Shade 7: Friend of the niece
The castle was finally silent. For the last 7 hours Guinevere's screams of pain had sounded throughout the kingdom; and finally... Arthur's daughter had been born.
Guinevere slunk into her pillows exhausted as Kaley patted her head with a cold towel. Arthur stood cradling the newborn in his arms,
"What shall we call her Guinevere?"
Gwen regained a steady breath "I'm not sure... "She said, looking up at her husband with a loving gaze.
Arthur giggled "She's so tiny... We might have to call her Midget! She's a little Midget!"
After a few minutes of debate, 'A midget' managed to evolve into the name 'Imogen', it seemed perfect.
"She looks like an Imogen" Merlin interrupted "Little Imogen" He smiled gently brushing his finger along her cheek.
*****
The knights patiently waited outside. Arthur emerged from behind the door, a beaming grin on his face and baby Imogen in his arms.
"Congratulations sire" The knights spoke in unison, all doting over the new princess.
"Thank you!" The king shook with excitement "I wish to hold a celebratory ball, in honour of the princess"
"A ball sire?" Leon questioned
"Yes. If we're going to celebrate, we'll do it in style... When was the last time we had a ball?" Arthur didn't wait for an answer "Spread the word. I want this to be a night people will speak of for the rest of their lives!"
The knights bowed and tiptoed off down the hallway.
*****
Kaley pulled the saddle tight and patted the horse's stomach before walking out of the stables. She turned the corner briskly, colliding with Gwaine.
"Oh! Gwaine... I've saddled your horse"
"Thank you Kaley" Gwaine smiled. He walked past her on his way to the stables, glancing behind him as she walked away.
"Hurry up Gwaine!" Leon shouted
"Coming!" Gwaine said leading his horse out of its stall.
*****
After returning from the ride, the knights rushed to their quarters to get ready for the ball.
A gentle knock sounded from outside Gwaine's door,
"Come in."
Gwaine stood over a bowl of warm water with a cut throat razor. His face was covered in spots of blood where he had clumsily cut himself.
Kaley opened the door a crack and poked her head around,
"Hello, I hope you don't mind..." She queried "But I -"she entered the room and closed the door "What are you doing?"
"Shaving-"Gwaine stopped himself "Trying to..."
Kaley giggled and took the razor from his hand. She gently took hold of Gwaine's chin and led the razor down the contours of his face,
"You really are hopeless Gwaine" She laughed, observing the red spots all over his cheeks.
"Did Percival tell you to say that?" Gwaine smirked
Kaley dipped the razor in the water, smiling. Starting work on his neck, she leaned in closer; there was hardly any space between their faces. She could feel the warmth of his breath pressing against the side of her face.
"Do you want to hear something funny?" She whispered
"Always..." Gwaine responded
"I caught Hiddles and Joline 'searching for rats' in the broom cupboard earlier... with no clothes on of course!"
"In the broom cupboard... Really?"
"Mmmhmmm" Kaley nodded.
Kaley dipped the razor in the water again before swapping hands and concentrating on the left side of Gwaine's face. He laughed and glanced down at Kaley's arm. Grabbing her wrist, he looked up at her with disgust. Kaley pulled the razor away from his cheek; her face falling as she realised Gwaine had noticed the druid symbol engraved on her wrist.
She blinked hard "Gwaine...."
"No." He urged, letting go of her wrist and marching towards the door.
Kaley jumped in front of him before he could reach the handle,
"Gwaine!" She screamed "Please!"
Gwaine turned away from her and dragged his hand down his face in thought.
"You can't tell anyone... you know what they'll do to me!" she whimpered. Tears began rolling down her cheek "I came here because I knew it would be safe... I knew uncle Percival would help me, protect me. I mean no harm Gwaine, I promise you!"
"Wait!" Gwaine turned "Percival knows?"
"No... And he doesn't need to. No one does!"
Gwaine sighed and perched on the end of his bed,
"I don't know what you expect me to do Kaley... I must do my duty to Arthur; I need to tell him..."
Kaley shuffled across the room and sat down next to Gwaine,
"I expect you to trust me" she gulped "Please...."
Gwaine sighed again. He looked up into the innocent eyes of the young maid that sat beside him... Of course she didn't mean any harm; how could she?
