Dreams for Plans part 2
‘So Gwen,’ Morgana began as the maid added the finishing touches to her hair, ‘are there any men in your life at the moment?’
‘When do I get to meet any decent men?’ was her response, the same she had given a few months back. Morgana did not believe in coincidences.
‘You meet men everyday’ she protested.
‘Indeed my Lady, but I also work in the palace and that leaves little time for socialising’ Gwen said as she twisted Morgana’s raven hair into tight knots, ‘not that I mind my Lady’ she added swiftly.
‘But what about the men in the palace, none appeal?’
‘Have you met the men in this place? I can’t count a dozen my own age and half already have devoted sweethearts while most of the others can not string a full sentence together. They have very good hearts, but I should like to have a conversation with any man of mine’ she smiled, still focusing on her mistress’ hair.
‘I was not referring to the servants actually Gwen’ Morgana said studying the young woman’s reflection in the looking glass as she worked.
Gwen laughed.
There was an awkward pause.
‘You can not be serious?’ Gwen said, pausing in her task, ‘the only other men in the palace are nobility’
‘And why shouldn’t you set your sights on one of them?’
‘Because’ Gwen said slowly, returning to her work, ‘society would never allow an attachment to form. He would see very quickly that we could never be. And I would never push it. I could not see the man I love fall from grace because of me. I could not see him become the laughing stock of the nobility, to face distain at best, being disinherited, at worst, at the hands of his family. I could not sit back at watch that happen’ she sighed and added, almost inaudibly, ‘not for me.’
‘But Gwen-’
‘Noblemen are meant for women like you Morgana’ she said firmly, but then her face broke into a warm smile, ‘or perhaps one nobleman in particular?’
‘I don’t know what you mean’ she replied, a faint blush creeping into her pale cheeks.
‘Sir Leon?’ Gwen said cocking one eyebrow as she wove a ribbon through her Lady’s hair.
‘He is a kind man’ Morgana said neutrally.
‘Handsome too’ Gwen teased.
‘He is a loyal knight’ she replied, fighting to keep a straight face.
‘And dashing in armour’
‘He doesn’t think of me in that way’ she said looking down at her hands as if they were the most intriguing things in the world.
Gwen shook her head with a smile, ‘my bet is he doesn’t stop thinking about you in that way. And honestly I can’t blame him’ she grinned, taking a step back to admire her handy-work, ‘with such perfectly styled hair how could he not fall madly in love with you?’
‘You tease me’ Morgana laughed.
‘And you need to go to your meeting with Uther’
‘Thank you Gwen’ Morgana said as she got up from her chair.
‘My pleasure’ she inclined her head as her mistress left.
It was only as she made her way through the corridors that Morgana realised something: Gwen had never actually answered her question. She allowed a small frown to cross her features. Did that mean Gwen was not being straight with her? Was there already a man on the scene? She shook herself. It wasn’t as though it mattered. Arthur and Gwen becoming King and Queen was the objective, she had to remind herself. What did it matter if some boy (who may or may not actually exist) got hurt along the way? There would have to be sacrifices, she just had to accept that. She took a cleansing breath. She had to focus on the challenge at hand, how on Earth was she supposed to convince Gwen that that the Crown Prince of Camelot was within her reach when she wouldn’t even contemplate courting a nobleman.
And yet more of a challenge.
How in heaven’s name was she supposed to get her dim-witted brother to so much as register that Gwen even existed?
‘So how are you feeling?’ Morgana said, as she hurried down the corridor after her brother.
‘Fine’ Arthur replied abruptly.
‘You don’t seem fine’ she said trying to match his long strides, ‘I mean, I totally understand, what with Vivian leaving and everything’
Arthur didn’t respond.
‘It’s alright for you to be down about it. But at least you’ve learnt something from this’
‘And what’s that?’
‘That while women like Vivian are beautiful, that isn’t everything’
Arthur raised a mocking eyebrow.
‘Don’t be like that’ Morgana said with some frustration, ‘a woman like that would never make you happy and could never be the Queen you need’
‘So?’
‘What I’m saying is maybe you need to look at a different type of woman’
‘So what?’
‘And maybe she’s been right under your nose for years but you’ve been too blind or obtuse to notice her’ she said passionately, looking him straight in the eye.
‘Er Morgana’ he said backing away slightly ‘I’m really flattered and everything but you do know that I think of you like a sister right?’
Morgana nearly slapped him.
‘I was not talking about me’ she exclaimed, horrified.
‘Then who were you talking about?’ he asked looking half relieved, half confused.
‘I didn’t mean anyone specifically, just someone different to your typical beautiful but empty-headed noblewoman. You deserve more than a trophy bride Arthur’
‘Thanks for your concern Morgana’ he said a little amused, ‘but I have training with the knights to get to.’ Then a wicked smile flashed across his face, ‘of course you could come too and cheer Leon on from the sidelines, I’m sure he’d appreciate that’
Morgana turned scarlet and gave her brother a shove.
‘You’re mean’ she sulked.
‘And you’re blushing’ he said with grin as he swung his legs over the low wall and disappeared into the courtyard.
She fumed silently as she made her way along the corridor, throwing an occasional glance at the knights who were assembled in the courtyard. She caught Sir Leon’s eye. He smiled and gave a curt nod in her direction. She smiled gently back, her cheeks taking on a faint pinkish hue as she cast her eyes down at the flagged stone floor. Focus Morgana, she reminded herself, Arthur and Gwen was the objective. And so far she was getting absolutely nowhere. It was like getting blood out of stone with the pair of them. She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. Talking to them had been totally fruitless. What she needed was action. She needed a plan.
‘Gwen?’
‘Yes my Lady?’ she said as she arranged a vase of flowers on her mistress’ dressing table.
‘Can we give each other makeovers like we used to when I first arrived in Camelot?’
‘When you weren’t used to having a maid and wanted me to share all the pretty new dresses the King bought you, and thought it was only fair that we should take turns doing each other’s hair?’
Morgana laughed, ‘I was not accustomed to the ways of the Court, but it always was a lot of fun’
‘But you are accustomed to the ways of the Court now’ Gwen smiled.
‘Indulge my nostalgia just this once Gwen’ she pleaded.
‘My Lady’ Gwen groaned.
‘Please’ she said, her eyes wide and imploring.
‘Well what do you think?’ Morgana said as they both surveyed Gwen’s reflection in the dressing table mirror.
‘I certainly look um...different’ she said, self-consciously touching her hair which was piled high on her head, gold beads and thread woven intricately through it. The thick layer of powder on her face, the dark makeup around her eyes and her deep red lips made her look like something akin to a porcelain doll. The clinging emerald dress also made her feel rather uncomfortable. It was clearly designed for willowy figures like Morgana’s and as a consequence was struggling to cover Gwen’s rather more generously endowed chest.
‘You look great’ Morgana smiled.
‘You did a wonderful job’ Gwen said politely, ‘now it’s my turn’ she grinned.
Gwen was halfway through applying Morgana’s makeup when her mistress suddenly said ‘oh no, I totally forgot’ she said clapping one hand to her painted lips.
‘What my Lady?’
‘Arthur leant me his quill and ink this morning as I seem to have misplaced mine and he made me swear I would return them before sunset as he has an urgent letter to write’
‘I’m sure he will not mind’ Gwen said gently, ‘there are many pots of ink and quills in the castle’
‘But he’s already angry with me because I lost the last book he leant to me’
‘If you are that concerned then return his quill and ink now’
‘I can’t go like this’ Morgana exclaimed, ‘I’m not even dressed’ she said pulling at her slip.
‘Then I don’t see what you can do’
‘Couldn’t you go?’
Gwen laughed nervously.
‘Please Gwen’ Morgana begged.
‘I can’t go like this’ Gwen said quickly, her cheeks pink.
‘I thought you said I had done a wonderful job?’ Morgana said folding her arms mutinously.
‘I did, but it is not proper for a servant to be dressed in such attire’
‘It is dark now, no one will see you’
‘Arthur would see me’
‘He is at a meeting with his father’ Morgana lied smoothly, ‘all you have to do is go into his chamber and leave the ink and quill on the table’
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Please’ Morgana said desperately.
‘Alright’ Gwen smiled indulgently, ‘I’ll go’
She fortunately did not meet anyone as she made her way towards Arthur’s chambers.
She opened the door and walked in.
‘Oh’ she breathed as she realised that the room was not empty.
Arthur looked up from his book.
‘Guinevere’ he said taken aback.
‘Sire’ she replied breathlessly, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, Morgana said you would not be here’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘Not that you shouldn’t be here, this is your chamber after all, so you have every right to be here, I’m sorry’ she stammered.
‘Guinevere’ he said moving towards her, ‘please don’t apologise, but is there a particular reason you are here?’
‘Oh yes’ she said blushing furiously, holding out the ink and quill to him as she stepped into the ring of firelight.
His eyebrows shot up.
‘What happened to you?’ he said without thinking.
She coloured even more deeply.
‘Sorry, it wasn’t supposed to come out like that’ he said quickly, ‘I just meant that you look um...different’ he added, having to try very hard to keep his eyes on her face, his gaze still wandering far more often than was polite.
‘Morgana’ was Gwen’s explanation as she laid the bottle and quill on the table.
‘Ah’ he smiled, ‘I understand’
‘I should go’ she said her cheeks still a deep pink.
‘Thanks for bringing these back’ he replied gesturing at the table.
‘Of course my Lord’ she said inclining her head to the Prince.
She turned to leave.
‘And Guinevere’ he said with a grin, unable to help himself ‘I have to say, I prefer your lavender dress’
She did not turn to face him.
‘Thank you sire’ she murmured as she slipped through the door, hiding the small smile which had crept onto her face.
‘So did you get your ink and quill back?’ Morgana said innocently as they walked down the corridor.
‘Yes’ he replied swiftly, ‘though you do remember I told you that you could have them for the next week? I have plenty of spares after all’
‘Well I thought you might need them, just in case, you know’ she shrugged, she paused for a moment then said, as nonchalantly as possible, ‘and how do you think Gwen looked?’
‘Gwen, your maid?’
‘Yes’ Morgana snapped.
‘Healthy?’ he offered.
She sighed exasperatedly, ‘so you didn’t think she looked any different to normal?’
‘I didn’t really notice’ Arthur said with a shrug.
‘Humph’ Morgana huffed before storming off down the corridor.
He raised an eyebrow as he watched her go, half amused, half confused. Women, he thought with exasperation.
A/N: still not sure about this, but glad to hear some people enjoyed the first chapter, hope you guys like where this going x
‘When do I get to meet any decent men?’ was her response, the same she had given a few months back. Morgana did not believe in coincidences.
‘You meet men everyday’ she protested.
‘Indeed my Lady, but I also work in the palace and that leaves little time for socialising’ Gwen said as she twisted Morgana’s raven hair into tight knots, ‘not that I mind my Lady’ she added swiftly.
‘But what about the men in the palace, none appeal?’
‘Have you met the men in this place? I can’t count a dozen my own age and half already have devoted sweethearts while most of the others can not string a full sentence together. They have very good hearts, but I should like to have a conversation with any man of mine’ she smiled, still focusing on her mistress’ hair.
‘I was not referring to the servants actually Gwen’ Morgana said studying the young woman’s reflection in the looking glass as she worked.
Gwen laughed.
There was an awkward pause.
‘You can not be serious?’ Gwen said, pausing in her task, ‘the only other men in the palace are nobility’
‘And why shouldn’t you set your sights on one of them?’
‘Because’ Gwen said slowly, returning to her work, ‘society would never allow an attachment to form. He would see very quickly that we could never be. And I would never push it. I could not see the man I love fall from grace because of me. I could not see him become the laughing stock of the nobility, to face distain at best, being disinherited, at worst, at the hands of his family. I could not sit back at watch that happen’ she sighed and added, almost inaudibly, ‘not for me.’
‘But Gwen-’
‘Noblemen are meant for women like you Morgana’ she said firmly, but then her face broke into a warm smile, ‘or perhaps one nobleman in particular?’
‘I don’t know what you mean’ she replied, a faint blush creeping into her pale cheeks.
‘Sir Leon?’ Gwen said cocking one eyebrow as she wove a ribbon through her Lady’s hair.
‘He is a kind man’ Morgana said neutrally.
‘Handsome too’ Gwen teased.
‘He is a loyal knight’ she replied, fighting to keep a straight face.
‘And dashing in armour’
‘He doesn’t think of me in that way’ she said looking down at her hands as if they were the most intriguing things in the world.
Gwen shook her head with a smile, ‘my bet is he doesn’t stop thinking about you in that way. And honestly I can’t blame him’ she grinned, taking a step back to admire her handy-work, ‘with such perfectly styled hair how could he not fall madly in love with you?’
‘You tease me’ Morgana laughed.
‘And you need to go to your meeting with Uther’
‘Thank you Gwen’ Morgana said as she got up from her chair.
‘My pleasure’ she inclined her head as her mistress left.
It was only as she made her way through the corridors that Morgana realised something: Gwen had never actually answered her question. She allowed a small frown to cross her features. Did that mean Gwen was not being straight with her? Was there already a man on the scene? She shook herself. It wasn’t as though it mattered. Arthur and Gwen becoming King and Queen was the objective, she had to remind herself. What did it matter if some boy (who may or may not actually exist) got hurt along the way? There would have to be sacrifices, she just had to accept that. She took a cleansing breath. She had to focus on the challenge at hand, how on Earth was she supposed to convince Gwen that that the Crown Prince of Camelot was within her reach when she wouldn’t even contemplate courting a nobleman.
And yet more of a challenge.
How in heaven’s name was she supposed to get her dim-witted brother to so much as register that Gwen even existed?
‘So how are you feeling?’ Morgana said, as she hurried down the corridor after her brother.
‘Fine’ Arthur replied abruptly.
‘You don’t seem fine’ she said trying to match his long strides, ‘I mean, I totally understand, what with Vivian leaving and everything’
Arthur didn’t respond.
‘It’s alright for you to be down about it. But at least you’ve learnt something from this’
‘And what’s that?’
‘That while women like Vivian are beautiful, that isn’t everything’
Arthur raised a mocking eyebrow.
‘Don’t be like that’ Morgana said with some frustration, ‘a woman like that would never make you happy and could never be the Queen you need’
‘So?’
‘What I’m saying is maybe you need to look at a different type of woman’
‘So what?’
‘And maybe she’s been right under your nose for years but you’ve been too blind or obtuse to notice her’ she said passionately, looking him straight in the eye.
‘Er Morgana’ he said backing away slightly ‘I’m really flattered and everything but you do know that I think of you like a sister right?’
Morgana nearly slapped him.
‘I was not talking about me’ she exclaimed, horrified.
‘Then who were you talking about?’ he asked looking half relieved, half confused.
‘I didn’t mean anyone specifically, just someone different to your typical beautiful but empty-headed noblewoman. You deserve more than a trophy bride Arthur’
‘Thanks for your concern Morgana’ he said a little amused, ‘but I have training with the knights to get to.’ Then a wicked smile flashed across his face, ‘of course you could come too and cheer Leon on from the sidelines, I’m sure he’d appreciate that’
Morgana turned scarlet and gave her brother a shove.
‘You’re mean’ she sulked.
‘And you’re blushing’ he said with grin as he swung his legs over the low wall and disappeared into the courtyard.
She fumed silently as she made her way along the corridor, throwing an occasional glance at the knights who were assembled in the courtyard. She caught Sir Leon’s eye. He smiled and gave a curt nod in her direction. She smiled gently back, her cheeks taking on a faint pinkish hue as she cast her eyes down at the flagged stone floor. Focus Morgana, she reminded herself, Arthur and Gwen was the objective. And so far she was getting absolutely nowhere. It was like getting blood out of stone with the pair of them. She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. Talking to them had been totally fruitless. What she needed was action. She needed a plan.
‘Gwen?’
‘Yes my Lady?’ she said as she arranged a vase of flowers on her mistress’ dressing table.
‘Can we give each other makeovers like we used to when I first arrived in Camelot?’
‘When you weren’t used to having a maid and wanted me to share all the pretty new dresses the King bought you, and thought it was only fair that we should take turns doing each other’s hair?’
Morgana laughed, ‘I was not accustomed to the ways of the Court, but it always was a lot of fun’
‘But you are accustomed to the ways of the Court now’ Gwen smiled.
‘Indulge my nostalgia just this once Gwen’ she pleaded.
‘My Lady’ Gwen groaned.
‘Please’ she said, her eyes wide and imploring.
‘Well what do you think?’ Morgana said as they both surveyed Gwen’s reflection in the dressing table mirror.
‘I certainly look um...different’ she said, self-consciously touching her hair which was piled high on her head, gold beads and thread woven intricately through it. The thick layer of powder on her face, the dark makeup around her eyes and her deep red lips made her look like something akin to a porcelain doll. The clinging emerald dress also made her feel rather uncomfortable. It was clearly designed for willowy figures like Morgana’s and as a consequence was struggling to cover Gwen’s rather more generously endowed chest.
‘You look great’ Morgana smiled.
‘You did a wonderful job’ Gwen said politely, ‘now it’s my turn’ she grinned.
Gwen was halfway through applying Morgana’s makeup when her mistress suddenly said ‘oh no, I totally forgot’ she said clapping one hand to her painted lips.
‘What my Lady?’
‘Arthur leant me his quill and ink this morning as I seem to have misplaced mine and he made me swear I would return them before sunset as he has an urgent letter to write’
‘I’m sure he will not mind’ Gwen said gently, ‘there are many pots of ink and quills in the castle’
‘But he’s already angry with me because I lost the last book he leant to me’
‘If you are that concerned then return his quill and ink now’
‘I can’t go like this’ Morgana exclaimed, ‘I’m not even dressed’ she said pulling at her slip.
‘Then I don’t see what you can do’
‘Couldn’t you go?’
Gwen laughed nervously.
‘Please Gwen’ Morgana begged.
‘I can’t go like this’ Gwen said quickly, her cheeks pink.
‘I thought you said I had done a wonderful job?’ Morgana said folding her arms mutinously.
‘I did, but it is not proper for a servant to be dressed in such attire’
‘It is dark now, no one will see you’
‘Arthur would see me’
‘He is at a meeting with his father’ Morgana lied smoothly, ‘all you have to do is go into his chamber and leave the ink and quill on the table’
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Please’ Morgana said desperately.
‘Alright’ Gwen smiled indulgently, ‘I’ll go’
She fortunately did not meet anyone as she made her way towards Arthur’s chambers.
She opened the door and walked in.
‘Oh’ she breathed as she realised that the room was not empty.
Arthur looked up from his book.
‘Guinevere’ he said taken aback.
‘Sire’ she replied breathlessly, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, Morgana said you would not be here’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘Not that you shouldn’t be here, this is your chamber after all, so you have every right to be here, I’m sorry’ she stammered.
‘Guinevere’ he said moving towards her, ‘please don’t apologise, but is there a particular reason you are here?’
‘Oh yes’ she said blushing furiously, holding out the ink and quill to him as she stepped into the ring of firelight.
His eyebrows shot up.
‘What happened to you?’ he said without thinking.
She coloured even more deeply.
‘Sorry, it wasn’t supposed to come out like that’ he said quickly, ‘I just meant that you look um...different’ he added, having to try very hard to keep his eyes on her face, his gaze still wandering far more often than was polite.
‘Morgana’ was Gwen’s explanation as she laid the bottle and quill on the table.
‘Ah’ he smiled, ‘I understand’
‘I should go’ she said her cheeks still a deep pink.
‘Thanks for bringing these back’ he replied gesturing at the table.
‘Of course my Lord’ she said inclining her head to the Prince.
She turned to leave.
‘And Guinevere’ he said with a grin, unable to help himself ‘I have to say, I prefer your lavender dress’
She did not turn to face him.
‘Thank you sire’ she murmured as she slipped through the door, hiding the small smile which had crept onto her face.
‘So did you get your ink and quill back?’ Morgana said innocently as they walked down the corridor.
‘Yes’ he replied swiftly, ‘though you do remember I told you that you could have them for the next week? I have plenty of spares after all’
‘Well I thought you might need them, just in case, you know’ she shrugged, she paused for a moment then said, as nonchalantly as possible, ‘and how do you think Gwen looked?’
‘Gwen, your maid?’
‘Yes’ Morgana snapped.
‘Healthy?’ he offered.
She sighed exasperatedly, ‘so you didn’t think she looked any different to normal?’
‘I didn’t really notice’ Arthur said with a shrug.
‘Humph’ Morgana huffed before storming off down the corridor.
He raised an eyebrow as he watched her go, half amused, half confused. Women, he thought with exasperation.
A/N: still not sure about this, but glad to hear some people enjoyed the first chapter, hope you guys like where this going x