- but it certainly looked like him. By now, the girls were laughing hysterically, with Emma and Katie practically weeping into their plates, and Lili having to grab hold of a startled Elyan to prevent herself falling off her chair. Becca and Holly had long since given up trying to maintain some dignity at the table and were clinging on to each other much to the assembled knights' shock.
Gwaine however was not finding this funny. He was rudely awakened a mere ten minutes before by two morons laughing at him. Now I'm usually a very lenient man thought Gwaine as he awoke from his snooze and tried to find his senses, but if there is one thing he can't stand, its people laughing at him. And so, after stumbling a few steps, and nearly tripping over something Gwaine tried to reach his sword. Am I really that drunk? He thought. Funny, I can't remember drinking anything… but Gwaine, ever the knight pulled his attention back to the matter at hand – drawing his sword on those intruders. As he turned to face Leon and Percival who were now rolling on the floor laughing, they momentarily glanced up at him, and started laughing even harder if that was possible. Gwaine suddenly wondered if they were actually laughing at him and then –oh. That would be why they were laughing. As he glanced down he saw, to his utter horror, a long, pink and remarkably frilly dress. No. No, this could not be possible thought Gwaine desperately, picking up his ghastly satin attire and trying to slap himself at the same time, thinking it must be a dream. But no, he, Sir Gwaine, one of the bravest and most courageous knights of Camelot, was in a dress.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He yelled, making a desperate sprint for freedom, unfortunately forgetting the floor length dress and – were they high heels? And so, consequently, he instead tripped, slamming his head against the marble floor, adding to his rather not so nice look he had gained. At this, Leon and Percival attempted to pull themselves together and grabbed their fallen comrade. They then proceeded to drag a kicking, screaming and cursing Gwaine through the corridors of Camelot much to everyone's amusement. His screams could be heard from the lower town and many people wondered if someone was being tortured back at the castle! Now sobbing, Gwaine was being carried the final stretch of his journey after deciding he would not watch to what he was certain would be his doom. Moments later, a door in front of them opened, and King Uther walked out. He had been having a very tough day, what with sorceresses, tables deliberating trying to trip him over and a really annoying fly which seemed intent on choking him; but this was just the final straw! Seeing one of his son's knights in a dress? His face was a picture as he took in the sight before him. And then he quickly retreated back into his room to lie down. He didn't even want to know. Last time he got involved in a bizarre incident with Arthur's 'Knights of the Round Table' it had ended with him being forced to watch as his son's heat of the knights sword tournament being interrupted with cries of
"ARENA INVASION!" And a collection of knights running on, picking up his son and carrying him away, leaving a very confused opponent, crowd and King. As he said, he just didn't want to know, and deciding it absolutely MUST be a nightmare, he walked back to his room and lay down immediately.
As the King walked back into his study, Leon and Percival decided it was the perfect opportunity to continue dragging their cross-dressing friend to the banquet room doors. As they arrived outside, they met Merlin, who laughed in delight at his friends – for want of a better word, adventure. And so, that was how Sir Gwaine ended up in front of the Prince wearing a hideous pink dress.
"Gwaine, I – what… WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" Bellowed Arthur as everyone erupted in another fit of giggles. How on earth Arthur managed to maintain his anger, nobody knew, as it really was the most ridiculous sight! Gwaine sighed and glared at the gathered crowd suddenly wondering how on earth he managed to end up looking like this. What was the last thing he remembered… it was, those girls! He glared between them and realised that they were laughing the hardest, it must have been them! He started towards Lili and Katie who tried to put on a solemn face and failed miserably, laughing at the sight of his hair plaited down his back, and the dress they had chosen for him – serves him right for making them change, they thought! And went to grab his sword, only to find a stuffed unicorn hanging where his scabbard usually would be.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Yelled Gwaine and he went to storm out of the room, much to the girls, and gathered knights and servants delight.
"Hold on Gwaine, or Gwainette," said Lancelot with a sly grin on his face "Surely you would not disgrace the court of Camelot by being rude to our guests?" He then got a stuffed unicorn thrown in his face as an answer, but Arthur wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Sit Gwaine, or I will have you wearing that dress for the rest of the year, it really does match your eyes," said Arthur with a twinkle in his eyes. Gwaine stormed to his seat next to Emma and sat their fuming silently at the injustice that had been done to him.
"Sir Gwaine?" Said Emma, innocently and looking sympathetic "You have, er, you forgot your unicorn," she said holding it out to him, now with a devilish grin in place. The others started laughing manically again.