A/N: If I owned Merlin, Arthur and Morgana would have their happy ending.

Chapter 14 : Chessboard

The next days disappeared in a blur of preparations, dress rehearsals and meetings.

Gwen cried her heart out when she realized her duties to her father would forbid her to follow her mistress in that new adventure. Therefore, she decided to make sure her wardrobe would not suffer from her absence. Morgana too felt a little sad to leave her maid behind. Despite Gwen other self' behavior, the petite brunette had been nothing but a very good friend to her, loyal to a fault. The pang of jealousy was completely gone somehow. However, her busy schedule left her with little time to wonder about that change of heart.

Uther had taken upon himself to instruct her on what he called her 'ambassador duties': smile, listen, answer a question by another question, and never put yourself in a vulnerable position. All in all, it seemed quite the same that her ladyship behavior, save for the fact that now, thinking was actually required.

This side of Uther surprised her. The king she knew and distrusted rarely deviated from the hard line when it came to politics. However, this Uther was patient and crafty. He complimented her sense of observation and smiled on more than one occasion when she asked a question. To her embarrassment, this Uther was someone she was able to recognize herself into.

Politics, he explained, was life playing Chess. You have to think several moves in advance to win the game.

"I will need to identify all the pieces first."

"I beg your pardon?"

Morgana gasped, startled. Queen Annis stared back at her, waiting for her to explain her comment. The young woman curtsied quickly, gaining a few seconds to figure out a plausible excuse.

"A vase, your Highness. I broke it the other night; Gaius offered to mend it, but I need to gather all the pieces first."

Annis bent her head to a side, her clear eyes drilling into Morgana's. The raven hair beauty gave a coy smile, hoping it would dismiss the other woman's doubts. Finally, the queen offered her arm, indicating her to walk with her outside.

"I'm glad you were allowed to accept my invitation, Morgana. It will do you good to see the world beyond this castle and experiment something else than Pendragons men for company."

Morgana chose her words carefully, not so much as to follow Uther's instructions than to hide the shock to have the queen express out loud some of her own longings.

"Thank you for having me, your Majesty."

Annis smirked.

"I see that Uther gave you pointers. Let me give you some as well, Morgana. Alliances are not only about treads and masks. They are also the matter of trust, and open minds."

"Yes, your Majesty."

The queen shook her head in amused exasperation.

"Please stop with the formalities. Your mother was very dear to me, and I held you in diapers."

"Will you…" Morgana hesitated. The eyes fixed on her seemed to see straight to her heart. "Will you tell me about her?"

"I doubt Uther will appreciate if I do."

Morgana lifted her chin proudly, caution gone.

"Uther won't accompany us."

"But his son will."

She reacted at once.

"Arthur is not his father."

Annis answered her fierce statement with a small smile.

"So I've been told…"

She pointed toward the train field to her right.

"He certainly inherited his father's talent on the battlefield, though."

Morgana followed her stare.

Arthur was facing Gwain in a one-on-one fight with training sticks. The brown-hair man saw her and bowed his head gallantly, before he looked at his opponent again. Arthur stayed focused on him, but didn't use the opening the momentary distraction of Gwaine had offered him. They walked on the opposite sides of a wide circle, stick taping stick irregularly. Arthur pushed forward, wood clashing for a brief moment as Gwaine pared easily. Then they started circling each other again.

Morgana noticed Gwaine was panting slightly. He held his stick close to his left side, probably weakened by his wound. Arthur lunged again, this time to the left. He countered the other man's block, pressed forward... Morgana hold her breath, waiting for the coming gasp of pain, but then… Gwaine grinned. He released one of his hand from the stick, twisted his remaining wrist to make the wood whirl and Arthur could only witness his own weapon flying up in the air. Still grinning, the scruffy soon-to-be knight grabbed it and saluted. Merlin clapped, instantly shut up by Arthur's glare.

Annis nodded pensively.

"He let him win, didn't he? He had at least two occasions to disarm him, but he waited. Why is that?"

The prince leaned toward Merlin and then turned his head toward the women. Waving at his sparing companion to go on without him, Arthur jogged to them, Merlin on his heels.

Morgana swallowed her smile and shrugged uncommitted.

"Who knows what's in Arthur head?"

"Oh, I think you have a pretty good idea, dear child."

Morgana's cheeks heated.

"Only when it's empty, your Highness."

Annis chuckled.

"What's empty? Your Majesty… Morgana…"

Morgana flushed even more. Arthur looked at her curiously, while he paid his respect toward the queen. Teasing seemed more difficult since that kiss… Every time they started bickering, her mind replayed the scene over and over again, from the tickling to that moment he… She cleared her throat.

"My stomach, Arthur. You promised me lunch. It's past noon already and I'm famished."

He hid his surprise better than she did.

"I did? Ah, yes… Yes, of course."

Queen Annis excused herself and walked away to talk to her husband's second in command, gesturing Agravaine to join her. Morgana jumped, suddenly noticing the dark man coming out of the shadows on her left. How long had he lurked there…

"Morgana?"

"Yes, let's go."

She took Arthur's arm so that he could escort her out of the train yard. Merlin followed with one last wave to his new friend. She leaned toward her escort.

"Do you think you'll be able to reproduce that move?"

Arthur beamed, as always when she showed she had indeed paid attention.

"You noticed, huh? Gwaine claims he can do it with swords too. I never had time before to practice it…"

"I noticed, Arthur, and so did Annis."

And Agravaine… His winning smile sunk. He paused, scratching the back of his head. The gesture brought back so much of the insouciant boy he was not so long ago Morgana couldn't retain a fond smile. She turned, fluttering her fingers to Merlin.

"Can you bring us lunch to Arthur's chambers, Merlin?"

"Oh sure… Right away."

Arthur frowned as his servant rabbited out.

"How come he obey you that fast while I always have to repeat myself at least twice? And why my chambers?"

Morgana conceded an amused glance his way.

"I always ask nicely. My room is a mess. Gwen decided to go over my whole wardrobe."

Arthur scoffed.

"You have too many dresses anyway."

"Complaining?"

Today's outfit was made of green wool and golden lace. Arthur let his stare roamed over her impishly. The things a simple kiss could change… He took her hand to his lips, satisfied to see her eyes followed the gesture as she flushed again.

"Depends… How many do you plan on taking with you?"

"I…"

Morgana finally caught his mischievous smile and pulled her hand free.

"Can't you be serious for a minute? We need a plan! What if-"

Arthur interrupted her.

"I have a plan. Take you there. Watch you charm the iscarans. Bring you back in one piece. Simple."

She huffed.

"It won't be that easy Arthur. Queen Annis is not a fool; there's Agravaine, and…"

Arthur tossed his jacket and sword haphazardly toward the table. The throw was too short and they landed on the chair. Morgana sighed, picked the items up, along with a shirt and took her load to the bed. She tripped on a pair of boots. She exhaled impatiently. Really, she needed a chat with Merlin about tidying…

"You're forgetting Gwaine."

Morgana lifted an eyebrow.

"Gwaine."

"Yes, Gwaine."

"Oh no… Absolutely not."

She turned with her fists on her hips. Arthur said, "He's the perfect excuse. He already turns around you like a fly around honey."

"Thank you very much. I'm reduced to be bait again, for a mercenary this time. A real improvement."

He grinned.

"Somehow… Don't underestimate him, Morgana. I know the man, remember. Beside myself, he's the only one I trust to protect you."

She scoffed, "I can protect myself."

Arthur took a cautious step toward her.

"Of course you can…"

"Why not Leon?"

He frowned. Why did she have to name Leon?

"It has to be someone from Caerleon's retinue."

She sighed.

"Do you really trust him?"

"Around you? Never. But in a fight, I'll trust him with my life."

Morgana stopped arguing to let his meaning sink. These days, Arthur could outmaneuver her too easily… She resented it a little. She used to be the one manipulating him… If he came to truly realize the power he had over her, she would never see the end of it…

"Morgana? You're not arguing."

Arthur shook her out of her trail of thought. She forced herself to scowl.

"Why would I? For once, you're making sense."

He pulled a face at her, then slopped in a chair.

"All right. Tell me what today's lesson was about."

Morgana approached the table in turn.

"Chess play."

"Ah. Father's favorite metaphor… What pieces do you think they are?"

Once again, he had picked up her brains easily. Morgana sighed.

"Well Caerleon and Annis are obvious. Agravaine makes me think of a rook: watching, and waiting to take the king's place…" Silently, she thought 'whatever the kingdom.'

"Funny. I would have made him a bishop: moving far but always sneaking in diagonal."

She laughed. The man panted after each passing skirt. A famous monk he would make. Arthur asked, "What about us?"

"You're the king and I'm the queen of course."

"You got it reverse."

Both jumped, as Merlin kicked the door close.

"Merlin!"

"Sorry… My hands are full. I think that Morgana is the most important piece on the board, but her moves are very limited for now. On the contrary, you, Arthur, can do as you please, so you have to be the queen…"

Morgana laughed heartily. Arthur huffed. His servant shrugged.

"What? What did I say?"

"Shut up, Merlin."