I really don't know what's come over me. All I feel like doing is writing this story now! Thanks so much for all the reviews lately. I'm so overwhelmed by your kind words! And I hope everyone noticed that I added a little afternote about Uther's relationship with Morgana at the end of my last chapter. Yes, she is his daughter in my story. I actually like it that way, and as much as I believe that Arthur and Morgana had a little something going on during Season 1, I don't really like them romantically. So I don't want anyone to think that this is where the story is going. While it might not seem too obvious right now, I clearly prefer Merlin and Morgana together. Sorry! So no hating, please. :)
Anyway, every time I write a chapter it just grows into more dialogue that I originally hadn't planned. So I hope none of it bores you, although I think you will find the first part kind of funny. :) Sorry I keep promising things and taking forever to deliver. I know, I'm horrible. Don't hate me!
The atmosphere was heavy during the evening meal that night. Morgana barely touched her food. Uther, despite his anger, had requested her presence even thought she had flatly refused at first. Due to Gwen, she had reconsidered the command, not wanting to stir up any more trouble. Both refused to speak or even look at each other during the entire meal. Erwan sat across from her, stealing a look every so often. Frederick had joined them, as well, as Arthur, who was strangely quiet. Surprisingly, it was Erwan who broke the uncomfortable silence.
"L-lady Morgana, I have beautiful horses back at my father's estate. You like horses, don't you?"
Morgana lightly dabbed her mouth but wouldn't take her eyes off her plate. "Yes."
"I knew you would. How fair you must look riding across the countryside."
Frederick attempted to mask a groan as he locked eyes with Merlin, who was trying his hardest not to laugh as he stood by. "If I recall, Erwan, you took my sister out riding several times."
Uther glanced up. "Frederick, I didn't know Erwan and you were already acquainted."
"Why yes, he had quite a lengthy stay with us not so long ago. By the way, my sister sends her greetings, Erwan, and regrets she was not able to bid you farewell."
Erwan's eyes grew stony and he looked uncomfortable. "The regret is all mine. I was sorely disappointed that I had to leave so suddenly that day."
"Then you must not have heard the news?"
"W-what news?"
"Why, the very morning you left, a precious artifact had gone missing from the royal treasury. Maybe you passed the bandits on your return journey and didn't even know it. Wouldn't that be something?"
Erwan coughed. "N-no. I'm afraid I saw no one that morning. I left quite early."
"Ah, that's a shame. You know, that is my purpose here in Camelot. To find the thief…or thieves. It's my belief that they're right here under our very noses."
Uther looked from Frederick to Erwan with a perplexed expression. Erwan coughed again and quickly changed the subject. "L-lady Morgana, what other hobbies interest you?"
"Many things interest me, but I'm not really sure they would interest you," she replied coldly.
"You know, you might not be able to guess by looking at me, but I love sword fighting. In fact…OH!" Erwan suddenly exclaimed as his plate of food slid into his lap. "Oh dear, h-how clumsy of me."
Merlin stepped forward. "Here, let me help you with that." Merlin scooped the food up with a napkin and dished out some more.
Erwan laughed awkwardly and reached for his glass of wine. "As I was saying, I do love sword fighting…OH!" Erwan jolted forward, his glass of red wine staining his white shirt. "I r-really don't know what's come over me," he said as he dabbed at his shirt with his napkin. "Maybe I ought to refrain from the wine."
Morgana barely restrained herself from laughing as Erwan's face turned a crimson shade of red. She glanced quickly at Merlin, who looked a little smug. Watching him closely, she realized what he was up to. While he thought no one was looking, his eyes briefly lit up, leading to Erwan's clumsiness again. As Erwan went to reach for his fork, he spilled the remainder of his wine on the table, which leaked onto Uther's lap.
"Sire, I beg your pardon!" Erwan awkwardly tried to clean off Uther's trousers as they both stood.
"Erwan….Erwan! It's fine." Uther pulled away slightly and attempted a cordial smile. "Well, I believe a change of clothing is in order. If you'll excuse me."
"I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me as well. I must look a sight!" Erwan hurried out of the room after Uther.
"Well…that was…interesting." Arthur blurted out.
Lifting her handkerchief to her mouth, Morgana began laughing…hard. In fact, she couldn't recall the last time she had laughed so freely. Her laughter was infectious, leading Frederick, Arthur, and Merlin to do the same. Arthur locked eyes with Morgana…it was good to see her smile. For a moment, he thought on Gwen's words to him earlier that afternoon. It would pain him to see that smile gone from her…and it would, in fact, entirely disappear if she was forced into an unhappy marriage. Pushing the thought and his guilt aside, he dismissed himself and retired to his chambers.
"Well, who needs entertainment when it's right in front of us." Frederick choked back another laugh as he recalled Erwan's mishaps.
"Maybe Uther will finally tire of him," Morgana remarked dryly as she glanced again at Merlin, who was collecting the empty dishes, looking a little pleased with himself.
"Are you going to tell Uther your suspicions about Erwan?" Morgana said to Frederick, steering the conversation back to the more pressing matter.
"I want some more proof, knowing Uther's stubbornness. But yes, I do intend on telling him the truth, if he'll believe me."
"Why wouldn't he?" Merlin asked suddenly. "He should have more respect for you, no matter what his relationship is with Erwan's father."
"It's possible, but I need to know that Uther's mind isn't poisoned against me. And has it struck any of you that Erwan might have magic?"
Morgana and Merlin exchanged quick glances. Morgana smirked. "Erwan…have magic? I highly doubt it."
"No…Frederick is right. We should be on our guard," Merlin said.
"Here's to tomorrow then," Frederick raised his glass and rose to leave.
"So, that's it? Shouldn't we try to find more evidence against Erwan?" Morgana stood as well.
"I think we all need to get a good night's rest, especially you, Morgana," Frederick said pointedly to her.
Pursing her lips in disagreement, Morgana watched him leave. "Of course he acts like we have all the time in the world. But then again he's not the one who might just have to marry the man."
"You won't have to marry Erwan, Morgana. We'll make sure of that."
"Merlin, I saw what you did…with Erwan's wine."
Grinning mischievously, Merlin shrugged. "And what was that, exactly?"
"Come now, don't play that game with me," she teased, lowering her voice. "I saw your eyes."
"Hmm. Must have been the lighting. It's terrible, you know."
"Really, I hadn't noticed."
"Maybe you should get your eyes checked. Gaius could help you, you know."
Morgana playfully hit him with her handkerchief. "I would have you know that my eyes are perfectly fine!"
Merlin laughed. "You're too easy…my lady," he grew serious, as if remembering his place.
"Well, I wanted to say thank you. I couldn't have done it better myself."
Merlin suddenly seemed obsessed with the table as he cleared away more plates.
"Merlin…did you hear what I said?"
"Hmm. Oh, you're welcome, my lady."
"My lady? You know you don't have to call me that."
"I'm afraid I do. Especially when others could easily hear us," Merlin said softly.
"Oh, you're right, of course. But Merlin…do you think I did the right thing today? Defying Uther so openly?"
"Of course you did. You were brave and strong. I wish I had your courage."
"I think sometimes that my courage will be the death of me."
"Maybe. But at least you'd die fighting for something."
Morgana looked thoughtful for a moment. "I need to confront Morgause."
"What…no!"
"Why not? She's the reason this is even happening!"
"How do you know that? Erwan might actually want to marry you, did you ever think of that?"
"Come now, I'm just a pawn in his game."
"Morgana, you can't go to Morgause. It's too dangerous."
Morgana was silent.
"Morgana…" he said in a warning tone. "Promise me you won't do anything hasty. Let Frederick go to Uther."
"But what if Uther doesn't listen? Maybe you're right…maybe Erwan does have magic…of some kind…"
"Just…leave it be. Remember what your hastiness cost you last time. Morgana?"
"Alright."
"Promise me you won't go to Morgause. At least…not on your own. Promise?"
"Fine! I promise."
But as Morgana lay back on her bed that night, she wondered how strictly Merlin would hold her to that promise as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. Sitting up, she strained her ears to hear any other movement. The footsteps sounded too heavy to be Gwen's, and weren't Arthur's or Merlin's. Frederick's perhaps? Or Erwan's.
The thought made her spring out of bed as she slowly opened her door to peer out in the hallway. She briefly caught the silhouette of Frederick at the end of the hall. Where could he possibly be going at this hour?
Grabbing her cloak, Morgana followed him. Eventually she found herself outside of the palace as Frederick weaved in and out of the streets, almost as if he was following someone himself. As he halted, so did Morgana, and it also allowed her to catch a better glance past Frederick. Indeed he was following someone, and that someone appeared to be Erwan himself. She should have known. No doubt he would be furious with her if he discovered she was following him, so she quietly trailed them both. Not so surprisingly, Erwan led them back to the same forest they had been in last night. Morgana's heart quickened. He's meeting with Morgause again…
"Morgana!" a voice hissed.
She froze in her steps. Frederick. Slowly turning, she saw Frederick appear from behind a tree. If she could make herself disappear, now would be an opportune moment. But unfortunately, she couldn't.
"I knew someone was following me. What are you doing?"
"I saw you leave the castle…so I followed you. And now I see that you're following Erwan."
"You shouldn't be here."
"And you should have told me."
Frederick's jaw shifted. Morgana knew she had angered him.
"I don't have time to argue with you. I can't lost Erwan now, but the two of us trailing him together is too suspicious. You have to promise me to be quiet, and stay at least a few feet behind me."
Morgana vigorously nodded, relieved he was even allowing her to stay. Thankfully it appeared that Erwan didn't guess a thing, because he eventually stopped at the same exact spot as before, and he looked as if he was waiting for someone. After Frederick found a well-concealed hiding place, he gestured for Morgana to join him.
"I thought you were going to send me back."
"And would you have listened?"
Morgana smiled. "No."
"Exactly what I thought."
A sudden movement caught their attention. Morgana found herself instinctively gripping Frederick's wrist as Morgause entered into the tiny clearing where Erwan was standing, and she looked sorely displeased.
