WiltingDaisies94: Hello to those of you still reading, and those new to the fic.

I've decided to upload what I have left in my writing files from this story, which was begun many years ago, then swiftly overwhelmed by other, non-fanfiction related writings. The simple reality is that I would need to dedicate a chunk of time to re-reading the preceding 42 chapters before I could produce further chapters (because a younger me did not write specific notes, only broad endgame strokes, and it's been a while).

This kind of a review may or may not happen, depending on the kind of time I have. In terms of backlog, this story currently goes through chapter 45. After that, I don't want to make any promises about writing in a timely fashion. If that bothers you, or feels a bit too GRR Martin for your tastes, no harm, no foul. And if you'd like to stick around for a few more chapters, that's good too. From there, we'll see how things go.

As always, thanks to all readers and reviewers, and please enjoy!

Chapter Forty-Three

"Hurry, Morgana!"

Morgana glanced over her shoulder, but Lily was nowhere in sight. Nonetheless she straightened up, balancing a heavy basket on her arm. "Coming!" she called, following the sound of Lily's voice.

It was early morning, long before sunrise, and Morgana slipped through the woods carefully, unwilling to disturb the quiet around her. The slightest rays of dawn trickled through the leaves and branches, and Morgana could just make out the path they'd followed into the forest.

"Morgana? Where are you?"

"Here." Morgana stepped through the trees.

Lily stood nearby, one hand on her basket, the other on her hip. Her long braid flicked back and forth as she shook her head, and Morgana had the feeling that if she could have kept her balance, Lily would have been tapping her foot as well.

"Why so waspish?" Morgana asked, heading cautiously towards her companion. "There's no harm in enjoying a few moments of morning air."

"No harm indeed." Lily pursed her lips. "I'll not take a whipping from Cook on behalf of your morning air."

Morgana sighed. Lily had been in a foul mood for days, and though Morgana had tried to be kind and understanding, she was running short on patience.

"Did you find the mushrooms you wanted?" Morgana said, looking for neutral ground.

"Of course," Lily said, moving the basket to her other arm. "With little enough help from you, I might add."

"Oh peace," Morgana pleaded. "Lily, this must end. You have been spiteful for days, and I am tired of your abuse." She grabbed Lily's hand and began to pull her along the edge of the forest. "I have been attentive, I have helped you with your chores, I even joined you on this mad mushroom hunt. Yet all you have done is scorn and low like a wounded animal."

"I - what? Morgana, what are you doing?" Lily tried to wriggle out of Morgana's grip, which only tightened. "Release me!"

"Sit," Morgana demanded, plopping her friend down on a petrified log. "You are going precisely nowhere until you tell me what troubles you."

Lily shifted petulantly, dropping her basket to the ground. "Morgana, don't be ridiculous–"

"No. You will sit, and you will talk. Cook's temper be hanged." Morgana set her basket next to Lily's and crossed her arms.

Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Morgana's expression stopped her short. "Hmph," she grunted, crossing her legs and turning away.

Morgana sighed. "I wish you confide in me, Lily. I hate to see you ill-contented." She sat beside Lily, and took her hand. "Please. Tell me your troubles."

Lily let out a long breath. "Well…I had an argument."

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "With whom?"

Lily made a face. "Merlin."

"Merlin?" Morgana said, tilting her head. "The king's serving boy? What could he possibly have done? I do not know him well, I admit, but he seems quite inoffensive. Besides, the two of you are good friends, are you not?"

Lily squirmed. "It is difficult to explain. Merlin... he was pestering me about Sir Gwaine." She shook her head. "He said I was discourteous to the knight, and then he accused us... me... of sporting with Sir Gwaine."

Morgana's forehead crinkled. "Merlin was angry with you for fear that you had become Sir Gwaine's... paramour?"

"Precisely!" Lily slapped the log. "Can you believe the absurdity of it? I did nothing, and Merlin was prickly as a rosebush. Suggesting that I would behave in such a manner..." Lily shook with indignation.

Morgana considered. "Lily," she said softly, "May I be frank with you?"

"Aye," came the reply, although Lily's tone carried a note of suspicion.

"You may not wish to hear what I have to say."

"Go on, Morgana."

The Queen's maid cleared her throat. "I believe that Merlin has come to look on you with more than a friendly eye."

It was a delicate implication. The idea of Lily – a lowly scullery maid – becoming attached to a highborn knight like Sir Gwaine, was the stuff of fables, the stories grandams whispered to their young ones as the sun sank low in the sky. But there was some possibility in Merlin's affection: the union of maid and manservant was no leap of imagination.

Leaves rustled in the trees, and the wind blew thin strands of hair into Lily's face. She swiped them aside, with a muttered, "Impossible."

Morgana waited. She was surprised Lily had never considered Merlin a potential match, but she sealed her lips. It was not for her to insist.

"No." Lily tossed her head, perturbed. "We are companions. Friends." She stood up before Morgana could hold her back. "And Merlin… he has never said anything. Never paid me court, or played the lover. Not once."

Morgana rose, picking up the baskets. "He may not know how."

"I… he was merely in a foul mood." Lily shook her head and retrieved her basket. "He had not gotten much sleep, and he is fond of the knights. He and Sir Gwaine... they are friends, you know. I am sure that is why he was snappish with me."

Morgana shrugged. "Often it is in our most vulnerable moments that we speak most freely. A thousand worries might plague a tired manservant – the endless tasks to be completed, the treatment of his master, a longing for home – yet his only care was to know the precise nature of your interactions with Sir Gwaine."

Lily's frown grew deeper as the two maids began their walk back to the castle. "Perhaps Merlin spoke with Sir Gwaine before he met me. I could not guess what he might say of me if prompted."

Morgana followed Lily down the sloping hill. "Perhaps. Was Merlin distressed before you spoke of Sir Gwaine?"

"No," Lily said. "He did not seem bothered."

"And who mentioned Sir Gwaine?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Merlin, of course. I don't trouble myself to consider that cheeky, self-important lordling."

Morgana hid a smile. "And how did you answer to Merlin's prying?"

"Nothing," Lily said, as the gates of Camelot came into view. "Simply that it was not his concern. That I would behave toward Sir Gwaine as I willed."

"Oh Lily," Morgana shook her head ruefully. "No wonder Merlin was disturbed."

"Why should he be? I merely told him the truth."

"You avoided his question. Precisely the sort of response that lends itself to admission." Morgana moved her basket to her other arm.

"Even if it were admission, why should Merlin be bothered?" Lily huffed. "I am free to offer myself as I will."

Morgana slipped her arm through Lily's and shook her head. "I believe that it precisely what has Merlin upset."

"Impossible," Lily said again, half hearing Morgana.

Together, the maids entered the main gates, waving at the guards who ushered them along. A young page ran past, glancing enviously at the baskets laden with berries, nuts, mushrooms and herbs, forest bounty for the kitchen.

"It is a good deal to consider," Morgana said, "but you should speak with Merlin, set his mind at ease." She handed Lily the second basket. "Can you carry this to the kitchens alone?"

"Hm?" Lily said, a bit dazed. "You will not join me?"

Morgana shook her head. "I cannot. I must visit the stables."

"The stables?" Lily said. "What for?"

"I must see to Kit."

"Her Majesty's horse? Why?"

Morgana lowered her voice, glancing around the near-empty courtyard. "Her Majesty has never been the best with horses. She is a nervous rider, and long journeys make her anxious. I always take the time to calm Kit before Her Majesty goes riding."

Lily nodded, her mind still elsewhere. "Oh."

Morgana placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Will you be content without me?"

"I shall make do," Lily said, flicking a hand at Morgana. "I need time to reflect. A hard day's work will do me good." She smiled. "Away with you, mare-minder."

Morgana squeezed Lily's shoulder before turning away and disappearing down the cobbled road to the stables.