The beginning of the end! I don't want it to end, but all stories must, mustn't they?
Prologue
"Arise, Sir Mordred, Knight of Camelot."
Arthur smiled proudly down at the young man kneeling before him, never able to imagine before then that the small, helpless Druid boy he'd once saved many years ago would return to serve him as a knight of Camelot. Neither Mordred nor Arthur could ever forget the bravery Merlin, Morgana, and the now king had once shown in helping the young boy escape. If they hadn't, Arthur might not be alive at that moment to knight the promising young man who seemed so happy to be on the side of good now, despite all he had done and been through. Mordred had proved himself to be a great and brave warrior. And this was his reward.
Hermione smiled quaintly beside her husband, dressed in red to match him for this important ceremony, her eyes fixated on Mordred's face. There was something about him... so innocent, so caring, so loyal... but so very naive.
Arthur seemed convinced Mordred would become like him within a few years of hard training, and thus Hermione didn't want to seem distrustful of the new addition to the knights. Yet, Merlin seemed troubled about Mordred as well. The two magic folk kept their suspicions to themselves, never ones to want to tear Arthur down after all he had already undergone.
The ceremony was over just as quickly as it had started and the King and his Queen strolled out of the Throne Room down the corridor.
"I think Mordred has much to learn," Arthur told Hermione eagerly, "But he shows a lot of promise. I intend to make him a great knight."
"I am pleased that you're so excited about it," Hermione said cheerfully, reaching over to grasp his hand. He smiled softly and entwined his fingers with hers, rubbing his thumb gently on the top of her hand. "Just don't throw yourself in headfirst, Arthur."
"What do you mean?" Arthur's light brows went down and Hermione worried she'd chosen the wrong words.
"I just mean... you're so trusting, Arthur. And it's not a bad thing but... just tread carefully, my love."
"All right," Arthur agreed, still puzzled but not wanting to disappoint his beloved wife. They shared a quick kiss and then parted to attend to different things. Hermione turned the corner and knocked into someone.
"Oh, I'm so–" she stopped when she saw the victim to her clumsiness was Guinevere. Gwen shook it off and smiled primly at Hermione. "– sorry."
"No, the fault was all mine, Your Majesty," Guinevere disagreed politely.
"No, it was me," Hermione sighed. "I'm sorry. Please, don't let me interrupt you, you must have been going somewhere important. Are you going out of the castle?"
Hermione wasn't ever usually nosy, but Guinevere was usually helping with the laundry at this time.
"... Yes, My Lady, I am," Guinevere began lightly. "Supplies to pick up. Gaius wanted me to get some things since Merlin is busy."
Hermione nodded in approval, immediately feeling guilty for having been so suspicious. "Well, it's a nice day out, so enjoy the fresh air."
"I will, My Lady," Gwen smiled brightly, stepping past the queen to continue down her path, her smile replaced with a scowl. She went round the bend and her hood went up, covering her face as she stepped outside into the cool spring day.
"Morgana?" Guinevere asked once she was a good few minutes into the forest. A figure slipped around a tree trunk and approached, lowering their hood. Morgana. She beckoned Gwen over, hissed an incantation, and suddenly a hovel appeared off to the left. Guinevere's eyes widened.
"How did you do that?"
"A disillusionment charm," Morgana waved her hand absent-mindedly. "Keeps me hidden from people I don't care to see."
She led Gwen inside of her dark shack, and the maid examined all the trinkets, vials, and other magical oddities stashed around Morgana's home.
"So, have you any news of interest?" Morgana lounged by the crackling fire in a chair, using her dagger to carve into a half-finished project she'd left lying next to her.
"Mordred has been named a Knight of Camelot," Guinevere offered. Morgana glared at her wooden piece and her carving became more harsh and the wood started going jagged in spots.
"How sweet," she murmured sarcastically, blue eyes bright in annoyance. Gwen's eyes were traveling all around to take a good look at Morgana's magical trinkets and other essentials. "Anything else?"
"No, My Lady, not that I'm aware of," Guinevere admitted, entwining her bronzed fingers together distractedly.
"You may leave, then, Guinevere," Morgana dismissed her ally. "For future reference, it is important that we only meet for the most essential news. If you leave too often, people will grow... suspicious."
Guinevere nodded slowly, a little offended but knowing she hadn't really come with the most important revelations. Morgana looked up and offered Gwen a tight smile so as not to hurt her feelings further. Despite her hardened heart, loyalty was something Morgana valued highly, and it would never go unrewarded.
"Do not be upset, soon, I should hope, you will come to me with news that can be very useful," Morgana reassured her. "And you'll have proven your abilities. Now, go before anyone questions your whereabouts."
Guinevere brushed a black curl out of her face, curtsied hastily, and exited the hovel. She opened her mouth as the door shut behind her, wanting to say something, but when she turned around the hovel was gone once more. Guinevere stood, still in awe, and then revolved to leave. Magic was truly fascinating, though she had never been able to give it much thought for fear of the persecution that once accompanied it. The young woman never thought she'd hear herself think something like that, but it was easy to grow on magic when it was on your side. Maybe Morgana could teach her some. Why, if she learned a lot about magic, she'd finally be able to go face-to-face with Hermione and the Queen wouldn't have the upper hand any longer.
Guinevere couldn't help the satisfaction that surged through her at the idea. She wanted Hermione to feel tiny and worthless and ordinary.
Just as Guinevere felt.