[ Hello! :) Okay, so this storyline came to me one night and I started writing it straight away- I'd very much like to continue this story since I feel there is a lot of places I could with it, and I feel that the storyline hasn't really been done before. Of course, please tell me what you think in a review if you want me to keep on at this story, although I would very much like to but of course I won't if I don't get enough feedback since, what's the point? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this first chapter- if I do continue writing it then the next few chapters will be action packed, so you could say this chapter is the calm before the storm? ;) Enjoy! :D ]

Chapter 1

"Forced Decisions."

"Father, please!" Morgana begged, in the privacy of her bedchambers, as her father sat lumbered on her bed, whilst she paced back and forth, face painted with worried expressions and a broken disposition of unsettling rage. "Morgana, it's for the best- you'll see that." Gorlois explained, obviously anxious as his daughter's constant pacing. "The best?" Morgana said, stopping and turning to her father, raising her eyebrow. "How is marrying an utter stranger for the best!" Morgana half-cried in despair, as the thought made her squirm in disgust. "Arthur is not a stranger- you know him well." Gorlois told her, annoyed by her remark. "Yes, but not well enough to be his wife!" Morgana snapped back, although the rage was wiped away by how frightened and worried she was. "I had to marry your mother and I did not know her at all, you're lucky." Gorlois explained, trying to ease Morgana's worry. "I'm lucky?" Morgana said in disbelief. "Yes father, I'm sure you envy me terribly!" Morgana snapped sarcastically, as she sat on the stool of her vanity mirror. "It was different with you and mother, you loved her- did you not?" Morgana pleaded for it to be true, for her circumstances to be different. "We grew to love each other over time..." Gorlois admitted. "Like you will Arthur." Her father smiled, placing a hand on her forearm, to soothe her, but she shook it off and stood up again. "I could never grow to love that loathsome arrogant pig!" Morgana spoke down her nose in disgust, in anger- before she sat back down again and stared into her father's eyes, begging for him to understand that she did not want to do this. "Please... Please father, don't make me marry Arthur, I beg of you." She cried in despair, wanting not to be forced, for him to leave her be. "I will not make you." Gorlois said, placing a gloved hand on her shoulder. "But you will upset me greatly, Uther is a good man- it will break our friendship if I inform him that I do not want you to marry his son." Morgana sighed in defeat, she saw the disappointment in her father's eyes, she did not want to make him unhappy, to not make him proud- he wouldn't forget this, she knew of it. She broke the gaze, not wanting to meet his pleading eye. "You know Arthur, that in itself is better than most." Gorlois informed her, trying to change her mind. "You know the Pendragon's are good people, I would not push you in harms way, you know that." Gorlois told his daughter, urging her to know that it was for the best. "But I do not want to leave you." Morgana said, returning her gaze to her father's, she wanted him to notice that she was deeply upset more than anything at the thought of leaving her father. "You are a woman now." He told her, in a sort of chuckle as his hand cradled her face and his thumb stroked her cheek. "Once I leave tomorrow, I cannot come back- I will have to live in Camelot, share a bed with... Arthur- I don't want to." She said, staring at her father, knowing that the more she thought about it, the more she did not want to- she didn't want to leave home, to marry the Prestigious Prince or to leave her father. "My child, you are marrying a Prince- most women would die to take your place." Gorlois told her, with a warm tone. "Well then let them have it!" Morgana prompted with a hint of anger in her voice. "One day you will be Queen, can't you see that this is for the best?" Gorlois snapped, annoyed by his daughter's disapproval. "It's all happened too quickly, I barely have time to process it before I'll be wed." Morgana sighed, wanting for it all to end- for things to return to the way they were carefree. "Fine." Gorlois said, snapping his hand from Morgana's face violently, and standing up. "Father..." She begged, as he headed for the door- she did not want to upset her father, and she knew if she didn't obey him that he would be cold with her, she would be the cause for the betrayal of Uther and the broken friendship she would cause if she didn't obey her father's wishes. She sighed heavily, closing her eyes and opening her mouth to speak. "I will marry him." She told her father, as he reached for the door. "But I do not do so willingly." She admitted, looking up now, eyes open for her father to turn around and respond. "You will see in time, that it is for the best." Gorlois smiled, as he turned his head to her, giving a small nod before he left the room, leaving Morgana with her acquired sorrows that the day after next she would no longer be Morgana Le Fay, but Morgana Pendragon- the thought make her squirm in disgust.

"Morgana." Came the delicate knock on her bedroom door, before her handmaid Guinevere emerged from behind it. "Morgana." Guinevere commented again, only her tone was more shocked to find her Lady by the window, fully dressed and hair already done- as well as the bed made. "What are you doing up?" Guinevere asked, as she went over to empty her wash basin. "I couldn't sleep." Morgana admitted, as she played with the tassels of the curtains in her hand, absent-mindedly looking out the window. "Theres no need to be anxious, Milady." Guinevere soothed, turning to look at her as she emptied the water. "Oh, of course not- I just have the simple matter of being someone's wife within the next 24-hours." Morgana snapped sarcastically, making a face at Guinevere as she went over to her wardrobe, to see it was already emptied, everything was packed and ready to go. "Morgana." Guinevere ushered, rushing over to her and placing both her hands on her shoulders. "It's alright." Guinevere soothed, as she wrapped her arms around the distraught Morgana. "My mother was a maid for one of Uther's Knights, it was a good place- they treated her kind." Guinevere said, pulling away and smiling so she could see Morgana's face. "Yes, but I'm not a maid- am I?" Morgana snapped, but regretting the words as soon as they left her lips. "I'm sorry- I didn't mean it like that..." Morgana apologized, but Guinevere brushed her off. "I understand- but you must know theres nothing to be frightened about." Guinevere calmed, but the words were anything but warm to Morgana's ears. "I don't want to marry him Gwen." Morgana admitted finally, the horror and vulnerabilty clear in her eyes. "I know." Guinevere whispered as she hugged Morgana again, rocking slightly- she knew Morgana didn't want to marry Arthur, and it didn't matter what great fortune it brung, she didn't want it.

"Morgana!" Gorlois beamed, marching down the dining hall to greet her. "You're things are all packed up and ready to go, the coach is waiting- but first you must have a good strong breakfast, come." Gorlois grinned, as he placed his arm around Morgana and pulled her along to her seat. She winced when he said that all her things were packed, this was it- there was no going back. She sat down at her seat, feeling nausea as she glanced down at her full plate of bacon and such. "Are you alright my child? Have your nightmares returned?" Gorlois asked, peering his head around to see her face. "Yes." She whispered quietly. "Only, it feels like I'm still dreaming." She said, meeting her father's gaze, her face full of horror and despair. "Please..." She tried begging again, crumbling at the Breakfast table, feeling tears warm her eyes and stream rapidly down her face as she brought her hands up to lighten the sobs. Gorlois sighed and sat back in his seat. "You must stop all of this Morgana." He told her annoyed, but wanting to comfort her all the same. "I don't want to go." She muttered out through sobs, embarrassed that she was crying in front of her father and the standing servants, but she couldn't help it- she didn't want to leave her father, to leave her home- she didn't want things to change. "Please father." She begged, breaking down, wanting to flee from the dining room and to her bedchambers, but they were no longer hers, she would be pushed into Camelot- a place she could never call home. She sobbed, into her hands, before bringing her hands away and tried to swallow the painful lumps in her throat. "Please don't make me go." She tried to explain, though her voice was wavering on meltdown again. "You must do this, you cannot live here forever." Gorlois informed her, resting his hand on the table. "Why can't I? Why are you pushing me away?" Morgana asked, her voice shaky as she spoke, she felt as though her father no longer wanted to share a home with her, as though he were forcing her to go out and make a life for herself- foolish thoughts but thoughts all the same. "Good heavens Morgana, catch a grip of yourself!" Gorlois snapped, annoyed at his daughter for being so childish in times like these. "You are a woman now, you will marry, I cannot be there to hold your hand through the rest of your life!" He snarled, standing up and throwing his napkin down on the table with force and aggression. "I will wait for you in the carriage." He spat, before marching out of the dining hall and leaving a broken Morgana to blubber alone. The words cut through Morgana like a knife; they were harsh and cold, her father had never spoken to her in such a way, he wasn't his compassionate self. She sobbed and blubbered for a few moments longer, before she straightened up and swallowed her sobs, her voice shaking and on the verge of breaking down again, but she stoppered them none-the-less, before she too finally got up and walked from her home as Morgana LeFay for the very last time.

"Come on son, have you lost your appetite?" Uther urged at his son who sat beside him at the dining table. Arthur shook his head as he stared down at his large bowl of porridge, revolting. "You'll need your strength." Uther urged, as he dug into his buttered bread. "I'm not hungry." Arthur told him, as he pushed the bowl away. "Don't give me that..." Uther said, chewing his bread as he stared at his son. "I know you're nervous about tomorrow, but you cannot be like this when they arrive." Uther explained, trying to reason with his son, wanting Arthur to meet his eye- but Arthur could not his eyes to meet his father's. "What if I don't want to get married?" Arthur snapped through gritted teeth, meeting his father's gaze for the first time. "Nonsense." Uther commented, sitting back on his chair. "You'll offend the Lady Morgana, as well as cause a rivalry between her father and I- we wouldn't want that." Uther told him, as though it were common knowledge. "Yes, we wouldn't want that..." Arthur replied sarcastically, mostly speaking to himself rather that to his father. The two ate in silence, before the loud sound of a carriage and people talking caused them to make their way from the throne room, and to the entrance of the castle.

"Uther!" beamed Gorlois proudly, throwing his arms around his old Friend, as Morgana stood beside him, looking quite timid and pale- not wanting to meet the eye of the Prince standing beside the King, knowing that he would soon be her husband, and she would be forced to look at him in a way other than her friend. "Gorlois!" Uther replied as he chuckled, before going to kiss the hand of Morgana. "Morgana." He grinned, "My Lord." She said, giving a small curtsey looking very awkward and scared. "Welcome to Camelot." He smiled gently, but the words cut her like a knife, 'Welcome to Camelot'- welcome to your home- no, never! "Are you alright?" Came the concerned voice of the King, she had foolishly made her fearful thoughts apparent on her face. "Eh...Yes." She said, looking up to the King and giving a timid smile, before he smiled back approvingly. "I'll let you go get sorted- you must dine with my son and I tonight." Uther told both Gorlois and Morgana, slapping his old friend on the upper-arm. 'I must dine with you and my husband...' thought Morgana, giving a shudder, before Guinevere entered the hall and placed her arm around her waist, guiding her upstairs, to her bedroom. Her bedroom would be hers for one night and one night alone, for tomorrow she would have to share a bed with Arthur Pendragon, and perhaps do things she didn't want to think about- for the thought made her sick to her stomach.

"Morgana, if you aren't feeling well, I can excuse you from your feast tonight with the King." Guinevere told her Lady, as Morgana stood by the window, looking ghostly and pale, a shadow of her former self. "I can't be excused from marriage." Morgana spoke quietly, her voice shaky. "So, whats the point?" Morgana said, turning to face her maid, a worried expression painted on her face. Guinevere didn't like the way she was speaking, a hint of something in Morgana's voice scared her. "Morgana... You wouldn't do anything... foolish, now would you?" Guinevere asked her, wary of the answer. "And why shouldn't I?" Morgana said, the tone of her voice picking up as she walked towards her bed with anger. "Morgana..." Guinevere tired to usher. "No Gwen!" Morgana snapped. "You might envy me in some ways, of my dresses, my pretty things- but you can make your own choices in life and for that I envy you." Morgana spoke, walking towards her maid, her eyes flushed with fear. "You need to calm down." Guinevere told her, placing both her hands on her arms and pushing her to sit on the bed. "Do you want me to get the Court Physician to fix you a calming draught?" Guinevere said, ignoring Morgana's many words of worry. "No..." Morgana brushed off, looking away from her maid. "I'll be fine." She admitted, before she stood up and went to her wardrobe that was full of all her gowns, Uther had informed the servants to unpack all her things to this room, even for just one night- foolish really. "I'll need to get changed." Morgana swallowed, staring into her wardrobe, knowing that this was it, this was her fate there was no going back. "Yes!" Guinevere smiled, glad that Morgana seemed to be perky about the idea- she clearly didn't pick up the sadness in her voice. "What shall you wear?" Guinevere grinned, as she flicked through all her gowns. "i don't care." Morgana sighed as she went back to sitting on the bed. "Oh come on, you'll want something nice to please Arthur." Guinevere winked, all in bad taste. "I don't want to please Arthur!" Morgana spat at her maid in some form of disgust. "Do you think I care what he thinks?" Morgana snarled, as she furrowed her brows at her maid. "You're right, you're right- I'm sorry." Guinevere ushered, she didn't want to argue with Morgana at such a delicate time, and she regretted making the dig about Arthur now. "Perhaps the wine coloured gown?" Guinevere asked, looking to Morgana to find she didn't reply. "Right then." Guinevere sighed to herself, as she lifted the dress out and batted the ends, before she went and laid it over the changing screen. "I'll leave you then?" Guinevere asked. "Theres some fresh water in the water basin behind the screen, if you want to freshen up." Guinevere informed her with a sweet smile. "Hmm." Morgana replied, not listening to Guinevere, whilst Guinevere sighed and left the room, leaving Morgana with her thoughts.

Morgana pulled herself off the bed, the overwhelming feeling of wanting to cry washed over her, but she bit back the tears and chose not to think of her terrible fate, at least in her opinion but it was awfully hard since it was the first thing on her mind. Before long she went to get dressed, she washed and pulled on the wine coloured dress Guinevere had picked out for her, dreading the thought of having to go share a dining table with her future husband, she felt terribly uncomfortable around him now, she couldn't meet his gaze or barely utter a word to him, how was she going to be his wife?

"Milady?" Came the delicate voice of Guinevere as she knocked the door and came in. "You look breath-taking." Guinevere sighed, dream-like as she gazed at Morgana in her Wine coloured gown. Morgana frowned, normally she would relish in such compliments, but not tonight. "Come..." Guinevere smiled sweetly, guiding Morgana to the stool in front of her vanity mirror so she could do her hair. "Everything will be fine, you'll see." Guinevere soothed as she brought the soft brush through Morgana's long ravenous hair. "Everyone keeps saying that but I just can't see it..." Morgana sighed, gazing down at her lap, instead of wanting to look at herself in the mirror. "It's not all bad- could be worse!" Guinevere smiled brightly, wanting to lighten the mood. "Well, I'd say marrying an arrogant Prince would be the worst it could get." Morgana scoffed. "Ahh, but Prince! You'll be more than happy living in the lap of luxury!" Guinevere grinned, as she began to clip Morgana's hair in a half-up, half-down style with glorious silver clips that had dazzling rubies encrusted in them. "Money can't buy happiness Gwen." Morgana admitted with a sigh of defeat. "You never know, you might learn to love Arthur- I'm sure you will." Guinevere smiled gently, gazing down at her hair as she tied the clips in. "I could never learn to love such a selfish pig." Morgana snapped, and Guinevere fell silent- nothing she said was right, she didn't know what she could say to please her, so she decided to say nothing at all.

"You're father is waiting for you." Guinevere told Morgana, as she stood up. "You best make your way, you wouldn't want to be late." She told her, throwing in a warm smile that was not returned. "Here..." She sighed sadly, curling Morgana's wrap around her, before Morgana left the room with her face painted with anything but happiness.

"Morgana." Gorlois said, his voice husky as she made her way to the dining table. Arthur's heart pounced in his chest as she took the seat opposite him, why did everything seem so awkward between the two now? Oh yes- that was because they were being forced to marry each other in the morning. The Prince couldn't deny that the Lady Morgana looked truly breath-taking in her wine coloured gown and long, dazzling dark locks that sailed down her back and swayed like the motions of a waterfall when she moved. "Sorry for arriving late..." Morgana muttered quietly, stealing a glance of Arthur before she looked away awkwardly. "No need to apologize!" Uther boomed, a wide smile on his face as he chewed his meat and laughed along with his old friend. Morgana stared down at her plate, a gracious amount of vegetables and a generous helping of beef was placed on the golden dish, decorated beautifully with sauces and herbs alike- but her appetite was not hungering her, in fact the thought of chewing on the meat or munching on the vegetables made her want to throw up. She lifted her golden goblet and took a small sip of the wine within it, the lingering taste too sweet and with her upset stoamch from worry, it didn't go down to well. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to vomit washed over her, she felt too warm, flushed with heat as though she might faint if she sat hear a miniute longer. "Excuse me." She whispered through a wavering tone as she stood up and practically dashed from the dining hall. Uther looked away from Gorlois, his wide grin wiped with that of worry and concern. "Morgana!" Gorlois began, as he went to get up after her, but Arthur stood up and beat him to it. "I'll go." The Prince explained with a quick pull of the lips into a smile, before he walked out of the dining hall after her, in a slow pace since he didn't want to seem too desperate as to why she suddenly left, but he was as worried as everyone else.

He found Morgana outside, leaning over the all- looking down the steps to Camelot. "You know, I'd hate to think that the thought of marrying me made you want to vomit." Arthur joked, slowing his pace as he reached the top of the steps. Morgana jumped, not realising Arthur had followed her out. "Arthur..." She commented, turning around to see him emerge from the doors. "No, no..." She tried to make amends for what he thought. "It wasn't that, I just didn't feel well..." She lied, the thought of marriage alone made her feel faint and dizzy- marrying Arthur had a lot to contribute but it was the fact that she didn't want to get married at all, no matter who it was to. "I'm nervous to you know." He admitted, seeing right through her lies, as he took a seat on the top step. Se looked away from him, sighing- how unfair it was that the two of them were being forced into making decisions. "I-I just can't see you as my husband." She explained, or more-so admitted as she gazed out at the dark, night sky. "Am I not good-looking enough for you?" He joked, as he looked at her, waiting for her reaction. She turned to him, with a smirk prying on her lips- and for a second her saw the old Morgana flash back, but when he blinked the strong Morgana vanished, and he now saw the ghostly, timid shell that remained. He could tell she didn't want to do this, that she was frightened more than anything and that she had probably gotten into many arguments over the matter with her father, as he had- but in the end they both knew that they had to do it, had they not marry each other they would be forced to marry strangers, and knowing each other was much better than that. "I'm not ready to be a wife." She said, the word wife emphasized with much disgust. "Do you think the moment you say 'I do' you turn old, ugly and lose all care for yourself?" Arthur joked again, but a hint of truth remained in his voice. "I look at wives to be mature women, I do not see myself as a mature woman." Morgana admitted, making her way up to sit beside Arthur, she felt much more comfortable with her know. "I don't see myself ready to be King, but when that day comes I won't have a choice- mature or not." Arthur explained to her, trying to calm her mind. "You might not see yourself as mature, or look at yourself as woman, instead still a girl- but other's see you as the leading Lady you are." Arthur explained, with a soft smile as she took a seat next to him on the cold step. "You just have to get into the right state of mind, you have to believe you are ready- and you will be." Arthur concluded finally, feeling very wise and serious, something he wasn't used to. "Its easier said than done." Morgana sighed, like an impatient child. "It'll take time, but theres nothing to be scared of." Arthur reassured her, she wondered why he wasn't as upset by the matter as she was, did he want to marry her? Did her see her in that way? "You know we can no longer be like this anymore, after tomorrow." She admitted, somehow shuddering at the thought. "What do you mean?" He questioned, brows furrowed in confusion. "We'll be husband and wife, not old friends that reminisce over all times- we'll have to see each other in a loving way." She explained. "And I must admit, I have no desire to indulge in romantic gestures with you." She admitted, the thought she couldn't even process. "I know." He sighed in return. "But in time... hopefully." he commented, but she shook her head, somewhat violently. "No Arthur." She told him, seriously. "I can't, I can't even pretend to imagine it- the thought of sharing a bed with you makes me feel nausea." She admitted, her frightened tone returning. "Thanks..." He replied sarcastically, knowing it was not what she meant. "No, I'm sorry- I didn't mean it like that." She apologized, not getting panicked and worried. "Morgana, calm down, we'll take it one step at a time." He confessed, pulling both her arms to her side. "Come on, we best be getting inside." He explained, standing up and holding out a hand to help her up also. Morgana reluctantly accepted, before she followed him inside, but something told her that he had more feelings for her than he was letting on, feelings she didn't think she returned.