As Lady Eleanor moved to exit her chambers, her boot crunched against something. She stepped back, and lifted her foot, to look down at the stone floor. A single piece of folded parchment, her name messily scrawled on it, and a Daisy, roots still clinging to its base, small clusters of dirt, scattering the ground. Her cheeks turned pink, and she bent down to retrieve it.

'Dear Eleanor,
Meet me at the base of the steps at High Noon, for a lunch surprise.
Your handsome knight in shining armour.'

Eleanor sighed dreamily as her chest filled with giddy butterflies. She pressed the note to her breast, and brought the Daisy to her nose. He had pulled it straight from the ground, what a charmer. Her face dropped as she looked down at her outfit. Her worn boots, trousers, and a cream coloured tunic tucked in, her hair lazily pulled back at the base of her neck. She was going to need some help, if she wanted to look her best for him. Oh the surprise he'd get when she arrived, all Lady-like, as pretty as a picture.

Quickly Ell turned on her ties, ducked to her bedside, dropping the note, and flower, onto her side-table, before running back out the door, slamming it behind her, and successfully scaring a passing servant. She jogged through the halls in the direction of Lady Morgana's chambers, hoping the two girls would be willing to help her.

.o0O0o.
"He's hardly going to recognise you." Morgana chimed with a grin as she pinned the end of a neat plat into the bun she'd wrapped it in. Eleanor's long dark hair was neatly done up in a braided bun, at the back of the crown of her head, small little curls framing her face, and sparkling pins keeping everything in place. She was wearing one of Morgana's dresses, a lavender colour, with cape sleeves that hung from her upper arms, and low heels. They'd settled on using one of Morgana's dress instead of her's, when Eleanor had gasped in awe at the sight of the dress in her favourite colour. No she didn't often wear formal dresses, because riding, archery and dueling was made much more difficult in a gown, but that didn't mean she didn't like getting all dressed up for a special occasion, and this surely was one.

"You look stunning Eleanor." Gwen stated sincerely as she smiled at Ell through the mirror of Morgana's vanity. Eleanor met both women's eyes before inspecting her appearance once again.

"I do look nice don't I?" Ell said wistfully, finding it hard to not smile at her reflection. It wasn't often she felt beautiful, amongst five stunning older sisters, married off already, some with children of their own, and the others keenly pined over.

"Nice is an understatement." Morgana corrected as she finally finished fiddling with Eleanor's hair, and stepped back to give her some room. Ell chuckled at her before turning in her seat to look up at her two friends.

"Thank you both for helping me get ready. It means a lot to me." It almost felt like they were her older sisters, helping her get ready for an important event, like she'd always wished her sisters had done. The pair smiled, and Eleanor rose to pull them both into a hug.

"Of course."

"Any time."

Eleanor let them go with a soft smile, before glancing out the window, to check the hour. Her smile widened, and her tummy fluttered with nervous excitement.

"I best get going before I run late."

They quickly said their goodbyes before Eleanor was lifting the edge of her skirt, and passing down the hallway in the direction of the front steps of the palace, in giddy excitement.

Ell carefully, but quickly descended the stairs between the floors of the castle, down the next corridor, and passed the Physicians chambers, and down into the courtyard. She slowed to a stop to calm her excited breathing and racing heart, placing a hand on her cheek to feel the light warmth of a blush. She shook her head, before moving to power on.

The base of the steps quickly came into view, and she spotted Gawain standing with his back to her. He was dressed in black trousers and boots, his sword loosely strapped to his waist, a fresh white tunic on. She stopped to smile fondly at him, when she spotted the basket by his feet, a blanket rolled up on top of it, and a handful of flowers clutched in one hand, clearly ripped straight from the ground like the Daisy. Eleanor chuckled. Her smile dropped when she noticed he wasn't alone.

He was talking with a pretty young woman, dressed in the clothes of a palace maid, her blonde hair intricately braided back, and her big green eyes filled with mirth, as she laughed behind her hand, at something he had said. She was softly curved, in a trim manner, and only a few inches shorter than him. She said something, and he laughed as well, shaking his head side to side, his long hair bouncing at the movement. A moment later he took her hand, and bowed at the waist, bringing it to his lips, as he kissed the back, and she flushed a soft pink. They parted ways, and the woman disappeared around the other side of the stairs.

Eleanor's heart dropped to her feet, and she suddenly felt the overwhelming need to cry, a lump forming in her throat, in an achingly painful manner. Suddenly she felt over-dressed, and like everyone was looking at her, judging. One hand snaked around her waist, and the other to the base of her throat, as she tried to breath evenly, her gaze dropping to the ground. Don't cry, not here. Not where people are going to see you and ask questions. She glanced back up at Gawain's back as he shifted slightly from foot to foot, a large grin in place as he practically bounced on the balls of his feet. Watching and waiting, for her.

A sob tore from her throat on its own accord, and she quickly moved her hand to her mouth to cover it as she spun on her toes, nearly tripping on the base of her skirt. She at least had half the mind to lift the edges of her dress with her free hand, as she sprinted back towards the servants entrance, nearly tripping up the stairs, as tears blurred her vision. The dam had broken, and there was going to be no stopping it now. She didn't hear the Physicians door open ahead of her, nore did she see or hear Merlin, as she passed him, a look of confusion and worry etched on his face as he called after her.

She dashed back through the halls, and slammed into her door, falling through it as she opened it, quickly thumping it shut behind her. She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes, hard, trying to stop the tears from flowing. Her mind whirred, and spiralled a mile a minute.

I thought we were courting

I thought he'd stopped all the flirting

I thought it was only me

You're being stupid

Why are you making such a big deal out of nothing

You're acting childish, why the hell do you think he'd really be intrested in you

He asked to court me, he likes me

Who was she? Did he know her?

You're not pretty like your sisters, you're stiff and bulky

Bulky like a man

Broad shoulders, small chest

You're short too, what a weird combination

She was so pretty

He was going to take you on a picinic.

Maybe it doesn't matter if he flirts, or if he's loyal to you, it's not like anyone else will ever want you. And you love him, it's worth it because it's the best you'll ever do.

That voice was harsh, and spoke to a deep part of her that feared she would spend her life alone, unloved, and forgotten. She was never anyone's first priority, why did she think this was to be any different.

Eleanor sniffed hard, trying to clear her nose, tears still cascading down her cheeks as she hiccuped and sobbed. A knock sounded on her door, and she spun around just as it creaked open. Merlin's head poked around the frame. When he spotted her he quickly entered the room, closing the door behind him, worry etched all over his face.

"Eleanor, what happened? I though you were meeting with Gawain?" He asked softly. The mention of his name made her feel horrible all over again, but it also made her feel stupid. Was she making a huge scene over nothing? Was she being over dramatic? Fresh tears sprung forward even as she tried her best to stop them. The last thing she wanted was to look like an overdramatic, fool. She'd never cared what others though of her, or whether she caught the eyes of suiters. Or had she always cared, deep down?

"Please just go away." She sobbed out as she turned away from her friend, shoulders shuddering as she tried to stop the tears. She took deep breaths, and could hold the flood back, but only in brief bursts. She closed her eyes and tried again. Merlin stood still, worrying his lip, unsure of what to do. Something was clearly wrong, and he felt the need to fix it, to help his friend, but he didn't know how, especially if she didn't want his help.

Eleanor sniffled once more, but succeded in calming her self enough to stop the tears. She rubbed her running nose on her bare hand and cringed, moving to her bedside table to retrieve a handkerchief. She blew her nose a few times, and briefly glanced up at Merlin through red puffy eyes. He fidgeted with his hands, but when they met eyes he softened slightly. Eleanor slowly dragged her feet as she moved towards her, seemingly rooted to the ground, friend, as he still stood just inside the door.

"I'm sorry." It was the only thing she could think to say, still unsure whether she wanted to voice her woes or not. Merlin let out a soft smile, before moving to gently place his hands on her shoulders as he met her brown eyes with his kind blue.

"You don't have to apologise. You are clearly upset, and that's nothing to be sorry about. How we feel is always valid." His sincere words had a few fresh tears slipping down her cheeks, but this time she wiped them away and sniffed softly, ready to explain. A knock on her door startled them.

"Eleanor?" Gawain's voice called, with an evident tone of concern.

"Are you in there?" Eleanor's heart pounded in her chest, and she quickly swept past Merlin on silent feet, locking the door as fear coursed through her veins. She couldn't let him see her like this. She'd already made a fool of herself in front of one person, but not him.

Merlin met her eyes in confusion and worry. Quickly before Merlin could decide whether to answer for her, she spoke.

"Yes." She steadied her voice when it nearly broke. She snorted back fresh tears.

"Are you alright? You didn't come to meet me?" The hurt and concern was there, and it made Eleanor's heart ache. She pressed her hand to the closed door, and leant her head against it, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.

"I-I know. I'm so sorry." She paused again to stop herself from sobbing, "I'm not well." She thought she heard Gawain press against the door too, and she watched the shadows he cast at the gap beneath it.

"What? Are you okay, you should see Gaius? Can I come in?"

"No. No sorry. I've visited Gaius already. He said it's just a cold, but that I can't see anyone today, or I'll spread it."

"We can't very well have Camelot's finest knight out sick." Eleanor bit her lip as a small smile tugged at her when he chuckled slightly at her words.

"I wouldn't mind a day or two off, especially if it meant I could spend it with you." Something sharp pulled at her chest, and tears rose in her eyes again. She could see the blonde hair, green eyes, and soft feminine figure.

"I think, the King would have my head. I'm sorry." There was a silence, and Eleanor bit her lip to hold back a sob, as tears rained again.

"Okay. I hope you get well soon. I'll see you tomorrow?" When Eleanor didn't answer he spoke again.

"Eleanor?"

"I'll see you tomorrow." She leant her forehead agaisnt the door, pressing into it as she watched his shadow move, as his footsteps echoed back down the hall. A heavy sob ripped from her throat, and she cried violently, as she leant against the wood. Merlin shuffled behind her, and she slowly reached her hand up and blindly unlatched the door, before stepping away from it.

"Please just go." She sobbed out, before turning away from him, and walking to her bed, pulling back the blankets, and clumsily slipping out of her shoe's. Merlin watched as she climbed into her bed, fully dressed, with her back to him, crying into her pillow. With no clue what just happened, let alone how to help, he slowly turned from the shuddering form, and left her room.