*Disclaimer*- I don't own Merlin or anything related to it. I am just a hopeless fan, trying to entertain some readers.
The Once and Future Queen
"I think it's time you marry, Arthur." Arthur looked up from his food to Uther. "What?" He exclaimed. Uther smiled, shoveling some food into his mouth. He looked over to Morgana, who was looking down at her plate, a sad look on her face. "The people need a queen." Uther stared at Morgana and she looked up. "A strong queen." Arthur still looked dumbstruck. "You and Morgana are going to marry, Arthur. She will capture the hearts of your people." Arthur dropped his fork with a clatter. He stood up so fast the chair fell to the floor, landing with a thud on the Persian rugs. Even in the dim candlelight you could see the shocked look on his face. Even Morgana was glaring at Uther. "I do not love her!" He shouted, pointing at the Lady Morgana. "I do not want her!" She stood up and sneered, "Nor I him." The servants, Guinevere and Merlin, came into the room carrying platters of food. But they dropped them when they saw the royalty's faces. "I love her!" Arthur ran over to Guinevere, and held her in his arms. "And I love him!" Merlin held his arms out and the Lady Morgana fell into them. Uther stood up, an outraged look on his face. "They are servants! They are nothing!" Morgana lifted her head from Merlin's chest, hatred flashing from her eyes. "Love knows no class." Uther walked away from the table and slapped Morgana on her cheek. He left a mark. Not just on her skin, but in her heart. She hated him. "How dare you!" Merlin screamed, rushing over to Uther. "Merlin, no!" Arthur tore himself away from Guinevere. She reached her arm out to stop him, but he was already gone. "Guards, guards!" Uther tried to push Merlin away from him, but adrenaline made Merlin stronger. "Don't spoil her porcelain skin with your dirty touch! Your hands have been dipped in the blood of innocents! You, Uther, are no innocent!" Merlin tried to find his sword, trying to kill the one stopping his love. Arthur tried to pry Merlin off of him. Morgana and Guinevere were huddled together, hugging themselves as the winds of betrayal were washed over the throne room. Suddenly the doors were thrown open, and Uther's men marched into the room. Two of the guards came forward and ripped Merlin and Arthur off of the king. Uther got up, straightening his clothes. "Kill them!" He pointed to Merlin and Guinevere. The guard holding Arthur dropped him, and grabbed Guinevere instead. "You can kill me, but you cannot kill my love! I will always love thee!" Guinevere shouted, as the guards dragged her and Merlin away. "No!" Arthur ran to her. "You cannot do this!" The guards grabbed him but he overtook them, holding Guinevere's face in his strong hands. He kissed her hurriedly before the guards dragged him away. He fought every second, wanting once more to hold his Guinevere in his arms. On the other side of the room, Merlin was holding Morgana in his arms, even as the guards were dragging him away. She was clutching his arm, using every fiber of her being on keeping him here. "Don't leave me!" She was screaming, punching some of the guards in the face. They pushed her to the floor and she lay there, sobbing. "I will always love thee! I shall never leave you!" Finally Merlin and Guinevere were gone and a silence swept over the room. Morgana looked up at Uther and hatred filled her eyes. "At least banish our hearts, not kill them!" She begged him, holding onto his knee. Uther looked down at her hopeful face, then kicked her away from him. "They will die." His words were cold and lifeless, and for a second darkness filled the room. Then candlelight brightened again. "Show some compassion, Uther Pendragon! Haven't you ever loved someone?" He looked down at Morgana. Her eyes were hopeful once more, hoping that this will save her love. "They will die by fire." Morgana stood up, a determined look on her face. "If he is plagued by fire, then I will jump into the flames." She turned away from Uther, striding towards the door. "You will go to your chambers!" He called to her. She opened the door and took one last look at him. "And you Uther, you will got to hell."