A/N: thank you to reviewers;
As to emerald sorceress's question of how Guinevere gets the money for the banquets, Arthur does trust her enough to give her access to the royal treasury. She's like the resident party-planner, as well as being Arthur's soon-to-be fiancé. Though we know how that turns out :P. I know I portray her horribly and nothing like the real Guinevere, but I'm very bitter about her. Even if she's probably the most realistic out of all of the characters. I'd run and hide too if I saw these ghostly skeletons keening doom. But this is Arthurian times, in a land of myths and magic, where people were more courageous and wise and brave. So I'm sticking with Morgana. :P.
And yes, Arthur gets really annoyed whenever someone seems to be blaming him for his father's deeds. He does rebuke Merlin for saying something along those lines; but it's kind of hard to say the same to a floating disembodied skull made of mist. And he's too busy trying to do something about them killing masses of villagers and all to actually care about what they're saying. He would very much like to run them through with many sharp objects if they actually did have a tangible form. But alas they don't. Ah well.
The Dorocha actually did say that over and over just to annoy Arthur. :) It's all part of their evil plot. Muhahaha….
.
Greetings to King Arthur.
I trust this finds you well. Camelot and Cornwall being allies, my father has suggested that we keep correspondence. I hope this is not an inconvenience.
How are you faring with my last present? Don't try to burn it, no matter what- it will multiply if you do so. Defenestrating it leads to it crawling back up the corridors. For your own sake, I hope you haven't done any of these things. It would be so tiresome to have a castle filled with pink towels.
On a more serious note, have you noticed any peculiar happenings in Camelot? I do not wish to intrude, but I cannot help remembering the magical incidents that occurred during my stay. We have received reports of strange things at the border near Camelot; my father does not believe it to have any relation to you, but I think differently.
Merlin and I have devised this spell to ensure a confidential and prompt courier system. You need only place the ring that was a present from me on the letter addressed to me and it will be transferred over. I shall do the same, but with the necklace that you gave me. According to Gaius's book, the gifts have traces of us, which allows this one-way connection to be maintained.
I await your reply,
Morgana
.
Arthur quizzically reads the letter that has suddenly appeared on his desk . Merlin had told him to expect something from Cornwall, but he had expected more conventional methods of delivery. Instead, the ring he always wears on his left index finger now had let out a burst of light and produced this letter.
He reads it again with consternation. He knows that keeping correspondence with another royal family is convenient at best, and suicidal at worst. There are so many dangers to it- he could accidently tell a vital piece of information that could be used against him, or if he grows affectionate that could be an advantage for the other country. But this is Morgana and he doesn't believe that she'd do something like that. Blackmail him, yes. Threaten him with bodily harm yes. Attempt to kill him, definitely. But she wouldn't take advantage of letters to spy on Camelot. Gorlois doesn't seem like the plotting type either. And this could turn out to be mutual beneficial. She has helped defend Camelot (maybe to save herself, as she was living here) and the letter holds mildly concerning news. Strange things at the border. Cornwall as well?
"Arthur! There's been another griffin attack near the villages!" Merlin runs in. But his voice holds no panic or surprise; over the last few months there had been attacks almost daily. Arthur raises his eyebrows.
Merlin stops and sighs. "It's already been taken care of. Just thought you'd like to know. "
Arthur smiles a grim smile. "Nice to know Gwaine's gotten everyone back in shape."
Merlin notices the letter on Arthur's writing desk. He smiles nervously. "Um, nice to see you've gotten a letter from Morgana."
"Yes, Merlin. But what I'd like to know is why on earth you'd make this spell behind my back. How long?" Arthur growls.
"Um, we keep in touch?" Merlin backs away slightly, and Arthur snorts.
"It doesn't matter. Morgana's said there's things happening in Cornwall as well. Perhaps it's a common enemy."
Merlin seems doubtful. "We've had these attacks since from Uther's reign. I'm pretty sure they haven't had any before."
Arthur rolls his eyes. "Well, they have it now. Get out, will you? I need to write."
Merlin smirks. "Yes sire." He shuts the door behind him.
Arthur takes up his quill, rummages for a clean piece of parchment, and pauses. How to start.
Dear Morgana,
Would that be too familiar? After all, this is a state correspondence. But he had never referred to Morgana with her full title, and he doesn't want this to be stiff and formal. He shakes his head, annoyed. Since when had he been this indecisive?
Dear Morgana,
I have disposed of the towel in a suitably humane way. It is languishing in the dungeons, where it will stay for all eternity. The prisoners were glad to hear they will never run out of clean towels. I am glad to hear that you are well and terrorizing Cornwall with your presence. Please give them my condolences.
He stops. Pleasantries were never his forte. Perhaps he should simply get to the point. He could only be thankful that this was relatively less formal and therefore written in English, rather than the Latin reserved for treaties and absolutely formal messages.
Camelot suffers from magical beasts nearly daily. Some- not all- bring messages of doom, as the Dorocha did. We have grown to ignore them. My knights are of course more than capable of dealing with such threats. Perhaps we can give your woefully inadequate troops some pointers. Still, have you any knowledge of any common enemy that might be behind this?
Arthur
There. It was done. Perhaps shorter messages would make this more convenient for both of them. And this would not be a weak spot- he would not grow attached to Morgana of all people through simple letters. He takes off the ring, rubs it to call forth that warm light again, and suddenly nervous, places it on the parchment. The light flashes and Arthur involuntarily steps back, his vision suddenly blinded by dark spots. When he can finally see again, he notes that the letter has disappeared. He grins. Let's see what else this spell of hers could send.
.
Greetings to King Arthur.
I guess it has been too much to hope that your ego has been deflated since I last saw you. You put too much pride in your knights. I shall make it my personal mission to bring you down a notch or two in a duel when I see you once more.
Being closer to the sea, Cornwall has more problems with water demons and other such creatures. They have been more of a nuisance these days. Nothing like the Dorocha, however. It is only that we are unused to magical attacks. Cornwall has usually been safe from them.
In truth, I am worried by these incidents. It is no coincidence that both our kingdoms are suffering such similar situations. And these creatures act so unsettlingly. Many give silent messages. The ones that talk, speak of doom shared with Camelot. The ones that can't, scratch messages on the dirt or else have an amulet that speaks for them. I do not know what to make of it.
I hope Camelot fares well in these times.
Morgana
.
The correspondence lasts for many months. One day, she details methods Cornwall uses to fight off Ceffyl Dwrs, water horses. He responds by noting how griffins seem to target Camelot often, and how the blacksmiths have developed specialized spears specifically designed for fighting them. She sends him a sketch of the sea from Tintagel's battlements; he teases her that she is turning into a real lady. He sends her a penknife that he finds in his rooms; the ring glows but does nothing, and it is only when Arthur realizes that he needs to address it to Morgana that it is sent. The next letter comments that the penknife nearly impaled her when it dropped onto the desk. He rolls his eyes at that, but he makes a note to himself never to send sharp objects to her.
.
Dear Morgana,
I guess you're getting rusty, being taken by surprise by a mere lifeless penknife. I would never allow such thing to happen. How big is the capacity for your little spell to send things, anyways? Perhaps I can get Merlin to brew up a remedy for your face. I don't doubt that you need it.
Griffins seems to be our common enemy's preferred method of attack on Camelot still. I can only be thankful that they haven't yet set a dragon on us. Perhaps it would be best if I hunted down where these griffins make their nests and eliminate it. The sorcerer probably is breeding them-I thought they were something of an endangered species. Apparently I am wrong.
Would your people be willing to scry the lands for the source? Camelot can withstand all of these attacks of course, but it seems more efficient to attempt to strike at the source. I would not like to lose any of my knights on these meaningless attacks.
Arthur
.
He's tempted to try sending Merlin through, on a day when he's rather annoyed at his lack of wits. He sends a live dove instead, tying a note to it and placing the ring on the bird. The bird breaks free just before the magic can take affect, and he spends quite a while trying to subdue the bird. The white feathers fluttering everywhere aggravates him all the more. He sends it anyways, imagining how she would have to chase that bird around with a broomstick or something as its feathers bombard her rooms. He forgets she has magic.
She sends him a cat, with a ribbon tied to it. Arthur is in the middle of a council meeting when his ring flashes and a tabby cat lands on the table. It seems to be displeased by the trip- it yowls angrily and promptly scratches Arthur. And he was wearing his good shirt too. He dismisses the council and shuts the door before the cat can escape. He stares at the furry creature, wondering what on earth Morgana was thinking, sending this to him. He finally takes his cloak, wraps the cat up in it, and dumps it in his private chambers. Arthur is appalled when the cat drops out and immediately hacks out a fur ball with a few white feathers mixed in. He's never liked cats, but that crosses the line.
Merlin comes in, only to find Arthur's forearms bleeding and the cat hissing. Arthur's thunderous expression forces him to stifle any snorts of laughter.
"Merlin, make yourself useful and get that monstrosity out of my chambers!"
Merlin smirks, "But I'm sure you're more qualified to take on that fearsome monster."
Arthur is annoyed. "It ate my bird!" Merlin raises an eyebrow.
"And since when were you so attached?"
Arthur makes as if to strangle somebody. "Merlin."
Merlin puts his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine." His eyes glow yellow and the cat is levitated out the open door.
Arthur picks up the note that came with the cat. After a few seconds, he frowns.
"Merlin, have we had any mysterious notes challenging me to go to the Isle of the Blessed on a quest to stop these magical attacks?"
Merlin looks extremely guilty. "Er…"
Arthur raises an eyebrow. "Well?"
"We might've… gotten one...but it's probably a joke...no need to concern yourself…" Merlin inches towards the door. Arthur lunges and grabs him by the collar. "Let's try this again. Did we, or did we not, get a note challenging me to a quest?"
Merlin gulps. "We...did?" Arthur releases him.
"Then why wasn't I informed, Merlin?"
The sorcerer starts scooting away from his reach. "Ah, I, didn't think it was necessary for you to know?"
Arthur inhales deeply in an attempt to keep his temper. "So you willingly kept such vital information from your king?"
"It's a trap!"
He rolls his eyes. "Yes I know it's going to be a trap."
Merlin looks at him hopefully. "So you aren't going to insist on going and force me to use magic to confine you, after which you'll attempt to kill me for doing that?"
Arthur smirks. "No, I'm going and I'm going to defeat this mysterious enemy before he has a chance to spring the trap." He looks at Merlin. "Morgana's received the same message. The sorcerer has bargained calling off all attacks on Camelot and Cornwall on the condition of both Morgana and myself travelling to the Blessed Isle."
"Where he'll kill you both! Where have we heard this before?"
"What else can we do? Morgana's made up her mind to go, but this sorcerer requires both of us."
Merlin is almost pulling out his hair in exasperation. "Then tell her not to go!"
Arthur suddenly turns serious. "You know I can't do that. It's my duty as king to defeat all threats to my kingdom. This is my only chance to know who has been behind these attacks."
Merlin cries, "Then let me go!
Arthur shakes his head. "That's not possible. I need to do this."
"Think about what will happen if you die on this quest!"
Arthur's mouth hardens, but he doesn't reply. He has no heir apparent; he is not even married. The only relation Arthur has is his uncle, and it's more than likely there's going to be a bloody struggle for the throne if he doesn't come back.
Merlin looks at him. "Camelot needs you. You can't risk your life on this."
"I can't let my knights risk their lives for me every day knowing I had a chance to fix this," he replies.
"It's their duty!"
"And this is mine."
.
Greetings to King Arthur.
All preparations on Cornwall's part have been made . I trust the same is true with Camelot. I shall be waiting at midday the coming week at the borders, if you are agreeable to it. I would not plan on being away longer than a fortnight- Merlin has said that the journey is short, and time runs differently there. There should be enough game to keep up supplies should we both hunt.
I hope this works.
Morgana.
.
In the end, Merlin rides out to the prearranged meeting place with Arthur. Though he knows that this is akin to suicide, he can't stop fate or Arthur's determination. They ride in silence, just the two of them, to the forest. The plans have all been worked out; Morgana and Arthur would meet at the ancient forest near the borders and ride to the Isle of the Blessed together. Merlin has been there once before; he has plotted the safest route possible for them both. Too soon, they arrive at the edge of the forest .
Morgana is waiting there, astride a brown gelding and in simple hunting clothes. Her father stands behind her, patting her hand while surreptitiously looking over her saddlebags to estimate whether it is sufficient. Morgana leans down and kisses her father on the cheek, whispering a goodbye before straightening up to face Arthur. Her eyes are dry.
Arthur is wearing plain chain mail. He has left out any traces of the Pendragon red in an effort to be less conspicuous. On his white horse he seems like a gallant knight straight out of the legends, his fair hair gleaming in the sun.
They ride closer to each other. Arthur inclines his head.
"Morgana."
She smiles slightly. "King Arthur. It's good to see you haven't pulled out at the last minute."
Gorlois is mortified. "Morgana!"
But Arthur only laughs and looks at her. "And the same to you. Well, milady, shall we be off then?"
She smirks. "Do try to keep up." With a final wave at her father and Merlin, she kicks her horse into a gallop. Arthur nods at them both and spur his horse on. They head off through the forest, leaving Merlin and Gorlois standing at the edge of the forest.
Gorlois shakes his head. "I'm too old for this."
Merlin pats his arm comfortingly. "So am I."
