Lady of the Court

XXVI

Ava sits in her seat, listening to people talk about the new possible laws. That is until a man walks in. He is surrounded by knights and look beyond annoyed.

"Halig," Uther smiles. "Have you brought me any bounty?"

"Yes my Lord. A Druid girl that even the Druids casted out."

"That seems odd behavior," Ava states. "Why would they cast her out?"

"She's apparently cursed."

Uther nods his head before taking over.

"My guards will assist you in finding her."

"I think she had help."

"Then both her and her accomplice will be found."

Halig bows his head, leaving the throne room. Ava looks at her father in curiousity.

"Don't you wonder why she is outcasted?"

"Not really."

"It may affect how she reacts while afraid for her life."

"True. But sooner we find her, the better."

Ava locks eyes with Gaius, who excuses himself. Uther takes this chance to dismiss the entire court. Ava rises, ready to leave. Uther stops her.

"Don't question me in front of the court," He orders.

"Forgive me. I just feel it is important to have all the information before making decisions."

"Just watch your tongue."

She nods her head, hoping to end the conversation. She finally leaves and hurry to her chambers. Only she stops not to far from her door. Merlin is rushing off towards the exit wit Arthur. Ava quickly moves towards an empty room. She hasn't talked to him and she is unsure how it would go. Steadying her breathing, she leans against the door. How is it she can face monsters but not someone who crushed her heart? She is a warrior, not a damsel. So she should act like it. And yet, she doesn't want to move the wooden separator. Voices start becoming clearer.

"So you ended it with my sister?" A male asks, angrily. Sounds like Arthur. That means they're right outside the door.

"You thought that it wasn't a smart decision to be together as well," Merlin responds. "You're the one that said I need to end the thing we had going."

"I didn't tell you to hurt her heart. I should have realized that someone as daft as you would screw that up."

Their voices fade out as they continue down the hallway. Ava sinks to the floor, chocking out a sob. Her brother told him to break up with her. How could he? She roughly wipes away tears as they start to form. Her mind starts to become numb and yet she still feels the pain. The door opens and she almost falls backwards.

"There you are," she hears. She looks to see Gwen. The servant girl slides in, shutting the door. She sits down next to Ava, wiping away the red head's tears.

"How do you deal with it?" Ava asks, looking at her friend. It's not hard for Gwen to figure out what she means.

"A lot of effort. I just take one day at a time."

The two lean against each other. Gwen wraps her arms around her, trying to comfort her. They just sit there as Ava tries to collect herself. Finally tears stop, but she still sniffles a bit.

"Better?" Gwen asks. Ava nods her head in response, half lying though. "Good. Now let's go eat lunch."

Gwen helps pull her up and the two head to the princess's chambers. Both avoiding looks from other people.