Krysia stood behind the king, watching the kneeling men who had just been knighted as Uther asked them to rise. They stood with grace, or perhaps the cloak suggested grace.

"You have been accorded a great honor," Uther said. "But with that honor comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honor, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur. Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your life."

Everyone turned to the door when the sounds of swordfighting could be heard outside. When the door opened, a knight entered. The men who had just been knighted drew swords, eager to prove themselves as knew knights often were. Arthur took a step forward, sword not drawn, and the newcomer dropped their gauntlet at Arthur's feet. He picked it up, and Krysia held her breath.

"I accept your challenge," Arthur said. "If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity.

Krysia's eyebrows twitched as the knight removed the helmet and long blonde hair flew about the shoulders of the armor. Several people murmured and gasped. The woman under the armor held her head high.

"My name is Morgause," she said.

/-/

Krysia stood on the edge of the council chamber when Geoffrey came to give his report to Uther and Arthur, who were both looking for an out without losing honor.

"I've searched the records going back more than 300 years," Geoffrey said. "I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge."

"There must be some way to put a stop to this," Uther said.

"According to the Knight's Rules, it appears her challenge is perfectly valid," Geoffrey said.

"It seems there's nothing we can do," Arthur said.

"Shall I arrange her quarters in the palace, sire?" Krysia said.

Uther didn't seem to hear her, snapping at his son.

"We don't know anything about this woman!" he said. "I will not let you face her in combat!"

"I accepted the challenge," Arthur said. "If I refuse to fight, it'll be seen as an act of cowardice."

"She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her."

"I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code, then be seen to break it myself. I must face her tomorrow."

/-/

Leon wasn't terribly surprised when Krysia came by to see him on her way back to Gaius's that night. With five guards killed, she was almost certain to come see if he was alright. He was grateful for an opportunity to see her, always, and he was likewise nervous to be alone with her, as always.

"It feels pointless," he said. "Five men dead and for what? So Arthur can beat a woman in single combat?"

Krysia crossed her arms over her chest, and he really wished she wouldn't do that. He almost missed her raised eyebrow, so focused he was on not looking at her breasts.

"Arthur would do well not to underestimate her," Krysia said. "Not only did she kill five guards, but there's an advantage to her being a woman."

Leon felt he was walking into a trap, but he asked what the advantage was. She pulled his sword out of the scabbard from where it sat on the table beside her. It was a little large for her, but she held it well, and Leon wondered why it was so attractive, seeing her hold a sword.

"I've only one sword, Krysia," he said.

"Candlestick, then," she said. "You wouldn't be striking anyway, would you?"

Of course he wouldn't, but he had a feeling saying so out loud was the wrong choice. Instead, he grabbed the nearby candlestick and ignored the unlit candle falling to the table as he parried her attacks.

Her footwork was even better than he remembered, and despite a sword too heavy for her, she was attacking well. He slipped on a loose corner of a blanket that had come to the ground, and her momentum barreled her forward, landing her on him. She laid his blade against his neck without pressure, but he stared up at her, entranced and mortified.

If she didn't move, she would feel his excitement, and how could he possibly explain that away? Krysia didn't seem to notice, however, leaning over him, triumphant, and that was even more attractive, and he was torn between his horror that she might notice how attracted he was and his overwhelming desire to kiss her.

"If she's any good at all, doubting her is fatal," she said. "If she's not even that good—which I doubt, given her work already—to give her an opening is surely to lose."

She moved his sword to the side, setting it on the floor, before she pulled herself to standing and offered her hand to him.

Leon had only half-heard her words, although he was sure they illustrated her point perfectly. If he kissed her hand, would she be offended? If he told her how beautiful she was when she was focused and determined…?

"Good night, Leon," she said.

"Yes," he said, taking her hand to lift himself to standing. "Good night, my lady."

Again, her face screwed up with confusion.

"You need more sleep," she said. "Or have you forgotten that I'm only a servant?"

"I do forget at times," he said, forcing a smile. "You are…more than that. I don't know how to explain."

Krysia laughed, nervous, and she said, "I assure you, Leon, I am not. Sleep well."

"Yes," he said. "And you."

As the door closed behind her, he lamented taking Gaius's preparation. He was sure tonight he could have dreamed of a continuation of this evening that had gone quite differently. If the dreams were all he could ever have of her, it felt like self-punishment to deny himself of them.

Instead, he climbed into bed fully clothed, stared at the ceiling, and tried to hold on to the sensation of her body on his, her lips turned in victory, her cheeks flushed with exertion. As beautiful as she always was, he didn't think he'd ever seen her more lovely.

/-/

The following day, the tournament grounds were packed, as they always were. Krysia entered behind Uther, and he stood, watching Morgause wait for Arthur. Krysia could feel Uther's anxiety, and she wondered what had him so nervous about this one woman. She had a feeling it wasn't the fact that a woman challenged him to a duel.

When Arthur finally entered the grounds, Uther quieted the crowd.

"The fight is by the Knight's Rules," Uther said. "And to the death."

Uther sat, and the fight began. Morgause was good, but it was clear that Arthur was better. Krysia held her breath, hoping he wouldn't be a fool, but when he caught her arm, Arthur did let Morgause retrieve her sword. Once he did that, Krysia knew how the fight would go.

When she did disarm Arthur and ground him, she pressed her sword to his chest and the two had a conversation, seeming to make a bargain. Whatever it was, Morgause spared Arthur's life, and accepted her win without the full price.

Krysia had a feeling, however, that whatever this was, it was not over.

/-/

It wasn't until after Morgause left and Uther and Arthur were alone (or, mostly alone) in the council chamber that Krysia learned what bargain had been struck. Apparently Morgause had him promise to meet her and complete a challenge of his making.

"And what is to be the nature of this challenge?" Uther said.

"She didn't say," Arthur said. "But I gave her my word that I would accept it no matter what—"

"You should never have made such a promise," Uther said. "You have no idea what she may ask of you."

"In fairness, sire," Krysia said, topping off his cup, "she did have his life in her hands."

Uther grunted, but Arthur said, "Exactly, I had no choice." Then he paused and said, "Morgause said that she knew my mother."

"She told you this?" Uther said, startled. "Obviously she's lying. She's playing on your affections for your mother to lure you into a trap."

"That makes no sense," Arthur said. "She spared my life."

"It confirms my suspicions," Uther said firmly. "I believe Morgause is an enchantress. How else could she have defeated you."

Krysia all but chewed on her own tongue to keep from point out that she used to beat Arthur all the time, or that Arthur had been a little too chivalrous and let Morgause recover her sword, or that there were absolutely no signs of magic in use.

"I don't believe she was using magic," Arthur said firmly.

"And you would know for certain if she were?" Uther said. Arthur had no answer. "Under no circumstances will you go to meet her or accept this challenge."

"I gave her my word!"

"I don't care what was said to her," Uther said. "You will remain in Camelot."

Krysia exchanged a look with Arthur, who was incredulous. Perhaps he wanted her to try to talk sense into his father, but it was clear that Uther was beyond reason on his matter, and that perhaps he was before the tournament even happened. Whatever it was that Uther knew or suspected about Morgause, it terrified him.

"I want to hear what she knows about my mother," Arthur said.

"She knows nothing," Uther said. "She is lying. You will not go to her. I forbid it."

"So I am to break my word?" Arthur said, increasingly distressed.

Uther waved a gloved hand to Leon, and the guards came forward.

"Escort my son to his chambers," Uther said. "Under no circumstances will he be allowed to leave."

"Sire," Krysia said, but whether Uther heard her or not was irrelevant, because Arthur was furious as the guards approached.

"You're confining me to my chambers?" he said.

"I am protecting you from your own foolishness!" Uther said.

Leon and Krysia exchanged a nervous look, but she stood and watched as Leon did his job and lead Arthur away.

/-/

Krysia sat up for a while that night waiting for Merlin to return, but she knew as soon as he was late that somehow Arthur had managed to sneak out. She did not want to think what Uther would do when Arthur returned, or how furious he would be while Arthur was gone.

In the morning, she made her bed, and she came out to the main room, knowing that Gaius was suspicious when she came out alone.

"Krysia?" he said.

"Merlin didn't come in last night," she said.

Gaius lifted his head, frowning.

"Are you going to tell Uther, or should I?" he said.

Krysia hesitated, and then she said, "Perhaps we ought to tell him together."

They did, and it took not a moment for Uther to lead the way to Arthur's chambers. Uther threw the doors open, and as soon as he saw the open window and the empty bed, he turned his ire onto the poor guards.

"You've been guarding an empty room," he said. "Send out a search party! Find Arthur and bring him back to Camelot!"

He then turned his attention go Gaius and said, "Do you have any idea what Morgause might want with Arthur?"

Gaius raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm afraid I don't."

/-/

Uther dined alone that night, and Krysia didn't blame Morgana for wanting to stay away while he was in this mood. Krysia would have stayed away if she could, but as it was he was mainly silent.

That is, until Gaius entered.

"My lord," Gaius said, "I must speak with you. It concerns Morgause."

"What is it?" Uther said.

Krysia, sensing from Gaius's expression that this was a private matter, dismissed the other serving girl. Gaius waited until the girl was gone before speaking again.

"While I was treating her would," Gaius said, "I noticed that she wore a bracelet."

"Go on," Uther said.

"And it bore the mark of one of the Great Houses," Gaius said, "the Great House of Gorlois. There is only one person, other than Morgana, who would have cause to wear such a bracelet. That is, a half-sister."

Uther froze, then set down his glass.

"I was led to believe that the child had died," he said sternly.

A shiver ran down Krysia's spine, and she wondered what the story could possibly be on this.

"The child lived, my lord," Gaius said softly. "She was smuggled out of Camelot shortly after her birth."

"How do you know this?" Uther said.

"It was I who entrusted the child to the High Priestesses of the Old Religion."

"You should've told me, Gaius," Uther said.

Krysia wondered just how much Uther had sensed or suspected, who Morgause had reminded him of, that he so easily knew she wasn't to be trusted.

"I had sworn a solemn oath, my lord," Gaius said. "I'm only breaking it now because I fear what Morgause might do."

"Does Morgana know?" Uther said.

"I don't believe so."

"Morgana must never find out she has a half-sister," Uther said. "I will not have her loyalties divided."

"Yes, sire," Krysia said.

"Of course," Gaius agreed. "The High Priestesses will have trained Morgause from birth. Her magic will be powerful."

Uther's nostrils flared and he said, "Then we must hope the search party finds Arthur before he reaches her."

/-/

In the morning, the search party returned, and Leon stood before the king to give his report. Krysia already had a guess what the answer was before he began to speak, Leon was so uncertain.

"The search party were unable to pick up a trail," he said. "There is no sign of Prince Arthur anywhere."

"Redouble your efforts," Uther said firmly. "Send riders to the outlying villages. I want my son found!"

Leon inhaled, glanced at Krysia, and bowed slightly. She wondered what he was thinking.

"Yes, my lord," he said, and then he led the other knights out.

When Uther, Gaius, and Krysia were alone in the council chamber, Uther said, "It chills me to think what Morgause has planned for Arthur."

"Had she chosen to," Gaius said, "she already could have killed him. I believe she has some other purpose in mind."

After a long, strained pause, Uther said, "Morgause told Arthur that she knew his mother."

Gaius exchanged a surprised look with Krysia.

"Did she, sire?" Krysia said. "Did she know your wife?"

"I don't know!" Uther said urgently, distressed. "Perhaps it's a lie. She knew that it would tempt Arthur to go to her."

Gaius, carefully, said, "You think that Morgause knows…the circumstances of Arthur's birth?"

Krysia's eyebrows twitched, but Uther didn't react to her hearing the suggestion.

"I fear that more than anything," Uther whispered.

/-/

Krysia was about to pour more water for Leon and the king in the council chamber when Arthur burst in, furious, like a man possessed.

"Arthur," Uther said. "Where have you been? I have had search parties out looking for you. Arthur?"

"Water, sire?" Krysia said to Arthur, trying to distract him, but he just kept glaring at his father, coming closer.

"I know…" Arthur said, "what you did to my mother."

Krysia's breath caught in her throat, and she set down the pitcher. Uther didn't look at Leon when he gave him an order.

"Leave us," he said firmly. "No one is to enter."

Krysia hesitated, moving to the servant's doors as Leon left, but not leaving. The king and his son didn't seem to notice her, so she lingered.

"What are you talking about?" Uther said when the main doors were closed behind Leon.

"You were so desperate for an heir," Arthur whispered, "you were prepared to use magic."

Krysia shuddered, thinking of who all must have known. Of course, when the price was Ygraine, he turned against magic, and why wouldn't he? What a way to grant his wish.

"Did Morgause tell you this?" Uther said. "She's lying."

Krysia exhaled softly, so disappointed on Arthur's behalf. Secrets were how they got to this point. Secrets wouldn't fix this, surely.

"My mother is dead because of your selfishness and arrogance," Arthur pressed. "Her blood is on your hands."

"No. No, that's not true. But Morgause would have you believe that."

"This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them."

Krysia closed her eyes to fight the tears she felt prickling at them. She almost wished she wasn't hearing this, that she didn't feel complicit, but someone needed to be able to step in, should things escalate. She just wished it didn't have to be her, because part of her agreed with Arthur.

"You would believe a sorcerer's lies over the word of your own father?" Uther said. "I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you."

"You have hunted her kind like animals!" Arthur roared. "How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?"

"Those who practice magic will stop at nothing to destroy us!" Uther said, repeating the refrain that he felt justified all he'd done, as he always did. "I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom!"

"You speak of honor and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!"

Now. Krysia should step in now. She should stop this, but her feet felt fixed to the floor, and she couldn't muster a sound. Arthur's rage felt like her rage. He had lost as she had lost, and he only now felt the weight of those who died so he might live. The rawness of his anger resonated with her.

"I am your king, and your father," Uther said. "You will show me some respect!"

Krysia watched Arthur pull off his gauntlet and toss it at his father's feet.

"Have you lost your mind?" Uther said.

"Pick it up," Arthur said.

"Arthur, I implore you, think about what you're doing."

Krysia stepped forward now. She could feel Arthur's pain, but she also recognized what Morgause had done: why kill Uther when she could get Arthur to do it for her? And how could Arthur live with the knowledge of killing his father?

"Pick it up," Arthur said, not seeing her step out.

Uther saw her, but he focused on his son, the immediate matter.

"I will not fight you," Uther said.

Arthur drew his sword, and Krysia gasped.

"If you choose not to defend yourself, I will strike you down where you stand."

"You are my son. You will not strike an unarmed man."

"Arthur, please," Krysia said. "Please, this isn't—"

"I no longer think of myself as your son," Arthur said, and Krysia's words caught in her throat.

"Then strike me down," Uther said.

To Uther's shock, and Krysia's, Arthur struck, but Uther parried, perhaps by instinct, perhaps as he had intended all along.

"I don't want to fight you," Uther insisted.

Krysia watched as they fought, trying to find an opening, trying to find a way to make it stop. But she didn't dare use magic, not with what they were fighting over, not with no one around to be a distraction.

"Arthur, stop this!" Uther said.

Krysia watched, helpless, shaking, trying to find an opening, not sure that there was anything she could do.

/-/

Leon stood guard at the door, nervously waiting to be told everything was fine and that business had resumed. Before he could, Merlin came barreling up the stair and toward the chamber. Leon blocked his way.

"The king has forbidden anyone to enter!" he said.

"They're going to kill each other!" Merlin said. "Please, you have to let me talk to him."

They paused, Leon thought of the look about Arthur when he'd entered. He had to believe Merlin, because he'd never seen Arthur so grim before.

Against part of himself, Leon opened the door, and Arthur had the king against the throne, Krysia was begging them to stop, and Leon stood at the open doors, watching Merlin step forward as Arthur was about to strike down his father.

"Arthur!" Merlin cried. "Don't! I know you don't want to do this!"

"My mother is dead because of him!" Arthur cried.

"Please, Arthur," Krysia said. "This won't change that. It won't fix it. You'll only be an orphan, and that will be on you, not on him."

"Listen to them, Arthur," the king said, a sword still at his neck.

"Arthur, please," Merlin said, "put the sword down."

"You heard what my mother said!" Arthur cried. "After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!"

Gaius entered, and he exchanged a look with Leon as he did. Leon could see Krysia, standing, distressed as this conversation unfolded. He wondered how much she recalled. He wondered how much stress this put her under.

"Morgause is lying!" Merlin said. "She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Everything…everything your mother said to you…those were Morgause's words."

Leon took a step forward when Krysia swayed, but Gaius caught her, helping her to sit before she fainted. Leon stared at her, wishing he could get her away from this conversation. He could see her hands shaking, even at this distance.

"You don't know that!" Arthur said, pressing his sword closer to his father's neck.

"This has been her plan all along!" Merlin said. "To turn you against your father. And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed! This is what she wants!"

"Listen to him," Uther said, "he's speaking the truth."

"Swear to me it isn't true!" Arthur said. "You are not responsible for my mother's death! Give me your word!"

"I swear on my life, I loved your mother. There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her."

Leon couldn't help noticing that the oath the king swore did not directly correspond to the accusations laid at his feet, but Arthur dropped his sword, fell to his knees, and slumped, spent, against the chair. Uther crouched to comfort him.

"My son," he said, "you mean more to me than…than anything."

"I'm sorry," Arthur said. "I'm sorry."

"You are not to blame," Uther said.

Confident that the situation had cooled, Leon crossed to where Gaius was sitting with Krysia, pouring her some water.

"Are you alright?" he said.

"Fine," she said, although her voice trembled, and her smile was tight. "Truly, I'm fine. And anyway, none of this happened, did it?"

Leon hummed his understanding, and he wondered just how much of her life could never be mentioned. That must weigh on her, but he had no solutions for her.

A/N:

To jazica:

Welcome! I hope you continue to enjoy. There's plenty more to come!

-C