Chapter 1

It was a windy spring day when Arthur Pendragon first laid eyes on Lady Morgana, daughter of Gorlois.

He remembered playing in the field dominated with green and yellow, running happily under the sun after he'd snuck out early of his daily scheduled sword training. He was only eight years old then, and had been far more interested in exploring his father's land rather than the politics or the discipline that Uther tried to instill in him early on in order to prepare him to be Camelot's best knight.

A voice called out to him and he instinctively tried to duck among the tall grass, seeking cover futilely. Soon enough the strong arm of one of the palace guards grabbed him and lifted him to his feet. "The king requests your presence immediately, sire," he told him somewhat respectfully, which Arthur only found amusing because the guard was holding his much too small frame in one hand as if he weighed nothing.

"Al-right," he sighed and followed the guard obediently, already wondering what kind of punishment he'd receive once his father was done with him. Still, it was worth it to steal what little freedom he could.

Sauntering among the halls, Arthur looked up at the too high ceiling and the towering pillars that dotted the entire palace. This place always seemed too big for him, although his father always told him one day he'd grow enough to fit there properly. That one day he, too, would be a king just like him, and that this entire land was going to be his to command.

Arthur still found the idea overwhelming, even if secretly he liked to play with his little crown and pretend he had subjects that would obey his every will (Mostly, though, he just told them to fetch him food and clean his boots). But when it came to the reality, he had to admit it was a little intimidating to inherit such responsibility. What did he know about ruling a land, really?

And now his father probably wanted to punish him because he was supposed to be learning to defend his kingdom instead of prancing about in the field.

The doors to throne room were opened, and standing up a little bit straighter, Arthur walked as confidently as he could into it, toward the king that was sitting upon his throne as per usual. To Arthur's surprise, he didn't look too displeased. In fact, he was smiling.

"Arthur, there you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. We mustn't keep our guest too long," Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot, stood up and patted his head.

Arthur was confused. Was he not here to be chided after all? "Guest?" he asked wonderingly. His father hadn't mentioned any expected guest this morning.

"Yes, I do hope you two will be able to get along. Bring her in," Uther signaled to one of the guards waiting by the door, and before Arthur could open his mouth to protest, a few seconds later a young girl who looked as if she was deathly afraid yet trying her best to appear brave was escorted inside. She held her chin up as she walked toward Arthur and Uther, proud and graceful as any real princess.

For a moment Arthur found the words that he'd been so ready to say caught in his throat. She was pretty—very pretty—with her blue-green eyes and thick raven hair and porcelain white skin. She glanced briefly at him, seemed unimpressed, then looked up expectantly at Uther. Arthur bristled at how easily the girl had dismissed him. He was the Crown Prince! How dare her.

"Arthur, this is Lady Morgana. Her father Gorlois was a good friend of mine, and he just passed away. Since she has no one in her life anymore, I have decided to take her as my ward and treat her as if she's my own child. And you'll treat her as if she's your sister. She's two years older than you, so you have to respect her." Uther then turned to face the girl. "Morgana, this is my only son, Arthur. I am sure both of you will be friends in no time."

Morgana did not look convinced by this reassurance at all, and neither was Arthur. His father had decided to adopt this girl? He'd have to live together with her for the rest of his life? Arthur scrunched up his nose in distaste. He didn't want a sister! He wanted a brother that he could play with; not some stuck-up girl who probably only liked to play with her dolls all day. Actually, no, scratch that. He didn't want any sibling. He liked being his father's only child. He was going to inherit the throne, was he not? And he certainly didn't like the fact that she was older than him. He'd better still be king with this… Morgana around.

"Well?" Uther nudged him when he still didn't say anything, and reluctantly Arthur bowed slightly to her.

"Welcome, Lady Morgana," he said as politely as he could. "We're very happy to have you here."

Morgana curtsied in return, her face still a mask of indifference. "Thank you for having me here. I am forever indebted to you, Your Majesty," she directed this last bit to Uther.

"Please, consider me as your new father, Morgana. I know I could never replace your real father, but I want us to be close. I want you to be happy here in Camelot," Uther smiled to her.

Arthur rolled his eyes at Uther's obvious adoring expression. Great, Morgana had been there for five minutes and his father was already doting on her. He was never this affectionate with Arthur—in fact, he was very strict and distant. Arthur found himself feeling jealous of Morgana already, even as he lamented the fact that she was a girl for the thousandth time.

She was going to make his life hell, he just knew it.