"Today is the wedding, Merlin. Why do you look like it's another funeral?" Arthur asked, securing his cape around his neck. The servant said nothing, but continued folding the blanket on the bed. "I suspect this will be you in a few months."
"Unlikely."
Arthur raised his eyes and turned them questioningly to his manservant who avoided his gaze. "Why not?"
"You need to have a girl to get married," Merlin responded as he fixed the pillows.
"Weren't you and Morgana's handmaiden..."
"I thought so," Merlin cut off the king, unable to stop the bitterness from slipping into his voice.
Arthur crossed his arms. "What happened?" Merlin didn't answer, but kept his eyes down and readjusted a pillow he'd already fixed. "I'll have you thrown in the stocks if you don't answer." Merlin looked up and smirked. "I'm serious. You're not answering your king. That could be considered a crime."
Chuckling half heartedly, Merlin looked back down to his task. "She... misunderstood a situation and now she won't let me explain myself. She won't speak to me at all."
"What could be that bad?" Arthur couldn't help but ask.
Merlin's mind raced. "I think..." He swallowed. What was better than the truth? "I think she thought I was using magic."
Arthur looked at him with a stone hard gaze before cracking into laughter of disbelief. "You? Using magic?"
Oh if only he knew. "I know. The thought is insane."
"You do of course know what this means, don't you?" Arthur asked plainly, and Merlin looked back. "You're going to have to talk to her." The dark haired man opened his mouth to speak, but the King wasn't finished. "I will not have fighting amongst my servants at the castle. That's an order."
Merlin grinned. "Yes, sire." How could he disobey an order from the King?
The bride and groom stood at the front of the room. Arthur was dressed in his ceremonial attire, filling the room with a presence that demanded their respect. However, it was Morgana, dressed in a white that seemed to blend with the ivory of her skin and made her raven hair appear much darker that held everyone's attention.
Arthur thought she looked beautiful, and he made a note to himself to tell her so later.
"My Lords, ladies and gentlemen of Camelot. We are gathered here today to celebrate by the ancient right of hand fastening, union of Arthur Pendragon and Lady Morgana."
Morgana looked up into Arthur's eyes. They were firm, and still somehow sad, yet they held a gentleness to them as well. Typical Arthur. Even on their wedding day, he couldn't allow himself to be completely open about his emotions.
She found herself doubting his true intentions behind marrying her.
"Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?"
Arthur nodded. "It is."
"Is it your wish, Morgana, to become one with this man?"
Looking at the man leading the ceremony, and opening her mouth, she felt her throat go dry and no words came. Swallowing, she looked back to Arthur and smiled. "It is."
"Do any say nay?"
Both the bride and groom looked around the room, but the gathered crowd remained silent.
Merlin had to choke back a laugh. If anyone had wanted to protest, the piercing gaze the king sent would have silenced them instantly.
Adelaide folded her hands under her chin. There was a hint of a pained look on her Lady's face, as though she had wanted someone to protest to the marriage and stop it altogether. She ducked her eyes down; there was nothing she could do.
The couple held each other's hands tightly as a vine was wrapped around, tying them to one another. "With this garland, I do tie a knot, and by doing so bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity."
Eternity.
"I, Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."
Merlin smiled to himself, watching his friends as they spoke their vows. It was good to see them happy together. The two had danced around their feelings for far too long.
Adelaide watched as Morgana spoke her vows in return, and the servant couldn't help but wonder if she was the only one to hear the reluctance in the bride's voice.
"I now pronounce you to be husband and wife."
All the people gathered applauded when the newlyweds locked their lips; Merlin clapped the hardest, Adelaide the softest.
The ceremony continued as the applause subsided.
"Now we will bear witness to the naming of Queen Morgana as the rightful heir to Camelot. Are you willing to take the oath?"
Morgana knelt in front of her throne and put on her bravest face. "I am."
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Camelot, to uphold the laws and customs of the land?"
"I do." She might have been unsure about her marriage to Arthur, but Camelot was her home. The people were her people.
"Will you to your power cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will."
"Will you, to the utmost of your powers, maintain the laws and customs of the land, and serve the people of Camelot?"
"I will."
The pillow bearing the crown was brought forwards. Taking the crown, the man approached her and placed it gently on her head. "Arise, Queen Morgana of Camelot." She stood, and Arthur took her arm. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Hello, my Queen," he greeted her.
She smiled back. At least it wouldn't be an unbearable marriage, even if he had only married her out of his feelings of duty. "Hello my King."
The King turned to the crowd of people. "I hope you will all join us for a banquet to celebrate this evening." His eyes settled on the handmaiden who looked as though her mind were elsewhere. "It will be an evening to remember."
"I won't say anything," Morgana stated as she ran a brush through her long hair.
Arthur looked up from the table where he had been reading over a letter delivered earlier in the day, "What?"
"You only married me out of your sense of duty, and don't try to deny otherwise Arthur," she looked over at him with a threatening gaze, making him shut his mouth. "I can read you as well as the words you're reading before you."
"Morgana..."
"No, it's all right," she cut him off, rising to her feet. "I understand, Arthur. As you said, Camelot needed a queen. You did it for Camelot, not because you loved me," as she loved him, but she still had her pride. She wouldn't tell him that. "I have a duty to Camelot as well. Just don't be expecting any favours." She swallowed and gathered herself together. "I need to find Adelaide and prepare for tonight."
There was nothing more to say for either of them, so she walked from the room. Arthur looked down at the letter, it's importance seeming not quite as great anymore. He did love Morgana... at least, he thought he did. However, she was right; they both had a duty to Camelot and the people they ruled.
Morgana's smile was bright, and she chatted with the guests eagerly. Her handmaiden sighed. She admired the new Queen; even though she wasn't truly happy, no one in the world would know. No one but her handmaiden who knew her well enough to see beyond the mask. The servant girl wished she had that ability. Instead, her emotions sometimes got the better of her. Especially her temper.
A hand closed around her forearm. She turned in surprise.
"May I have a word with you?" The face looking back at her held a pleading look on her young expressions.
Adelaide looked at the servant gripping her arm in confusion. The girl was quite young, perhaps twelve. She was certain they'd never spoken before; she didn't even know the girl's name. The dark haired handmaiden thought perhaps she'd seen the distressed girl in the kitchens once before. Still, she looked anxious, so after looking to see that her mistress was all right, Adelaide agreed.
Releasing her, the girl led her quietly from the noisy room to a dimly lit hall.
The girl walked ahead of her briskly. As they neared the end of the hall, Adelaide felt someone cover her mouth and grab her arm, yanking her backwards. The girl looked at her, nodded, and darted around the corner.
The hand clamped over her mouth held her tight enough to keep her from making a noise. The grip on her arm was strong, one she knew she wouldn't be able to get away from.
"Don't scream."