Morgause stood in front of the mirror admiring how she looked in her armor. Camelot was hosting another jousting tournament inviting all of the bravest knights to come and show off their skills. She had been practicing since she was a young girl.
She had always dream of going against Arthur in a tournament. She picked up her lance, pretending to hurl it through someone's stomach. She suddenly was interrupted by the sound of someone coming in her room. Turning around she sees her mother with her usual look of disapproval on her face.
"What is it Mother?" She asked, slightly irritated. "You're a girl! Why can't you dress like a proper girl?" Her mother cried. Morgause rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'm entering the jousting completion in Camelot." She responded. A look of terror formed upon her mother's face.
"Morgause! That competition is for boys! Besides, what would your father say if he were alive? God bless his soul." Her mother cried, looking up at the ceiling, muttering more religious banter. "They won't know that I'm a lady if I wear my helmet!" Morgause said walking passed her and out of her room.
"Morgause, it's too dangerous! Besides, you can't travel to Camelot by yourself. You're a-" "-Lady...I understand, but mother you must trust me. I have been practicing ever since I was a little girl. Besides, I'm not going alone. Edward shall accompany me." Morgause interrupted, grabbing a loaf of bread and taking a bite out of it.
Morgause's mother gasped in horror as she watched her do this. "Heavens! Could you use a bloody knife instead of just biting into it?" Morgause's mother grabbed a nearby knife and slammed it down next to Morgause. A smirk formed across her lips. The woman's constant nagging annoyed her, however her overreacting was slightly humorous.
They heard a sudden knock on the door of their small, but cozy cottage. "Edward!" Morgause said, rushing to the door and opening it. There stood her childhood friend Edward, with his usual goofy grin. He had shoulder length black hair and blue eyes. He looked like a true warrior in his plate armor. "Are you ready to slay that royal pain in the arse?" Edward asked enthusiastically.
"A destiny I am prepared to fulfill." She responds bringing him into a quick hug. They talked amongst each other for a little longer but were soon interrupted by her mother. Turning around Morgause noticed her mother holding a cross necklace about to place it around her neck. "For protection...since you won't listen to a bloody thing I say." She began. Morgause stepped back, holding up her hand.
Her mother looked offended. "Your dare reject the lord? Your only salvation. The answer to-" "Mother you know that I prefer the old religion." Morgause interrupted. Edward smirked, walking back toward his horse, giving them their privacy. "Take warning. The end is near.." her mother began. After what seemed like an hour of a religious lecture, Edward and Morgause were on their way to Camelot.
They rode cautiously through the forest. Even though they were well trained in the art of sword fighting there were still bandits to worry about. Too many of them could more than likely over power the two. "What do you expect to gain when you win against Prince Arthur of Camelot?" Edward asked, looking over at her. A smirk formed on the corner of her lips.
"What amuses you?" He asked noticing her facial expression. "Satisfaction, I'd say. The look on his face when he finds out that he's been beaten by a lady." She replied. "It would kill him." Edward laughed. "What do you hope to gain out of this?" Morgause asked him.
"Honor. Strength. Reputation..." he began. Morgause rolled her eyes at his egotistical response. "The Lady Morgana's heart perhaps.." he went on. Morgause raised an eyebrow at these last words. "The Lady Morgana?" Morgause asked. "Surely you've heard of her?" Edward asked in surprise. "No of course I have heard of her. The village boys and girls talk of her all the time. They speak highly of her beauty." Morgause replied becoming strangely enthralled by their conversation.
"They speak the truth. For she is the fairest in all of the land." He goes on. Morgause cheeks suddenly turn red as she suddenly grows curious as to what this woman looks like. It scares her. Why did she suddenly take such an interest in this? She eventually dismissed it as innocent curiosity, speaking of numerous topics along the way.
The jousting tournament had gone by fast. It ended up being exactly how Morgause had expected it. It had been too easy. She had taken down a number of men. None of them knew that she was a girl. It was tied down to her and Arthur. As they hurried into their readied positions, she took a deep breath. This was it. Soon her and Arthur were charging toward each other holding their lances. She wouldn't lie.
She was terrified of how this would end. Arthur was highly skilled. He had a great advantage over her. However, she was skilled as well. She wouldn't let this doubt ruin her chances at winning the tournament. And so it didn't. She managed to cut Arthur, knocking him off of his horse.
The cheerful crowd fell silent. Morgause's blood went cold. She hoped that she hadn't hurt him too bad. About a minute later he stood to his feet, taking off his helmet and looking up at her. "What is your name?" Arthur asked. Morgause had to admit that she was nervous, but she wasn't going to show it. Morgause took a deep breath, deciding that it was time.
She pulled off her helmet, let her long blonde hair fall down her back. "Morgause your highness." She replied boldly. Arthur was completely taken aback by this. The crowd gasped in shock. "You're a lady?!" He said in shock. He looked completely embarrassed. Morgause fought back the urge to laugh. "Indeed I am. It was a pleasure your highness." She said holding out her hand for him to shake.
He hesitated for a while, before finally walking over and grabbing her hand into a firm shake. Too firm. Letting go he turned to the crowd and spoke."Ladies and gentlemen of Camelot, we have our champion." The crowd cheered vigorously, causing a Morgause to feel a rush of excitement. She had done it. She had beaten Arthur.
Regardless of what her mother said, she knew her father would be proud. She had been training ever since she was a child and her day had finally came. In the distance, she could see Edward giving her a thumbs up. This made her even happier. Her best friend was there to see her victory. He had always supported her, even when her Mother didn't. He was truly a gem.
"My lady, would you do me the pleasure of dining with the king, I, and Lady Morgana tonight?" Arthur asked in what she was assuming was supposed to be a charming manner. However, her heart had began to beat faster at the mention of the Lady Morgana. She still wasn't sure why. She quickly dismissed it, answering his question.
"It would be an honor your highness." Morgause smiled, giving him a respectful nod. She couldn't believe that he had asked her to dine with them. Today had gone absolutely perfect. Not only was she the first person to beat Arthur in a tournament, but it would go down that the first person to beat him was indeed female. She hoped that this would inspire young girls to follow their dreams regardless of how many people would tell them that their place was in a kitchen or sewing room.
The dinner was absolutely delicious. They recalled the events of the tournament, to Arthur's dismay. Morgause was able to get Edward to dine with them as well. All the while, Morgause noticed that Arthur had been stealing glances at Morgause during their feast. Morgause gave him a friendly smile after he had done it for what felt like the hundredth time. She wasn't sure why this was making her slightly uncomfortable.
To make matters worse King Uther asked her a sudden question. "Have you a husband?" Morgause nearly choked on the roasted chicken, but suddenly caught herself. Edward gave her a sympathetic pat, looking as though he wanted to burst out laughing. Why was he so amused by this? "No, your majesty." Morgause replied.
After a night of more awkward questions, Morgause and Edward were invited to stay as guests in the castle for a few nights. Morgause was thrilled. This had been the best day of her life. When everyone decided to retire for the night Morgause decided that she would take an opportunity to take a stroll through the castle garden.
The sky was plastered with stars and the moon was full. The flowers of many varieties populated the garden. It looked like something out of a story book. A large fountain sat in the middle of the garden making it look even more elegant.
Two knights walked by, giving Morgause a quick nod before disappearing down one of the trails. Morgause found a bench, taking a seat. Lights illuminated from the castle giving it a radiant glow. There were so many rooms, it almost looked impossible to count.
She looked up at the sky, thinking of her father. How proud he would be of her. She suddenly had began to think if she had entered the tournament for an even greater reason than what she had told Edward. She began to wonder what these few days had in store for her. Sure, beating Arthur was what she had believed was her destiny, but she suddenly realize that something was missing. She wanted more.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the beautiful sound of a harp playing from somewhere above her. Looking up she spotted the most enchanting woman that she had ever laid eyes on. The pale moonlight elicited a haunting glow upon her porcelain skin. She wore an elegant white gown that made her look like a pagan goddess. Her long curly black hair hung down passed her shoulders.
It didn't take her long to realize that this was more than likely Lady Morgana. Morgause stood to her feet. She wasn't sure what possessed her to do this, but she needed to get closer. She felt drawn to this woman. It was as if she were under a spell. Morgana wasn't playing a harp, but it was more than likely one of the castle's musicians playing from her room.
Morgause took a few more steps until Morgana had taken notice of her presence. She flashed her the most enchanting smile that she had ever seen. Morgause's heart beat sped up. "Hello there." Morgana greeted with the voice of an angel. "Greetings your highness." Morgause replied, unable to take her eyes off of her.
Morgana smiled, noticing Morgause's admiration. "You're the champion that defeated Arthur in the today's tournament are you not?" She asked. "I am." Morgause responded trying to keep her composure. "Not a single soul in all of the land would have expected Arthur to be taken down by a lady. I'm quite impressed." Morgana stated flashing her a flirtatious smile that made her stomach do flip flops.
"I'm honored to hear that your highness." Morgause nodded respectfully, glad that Morgana wasn't close enough to see her blushing. Wait...why was she blushing? She didn't do this when in Arthur's presence. These thoughts were beginning to scare her even more.
"Doesn't our meeting like this remind you of a romance novel?" Morgana suddenly asked bringing Morgause out of her thoughts. Morgause wasn't expecting her to ask such a question. "Yes, it does your highness." Morgause replied. Morgana's face suddenly lit up with excitement. She was absolutely breathtaking. "Would you mind waiting right there? I would like to try something!" Morgana asked her enthusiastically.
"Of course." Morgause smiled before Morgana disappears. About twenty seconds later Morgana came back holding a rope in her hands dropping it over the balcony and tying it against the banister. "Would you mind joining me?" Morgana asked leaning over the edge. Morgause couldn't believe her eyes or ears. Morgana was actually asking her to climb up.
Morgause felt like she was in a dream. This couldn't be real. And why was she so thrilled about this? "Of course, my lady." Morgause responded walking over toward the rope and gripping it tightly. "Be careful of the guards." Morgana warned. Morgause looked around not seeing any guards around.
She took this as her chance to start climbing. Thanks to climbing ropes and trees in her childhood with Edward, she was able to climb up with ease. However, she landed with a loud thump over the banister. Shit that hurt. "Are you alright?" Morgana asked causing Morgause to look up.
"Yes, milady" Morgause replied. Being closer to her now, Morgause noticed that Morgana was even more beautiful in person. She stood to her feet, gazing deep into her piercing green eyes. Morgana stepped closer to her gazing into Morgause's with wonder. "What is your name my champion?" She asked softly.
Morgause wanted to melt at her words. She had just called her "my champion." She also noticed that Morgana smelled like apples. Morgause quickly silenced these confusing thoughts by answering her question. "Morgause, malady." she replied trying to hide her obvious nervousness. Morgana stepped closer to her until they were only a few inches apart.
She placed a soft hand on Morgause's cheek, making her turn read. Her touch was intoxicating. Morgause thought that she would faint. "Morgause..." Morgana spoke. Morgause loved the way her name sounded on her tongue. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do call me Morgana, would you please?" Morgana requested, taking down her hand from her face and holding it out to Morgause to kiss.
Morgause smiled taking her hand, kneeling and kissing it lightly. Morgana flashed her the most radiant smile she had ever seen. Her green eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "With great pleasure Morgana." Morgause replied. Morgause felt as though she were in the beginning one of the story books Morgana spoke of. She had a feeling that she was going to enjoy these next few days.