A/N: Hello Merlin lovers! This is Arwen, set pre-series. This is my first fic for Merlin, so I hope you guys enjoy reading it!
Chapter 1
The next banquet that was to be held at the Camelot castle was going to be different.
Not because of the guests that were attending.
Not because of the food that was on the menu.
Not even because of the reason they were celebrating.
No, this night was unlike to be like any other, simply because of what the seemingly innocent adolescents of court were cooking up in their heads.
Growing up in a regal environment molded children of aristocracy in a way that commoners never experienced. The number of young people allowed within in the walls of the castle were limited, so bonds between friends ran deep, ones between enemies even deeper. The battle always came through two sides, each led by one of the young Pendragons.
Arthur, heir to the throne and future king of Albion, possessed the backing of other boys who were offspring of nobility. They had only recently been officially knighted, but the fifteen year old prince knew of his companions unwavering loyalty. They traveled in a large pack, constantly picking on and warring against Arthur's adoptive sister, the King's ward, Morgana.
Morgana on the other hand, had no such group of friends. After living in the castle for nearly five years, she still gave off an unapproachable and somewhat icy aura, intimidating anyone who attempted to befriend her. It wasn't until two years ago when she received an new maid, Guinevere, did she have anyone to confide in. The two became fast friends,
Arthur and the his fellow knights found great fun in pitting themselves against Morgana and her maidservant. As teenagers, it was natural to develop an interest in the opposite sex. It just happened that they had been too immature to do it any other way besides constant mocking and teasing.
It was only a few days earlier that King Uther and his wife Igraine became fed up with the constant though harmless bickering. Arthur and Morgana were having another routine spat at the dinner table.
"Arthur! I can't believe you! Do you have any idea how long it took me and Gwen to get the horses ready!" Morgana shouted across to her older brother.
In turn, Arthur looked completely unconcerned, a pointed at her with a drumstick in his hand, "Well maybe if, Morgana, you didn't insist on always following me and my men it wouldn't be a problem,"
"Ha!—Your men? You're a bunch of boys playing around trying to act older than their age!"
"Better than a pair of scared little girls!"
Morgana stood up from her seat, slamming both of her hands down next to her plate, shaking the table. "I was given permission to go hunting with you! You just didn't want to share the fun, scared I was going to earn a better kill than you?"
"Enough!" Uther's voice boomed, causing his children's heads to snap in his direction. Quickly, Morgana sat herself back down, sliding her chair back closer to the table. Arthur quickly dropped his food back down onto his plate, swallowing down whatever was in his mouth. Both of them shifted their eyes, avoiding the King's piercing gaze.
Uther took another sip from his cup, giving his wife an exasperated look at the other end of the table.
"You two have been at each other's throats for weeks now, and it needs to stop. You are as close to what you'll ever have as siblings, now I suggest you solve your differences now before I lose my temper,"
Both Arthur and Morgana muttered an apology under their breaths.
"Arthur, Morgana, won't you two excuse yourselves for a moment while I discuss something with the King?" Igraine's calm voice seemed to soothe the tension in the room. "It'll only be moment, just wait outside," she flashed a kind smile.
Morgana and Arthur shuffled to their feet and out of the door, but not without shoving the other on their way out to see who could make it outside first.
Once alone, Uther let out a sigh, rubbing his temples. Igraine got herself out of her seat, and made her way to her husband's side. She put her hands on his shoulders, slowly massaging them.
"I know what you're going to say," he paused, enjoying her touch, "Children will be children, I understand. But they're getting too old for this fighting. I mean, when I was Arthur's age, I was chasing after girls, not pulling pranks on them,"
He stopped, realizing that his words might have earned him some kind of light retribution. He relaxed when she continued to rub her hands on his back.
"No, no, I quite agree with you. That is what I wanted to speak to you about,"
On the outside of the dining hall, Arthur and Morgana had their ears pressed to the door, listening to what the King and Queen were deciding on. They ignored the awkward stares that the guards gave them.
"Do you hear them Arthur? You're immaturity is why we're about to be punished!"
"I'm plenty mature!" he countered, glaring. But neither of them removed the sides of their heads from the door. Morgana loudly shushed him, trying again to hear what was being said.
"So what did you have in mind?" Uther reached behind him, cradling Igraine's hand in his own.
"It is to my best understanding that we have a banquet in this coming week, do we not?"
"Why yes," he looked forward, trying to anticipate his wife's idea, but finding no answers.
"I was hoping to solve this issue between Morgana and Arthur with a little change to the banquet plans,"
Igraine walked forward so she was standing at his side, she beamed a delighted smile.
"Go on," he nodded, letting her continue.
"The mandatory attendance of all young nobility in Camelot. It will be a celebration for the children, a type of coming of age celebration,"
"You want to throw them a party as a means to reprimand them?" Uther looked skeptical. "Won't doing so just encourage their behavior?"
"On the contrary, my King. It will help them to develop an understanding of the other gender,"
"And how is exactly is that?"
"They'll have to bring dates of course,"
Suddenly, the large doors to the room were pushed open, one teen collapsed on the ground, the other stumbling in on his knees. Both of their faces had paled considerably, their jaws had dropped to the floor.
"What?"
End Chapter 1
A/N: Hahaha, oh Morgana, Arthur, just what are you guys going to do? This is just a look into the pubescent period in their lives. I'll be able to introduce Gwen, and possibly Merlin in the next chapter. I know it's AU with Igraine, but I felt it necessary to have her character. So, what do you think, should I continue writing? Reviews please! I appreciate feedback so much!