The Tyrant Queen
A/N: This is based on a dream I had, so I apologise if it is either random or extremely dark in some parts. My mind is a little messed up.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Eveana is the only character I have any claim to.
Warning: This will get dark. Morgana does take a bad path in life for this fic, and does some things she wouldn't normally.
Summary: When Uther believes his son is dead, he names Morgana as heir to the throne. Restoring magic to the kingdom, Morgana begins a reign of terrible cruelty and reduces those without magic to slaves. Only Merlin and Arthur can take back Camelot, with the help of new allies, old friends, and traitors to Morgana.
Chapter 1 – The Alliance Begins
Checking that Uther was still busy with the guards, Arthur leaned across the dinner table to whisper at his father's ward. "Morgana. Morgana. Morgana!"
The sixteen-year-old turned around to glare at her adopted brother. Despite living in the same castle as him for nearly six years, she still found him extremely irritating. "What is it now, Arthur?"
"I overheard the guards talking this evening," he said smugly. "You'll never guess what they were talking about."
"Oh, I don't know. Enlighten me, Arthur." Morgana took a sip of her wine.
"Father caught an elf earlier."
Morgana almost choked on her wine. A few loose curls slipped out of her braid as she spluttered, "You're joking! A real elf?"
Arthur nodded. "Not just any elf. Apparently it's the Elf Queen herself!"
Both children suddenly busied themselves with eating their dinner, for Uther had chosen that exact moment to join them at the table. He glanced suspiciously at the two of them, before tucking into his own food.
Morgana put her goblet down and laid a hand across her flat midriff. "My lord, may I excuse myself? I don't feel at all well."
"Of course, my dear," said Uther, patting her hand. "I hope you feel better soon. Would you like me to send Gaius up to you?"
"No, no, that won't be necessary," she replied hastily, aiming a kick at Arthur as she stood up. "I think I'll be fine just resting in my chambers." Morgana looked at Arthur as she placed particular emphasis on the last four words.
As Morgana left the room, she heard Arthur mutter, "Er, Father, I think I may retire to my chambers too. It's been a hard day's training, you know, and I, well, wouldn't like to sleep in tomorrow..."
"Aren't you just so sly?" snapped Morgana, as they were hurrying up to her chambers. "You're supposed to be the Prince of Camelot, with military training. Even Gwen would be better than you!"
They slipped into the room, and were greeted by a slightly confused Gwen. Morgana's nightgown was already in her arms, along with a matching dressing gown.
"I won't be needing that just now, Gwen. Arthur and I have something to discuss. You're welcome to join us."
Blushing, Gwen laid the clothes across a chair and perched herself on the edge of Morgana's bed. Arthur had already stretched himself across it, leaving little space for the girls.
"What's all this about then, Morgana?" yawned Arthur. He didn't notice the glare from his father's ward.
"I want to see the elf. And you're going to help me."
Morgana hurried down the stairs to the cells, wrapping her purple cloak further around her petite frame. For sixteen, she was a little on the small side, although Uther often said she made up for it in looks. Her heart leapt when she reached the entrance to the cells; the guards were already knocked out. Gwen had come up with the cunning plan of smuggling Morgana's sleeping potion into their ale. It meant a sleepless night, but it would have to do.
Most of the cells were empty, save for the uneven clumps of straw littering their floors. A few held sleeping prisoners, all balding men. It wasn't until Morgana reached the bigger cells, with more secure locks, that she found what she was looking for.
The girl in the cell stood in the middle of the floor, staring out the window with deep green eyes that stood out from her ivory skin. Her hair fell past her hips in loose waves the colour of dark chocolate, only just hiding the pointed ears. She wore a simple gown of green velvet, belted around her tiny waist and with slashes in the short sleeves. It clashed with the blue and red thread bracelets around her wrists. It looked as if this girl had been crafted from the earth itself.
"You're an elf," breathed Morgana. "You're really an elf."
The girl turned, and moved forward to the bars of the cell. Morgana noticed that her feet were bare.
"And you're human." Her voice was clear, each word carefully pronounced. "Yet I don't seek you out to stare at."
Morgana's pale cheeks filled with colour. "I'm sorry. It's just, I heard about you from my brother, and I wanted to speak to you. I've never met an elf before."
"I suppose I have nothing better to do." She sat cross legged on the ground, gesturing for Morgana to do likewise. "My name is Eveana."
"Lady Morgana of the House of Gorlois. How did you end up in Uther's dungeon?"
Eveana's soft features hardened for a moment. "My family and I were travelling back home when we stopped at Camelot to rest. Uther's men caught my sister using magic, and he gave the order to slaughter us in our sleep. My brother and I were the only two to escape, but I got separated from him. Uther found me last night trying to open the city gates with magic, and decided to make an example of me."
"An example of you? But why? Arthur said that you were Queen, but you can't be. You don't look much older than me."
"I'm almost three thousand years old." The corners of Eveana's mouth twitched at Morgana's expression. "Yes, I am Queen. My brother gave up his rights to the throne years ago, and with my father dead it leaves me to rule. Uther would find it a victory in his purge if such a powerful race were left without a leader."
Morgana looked at the ground. "He's sentenced you to death, hasn't he?"
Eveana nodded. "I am to be burned at dawn. My kingdom will dissolve into chaos without me there to rule. Eoghan swore that he would never reclaim his rights to the throne."
Morgana suddenly grinned as an idea struck her. "Eveana, your magic is powerful, isn't it? Powerful enough to break out of the cell?"
"Yes. The only reason I haven't tried is because it would be pointless. What would I do after that? I have no horse, and I can't run fast enough once the warning bells start."
"Leave it to me. Could you find your way to the stables once you break out?"
Morgana was surprised that no-one had yet stopped her. Both the stable hands and prison guards were now sleeping soundly thanks inadvertently to Gaius, and two of the best horses were missing. She seemed to have no end of luck that night, as she rode out of the city. Eveana whispered a few carefully chosen words and the gates swung open easily, letting them ride out into the forest. Both girls laughed in relief as they reached the forest, and were soon flying through trees.
Eveana soon brought them to a halt in a clearing, alighting from the horse in one elegant motion. Morgana followed, a little more uncoordinated. She took a cautious step backwards as three figures emerged from the trees before them.
"Eveana! I thought I'd never see you again!" The elf was caught up by one of the men, who Morgana realised was only a boy upon looking closer. He had the same features as Eveana, only his wavy hair stopped at his chin.
The boy turned to Morgana. "You have returned my sister to me, and a queen to an entire race. We are now in debt to you."
"He's right," said Eveana. "If there is ever anything I can assist you with, Morgana, I promise I will help you. You'll know how to find me."
Morgana was about to reply when a gust of wind blew her hair across her face. Scratching it away, her heart sank as she realised the four elves had vanished.
