The first February she had been in Camelot was a week after her arrival when she was 10 and Arthur was 9. Morgana had spent the 14th curled up in a chair with her doll, refusing to talk to anyone, except in monosyllabic answers.
Uther took pity on his ward and she was allowed to stay in her chambers instead of go to the Valentines Ball, where she'd doubtless be reminded of her father by some thoughtless guests, talking of the battle in which Gorlois had been killed.
Morgana had barely eaten for the whole week since her father's death and although she didn't feel like eating, she had to admit she was a little hungry. When her maid left the room, she took her chance and crept down the stairs outside her chambers to sneak off to the kitchens.
She was almost at the kitchen door when she rounded a corner and let out a startled gasp as she almost collided with Arthur. She'd only seen him three times since her arrival, as she'd spent all of her time alone in her chambers or the library, but they had been good friends since they were young due to her father's frequent visits to Camelot. Uther and Gorlois had been good friends and Morgana had spent many holidays at the huge, white castle of Camelot.
Arthur began to speak to her:
"What are you doing Morgana?" he sounded curious, not accusatory, but for some reason this annoyed her.
"Nothing."
"You are doing something, I know you are," The superiority he put on made her even more annoyed.
"You can't know what I'm doing, Arthur, because you're not me," she countered.
"So you are doing something."
"No I'm not."
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
"Not."
Morgana had almost forgotten what it was like to have a conversation with anyone that was more than about 3 words long. She'd forgotten how much fun it could be to have an argument and wind Arthur up. And she had definitely forgotten what an annoying prat Arthur could be.
"You're sneaking down to the kitchens aren't you?" he said, eyeing her suspiciously.
She wasn't going to let him know he'd guessed it that easily.
"No, I'm going to my chambers and you'd better go away Arthur Pendragon or I will kill you with my bare hands."
"But I want to be your friend; I don't want you to kill me. And - and anyway, you couldn't because you're such a sissy girl and I'm strong and a great fighter. Father says I'm the best."
She ignored the part about friendship completely, giving him the iciest glare she could manage. Turning on her heel she stormed off back to her chambers, ignoring her stomach's protests.
Curse Arthur and his father, she thought miserably. Morgana knew he was just showing off but she didn't care. She hated him and his swords and his horses and his stupid father. She didn't want to be his friend anymore let alone his half sister. She didn't want his father. She wanted her daddy.
Morgana squeezed her eyes closed as she thought of her poor daddy and tears poured out of them. She crawled into bed and lay there sobbing. It wasn't fair.
The door creaked open a few minutes later and Morgana ducked her head under the covers, feigning sleep. She heard tiptoes and then the door closing again. Cautiously she peeped out.
Something on her dressing table caught her eye and she went over to investigate. A small, heart-shaped cookie was lying there, obviously taken from the food at the Valentines Ball. Morgana picked it up and took a tentative nibble. It tasted sweet and cinnamon. She took another bite and another and several more until she'd finished it all. In spite of herself Morgana smiled. She had a good idea who that cookie had come from.
Looking at the crumbs on the dressing table, Morgana decided that maybe being Arthur's friend wasn't such a bad idea after all.