Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Eight (II)

Gwen had a little time to herself that morning so she decided to go for a walk slightly hoping to run into her friend Alice.

She had meet Alice a year back while she was getting herds for Gaius. Alice was up in tree munchin' on and apple when bandits attacked Gwen. Alice jumped out of the tree landing on one of then gaining her balance she then proceeded to defend the rest off.

Gwen was grateful and offered for her to stay in her house for the night. Alice hesitantly agreed, but when Gwen woke up the next morning Alice was gone and a breakfast was made for her along with a thank you card. Since then Alice showed up randomly during the day but always disappeared while Gwen was asleep.

Sadly today wasn't a day Alice was around so she walked around absently walking towards the castle. As she was walking she noticed a depressed Merlin sitting on the stairs staring off into space. "Hello, Merlin." She greeted happily trying to lighten his mood.

Merlin glanced up mumbling. "All right?" She didn't entirely know what that meant but she sat down by him because he clearly need some cheering up.

Unsure how to help she decided to ask him the question that had been bothering her since the night before. "Is it true what you said about Valiant using magic?" Merlin nods not looking at her. Gwen clasped her hands together biting her lip. "What are you going to do?"

Merlin looks over to her with a scoff. "Why does everyone seem to think it's down to me to do something about it?"

She was a lost for words. She hadn't meant to put all the pressure on him but it did seem like he was the right man for the job. "Because it is! Isn't it? You have to show everyone that you were right and they were wrong."

Now both were on their feet. Merlin was a bit frustrated. "And how do I do that?" He said gesturing around searching for an answer.

Gwen glances around with him shrugging, "I don't know."

Merlin finds something he believes is called hope or a dog statue. Slowly a plan began to form in his head. "That's it." Merlin says smiling waking over to the dog statue.

Gwen followed behind him watching as he tried to pick up the doe statue. Giggling she asked, "Where are you going?"

With a finally try of picking up to dog he turns to Gwen. "Do you have a wheelbarrow?" Confused she nodded turning and racing towards her house for her wheelbarrow.
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Artura woke up with her back aching. She had ended up sleeping on the floor that night and not in a comfortable position. She had done some stretches and eaten breakfast but her muscles still cried in agony.

"Ahh," Artura groaned rubbing her back. "I wonder if Gaius has something to help." They had one day of rest before the final fight and this morning Artura was nothing but grateful.

Checking in the mirror to make sure she was properly dressed in prince attire she exited her room going straight to Gaius's chambers.

Artura hoped Gaius wasn't there she felt bad about what she had done but there wasn't any chance she was going to take it back until her name was cleared. It was dump and selfish but she didn't want him thinking she liked him or anything. Also she was worried her father would get on her back about it.

She walked slowly with a slight limp on her right leg since that was where the majority of the pain was coming from. Many servants rushed to her side offering help but she waved them all off. She needed a break from nosy servants. She needed to practice like crazy otherwise her fight would end with her dead sooner than she would like.