Merlynn's Secret

Chapter 6

3rd Person POV:

Merlynn had been in council meetings all day. As the king and queen, Arthur and Gwen were there as well. All the elder members of the council continued to drone on and on. Merlynn was ready to use her magic to make herself appear just about anywhere else.

"What are your thoughts on the matter Merlynn?" 

"Hmm? Oh, I'll go along with whatever you think is best, Arthur." Merlynn became so bored that she began to daydream about using magic to turn everyone around her into a flock of chickens.

"In other words, Merlynn, you are not even listening." Arthur cranes his head from his throne slightly to face Merlynn.

"Precisely, Arthur. I am flattered that you know me so well." When Arthur was about to express his displeasure some servants entered with refreshments for the members of Arthur's court. With all the hustle and bustle of the many servants, Merlynn found her opportunity to escape this torture.

Merlynn used a spell to make herself invisible and snuck out when the servants held the door wide open to leave.

"Now as I was saying Merlynn-" Arthur stops short looking around. "Merlynn? Sir Leon, did you see where she went?"

"No sire. I believe she was sitting there only a moment ago."

...  

Merlynn yipped happily as she ran out onto the training grounds. She found Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, and Lancelot training amongst themselves.

"Hello all," Merlynn skips over to her four friends who are currently taking a break.

"Hello Merlynn," the four knights smile brightly at their friend.

"Has the meeting already ended, Merlynn?" Lancelot asks.

"If by ended you mean I escaped the first chance I got, then yes. Honestly, everyone kept talking and talking. It was incredibly boring and I nearly fell asleep. Twice."

"Wait so you just left in the middle?" Elyan asks openly laughing at the carefree nature of his friend.

Gwaine joined in and added, "did you use my suggestion and turn everyone in the council meeting into chickens?"

"No, but I did seriously consider it for a moment there." Gwaine let out a snort and Lancelot looked to him and Merlynn disapprovingly.

"The two of you are children. How have you both managed to keep your heads all this time?" Lancelot wonders aloud.

"Does Arthur know you are no longer in the meeting?" Percival also laughing along wondered out loud. From a short distance away the five of them hear a faint "MERLYNN!" come from the castle.

They all start to laugh louder. "I think he just found out," Elyan said before laughing again, louder this time. The five of them stood there laughing hard until their stomachs hurt and they struggled to breathe.

... 

Arthur found Merlynn later that evening at dinner. Since Merlynn almost died and everyone realized how little they really know about her, Arthur decided to get Merlynn, his most trusted knights and Gwen together for dinner once a week. Of course, he gave all the credit for the idea to his beautiful wife because he didn't want to appear weak in front of his knights and former servant.

"Merlynn, where the hell did you go today?" Arthur was fuming.

"I just got so bored, Arthur."

"You weren't there long enough to get bored." Everyone sitting at the table laughed at their back and forth.

Merlynn sat next to Percival, which had become a regular occurrence. To Gwaine's disappointment, Leon occupied the seat on her other side. Everyone seemed shocked except Merlynn who kindly smiled and offered to fill his wine glass.

Merlynn and Leon had never been very close. It's not like how it was with Gwaine, an instant friendship. Or like Percival, a silent and mutual respect that had been there since before the two had ever met. Not even remotely similar to the way things are with Elyan, a slow blossoming friendship that will last many lifetimes. It could never be anything like it is with Lancelot and certainly not Arthur. With Leon, it took Merlynn almost dying to finally open his eyes to what has been right in front of his very eyes for years.

The woman he once believed to be a scrawny manservant, a clumsy idiot, and an absolute buffoon. Now sits beside him as a friend. "Merlynn I... I... Thank you for saving my life."

Surprised, Merlynn turns away from her conversation with Elyan and Gwaine. "You don't have to thank me for that."

"yes, I do. You almost died for me. I'm curious, why did you do it?" Leon asks with a hint of something in his voice that Merlynn can't place. All other conversations at the table have been abandoned in favor of listening in to Leon and Merlynn.

"What do you mean why? isn't it obvious? I did it because I care about you. Leon, you are my friend and if given the chance I would not change a thing."

"But you could have died," Leon says looking solemn.

"If I had done nothing, you definitely would have. If I had done nothing, rather then you lot praying for my quick recovery, we all would have been preparing for your funeral. So my answer is, no."

"No?" Leon looks to her in confusion.

"No, I don't regret saving you. That is what you were going to ask me isn't it?"

"Yes. Merlynn I... I'm really lucky to have you as my friend." It was Merlynn's turn to look shocked. Whilst everyone started up their conversations again and ate happily Gwaine spent the rest of dinner staring daggers at Leon. Though everyone else noticed Merlynn did not.

...

After dinner, everyone started to leave. Merlynn heads to her new bedchambers in the castle. She still finds it odd not seeing Gaius before heading to bed. "Merlynn!" She hears the familiar voice of Gwaine calling her from behind.

Merlynn smiles a big smile at Gwaine and he tries hard not to blush. "What can I do for you Gwaine?"

"Oh, well I was wondering if you wanted to do something fun together?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"We could go to the tavern?"

"Sorry, Gwaine it's too late for me to drink."

"We can go for a walk?"

"In the dark?"

"I'll bring a torch." Gwaine knows how desperate he sounds. He only hopes that Merlynn is as oblivious to that as she is to everything else concerning herself.  

Merlynn couldn't help it as her smile grew wider, "okay."