𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 ― 𝘢. 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯

𝖙𝖜𝖔

  𝕽𝖆𝖞𝖘 of sunshine beam into an open room, bathing the stones in a golden light and hitting the eyes of Avis. The Stewardess sits at a desk chair with a quill in her left hand and stacks of papers around her. She cringes at the morning sun. Putting the quill back into the inkpot, Avis stands, attempting to stretch her aching muscles. She's halfway through gathering everything she'll need for the day when a light knock erupts from her chamber door. Her handmaiden had already visited an hour earlier to help her bathe and dress for the celebration tonight so Avis was at a loss as to who it could be. Just in case, she looks at herself in the mirror, wiping a lipstick smudge before going to open the wooden door. The gangly boy that stands in the hallway is recognizable - even without the straw sticking to his dirty clothes. A dazzling smile grows on her face that makes the tips of Merlin's ears turn red. The apprentice lifts a bottle of dark purple liquid. "I've got your medicine," he stutters out. 

  The boy hands Avis the bottle before quickly turning to leave. "Merlin?" She calls in an expectant tone. He turns around and gives her a questioning look.  She continues, "That's your name isn't it - Merlin?"

  "Er, yeah. Yes! That's me," he responds.

  "I thought so." The woman gestures for him to enter her chambers. She joins him and closes the door behind her. She grabs a fresh piece of paper from the top of the pile and begins writing as she talks, "I presume you haven't been in any trouble since your time in the dungeons?"

  Merlin perks up at the sentence, "How did you know that?" He asks, shock evident in his voice.

  Avis lifts a brow. Gaius didn't tell his apprentice the reason he wasn't banished from Camelot, which was a bit curious to her. Nevertheless, she grins, "I know everything that goes on in this castle."

  The need to know what role this mysterious woman played in the castle overtakes him and Merlin blurts out, "Who are you?"

  The woman grins at his insatiable curiosity. "I am Avis," she greets, "King Uther's Stewardess."

  "Stewardess?" Merlin echoes, not bothered by her high-ranking title.

  She nods and continues writing, "Yes, I am responsible for everything that happens in this castle, along with the Court, which is what helped me convince King Uther to release you."

  "Wait. I - That was you?"

  A twinkling giggle escapes Avis. She placed her chin on the back of her hand as she peers at the young boy. "You don't know much, do you, Merlin?" She inquiries, half teasing and half-serious. The question stuns the boy into silence. "No matter," Avis stands and walks towards the apprentice, placing a rolled-up paper into his hands, "here." She steps back and watches as the boy unrolls it and carefully reads her curly writing. When he looks back up at her, she explains, "A pardon.. in case you decide to get yourself into any more trouble here in Camelot."

  A large grin appears on his face. "How can I repay you?" He asks, clutching it tightly.

  "The time will come when I will call upon you to complete a task or two for me," Avis admits, walking towards her door as she talks, "and in the meantime, just try not to use it." She places her hand on the handle and swings the door open. Merlin follows after her and exits the room. When he's in the hallway, he turns and watches the woman wave goodbye with a large smile on her face, the door closing slowly.

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  Avis's golden dress trails after her as she steps into the Great Hall with Mathias accompanying her. She greets others with a polite nod and charming smile as she walks by them. Finally, when the two can settle in their corner, Mathias speaks, "You did a wonderful job decorating."