Chapter 14: A/N I do not own Merlin the beginning is choppy, I couldn't figure out how to start it so… Let's see if anyone can catch my references. Probably not, but, unless you've seen it like a gazillion times like me… you won't know what I'm talking about. The lullaby is one that my mom used to sing me all the time when i was a baby, me and my siblings. I liked Libertad Lamarque's version. Here's the link, if you're interested, watch?v=GbUwtkPV6ic She's truly a great singer and actress. I watched some of her moves with my grandparents-they had them on cassette or vhs or whatever- but i love her voice, its so soothing. I also recommend munequita linda by her. The english version of jo stafford is also pretty good a lullaby, but not as good as the spanish version. Although that's probably got to do with memories of my mom and grandmothers. Also, MY FIRST FAVORITE! As of today, I have one favorite and two followers! I'm seriously excited! Shout out to you three!
"Okay, so I've got Pellinore and Bruin's and you've Gwen's right?"
"Definitely, revenge is sweet." Cassie replied mischievously.
"Prank ahead, then?"
"Yes!" Owaine answered excitedly.
"Okay, get hold of their tunics, I'll take care of the rest."
"What will you do to Gwen? I feel kind of guilty, she's so nice to us."
"Nothing too drastic, just innocent pranks." Cassie answered to which Owaine just nodded, excited for the task ahead.
"Gwen!" Cassie cried, catching up to the pretty brunette.
"Cassie! Hi!" Gwen greeted happily as the blonde fell into step with her.
"Need some help with those?" Cassie asked, nodding to the baskets in her friend's hands.
"Thanks Cassie," Gwen replied, handing her one of them.
Cassie furtively glanced at the pretty maid, wondering exactly what she would do.
"How's Morgana? I heard the nightmares are getting worse." Cassie asked in concern, buying time after dropping the baskets off at the laundress.
"Exhausted, I don't know how she's able to function like this. I've been at her side the past week and can hardly keep my eyes open." Gwen yawned.
"And you're dad, how's he doing?"
"Better, though not by much. He refuses to take a break, even for one day. Says he can't afford to." Gwen replied sadly
"I can see to Morgana tonight, if you'd like to stay with your father. I honestly don't mind."
"Oh, would you?" Gwen asked pleadingly.
"Of course, I have nothing to do tonight anyways." 'Other than plan your prank!' Cassie thought eevily.
"Oh! Thank you! I'll make it up to you tomorrow I promise!"
"Go on, Gwen. I'll be fine.I'll let Morgana know too." Cassie chuckled.
Gwen gave her one final hug before running off to home. Casssie thought on how best to prank her friend as she was walking to Gaius' chambers to let him know that she'd be staying with Morgana in Gwen's stead. On her way there she ran into Sir Pellinore.
"Cassie." Pellinore greeted.
"Hi, Pell." Cassie replied grinning.
"Done for the day? We've got some more stories you might like to hear. My shift's been covered" Pellinore said, clearly Owaine's prank was going better than hers.
"No, I'm covering for Gwen. Her father's feeling under the weather so I said I would."
"Nice of you. I suppose the stories will just have to wait. I'll never pass up an opportunity to embarrass Owaine." he chuckled.
"Ok, well I'll see you some other time, I suppose."
"Hey, wait! Where's your escort?"
"Oh, well I caught up with Gwen and offered to cover, so I'm just heading to Morgana's chambers to finish up. Owaine said he had other stuff to do so.." Cassie explained, hoping he wouldn't dig too deep, or worse, go find out.
"Got him wrapped around your little finger already?" Pellinore teased, not even thinking twice about the dubious explanation.
"Oh, I have half the Knights under my thrall. Not just Owaine." she teased back.
"Yeah, but none as wrapped as my dear brother." Pell said, mockingly fluttering his eyelashes and bringing his hands up to his heart.
"Ha ha, Pell. I could get you to do what I want in the blink of an eye."
"Watch yourself. I do have a wife." he said, mockingly serious.
"Oh, I have her full permission. In fact, we've had quite a few interesting conversations, Does, uh, your sister's wedding ring a bell?" Cassie laughed a tinkling laugh at the expression of pure mortification on his face.
"I suppose I have the upper hand, no one will ever hear my truly embarrassing moments."
"We'll get them out of you sooner or later, don't you worry." Pellinore said as he laughed. "I have to get going Cassie, see you later!"
"Bye!" Cassie called after him as he turned to leave relief barely hidden on her quickly got to Gaius' chambers and told him she was going to replace Gwen tonight to watch over Morgana.
She made her way down the winding corridors and staircases until she arrived at Morgana's rooms. She knocked on the door waiting for a response from within.
"Come in." Morgana called out.
"Good evening, my Lady. Gwen's gone home to care for her father, He was feeling a little sick today. I offered to take her place tonight." Cassie told the beautiful raven haired girl. " If that's alright with you, that is." she back-tracked quickly
"Of course it is. I only wish Gwen had told me about her father, I would have let her go tonight without needing to bother you." Morgana smiled kindly.
"Oh, no, she didn't-I mean to say that I wanted to. You're my friend and I hate to see you so tired." Cassie told the girl with conviction. "Besides, Gwen may or may not be getting pranked for telling Owaine that I've never been kissed before." She finished offhandedly.
"Oh, I told her that would come back and bite her." Morgana sang with a hint of humor.
"Yes, I've got my choices narrowed down to either the simple, yet never-fails move everything over. Or scaring her. I'd love your opinion!" Cassie squealed.
"I'd go with the moving everything. I tried scaring her once, nearly got a eyeful of fist!" Morgana warned.
"I would've thought of her to be the scream and run, she's so slight." Cassie said, thoughtfully. "Oh well, I have my work cut out for me. Now I have to plan where and when, but those are just details. Tell me about your day." Cassie made conversation while helping Morgana prepare for bed.
"About as eventful as ever. Started my day inside, brushed my hair, had my breakfast, made my rounds with the Ladies-there's some gossip actually which I will tell, but you must promise to not let it leave these four walls. Oh and I tortured Arthur, which is really the highlight. I just love to watch him squirm!" Morgana chimed in.
"Yes, I used to love messing with my brothers too." Cassie said nostalgically, grabbing the brush from the chiffonier.
"He is not my brother!"
"Maybe not by blood, but you must think of him as one? Or does my Lady think of him in another manner."Cassie started innocently, but ended up teasing Morgana in the most libidinous tone she could muster; "Perhaps in a 'I think he's gorgeous and I wonder why he won't just take me o-"
"Okay, Cassie. Enough of that!" Morgana proclaimed, sufficiently scandalized. "Now I will have nightmares, except they will be about Arthur and me." Morgana shuddered at the thought.
"You have to admit, though, 'Gana. He is VERY handsome."
"He is Arthur, and I wouldn't touch him with a seven food pole." 'Gana replied seriously
"Okay." Cassie sang, not fully convinced.
"Besides, why look at him when I have my pick of the Knights. And there are some very attractive ones." Morgana started.
"Oh, here we go again." Cassie rolled her eyes. "All done, would you like something else, 'Gana, or shall I leave you to rest."
"Please don't go!" Morgana pleaded with shining eyes. "Not yet, anyways. Perhaps we can talk a bit longer. I have yet to tell you the gossip." Morgana added hopefully.
"Oh! Can't believe I forgot. Tell me all the salacious details. I promise they won't leave my lips." Cassie said, making a movement with her hand as if zipping her lips and throwing away the key. And so they spent the next quarter hour gossiping about the Ladies of the Court and how Lord John's little wifey, Madeline, was in a 'delicate condition' at the same age as Morgana! Everyone could see through how she tried to hide it, it truly caused quite the scandal! And Lady Gordon and her, pastimes of designing naughty nightwear. Although, Morgana had to admit rather bashfully that she had bought some without Uther knowing.
"Isn't it just sinful how gloriously comfortable this is?!" Morgana asked, delighted at the expression of shock that flitted across Cassie's face at the sight of the rose-colored undergarments.
"My, that is certainly...uhm…uh… r-racy?" Cassie gulped, her face redder that the nightgown. Morgana just giggled at the girl.
"I suppose you wouldn't want something of hers. Whenever you and Owain do get married. Because, if it is the last thing I do, you two WILL get married." Morgana promised forcefully while putting it back.
"I-I-I.."Cassie stuttered at a loss for what to say, her cheeks an even deeper shade of red than before.
"How about we retire now, I am feeling a bit drained." Morgana said.
"Of course" Cassie replied with a gentle smile, hoping she wasn't as red as she felt. "I'll stay in the servants' quarters just through here, in case you need me."
"Thank you, Cassie. You're a good friend." Morgana said earnestly.
"You and Gwen have been more of a sister than a friend to me. I only want to pay you back in kind. I may miss my blood family, but you are my family now, you and Gwen, and Gaius and the knights." Cassie said passionately
"Except for Owaine, he's more husband than brother." Morgana interrupted, tears filling her eyes.
"Even the Prince is like a distant cousin that I get along with...occasionally." Cassie teased making light of the moment as she, too, was being overwhelmed. "Good night, 'Gana." Cassie said, with a soft kiss on her adopted sister's temple.
"'Night Cassie." Morgana said with a fond smile.
Some time later, Cassie awoke to Morgana's whimpers. Knowing that they were most likely from a nightmare, Cassie rushed into the room to console one of her dearest friends.
"There, there. 'Gana. It's okay, it's just a dream. You're safe." Cassie murmured, rubbing soothing circles on the Lady's back. "Shh, I'm here, you're not alone. Estoy aquí, hermana."
"Oh, Cassie!" Morgana cried, "It was terrible. I saw you in the woods, crying over Owaine soaked to the bone. It was terrible!"
"Don't worry 'Gana. I'm right here. I won't leave, my friend. Don't worry." Cassie whispered soothingly. "I'm right here. When I was younger and had night terrors, my mother used to sing to me. Would you like that?" Cassie asked quietly, hoping to calm Morgana down a little.
"Yes, please." Morgana pleaded in a small voice.
Sueña...Sueña mientras yo te arrullaré… Con el hechizo de esta canción que para ti forje… Duerme, duerme tranquila mi dulce bien… Que contemplándote con pasión,..la noche pasare…Duerme, duerme mientras yo te arrullaré, con el hechizo de esta canción que para ti cante.