The ground was scorched with fire, and the stench of blood and feces permeated the air. Even though the smoke had somewhat cleared, there was no man standing as far as she could see, just an empty valley of death.
Arthur laid at her feet, his eyes still open but empty as his spirit had moved on. She clutched the wound on her abdomen, bleeding out too quickly to make any attempt at healing. Arthur's sword was still in Morgause's chest, and Morgana grabbed hold of it, using it to help her slip down on the ground. She laid between her brother and sister, laying her head against her brother's chest as she saw the sky for the final time, wishing for a miracle, but knowing one wasn't coming. The Pendragon line was ending.
Tears streaked down her face, making paths in the soot and blood caked to her skin. She held up her blood-soaked hand, her gold wedding band catching the light of the dying sun. In her final moments she cried out to him…
"Merlin!" she gasped, as she woke up.
"Shhhh, I'm here," he said, holding her close to him. "I'm right here."
She cried quietly against his chest for a few minutes, and he waited to speak again until she grew still. He asked her gently, "Do you want to talk about it?" She nodded, and pulled away, wiping away her tears.
She told him everything she saw, trying to remember every detail. The armor of the fallen soldiers of both their enemies and allies. Who was there and who was missing.
"I don't understand. Gaul isn't there. Accolon isn't there. He promised his friendship, he wouldn't go back on his word," Morgana said.
"Maybe the battle was fought on two fronts? That may make sense if I wasn't there. If Mordred wasn't there. Although I can't imagine letting you or Arthur out of my sight during a battle."
She nodded. Or you were already dead, she thought to herself.
. . .
"I just don't wish to make a fuss about it. We can celebrate our nuptials with a banquet when we return to Nemeth, My Lord," Mithian said, her arm in Agravaine's as they walked through the courtyard. The air was chilly and Mithian pulled her shawl closer as she shivered. "Arthur can marry us now, with just us and our family. Today, even. Why should we wait?"
"I don't see a need to rush and forego a formal wedding, but I suppose if that is what you want," he said, looking at her with confusion.
"It is. I just wish to be wed. To you, My Lord. Without a grand audience of spectators. Just with the people who matter the most to us," she said, smiling up at him.
"Then it is what you shall have, my love. If something makes you happy, for the rest of our days together, you shall have it. Come, let's find your father and Arthur, and we can be married this afternoon, if it pleases you."
She smiled at him. "Thank you, My Lord. I hope I haven't disappointed you."
"You could never disappoint me, Mithian," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.
They returned and requested to meet with Rodor, Arthur and Morgana privately, and told them they wished to wed immediately.
"But, Mithian, now? You want to marry this instant? My child, it's so sudden. You're only just engaged, what is the urgency?" Rodor asked with concern, frowning. "Are you? Has Agravaine…?"
"No, Father, I am not with child," she sighed. "I just don't wish to have a large spectacle of a wedding. Being involved in Morgana's wedding plans has made me realize how much I don't want that for myself. I just want to marry the man I love and be happy, it's all I've ever really wanted. To have what you and Mother had. A happy marriage outside of all the pomp and circumstance of being King and Queen. We will have to live our whole lives and marriage before the Court, but I'd like our marriage to start out as a private affair, just between us. Just us and our family. Can we do that, Father, please?"
He hesitated. "I suppose, if Princess Morgana does not object to this. Her wedding is in a fortnight."
Morgana looked at Mithian appraisingly. "Of course not, My Lord, if this is what Mithian truly wants."
"It is, My Lady," she said confidently.
"Very well, then," Rodor said. "Arthur, I suppose, if you would do the honors."
Arthur nodded, and they began the marriages rites.
"As Sovereign of Camelot, I thus seal your marriage. Lord Agravaine, your bride," Arthur gestured.
Agravaine kissed her gently, and Mithian exhaled and smiled happily. Morgana, Arthur, and Rodor hugged them and gave their congratulations, and the couple left to take a private supper in their now-shared chambers. Rodor thanked Arthur and Morgana and took his leave, promising to dine with them privately that evening.
"I just don't know what to make of that," Arthur shook his head.
"Nor do I, but they did seem happy. Mithian especially. I'm not sure what the hurry was, but they are joined now," Morgana said. "And speaking of marriages, I still have a great deal to prepare for mine. I will see you at supper."
"Leave the dragon in your room!" he called after her. "We've got company after all!"
"Not a chance!" he heard her call from the hallway.
. . .
"My love, we are finally together. Finally wed. I never believed I would find any woman who makes me feel as you do. You have made all of my dreams come true," Agravaine said, kissing Mithian. He deepened the kiss and began to unlace the back of her gown.
She pulled away, his lips then landing on her neck. "I hope you will be happy, My Lord."
"How could I not, with a wife as perfect as you? Brilliant. Fierce. Incredibly beautiful," he said, as he let her gown slip past her shoulders, pooling at her waist. He pressed soft kisses across her collar bone, down her chest.
She cleared her throat. "Let's have a drink first, My Lord. To toast our union," she said, pulling away.
"A splendid idea, my love," he said, watching in awe as she stepped out of her gown, admiring her toned body and her soft breasts through her shift.
She poured them both a drink, and handed him a goblet. "To our future, My Lord. One of safety and security for Nemeth and her sovereign."
"And to us. Love and happiness in our union," he said, as they toasted. He drank the goblet down as she sipped demurely.
"Now, My Lord, it is time we take to our marital bed," she said, standing up and holding his head against her chest, stroking his hair.
He savored the feeling of being with her, her scent, her touch… what had he done in his life to deserve such happiness?
He blinked, suddenly sleepy, as she held out her hand to him. He stood up as she undressed him slowly until he was bare before her. She led him to the bed, and laid him down on his back. Almost immediately, he began to snore softly. She covered him with the bedsheet.
She exhaled with relief, her body suddenly trembling as she sat down at the table they had just shared, grasping her head in her shaking hands. How long could she keep up this deceit? That poor man. Her poor husband. He didn't deserve any of this. She felt the tears stinging her eyes, when she heard the soft knock at the door. She quickly wiped her face and pulled on her robe before letting the visitor in.
The young red-haired girl in servant's clothing entered, carrying a basket of linens and closed the door behind her.
In Morgause's voice, she said, "Well? Is it done?"
"It is. We are wed, and he is asleep from the potion you gave me," Mithian answered, looking at her warily.
"Good. Where is his seal?"
"Around his neck still."
Morgause looked at Agravaine's naked form in the bed with disgust. "Well? You're his wife, you go fetch it."
Mithian sighed and did as Morgause commanded, taking the seal from him. Morgause pulled out several scrolls from the basket of linens, melted wax at the desk and sealed the scrolls.
"You've done well," Morgause said, handing her back the seal. She then pulled a vial from the pocket of her skirts. "Oh, and here is a potion that you may find useful. It will bring on light bleeding, help you convince your husband you've consummated your union. Men are ignorant and always expect blood when bedding a virgin, because they don't know how women's bodies work. Drink the whole thing. Unless of course you wish to actually bed him."
"How long must I keep up this charade?" Mithian frowned, sniffing the potion before drinking it.
"It shouldn't be too much longer. Camelot will soon fall, Nemeth will mind its own affairs, and you can do whatever you like with your new husband once you return to your castle. Annul the marriage. Toss him from a cliff if you so desire. In the meantime, keep him distracted. If he realizes what commands have gone out under his name, it will put Camelot on notice. We need the element of surprise."
"And the poppets?" Mithian asked.
"Will be delivered to you when Arthur is dead," Morgause said. "Now, I have another task for you. I need your help freeing my allies from Camelot's dungeon."
"That wasn't part of the deal," Mithian seethed.
"Well, if you want to keep your father alive and your entire citadel from being poisoned, it is now. Await further instructions," Morgause commanded. "Bedyrne ús. Astýre ús þanonweard," she muttered and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Mithian pulled her arms around herself tightly to try to stop shaking. She looked over at Agravaine, asleep in the bed, madly in love with her and believing she loved him. She burst into angry tears.
Exhausted, she had no choice but to undress and climb into the bed beside him, staring at the ceiling, trying not to look at him or feel immensely ashamed. If only there had been another way to save her father, and their kingdom, without hurting Agravaine and betraying Arthur. She felt the chill in the air as the fire died down in the hearth. She grabbed the blanket at the foot of the bed, covering them both up for warmth and cried herself to sleep.
. . .
"Morgana," he whispered, giving her a little shake. "Morgana!"
She groaned and opened one eye. It was still dark in the room.
"Merlin, whatreyoudoing," she mumbled, turning over.
"It's not Merlin. It's me, Accolon," he whispered.
"What the?" Morgana gasped, suddenly awake and sitting up. "Bærn," she commanded her candles.
Merlin grumbled beside her. "Five more minutes." Aithusa stirred and turned her head away from the candlelight.
"What's happened?" she whispered, looking around. "Are we under attack? Where's Arthur?"
"We're under attack?" Merlin's eyes opened then, and he leapt from the bed entirely naked, grabbing his trousers from the floor. "Accolon! What's happening?"
Accolon cringed. "No, please, we aren't under attack. I just need to talk to you."
"Oh," Merlin said, obviously confused, and got back under the covers.
Accolon sat on the bed, head in his hands.
Morgana pulled the sheet tighter around her and sat up in the bed. "Accolon, it's the middle of the night. What's so important?" she asked, curtly.
"I've… I've done something, and I need your support. I need Arthur's support."
"Could this possibly wait when we aren't sleeping?" Merlin asked.
Accolon leaned back against the bedpost. "I still love her, Merlin! Surely you must know the feeling. To love someone you aren't supposed to have. I know Morgana does. Oh, Merlin. How she loved you, and the despair she felt that she could never have you. Our shared anguish brought us together to seek comfort..."
Morgana sighed. "Accolon, you've been drinking."
"That's not… I have, but that's not why," he said, shaking his head. "She still loves me! She told me. And she wants to be with me, but her husband…"
"Is a lord in our court, and a very powerful one. I know what you would ask of Arthur, and I do not have to ask him to know his answer," Morgana said, firmly.
Accolon closed his eyes, the tears threatening to fall. "Then what am I to do, Morgana? Spirit her away to Gaul?"
"No!" Merlin said. "You know what that would do to the alliance between Camelot and Gaul if you absconded with Lord Ector's wife and made her your queen! You would make an enemy of Camelot. It would likely even destabilize Gaul. Your children would be illegitimate, their right to inherit in question. Accolon, think this through."
He groaned, pulling at his hair. "What will it do to us to be apart? To live my life without her?"
"I know what it means to lose someone you love, not in these circumstances, but to death. You will love again, be happier than you can ever imagine," Merlin said, leaning forward to squeeze his shoulder.
"I could never love another, not like I love her," he said, sadly. He laid back down on the mattress and stared at the ceiling. "There will never be anyone but her."
Morgana sighed. "And maybe you're right, maybe you'll never love anyone the way you love Evaine. I don't presume to tell you how you feel or how you will feel in the future. But you must not jeopardize your kingdom for your own passions. You have a responsibility to your people, and that responsibility does not always coincide with our desires. I know I speak from a place of fortune, that I did not have to agree to a political marriage instead of one for love, but I know that Merlin and I both would sacrifice our own happiness to keep Camelot safe and secure. I know, deep down in your heart, Accolon, your honor and duty is more important to you than your own desires. Even though Gaul is not your homeland, they are your people now, and they are looking to you to keep them safe from their enemies, and… Accolon?"
She sighed, hearing his soft snores. "I have never seen him act so irrationally, not even when Evaine first refused him. This behavior, it is just beyond… Hopefully this was just drunken sadness talking and not his true intentions. This would be a disaster. Is this what fractures our alliance with Gaul? I can hardly believe this." She ran her hand over her face in frustration.
"I can hardly believe your former lover has just passed out in your bed with us both naked," Merlin said, looking over at Accolon and then at Morgana.
They both burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. Aithusa squawked in displeasure at all the noise.
"This is just awful. What are we to do with him, Merlin?" Morgana lamented, as her laughter turned to exasperation. Morgana shook Accolon, but couldn't revive him. She groaned in frustration.
"He's far too heavy for us to carry him, and the guards on duty tonight are notorious gossips. I'll get his boots off, if you'll get him a blanket. We'll wake him up in a few hours, and get him back to his chambers before the castle awakes," Merlin said.
They finally climbed back into bed, and Morgana nuzzled against Merlin's chest. She curled her legs up to avoid kicking Accolon, but then realized she didn't really care if she did. "I suppose I have no business telling Accolon he should marry someone he doesn't love for the good of his kingdom, when I get to marry the man I love."
"Could you do it, if you were in his place? Marry someone you don't love?"
"If it had been necessary, I would do my duty. If I had to do it to ensure the safety and prosperity of the kingdom. It would be a tremendous sacrifice, but that is the position I am in. Fortunately for us, most of the kingdoms we can build alliances with have no sons of marrying age anyway, or even any lords powerful enough that would be worth marrying. Other than Cenred, of course, and it would seem he prefers my sister. And Accolon who, well, is rather a mess at the moment."
"I'm glad I get to marry you by default then," he grinned into her hair as they settled back down to sleep. "I would hate for you to have continued living in such anguish..."
"Shut up, Merlin."
. . .
Morgana woke up from her dream with a gasp. "Oh no. No no no," she said, in a panic.
She squinted in the dark room, her eyes adjusting to the soft light coming through the window. She quickly got up and dressed herself before returning to the bed with a potion and a glass of water.
She shook Accolon hard. "Wake up!" When he still wouldn't wake, she threw the glass of water at his face.
He sputtered and groaned. "Where am I?"
"You're in my bed, you drunken fool," she scowled.
"I'm… what? Oh. Ohhhh," he said, looking sheepish. "Morgana, please forgive me, I am utterly embarrassed by my crass behavior."
"As well you should be. Here, take this, it will cure your inevitable headache," she said, waiting for him to drink it, before shaking Merlin. "Merlin, wake up."
Merlin opened his eyes and looked at her, then looked over at Accolon and groaned.
"Get dressed, Merlin, quickly. We need to see Arthur. It's urgent. Gawant is about to be overrun, and Morgause will gain control of our southern ports. War is imminent." She turned to Accolon. "Your Majesty, we need you to pull yourself together. Please. Camelot needs your help. Will you come to our aid?"
He nodded, looking chagrined. "Of course, Morgana."
She grasped his hands and squeezed. "Good man. Merlin, wake Arthur and call the council together. We have to prepare for war."