Chapter Five
Knight Valiant
(Part Two)
–
Without faith there is no truth,
for that is all the truth is and ever was.
–
After returning the books she had borrowed from the archives (and ripping out the page of interest) Morgana went to meet Uther at the reception and acted as the perfect lady of the court she was supposed to be (even though she had the urge to vomit and faint at the same time). She knew she wouldn't be able to eat a bite of food at dinner, all she could focus on was her trembling figure. Nothing made sense anymore. A few days ago she was just the king's ward, best friend of Prince Arthur, noble lady of the court. She was privileged, she knew this, and now all she felt was unfortunate. If the book was true... oh, she couldn't bare the thought, but if the book spoke the truth then Morgana was a sorceress. She couldn't bring herself to believe it was even possible for her to have magic. She'd never used magic before, purposefully or by accident. She did have nightmares... and some did come to pass... and sometimes it was almost like she could see the future. No, that would be ridiculous.
If Uther found out she had even been researching anything related to magic then he'd see her burned at the stake, that was for certain. It terrified Morgana, imagining all of the faceless onlookers who both loathed and feared her as she was tied to the pyre and left to burn. Closing her eyes hard for just a moment, Morgana pictured Uther and Arthur staring down at her from their balcony as Uther gave the signal to light the base aflame. Tall walls of fire grew ever higher as black clouds of smoke filled her lungs. Morgana gasped at the imaginary scene she'd created in her mind as she reopened her eyes, noticing Knight Valiant was next in line to speak with the King. Uther had noticed her sudden gasp for air and gently placed his hand against the arch of her back.
"Are you quite alright, Morgana?" he asked in a concerned tone. "You seem distracted."
Morgana faked a tight smile and nodded up at him. She knew he could see right through her, but he couldn't inquire further because the line of knights were anxiously awaiting his personal greeting. The truth was, Morgana was distracted. In fact, that was the understatement of the century. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't think. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, run down the corridors like a mad woman and release the built up tension inside her body. She was so antsy, so anxious that her chest felt as if it was confined in chains. All she wanted to do was go back to her chambers and think, be alone and think. She noticed Arthur down the line of knights and wished she could speak to him about what she had read, but she couldn't no matter how much she wanted to. Morgana couldn't even tell Gwen because she honestly had a fear that Gwen would be frightened her, never look at her the same even if the book was falsified. She thought she needed to be alone, but as she stood there in stunned silence, Morgana began to change her mind and desire company though she didn't know who exactly that entailed. Valiant approached Morgana after speaking with the King and bowed in an oddly seductive manner to her. Morgana forced a smile and bowed her head in return as Valiant took her hand and kissed it, catching Arthur clicking his tongue to the inside of his cheek as he watched her and Valiant with jealous eyes.
"I saw you in the stands watching me fight today," said Valiant. "It was most difficult to concentrate with such a beautiful creature as a distraction."
"You flatter me, sir," she said, trying to make an effort to appear as if she cared in the slightest.
"I understand the tournament champion has the honor of escorting my lady to the feast," he said, already knowing the answer. Morgana merely nodded, wishing Valiant would release her hand. "Then I will give my everything to win the tournament."
"Uh huh, that's wonderful," said Morgana with a blank smile, not really listening though she knew Arthur was getting the wrong idea from down the line. Valiant sent her a taken aback look, swallowed his pride, and walked to join the knights who had already gone through the procession. He looked back at her, still baffled at her rejection.
Morgana would have usually wallowed in the opportunity to make Arthur jealous by flirting with another handsome knight, but she could care less at that moment. She would shamelessly rather be before Arthur than Valiant. Ask her any other day, and she'd deny on pain of death that she even silently admitted something so candid about Arthur's importance to her. Gwen had just whispered something to Morgana about Valiant staring back at them, but it was drowned out by the brief greeting Uther and Arthur stared beside her. Arthur appeared in a rather sour mood as he strode before Morgana, still biting the inside of his cheek with his fingers laced behind his back.
"You seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant," said Arthur coolly, prepared to rip into Morgana at any moment. "Though you always were easily impress–"
Arthur was more taken aback than he'd ever been when Morgana abruptly shot forward and nearly knocked him on his backside as she wrapped her arms snugly around his neck. He instantly unlaced his fingers, his stature relaxing. Uther eyed them disapprovingly as a number of other knights and court members began to whisper and stare at the embracing pair. Arthur gently unlatched her arms from his neck after a moment, helping her steady herself before him and looking down into her now watery green eyes.
"What ever was that for?" he asked, smiling with a mixture of kindness, concern and somewhat amused expression upon his handsome face.
She wanted to tell him about the dagger, the stone, the message on her mirror, but she couldn't find the words.
"I'm just happy to see you is all," she said, choking slightly while she blinked away her tears and hastily wiped her face with the back of her hand to pretend she wasn't just about to lose control.
"What's w–" the prince began gently, taking her hands in his.
"Arthur," Uther interrupted, sending him a warning glare and nodded as if to imply he should go join the other knights instead of conversing so inappropriately with his ward. He nodded reluctantly his obedience and sent Morgana an apologetic look before walking off towards the others, looking back with a sorrowful expression.
That simple gesture confirmed her early belief. She knew now that Arthur would always obey his father's expectations before her, always. Morgana looked back regretfully at Arthur with his opponents, noticing Valiant was now missing. Swallowing her emotions again, she returned what little attention she had left to the remaining line of men.
–
Valiant wielded his mighty sword as Arthur lay wounded and unconscious upon the cold, lonely earth. All Morgana could do was stare on with an expression of terror and helplessness. There was an odd sort of silent gasp in the air as Valiant lifted his sword high above his head and thrust it with one fierce thrust through Arthur's broad chest. The Prince was dead.
Morgana shot up from her bed, sweating and breathless. She'd asked Gwen to grant her the opportunity to get ready for bed by herself as she had some things on her mind. Even with some protest from a concerned Guinevere, Morgana ended up getting her way anyhow. She couldn't remember falling asleep, and she doubted she even intended to do so considering she was still wearing her outfit from the reception. She couldn't imagine being able to fall asleep when she had so much on her mind. She laid down across her bed to read and reread the page regarding the Everstone for what was undoubtedly the millionth time.
She pushed some loose strands of hair from her face that were currently stuck there from the sweat coating her skin, unaware her necklace had fallen from her cleavage. Morgana carefully rose to her feet and placed the page from the ancient archive on her table and slowly strode to her window, spotting Arthur and his father speaking with their heads knelt to one another as they crossed the courtyard surrounded by several knights in the darkness. Arthur hadn't come to check on her as she thought and hoped he would. No, his father's wishes came first as always. She found it ironic they were walking by the very spot Morgana would be burned at the stake if Uther were to find out about the stone.
"Milady?" said a quiet voice from the doorway causing Morgana to nearly jump out of her skin.
"Oh, Merlin," she breathed, trying to force a smile as she turned to face him. "You startled me."
"I seem to do that a lot," he smiled shyly, shrugging. "I came to bring you your potion from Gaius."
"Oh, of course," she nodded in a frantic sort of way, striding forward to take the potion from his hands. Her own hands were shaking so furiously that she could barely drink the substance without spilling some down her gown.
Merlin bowed respectfully to her and tried to pretend he didn't notice her erratic behavior. He turned for the door to give her the privacy he believed she wanted but froze when he heard Morgana call him back. She took a seat at the table she had just placed the page from the archive upon, her back facing the door and Merlin. She hung her head down before rubbing her chin and looking blankly at the armoire mirror across from her.
"Merlin, do you think Uther could be wrong?" she asked candidly. "– about magic I mean. Do you think that all magic is evil and... and dangerous as he says?"
To say Merlin was taken aback was an understatement. He would have never expected the king's ward to ask him such a potentially life threatening question. He wondered if it was a trap, so he chose a diplomatic response.
"I believe the King thinks he is right," he said dumbly, causing Morgana to sigh, "that what he does is in Camelot's best interest."
"That will be all, Merlin, thank you," she frowned, allowing her face to fall into her palms.
Merlin had gone as far as gripping the door frame to leave the distraught king's ward alone, but he couldn't bring himself to just walk away with her in such a state. He took a deep breath and turned around and walked towards Morgana, taking hold of the back the chair opposite of her own. Morgana didn't even notice he was still in the room. He noticed the ripped page between Morgana's elbows propped up on the table and the stone upon her necklace that hung atop the page. Though he quickly read the title, he chose not to inquire further to its importance.
"I believe the King thinks he is right," Merlin repeated, pulling out the chair to sit across from Morgana as she looked up at him with stunned surprise, "but I also think his pride has caused his judgment to grow foggy."
Morgana stared deep into Merlin's eyes, blinking through tears and urging Merlin to elaborate.
"I think that there are two very different types of magic," he went on, Morgana hanging on his every word. "One kind should be feared, for its intentions are dark and vengeful, but I think there is another form of magic that the King so easily ignores and that is magic used as a force for good. So to answer your question, milady: No, I do not think all magic is dangerous, and it isn't something to be afraid of."
The king's ward nodded her approval of his answer. It was exactly what she wanted and needed to hear. Merlin tilted his head to the side, "May I ask why you had such an inquiry? Is everything alright?"
"I don't know, Merlin," she said slowly. "I don't understand anything anymore."
–
Merlin walked through Gaius's chambers, scratching his head and looking perplexed. He had almost reached his bedroom before Gaius stopped him.
"Merlin, are you quite alright?" he inquired. "You look rather out of sorts."
"I'm fine," he said slowly. "It's Morgana I'm worried about."
"Morgana?" said Gaius, suddenly much more interested. "What's wrong with her?"
"I- I don't know, honestly," said Merlin, shrugging and leaning his back against the wall just beside his open door. "She's been acting strangely. She's been jumpy, on edge–"
"Have you forgotten about the tournament?" Gaius laughed lightly, returning to his potions, pouring a bubbling substance from a beaker into a boiling bowl of green liquid. "Morgana is always on edge when Arthur is competing."
"I don't think that's it," said Merlin, running his fingers through his hair. "When I went to deliver her sleeping draught, she was crying and asked me a rather odd question."
"Oh, what was that?" asked Gaius, smiling to himself as he tilted a beaker with a steaming blue substance carefully into the bowl.
"She asked me if I thought Uther was wrong," he said. "– about magic."
"Morgana has never been fond of Uther's rather barbaric approach to magic," said Gaius simply. "She and the King most likely had an argument, and she just wanted someone to support her opposition."
"But there's more," said Merlin. "I saw a page on her table, she'd apparently torn it from some book that she was crying over. It was a drawing and a description of some sort of stone... er– Everstone... yeah, that was it. What was even more peculiar was that an identical golden stone hung from her neck."
The glass beaker fell from Gaius's grip that was now nonexistent. He was frozen and didn't even move when the spilled liquid instantly began to burn a hole upon his wooden tabletop. Merlin hurried forward and tried to pour water on the spill in attempts to lessen its damage. He dabbed the stain and looked up at Gaius with a confused expression.
"Gaius, w–?"
"You are certain, Merlin, certain it was the Everstone?" he breathed. "You could have been mistaken–"
"But I am not mistaken," said Merlin poignantly. "I saw it with my own eyes. The stone around Morgana's neck matched the image on the parchment perfectly. Gaius, what's wrong?"
"Everything," he replied, "everything, Merlin."
Gaius pulled out a chair from his dining table and motioned for Merlin to sit across from him, and the warlock obeyed. He looked over at Gaius, yearning for him to explain what had him so upset.
"You've heard of the Everstone then?"
"Unfortunately, Merlin, I have," he nodded solemnly.
"You're leaving me out in the cold, Gaius," Merlin frowned. "What could a measly necklace do to trouble you so?"
"There are many things that trouble me regarding the necklace," he explained, "not least of which would be that the simple fact that the barer of the necklace cannot remove it if they attain one unique gift."
"Which is...?"
"Magic," said Gaius, closing his eyes in disbelief after saying so, "but, it just cannot be true. Maybe she could remove it but chose not to."
"Why would she bother looking up the source of the unique stone if she could merely remove it?" he asked logically. "And she was visibly upset. Surely you would have had some inkling of her magical abilities, some suspicion over the years."
"And I have I suppose," said Gaius, rubbing his forehead, "but I imagine I've foolishly made excuses for her inexplicable abilities."
"What exactly?"
"It started off innocent enough," he started. "She began having night terrors, the severity of some were indescribable, but every child suffers from nightmares every once in awhile. That's what I reasoned at least."
"She's never grown out of them though, has she?" Merlin insisted.
"And not many children have nightmares that come to pass in reality," Gaius sighed regretfully.
"You mean, y– you're telling me that you think Morgana is a... Seer?"
"I don't think it, Merlin," he sighed. "I fear it."
"A Seer has a form of magic, but it still doesn't make her a sorceress though," said Merlin.
"Uther wouldn't be so logical, and you didn't let me finish," said Gaius. "Also on several occasions during her youth, unbeknownst to Morgana herself, when she would become furious with Uther or get into a row with Arthur she would come to seek my council and... well, when she would become overwhelmed with emotion of rage or fury... her eyes, they would glow in a manner I hadn't seen for over a decade and would not see for a decade more, that is until you arrived in Camelot."
"Then she's like me?" Merlin smiled.
"No one is like you, Merlin," Gaius smirked.
"But she can use magic?" he said hopefully.
"I was beginning to believe that I could have been mistaken, that she merely had a touch of the gift of Sight, as you said," said Gaius. "However, if she bares the Everstone around her neck then there is no doubt that her powers will begin to grow with much haste from now on."
"Is that what the stone does then?" asked Merlin. "It makes your magic evolve quicker?"
"I wish that was all it is capable of," said Gaius, "but the powers of the stone are far greater than that. Thank the gods she is only in possession of one piece."
"One piece?" said Merlin. "You mean there are more."
"Four to be exact, one piece for each of its moral creators," he explained. "It was broken not long after its creation, to prevent those with any ill intentions from wielding its power."
Gaius explained to Merlin exactly what had been written in the book that Morgana had read, leaving the young warlock in state of shock. Morgana, the woman he had instantly formed a bond with, was like him. She had magic, and she had been born with the gift and didn't just seek out the practice like so many before them. He knew exactly how she must feel, alone and frightened of what she is, wondering what she had done to receive such a burden, scared that someone would find out and turn her in. Merlin had never had anyone who could help him understand his magic as a boy. Sure, his mother tried, but she was not born with the power Merlin had been blessed with. It was not until he arrived in Camelot that he could begin to understand that there was a reason he was born with magic, and that magic was not something to fear but to appreciate.
"She must be terrified," said Merlin. "I know exactly what she must be going through. Maybe I could go and talk to her."
"No, Merlin, you can't," Gaius said quickly. "No one can know of you powers, especially not Morgana."
"Why especially not Morgana?" asked Merlin. "She's the closest friend I've made here thus far."
"That's all well and good, but she is still the king's ward," said Gaius. "Magic of any kind would put both of your heads on the chopping block if she were to tell anyone your secret."
"A secret she shares," Merlin objected. "She needs to know she's not alone."
"I've known Morgana for many years, and she will come to terms with this in time as she has done whenever she has faced any other obstacle in her life," said Gaius.
"I've known her for less than a month, and I can say with unyielding confidence that the Lady Morgana has never faced such an obstacle, nor will she again," said Merlin firmly. "I will not abandon her, for if I were to do so then it would be as if I had abandoned a piece of myself."
"You are treading dangerous waters, Merlin," said Gaius.
"Then it's lucky I'm a skilled swimmer," said Merlin wisely, "and I would never leave Morgana to drown."
–
Merlin woke the next morning with a warm sense of calm. He was not alone. He knew someone now who was born with the same power as himself. He wasn't waking to a feeling of uncertainty, a stomach full of butterflies. He woke knowing that he had someone like him, he had a kindred spirit, he had Morgana. With a new spring in his step, he strolled down to the equipment room to retrieve Arthur's armour for his morning match. He'd speak to Morgana when the time was right, he told himself. It didn't have to be today, tomorrow, next week, or even next month, but when the time was right then he'd tell her of his magic.
He hummed a quiet tune to a song he'd only just made up and began collecting the articles needed to properly protect Arthur from his opponents. He was so distracted by his own thoughts that he nearly missed the hissing sound that was coming from behind him. He ceased his happy tune and froze, waiting a minute or two before the noise could be heard again. He cautiously followed the sound, fearing there was a snake in his midst, and oddly enough he had come across a bright yellow shield of an opponent that was decorated in green snake paintings. How curious, Merlin thought, kneeling down to admire the unique shield. The sound could be heard again and the source was undeniable, as crazy as it sounded, it was coming from the shield. Merlin nearly toppled over onto his backside when its eye blinked red. Gasping, he bravely extended his fingers to touch the shield, figuring himself to have gone mad from sleep deprivation. A painting could not hiss or blink for that matter. The young warlock had nearly touched the shield when he was brought to an abrupt halt by the blade of the burly guest knight from before, Knight Valiant.
"Can I help you with something, boy?" asked Valiant, refusing to lower his blade from Merlin's neck.
"Er– no," Merlin replied, swallowing hard. "I'm good... I was... I mean, I was just... just gathering the prince's armour."
"Then you best be on your way then," Valiant threatened.
"Right, no problem," said Merlin, tripping over his feet to collect Arthur's things and nearly falling on his face to escape Valiant's suspicious glare.
He was utterly unaware that his encounter with Valiant would bring about more trouble than he could have possibly imagined.
–
Morgana hadn't slept in days. She was consumed with fear of what she had learned, fear for Arthur's safety, and fear for what had yet to pass. She would lay awake all night, too frightened to close her eyes and face the possibility of seeing Arthur lying dead once again, and too frightened to wake up and realize her discovery of magic was anything but a bad dream. She thought it really was silly to remain scared of her own nightmares considering her reality was far worse than anything she could dream up.
Gwen had begun to worry. She had walked in Morgana's room the past couple mornings to see her mistress wide awake and staring, unblinking, at the canopied ceiling. Her eyes had begun sporting dark circles that grew blacker each passing hour. She couldn't eat because she couldn't keep anything down and she had begun becoming clumsy because of her trembling hands. Morgana had finally decided enough was enough and she would just have to start pretending that her inevitable relationship with magic did not exist. She could not have magic if she couldn't use it, that's what she told herself at least.
She had began trying to pull herself out of her fearful existence by finding outlets to occupy her time and attention. She'd read over a dozen books, discovered a new style for her hair, polished every article of jewelery she had ever possessed, and spotlessly cleaned her entire chamber from top to bottom. Gwen entered Morgana's bedroom to find all of her work had already been completed. After spending her morning and afternoon just chatting and drinking warmed mead with Morgana, she finally convinced herself that she was getting paid for work and not play, so against her mistress's request, Gwen departed to see if the kitchen staff could be in need of any assistance.
Morgana wasn't too terribly upset with Gwen's departure after learning that her attendance was requested soon enough for some sort of unscheduled audience that Arthur had managed with his father over something unknown. A sudden hearing before the king was quite rare, and she imagined whatever it was Arthur intended to address must be a serious matter.
A glass vase containing a bouquet of rather beautiful flowers that Arthur had sent to her sat wilted on her nightstand. She was admittedly sad to see such beauty die so soon before her very eyes. They had arguably been the most handsome flowers she had ever received and that was truly saying something after all the extravagant bouquets she'd received in her days. Heaving a heavy sigh, Morgana lifted the dying flowers into her hands to dispose of herself. She frowned as she walked to her window to carelessly toss them away, thinking how much she wished that they were fresh and lively once more.
Just as Morgana's mind uttered the thought, the flowers in her hands began to grow, grow into the gorgeous examples of earth's true nature they had once been. She gasped, releasing the flowers onto the ground again, and as she did so the flowers died once more. Her hands shaking, Morgana knelt down and lifted what had been a particularly attractive red rose from the stone floor and held it in her hand again. It remained as wilted as it had been before. Her lack of sleep must be making her hallucinate, she must have imagined the bouquet's resurrection. However, Morgana was determined to be sure, so she gently placed her fingertips atop the petals of the rose and instructed it to live once more. As she had commanded and to her dismay, the rose bloomed as if the first week of spring. This time, when Morgana pulled her hand away, the flower remained in bloom.
"Morgana?" called a familiar voice from outside her chambers. It was Uther, the last person on earth that she wanted to see.
"One moment, my Lord, I fear I am less than decent," she called back, frantically collecting the fallen flowers and discarding them out her window onto the courtyard below only to be carried away by the winds. The rose, however, remained alone in her glass vase. She was not keen on disposing of something like that. Hurrying to collect herself, Morgana finally managed to answer the king's calls. She flung open the door a bit suspiciously and appeared out of breath to the king's surprise.
"Morgana, is something wrong?" he asked, concern in his voice. "You've been acting rather strange this past week, and I've begun to worry."
"I can assure, sire, that my well-being is something you neednt concern yourself with," she said. "You have many more pressing matters to attend to."
"Nothing is more important to me than the health and safety of you and of Arthur," he insisted, propping up her chin lovingly to meet his eyes. "Never forget that."
She forced a fleeting smile.
"You've come to escort me to the thrown room I wager," she said, changing the subject. "Shall we?"
Uther nodded and offered his arm for Morgana to accept. She looked back at the now reborn rose in her vase, wondering how long its second life would last and wondering how long her first would once Uther found out that not only was a sorceress behind his castle walls but one who had used magic, intentional or not. Uther would see no difference, magic was magic after all.
–
Uther released Morgana's arm so that she could assume her position along the line of a number of other court members, many of whom she had a great disliking for. She was consumed with her fears and thoughts that she'd nearly overlooked Merlin, standing by Arthur's side as if to address the court. She raised a curious brow, wondering what exactly was going on. Uther didn't appear very pleased to have to come before an unscheduled court especially when he was unaware of the nature of the meeting.
"What is this all about, Arthur?" asked Uther, taking his place before his thrown while Arthur stepped forward before his father.
"I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament," said Arthur with unwavering confidence.
"Valiant, what do you have to say to this?" asked Uther abruptly, the mere idea of magic in his kingdom causing a sleeping bear to rise from within him.
"My Lord, this is ridiculous, I would never use magic," Valiant snapped, glaring back at Arthur in a way that made Morgana want to poke his eyes out with her bare thumbs. "Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"
"Do you have evidence?" asked Uther, almost wishing it was true so that he could behead another warlock for good measure.
"I do," Arthur nodded, beckoning for Merlin to come forward and hand over whatever evidence he possessed.
Upon closer inspection, the proof Arthur had presented to his father (via Merlin) had been a snake's head and a bizarre looking one at that. Morgana had been born in Eire, lived her childhood in Cornwall, and grown up in Camelot yet had never in all her days seen such a beast. It was enormous, unlike anything she'd ever seen, with bright green scales and a yellow mouth that was as blinding as the color of the morning sun.
"Let me see the shield," said Uther, motioning to see the object at question.
"Be careful, my Lord," said Arthur, drawing his sword.
Morgana raised her eyebrows, watching as Uther carefully brushed his hands over the shield as nothing happened. She realized that this must be about Sir Ewan, knowing that he had been gravely injured by Knight Valiant's mere blow to his head. It odd for a competitor to suffer such a serious injury from something so common in battle. Morgana noticed Gaius enter the room with a stride of desperation, rounding the corner and whispering something dire into Merlin's adorably oversized ear.
"You see, my Lord, there is nothing abnormal about my shield," said Valiant.
"He's not going to let us see the snakes come alive!" Arthur objected.
"Then how am I to know what you say is true?" asked Uther, and Morgana had to admit (begrudgingly, mind you) is was a logical reply.
"I have a witness," said the Prince. "Sir Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes on the shield, his venom made him gravely ill, however, he has received an antidote and will confirm Knight Valiant is using magic."
"Where is this witness?" asked Uther.
"He... should... be... here," said Arthur with an upward inflection, looking back at Merlin and Gaius in furious conversation. Arthur quickly strode back to the pair and joined in to their heated conversation. When Morgana saw Arthur's expression fall, she knew something had gone horribly wrong.
"I'm waiting!" Uther shouted, his patience as short as a candle's wick.
Arthur looked at a loss for words, a loss for anything really. He turned back to the court, catching Morgana's eye and swallowing hard. He wished she could hug him and make all his trouble fade away like she used to when they were children, and she secretly wished he would do the same to her. Gathering a small amount of strength from such a memory, Arthur walked forward to accept whatever fate had brought him.
"I'm afraid the witness is dead," he said quietly, regretfully even.
"So you have no proof to support these allegations?" asked Uther, demoralizing him in front of the entire court. "Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No," he admitted solemnly, "but my servant–"
"Your servant?" Uther interrupted as if Arthur had just referred to an earthworm as a reliable source. "You make these outrageous allegations against a knight on the word of your servant?"
"I believe he is telling the truth," Arthur insisted.
"My Lord, am I really to be judged by some hearsay by a boy–?" asked Valiant.
"It's not hearsay!" Merlin objected boldly, striding forward to speak to the king and instantly regretting it. "I've seen the snakes come alive."
"How dare you interrupt?" said Uther in a voice that usually struck fear down Morgana's spine, though she'd never give him the satisfaction of showing it. "Guards!"
"No," Morgana whispered under her breath as the castle guards approached Merlin and took him by either arm, escorting him to the dungeons no doubt. "Arthur, do something."
An objected to Merlin's imprisonment came from the most unlikely of sources: Knight Valiant.
"Wait," he began. "I'm sure he was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want him punished on my account."
"You see, this is how a true knight behaves," said Uther, making Arthur feel about an inch tall, "with gallantry and honor."
"My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he is afraid to fight me then I will graciously accept his withdraw," said Valiant, looking upon Morgana as if to claim his prize. She narrowed her gaze upon him before rolling her eyes in disgust, the same look of disgust that currently occupied Arthur's expression.
"Is this true?" asked Uther, looking down upon his son as if he was still a small child. "Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"
"No!" Arthur replied as if Uther had just declared the sky green.
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?" asked Uther.
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding," said Arthur begrudgingly. "I withdraw the allegations against Knight Valiant. Please accept my apology."
"Accepted," said Valiant as if he was bestowing some great honor upon the prince who couldn't bring himself to look his father or Knight Valiant in the eye.
Arthur lowered his head into a bow and turned to leave as quickly as he properly could, desiring to be anywhere that his father's disappointed gaze did not await him. He brushed by Merlin, who looked almost ill from the entire ordeal. Morgana bowed respectfully to the king before rushing out the open corridor after him. He'd nearly reached his chambers when Morgana caught up with the disgruntled prince. He had all but ran along the long halls to reach his room, and Morgana found herself out of breath from her failed attempts to match his strides.
"Arthur?" she called after him, lifting her skirts as she ran. "Arthur, for pity's sake, will you stop for a moment?"
"I don't want to hear it, Morgana," he frowned, ceasing his strides but unwilling and unable to turn to face her. He was so ashamed that he couldn't bring himself to face anyone. "I've already suffered enough ridicule for one day."
Morgana stopped and smirked at her friend before following him into his chambers, having to reopen the door he had slammed shut in her face.
"Come now, Arthur," she smiled. "I think the amount of ridicule you deserve is nearly infinite."
"Get out, I want to be alone," he ordered, half-sitting upon his table, crossing his arms and looking out onto the courtyard from the opposing window.
"People who say that never really mean it," she said in a much more understanding tone. She slowly strode forward, gently scooting him over so that she could sit beside him on the table's edge. She didn't think he would budge at first, but he eventually conceded and reluctantly moved over to make room for her slender frame. He still refused to look over at her, keeping his arms as crossed as his disposition. After a couple moments of silence, Arthur spoke first as Morgana had hoped and expected he would.
"I'm humiliated, and in front of the entire royal court," he frowned, shaking his head from side to side. "You saw the look on my Father's face. He's disgusted with me, and I can hardly blame him."
"Your father is in a constant state of disappointment," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "I can't remember the last time he wasn't disappointed in something or someone."
"It's not just him," he sighed. "The entire court–"
"Since when have you ever cared what those wretched backstabbing royal bum kissers think of you?" she scoffed. "They've been trying to sabotage the both of us before Uther for their own personal gain since as long as I can remember. They are nothing but power hungry serpents."
"Father doesn't see them that way," said Arthur.
"Of course not because it's his behind their kissing," she said simply.
"I know you're trying to cheer me up, but it's not working," he frowned.
"Who said I was trying to cheer you up?" she teased and for a moment she swore she saw a faint smile. "I'm just trying to lighten the wrath that you undoubtedly intend to wreak upon poor Merlin."
Arthur's stature visibly stiffened at the mention of his servant's name, the source of his humiliation. Morgana felt the muscles in his arms seize up against the outside of her own upper arm.
"Do you believe him?" she asked boldly.
"Nothing adds up–"
"I didn't ask you whether or not the allegations made sense to you," she interrupted gently. "I asked you whether or not you believe your servant's word."
"He won't my servant for much longer," said Arthur, ignoring the true inquiry.
"What do mean by that?" she asked, turning to him and meeting his gaze for the first time. She knew exactly what she meant after looking into his eyes. She shook her head vigorously as he turned away again. "Arthur, no, you can't do that–"
"Sire?" called Merlin, carefully entering through the open door. He spotted Morgana first, uncomfortable to find she and the prince in such close proximity and in private no less. He kept his arms tight behind his back, his heart racing with nerves.
"You have some nerve showing your face after what you've done," said Arthur, refusing Merlin the honor of eye contact. Morgana turned from Arthur to Merlin, sending him a sympathetic look. He nodded respectfully to her, wishing she was not witness to his embarrassing affair.
"Sire, I assure you I only–"
"I believed you, trusted you, and you made me look like a complete fool," said Arthur viciously.
"Things didn't go exactly to plan," said Merlin sheepishly.
"Didn't go exactly to plan?" he roared, pushing himself off the table's ledge to plant himself dangerously close to Merlin. "My Father and the ENTIRE royal court think I'm a coward! YOU HUMILIATED ME!"
"I can still expose Valiant," said Merlin, his determination unwavering.
"I no longer require your services," said Arthur indifferently.
"Arthur–" Morgana started.
"You're sacking me?"
"I need a servant I can trust," he snapped.
"You can trust me!"
"And look where it's gotten me!" Arthur shouted, turning back towards the window again. "Now get out of my sight!"
Merlin looked utterly broken, his jaw rigid with words unsaid. He caught Morgana's stunned expression before darting out of Arthur's chambers without another word. Morgana sent Arthur a glare that challenged the level of disappointment that his own father had just sported and headed swiftly for the door.
"Where are you going?" Arthur spat.
"To help Merlin," she said fiercely.
"And why would you do that?"
"Because, unlike you, I have faith in him," said Morgana, looking back at the prince one last time before departing after his freshly sacked servant.
–
It wasn't until Merlin had reached the center of the courtyard, looking completely distraught, that he realized someone had been following him. It was Morgana, to his complete and utter surprise, looking flustered and anxious as she lifted her skirts down the stone staircase leading down from the castle. He almost doubted that she was chasing after him, wondering why she would seek out the likes of a now unemployed servant, a lying one at that.
"Milady?" he said, a bit shakily as she rushed up towards him. "What–?"
"What you said, about Valiant, it was the truth," said Morgana. "Wasn't it?"
Merlin gave her a very appraising look. Was she condescending him? A proper lady of the court would never seek out a mere servant in such a manner. He was so speechless at the sight of her before him, looking overwhelmed in every aspect of her life but no less beautiful in her deep violet gown, that he truly didn't know what to say at first.
"Yes," was all he managed to choke out for a moment before speaking again. "I saw him using magic with my own eyes. He's using an enchanted shield that allows the decorative snakes to come to life and strike its victims. I would not lie about such things. I give you my word."
"I believe you," she said, no doubt in her voice. Those were the only three words that could make Merlin feel the slightest bit better, and he only wished they had been spoken by Prince Arthur prior to Morgana.
"You do?" he breathed.
"Yes," she said as if he should have already known. "Now what can I do to help?"
She didn't know why she believed the world of Merlin over a knight, but there was something about the young servant that made her trust him. She had no reason to do so besides a feeling, a bond she instantly felt with him the first day she'd set eyes on him in the very spot they stood at that exact moment. All Morgana knew for certain was that she trusted Merlin, with everything.
"I wish there was some way you could," said Merlin genuinely, "but I fear there is nothing anyone can do."
"You can't mean that," she objected. "You have to show everyone you were right, because – well, Merlin, if you don't then – well then, Arthur will surely die."
"It looks like the only way to prove I am in the right is if Valiant does just that," Merlin frowned.
A revelation suddenly stuck Morgana like a ton of bricks. If she and Merlin couldn't charm the snakes from the shield then she would just have to charm the knight wielding it instead.
"Merlin," she smiled to herself. "I think I have an idea."
–
A/N: Thanks to everyone who has so kindly reviewed. I appreciate it more than you know, really I do. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and got loads of midnight kisses. Here is one from me, Merlin fans – MOI – ! Help me reach 85 reviews, and I'll update quicker=)
Coming Soon: Morgana doesn't need magic when she already has been blessed with the power of seduction, Merlin speaks with the Great Dragon and questions his prior decision to tell Morgana of his magic, Merlin tries to seek the use of magic to expose Valiant, and Morgana gives Merlin insight into Prince Arthur's character that leads him to believe she is the worthiest queen in all the land (and he can hardly bare the thought).
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Review.