Prologue

There is a dream she has. It is not one of those nightmares that stalk her sleep; the dreams that leave her cold and alone, shivering and terrified in the pre-dawn darkness.

This is one that comes into her mind unbidden when she is awake; or that bubbles into her consciousness on a restless night when too much wine leaves her in that strange world that exists between sleeping and waking.

When she was younger, she dreamed that her father was still alive. She dreamed that they still lived as a happy family on their estates and everything she disliked about Uther became countered by that too-perfect memory of her father; present unhappiness distorting the past with a perfect golden glow.

As she got older, she let her mind wander to the idea of being Queen of Camelot, how that would feel, what it would involve, what it would mean for her relationship with Arthur.

But now, suddenly, unexpectedly, and unsought, comes a new dream. In the night or late afternoon, or any time she finds her mind wandering, she finds fresh images tapping gently at her brain and demanding entrance.

She doesn't entirely know where they came from or when they truly started. But now her mind takes her where it wills with little regard for her; it is her master and she can do nought but follow its commands. In the depths of her imagination, in the deepest secret nooks and crannies of her heart, there is a truth that she knows can never be spoken.

Except that one day, she did.

This is my new multi-chapter story based on a prompt by Brickroad16. Bricks and I have decided to both take the prompt and see what we come up with, so it should be fascinating to see the similarities and differences in our concept.

The prompt is two different versions of the word "servant". Bricks was actually doing research (!) reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when she came across an endnote that said the word 'servant' could mean that one was declaring him or herself as a lover.

So, our prompt is the dual meaning of 'servant' as both:

'a domestic worker, i.e. a job. Someone who serves'; and

'a professed lover'.

I hope you enjoy. And watch out for Bricks' version coming soon.