Chapter 39

A few minutes later there was a knock at Arthur's door

"Enter" he called out, taking a deep, steadying breath

Two guards entered followed by Morgana, her wrists shackled again

"Remove those" Arthur commanded gesturing to the iron chains

"Sire?" the guard asked looking concerningly to his king "Do you think that wise"

"I have no doubt that if she wanted those off they would already be on the ground" he looked to Morgana "Am I right"

Morgana didn't respond, not really knowing how to without sounding threatening

"Remove them" Arthur said again

A guard brought out a key and took the shackles from Morgana's wrist, she rubbed where they had weighed heavily

"Leave us"

The guards looked like they wanted to argue but they just nodded and left the room

"Would you like something to drink?" Arthur offered, he gestured to the seat opposite him

"Please" Morgana nodded, taking the seat offered to her

Arthur remained silent as he poured, he sat the goblet in front of Morgana, before reclaiming his seat, he watched her for a moment, gauging what he was going to say, he had thought about it while the guards brought her here, but now looking into the green eyes that were once so full of light, he faltered.

They sat there for a long time, just watching each other,

Finally Arthur spoke

"Was it Uther?" he asked quietly

"What?" Morgana was taken back slightly by the former king's name

Arthur held her gaze "Was it Uther that drove you away?"

Morgana dropped her gaze to her hands, she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat

Arthur saw the answer in her eyes

"Was it me too?" he asked, attempting to keep his voice even but finding it difficult

Morgana looked up in shock

"No"

Arthur could see tears in her eyes

"Gaius thinks that Morgause poisoned your mind against us" Arthur began

Morgana's eyes darkened a little at the name

"She seemed like the only one that understood me" Morgana's voice was almost a whisper "But the choices I made were my own and I cannot hide from that"

Arthur let out a long breath "Why didn't you come to me? I could have protected you"

Morgana shook her head a little "You wouldn't have gone against your father"

"I would have for you" His voice getting louder "You were family, I would have never let him harm you in anyway"

"Then why couldn't you do that for other magic users?" Morgana countered "You say you would have protected me but what about all the others that had to suffer Uther's wrath?"

Arthur fell silent

"I wanted to protect them, I thought I was" Morgana slumped back in her seat "I was so wrapped up in them that I did not realise what I was doing to you until it was too late and then Merlin-

She cut herself off, clamping her mouth closed

But Arthur had heard the name

"Merlin?" he repeated "What about him?"

Morgana stayed silent, her suspicion confirmed, Arthur had nothing to do with Merlin attempting to poison her

"Morgana, what did Merlin do?" he asked

The sorceress still didn't answer, she couldn't even bring herself to look at him, fearing that the concern in his voice would reflect in his eyes

She heard his chair scrape as he stood, his footsteps telling her that he was walking towards her

"Morgana?"

She refused to look up

"What happened?" his voice softer this time

"I doubt you would even believe me if I told you" she whispered

"Did he hurt you?"

She felt something touch her shoulder, she glanced to see Arthur's hand resting there, tears escaped her eyes as she tried to breathe, not wanting to cry but finding she couldn't stop herself, she hadn't realised just how much she had missed Arthur and how comforting his touch was.

"I'm sorry Arthur" she wiped away the tears that stained her cheeks

"Why won't you tell me?"

Silence met him

"Morgana I will find out one way or another" he vowed "Be it from you or Merlin"

His hand left her shoulder as he walked away from her

"If you will not talk to me about this now, then I do not have anything left to say" his frustration was getting the better of him

Why was she keeping things from him now? And what had Merlin done all those years ago, he was going to find him and find out

He looked back down to Morgana, he exhaled

"I know that if you wished to you could break out of the dungeon, I am not a fool" he began "I will have your old room prepared, you will be kept there with guards, you are not to leave that room unless I summon you"

Morgana looked up to Arthur

"I don't think your people would like that idea Arthur" she responded honestly "I can remain in the dungeons if it helps"

Arthur shook his head "I have heard from my men that one of the prisoners is loud and it doesn't look like you have had much sleep" he gave her a small smile though she knew it was hard for him "I will deal with my people"

Morgana smiled in return, it was small but it was there

"Thank you Arthur"

He nodded

He called the guards and informed them about the changes to Morgana's living arrangements, as she expected they did not look happy about it but they did not defy their king

"May I see Kara?" she asked as she was about to be escorted away

Arthur looked up from the papers to her

"Please" Morgana added

Arthur thought for a moment before nodding

"Have Kara brought to Morgana's room" he addressed the guards

"Thank you Arthur"

She was guided through the familiar halls until they reached her door, the guards unlocked it and she stepped inside, the door slammed behind her. She looked around her old room, everything had been left the same, she doubted anyone really bothered to come in here after she fled

She moved to the window and stared out across Camelot, she was certain that Arthur's people would not react well to hearing that Morgana was once again living in her old room, no longer locked in a cold cell

Only time would tell what was truly in store for Morgana