Thank you Arya Tindomiel (My wonderful FF twin, go read her wonderful story 'The Legend of Albion', it's great), Anonymus, Madrigal Princess, Sarah Merlin Geek Freak and Tuggy08 for reviewing. Now onwards. :)
Morgana sat before the roaring fire that Arthur had ordered the servants to light, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She couldn't believe how her sister seemed to not care about her. Granted, they weren't all that close, but Morgana never stopped loving and missing her. She stared into the swirling warm liquid. Was Morgause really that heartless that she didn't even care for her own sister?
A warm body dropped into the seat next to her, and Arthur wrapped her in his embrace, pulling her close to his body. She just sighed and leaned her head against his chest, neither of them saying a word. He didn't know how to start asking her about what happened; how do you ask someone just how crassly their own sister treated them? He rubbed her arm, up and down, gaining some comfort from the action. He hated seeing Morgana so depressed. She was a strong woman who rarely let her guard down. For her to be this upset and seemingly numb to the world, she must have been hurt really badly. Arthur wished he could do something to alleviate her distress and yet, he found himself tongue tied every time he opened his mouth to comfort her. Perhaps it was better that she broach the subject herself.
When Morgana spoke, it was with a low, childlike voice that Arthur wouldn't have ever thought could belong to her. It made him all the more protective of her vulnerable state. "You were right, you know. She didn't care." She shrugged, orbs of granite green foggy and downcast. "She said she was sorry, and told me to 'take it as you will'." A bitter laugh escaped her. "She couldn't even try harder to make me believe that she was truly sorry. I guess I wasn't worth her time and effort."
Arthur tilted her face up gently, "Hey don't say that. You're worth everything in the world, and more." Stroking her hair back, he smiled, "So who cares if Morgause is a crappy sister who doesn't give a damn? You have us Morgana; father, Merlin, Freya, Gwen, even Lance and Gwaine who all love you to bits." He paused and gazed at her seriously. "And you have me too. I swear to you Morgana, even if every last person in this world decides that you're not worth spending their love on and stop loving you, I'll never stop." He traced her beautiful face, willing her to believe his words. "I'll always love you 'Ana; always have, always will. And nothing could ever make me stop."
Morgana looked startled at his passionate admission, but blushed and buried her head against his chest once more, nodding almost bashfully. "Thank you Arthur. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you though. Certainly could've saved me so much heartache." He chuckled, "Well I've always told you that I know best Morgana but seriously though, maybe it was better that you heard it yourself." He shushed her protests, "Not that I wanted you to be hurt by her admission, I wish I could've spared you that pain Morgana, but if you hadn't met with her, well who knows? You would have never taken my word just like that. And maybe, say she did change, then you'd have lost the chance at any reconciliation. Sometimes the heart doesn't want to believe what it doesn't see. I'm sorry you had to realize that your sister was a cold, heartless bitch- Hey! It's the truth!" Morgana swatted at him and narrowed her eyes playfully, but he ignored her and continued. "But at least you know now, and she can't lie to you anymore now can she? That's got to have count for something right?"
She nodded reluctantly, "It certainly is better than being blinded by me wanting her to be the older sister I once knew, the one who used to tuck me into bed whenever father and mother weren't around." She kissed his cheek quickly, "At least I have you." He tightened his hold around her. "You've always had me Morgana, and that'll never change."
They fell into silence once more before Arthur shattered the almost dreamy shroud the quiet had cast over them. "Though I wonder what father would say if he heard about this?"
Morgana bolted upright and stared at him, agog, "Arthur! Are you going to tell him I saw Morgause again? He'll kill the both of us! Not just me, but you as well for letting me go!"
He grinned at her and patted her head affectionately, "Oh well. I suppose what he doesn't know can't hurt him can it?" She laughed and threw her arms around his neck, "Oh Arthur, you charming, charming man."
He chuckled and cradled her head with one hand, "Yeah, I've always known that I'm Prince Charming, but thank you for finally realizing that, my Lady." He felt her giggle warm his neck and swallowed, all right, don't do anything stupid or she'll probably press charges of molestation and rape against me. He cleared his throat, willing the blood in his head to stay just there, and not travel down south, "Well as much as I love having you fawn over just how wonderful I am Morgana, I'm afraid we have to get ready for dinner with father tonight." Uther, for once didn't have to stay back at the office late, and had requested that his children joined him for dinner at home today. Cook had been frantically preparing all day for, what was it, a seven course meal? It wasn't often that the Master was able to have dinner with his family, and the entire household were determined that it would be a lovely occasion. Despite the head of the Pendragon family's gruffness and sometimes hot temper, he was a just and fair employer, and the servants respected him for that. Of course, they also adored the young master and mistress; most of them having watched them grow from adventurous little toddlers rushing all around the manor and having Uther chase after them like maniacs, into the wonderful young man and woman they were today.
Arthur stood, carefully hauling Morgana up along with him. He brushed her hair back once more and kissed her hand gallantly, "If my Lady would give me leave, I would be delighted to escort her to her chambers." He held her hand and executed a perfect bow, as his father had taught him ever since he was a child, with his free hand clasped behind his back. Morgana giggled and curtsied perfectly, "I would be honored, my Champion." He grinned boyishly and tucked her hand within the crook of his arm and swept dramatically up the stairs to their bedrooms, gay laughter floating down the staircases. It was often a joke for them, to speak in a formal manner whenever the mood struck them. The Pendragons were an archaic family of noble birth in Britain and poor Arthur had to endure etiquette classes since the age of 3, and Morgana joined him when she arrived to stay with them. They had hated those dull lessons and their dry teacher, but as adults, they could fully appreciate the beauty of the old manner of speaking and chivalrous manners. And Morgana was grateful for the occasion when Arthur acted like a perfect gentleman; pulling out her chair for her, opening doors for her, escorting her with her hand in his etc. It certainly made him all the more appealing in her eyes.
Aimee and Damian popped their heads from behind the pillar, grinning at each other. He glanced wonderingly at the retreating couples' back. "I wonder when they'll both finally get off their high horses and just admit their attraction already." Aimee grinned and tapped his shoulders playfully, "Oh leave them be Damian, I'm sure they'll admit it when they're ready." She paused and giggled, "They'd make a lovely couple though. Just think; little boys with her dark hair and little girls with his blonde hair flying down the stairs, hollering for Grandpa Uther." She sighed, "How wonderful would that be."
"Yes it would be, don't you think?" The servants froze and turned to see an amused Uther standing behind them, also observing his children. Aimee blushed and stammered their apologies, "Master Uther, we were just uh-" The older man waved away their apologies. "Nothing wrong with speaking the truth. How strange though, that they seem to be the only ones oblivious of their mutual attraction." He shook his head and smiled grimly at the two, "However, I believe you have other duties to attend to? Damian, Aimee?" They bowed hastily and left the room as hurriedly as they could without running. Uther chuckled and resumed his musings. Perhaps one day, his two equally stubborn and proud children would come to the realization that they need only look before their eyes to find their little piece of heaven. Till then, the older man would close his eyes and imagine a bright and warm home filled with laughter and shrieks of joy and the pitter patter of little feet.
"I don't know what to do Cenred. She doesn't believe that I truly am sorry." Morgause sighed and rested her head on her hand, "I should've tried to convince her that I do want to be a family again." She shot a glare at him, to which he replied with an indignant what? "And I shouldn't have let you drive when you're drunk. I've forgotten what a horrible driver you are."
They were having dinner at a fancy restaurant, one of Cenred's favourite haunts. Honestly, Morgause thought that the man splurged far too much of his fortune on food and drink, not to mention his cigars. Said man snorted and took a drag from his cigar. "Please Morgause, you're not that innocent. Yes, perhaps I should've been more careful, but I wasn't the one who didn't call to see if my sister was alive or not." This time, it was his turn to glare at an ashamed Morgause. "I honestly didn't know that you never contacted her; I just assumed that after all that happened she simply didn't want to see you." He waved his hand dismissively, "And at the risk of sounding cold and heartless, I don't know why you're trying so hard to get back into her good graces. She's with the Pendragons for goodness sake. Granted, they're more my enemy than yours, but you've never liked that tyrannical old man and his privileged blonde son." He exhaled, smoke rolling out from his mouth lazily. "I don't see what the fuss is all about anyway."
Morgause slammed her hand hard against the table, startling Cenred who dropped his cigar. "Morgause! What the hell was that for?" She turned her icy glare at him, and he almost felt afraid of the woman before him, which was stupid because he was her boss.
"Like you said Cenred dear, she's my sister and the fact that she's allied herself with the Pendragons doesn't mean that I shouldn't reach out to her." She sagged against her chair, "I am a fool Cenred. She will never want to speak to me again, and that blonde haired prince of hers won't let me see her."
Cenred felt a teeny little bit of guilt worm his way in. He liked Morgause, he really did. She was the only woman who didn't try to get into bed with him just because he was Essetir's CEO. He stared off into space a little, before smiling. "Well, maybe I can help?"
She turned to him, incredulity flashing in her green eyes. "You? What good can you do? Both Arthur and Morgana hate you more than me." She snorted. "Though it is very kind of you to offer, I doubt you'll be able to do anything."
He pouted and snaked his hand around her waist, whereupon she glared at him and tried to wriggle away, but Cenred's firm grip stopped her. "Well admittedly, I have absolutely nothing on me now. But," he smiled charmingly at her, "If I do manage to get her to talk to you, whether I'll succeed or not, you'll have to agree to go out with me. Just once."
The blonde stared at him, eyebrow cocked. It wasn't as if she hated Cenred, even if he was the straw that broke the camel's back in her relationship with Morgana, but he was right. The blame didn't lie solely upon him; she should've contacted her sister, instead of stewing for days at her home, worrying about whether Morgana would wake up or not instead of just picking up the phone and dialing Arthur's number. She had been too proud, she supposed, to beg from them any news of her sister. Thinking back, she'd have groveled at the feet of Arthur Pendragon if she had known what a mess she made of everything. And anyway, Cenred was a smart man. Perhaps he could find a way for her. She eyed him, and he wasn't all that bad looking either. She sighed dramatically, inching away from him. "Fine. I agree. You need only try and I'll go out with you. But only once." The dark haired man grinned and kissed her cheek before sinking back into his seat. "You'll not regret it love." She gingerly touched her cheek and replied dryly, "I certainly hope not."
It was nighttime and Camelot was void of the staff, save for the group of security guards who patrolled every level. Leon took the job entrusted by Arthur very seriously, and prided himself on the ability of his handpicked guards who kept Camelot safe these years. Leon, however, wasn't here tonight. Gwaine had demanded his old friend show up at the pub and get drunk, and he had been forced to oblige, since the carefree man had far too much blackmail on him to risk it.
One office on the 66th floor was lit, and Percival, the guard left in charge by Leon and who was currently prowling the dark corridors looking for anything amiss narrowed his eyes. There shouldn't be anyone there at this time. He walked silently to the room and threw the door open. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" His gun was trained on the intruder's chest.
The short, dark haired man with a beard to match held his hands up in surrender. "Whoa, easy there, sir. I'm a staff here. Just had to finish a report for Ms. Le Fay, she wants it tomorrow." Percival glared, "The building has already been locked and no one was here the last time we checked. Why are you here finishing the report so late?"
The man sighed, "Look, I know one of the guards down there all right mate? I told him I had to finish some work and he let me up. See, I'm almost done. Give me a few minutes and I'll leave." Percival held his hand out. "Staff I.D please."
The shorter man rolled his eyes, "Jesus Christ. All right, here." The guard examined his I.D and scanned it, confirming that the man was indeed an employee at Camelot. He handed the card back, still glaring suspiciously at him. "Fine, two minutes and you're out."
The man snorted and typed furiously on the keyboard before shutting the computer down. "Don't need them mate. You can have them." He stood and clasped Percival's back carelessly, "Thanks for making us feel so safe then. Cheerio."
Percival stared at his retreating back before following him, intent on seeing him leave. The shorter man just sighed and they descended down to the grand foyer together where he disappeared into the parking lot and soon, Percival could hear a car rev off in the distance. His mouth in a grim line, he went to find the man who let this stranger in. Leon, you bastard, why the hell did you choose this night to make me in charge?
Beep! Merlin blearily searched for his phone before flipping it open. He stared at the screen, frowning. Freya's dark head popped up behind his, eyes just creaking open a fraction. "What's wrong Merlin?"
He snapped the phone shut and placed it back onto his bedside table before turning back to his girlfriend, "Nothing Freya, go back to sleep. Good night." She was already asleep before he even completed his sentence, but a glint of suspicion in Merlin's eyes sparkled in the dark. Something was wrong, and he was going to find out what.
A/N: In my mind, Freylin aren't sleeping together, they just fell asleep together. But you can take it however you want, it's open to interpretation. ;)
