realityshifted | 001 [Many Miles from Camelot]

[The vase of flowers fell to the ground with a crash, sending daisies and shards of broken pottery scattering across the starry floor of the Plane. Guinevere was not a clumsy servant – clumsy servants didn’t last long in royal households, after all – but the shock of being pulled from one world to another was something that no one could prepare for.

She gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.]

… where am I? What manner of place is this?

[She’d picked the flowers that very morning, as a gift for the Lady Morgana. (Times had changed in Camelot, but Gwen’s affection for her mistress had not.) Had someone followed her back to the castle? Or had someone simply seen her enter the Queen’s chambers and made an incorrect assumption about her identity?

It didn’t matter. She was not in Camelot any more. Stepping away from the spreading puddle of water and speaking with a dignity beyond her station and her work worn clothing, she addressed her unseen captors.]

I do not know why you have brought me here, but there is nothing you can say that will make me betray my mistress. I will not help you.

[She would rather die than help them, though she did not say that. Any sorcerer who would kidnap her would have no qualms about granting such a wish.]

I cannot. [Her composure wavered. Though she was not ashamed of who or what she was, her life depended on convincing her captors that she was inconsequential. She could only hope that they did not already know of her close relationship with Morgana.] I am only a servant. I have nothing of value. I am not important. Keeping me here will not further your cause.

[She paused, waiting for an answer that did not come. Panic started to well up inside her once more.]

Please, listen to me! You do not have to do this! Arthur is a good king and a good man. If you wish to talk to him, I know he will listen ...

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[Morgana is in shock for a moment, shock to hear the voice she knows. And a little part of her aches at the danger this puts Gwen in, but the rest of her cares for nothing but to run to her maid and take her up in a hug, and damned be broken pottery and all the threats that come their way.]

Morgana!

[It was too late. Her mistress had already been captured.

For a moment, Gwen was too shocked - too horrified - to return the embrace at all. A moment later, she hugged back to assure herself that Morgana was all right in the circumstances.]

Where are we?

Edited 2011-05-06 21:35 (UTC)

There is no need for such a look. Neither of us will come to harm. [Morgana pauses for a moment and frowns. Is that really true?] But you must be cautious. I will explain what I can.

I don't understand ... I was in your chambers ...

Morgana, what's going on?

[She didn't look worried, but Gwen - still half convinced that they had been captured by a sorcerer - remained wary.]

If you will believe it, it is a kind of science. I thought I had been captured for ransom, but it isn't so. It is... [The frown that she was pushing away returns deeper.] In ways, it is worse than that.

[At the sole mention of the King of Camelot, Saga could put two and two together easily: if this lady is associated with Arthur, then she must be with Morgana all the same. Though, he still couldn't help but feel an abysmal guilt for what happened the last few days, trying to avoid seeing the Queen in person... at least for a while.

He appears behind Gwen, wearing his Gold Cloth and his white cloak behind and attached to his back.] Your King is fine, for all I know, so do not worry. [Now approaches her.] Just because you are a servant it does not make you less important.

[he's torn between gloating at compliments and reassuring Guinevere. Reassuring wins, for now]

Guinevere, calm down. You're not trapped in this place and can return home whenever you wish.

You talk too much. [Coldly spoken.]

This is a situation in which there is much to say.

[Arthur himself was the last person that Gwen had expected to see and she ducked her head in momentary embarrassment.]

Your majesty!

[She'd meant every word of what she had said, but she hadn't been speaking for the king's ears.]

How can we return to Camelot? I do not even know where we are.

[It was a prison without walls or bars, which made escape even more difficult. Though she did trust him. She had to believe him.]

Science? Not magic? [In a way, that made the situation even stranger. She expected magic to be dangerous and unpredictable.]

That is what I thought as well. [Though not for ransom, of course. To uncover what she knew.] When I saw that you were already here ...

[She shook her head, unable to adequately communicate how terrible that would have been.]

How can it be worse?

[Gwen spun around to face him, frightened but defiant for all that.]

Are you the one who brought me here?

[He had appeared out of nowhere. He could only be a sorcerer.]

[Chuckles.] I do not possess the ability to do so, I am afraid.

Welcome to the Astral Plane.

Then you are a prisoner as well?

I ... thank you, I think. I can't say I'm glad to be here.

Not exactly. Though we can go home at will with only a thought of it.

Most people here including myself had the same reaction, so it is okay.

I don't understand why they'd bring us here if we can return so easily.

[Oliver puts up his hands placatingly] Whoa, hey! Calm down! Nobody's after you for information about...[he blinks, realising what she just said, and his statement turns into more of a question]...King Arthur? You work for Morgana?

Yes, I am Queen Morgana's maid servant. I'm Guinevere. Gwen. [And she is understandably cautious.]

Ohhh! [grins] Nice to meet you, Gwen! I'm Oliver. Morgana and Arthur are probably around here somewhere. Well, assuming they're not back in your home right now...

Oh, and welcome to the Astral Plane! Uh...I know it's a bit overwhelming at first, but it's not so bad, really. Especially since you've got friends here already.

[She offers her hand to Gwen, to comfort her friend and also to reassure herself of Gwen's well-being and safety.] It is called the Astral Plane. We can return home at a thought, which is to me a kind of magic more powerful than any I have seen, but those here insist it is science instead. It is part of an experiment. We are part of an experiment. Though we may come and go freely, we are still subject to its dangers.

It's, well, it's a place between worlds. And I know how ridiculous that all sounds, believe me.

Returning home is as simple as a thought. Just think about returning and you will be there.

[It was usually the other way round. She was usually the one trying to comfort Morgana. Gwen took Morgana's hand without even thinking about it. She believed her. She had no reason not to.]

What sort of dangers?

And I am glad to meet you, even in these strange circumstances.

[She is still wary of the Plane itself, but she is a good enough judge of character to know that Oliver is not a danger.]

Do you know Arthur and Morgana well?

If you say it is so, then I believe you.

[Of course she does.]

And what about you? Will you remain here? [She is wondering how she can possibly summon help to such a place. Merlin will listen to her, certainly, as will Gaius and Leon, but that will be no use if they cannot reach their king.] Or can you escape just as easily?

[and out comes king prat, as he can't help but smirk a little, teasing]

I had no idea you were so concerned for my well-being, Guinevere.

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001 [Many Miles from Camelot]

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