-62-
"Tell me, Sister, how far are you willing to go to bring about Uther's downfall?"
Morgause and Morgana were seated in a small hut deep within the woods. They were far from Camelot, from Uther's reach, and Morgana felt safe for the first time in a very long time. Morgause had found this hut for them to stay in while Morgana regained her strength. She didn't care if they lived in a ditch as long as it was far away from Uther and his tyranny against magic.
"Anything," Morgana answered her sister's question without hesitation.
"I have a plan," Morgause said, "but you may not like what it involves."
"I want to see him dead. Tell me what I must do." Her hatred for Uther had become a fire in her veins. It flared up whenever he was mentioned and all she could think about was destroying him. His death couldn't come soon enough. It was like a chain and ball around her neck, weighing her down. She wanted to cut it off and destroy it so that she could be free.
"Between my alliance with Cenred and my powers, we have many assets outside of Camelot, but what would aid us the most in our quest against Uther is having someone on the inside."
"You want to plant a spy in Camelot? Who could pull off such a part though? Uther does not trust just anyone." Did Morgause think Uther a fool? Perhaps in many ways, but he was not a fool when it came to trust. He hardly trusted his own blood.
"Not just anyone," Morgause said. "It would have to be someone that Uther trusts unconditionally. Someone he would never suspect of treachery. It is you, Sister."
Morgana gaped at her half-sister. "Me?" she asked indignantly. "You expect me to go back there? After all we did to get away?"
"Not now. Not for awhile. We need to work on your powers and make sure our plan is flawless. Give Uther some time to pine for his missing ward."
"Let him pine until he rots," Morgana said mirthlessly. "Or at least until his loving ward returns." She lifted an eyebrow, quirking her mouth in satisfaction. "He will not suspect a thing. In his eyes I can do no wrong."
Morgause smiled. "Then let us start preparing," she said. "When the time is right, you will return to Camelot and play your part."
"Uther will pay for his crimes," Morgana said. "I'll make sure of that."
…
Ryll awoke slightly before dawn, bundled under her blankets. Her lips felt swollen and she remembered the afternoon before. Her cheeks colored at the thought of kissing Merlin so desperately. What must he think of her? She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow. She'd been so overwhelmed by everything, and she had practically thrown herself at him. She groaned. She'd apologize today. If she could bear to face him. She finally dragged herself out of bed and dressed in a simple blue gown. She pushed some earrings through the holes in her ears and then fingered the ring she had found in the ruins. The blue stone glinted, and Ryll wished she could return it to Morgana. She wished that Morgana was still here in Camelot, still the same friend Ryll had met in the forest. It was going to hurt for a long time, but she had to accept that Morgana wasn't coming back.
She slipped the ring on her finger and left her room, heading toward the physician's quarters. Merlin was just leaving when she approached, and she stopped short, unable to prevent her cheeks from glowing warmly. When Merlin looked up and saw her, his cheeks took on a similar hue.
"I am so sorry for my behavior yesterday," Ryll said in a rush. "I just sort of lost control and took it out on you, and I shouldn't have."
"Believe me, it could have been worse," Merlin said with a grin.
Ryll grinned back. "I never said it was bad. I just shouldn't have…attacked you like that."
"Maybe a warning next time," Merlin said.
"Alright. That sounds fair." She fell into step with him. "I have to admit," she said. "I have no idea what to do with myself today."
"What would you usually do?" Merlin asked.
"I usually talk with Morgana or go for a ride with her. That's when the castle isn't being attacked by a dragon or besieged by an army of the dead."
Merlin grinned at that. "I have to take care of Arthur, but I should have some time this afternoon. We can do whatever you like."
"Honestly, I'd love to just talk or take a ride."
"I have to pick some herbs for Gaius. We could ride into the woods together if you don't mind collecting herbs with me."
"I don't mind."
"Good. I'll come get you when I'm done with Arthur. Maybe Gwen can keep you company until then. I know she's missing Morgana too," he suggested.
"She is," Ryll said. "I'll see you later." She left him outside of Arthur's door, going in search of the maid. Gwen was in her room making the bed. She looked up when Ryll entered and smiled.
"I didn't get a chance to speak with you yesterday," she said. "Arthur tells me you spoke to Morgana or at least tried to. Was she well?" Ryll could see the concern behind her eyes.
"Yes," she said. "She was fine."
"Morgause hadn't harmed her?"
"No, in fact, I saw her healing Morgana."
"She was hurt?"
"She…was injured when the knights of Medhir were in the castle. Morgause healed her though. She obviously doesn't want to harm her."
"I wonder what she could want with Morgana," Gwen said, furrowing her brow.
Ryll wished she could tell her the truth. Instead, she said, "I don't know. Perhaps she wants a ransom. Who knows the mind of a sorceress like her?"
"Arthur will keep looking. We'll get her back," Gwen assured her, putting a hand on her arm.
"Yes," Ryll said. "I hope so."
Gwen gathered the dirty bed sheets and dresses and piled them in a basket. "I'll get these cleaned," she said.
"Gwen," Ryll stopped her. Gwen turned back. "I just wanted to say, if you need someone to talk to, my door is always open. I know you and Morgana were close too."
"Thank you, Ryll. You're always welcome to come talk to me too."
"That means a lot to me." Ryll watched her leave, feeling suddenly alone. She half wanted to chase after her, but she didn't want to get in the way of her duties. Instead she sat at the small table in her room, staring out the window.
She was still sitting there when a tap came on her door. "Come in," she called out without looking away from the window. She expected it to be Merlin, done with his duties, but it was Arthur. "Arthur," she said, standing.
"Ryll. I just wanted to let you know that I'm setting out tomorrow morning with another search party. We're going to try the Valley of the Kings. We could really use your tracking skills if you would like to come."
Ryll looked away for a moment. "I'm sorry, Arthur," she said after a moment. "I'm not feeling up to it."
"Oh, that's alright," he said, but she could hear the disappointment behind his words. "Maybe another time." He turned to leave.
"Arthur," Ryll called him back. She met his blue eyes. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just don't think I can stand to see her disappear again or follow a false trail. If anyone can find her, it's you. I just can't be involved anymore."
"Morgana would do anything to find you if you were in her place," Arthur said.
Ryll could feel her heart cracking at his words. "I know," she whispered.
"I guess I thought you would do the same," he said before leaving the room.
Ryll fought back the tears in her eyes. How could she keep looking for Morgana when she knew that Morgana didn't want to be found?
…
Merlin found her an hour later, sitting at the table absently twisting Morgana's ring around her finger. She didn't look up when he came in. He could tell that something was wrong though her eyes were dry.
"Arthur thinks I've given up on her," she said without looking up. "He asked me to go with him on another search, but I said I couldn't do it." She looked up at him, blue eyes sad. "How can I go out in search of her knowing she doesn't want to be found?"
"Arthur just doesn't understand," he said. "And he can't ever find out that Morgana doesn't want to come back."
"I know. He was just so disappointed in me."
"Well, I'm proud of you," Merlin told her, taking her hand. "You always do everything you can for your friends. I know you'd be out there searching for Morgana if she wanted to come back."
"I would never give up," Ryll agreed. "But she doesn't want to come back."
Merlin stood holding her hand, unsure of how to comfort her. After a moment, she stood and wrapped her arms around him. He stroked her hair as she pressed her head into his shoulder. "What can I do to ease the pain?" he asked.
"Just hold me," she told him.
"Always."
…
One Year Later
Ryll waited silently in the undergrowth. Her bow was strung and her arrow notched and pulled back to her jaw. She hooked her thumb under her jawline and adjusted her aim ever so slightly. Then, taking a slow and steady breath, she released. The arrow shot forward with quick precision, striking the deer straight through the heart. It fell to the ground, dead, and Ryll stood, coming out from her hiding place.
"Impressive shooting," a voice came from the trees to her left. Her eyes shot to the spot, and she reached for another arrow. "Easy." A man with shaggy deep brown hair came out of the trees, holding up his hands in an expression of peace. A sword hung at his side, and Ryll stiffened.
"I thought I was alone," she said, lifting an eyebrow. She removed her hand from the arrow, but let it slide to the knife on her belt. The man didn't miss the movement.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said. "Anyway, I'm not sure I'd stand a chance."
"True. I could have an arrow in your heart before you took another step," Ryll said, watching the man's reaction. He laughed, and she relaxed a little.
"I'm Gwaine," he said, holding out a hand.
Ryll watched him carefully for a moment before shifting her bow to her left hand and stepping forward to take his hand. "Amaryllis," she said. "But you can call me Ryll."
"And what is a lady like yourself doing in the woods hunting deer?" Gwaine asked, his dark eyes curious. Ryll noticed the odd necklace he wore around his neck. A gold ring and a dragon scale hung on the chain. She wondered what it meant.
"Hunting is one of the ways I get away from everything for awhile," she said.
"And what is it you need to get away from?" he asked, smiling charmingly.
"Everything," she repeated.
"Are you from somewhere around here?" Gwaine asked. "I'd remember seeing you," he added.
Ryll smiled. "No, I'm not from around here."
"I can see I'm not going to get anywhere by asking you questions."
"I'm sorry," Ryll said. "I'm not very trusting."
"No need to apologize for that," Gwaine told her. "There's nothing wrong with being cautious. I've always been the type to throw caution to the wind."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Ryll said. He grinned roguishly. "Alright, I'm from Camelot if you want to know. I live in the castle."
"Then you are a lady, I knew it."
"You knew it? I'm dressed like a man hunting in the forest. What kind of lady does that?" she asked with a laugh.
"One worth knowing," he said.
"My title isn't worth much anyway," she said. "My family is dead."
"I'm sorry to hear that. My father died when I was young," he said.
"It's a rare gift to have both parents still. I can't say I know anyone who does," Ryll said. "Do you live near here?"
"I don't really live anywhere," he replied. "I move around a lot."
"I was the same way before I came to Camelot. I never stayed in one place for too long. Perhaps that's why I come out here. Sometimes the castle feels too confining."
"Are you a lady of the court?" Gwaine asked.
Ryll laughed. "Hardly. Uther Pendragon and I are not always on the best of terms. Right now he's furious with me because I refused to do something for him. I was banished once, but someone I managed to get past that."
"What were you banished for?"
"I entered a tournament that only nobles and men were allowed to enter – this was before I knew who my parents were and that I had a title. The king wasn't too pleased when I beat everyone. I could have beaten Arthur too, but I held back."
"You can fight then." He sounded impressed. "You're certainly a good shot. Who taught you to shoot like that?"
"I did. I had to learn to defend myself after my parents died."
"How did you come to live in Camelot?" he asked.
"Chance, I suppose. Or fate. Whatever you want to call it."
"I don't believe in fate. I'm the one in control of my life," Gwaine said.
"I used to think that way. Now I'm not sure."
"How did you get the king to lift your banishment?" Gwaine asked. "I've always heard that Uther is not a forgiving king."
"He's not. He lifted the banishment so I could keep his ward company. She needed a friend. But now she's gone and none of that matters anymore. I fear I've begun to outstay my welcome."
"Nobles never know a good person when they see one. They're too busy looking after themselves," Gwaine said.
"I take it you don't like nobles."
"Not usually. I've yet to meet a decent one, present company excluded."
"Arthur's decent."
"Prince Arthur?"
"Yes. He's different from his father. But anyway, I need to get that deer to the nearest village," Ryll changed the subject. "I could use a hand." She looked hopefully up at Gwaine.
"What are you going to do with it?" he asked, eyeing the deer.
"Feed it to the people," she said. "I don't need it. I just like to hunt."
"They'll appreciate it. It's a poor village." Gwaine plucked the arrow from the deer and handed it back to Ryll. She wiped it off before sliding it back into her quiver.
"I have a horse," Ryll said. "She can carry it." She whistled and Owl came trotting into the clearing. They set to tying the deer to her back and then walked alongside toward the village.
"I'll warn you, this village isn't exactly a cheerful, friendly sort of place," Gwaine said.
"I can handle a few rough people," she said with a smile.
"It's not you I'm worried about." Gwaine frowned. "I owe a man some money. That's why I was in the forest. Keeping away from him."
"Afraid of one man?" She eyed the sword at his side. "I would have thought you could take him."
Gwaine smiled. "If it was one man after me," he said. "But unfortunately he has some friends."
"Why do you owe them money?"
"I have an outstanding debt at the man's tavern. I also haven't a penny to my name these days."
Ryll rolled her eyes. "Sounds like you got yourself into this little mix up."
"That is true. Usually I'd just head on to the next village, but there's a girl at the tavern who caught my eye."
"A girl isn't worth much if you're dead," Ryll told him with a sly smile.
"Never a truer word," Gwaine said.
They broke through the trees, and Gwaine led her down a valley and into the village. The people cast them unfriendly looks as they passed by, and Ryll tightened her grip on Owl's reins. "I feel a bit unwelcome," she said.
"Probably because you're with me," Gwaine said. "Sorry."
"I'd rather be with you than alone," she said. "Not that anyone would get away with robbing me."
"I'd like to see them try," Gwaine said.
"Well, well, come back with your tail between your legs, have you?" a gruff voice said from the doorway to a tavern. Gwaine grimaced, and Ryll realized this must be the man he owed money.
"I never run from a fight," Gwaine said.
"Good because a fight is what you're going to get if I don't get my money." The man whistled and four more men came up to stand by the tavern-keeper.
"Now that's hardly fair," Gwaine said. "I don't owe them money." He drew his sword.
"They work for me," the tavern-keeper said, nodding to his men. They started toward Gwaine. Ryll tied Owl's reins to a signpost and drew her own sword.
"What's this?" the tavern-keeper laughed. "Got yourself a little lady friend?"
"A lady friend with a sword," Ryll corrected.
"Don't get involved," Gwaine said, looking down at her.
"Too late," Ryll said with a grin as the men attacked.
I knew Ryll and Gwaine would hit it off. They're too much alike not to.