Of Chores and Crowns (A Merlin Fanfiction) ✔

Chapter Eleven

I didn't say anything at first. I could only look at her, a single eyebrow raised. I finally shook my head, and stood up, half the sheets in my arms.

"I'm okay." I said, taking the rest of the sheets from her.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

I nodded and we both began walking towards the room where everyone did the laundry. I was limping slowly, but Gwen didn't say anything and slowed to keep pace with me.

"I'm Gwenivere. Lady Morgana's maid." She introduced, giving me a flashing smile.

"I am aware." I said, absent-mindedly.

At Gwen's startled look, I stuttered and looked away, saying, "I mean to say, I've heard of you. I'm Dawn, the Princess Fayelinn's maid."

"It must be an honor to be the maid of the future Queen of Camelot." Gwen said, looking at me out of the corner of my eye.

"It is."

I stopped walking, and turned to face her, a false smile on my face.

"I would love to talk some more later, but I really must return to my work." I said, trying my best to sound apologetic.

I didn't want to be rude to her. I actually wouldn't have minded being friends with her, but I needed to put Faye first and I couldn't have Gwen getting in the way of this engagement.

Faye comes first.

I steeled myself and smiled one last time before turning and continuing on my way. Gwen watched me leave, confounded. I turned the corner, and once I was out of her sight, I winced and leaned against the wall.

My thigh was burning, but I continued on, using the wall as a brace. I stopped, sliding to the floor. I sighed deeply, becoming choked up. Emotion clogged my throat.

I can't afford to make friends. I reminded myself, pressing my fists against my closed eyes.

I wanted the best for Faye, I really did. I just wanted some time to myself, some time to make some friends and maybe even fall in love. But that wasn't my job. My job was to watch over Faye, and I'll do that until she dismisses me.

And if that means I will be alone, then so be it.

Faye was the only part left of my home and I'm going to hold onto that for as long as possible.

I grunted and struggled to climb to my feet. I winced as pain shot through me. I was halfway up when Merlin rounded the corner.

"Dawn!" He exclaimed, racing forward to help me up.

I groaned and as soon as I was on my feet, I pulled away. I bent over to scoop up the laundry, but almost fell again. Merlin grumbled something under his breath, shook his head and pushed me gently aside. He bent to pick of Faye's laundry.

"No! You shouldn't do that, it's my job!" I protested weakly.

"And you shouldn't be doing this much work!" He scolded, frowning down at me.

This close, I couldn't help but notice how tall he was and how he had a small spatter of faint freckles across his nose. He was a very handsome man.

"Dawn!" He exclaimed, snapping me out of my reverie.

I looked away, blushing. I said, "I'm sorry? What were you saying?"

He sighed, shaking his head, but he couldn't hold back the smile that appeared on his face. "You're unbelievable."

I glared at him, rolling my eyes, but just like him, I couldn't help but grin. I reached for some of the laundry, but he skipped away out of my reach and began walking down the hall.

"Nice try, darling, but you need to be resting and I'm going to see to it!" He proclaimed as I hurried after him, "You are working yourself to hard!"

"And what about you, Merlin?" I said, "Arthur will not be pleased when he has no servent because his own is focusing all of his attention on a insignificant girl."

Merlin stopped walking, almost causing me to slam into him. He turned around, and I was an inch away from his chest. If anyone walked by at that moment they would have thought we were in a relationship that couldn't be defined as just friendship.

"You are not insignificant." He whispered, staring intently into my eyes.

I blushed and couldn't say anything. I pulled away, lowering my eyes. While Merlin was distracted, I reached out and took the laundry from him.

I started walking down the hall before he realized what was happening. When he did, he gave a shout of frustration and raced after me.

"Dawn, I am under strict orders to make you rest!" He told me, forgetting all about the small moment we had right before.

"From who?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Gaius."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. Merlin frowned, but his eyes showed he was amused.

"You better get going." I told him, "I have work to do, and Arthur will be yelling for you before long."

"Arthur doesn't need me."

I gave him a side look. Was he blind? I've only been here a week or two, but even I knew the dynamic that existed between the two of them has majorly co-dependent. One couldn't live without the other.

Two sides of the same coin.

I scoffed at him, rolling my eyes. Merlin looked as if he wanted to protest, but decided to stay quiet.

"Seriously. Go." I said, nudging him away slightly, "You're going to get in trouble if you stay any longer. I can't imagine you want to end up in the stocks again."

He groaned, "You heard about that then, eh?"

I laughed, "I heard about it my first day here."

He groaned again, reaching up to run his hand through his messy black hair. A part of me wondered if his hair was as soft as it looked. The majority of me wanted to slap that other side.

"Go on, Merlin." I shooed, "I can practically hear Arthur's shouts now."

"MERLIN!"

"Oh wait, that's actually him yelling."