The Blood of Emrys

To Love and To Lose

Emerelia smiled as she finished pinning up Morgana's braids into a crown hairdo. "There. Perfect."

"You look beautiful, my lady," Gwen murmured from where she was fixing Morgana's hem.

Morgana sighed dramatically. "Must we go to this?"

"Yes. Bayard agreeing to sign this treaty is huge, and you, as the king's ward, must be in attendance alongside him," Emerelia told her, hugging her from behind. "But we'll be right there behind you."

Morgana smirked. "Actually, I convinced Uther to give you a seat beside me."

"Morgana..." Emerelia groaned.

"Nope. If I have to suffer acting perfect, so do you," the younger girl teased, pressing a kiss to Emerelia's jaw.

Emerelia pursed her lips and nuzzled Morgana's shoulder. "You are so lucky I love you."

Gwen rolled her eyes as she stood up and put the sewing kit on the vanity. "You two are disgustingly adorable."

"Thanks...I think?" Morgana laughed.

Emerelia chuckled and reached over to squeeze Gwen's arm. "Come on, then. Let's get this over with."

The trio made their way, albeit slower than they needed to, into the dining hall where the feast was being set up for Bayard's arrival. Arthur and Uther were standing by the table, Uther giving orders to a couple of servants and Arthur looking bored out of his mind. His face lit up when he saw them, though, and he quickly made his way over.

"How are you ladies doing this morning?"

"Well, Your Highness," Emerelia answered as she and Gwen curtsied. "How are you?"

He nodded. "Pleasant enough. Father has high hopes for the day."

"Oh, don't pretend like we won't all be bored out of our minds," Morgana muttered.

"I wouldn't if I didn't think Father would gut me on the spot," Arthur admitted, never dropping his not-very-convincing smile.

Emerelia smirked. "You're putting on an excellent act, sire."

"She's mocking you, if you couldn't tell," Morgana put in helpfully. "You look like you're about to impale yourself on the ceremonial spears."

Arthur's smile grew a little tighter. "Possibly because I am."

"As Royal Protectorate, I cannot allow that, Your Grace," Emerelia joked.

Morgana rolled her eyes. "Oh, let him. He'll be fine."

"Your lack of concern for my safety is vaguely insulting," Arthur teased.

Morgana looked as though she was about to say something else when the horns sounded to announce Bayard's arrival, and everyone had to make their way to their positions. Emerelia glanced around curiously for Merlin, but he was nowhere to be found. Just as she was about to give up, she noticed him slip into the room in one of the most ridiculous outfits she had ever seen.

"What is your brother wearing?" Morgana whispered.

Emerelia shrugged, trying her best not to laugh. "Not sure."

She watched as Arthur gave him a nod of teasing approval and immediately realized that Arthur had done it as a sort of prank. She knew she should have been a little unhappy that Arthur had meant to humiliate her brother, but she couldn't help but be amused as well. However, it didn't escape her notice that he had caught the eye of one of Bayard's pretty female servants, and she couldn't help but grin when she noticed Merlin take off his ridiculous hat when he felt the girl's gaze on him.