Chapter 38: The Mystifying Woman
It had been only three months since an unexplained Knight/wraith came to Camelot in a quest to bring down the throne. No one knew why except for the King and his two closest friends Gaius and Obi Wan. There had been no reports of any incidents since then. Lady Morgana was still having restless nights with her dreams and now it seemed that the king's eldest son Anakin was starting to have his own dreams.
Anakin's dream
It wasn't as cleaned up as Camelot but it was tall and majestic although now it looked half destroyed with open roofs and vines climbing up and down the inside and outside walls
There was a courtyard and in the middle was a block of wood with an axe embedded into the wood. Arthur slowly picked it up and began to play with it whilst his friend and servant Merlin nervously stood a few meters away.
Then, a woman appeared, quite beautiful she was. With long flowing blond hair and a beautiful crimson dress, she looked over at Arthur as she made her way down the stoned steps towards him.
"Place your head on the block" she tells him before taking the axe out of the wood. Arthur, without asking why, starts to get down on his knees to comply!
"Arthur, what are you doing!" Merlin cries "I won't let you do this!" he calls out to him as Arthur snaps back at him
"Stay out of this, Merlin!" he tells him. He places his head on the block just as the woman raises the axe high and Merlin can only watch as she brings the axe towards Arthur...
End of dream
Anakin's eyes snap open as he quickly sits upright in his bed trying to catch his breath. Not another dream. He fears. It had been over a year since the last time and they felt too real to what actually happened so what did this one mean? Who was this woman and would Arthur allow her to simply behead him?
Whilst, on the outskirts far from Camelot in an old ancient castle very similar to the one Anakin unknowingly had just dreamed about, lived a woman. She was deep inside the castle in one of its vine covered rooms. She stood at a stoned altar filled with candles and right before her in the middle a large, white crystal.
She softly recites a spell into the crystal "Arthur Pendragon" she begins "A great destiny awaits you" she speaks looking down into the crystals seeing an image of Arthur standing in the council chambers.
"The battle for your soul, is about to begin" she reveals. She allows a smirk to cross her face in pride. She had a plan and it involved turning the youngest Pendragon against his brother and his father which she hoped would tear the small family apart and bring Camelot to ruins.
While back in Camelot, there was a knighting ceremony underway with members of the council and fellow knights standing in the council chamber watching four new knights be knighted. Princes Anakin and Arthur stood in their chainmail and red Camelot capes over them, watched their father slowly knight each young man. Morgana stood behind Uther in her long white dress with sparkly sleeves as Gwen and Merlin stood beside Gaius to the other side.
Uther speaks once more "Arise, Sir Vidor" he tells him. He taps the knight's left shoulder "Knight of Camelot" he reveals tapping his other shoulder. He moves down to the last knight
"Arise, Sir Caridx" he speaks tapping his left shoulder "Knight of Camelot" he adds tapping his other shoulder. He lowers his sword and stands back as all four knights rose to their feet.
Uther begins to pace up and down in front of them "You've been accorded a great honour" he explains continuing on "With that honour, comes great responsibility" he reminds them.
At the same time...
However, at that moment, making their way towards Camelot, walking along the stoned path leading to the drawbridge, a lone knight, their face hidden by their helmet and sword at their side, continues towards the castle. Uther, goes on addressing the new knight From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knight's code" he instructs them.
Two guards are on duty at the drawbridge. The lone figure withdraws their sword alerting them to their presence and they are quick to withdraw their swords. The lone fighter is too quick for them and defeats them knocking them both out as Uther continues on in his speech
Inside the castle...
"You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour and respect"he tells them.
Uther looks over at the four newly knighted knights once again, going on "Your word is your sacred bond" he tells them at the same time the lone figure moves across the drawbridge moving towards another archway right as another knight rushes to intercept the intruder.
The Camelot knight's sword clash against the intruder's sword who displays an remarkable sword fighting skills as the Camelot knight holds his own against the new figure whilst all that the same time, Uther, unaware of what is happening outside, goes on
"You will find no one who better embodies these values than my sons" he tells them moving back over towards his two sons, "Anakin and Arthur" he adds placing one hand on Anakin's shoulder and the other on Arthur's shoulder as both boys remain silent. Uther then moves away from his sons "Follow their example and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title" he promises them.
Continuing to make their way through the castle, the knight sees two more Camelot knights come towards them however they didn't stand a chance as the lone fighter proves stronger and they had them knocked out onto the ground in minutes as they moved on towards a archway seeing another knight rush towards them. Their swords clash as the knight tries to disarmed the intruder and seemed to be holding their own however the intruder proved stronger and had the knight on the ground and pressed on.
They made their way down a hallway just off the courtyard. Their sword withdrawn and moved towards two guards ready to take them down.
The clanging of their swords clashing echoed into the council chamber alerting everyone to the noise. Uther, standing near his throne, turns and looks towards the entrance along with Merlin, Gaius and Gwen just as they see the intruder dressed in their armour enter the room.
The newly knighted knights are quick to take out their swords to protect their king as Anakin and Arthur step out from behind the knights. All eyes on the intruder as they made their way towards the princes. The situation once again, all too familiar Merlin noted, for it was only three months since the last intruder crashed through the chambers.
The knight stops meters before Anakin and Arthur and removes one of their metal gauntlets. They then throw it onto the floor right before Arthur's feet! They were here to issue a challenge.
Gwen, Gaius, Merlin all watch as Arthur bends down to pick up the gauntlet as Anakin feels a lump in his throat as Arthur speaks
"I accept your challenge" he tells the intruder who remains still and silent. Uther, once more, can only watch his youngest son take up a challenge. "If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity" he insists
Morgana, Anakin and Merlin cautiously all watch the intruder begin to remove their helmet. They slowly removed their helmet, releasing a mass of beautiful, long blond hair revealing the intruder to be a woman! Merlin is surprised as Arthur is stunned
"My name is Morgause" she speaks in a firm, strong voice. Her deep piercing brown eyes staring straight at Arthur whilst Morgana and Anakin curiously stare back at her. To Anakin, there was something about this woman that made her eerily familiar to him. He looks straight back at her, and it was then he recognised her face - the woman from his dream, with the axe ready to behead his brother! She was here in Camelot! He feared his dream coming true and his worries grew for his brother who just accepted her challenge!
An hour later after Morgause's sudden arrival in Camelot, Uther had drawn the feast to an end and sent for Geoffrey who was in charge of the archives hoping he would have an answer that could stop Morgause's challenge. He had summoned him along with Anakin and Arthur to the council chambers. Anakin stood beside his father as Arthur stood on the other side of the table, leaning against it with his back to them. Geoffrey stood at the end of the table, in the middle of them all.
"I've searched the records going back more than 300 years" Geoffrey informs them shaking his head "I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge" he regrettably tells him however Uther wasn't going to give up
"There must be some way to stop this?" he asks him as Geoffrey shakes his head once more
"According to the knight's rule, it appears her challenge is perfectly valid" he insists as Uther feels disheartened
"It seems there's nothing we can do" he admits as Anakin looks over at his father and still with his dream of Morgause in his mind, cannot believe his father's words knowing that three months when the mysterious knight/wraith came to Camelot, Uther did everything he could to stop him from fighting
"We don't know anything about this woman" Anakin points out as Arthur turns around towards his brother and father as Anakin goes on "Father will not let you face her in combat. You nearly died in the last challenge you undertook" he reminds him as Arthur, feeling that he has grown in his fighting since then, only replies
"I accepted the challenge" he says "If I refuse to fight, it'll be seen as an act of cowardice" he adds as Uther moves back over towards the table, stabbing the table with one finger
"She killed five guards" he reminds him referring to the five guards Morgause fought on her way into the castle. It had turned out she didn't just knock them out, but she had fatally wounded them. However, Arthur knew what he needed to do
"I cannot demand that the knights uphold the code then be seen to break it myself" he insists looking from Uther to Anakin once more before he clears his throat "I must face her tomorrow" he only concludes before he starts to exit the chamber not before Anakin can stop him
"Arthur, please!" he calls out to him moving over towards his brother "This woman is dangerous" he tries to reason with him. "You may be a strong warrior but she may be stronger. She came all the way to Camelot, killed five guards to issue you a challenge" he recounts placing both hands on his brother's shoulders staring at him directly "Please Arthur, I may not be able to stop you fighting but promise me, you will not take it easy on her" he insists.
Arthur looks up seeing the fear in his brother's eyes and he knew he was referring to the fact of her being a woman. He didn't want him to give her a fair chance. Arthur claps a hand on his brother's shoulder
"I promise you brother. I won't let my guard down" he assures him before he exits the chamber once more leaving Uther and Anakin alone. Uther moves over towards his eldest son. Uther could see the worry in his son's eyes and instead of saying anything, he gave his son a strong comforting embrace and could only hope Arthur succeeded in this new challenge.
Whilst, outside down in the courtyard, Morgause wasn't taking it easy but practising her sword fighting skills. She swipes her sword high before brings it down low, stepping in time with her footwork at the same time, from her window in her room, Morgana curiously watched her as Gwen went about preparing Morgana's room for the night
"Who is she?" she hears Gwen asks "Why would she challenge Arthur?" she asks her friend "It's seems no one's ever heard of her" she adds folding back Morgana's sheets. Morgana couldn't shake this feeling like she knew this woman from somewhere
"I feel as if I've meet her somewhere before" Morgana suddenly confesses taking Gwen by surprise
"Really?" she asks straightening up and slowly moving over towards her friend "Where could you know her from?" she asks curiously. That is what had Morgana stumped
"I don't know" she simply sighs staring back out the window at Morgause once more who only gave her a cautious glance from her place down in the courtyard. It had Morgana stumped even more, what was this feeling she had.
Whilst, in Arthur's chambers, Merlin was cleaning up Arthur's armour as Arthur paced up and down before his friend once more. It wasn't because he was nervous. Arthur enjoyed the chance to fight with his sword any time, and yet Merlin felt something was bothering his friend
"Do you know why she challenged you?" he asks straight out as Arthur, continued to pace before he stopped and shrugged
"I'm one of the King's sons" he quickly replies "Perhaps she believed she will prove herself" he adds "Perhaps she wants to test me seeing as how I'm the younger brother" he wonders as Merlin looks over at his friend once more
"Is that why she didn't chose Anakin maybe?" he asks as Arthur stops once more and turns towards him curiously
"Are you saying I won't win?" he asks him straight out seeing Merlin quickly shake his head
"No, but Anakin is the eldest. I would have thought she would challenge him" he suggests. There is silence between the two friends before Merlin changes the subject
"You don't want to fight her, do you?" he asks however Arthur shook his head as he moved over towards the fireplace
"I have no choice" he tells him "If I refuse to fight here, I'm a coward" he points out "And if I kill her, what am I then?" he asks. It is then Merlin realized the problem Arthur was facing, he had never fought a woman before. He then heard Arthur speak up once more "What is it?" he asks as Merlin answers him
"You've never faced a woman in combat" he replies "What if you hesitate? She could use that to her advantage" he hints as Arthur's eyes widen looking over at him
"You do think she's going to defeat me!" he snaps angrily startling Merlin who tries to reason with him again
"I'm just saying you need to be cautious because it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword" he reminds him referring to the fact where Morgause killed five guards just to make her way into the castle. Arthur moves away from the fireplace back towards his friend
"Since when do you know anything about combat?" he asks him. Merlin didn't know how to respond because Merlin rarely used a sword but he couldn't very well go saying he had magic on his side. Luckily, Arthur once more broke the silence
"I need you to take a message to Morgause for me" he tells him quickly adding "If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice" he looks over at Merlin staring straight back at him "You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge" he instructs him. Little did both of them know, this challenge was only part of Morgause's plot to bring conflict to his family.
A short time later, Merlin proceeded to Morgause's chambers where he hoped he could convince her to withdraw her challenge. He slowly opened the door to her chamber. He looked around to see if she was in her room and had barely moved very far when he felt the tip of a sword aimed straight at him
"What do you want?" they asked. It was Morgause. She had been hiding behind the door. His eyes widen as he pulled back closer towards the door as she moved around so that she was now in front of him, sword aimed directly at him
"I..." he stutters backing into the door "I have a message from Prince Arthur" he tells her "He wants you to withdraw your challenge" he insists "Arthur has no desire to fight you" he tells her "If you withdraw, he'll grant you safe passage from the kingdom" he assures her. "Leave, now while you still can" he hesitantly says
Morgause, doesn't lower her sword and her piercing brown eyes stare coldly at him "If Arthur has no desire to fight me, perhaps he should withdraw" she only replies hearing Merlin nervously reply
"No" he smiles shaking his head "He'll never do that" he tells her "It's not in him to do withdraw" he reveals. Morgause slowly then lowers her sword allowing Merlin to breathe more easily
"Then we have that in common" she replies moving over towards her bed as Merlin tries once more to reason with her
"If you fight him, he will have to treat you as he does any other opponent" he says wondering if perhaps she wanted a different style of fight "It won't matter than you're a woman" he adds as Morgause starts to fold back the quilt on her bed
"I do not ask for special treatment" she simply replies as Merlin is determined to get through to her
"Arthur has no quarrel with you. Why would you challenge him?" he asks adding "Why Arthur and not his brother Anakin?" he adds. He had to know this answer however Morgause was not prepared to let this boy know of her plot
"My reasons are not your concern" she quickly replies skipping over Merlin's last question. Merlin tried once more
"Don't put Arthur in a position where he's forced to kill you" he warns her however Morgause only stared over at him with her fierce, deep eyes
"Who's to say Arthur's life won't rest in my hands?" she only asks and that didn't make Merlin feel any better about this situation and it seemed that Morgause wasn't going to back down in this challenge.
Two more hours later, and everyone had decided to get some rest including Arthur who knew he could win against Morgause tomorrow even if she was a woman. He was going to show his father and brother that he was just as strong as them. Unfortunately, not everyone would have an easy night's sleep.
Anakin tossed and turned in his sheets, he was murmuring as well but his eyes remained closed. It seems his nightmarish dreams were far from over.
Anakin's dream
The room was dark, lit only by candles at a small altar in the middle while thick, ivy vines climbed the walls over the room. The blond woman, Morgause, stood in a stunning, crimson red whilst Arthur and Merlin, idly stood over to the side, just silently watching her.
Morgause then slowly turns around from her altar to look over at them "It's time" she speaks in a soft voice
She then holds out her hand, Arthur glances over at Merlin before he silently steps towards her. Morgause takes hold of his arm and turns him around, so that his back is facing the altar. Merlin moves to one side as Morgause speaks once more "Close your eyes" she tells him
Morgause closes her eyes before she then begins to recite a spell. Arthur remains still with his eyes close hearing her go on whilst Merlin watches her from the side seeing her begin to move around the altar.
Morgause continues to recite her spell as the winds around them begin to slow down and minutes later, Morgause's spell is finished. She raises her head over at Arthur. There is silence in the room before another voice speaks, a soft gentle voice
"Arthur?" they call out as Arthur slowly opens his eyes. There, meters before him, dressed in a long short sleeved white sparkled dress and her blond hair pulled back, is a woman Arthur never thought he'd see. "Arthur" she speaks
Arthur's eyes widen in disbelief "Mother?" he calls back to her.
End of dream
Anakin's eyes suddenly snap open as he feels sweat once more drip off his forehead before slowly sitting up in his bed. What did he just see? Not only was it another dream of Morgause with his brother but he also saw their mother. It was no secret to him that both he and Arthur always wanted to see their mother after having little memory of her.
Anakin pushed his sheets off him and sat on the edge of the bed before getting up to move towards his window. He still didn't understand why he was having these dreams and only confided in Morgana that he felt maybe he might have some magic but he couldn't explain this one - Morgause and Arthur were both here in Camelot and for a brief moment in his dream, he also saw their mother. He didn't realize that what she would say could destroy their family.
However, morning came too quickly and before everyone knew it, the sun had risen and the crowds had began to make their way to the arena. Lady Morgana and Gwen were already there, standing right at the moment, Uther and Anakin arrived. They moved towards their seats standing before them. Morgana noticed that Anakin looked like he hadn't a good night sleep. She gives him a small smile as he simply nods back to her. She expected him to be worried for Arthur but not only did he looked worried and like he hadn't slept but paler than usual. Perhaps she'll check up on him later.
Morgause, still had yet to make her appearance as well as Arthur. The only sound that came from the arena, was the slow, beat of the drums as they waited
At the same time...
Arthur stood still as Merlin continued to help him into his armour. Merlin moved him, fastening it to him securely. His previous conversation about having her pull out of the challenge failed and Merlin had some final words of support for his friend
"You gave her a chance to withdraw" he points out "Whatever happens, you are not to blame" he tells him referring to the chance that he kills her. Merlin finishes securing his armour before he steps away leaving Arthur still standing there in thought. This would be quite the fight.
The crowd cheered as Arthur, entered the arena, applauding him as Merlin followed behind him. Arthur moves over to where Morgause now stands as Uther, Anakin and Morgana watch. Anakin isn't too keen on applauding. Arthur stands meters from Morgause who already has her helmet on. He looks over at her just as Uther gets to his feet
"The fight is to the Knight's rules" he speaks in a clear voice "And to the death" he adds, almost choking on the last word. Arthur then steps over towards Morgause. Perhaps a night's sleep may have made her changed her mind
"I'm offering you a final chance to withdraw" he insists in a low voice "I suggest you take it" he adds. Morgause offers no reply and only stares back at him with a look of "I'm ready to fight" Arthur shook his head "Then you leave me no choice" he regrettably tells her moving away from her. Gaius and Merlin watch as Arthur places his helmet over his head whilst Anakin, Uther, Morgana and Gwen all silently sit and watch. They see Arthur flex his sword
Arthur and Morgause both face each other, readying themselves in the traditional fight stance with their sword. Morgause's eyes lock with Arthur's before she then steps towards him, their swords meet, metal clashing against one another.
Their swords are in a criss cross as Morgause and Arthur attempt to parry one another, whilst blocking the other from attacking. Morgause brings her sword back towards her whilst Merlin, Anakin and Morgana all watch on closely seeing as them both begin to encircle each other as Gwen watches on, nervous herself for Arthur
Morgause and Arthur's eyes lock once more before she swings her sword at Arthur who raises his sword in front of him, the metal of the swords clash once more. He continues to push her back before he is able to knock her sword out of her hands and onto the ground then swipes at her arm, giving her a small open wound. She clutches her arm looking up at him as he holds his sword towards her.
Anakin leans forward wondering what his brother will do as Morgana leans and grips the edge of the barrier. She still felt like she had known Morgause from somewhere so part of her was worried for her. Merlin, silently watches on as he sees Arthur step back and brings his sword away from before indicating her to pick it up. There is a small applause from the crowd including Merlin as Uther remains still but stern in his seat.
Morgause quickly grabs her sword and is quickly back on her feet. Arthur looks back at her, preparing to fight again as she brings herself back into stance, all eyes watch as Morgause comes towards Arthur again but his sword blocks her attack again. The swords criss cross again several times before Arthur tries taking another swipe at her causing her to jump back
Arthur moves around to her left before he then proceeds to back her toward the edge of the arena causing members of the crowds to scramble back further. Arthur presses her into the wall, he raises his sword to come down towards her however Morgause slips to the side as his sword makes contact with the barrier.
Seizing the distraction, Morgause kicks at his legs bringing him down to the ground, his helmet knocked off. Barely enough time to react, Morgause is quick to pin Arthur to the ground by pressing her sword to his chest. Merlin, worried even more now, wonders if he needs to help with his magic.
Uther, still seated, leans further cautiously whilst Anakin jumps to his feet, ready to jump into the fight as Morgause pushes Arthur closer to the ground. Arthur glares up at her as Merlin worriedly looks on seeing her pull off her helmet revealing her long blond hair
Her fierce brown eyes look down at him "Make me a promise and I will spare your life" she promises, voice low and in whisper as Arthur continues to glare up at her
"What is it you ask?" he only asks as Morgause answers him
"Come to me in three days hence and accept the challenge I set you" she only tells him as Arthur had to know more, despite the sword pressed into his chest
"And the nature of this challenge?" he asks as she shakes her head
"That is for me to decide" she only replies going on "Do I have your word, that you will accept no matter what?" she asks. There is silence between them for a few minutes. Arthur sighs. There was no way out of this until he accepted otherwise she would kill him.
"You have my word" he eventually tells her. Morgause then pulls her sword away from him and offers her hand to help him to his feet. He takes and she pulls him up on his feet. Uther still continues to sit in silence as Anakin, confused as to what just happened, blankly looks from Morgause and Arthur to his father still sitting there
Arthur, still in a confused state, remains in his place just as Uther, finally gets to his feet right as Morgause moves over in front of him, bows respectively and begins to exit the arena right at the moment Anakin jumps over the barrier and moves over towards his brother, embracing a still stunned Arthur even as Uther and Morgana can only curiously watch as Morgause continues out of the arena, left wondering what the end to the fight was all about.
Gaius, meanwhile, glances back at Merlin before he hurries after her to tend to her wound she sustained during the fight.
Anakin, still with an arm around his younger brother, is relieved to see him still safe but then notices a look of uncertainly on his face as they both glance over at their father who says nothing and instead exits the arena as well.
Gaius had headed straight to Morgause's chambers to tend to her wound. She had changed from her armour into a white over shirt over her black pants. She sat at her table as Gaius examined and tended to her injury. "You were fortunate the wound isn't too deep" he insists cleaning the wound then turning back to his medicine bag before he decides to then ask her "You seem familiar" he confesses "Have you visited Camelot in the past?" he asks her.
Morgause looks up at him before she starts to roll down her sleeve "I was here many years ago" she reveals "I was just a baby at the time, I doubt you'd remember me" she adds. Gaius stares back at her. His memory may not be as it use to be but there was something about her. It was then he notices her bracelet on her arm, a silver gold arm bracelet. She then is aware he is looking at her bracelet.
"I'm grateful for your help" she quickly replies getting up and moving away from him leaving him to wonder about something he thought of that happened long ago he thought never would be seen again in Camelot.
Arthur, meanwhile, had hurried back to his chambers where Merlin now helped him out of his armour. Arthur, his head on the table, still couldn't believe he lost and he lost to a woman! Merlin attempted to remain positive
"It could have been worse" he tells him as Arthur, not lifting his head up from the table, only asks him
"How exactly could it be have been worse?" as Merlin shrugs, continuing to undo the straps on his armour
"You could be dead" he points out as Arthur moans
"At least I wouldn't have to face everyone" he replies "I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life" he explains "I was defeated by..." he pauses struggling on the last words "...a girl!" he moans as Merlin, couldn't help but see the humour in the situation
"It's actually quite funny when you think about it" he giggles as Arthur slowly turns his head to look up at him. Merlin drops his smile
"Or not" he quickly corrects him just as Arthur then realises what he meant
"No!" he exclaims sitting up in his seat "It's like you said" he tells him "I was humiliated because I was fighting a woman" he goes on "I was worried I was going to hurt her, that's why she won" he reveals as Merlin, still decides to persist in taunting his friend
"You didn't look hindered" he mutters as he starts to undo another part of his armour right at the moment Arthur glares back at him with a look of what did you say? Merlin decides to stop with his teasing
"I'll stop talking now" he promises and quietly proceeds to help Arthur off with his armour leaving him telling himself that because she was a woman, it was the only reason he lost the fight.
Whilst, determined to find out why her mind was telling her she knew Morgause, Morgana felt it was only natural to introduce herself formally to their guest. She slowly knocked at the door before she slowly stepped into the room. Seeing no one inside, she closes the door and moves further into the room, curiously looking around. It is then that Morgause comes out from behind the curtains, surprised to find Morgana in her room.
"I didn't want to intrude" Morgana quickly tells her straightening up "I wanted to introduce myself, I'm the Lady Morgana" she informs her as Morgause only replies
"I know who you are" she says moving over towards her as Morgana straightens once more as Morgause moves closer towards her. She then looks down at Morgause's arm.
"How's your arm?" she asks "You were wounded" she notes as Morgause simply shrugs
"It will heal soon enough" she assures her. Morgause then tilts her head as Morgana, who like Anakin, had started to look like she hadn't slept well. "You look tired" she comments
"I haven't been sleeping" Morgana confesses staring back at her as Morgause understands what she meant
"I know for myself how troubling that can be" she reveals. It is right there Morgana had to ask if they knew each other from somewhere in the past
"Could it be that we've met somewhere before?" she asks her. Morgause simply shakes her head but gives her a reassuring comforting reply
"I'm glad we've met now" she replies moving over towards her bed as Morgana notices her bracelet.
"That's a beautiful bracelet" she admires as Morgause looks down at her arm
"It was a gift..." she begins to tell her "...from my mother" she tells her looking over at her where she then surprises her, taking it off and holding it out to her "Please, I would like you to have it" she says "It's a healing bracelet. It will help you sleep" she assures her but Morgana, knowing it was a priceless token for Morgause, shakes her head
"No, I couldn't" she only replies shaking her head adding "You must be tired. I will leave you to rest" she says before she begins to exit the room. Morgause then stops her
"I hope you will remember me fondly" she calls back to her. Morgana, almost about to open the door, turns back to her and simply nods, a silent promise telling her she wouldn't forget her.
As Morgana exits Morgause's chamber, her head still thinking about what happened back inside, with the bracelet and Morgause's kind words to her, she didn't see Anakin approach her till he grabbed her arm, startling her.
"Morgana, you can't trust her" he tells her straight out as Morgana looks up at him confused. Up close, the darkness around his eyes was more noticeable,
"Anakin, have you slept at all recently?" she asks him. Anakin shook his head
"Don't worry about me" he tells her "You can't trust Morgause. There is something about her that I feel she has come to Camelot for her own reasons and not just to humiliate Arthur in a fight" he points out. Morgana turns towards him, placing a hand on his arm
"Anakin, what's this about?" she asks "Are you having more bad dreams, like the ones you had when you were in Mercia?" she reminds him. Anakin, still thinking about his last dream with Morgause, Arthur and their mother, shakes his head
"I'm fine Morgana, I just need you to promise me to not become friendly and kind with Morgause. Her arrival here in Camelot is suspicious and I feel like she's not finished with Arthur yet" he confesses. She then sees his deep blue eyes look down at her "I know you have a kind heart Morgana but promise me, you won't become friendly with her, until we know her real reason why she's here" he admits.
Morgana is silent for a moment. After what just happened inside her room, she felt like she was a friend already but as she could see Anakin's sincere, serious eyes looking down at her, she felt he was being serious. "I promise" she only replies wrapping arm around him "Now, come on, let's see if Gaius has something that will help you sleep" she tells him before she leads him down the hallway.
Ever since Anakin confided in her about the possibility of having magic, Morgana was concerned more for Anakin. She only hoped some of Gaius's sleeping draft, he would give to her with allow him a good night's sleep.
As night fell over Camelot once more, everyone had retired to sleep, even Anakin who had been given a small sleeping draft from Gaius. There was just one figure who wasn't sleeping and decided to pay a visit to someone. They watched as Morgana tossed slightly in her bed as she slept.
It was Morgause, who stood at the foot of Morgana's bed, silently watching her. She watches her stir in her sleep before she holds her bracelet, the very same bracelet Morgana had complimented her on up in front of her. She whispers a spell and after a few minutes, she lowers the bracelet down onto the small table in front of the bed. She gives one last glance at Morgana before she exits swiftly from the room leaving the bracelet behind hoping it would give Morgana a trouble free night.
As morning broke and the sun began to shine over Camelot, Morgause was already up and dressed, just outside the gates of Camelot preparing her horse so that she could head back home, and unknown to Uther, Anakin or Morgana, await for Arthur's arrival as he promised at the end of their fight. She had just packed another item into her satchel before moving up to the front of her horse, to tighten the bridle when she heard more footsteps coming closer.
It was Arthur, wearing his long brown coat over his pants and shirt, he was walking his horse out of the grounds. He stopped when he sees her. "Congratulations on our victory" he calls out to her. Morgause remains quiet still tending to her horse as Arthur goes on "You are a skilful swordsman..." he pauses quickly correcting him "woman...swords...swordswoman" he admits.
Morgause then begins to move away from her horse towards him. Arthur curiously watches her as she moves up to the front of his horse, placing one hand on the side of the horse's face
"You have a beautiful horse" she admired. She looks straight at the horse and whilst Arthur wasn't looking at her, enchants the horse which will enable it to lead Arthur to her lair when he decides to set out to her. Her eyes glowed yellow for a moment then looks over at Arthur "I shall expect you three days hence" she reminds him.
Confused, Arthur looks back at her "How will I find you?" he asks. A fair question, she hadn't exactly given him a map or anything. However Morgause simple replied
"When the time comes, you will know your way" she only assures him. Morgause gives him one last smile and moves back over towards her horse. Though, still confused by what she just said, Arthur looks over at her
"If I don't show up, it might be because I don't know where I am going!" he calls back to her. Morgause begins to climb up on her horse
"The path you must follow will become clear to you" she tells him. Confused even more, Arthur gives her a blank as she gets up on her horse. "I shall thank you for allowing me to retrieve my sword!" she calls back to him.
Arthur shakes his head, wondering what he was getting himself into. "I'm starting to wish I hadn't" he confesses. Morgause, however, went on to praise him
"You'd showed yourself to be a man of honour" she reveals adding "You inherited that trait from your mother" This made Arthur raise his head look over at her, unable to believe what he just said
"You knew my mother?" he asks. He couldn't remember his mother as she died when he was born and Uther nor Anakin didn't talk about her. Morgause smiles
"I knew her very well" she promises him and then without another word, Morgause begins to ride off towards the forest leaving Arthur standing there still stunned.
"Wait!" he tries to call out after her but Morgause continued to retreat into the forest, her long, wavy blond hair bouncing down her back. Arthur could only watch her go, now he was deciding to go meet with her even more, especially if she could help him with knowing more about his mother. It was also that moment, Anakin came out of the gates with his horse, seeing his brother standing there
"Ready for a morning ride, brother?" he asks however Arthur was unresponsive as Anakin moves up towards him, "Arthur, what's wrong?" he asks "Is everything all right?" he asks. Arthur shook his head.
"I need to speak to father" he only replied turning back towards Camelot leaving Anakin still standing there with his horse,
"Arthur!" he calls out to him but Arthur did not turn back leaving Anakin with no choice but to hurry after his brother wondering why his brother suddenly changed his mind about their morning ride