❝ 𝕬 𝖋𝖆𝖈𝖊 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖆𝖘𝖙  ❞
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[ 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈, 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐈 ; 𝑨 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒔 ]

          𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋. The moon was thin and sharp as a curved blade, peeking through the night clouds, looking down on the sleepy town of Camelot, hardly any person on their feet at this time of the hour besides the knights, and the nocturnal insects and animals. The nights are always breezy and chilly, cold air can be seen when flames from the torches breathe out, spring being too stubborn and refuse to leave for the year and not letting summer to come.

          Outside the gates of Camelot, a cloaked man emerged from the shadows, making his way into the sleepy and quiet town. Finding his way through the gates without the guards noticing. He knew his way into the town, he knew which house he was going to and where to knock. Like the place had not changed since he had last been here. But the town didn't welcome him home like an old friend as it should be. Things had changed in Camelot, no sight of magic anywhere as it used to, sorcerers and druids would be around in plain sight. But that day, the day Arthur Pendragon was born and his mother died had changed everything.

          The cloaked man knocked on the door of a specific house he came to. He knocked a couple of times in every momentarily that a dog from the other side of the door began growling at the door or at the person knocking. It brought the resident to answer the door and stood at the entrance was Myriam Oakheart.

          Myriam couldn't believe the person who had come to her home, she could still be sleeping and dreamt of a past that have come to haunt her once again. Her limbs froze in place and her breath had stopped that she thought she had been enchanted or cursed. Perhaps this ghost from her past has come to collect her debt, one she had paid before. It's been years, years had stretched on, long enough that she forgot, long enough she believed that this man had forgotten too.

          "Hello Myriam, long time no see" the scarred man said.

          Myriam barely found her voice, "Edwin . . . I— I didn't think— didn't think you would—"

          "Didn't think I would come back?" Edwin smiled, "I hoped you didn't think I was dead"

          "No, no— it's just . . . It's been a while, long enough for me that I have . . . Forgotten"

          "Forgotten?" Edwin furrowed his brows, "after what I did for you? Surely me saving your daughter from that horrible and incurable illness wasn't that forgettable"

          "It's been seven years, Edwin. And I've already saved you before then" Seven years since she last saw him and seven years since she almost lost her daughter from an illness. There was indeed a moment where she hoped he'd be dead before he'd come back to her, she even prayed once. She was feared of him that much, he is vengeful and his heart full of rage because of what the King took from him during the Great Purge. Sometimes, she wondered how life would've been like today if she never smuggled him out of Camelot when he was a boy after he attempted to save his parents from the flames. This is their third encounter.

          "And I am forever grateful for what you did for me when I was a child" He paused momentarily, as if reminiscing. "Seven years. Has it really been that long?"

          She nodded and then said, "I have no intentions to be rude, but I'm sorry, it is very late and my daughter is sleeping. I don't want her wake up as she has an early start. Shouldn't this wait until morning?" She was telling the truth because Jenny did informed her that she'd have an early start so she can go to the castle to make deliveries for Morgana Pendragon.

          "I assure you this will not take long, where would you like to talk? Out here or in there" He gestured her place. Myriam was reluctant to respond, she was worried that Jenny might wake up if they speak inside her home and feared for any townsfolk nearby hearing them. Surely, none of them are up at this hour and Jenny was a bit of a heavy sleeper. So, she gestured the young man to come inside and he did so almost quietly. His steps were quiet and hopefully Jenny's dog won't sense the man from Jenny's closed room. "Speaking of your daughter, how is she?" He made his place by the table and she also sat across the table from him.

          "She's been well," Myriam answered almost coldly, "I hope you didn't come all the way here about her"

          Edwin shook his head, "No, no . . . Although, I am glad to hear she's well" he spoke nothing momentarily, he glanced around his surroundings, seemingly examining the place then faced Myriam, exchanging a warm and welcoming smile. Myriam wasn't gonna lie, his smile didn't make his scarred face less intimidating at all and that made her not return any expression besides concern. "I've come here to tell you to do me a small favor— it's a simple one"

          Myriam went silent for a moment, already too nervous what it is. She had to ask first, "If I do this, will you never come back here?"

          "If it all goes to according to plan—perhaps" Edwin shrugged. "I wasn't asking by the way, I did you a big favor long ago when I cured your daughter and this favor will be simple and quick, then that'll be it"

          Myriam stared in concern, already dreading what it is, she heaved a sigh, "What is it then?"

          Edwin reached into his robe, into one of the pockets and pulled out a small wooden brown box with a bit of leathering detailed and strange carvings on it. He sit it down on the table and opened it, Myriam didn't see what was in it, only for the man to pull out a tiny black object between his two fingers and gently set the tiny object on the table in front of Myriam. She merely looked at it momentarily, hesitant to reach it, she did it almost carefully, it was so small like a tiny beetle, it was a small beetle but a seemingly fake one, it was like holding a small rock, Myriam was confused about this.

          "What do I do with this?"

          "Like I said, simple, all you have to do is get this into the castle, specifically Morgana Pendragon's chambers—and without anyone ever noticing it"

          Myriam squeezed her brows together in confusion, she began to suspect that this fake beetle might not be a fake beetle—or worse, full of poison perhaps? Has this man decided to go after the King's ward to hurt him out of revenge? She could care less of whatever happens to the King but Morgana? She has done nothing wrong, "Why Morgana?" even though, she tried not to ask or wonder. "What's going to happen to her?"

          "Oh, nothing, really . . . well, it'll only be temporary, but then it'll be like nothing had ever happened"

          She was baffled, wondering if she should question more, or maybe better off not knowing. Edwin was not asking her to do this, he was telling her to do so, she owed him tremendously for saving Jenny when she was a child. It's a debt she cannot ignore, a debt that goes back and forth between the two, from saving him to saving her daughter and now this, a mere small favor this time. May the Gods forgive me for this and may the Gods not let any harm come to sweet Morgana.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Jenny woke to a smell from her mother's cooking, Dog's nose reached and sniffed on Jenny's face before giving her a lick as if telling her it was time to wake up. It was more of a 'wake up, I'm hungry and I need food' rude awakening from the dog. She brushed the dog's nose away from her face and slowly sat up. She changed her night gown to a periwinkle sleeved-gown that had white ivies embodied around the collar and the wrists. When she left her room, finding her mother standing by the stove and looking down at the hot pot.

          "G'morning mum" Jenny walked into the kitchen, she looked at the bouquet of white flowers on the table that looked new and freshly picked, these kind of flowers you don't see around Camelot, at least just outside of Camelot. She reached into one of the shelves at the top and grabbed the leftover raw meat that wasn't touched for cooking yesterday evening. She noticed her mother didn't respond her morning greet, so she said it again, "Good morning, mother!" This time, slightly raising her voice.

          Seemingly snapped out of her daze, her mother did made a little jump, "Oh! Yes, right! Good morning, darling" she laughed nervously.

          "You're still sleeping?"

          "Sleepless night" she chuckled lightly.

          Jenny did found her mother acting odd, "Okay," she said slowly before her dog reached for her hand that holding his food while softly growling. She placed the meat on a plate and then set it down on floor. "'Ere you go, you grumpy brute" she frowned at the dog.

          She stepped out of the house for a moment to check on her clothes she hung yesterday after washing them, she took them in and placed them in her room on her cot where she folded them. Not long after she finished folding her clean clothes, her mother called her, "Jenny, food's ready!" And she went to the kitchen to have breakfast.

          While she was breaking her fast, she could not help but to admire the flowers, even the sight of them brought an inspiration to make new gowns. "Zantedeschia" she muttered as she remembered what they're called.

          "Sorry?" Her mother said as she glanced up from her food, though her food was untouched.

          "Zantedeschia!" Jenny beamed, she gestured at the flowers, "Also known as Calla Lilies, I remember reading about them in one of Gaius's books, they often bloom in the early summer, they're poisonous but not severely, just make you ill in a way where you might have to stay in a loo for the longest time" it was not a joke at all, it was the truth, she let out a chuckle in attempt to make her mother laugh.

          Instead, her mother let out a nervous laugh, "Oh! You're very humorous, love"

          "Although, it is the truth about them being a not severely poisonous, just stomach aches and all, irritations when eating it raw . . . However, they can still be eaten when they're cooked, and I don't know why" Jenny furrowed her brows in wonder. "Anyway, what are you doing with them? You're definitely not planning on poisoning King Uther, do you? But I must not lie, it'll absolutely be a laugh when he does end up in a loo"

          Myriam chuckled dryly, "Jenny, no . . . And stop, please . . . And finish your breakfast" Jenny smiled in response and proceed to finish her breakfast while her mother went on, "Actually, they're for Morgana . . . I had just realized that I had never thanked her for saving you when that buffoon of a King—Uther imprisoned you for false accusations . . . Surely, you'll able to give them to her along with the deliveries you're making soon?"

          What happened with the plague was over a month ago, quite very late for her mother to thank Morgana. Though, Jenny was happy to do so. "Yes, of course! I'll give it to her"

          "Thank you . . . And be sure to warn her to not eat them" Myriam said humorously, to which Jenny replied with a laugh.

          Cedric arrived the Oakhearts' home in the right timing when Jenny was about to leave and make her way to the castle, she wasn't going to able to carry a dozen of gowns and a bouquet of calla lilies all the way to the palace. Cedric carried the flowers while Jenny had the gowns. The day was warm and bright, beautiful that it brought Jenny's delight.

          "How lovely it would be if you bring those to Morgana yourself and she thinks they're from you?" Jenny mused as she gestured at the flowers Cedric was carrying in his arm.

          Cedric flushed, peevishly sighed, "Jenny . . . this is the kind of moment where I just imagine you face-planted on a pile of horse feces and everyone laughs at you and you're crying hysterically and I would laugh even harder than ever before"

          Jenny frowned at him, before letting out a chuckle, "Although, I won't lie, it is a funny image"

          The town had come alive, townsfolk up and about, going market to market, in and out of the town, doing their errands, a lot of their acquaintances greeted their mornings to the auburn-haired girl and her friend as they walked across the town and a few knights-in-training reminding Cedric of their gambling taking place in the pub tonight.

          Before they entered the gates of the castle's Main Square, they met with Guinevere who was on her way as well to the palace and start working. She approached Jenny and Cedric, "Good morning, Jenny, Cedric" she greeted with a warm and joined Cedric's side.

          "Good morning" Jenny greeted back while Cedric return a smile.

          "Those are very beautiful, Cedric" Gwen complimented on the flowers Cedric was holding. "Morgana is going to love them!"

          Jenny giggled while Cedric flushed and groaned, "They're not—" he halted, so did the girls, he stood between the girls, he sighed sharply, he turned to Gwen, "Now that you're here and assuming you're on your way to Morgana, you can take these—" he didn't even wait for Gwen to take them, he just reached out the flowers on Gwen's face, forced to take them and began to walk back into the marketplace, "I will see you two around!"

          Both Gwen and Jenny exchanged glances, smiling before laughing together and made their way to the castle. "Morgana would've been truly delighted if he delivered these to her himself. She has been talking about him a lot recently"

          "Yes, and he speaks of her sometimes as well"

          Gwen laughed softly, "So, who are these for? I hardly see these around nearby"

          "For Morgana, they're from my mum, as a gratitude for what Morgana did for me during the plague" Jenny answered. "A bit late of her to show her thanks"

          The palace was usually busy at this hour, servants and handmaidens walking about around the castle, cleaning the banquet, chambers and the corridors, servants delivering meals to the bedchambers and the dining rooms.

          When the girls arrived Morgana's bedchamber, she was already up and even dressed in a dark shade purple silks. "G'morning Morgana" Jenny said as she entered the room with Gwen at her trail.

          "Morning, Jenny. Morning, Gwen" Morgana said back, her attention was on the bouquet of while flowers Gwen was carrying. Gwen set them down on the table while Jenny hung the gowns on Morgana's wardrobe. "Oh, those are very lovely!" she complimented on the flowers.

          "They're gift for you . . . from my mother" Jenny said while hanging the last gown up. "says she never got to say her thanks, about the whole—when the King imprisoned me during the plague"

          "You know, I can't recall a time where your mother sent me gifts before . . . or perhaps she has. However, this is a lovely gesture, give her my thanks and tell her that I love them"

          "Will do" after Jenny put the gown in display for Morgana to see, she took a step back to view them, placed her hands on her hips, "See anything you like to try on first?"

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          The next day, something unfortunate happened, Jenny learned the news from Guinevere that Morgana Pendragon had fallen ill, she never woke up that morning, Gwen had tried to wake her up before alerting help. They had tried almost everything to wake her up but had remained in a comatose state and unresponsive, like she was barely alive. Jenny spent that day doing nothing but worried for Morgana. Even her mother was seemingly worried.

          In truth, Myriam could not help but to feel an immense guilt, couldn't help to feel responsible for Morgana's illness, how Edwin assured her that nothing would happen to Morgana. She wanted to see Gaius and tell him the truth and warn of Edwin's return.

          When night fell, Jenny was asleep, Myriam left her home and had made her way to the castle to tell Gaius. The town was quiet that night except for the pub where it was full of off-duty knights all drunk and gambling. However, before she reached the walls of the palace, toward the entrance of the Main Square, a hooded-cloaked man walked into the road ahead of her, stopped in the middle and blocking her. She immediately knew it was Edwin.

          She halted, almost in fear but also a hint of anger. He spoke first, "Going to warn the King?"

          She wasn't going to the King. She didn't answer, instead she said, "You told me nothing will happen to Morgana"

          "And I also told you that it's temporary, what's happening to her is not permanent" Edwin reminded.

          "Why did it had to be her? She has done nothing wrong"

          "No need to fret, old friend" he assured, "I will be making my appearance tomorrow and I'll cure Morgana— like I said before, it'll be like nothing happened" he then stepped aside, "Although, I will not mind if you're going to the King right now and tell him about me and what I did to his ward"

          Myriam was confused, her brows furrowed, hesitant and she still didn't move.

          "And of course, when he has me arrested, I'll tell him you're involved with poisoning his ward, also about how you saved me by smuggling me out of this place when I was a child, I don't know what kind of trouble you'd get for smuggling a Druid boy all those years ago" he warned, "and I'll also tell him how you summoned me seven years ago when I cured your daughter"

          The woman felt nothing but fear and anger. Feared only for Jenny if Myriam was arrested, likely executed and Jenny would end up all alone. Angry at Edwin for threatening to expose her crimes. Old friend, he called her. He was no friend of her's, he hasn't been for a very long time, he's merely just a man who she once saved when he was a boy during the Great Purge.

          Myriam offered no response to his threats. Instead, she replied coldly, "Have a good night, Edwin" then walked away, making her way back to her home. Leaving in bitter and shame.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          First thing that Jenny did in the morning after waking up was to have breakfast that her mother made, fed her dog and she was rushing like picking a random gown without thinking that wasn't likely washed for weeks and brushed her hair sloppily before braiding it. She wanted to go see Morgana with Guinevere, she didn't get a chance to visit her yesterday, it was too hectic within the palace, even with the King barely leaving Morgana's bedside while the court's physician did everything he could to wake the girl up.

          While she was attempting to eat quickly as she could, her mother said, "Jenny . . ."

          "I have to go see Morgana, Gwen might be waiting for me right now and Cedric will be here any second"

          Her mother said nothing momentarily, feeling heavy guilt without the girl realizing, "Perhaps we should go hunting, take your mind off for a bit, have a break from . . . stress and all. Maybe visit the Oldstones"

          Jenny didn't look at her mother, "That would be nice—but perhaps soon, maybe after Morgana wakes up and gets better"

          "Of course," her mother responded softly.

          Once she finished breaking her fast, she left her home with the dog on her trail and before arriving the marketplace, she met with Cedric, he had a bouquet of white roses and Jenny guessed those are for Morgana. Jenny did mentioned to him once that white roses were Morgana's favorite and it wasn't surprising that he remembered.

          "She would really love those" Jenny commented, she could hardly cheer up herself because of under the circumstances within the palace.

          "Got them right, did I?" Cedric asked, "I wasn't quite sure, there were multiple options of white ones in Jayne's market"

          "Oh you got them all right"

          "This is just a gesture of 'get well soon' or something . . . that's if she ever—" Cedric paused and let out a long sigh.

          "She'll be okay, Gaius will figure something out soon" Jenny still lingered on hope.

          "I've got to be honest with you, Jenny. When you still get your hopes up at the times like this, you're never really wrong"

          When they arrived the Main Square of the palace, Guinevere was there by the main entrance of the castle, waiting for Jenny and Cedric. The three of them were on their way to Morgana's bedchambers, but when they arrived in hall with Griffin Staircase that lead straight to Morgana's chambers, Merlin was sitting on one of the steps, seemingly anxiously waiting anxiously. He was quick to get on his feet when Jenny, Gwen and Cedric arrived the hall.

          "What's the word?" Gwen asked him, "Anything?"

          "Gaius is up there right now with Arthur and Uther, I'd wait here until he comes back, he doesn't any visitors interrupting him" he implied.

          "This doesn't make sense," Jenny muttered, "I mean, she was fine two days ago, completely fine all day and all of a sudden, she falls ill and never wakes up"

          "I suppose there are still a lot of things that are yet to make sense" Cedric said. "How are Uther and Arthur?"

          "Uther is losing his mind, of course" Merlin said, "Arthur is—well, worried as much as we all do"

          Footsteps were heard coming down the stairs from Morgana's chambers, the four of them glanced up the stairs and it was Gaius walking down. Gwen approached forward, "Is she any better?"

          Gaius shook his head no in response. Then Jenny asked, "Is it okay now if we could come up to see her?"

          "Yes, go on"

          Jenny followed Gwen up the staircase while Cedric was at their trail and Merlin stayed behind with Gaius. Before they entered the chambers, the King had come out, Gwen, Jenny and Cedric stepped aside to make way for him as he exited, he made no eye contact with either of them, he just walked by them without a word. Once the King was out of their sight, the three of them went inside the chambers and found the Prince standing by Morgana's bed—he seemed to be thinking, like trying to figure out a solution. There was Morgana, on the bed, unconscious, still in her night gown and so very still. She looked like she was actually sleeping, peacefully. The room's candles were still lit, the curtains haven't been drawn yet, the trays of food left untouched or yet eaten on the table that were left for Morgana in case she wakes up. This chambers didn't look alive and bright as it always did every morning.

          Jenny said nothing as she stood over Morgana's bed, Gwen had given an empty vase to Cedric for the flowers he brought for Morgana and he set it on the nightstand. She'd really loved those white rose, she'd swoon because they're from Cedric.

          "Should I let the light in, my lord?" Gwen asked the Prince, "Morgana always likes the sunlight into the room"

          The Prince lightly shook his face, as if out of daze, "Uhm—you can do whatever you usually do" he said.

          Gwen pulled the curtains aside to let the light in while Jenny helped with the other window in the corner of the room, the windows faced the entire Main Square, the main entrance of the castle, Morgana always looked out one of these windows whenever the guests arrived. When Jenny pulled the curtains aside, she glanced out the window for a moment, before noticing someone strange in the courtyard, standing in the middle of the yard, gazing up towards her way, this strange person wore dark greys and a hood over their head, she couldn't really tell if it was a man or woman from where she was standing. She did find it odd for a stranger to gaze at Morgana's chambers from the courtyard, could be a tourist, a traveler coming to sightseeing. For now, she brushed it off and proceed to help Gwen to clean the room.

          Jenny insisted of taking the yesterday's food down to the kitchens, she carried the tray while Cedric followed who was on his way out of the palace to head back home and Gwen stayed behind with Morgana. Before she arrived the kitchens, she snagged a cold meat from one of the plates, wrapped it around in her own handkerchief that was hung around her belt. After she dropped of the tray in the kitchens, she made her way out of the palace and was heading on home. When she was outside, her dog was waiting by the gates and he ran to her the second he saw her coming out of the palace. But before the dog reached her, he suddenly halted, glanced toward across the courtyard toward Jenny's right. She looked where the dog was looking as he started to growl and let out an aggressive bark until Jenny shushed him. He was growling at the strange hooded person she saw earlier, speaking with Arthur Pendragon. Jenny did approached forward, closely enough to hear them speaking . . .

          "—I beg an audience with the King" the strange hooded person said, it was a man.

          "Our court has a physician" Arthur brushed him off and was walking back into the palace.

          "I hear the Lady Morgana was gravely ill" the strange man uttered.

          Arthur stopped and turned back around at the man, "That is no concern of yours"

          "I might be able to help her" the man offered.

          "Our physician has the matter in hand" Arthur turned and walked away again.

          "I will be at the Inn, in case you change your mind"

          Arthur didn't stop, he proceeded into the castle without looking back or said a word. The man turned around and was on his way out of the Main Square until Jenny staring at him caught his attention. For some strange reason, she could not look away, there was an ambiguous feeling when she looked at the face of the man, dirty blonde hair, half of his face scarred that looked like they were from flames, he looked somehow . . . familiar. But she couldn't recall where she had seen him before.

          "I get that expression a lot," the man stated, "a lot of children get terrified of me when they look at my face"

          "I'm sorry for staring. I didn't mean to be rude" she said, "It's just that—I'm sorry, have we met before?"

          "Would you ever forget a face like this?" the man expressed a smile, it was more of a smug or a smirk. "I doubt we met, my name's Edwin Muriden"

          The name was indeed not familiar, she never heard of the name before, it's definitely the face that bugged her and why it was so familiar. Maybe he'd be familiar with her if she said her name, "I'm Jenny, Jenny Oakheart"

          "Oakheart . . . Jenny," he repeated, he said it as if he heard that name before, it was a moment of pause before saying "No, never heard of an Oakheart"

          Jenny pretended to look dumbfounded as she said, "Perhaps not, that's my mistake. Please, accept my apology, sir"

          "No need, you did nothing wrong" he smiled—a kind one this time. With that, he walked away, on his way out of the Main Square.

          The dog growled at Edwin Muriden again, Jenny held onto the dog by his collar, almost anxious that the dog might chase after the man. "It's fine," she cooed, she stepped back until she reached the staircase, pulling the dog and she sat down on the first step, "Let's stay here for a bit, until that scary man is far enough, then we'll go home" she then fed the dog the cold meat she snagged from the leftovers earlier.

          Before the sun settled for the night, Myriam made dinner for her and Jenny, the girl hadn't been herself since Morgana fell ill and it sadden Myriam to see. Jenny's smile and enthusiasm was like a light to Myriam's life, as the matter of fact, Jenny is her light, she has been since the day she found her at the ruins of Oldstones. How life could've been like today without Jenny.

          "Are you okay, love?" Myriam asked her, "I know it's been rough since yesterday because of Morgana"

          "I'm okay," Jenny responded softly, she didn't speak momentarily, she wondered about that man, Edwin Muriden she met today. "Mum . . . Did we ever—I mean . . . have you ever heard of someone name, Edwin Muriden?"

          Myriam made no reaction, she merely swallowed down her food and her heart thumped against her chest as she made no response for a moment. Looking as if she was thinking, pretending she was attempting to remember, offering the truth about Edwin, how he saved Jenny's life would do no harm as long as she avoid using the term, magic. And avoid how she once saved his life during the Great Purge and how he is the cause of Morgana's illness. She could be telling Jenny half of the truth, so she decided to give in. "Did you see him?"

          "I met him today at the Main Square, I heard him talking to Prince Arthur, said he wants to help Morgana"

          Myriam hoped that this half truth she is about to tell her won't do harm between the two, Myriam sighed, "Yes, I've heard of him before. As the matter of fact, I met him before—well, we met him before"

          Jenny furrowed her brows in confusion, "We did?" So, she did meet the man before, "When was it?"

          "That time when you were sick," her mother answered, "I feared that you were going to die and I met him at the tavern, he said he could cure you . . . and he did"

          Then Jenny felt a shred of hope for Morgana, if this man cured Jenny once, perhaps he'll do the same for Morgana. That's if Gaius won't able to figure out the solution. Perhaps Jenny was unable to remember Edwin because she was too sick to remember, she only remember being too ill and weak she was. "Do you think he'd able to help Morgana like he helped me?" Jenny asked.

          Myriam didn't say anything for a moment, she hesitantly shrugged, "What you had was different from what Morgana has . . . " Though she knew Edwin will able to help Morgana, she just didn't trust Edwin, "He can't help her unless the King allows him to"

          Jenny said nothing else, she hoped that this, Edwin Muriden helps Morgana and hoped that Uther Pendragon allows him to help her.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          A few days of no work was long enough for Jenny to have a break, she decided to go back selling her handcrafted and sewn gowns in the marketplace the very next day. All in while eager to hear any news of Morgana, she'd keep an eye out for either Cedric or Gwen or Merlin come running to her to share the news. Hoping for some good news.

          It was early noon when Cedric arrived the marketplace, his arrival at this time of hour usually meant lunch break was near. Jenny was quick to ask, "Have you come from the palace?"

          Cedric nodded while remaining expressionless and leaning forward onto Jenny's stand "Yes . . . "

          "Have you heard any news about Morgana?"

          Cedric nodded. It's the way he looked that scared her.

          "And?" She felt the torture from the anticipation.

          He then smiled, "She's awake"

          An instant joy rushed through Jenny, bringing her to a huge relief, "That's great!" she uttered as she smiled wide before smacking him on his arm "And don't ever give me that look again next time when you share the news like this, you really scared me for a moment there"

          Jenny spent the rest of the day in the marketplace, of course she was anxious to see Morgana but she had to wait until tomorrow morning, the day was already losing light and she wouldn't have the time to head to the palace, she assumed neither Morgana would have the time for visitors. She wondered if it was Gaius who finally figured out to wake Morgana . . . Or if it was that man she met yesterday, Edwin.

          Jenny had been exhausted that she went to bed early that night meanwhile Myriam could not sleep no matter how hard she tried. To hear the news that Morgana had woken up was indeed a great news, but she knew it was Edwin who cured her, how all of it was part of his scheming, she had also heard that he had been welcomed into the palace as a guest, she knew he was there for revenge and to attempt to kill the King. She was never fond of the King, though she respected the Prince and his ward, both of them had shown mercy and kindness toward her daughter. She could not bear the thought of the Prince losing his father and the ward losing her father figure. So, she decided to warn Gaius.

          Hopefully, this time Edwin doesn't see her.

          The grounds of Camelot was almost empty, drunken men walking around the streets, going in and out of the tavern and knights strolling around, keeping their eyes out. It wasn't midnight yet and neither curfew. She still had to stay in shadows, in case of Edwin as she was on her way to the castle.

          When Myriam managed to make it to the castle, she went into the one of the entrances that lead closer to Gaius's chambers without being seen by the guard around the castle. She made it to Gaius's door, she knocked softly before going inside the chambers.

          Gaius was already on his cot, ready to sleep, he was reading a book, he was surprised to see Myriam at this hour of the night that he sat up almost right away. "Myriam? Wh—what brings you here at this hour? If the guards sees you within the palace—"

          "I know, I know . . . But I had to come, I've tried to come the night before but—" she walked over and sat down on a chair near Gaius's cot. She glanced across the room, looking at the door that lead to Merlin's room. "Is Merlin sleeping?" She asked softly.

          "Most likely, why?"

          "Nothing, it's just . . . I came here to warn you and hope that you warn the King, but he cannot know it was from me, just don't tell him it was from me" Myriam paused.

          "Myriam?"

          "It's about that man— Edwin Muriden" she said. "He's not who he claims to be . . . He's— magic, his parents were sorcerers, they died during the Great Purge . . . Do you remember that boy I brought you to treat his burned wounds?"

          Gaius seemed to already knew where she was going with this information. "Yes"

          "That boy was Edwin and I was the one who helped him out of Camelot" she confessed.

          Gaius remembered clearly of the boy who jumped into the flames, trying to save his parents from being burned alive, sentenced to death by the orders of Uther Pendragon. There were times where he wondered what happened to that boy after he treated the boy's wounds, the knights searched for the boy but they never found him. Now he knows how he got out of Camelot safely. "Gregor and Jaden's son, that's him . . ."

          Myriam nodded, "I did something terrible . . . I was involved— with Morgana's sickness. I had no choice . . . Edwin . . . I always owe him. I saved him, he saved my daughter from that horrible sickness she had seven years ago . . . He threatened me if I tell Uther about he did to Morgana and what I think he's planning to do next, he'd tell him I was involved with Morgana's illness, especially when I saved him when he was a boy and how he saved Jenny"

          "His plan?" Gaius questioned.

          "Uther was responsible for Edwin's parents' death, what do you think he'll do?"

          Gaius sighed, "Nothing good, I'm afraid" he stood up from his cot, "Can I get you anything? Tea, water?"

          "I'm fine, thank you," Myriam stood up, "It's getting late, I worry Jenny might wake up and wonder where I am, I should get back home . . . I just come here to warn you about Edwin, hoping that . . . maybe Uther will listen to you, since you've been serving him loyal for a very long time, I assume he trusts you better"

          "I'll try and talk to him when I can" Gaius promised.

          "But you did not hear it from me" Myriam reminded, as it is her way of asking him that to never mention her.

          "I know" Gaius placed his hand on her back as he guided her toward the exit. "Be careful on your way out of the palace"

          Myriam opened the door and stepped out, "Always am. Good night, Gaius" she pulled her hood over her head and left, making her way back home quietly and cautiously.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Jenny and Gwen drew the curtains and let the daylight bring itself into Morgana's chambers, brightening the room while Morgana slowly sat up, she was greeted with 'good morning' by the girls. Gwen set up the breakfast meal on the table that was brought in by the kitchen servants, Morgana seated at the table while Jenny had the bed made.

          Jenny went over Morgana's wardrobe, "Which color are you feeling for today?" she asked Morgana.

          "Maybe one of the gowns you brought in a few days ago" Morgana answered.

          Jenny picked out the gown that she brought in a few days ago, all of them of silk and multiple dark shades of colors and she set them all on the bed in display.

          "Should I water these for you?" Gwen asked, holding a small vase of white roses. "They were from Cedric, were they?"

          Morgana's head lifted and glanced toward the nightstand by her bed. "Cedric?" she repeated.

          Gwen smiled, "Yes, he came to see you while you were sick and brought these for you"

          "Oh, did he?" Morgana couldn't contain her smile as she blushed then proceeded to eat her meal, "That's very . . . nice of him"

          Both Gwen and Jenny exchanged smiles. After the meal, Morgana picked a burgundy silk dress that came with a dark blue sheer blouse.

          "That man who cure you, is he still present here in the palace?" Gwen questioned.

          "Yes, he's staying in one of the guest rooms, Uther insisted and wants to reward him. We're actually seeing him in the Council Chamber soon" Morgana changed behind a divider.

          Gwen sighed as she expressed a concern look, "I know he cured you . . . But . . . I'm not sure if he should be trusted"

          Jenny was puzzled as she looked at Gwen, "What makes you say that?"

          Gwen hesitated, she seemed to be thinking of saying whatever she wanted to say, "I just got a bad feeling about him"

          Jenny had to admit, when she met him a few days ago in the Main Square, she had that gut feeling, perhaps a similar feeling that Gwen has, she remember how her Rottweiler dog reacted towards Edwin Muriden, how agitated her dog was. "I'll admit, he is a bit . . . odd" she was hesitant to bring up what her mother told her about how she was cured once, but she'd feel like she'd be defending him which she was reluctant to do so.

          "Why do you think he's odd, Jenny?" Morgana asked, she tossed her nightgown over the divider wall.

          Jenny didn't answer for a moment, she shrugged then replied with uncertainty, "My dog didn't like him when we encountered him yesterday at the Main Square"

          Morgana laughed softly, "Your dog?"

          "He has a really good sense of character" Jenny said innocently.

          "You're both worried, I understand" Morgana walked around the wall divider and revealed the gown she was wearing. "Even though he cured me but . . . I have yet to trust him . . . Now, what do you think?" She asked of the gown as she walked to the mirror.

          "Exquisite, as usual" Gwen smiled. "Always outdone yourself, Jenny"

          Jenny smiled at the compliment.

          Jenny didn't leave the castle until Morgana was summoned to the Council Chamber to accompany the King as they meet Edwin.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          The day in Camelot was sunny but cloudy and brisk. Clouds rolling by, shading the town consistently throughout the day. The town went on with their daily lives and Jenny went on about her business. Customers coming in and go, women and girls admiring her embroidery and the gowns.

          Her fingers pricked multiple times by the needle as she was embroidering a gown while working, townsfolk browsed at the dresses and tunics as the day continued on. It was an hour before work was done for the day when Merlin arrived, carrying a sack over his shoulders and dropped it on Jenny's table.

          "Donations from the palace?" Jenny asked as she stood up.

          "Yeah" Merlin said in gloom.

          "Why the long face?" Jenny wondered, grabbed the sack off the stand and set it down by her seat. Her dog had been laying under the stand, hiding in the shade from the sun, he began to sniff on the sack as if hoping for food.

          "You haven't heard?" Merlin asked.

          Jenny was confused, wrinkled her brows in perplex, "About what?"

          "Gaius has been sacked"

          Jenny felt an utter shock through her body that she let out, "What?! Why?"

          "Because of the mistake diagnosis he did on Morgana, which nearly got her killed" Merlin responded.

          "That seems . . . unfair— I mean, everyone makes a mistake. Gaius has been serving the King long before Morgana and Arthur were born. Not to mention, he's been serving them loyally" Jenny was confused and also slight upset. "And just like that? One mistake, then he's sacked"

          "I think it's also because he's— well, old" Merlin muttered, "I suppose King Uther has retire him and wants someone— young"

          She immediately thought of Edwin, who saved Morgana. Morgana mentioned of the reward that Uther wanted to offer. Jenny sighed dolefully, "Let me guess . . . Edwin?"

          Merlin nodded, "Though I have to admit, his . . . methods do seem quite impressive. But I'll miss Gaius"

          "Just because he's sacked doesn't mean he has to leave the Palace, or Camelot, can he?"

          The boy let out a doleful sigh, "He's leaving the Palace and he's planning on leaving Camelot today"

          Jenny didn't respond momentarily, she found the news a bit devastating, Gaius being sacked and leaving Camelot. She didn't want to believe it. "Where is he going to go?"

          "I don't know" Merlin shrugged, "I better head back, say my farewells to him before he leaves . . . I'll see you around"

          "I'll see you around" Jenny said and watched the boy leave until he wasn't in her sight.

          When evening was near, Jenny collected her things, get ready to go home and settle for the day. Before she went home, she saw Gaius speaking with Gwen. He had a white horse with him, carrying his belongings, Jenny realized that he was actually leaving.

          "Stay here, boy" She commanded her dog to stay put with her belongings and he obeyed as she walked ahead towards Gaius.

          "—I'm saying it to you because you can do something about it" Gwen said as Jenny approached them.

          "I can't" Gaius said.

          "So it is true, you're leaving" Jenny said.

          "Yes"

          "You shouldn't" Gwen muttered, "You think the same, don't you? Edwin's evil"

          It is all strange with everything that has happened the past couple of days, Morgana falling ill, Edwin shows up in the palace, cures Morgana, Gaius being forced to retire . . . Of course, Jenny learning that Edwin helped her before. It didn't feel that it was all a coincidence.

          "It's not that simple" Gaius said.

          "So you're going to turn your back on us?"

          "I have no choice. I'm sorry, Gwen"

          "In life you always have a choice. Sometimes it's easier to think that you don't"

          "Well, then. My choice is to leave"

          Gwen said nothing as she expressed a disappointing look. "Then we'll miss you" Jenny said almost mournfully.

          Gaius embraced both girls in a hug and they hugged him back. "Goodbye, Gaius" said Gwen.

          Both girls let him go, watched Gaius leaving, making his way out of town. With someone as Gaius's age, to leave town and on his own out there in the wilderness, Jenny was concern for him, she hopes and prays for him to stay safe.

          When she was home, supper was already prepared for her by her mother. Her mother noticed her how quiet and sad she was while they were eating.

          "What's wrong? Bad day?" her mother asked.

          Jenny realized that her mother doesn't know about Gaius being sacked and left town. "It's Gaius. He left town. He was forced to retire—more like sacked by the King"

          Her mother stopped eating, "Sacked? Why?"

          Jenny shook her head lightly then shrugged, "I assume it's all this—Muriden's fault. Since he showed up, things seem starting to change . . . I thought that after you told me he cured me before, I assume he's a good man, I may have been wrong. And I fear he has evil intentions"

          Her mother didn't respond at all, she had so much thoughts spiraling in her mind, all in while; worried. Myriam felt this was all her fault, she felt complicit to Edwin's intentions, she tried to warn Gaius but only for him to get fired, she felt it was her fault.

          Edwin needed to be stopped before he does something horrible.

          Myriam sighed, stood up, grabbed her cloak, "I have to go, I'll be back in a few hours" she said as she out on her coat.

          "What? Where are you going?" Jenny was confused.

          "I have something I have to do. I'll come back before late. Don't wait up for me"

          "But—" Jenny wanted to protest, demand where her mother was going, but she was in such hurry as if she was late for something. "—mother!" her mother was already gone. Baffled, Jenny was on her feet as she stared at the door, having questions in mind on why her mother left so sudden.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          The night was dark as Myriam rode a horse, she followed a road into the wilderness, she just followed the road that one of the civilians pointed to where Gaius had gone to. She hoped she didn't take a wrong turn and hoped that Gaius hasn't gone that far. The moon was not visible in the night sky tonight, it wasn't the clouds as millions of stars appeared. She carried a torch in her hand, the horse strolled on, following the trail while her eyes scanned left to right for any sign of light other than hers.

          It felt such a long time since she started searching before finally spotting a dimly light ahead of her. She gave a bit of a yank with her feet, signaling the horse to move faster. The source of a light was a bonfire, it was at the offside of the trail, she found a white horse next to a tree and ahead in a clearing was a man sitting by the bonfire. She immediately recognized the figure of a man belonging to Gaius. She halted the horse and she climbed down.

          Gaius shifted his head, glance over his shoulder when he heard Myriam approaching, he was surprised by her sudden appearance, "Myriam!" at the same time, almost happy to see her. "What are you doing here? It's nearly late"

          "I heard about what happened" Myriam sat down next to him, "I had to come . . . and to stop you. You cannot leave"

          "I didn't have a choice, Myriam. I tried, I tried to speak with Uther but . . . but Edwin threatened he'd expose a very important secret of mine that could get us both killed. Have our people closest to us killed"

          "But you can't let him win" Myriam said, "who knows what he'll do next if he successfully kills the King. Could be worse. Maybe the Prince will be next and maybe Morgana too. To kill the King's family like how Edwin's parents were killed by the orders of the King"

          Gaius made no response, but he knew she was right.

          "You must go back and stop him"

          "I don't know how I can stop him" Gaius replied.

          Myriam thought for a moment, remembered when she was young when Gaius performed magic—in many occasions. Long before magic was banned. "Whatever you have to do" she offered, "even if it's magic"

          Gaius sighed, "It's been a long time since—" he wasn't honest, he used magic almost recently, when Merlin was poisoned and he had to use magic to save the boy. "What if it's too late?"

          "Even if it is, he still has to stopped" Myriam stood up, offered her hand to him, "you can take my horse while I take yours back to the palace . . . I hope it is not too late"

          Gaius didn't think or hesitate. He took her hand, she helped him to get on his feet and guided him to her horse. "Thank you, Myriam . . . for coming to get me"

          The night had grown late when Myriam finally arrived to the palace with Gaius's horse and belongings. Hoping and praying that Gaius had stopped Edwin. No one was in his chambers when she went there, not even the boy, Merlin who stays with him. So, she waited in the chambers, waited and waited until it felt like it was taking forever and began to think that maybe Gaius was unable to stop the man.

          While thinking that everything might've failed, she was already planning on leaving Camelot either once she gets home or the very first thing in the morning, take Jenny and go as far away as possible, and to never see that man ever again. Who knows what was about to happen any moment if the King had died, or Prince Arthur, or Gaius, Camelot would had fallen in the hands of a sorcerer.

          Just as Myriam was about to leave and head home, the door opened and the boy, Merlin came in first, behind him was Gaius. Both looking exhausted but in smiles. To see Gaius was enough to tell Myriam that he had successfully stopped Edwin Muriden. She walked up to him and hugged him, "You're all right!"

          "I thought you'd be home by now" he replied.

          She let go, "I had to know . . . so you did it then? You stopped him?"

          "Well, it was all—"

          "Gaius!" Merlin uttered excitedly as they looked at the boy "Yes, it was all Gaius indeed. He even saved the King!"

          "That's good . . . that's great" Myriam was pleased, "and Edwin? Is he—?"

          Gaius reluctantly answered, "We did what we had to do to stop him"

          Myriam did felt a relief that she won't be seeing that man ever again, but she also felt guilt because that man was once a boy who she saved long ago. "I'm glad it's all over . . . I should get on home now . . . Good night, both of you" she looked at Gaius then at Merlin before she left.

───｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

          Jenny had an early start, prepared herself some breakfast while her mother was still in bed, assumed her mother arrived very late last night, Jenny couldn't wait up and fell asleep while waiting. She wondered where her mother had went and was almost impatient for answers. She couldn't bring herself to wake her up though, she imagined her mother was exhausted last night and she must let her rest more.

          The auburn-haired girl left her home to go to Lower Town and get errands. The day was sunny but cloudy, the townsfolk were already strolling around the marketplace and all over town. She was strolling from stall to stall, browsing around and figuring out what she and her mother need at home.

          While she was buying fruit from a stall, she didn't see Gwen approaching her until she nudged her arm, "Jenny, Jenny! Look who it is!" she pointed behind Jenny.

          She turned and glanced around until she spotted Gaius walking with Merlin. Jenny's heart swelled in joy that she and Gwen ran up to Gaius. Both girls embraced the old man in joy. "You came back!" Gwen uttered in delight.

          The girls let him go and looked at him, "What changed your mind?" Jenny asked.

          "Your mother came to me and found me" it was all Gaius said.

          "My mother?" Jenny was stunned. It was no wonder she left so sudden and in a hurry, why it took her until late at night to come home.

          "He's also got his job back" Merlin chirped.

          "That's great news!" Gwen was happy, "Wh—what about Edwin? Is he still there?"

          "Let's just say he's long gone"

          "Yes, yes, why don't you take over here, Merlin?" Gaius said, "Tell them what happened while I get the things from the marketplace"

          The physician left the boy to the girls to tell what happened. But of course, leaving the magic parts like how Merlin used it to stop the sorcerer and saved the King from an illness that could've killed him. The way everyone knows what happened was that both Merlin and Gaius stopped the sorcerer, then Gaius saved Uther Pendragon from the illness which reinstated Gaius as the court physician once again.

          And once again, all was well in Camelot . . .

          For now.

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ohmygod, an update! it's been over a year lmao but i know nobody really reads this anymore but i thought; 'eff it, i'll update it' even though it took me like a month to write this entire chapter and struggled how to do this storyline, not my fave episode too but i thought i give jenny's mom some more dialogue and give her more role into this book. . . anyway, idk when i'll update this again, watching the next episode didn't really give me much ideas for the next one besides the thought of giving jenny's bff cedric time to shine.. idk or maybe i'll skip the next episode?? idk, we'll see...