Morgana captures Camelot, with a loyal maidservant (well, a bit more than a maidservant) at her side.

I've always believed that Morgana was lesbian; it would make a lot of sense, because it would be another reason for her to feel alone and hate Uther, as well as explain why she really doesn't have any romance. However, I really ship Arwen, so no Morgwen for me.

Morgana's love interest is an OC, simply because Merlin has a shortage of good female characters.

This story also looks into some elements of homophobia and heteronormality, and it contains a fairly good (I think) representation of some of the challenges of being homosexual, as well as of well-meaning people who honestly just don't understand.

Enjoy!

They'd reached the throne room, and it was empty. The battle was as good as won. The king and queen must have run away by now… as well as their servants. She sighed as she reached for an arrow and quickly disposed of the red-clad guard that had entered and (stupidly) attempted to defend the throne. Of course, that implied that the king was still alive. Which he most likely was, as long as he was surrounded by his band of self-sacrificing idiots (meant most affectionately). She sighed again. Her lady would not be happy that the king was alive.

And she was right. Morgana's face was full of contempt as she ordered her soldiers to bring the king to her, and no one dared to do so much as look at her. But Artemis braved the storm, and stepped forward to place her hand comfortingly on the arm of the graceful figure.

"Milady," she said quietly. "It does not matter. The king has fled. We can deal with him later. For now, what matters is that you are queen."

"You don't understand!" cried Morgana, eyes wide. The look in her eyes was nearly insane. "He'll be back, and he and his stupid knights will drive me away like they always do, deny me my birthright and cast me into exile! But not this time! I refuse. No, this time, he shall be dead ere the sun rises twice."

At that moment, a soldier ran into the throne room. "Your Majesty," he announced. "We have apprehended the king and his comrades."

Her lady seemed to visibly deflate- just in time for me, Artemis thought, although she was nearly sure that Morgana wouldn't harm her. Maybe… thirty percent sure.

The new queen smiled coldly and approached the two thrones, her stride long and regal.

"My lady," (no, Morgana Pendragon was her lady, Artemis thought viciously) said Morgana's 'lieutenant', Aggravaine- a sniveling, ratlike man who also (as though he weren't disgusting enough already) fancied his mistress. Yes, that was good. His mistress. Her lady. "We shall have the second throne removed as soon as possible," he continued.

"No," said her lady quickly. "I want it here." Morgana had always been slightly eccentric, and those who would question her had long since learned their lesson.

The soldier, still standing in the doorway, coughed slightly. "Your-"

"I heard you the first time." Morgana smiled again. "Bring my dear brother here. I have missed him so terribly."

The soldier bowed and left.

Morgana looked at Artemis and smiled almost imperceptibly- a true smile, not the cold sneer she so often wore. Artemis's heart danced a little and she smiled back. Her lady regarded the thrones once more before sitting down on the one which, before today, had been the king's.

Artemis walked to stand at the side of her lady's throne, her proper place.

"Sit," said her lady, looking forward at the grand wooden doors, deep in thought.

The maidservant's heart beat in reverse. What could Morgana possibly have meant?

Aggravaine's eyes lit up in triumph, and he stepped forward, clearly thinking that his 'feelings' were requited, until his mistress finally tore her gaze from the doors and looked at him as if to say What do you want? He backed away, confused.

Now, her lady looked up at her. She was practically frozen in surprise and embarrassment.

"I… you mean me?" she asked, blushing and smiling in disbelief.

"Of course it's you," Morgana responded, giving her a full smile this time. "Who else would it be? I mean, who else took a sword to the gut for me? You deserve it. You always have."

Alright. Alright, then. Artemis walked over to the second throne, her steps so ungainly compared to her lady's effortless grace, and slowly sat down upon the throne of the royal consort. Aggravaine stared at her with a mixture of confusion and jealous anger. Morgana smiled at Artemis, but then frowned and lightly touched the base of her maidservant's bare neck.

"Where is it?" Morgana asked, concerned.

Artemis smiled and blushed even more, then lifted the quiver off of her back and set it on the floor beside the throne, took from it a promise ring on a silver chain, and clasped it around her neck. "What do you think, my lady?"

"It looks beautiful." Her lady placed her hand over Artemis's.

Artemis's eyes widened. She stared at Morgana in confusion, trying with the little magic which she had to mentally remind her lady that there were others watching, they were in public, this was not the right time. Her lady smiled and whispered, "I don't care. I'm the queen now. I can do whatever I want. Whoever I want," she added mischievously. "Do you mind?"

The maidservant didn't even hesitate. "No."

A/N: What did you think?

Please review!