Chapter 11 : Fog of wars
The royal retinues filled half of the courtyard. Uther stood on the steps as usual with Arthur on his right, and Morgana on his left. The knights and Camelot's court patched the stones with crimson and gold. Facing them, the whites and pearly greys of the newcomers were almost blinding.
"King Caerleon, Queen Annis, welcome to Camelot. My son, Arthur Pendragon, Crowned Prince of Camelot."
Arthur forced his lungs to fill and exhaled. Caerleon and Annis. Here.
Images invaded his brain : the fallen king on his knees, his sword gleaming in his hand, the fear in Morgana's eyes as she begged him to avoid a war… Uther rattled about peace and commercial treaties. Arthur only saw the grey-beard man and his regal queen.
Annis held her head as proudly as he remembered. Her eyes caught his, and she smiled. He hesitated to reciprocate. Her eyes shifted to his left. He finally noticed Uther had finished his speech. Caerleon's answer had escaped him as well. A pregnant silence fell on the courtyard. One minute went by, then other. Merlin fidgeted in his back. None of the royals moved.
On an impulse, Arthur climbed down two steps. He turned to offer his hand to Morgana. A murmur followed his gesture. She gawped, quickly recovering and taking his to step forward.
"Your Highnesses, please meet the Lady Morgana of Cornwall."
More excited gasps ran in the crowd gathered around the yard. Morgana flushed then fumbled with her skirts an instant before she curtsied expertly. The Queen, who had lifted one brow at the display, smiled fondly.
"I'm delighted to finally make your acquaintance, Morgana. Your parents were dear friends of us."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Morgana bowed her head gracefully. A silhouette parted Caerleon's knights to access the front row. Arthur tightened his grip on Morgana's elbow.
"Actually, Uther, the children both took after their mothers don't you think?"
"Agravaine."
The King stepped in. His large form masked both Arthur and Morgana, shielding them from Agravaine's probing dark stare.
"I didn't expect you to be back in Camelot so soon."
His brother-in-law sneered.
"I must say the last twenty-four years went by in a flash."
The air crackled with anger as the two men faced each other. Arthur eyed the knights around, weighing the odds. At the moment, Camelot's knights were outnumbered, but…
Morgana recovered first. She untangled herself from Arthur to approach their guests.
"Queen Annis, you are probably tired after your long journey, may I show you to your rooms?"
"Yes, a rest would be welcome, thank you dear child."
Tension decreased a notch or two. Finally, with an imperious bow of her head, Annis signaled her retinue to disband. She took Morgana's arm and marched inside the castle, with Caerleon and Agravaine on their tails.
Arthur was about to follow suite when his father stopped him.
"I want to talk to you."
"But… Yes father. Of course. Give me just a minute."
The king muttered under his breath but gestured him to proceed. Arthur hissed, "Merlin!"
Sure enough, the servant tumbled forward.
"Sire?"
"I want you to assist the lady Morgana with her duties all day. Don't leave her side until she retires to prepare for the feast, understood?"
"Huh…"
"Now, Merlin."
"Yes Sire."
His friend thankfully stopped protesting and hurried inside. Arthur spotted Leon by the large door. He joined him in two strides.
"Go and make sure Merlin does not embarrass himself, will you? And keep a keen eye on my uncle. I-"
"Arthur!"
The prince cringed at the call. Leon winked and went after Merlin and Morgana. At least the tall knight would protect her if-
"Do you realize what you did?"
Uther's snarl cut through his line of thoughts.
"Father?"
"Only members of the family or very special persons are presented by the Crowned Prince to royal guests. Given that Morgana is only my ward, you just proclaim to the world that she… has your interest."
The king spat the last words. His lips were pursed in a stern line. Arthur breathed slowly, looking for the proper answer.
"Morgana is part of the family, father."
Uther's eyes flashed dangerously. He backpedaled, hating himself for being such a coward when his father was concerned. Now would have been the perfect moment to tear the truth out of the king. He simply couldn't.
Instead, Arthur declared, "I mean we grew up together. She has been by my side for as long as I can remember. She runs the household; she chairs tournaments and feasts as if she was the first lady of Camelot. She knows the kingdom as well as I do. She cares for the people and the small folks adore her. She would make a beautiful-"
"I admit her looks can be… bewitching."
Arthur tensed as the emphasis his father put on the last word.
"Just like her mother's."
He liked this last statement even less. Uther turned away to watch the lads guide the last horses to the stables. Arthur gulped, out of breath. This was the moment he had dread for months finally. The confirmation…
"You will inform Morgana she will seat by Agravaine at the feast."
"What? No!"
This was worst that the truth he expected.
Uther faced his son with a menacing frown. Arthur clenched his fists into a tight fist.
"I don't trust him!"
"Neither do I. Which is precisely why I want him distracted while I'll talk to Caerleon tonight."
The way his father worded 'distracted' sank like a brick in Arthur's stomach. He straightened up, uncaring about the people starting to stare at their contest.
"I refuse to let Morgana-"
"Lower your tone, Arthur."
Uther stepped closer. His father dominated him by two solid inches. He was broader, and he wore the royal crown. Arthur didn't budge. One gloved hand rose in the air. For a second, he feared his father was to strike him. Then the hand clasped hard on his shoulder. Pain travelled down his side, jaw-clenching.
"You still have a lot to learn about politics, and women. Do as I say and don't worry. Morgana will be fine."
Uther squeezed his fingers. Arthur couldn't help but wince.
"You still have time to think about such things anyway. Enjoy life and your status. Discreetly."
Arthur flushed a deep red. Did his father just suggest?... He wouldn't would he?
"Father, if I… if I petitioned you for… Would you consent to…"
He didn't dare formulate his question properly. Some irrational hope echoed with each heartbeat. Uther seemed only concern with keeping gossip away, maybe…
The chuckle that followed was so unlike his father the tight knot around his throat tightened.
Without a proper answer, Arthur preferred changing the subject to more urgent and equally disturbing matters.
"Father, what happened twenty-four years ago?"
He was twenty-two, Morgana only a handful of months younger. Who was concerned by his father and uncle fall apart? Himself? Her?
Amusement had vanished from the king's clear eyes.
"That's nothing of your concern."
"My uncle appears out of nowhere to threaten you. It is my concern."
"This is not a conversation to have in the middle of the courtyard."
The king stormed inside the castle. Arthur sneered. As if marital discussion and plotting about using his ward as bait were suitable for courtyard's conversations…
A/N: Thanks a lot for the reviews and questions :) I love answering (and/or keeping you on your toes)... I adore the new angle, and I can't wait to see what you think. I hope to post two new chapters this weekend! Hit the button and feed the muse!