The Truth of False Accusations Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters or dialogue. They belong to the BBC.
If you have not already, please go back and read the changed 6th chapter. There is an important development in the new version of that chapter!
Camelot will fall, and Uther will fall with it. Once that has happened we, the rightful power of this land, can at last be returned to our place. With my sister in the castle, playing the role of Uther's doting ward, they will never know what hit them. Soon Cenrid's army will be ready. Uther will never know what hit him.
The lady Morgana lay in her chambers, her ornamental screens causing an intricate pattern of shadow to fall on her pale skin as the dawn light streamed through them. She was moaning in fear of the nightmares that ran through her head.
She had been revealed. Arthur had seen her with Morgause and Uther would turn on her.
'No, no, no, no, No, No, NO, NO, NO!' Morgana cried out louder and louder as the images played through her mind.
'Milady? Milady!' Gwen shook Morgana from the prison of her sleep.
Morgana yelped, and then realised who it was that had woken her. 'Gwen? she asked. What are you doing here?'
'I work here, milady,' said Gwen. 'It's time to get up. The big melee is today.'
'Yes, something for us all to look forward to,' said Morgana sourly.
'Not exactly to your taste, is it?' asked Gwen concernedly.
'No,' said Morgana. 'Who needs another opportunity to see Arthur knock a bunch of high-and-mighty Knights over the head with a blunt sword?'
'Well, it's better than an all out war,' said Gwen. 'At least nobody is getting hurt.'
Morgana stood and went to stand by the window with her back to Gwen. She smiled. 'Yes, we couldn't have that, now, could we?'
Gwen looked a little taken aback at the tone in which her mistress had spoken, but decided not to say anything.
She picked up the dress Morgana had been wearing yesterday - the purple one with the the green gauze sleeves - and headed towards the door. 'I'll just take this down to the laundry, then,' she said before slipping back out into the corridor. That must have been some nightmare, she thought as she made her way down to the castle laundry.
She dropped the dress off quickly, but instead of heading back she made a detour to Gaius's chambers. She felt the physician ought to know of Morgana's state. Perhaps she needed a stronger sleeping draft.
The door swung open silently and Gwen found Gaius lying asleep with his head resting on the pages of a book.
'Gaius,' she said, prodding the old man gently.
He groaned. 'Gwaine, go away. I haven't found anything yet.'
'Gaius,' repeated Gwen, a little more loudly. Gaius snapped awake.
'Oh, Gwen. What are you doing here?' he asked.
'Morgana had another nightmare,' said Gwen. 'It looked bad.'
Gaius nodded. 'I'll prepare a concoction for her to take tonight. Thank you, Gwen.'
'It's not just that,' said Gwen. She hesitated. 'She seemed rather sour about the tournament. I'm worried about her. Perhaps all this has been a little too much for her.'
Gaius nodded again. 'I'll send up a draft to calm her nerves, but I'm afraid there's not much else I can do.'
'Thank you,' said Gwen, hurrying back before Morgana missed her.
Uther sat rigid in the throne room. The lords took it to be his way of making himself ready to receive the knights that were pouring into Camelot from all over the kingdom, for the melee. Actually, it was because his back was troubling him again.
He remained in his position for a few more minutes, then stood awkwardly and set off in the direction of Gaius's chambers. He simply had to do something about his back before his guests arrived.
He knocked on the door before opening it.
Gaius was already at a work bench brewing a mixture. The boy Arthur had brought back with him, Gwaine, was lounging in a corner.
'What are you making, Gaius?' asked Uther.
Gaius looked up. 'A potion for Morgana,' he replied.
'For Morgana?' asked Uther.
'Yes. For her nerves,' explained Gaius. 'Her maid came down here a while ago and told me that Morgana has been having nightmares again, and that she seems unsettled about the tournament. I thought it was the least I should do to help.'
'I see,' said Uther. 'Perhaps you would also accompany her to the tournament? If it is upsetting her to that point, perhaps it might be wise to have someone there for her, in case she needs any assistance.'
'Of course, Sire,' said Gaius, pouring Morgana's nerve tonic into a little glass bottle. 'I'll deliver this to her right away,' he proffered the bottle, 'so if you'll excuse me?'
Uther held up his hand. 'Actually, I had come to see you here because of my back. It's been acting up again and I was wondering if you could give me something for it.' Uther nodded toward Gwaine. 'Perhaps the boy could deliver the potion to Morgana.
Gwaine raised an eyebrow, and was about to complain when Gaius silenced him with a look. Gwaine stood, and grudgingly took the bottle from Gaius, disappearing from the room.
Sorry it took me so long to update. I'll try to get the next chapter up more quickly next time, and hopefully I'll have some more of Merlin in the next chapter.
Until next time.