Destiny Begins: The Forgotten Tale: Book One

The Posioned Chalice (PART 1)

(Merlin's POV)
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"Lady Morgana I have your medicine." I cheerfully called gently pushing her door open. Making my way inside I frown at the sight of not just Morgana, but Gwen as well, looking like sleep was a luxury they weren't afforded. With their wild untamed hair, and deep bags under their eyes. Not to mention their much paler than usual skin tone. They looked awful.

"Are you two all right? You look like the living dead." I bluntly stated settimg her medication on the stand beside Morgana's bed.

"Thanks Merlin. We really appreciate your compliments." Morgana sarcastically yawned

"

Sorry I meant no offence." I laughed holding up my hands in a pallacating gesture. She quickly waved off my appology downing the potion in one gulp.

"No its alright. Its true anyway. For the last few nights I have been waking up with a horrible nightmare of Arthur dying of a posion. Everytime I have this dream its the same. It happens during the banquet celebrating the treaty between king bayard and Uther. Arthur goes to drink from his goblet when he suddenly collaspes and becomes unresponsive. He dies a few days later. "Morgana sighs running her hand over her sleep worn face. Gwen placing a comforting hand on her ladies shoulder as she also struggles to keep her eyes open.

"Gwen also hasn't gotten much sleep ethier. As everytime she shuts her eyes and starts to drift off I wake her up with my blood curdling screams. I have tried to convince her to spend a few nights in the servants chambers to catch up on her sleep but she refuses to leave me."

"Of course I am not leaving. I will not leave you to suffer this affliction alone." Gwen huffed removing her hand from Morgana's shoulder and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Your a true friend. " Morgana softly smiled up at Gwen. Her eyes crinkleing merrily at the side.

"I just wish these dreams would stop already. Sometimes I wonder... Never mind its nothing." I frowned curious to what she was going to say.

"What? You wonder what?" I prompted only for her to shake her head in response. Forcing a smile.

"Its nothing. Anyway thank you for the tonic. I think I will try for a nap." Understanding her words for the dismissal they were I quickly curtisied before exiting the room.

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"Make sure not to drop it this time Merlin. If I have to make yet another tray for the prince..." She let her threat hang unspoken. Giving the cook a sheepish smile I hurried from the room. You drop a tray one time and suddenly everyone expects you to do it again. Ok maybe it was more than one time in the past week. In my defense though the floor has it out for me. Tripping me all the time.

I was just rounding the corner, a short distance from my destination, when I collided against another maid. Sitting up from my spot on the floor I groan in dread at the ruined remains of the prince's lunch.

"The cook is going to kill me." I muttered wondering how far I can run before she comes after me. I was pulled from my whimpering as the soft bell like voice reminded me why I had fallen in the first place.

"Oh I am so sorry. I should have been paying more attention to where I was walking." Glancing up I softly smile on the young woman frantically gathering up her fallen laundry. A tuft of black hair hanging gently down her face as it escaped the blue turban wrapped snugly around her head. Her doe like green eyes filled with tears as she shakily reached for a shirt just out of reach.