chapter thirty-five!
035. le morte d'arthur

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    THESE DAYS, Odette has found herself spending more of her nights in the servants' quarters down the hall from Morgana's chambers. More often than not, she has swapped her night shifts in the antechamber with Guinevere. For while the orphaned blacksmith's daughter did not admit it, some days she was terrified to return home alone▬in the dark with only herself to light a candle in an empty house. Without the forge running, she was losing money to upkeep. Guinevere started to take on more jobs▬she worked more in the kitchens, dusted the floors of empty chambers and offered herself up to visiting lords and ladies for extra coin. Her home was hers for life, the Prince had made sure of it, but it was hard for a young woman to make enough income to keep it. To afford food, and clothes, and people to fix the growing hole in the roof as winter grew closer. On top of everything else, Guinevere was accepting more jobs as a seamstress. When she wasn't tending to Morgana, helping out in the kitchens, or following some other mistress around, she was tucked away somewhere, stitching until her fingers were stiff and sore. 

    She had gotten herself into a routine, and while Odette could see that routine was exhausting her▬she knew that as soon as she mentioned it, Guinevere might break down all over again. She supposed the best thing she could do was try and help, and so she did. When there were days in which Guinevere couldn't return home, Odette let her have the antechamber and she took upon the morning shift. She sometimes cleaned Guinevere's home for her when she had spare time. Merlin saved some pieces of his food from Gaius's table to pass over to Odette to give to their friend▬and it felt as if somehow, the roles had switched. Instead of Guinevere taking care of Odette, here she was, trying to do her best in order to take care of her. 

    As weeks passed on, work for either of them did not seem to stop whatsoever▬and perhaps that was some blessing for Gwen, to make her feel as if some part of her life was ongoing; moving and back to normal. With Morgana's growth in popularity after saving the King's life, they had more outings. The King's Ward was invited to luncheons with ladies of the court, she received gifts and the King celebrated her loyalty to the crown with a feast in her honour. When they wandered the markets, the people of Camelot stopped to thank the Lady Morgana and gush about her bravery. By the end of the day, sometimes, it was almost a blessing Odette did not need to spend a sleepless night in the antechamber and dropped to the bed in the servants' quarters she had found empty, fast asleep. 

    Until she grew too restless. Even without Morgana's night terrors to wake her, she was up anyway, not feeling quite right when she wasn't running in to calm her down. Odette ended up lying awake almost the entire night anyway, and was greeting by the morning sunrise with little change. 

    By the next month, they had managed to gather up enough coin to help Guinevere fix the hole in her roof. Together, she, Odette and Merlin decided to work on her home themselves to make her feel a little better. They removed her father's bed and sold it▬and while it was sad for her, the home seemed to lift some lingering weight. It was a new start. They draped some new curtains, hung some herbs and dried flowers▬they gave the home a breath of Guinevere, hoping that it would start to not feel so haunted. 

    Slowly, very slowly, the way of their lives started to slip back to normal. Though the changes between dawn and the evening still stood out like a sore thumb. Odette would always notice the lack of a rising trail of smoke from Tom's blacksmith shop. Guinevere no longer passed her a smoked pigeon sandwich, who arrived with freshly picked flowers and the brightest beam on her face. Though, when came a day she gifted Odette with a flower▬finally finishing her turn in their little game after a good month, something brightened in the dull, cloudy day outside. 

    Things had changed▬none of them could completely go back to the way things were, especially Guinevere ... but that did not mean aspects of how things were could not become apart of this new chapter. Odette learnt that quickly. She understood the way their lives adapt from one sunrise to another▬they start to create a new normal. 

    And perhaps the light the sun held was a little darker▬perhaps it shone with something Odette had not expected; gave her a scare and a shock ... it still shone. She continued to remind herself that. 

    The event of the attempted murder of the King, and Morgana's bravery started to fade away; fall from the current mind like the leaves falling from tree branches. And their day to day consisted of this new normal. Odette might wake up from the antechamber, or she might wake up from a servants' quarters. She and Guinevere spent their days with Morgana, then Gwen might slip away to tend to someone else▬she would return and they all might take a walk. There may be a luncheon or a dinner they would serve, watching Morgana roll her eyes at Arthur's retellings of his latest hunt. Odette would try and get Merlin in trouble▬he would do the same in retaliation. Ronyn would appear with some new book for Morgana to read. Adelynn might join for a morning tea. They prepared the King's Ward for walks, dinners, days out in the markets, rides ... yes, slowly▬ever so slowly▬they made their routines once more, because they had to. 

    And if there was one thing Odette was good at, was adapting. Just as the seasons changed, so did she▬she changed as she needed to in order to stay alive, but she always kept the same taste of summer when they were in winter▬the promise of summer, and of new birth in spring. She was always that flower that bloomed in its own special time of the year▬never once was there nothing that survived. When one flower closed its petals, there was another that was given its chance to shine with a delicate, unique beauty. 

    Like the flowers she had picked today▬ones she found amongst a pile of fallen, orange leaves. Small, but pretty. Some had been trodden, because no one had seen them in the clean up of the royal gardens as the seasonal flowers changed▬but she had. She was good at that sort of thing, too: seeing those forgotten. Suppose, she had a soft spot for them. 

    Today, Morgana had decided to take a parade in the gardens with Arthur before he was to head off for a hunt. It had been the first sunny day they had had in a good week and both of them seemed determined to make the most out of it. Odette wandered in behind next to Merlin, missing the presence of Guinevere with them. Without her, they almost seemed incomplete. But she was busy taking time to finish a dress for the baker's wife in the Lower Town before she had to complete more errands for the Lady Elizabeth Wellington who was visiting Camelot in her lengthy return across the borders back to King Olaf's kingdom in the north. 

    Morgana was letting out a dreary sigh when Odette returned in line, showing Merlin her flowers quietly, "Do you ever get tired of killing the same animals over and over again?"

    Arthur made a face immediately at the tone of her voice, catching onto her teasing sarcasm. "I do not expect you to understand the skill and precise▬" he hung on the word, as if speaking to a young child. Morgana rolled her eyes, "▬strategic planning it takes to return with a good hunt."

    "Oh, yes," she nodded, mocking him, "how skilful it is to grab a piece of wood and beat it against the grass to grab the attention of another boar▬and then have someone pass you your crossbow and others to keep it in place as you shoot it."

    Merlin stifled his laughter behind his hand, finding this quite an accurate description. Arthur turned around to him, not amused, "Got something stuck in your throat, do you, Merlin?"

    His manservant cleared his throat and gestured to the inherited lump at the centre all men seemed to have. "Just got a▬a tickle there, Sire. The flowers▬they irritate my allergies."

    Arthur slowly sighed at this, rather incredulous. "Yet another charming quality you have in your list of useless talents, Merlin."

    Odette helped him in his claim, holding up one of her flowers in front of her friend's nose and Merlin coughed dramatically to prove his point. Morgana was amused, "Daresay, you ought to go to Gaius if you have a fever, Merlin▬"

    "Do not indulge their antics," Arthur quickly told Morgana, shooting the two servants a dirty look. "You are merely giving my servant an excuse for a day off, and your maidservant an excuse to follow."

    "Well, unlike you, I do not rely heavily on my servants and could last a day without Odette around. You, on the other hand, would not even be able to dress yourself."

    The two continued in their walk, seeming to never find an end in their bickering. Odette and Merlin followed behind, giving each other amused glances and hiding back their want to laugh. 

    Though, as Morgana found particular interest in making sure she thanked the gardener that passed them for his work, Arthur felt the sudden need to look back over his shoulder. His gaze found Odette's as she peered up from the petals of her growing flower collection. Though brief and silent, the moment left them both saddened when it drifted on by and Arthur had to advert his gaze. 

    Odette pursed her lips, turning her attention back to her flowers as she spun the stems in her fingers, glum▬lamenting something that had never even existed to then miss. 

    Morgana decided she wanted to send Arthur and his group off hunting, and she did not relent her teasing as she did. It caused for the Prince to declare he will return with the greatest boar▬so great that its skin has never been pierced before until it would meet the shaft of his spear ... and Odette knew that it would be a long day before they returned. She also knew that she won't stop hearing Merlin complain until at least the end of this month. 

    At first, this day passed on much like the others that have gone by recently. And in comparison, it was rather uneventful. Odette spent it mostly with Morgana and Guinevere▬she ducked down to give Gaius some company in the early afternoon, helping him prepare some herbs. Arthur and his hunting party didn't return until almost evening. He didn't return with a great boar▬in fact, they returned with nothing. Odette only caught a glimpse as she emerged from the kitchens with Morgana's dinner, watching the group of them usher towards the Council. Arthur spoke in urgent whispers to one of his knights he met up with▬and then it turned sombre. She tried to grab Merlin's glance amongst the sudden fray, and the brief purse of his lips and pale cheeks told her all she needed to feel the same dread. 

    Odette made a quick decision. She didn't take the dinner up to Morgana's room, she passed it over to another servant and did not blink an explanation as she rushed to follow. She took a different route, slipping around back corridors and up narrow stairwells to reach the old antechamber that they only used for escape routes in dire circumstances. Holding her breath, she crouched down and peered through the small gaps of the iron grated vent hammered into the stone. 

    Heart pounding, she saw the light flicker from dimly lit candles over an intense group by the table. She noticed the King hover forward with his hands pressed down against the wood. She saw most of the war council be summoned, including Ronyn and Gaius. Arthur paced close-by Merlin who watched, silent and stern. Something had happened▬something very serious, she knew. Only in troubling times were such a council summoned. 

    Whatever their discussions had been, they were paused once everyone had arrived. Arthur delved into his tale of his hunt. He spoke of a terrifying creature, leaving Odette holding her breath to make sure she heard every word muffled through the iron and stone. "It was unlike anything I have ever seen," said the Prince. "A▬a serpent, it seemed▬gigantic in size with a taste of blood." He hesitated. He set his hands on his hips and looked down from his father's cold, grave stare. Arthur pursed his lips and muttered, "I am afraid we were no match for it. It did not fear for our blades ... Sir Kay ... he did not make it."

    Odette felt some part of her heart fall. Sir Kay has been Arthur's companion in knighthood in equal years. They trained together, they grew up together, they have fought at each other's side on the battleground of war. She knew that while he had to hide it and push it down, Arthur was fighting a gaping wound that he could not show. 

    A sombre silence weighed down within the room. Some hung their heads in respect of a great man▬a great warrior. Others in understanding to how close he and Arthur were.

    In the end, it was Gaius who spoke. "The creature you describe▬it has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast."

    Arthur looked up. He frowned, "Surely that is a myth?"

    Odette shuffled closer, crouching low in order to see the look on the physician's face. She had never heard of such a creature▬but she could always tell the severity of a situation just by Gaius's expression. "According to the old books," he said, "the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval."

    The King was not impressed. He sighed and shook his head, giving his friend a stern warning: "Gaius, that is an old wives' tale."

    Ronyn glanced between them. "Look," he decided to say, "whatever this creature is, it is spreading panic." He crossed his arms, donning a green doublet tied loosely over his tunic. "Even on the way here, the hunting party have spread the news▬I have heard people speak: they fear it will enter the city."

    Uther nodded, "Then we must kill it. Arthur," he turned to his son who was staring at the map laid out on the table with an expression Odette couldn't quite read, "gather the guard together. You ride at dawn."

    He blinked. Glancing up, he quickly nodded and moved on as council was dismissed. Merlin followed. Odette wasn't far behind, determined to meet up with them. She retraced her steps, unable to remove her dread from Gaius's words. While others might dismiss it as superstition, she knew better▬whatever the Questing Beast was, if Gaius feared it, then she must too ... and if Arthur was going to ride out to face this monster that was an omen of terror ...

    It has already taken one life, that meant it was very much capable of taking another. 

    She managed to intercept the journey from the council rooms back to his chambers by hovering near the servants' door that opened out into an alcove just down the hallway from his room. She knew that as soon as he noticed her hovering in the shadows behind the ajar opening, that she had heard▬and that she wanted to talk to him. 

    Odette very much expected the set of his jaw▬understanding exactly how she found out. He turned to Merlin and muttered something. By the look on the warlock's face, Odette could tell he had just been given a whole list of new errands to complete before the dawn. He scoffed lightly before walking away, allowing Arthur to make a quick glance before marching over to where Odette was hiding. 

    She stepped back when he opened the door and shut it behind him, closing them in with little light. Arthur frowned at her, "Should you not be▬oh, I do not know▬with Morgana in her chambers instead of eavesdropping on council meetings?"

    Odette felt like she was pulling on a dull, out-of-tune string that she knew would never play the song she wanted, but she did so anyway: "Please do not go."

    Arthur closed his eyes and rubbed, exasperated, at the bridge of his nose. He was not in the mood for this game they constantly played, she knew. "Odette, you know I must."

    Her shoulders fell and she hung her gaze. Seeing it, the Prince stepped closer and stressed to her: "This beast killed Sir Kay in cold blood. I have to avenge his death. You understand?" 

    She did. She nodded, and she saw a breath of relief slouch in his stance. "I know," mumbled Odette. "He was your friend."

    Arthur shook his head. "He was more than a friend, Odette. He was my brother▬as are all my knights. I owe it to him to slay this creature in his honour, as he would do for me. He died for this kingdom, I have to make sure it was not in vain."

    She quickly realised what he meant and looked up, "It was not your fault▬"

    "Still," he cut her off before she would delve further. "I need to do this."

    Odette nodded once again. She fiddled with her fingers, knowing that she was trying to hold onto a conversation that should have never started. "Just▬" she swallowed the growing lump of fear in her throat, "▬I heard what Gaius said and▬"

    Surprisingly, Arthur cracked a small smile. "Odette," he took her shoulders and her words stopped abruptly on the edge of her tongue. She stared, taken aback with a blush rising onto her cheeks. He leaned closer and arched a gentle brow that matched his little smile. His hands were warm▬they brought her comfort, and she focused on that feeling enough for it to slow her frantic heart. "You and I both know Gaius is a fan of telling wild superstitious tales. This is a mere beast, not some omen of upheaval. It will fall like all beasts of flesh and bone. And believe me, this is not one that has flesh of steel, I assure you. My father has conquered the Old Religion, its creatures have no power anymore."

    Odette chose not to say she did not believe him. Perhaps some part of her liked his reassurance▬wanted to think it was true and that this was some silly old fairytale. "You will be careful?" she asked in a soft, hesitant breath.

    Seeing her desperate plea, Arthur squeezed her shoulders a final time before letting go. She missed the feel of his hands almost instantly. "I will return," he promised her. 

    She felt this jolt in her heart. A shocking reminder of a conversation that suddenly struck so familiar▬where she stood in front of a man just as brave once before, having to come to terms that she must let him go ... watch him leave and know that he would not return. It was almost ironic that here she stood again, being promised this by a man where even standing here, having this conversation was reckless. It almost seemed absurd. 

    It almost seemed like a challenge to Fate. 

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    MORGANA WAS inconsolable the next morning. Odette had returned to her chambers with her breakfast to find her being guided▬barefoot and shivering, tear-stricken and still in her nightgown▬back to the door. "My Lady?" she breathed, confused. She turned at the sound of Odette's voice, and immediately she struggled once more in the guards' hold. They let her go this time and she rushed to her servant.

    "Odette!" cried Morgana, desperate. She took her arms, and the young handmaiden was startled▬even terrified▬by the look on her mistress's face. "Odette▬please▬you must stop him!"

    Odette quickly set the plate of fruit on the nearby table next to a vase she needed to dust and tried to calm Morgana down. She fought, but Odette had gotten unusually strong and good at containing Morgana when she was like this after nights and nights of having to wake her up from her night terrors. She glanced at the guards for an explanation. The younger was watching Morgana strangely, but then muttered, "We believe she has had a bad dream."

    "Arthur!" Morgana cried, pleading to her friend who continued to mutter gentle words as she understood what had happened. "You have to▬" she spun to the guards, "▬you have to stop him! Something terrible is going to happen▬he's▬he's▬"

    Odette pulled her wrists gently back towards her, "It is okay, My Lady," she tried to console her, thankful that the guards took this as the time to leave. 

    Morgana shook her head, "No!" she argued. "No▬!"

    But despite her struggles, Odette managed to get her inside and sit her on the bed. She took the spot beside her, trying her very best to get Morgana to breathe. But whatever dream the King's Ward had seen, it had left her shaking and frantic. 

    She ran her fingers through Morgana's hair. She rubbed her shoulder and kept her close, rocking her back and forth as she did her best to ease the Lady's mind. But it did not ease Odette's own. Once, not that long ago, Morgana had dreamt Arthur's demise at the hands of two travellers: Lord Aulfric and Sophia Tír Mòr. Her nightmares had become true▬the Lord and his daughter, truly the Sidhe, had attempted to sacrifice Arthur in order to trade for immortal life back in Avalon ... Morgana had dreamt it true, right to the very detail of Arthur almost drowning. It was her premonition that had lead Merlin to save the Prince in the nick of time. They hadn't spoken of it since▬none of them had mentioned it again over the dinner table, but Gaius had believed Morgana to have the power of the prophets▬a Seer. 

    And if this dream were yet another premonition▬something that would undoubtedly come to pass ... it made Odette so uneasy she felt sick. Because she has never seen Morgana this scared from her nightmares▬it must have been something truly terrible ... something truly terrible that was to happen to Arthur.

    Odette tried to reassure herself. Merlin is with him, she thought. He will protect him. It was his destiny▬as he has said▬to protect Arthur until he becomes the greatest King this land will ever know: a King meant to wield Excalibur and bring peace and prosperity▬bring hope. Odette was sure that would have to mean that Arthur must survive until he is King▬survive for a very long time. 

    But ... as the stories all have told her▬every great hero is greeted not with peace and lasting life, but a grim and tragic end. 

    Surely Arthur was different? Surely Arthur had to be different?

    He will slay this beast and return home where the crowds will cheer his name in victory▬as he always did. But Odette was on edge▬she was tense. She reached up and had the urge to pull back her mother's clip, realising that she did not give him anything to return to her. She did not give him a reason that he must make it back other than sheer hope and will. 

    Her eyes wandered out through the ajar window as Morgana finally started to slip back to sleep from her exhaustion against Odette's shoulder. She met the sunlight's gaze and wondered what it would bring them this time: death or life. She prayed it would bring Arthur back. 

    And the pain she felt somehow always hit her▬fresh and aching each time. A desperation to reach out▬to find away across the gaping chasm; a bridge that was forbidden. It was built stone by stone with brief glances, wandering eyes and subtle smiles. She would take steps▬or maybe he took steps▬in their moments in the shadows away from everyone else ... and then it crumbled away; it crumbled to nothing and Odette was standing back where she had been before. She could not fight it, nor could she escape it▬she thought of him alone, and she thought him of when he was there. He was forever on her mind, like it was pure instinct to be drawn to his warmth. Her sunlight▬her rising sun ... she needed to be close to him, and yet knew he was so far away. 

    Arthur, she thought of his name. A name that was strong. It bore the meaning of a fierce bear; a warrior▬the name of a man that will one day become King. Perhaps it was her own fault▬her own silly, naive mistake ... or perhaps it just made sense that Odette would end up feeling these strong emotions for someone she could never be with. Perhaps it was merely her terrible, cruel luck. 

    Either way, that was not what mattered. All that mattered was that it meant that she needed Arthur to return▬to come back to her. 

    When she finally managed to coax Morgana back underneath her bed covers, Odette swapped over with Guinevere▬and her friend decided to watch the King's Ward carefully and kindly, making sure to be there if she woke up, terrified again. 

    She stepped back out into the corridor and sighed when she noticed that Morgana's breakfast was still sitting on the side table. She pursed her lips and picked it up, realising that it would not be good of her to serve it now hours later. Odette thought about placing the fruit that was perfectly find underneath its cloth into a basket and taking it out to the children and elderly in the Lower Town. 

    Then she noticed Ronyn making his way up the stairwell. Today, he was dressed in a green tunic tied at his waist with a leather vest slung over the top. As usual, he rolled his sleeves up at his elbows. Odette curtsied slightly as he came to stand beside her. 

    "Good afternoon, Odette," he greeted her.

    "Is it?" she mused, still making longing glances to the citadel entrance through the windows. 

    "I heard Morgana had some what of a fright this morning," the Lord Vecentia crossed his arms and sighed out. "I have to come and check whether she is all right?"

    Odette managed a little smile, "That is very kind of you. She will be all right..." she knew she didn't sound so convinced, and she wished Ronyn would not ask any further. Though, Odette had this annoying feeling that Ronyn knew very much what she was thinking about▬or who. 

    And she knew it was what caused him to say, "Do you remember all of those games we used to play as children?"

    She hummed, "Yes▬we had quite a lot. Which one are you referring to?"

    The left corner of Ronyn's lips quirked upwards slightly, "Those quests you took us on to the kitchens, and to the barracks, and up the tallest towers."

    "Oh, do you mean the ones where you and Arthur ended up trying to lock me inside dusty old chambers?"

    Ronyn chuckled, "Yes▬do you mean the one where you managed to make us all break multiple limbs?"

    She hummed once more, but this time with a knowing, miffed sound that was all with a good-natured heart. "I do have some memory..."

    "I was always the stupid bumbling poet and Arthur was the knight. You were the princess that he had to reluctantly save ... sometimes you were determined to save him..."

    Odette flushed bright pink, "Yes▬why? What is it you are trying to say?"

    Ronyn rested his hand on her shoulder, "He will come back, Odette."

    "That does not answer my question."

    "Have faith," he started to continue his walk to Morgana's door.

    "That is frustratingly vague."

    "Believe in the sunrise..."

    "Ronyn!" her voice was chiding, but she chuckled nonetheless. Her chest lifted with some room to breathe. Odette pursed her lips, and with a sudden change of emotion, she glanced around. Once she was sure that there was no one around, the young handmaiden rushed forward and hugged the Lord Vecentia. 

    He stumbled. Ronyn hunched up. He was tense and he was on edge, but Odette held on tight▬as tight as she could. She rested her head on his chest, taking a deep breath and muttered to him, "Thank you."

    And she meant it. She was grateful for Ronyn▬for him always being there these past few months when she needed him. He had gone from hiding away, reminiscing who they used to be, to marching up to her side as her friend; her equal. To making her smile and lifting her spirit▬for making her laugh when all she thought she could do was only cry. She was proud of him, but most importantly, she was more than grateful. "Thank you," she told him again. 

    Ronyn eventually relaxed and hugged her close. He squeezed the young servant that he realised was nothing if not another sister. She was always another sister to him. "Anytime," he promised her. 

    When Morgana woke up once again, she was determined to stay awake and see Arthur return. Even when they tried to persuade her that it might be best if she took a sleeping draught, she refused, keeping to a standstill by her open window. But Odette decided to head to the physician's chambers to get her a new bottle just in case. Not only that, but she wished to speak to Gaius about her mistress's dreams▬and what they might come to mean.

    He had his nose hovered over dusty old manuscripts he seemed to be editing with a long feathered quill when she arrived. Odette knocked on the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. Her skirts brushed her woollen stockings as she did. Gaius glanced up and set his quill aside, "Odette," he welcomed▬pleasantly surprised.

    "I must speak with you," she told him.

    Gaius frowned but nodded. He set down his looking glass and turned in his seat so he could face her. Odette took the gesture to rush over and sit on the edge of the dining table bench. "What is on your mind, child?"

    Her leg bounced, anxious. She pursed her lips and glanced at the door. Even though she knew they were alone, she dropped her voice to a whisper anyway, "It is about Morgana."

    Gaius pursed his lips, too. His stare immediately turned to something heavy and grave, "Does she need a new sleeping draught?"

    "No▬" Odette quickly backtracked, "▬Well, yes. But that is not what I want to speak to you about. She ... she has had another bad dream. Like▬like the one she had about Sophia and Aulfric."

    The Court Physician leaned forward. He clasped his fingers together, and their conversation started to turn heavy with severity. "You believe she may be having a premonition?"

    "I have not seen her this scared in a long time," Odette was very concerned. "She▬she was inconsolable, Gaius ... For a while, I could not calm her down. She kept ... she kept telling me that something was going to happen to Arthur▬that someone had to stop him."

    "Did she say anything else? Any details?"

    Odette shook her head, "Every time she tried, she only burst into tears. I▬I am scared, Gaius ... last time ... last time what she dreamt came true ..."

    Gaius sighed thoughtfully. Odette took a deep breath, trying to hold back her own tears that she had been swallowing down all day in her worry. "I heard you," she admitted. "In the council chambers I heard you say that the Questing Beast brings an omen of great upheaval ..."

    The physician met her gaze. Seeing her stress, he tried to reassure her▬just like everyone else; like she has been trying to do. "It is just a story▬"

    "Gaius," she cut him off before he could continue, her brows furrowing to a pointed stare. "Tell me. Please."

    He sighed once again. He shuffled his chair closer to her. "The Questing Beast is a creature of the Old Religion. When one is sighted, it often brings a terrible omen of upheaval: where it will choose to mark someone for death."

    Odette felt her heart leap up into her throat. "And if Morgana had a dream about Arthur..."

    "It does not mean Arthur is destined for the Questing Beast's bite," Gaius squeezed her arm, stern in his reassurance. "Merlin is well aware, and it is his destiny to protect Arthur▬he has not failed so far. The Questing Beast may very well choose another."

    "So what does Morgana's dream mean?"

    "It might not mean anything," said the physician. She tilted her head, giving him a gentle look of disbelief but he merely squeezed her arm once again. "The Seers of the Old Religion had many dreams▬not all were premonitions. And not all came true. The future has many roads. Sometimes we walk straight down them, others we destroy. More often than not, we create new roads and pathways ourselves. Destiny is not sealed fate, no matter what anyone might say or tell you." Gaius gave her a pointed look of his own. "Remember that, Odette."

    She nodded, finding herself starting to feel more at ease. She then smiled. Gaius seemed satisfied. "Now," he then said, "are you due straight back to Morgana or are you willing to stay around? I have a few herbs that need to be crushed and not enough hands to do them all myself. And make sure you're able to stay for dinner."

    Odette's smile brightened momentarily. Even if she did need to return to Morgana▬even if she had plenty of things that she needed to do, she found that she'd much rather forget them all to spend time with Gaius. And so, she did.

    She had a light-hearted time with the Court Physician and she learnt much. Soon, her mind was distracted from all her worries as she was taught properties of lavender and rosemary once again. She chuckled when she made terrible jokes and felt peaceful with Gaius at her shoulder, mentoring her the ways of which she needed to slice the coriander and how she must crush the hay and what she needed to mix to create its sweet smell for aching joints. Odette practiced her writing as she labelled new jars. She concentrated hard, keeping her hand steady to copy the letters she knew to speak and was close to mastering how to read. She felt like quite the intelligent young woman▬not many servants her age knew how to read and write, let alone a girl such as her.

    She enjoyed a dinner of boiled vegetables. Gaius had made enough for Merlin, but he was still yet to return. Arthur's party that had gone out to slay the Questing Beast were nowhere to be seen as evening arrived▬the sun slowly dawning down, greeting and then waving goodbye to the moon that took its place. 

    And it was then that her peaceful day was put to an end. 

    The door burst open so suddenly that she dropped her spoon into her dinner. Odette was on her feet, rushing backwards as two guards and Merlin came running in. Gaius was alert, directing them to his worktable. Odette struggled to try and see who had been injured▬and by their rush, it was bad. Merlin cleaned the mess of manuscripts and papers off so the patient could be lowered down carefully for Gaius to see▬

    Her heart dropped. 

    "No▬" Odette's voice was lost in the back of her throat, eyes wide and horrified when she finally saw him. 

    Arthur lied there, unresponsive. He did not move when his head touched the wood, nor did his fingers flinch. She could hear him breathe though▬barely▬a breathless wheeze in the back of his throat. His hair was drenched to his forehead with sweat, his tunic and chainmail stuck to his skin. He was pale, he was sickly▬something horrible shuddered on his chest. A gaping wound that seeped through his armour where a large creature had sunk its fangs deep and close to his heart. 

    Odette realised what had happened▬she realised with weak knees. She shook her head, meeting Merlin's gaze who was on the verge of tears. 

    "What's happened?" Gaius demanded, urgent.

    Merlin hitched a tearful breath. Gaius frowned and leaned forward to examine the wound. He paled. He turned to the young sorcerer who whimpered a soft cry. "He's been bitten."

    "I▬I tried to save him," said Merlin miserably. "I tried to save him Gaius▬"

    The physician snapped a pointed, "You must tell the King▬" to the guards and they were off in seconds. He nodded to Odette and she knew what he wanted. She hovered for a moment, staring at Arthur with a lump in her throat before rushing to find a clean cloth. She grabbed a bucket of water that must have been for Merlin's wash tonight and hurried to Arthur's other side. 

    She set the rag on his forehead and she could feel his temperature burn at her fingertips. Odette chewed her bottom lip▬her hands were shaking. His eyelids did not flutter, his nose did not twitch. He just breathed▬ragged and struggling, in and out ... in and out ... in ... out ...

    Odette's heart pounded. She looked at Gaius, "There▬there must be something you can do? There▬there▬we can cure him, yes? There is a cure, yes? He▬he will live, yes?"

    Gaius's face did not ease her worries. Not this time. Her bottom lip trembled, "Gaius▬" she pleaded. "Gaius help him..."

    The physician hesitated. "I wish there was," he admitted. Odette's shoulders slumped, his words bringing this strange numbness to her heart. 

    "But▬" Odette didn't want to believe it. She didn't believe it. "But he is▬" she glanced down at the Prince, and fresh tears fell and struck his cheeks. "He is▬he must live? He is supposed to be ..." She shook her head. She continued to shake her head. "No," she whispered, stubborn and leaned closer. "Arthur?" she asked him, desperate. She brushed his hair away from his ears, hoping he might hear her better. "Arthur, wake up." 

    He did not respond. Odette felt the lump tighten until it was painful. "Arthur, please." Usually, when she begged and she gave him her best innocent, pleading eyes, he listened. This time, he did not. This time, he could not. She knew what was happening ... she knew ... and yet, her mind would not let her believe it▬comprehend it. Odette clung onto her hope and her faith, knowing she could not lose it▬lose him. 

    Seeing her, Merlin set his jaw. "No," he decided. "No. I will find a cure."

    He ran to his room. Gaius watched him go, "Merlin!"

    "Trust me!"

    Seconds later he returned with his book of magical spells in his hand. Gaius's face dropped, "The King will be here any moment!" he exclaimed. 

    Merlin met his gaze, "He cannot die! It is my destiny to protect him!" Gaius did not waver. Merlin slumped. He cried, frantic and helpless, "We have not done all the things we were meant to do..."

     "That is the lament of all men," Gaius turned back to the Prince.

    "Gaius," Merlin tried once more. "He is my friend."

    The physician hovered, frozen over the Prince. He gritted his teeth and set his jaw, but then closed his eyes and nodded. He glanced back at Merlin, "Then save him."

    Merlin jolted into action. He clenched his eyes shut and the pages of his book flicked through at a blurring speed without the touch of a hand. It landed wide open on a page he wanted and his eyes glossed over the spell. Then, he turned to Arthur and cried out a desperate enchantment. Odette waited, holding her breath. 

     Nothing happened. 

    The young warlock clenched his hands and returned to his book. He flicked through the pages once again. He found another spell and nearly bellowed it, willing all of his strength and power within his words▬demanding Arthur to wake. 

    Silence echoed after he had finished. Odette fixed her eyes on the Prince that was burning under her delicate fingertip touch. Her thumb lifted off from the cloth to gently brush the skin between his brows. "Arthur?" she called in a soft whisper. 

    Nothing. 

    Merlin bit at the inside of his cheek, "M▬maybe the spells need time to take effect?"

    Gaius merely shook his head. Solemn, he said: "The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn..."

    The King's booming voice echoed up the winding stairwell. Odette leapt backwards away from the Prince. Merlin was there to guide her back to his side, keeping her close in his best attempt to comfort her▬both of them. "Where is my son?!" came his shout. "Where is he▬?!"

    His pounding footsteps grew louder and louder until they were at the physician's door. He skidded to a stop, his eyes landing on his unmoving son. Odette had never seen the King look so shocked▬so terrified. "Arthur!"

    He sprinted to his son's side. He grasped his shoulders and then cradled his head, trying to grasp some response from his only heir. Odette pursed her lips so hard they hurt as she resisted every breath in her that was about to burst into tears. Merlin subtly closed his spell book far from the King's prying eyes.

    "Do something, Gaius!" ordered the King, clutching his son with a tight, trembling grip.

    "I am trying, Your Majesty," replied the physician, grave.

    "Gaius will find a cure," Merlin butt in, sounding breathless. "He will not let him die..."

    Gaius shot the warlock a stern look. "I will do everything in my power," he corrected. 

    Not that the King was listening. He hefted a great breath and slung Arthur's arm over his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, Uther Pendragon ignored the horrible pain from his old battle wound and held his son up in his arms, like he was still just a boy. "I shall bear him to his chambers."

    He held back tears, setting his jaw and keeping himself rigid▬but the weight of his son; his lifeless, limp son broke him before he even got to the main castle steps. Uther Pendragon collapsed to his knees in a painful, heart-wrenching, silent wail in the centre of the citadel square ... and the entire city of Camelot knew, that Arthur Pendragon had been marked for death.

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    a/n: actually reading morte d'arthur for literature in uni atm. gonna be comparing it to the last episode of merlin because I am obsessed- 

    also yes I know sir bedivere actually dies in this episode but in my book he does not because he comes in later and he is best boy-

    ODETTE BRUSHING HER THUMB BETWEEN ARTHUR'S BROWS IS SO CUTE AND TENDER AND LOVING NO I AM SERIOUS I LOVE THEMM-

     this is a bit of a filler, but it was full of odette literally pining after arthur in the most sweet, poetic and angsty way like-

    girl is literally a poet.

    I think I said this on my profile thread but it goes as such:

    adelynn: soldier
    odette: poet

    ronyn: wants to be a poet but is king. 

     also can we just collectively agree that the scene where Uther falls to his knees was so heartbreaking and I actually cried and felt so sorry for him-

     odette and arthur.

    that's it. just odette and arthur. 

    also we are up to the last episode of season one how did we get here so fast?!

   (oh, I know, because I am obsessed with this book and publish instead of studying - that's a lie because I actually got all of my studying done before posting this so HAH, take that procrastination!)

    (minimal editing because angst-)