Rabbit Heart - Merlin Fanfiction

Eye Witness

Elaine is roused by the morning rays dancing over her face. Her eyes flicker open and squint in the morning glow. Looking around she sees no sign of Gwen - this is odd - she thought to herself. Wondering whether she was too early for Gwen, or maybe she took pity on her and finally granted her rest, not that the sun or her body would allow her to enjoy it.

Unsatisfied by the lonely atmosphere and uncomfortable peace she currently surrounded her, she began to get up and to leave. She shakes her head, surprised that she was willing leaving her bed for once.
"To think I used to kill for this peace" she mumbled, and out of the corner of her eyes she catches herself in the slender mirror as she utters the words. No. Killing wasn't something she took part in, it was only something people wanted to do to her. She hangs her head low, secretly ashamed she muttered such nonsense. As she crosses the room to move over to the door she passes fresh muddy boots strewn awkwardly over the cold stone floor. The trim of her red cloak had left a damp patch on the floor and was still moist. She passes it oblivious of her moonlit trance that happened only hours earlier.

Her pale hand stretches out to the thin metal latch and as she opens the arched door she finds a figure in her doorway. Her eyes sift up their chest and latch onto their eyes, but once they do they are quick to look away.
"Merlin" she says dully.
Merlin stares at her surprised she isn't more shocked to see him, Arthur was and he's been his servant for God knows how many years.
"Elaine" he replies as Elaine's eyes flicker on and off him, like a candle in the wind. She looked partly put out that her title wasn't used. A silence follows and Elaine seems to be growing ever more impatient to be missing her date with absolutely nothing.
"Can I help you?" She asks, trying to remains pleasant.
Merlin shuffles slightly but remains determined. He should of known she's ask such a question but his answer was less than ready for it.
"I came to see how you were" he answers quickly. She narrows her eyes slightly but shrugs it off, as if she was able to forget the throbbing sensation that pounded the side of her head.
"I'm quite well thank you" she smiles, "it's an odd way to check if I'm alright" she remarks, and yet he remains steadfast. Elaine could tell there was more to this.

"I'll tell you something that's odd" he says as the mood begins to tilt like a ship starting to list.
"And what might that be?" She asks, eyebrow raising and green piercing eyes daring him on.
"The way you choose to get some air" he states casually only to watch Elaine's once daring gaze drift off.
"I don't know what you are talking about" she says hoping to conceal the shock over his chosen turn of phrase. She stares distantly off over his shoulder, as if to give him the cold shoulder.
"I'm surprised - I mean twice in one day! I would have thought you'd have know better"
"Are you questioning me?" She says accusingly suddenly rising to her new found title.
"Depends what the question is - if it's a threat to this Kingdom than you can rest assured I am"
"You think that's I'd threaten this Kingdom? I came here seeking peace"
"Well the information suggests..."
"What information?" She asks in a level headed manner, her jaw stiffened it was hitting a nerve. It's not like she wanted to go - she had to go but she didn't know why.
"Now that would be telling, and here's something else that'd be telling - you weren't surprised to see me so that suggests..."
"Suggests what Merlin? Don't think Morgana didn't tell me of how you always seemed to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"Is that so - and when did she tell you that...could it of been last night"
"Of course not -"
"Then where did you go?"
"I'm not discussing this Merlin" she growls impatiently.
"What are you hiding? I know you did magic last night?"
"Is that such a crime? It's who I am!" She argues.
"It is here"
"Oh and it's not like you haven't? In fact you did so last night - cheat at the tavern again did you?"
Merlin looks up and down the corridor in a distressed manner in case anyone over heard. Luckily for Elaine it was enough of a distraction to allow her to slip out from under his arm.
"Elaine" he calls watching as her door comes to a gentle close, catching a glimpse of her damp boots. He knew she had gone somewhere but he still didn't know where. Maybe the "in your face" approach wasn't the right way to go about it after all, but if she was innocent why would she not just confess.
"Enough Merlin" she shouts back, stomping down the corridor not daring to look back until -
"Lady Elaine" - someone else calls her name. Sir Leon to be in fact.
She turns on her heels and looks down the vast corridor, he is standing close to Merlin.
"Milady, Arthur has sent for you -"
"Why has he got you running around after me, why not Gwen?" She asks dismissing the look of concern he was trying hard to mask.
"There's an urgent council matter you must attend to - Merlin you to" he says beckoning them to follow him.
"Can I not change first?" She calls to him.
"There's no time milady" he says rounding the corner to an adjoining corridor. Disappearing down one of Camelot's stone veins.
Elaine blinks and slowly begins to walk after him, wondering what was so urgent she needed to be subject to yet another council meeting. As she walks she doesn't stop to check the view like she usually does, to busy consumed by new thoughts.

Merlin let's her go before him, so she is unable to see his accusing stares. Footsteps echo through the corridors falling away to nothing.