agirlofwinterfellâ:
She knows sheâs been sipping at Morganaâs own wine, but Arya has not been the same mischievous girl since she returned to Camelot. The same girl who sassed the crown prince, the King even, before biting her tongue at his reprimands.Â
âI shouldâve stopped him. Arthur was wearing chainmail, he wouldâve been fine, but stupid WillâŚâ Heâd always been too good, and Arya closes her eyes, taking a breath. Aryaâs eyes almost flash at Morganaâs comment on magic, but she manages to stop herself, feeling the need to throw something vanish. Will had told her to mind her temper, lest she lose it in front of the wrong people. Will had no magic, and even if he had, sheâd have let nothing happen to him. She failed that. How was she to protect Merlin and by extension Arthur when she couldnât protect Will? âI know I often claim myself to be Merlinâs only friend, but that was because it hurt too much to remember Will, and now he really is gone, My Lady.â She shouldnât have left in the first place. Just let Merlin come to Camelot⌠then what of Arya? Perhaps sheâd be dead too. âHe had more honor⌠he was the bravest, kindest person Iâve ever known.â And what had she done returning home? Yapped about Arthur and Morgana more than she should have.Â
Morgana had known loss, she had lost her parents in a horrible raid only to be forced to come to Camelot. Uther had told her how she had fought him every step of the way, but now she could barely remember her time before Camelot. Still, she couldnât begin to imagine what Arya was feeling.
Morgana stayed silent, an ache in her chest. Arya was so young, what could she have done? How could she have stopped Willâs death? Still, these were things that took time to heal over. It wasnât something that someone so young could easily get over, and all Morgana could do was feel sympathy for her. She felt useless, sitting here watching her friend hurt. âYou did all you could,â Morgana promised, yet she had no idea what Arya really could do. Not yet at least. Rather than try to reassure her anymore, Morgana wrapped her arms around Arya, giving her a gentle squeeze. âItâs awful, what youâre going through, darling. But you have all of us here to rely on. It may not be much, but itâs the best I can offer.â She murmured, stroking back her hair gently. âIâm sorry I canât do more. But Will will always be remembered as a hero, as the brave man you knew.â Perhaps that would be enough, for now.
