Of Monsters and Men (BBC Merlin)

You Are Remembered

ABIGAIL WAS PREPARING the horses to be taken out for a journey. Today was a special day. It was supposed to be Sir Ewan's birthday. Leon and Yvaine intended to celebrate the occasion in remembrance of their friend. They would set off to meet Ewan's family members and then go for a ride to his favourite spot, a little ways from Camelot to picnic.

Abigail had begun tightening the buckles of Yvaine's stallion, Hunter's saddle. She was humming the tune of a bar song, having gone to the tavern the night before with Fenn.

Merlin entered the stables, sent to muck out Arthur's horses when he spotted the light brunette. "Morning Abigail!" He greets the maid cheerfully.

Abi pauses her humming to acknowledge her friend, "Good morning Merlin." The boy sauntered over to her in curiosity.

"What are you doing?" Abi faces the young warlock.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" She snickers. Merlin contorts his face into fake thoughtfulness.

"Stealing the Princesses horse?" He suggests cheekily, earning him a light whack to the chest from the maid. "Okay, ouch. Jokes aside, I'm curious." Merlin states innocently.

"I'm preparing Yvaine and Leon some horses. They are to ride out today." She explained to him. A clueless expression appeared on the boy's face. "It's Sir Ewan's birthday and she still wanted to celebrate it."

Merlin's expression morphed into solemnity. "I wish I could've done something to stop him from dying. She must be really hurting, I mean when you were sick you should've seen how determined she was. I fear what would've happened if you had, you know..." Abigail smiled fondly, thinking back to when she was well again.

"Contrary to that, I'm glad I got sick. Yvaine was pushing everyone away but since I got better from the sickness she's come out of her shell and started to be a, a real friend." The maid had finished buckling down the saddle.

"You know, I'm a little jealous of how Yvaine treats you. I wish Arthur was nicer." He kicked some hay with his left foot.

Abigail giggles, waving the dark haired servant away. "And I don't envy you. So, what're you supposed to be doing?"

Merlin chuckles nervously, "Cleaning out the stables."

"Better hop to it then. Before someone thinks you're loitering." She teases. Merlin grins, hopping a couple of steps for comedic effect.

》》☆《《

Morgana was in my chambers, rifling through my jewelry while chewing on candied meat. "You have a decent amount of jewelry and yet you rarely wear any of it." She criticised lightly.

I was behind my changing screen putting on a nicer tunic and pants. "Aside from my mother's necklace I don't really wear jewelry. I don't know... it's just not my thing I guess."

"No, swords and sweat is more your thing." Morgana remarks before taking another bite of the candied snack.

I hummed in response. "Maybe." Walking away from the changing screen I do a little spin. "How about this?"

"It's nice..."

"But?"

Morgana leans back on the plush chair, getting comfortable. "Well you're going to be meeting his family and dine with them later, correct?"

"That is the plan, yes." I respond in amusement.

"Wouldn't a dress be nicer?"

Surprise filters onto my face. "What? You think I should wear a dress?" Morgana nods.