Back in the earlier days of his rule, a visit from a council member was a daily occurrence. Those older than him would have endless advice, suggestions, and complaints. Those of his advisors Uther's own age who had fought at his side many times would have useful debate points. As the years had gone on, the visits became fewer. Geoffrey of Monmouth paying a personal visit to the King's chambers unannounced was completely unexpected.

"Is there a problem with our records?" Uther asked when Geoffrey entered the room, a battered book under one arm. There was nothing else Uther could imagine Geoffrey having a problem with.

"No, sire, nothing like that."

"Then what, might I ask, is the meaning for this visit?"

"I have concerns about your son and about a prophecy that was brought back to my attention."

"I hold little regard for prophecies. They are borne from magic. They cause more trouble than they're worth."

"I understand." Geoffrey shuffled further into the room and closed the door behind him. "However, this one may concern your son."

Uther only nodded his head slightly to allow the man to continue with his story, although Uther still didn't see the point. It was worth waiting, though. If there was one lesson Uther had learned as a young king, it was not to disregard those that held knowledge. There were exceptions — but he had broken his personal vow of respect by nearly executing Gaius. He would not do so again unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm not sure if you noticed, sire, but for the past few weeks, Prince Arthur has been coming to visit the library. Which, he is permitted and encouraged to do, might I add. I spent hours trying to get that boy to see the use of books when he was younger, but it didn't stop him from leaving as soon as his studies were over. That is why his presence in the library… was suspicious to me."

"Perhaps he simply wanted to search up battle strategies or verify a knight's noble standing. After that incident with that commoner, I would understand double checking," Uther suggested. Even though he thought his suggestions reasonable, Uther had to admit it would be out of character for Arthur to double-check anything himself.

"I thought so too, at first. But then I caught a glimpse of the books he was reading, and none of them related to wars or genealogy. He doesn't know I saw anything he was reading, he had stepped out into the hallway to receive a message when I looked. I took one of the books in his pile — he had enough that I didn't think he would notice."

"And?"

"It's a druidic text, my Lord. Much of it would be unreadable to him."

Uther took the book that was handed to him. It was bound in leather and covered in carvings he had thought nothing of before his attention was drawn to it. What his son would want from a book of ruins, or even where he would find such a thing was beyond him.

"I thought we burned all such items years ago," he whispered. The book weighed heavily in his hands. How long had its pages been around, corrupting those who read it? How many people had died because of this very book? It was worn as if handled by many, but the pages were crisp and new.

Geoffrey nodded again. "I thought so too, but apparently Arthur managed to find at least one."

"And what did you find about some prophecy?"

"I'd heard of such a prophecy before: it's common among the druids. A hero, the most powerful warlock to walk the earth, would be born and bring the rise of the once and future king, destined to bring together magic and non-magical peoples across Albion."

"Yes, yes, I've heard that one too. What of it?" Rebellion often started in such ways. The people would pass along stories of a great leader. It wasn't unique to modern druids, but it was one of the reasons the druids had to be controlled and destroyed.

Geoffrey opened the book to a passage, one that Uther couldn't read, and pointed. "This gives more detail than anything I've ever heard before. And, my King, if what it says is to be believed, this legendary king they refer to is Arthur. The sorcerer that walks along beside him, Emrys they call him, may already walk among us."

"Which means he may already be acting to corrupt my son. I may not believe in prophecy, but this Emrys is undoubtedly a danger. We must be vigilant."

"Would you like to inform the prince of —"

"No. Arthur would only ask more questions. He has not seen the evil of magic as I have, and simply telling him of this prophecy too soon might lead him astray. Tell Gaius what you have told me. And perhaps Sir Leon. We need someone close to my son, but someone who will obey my orders over his without question."

Geoffrey took the book back from Uther's arms. "Of course, sire."

Just as the door was about to close, Uther called him back. "Burn the book."

Geoffrey dipped his head in acceptance and left.

o0o0 UTHER'S EMRYS 0o0o

"Arise, Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot."

Uther watched the two knight's faces as they accepted their place among Camelot's finest. They would serve Camelot well. Sir Caradoc had been specifically mentioned by Arthur as having talent. Uther had not seen such praise from his son since Lancelot.

"You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, 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 title."

As if to offer a chance to do just that, the sound of sword fighting began outside the doors. Uther's eyes, like everyone else's, were drawn to the door as a foreign knight entered, sword drawn.

Arthur stepped forward and Uther cursed his son's instinct to sacrifice himself. The knight threw down his gauntlet in front of Arthur, who picked it up.

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

The night removed the helmet in one sweep of their arm, letting waves of blonde hair cascade from inside.

"My name is Morgause."

It couldn't be that Morgause. Vivienne's child had died as a mere baby. Still, the name Morgause made Uther uneasy. Her arrival accompanied by news of Emrys encouraged an increase in security, but Uther decided against it. Emrys would not kill Arthur, and more guards would only alert his son to the situation.

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

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

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

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

Uther slammed a palm into the table. "We don't know anything about this woman! I will not let you face her in combat!"

"I accepted the challenge. 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."

o0o0 UTHER'S EMRYS 0o0o

Her steps were not light and delicate like a lady's should be, but they were graceful all the same. Morgana wondered if she resembled Morgause when she fought, hair and face now uncovered, obviously female but ready for battle despite the expectations of her gender. If Uther hadn't forced her to stop practising, Morgana might be as talented as the woman she watched practising in the courtyard. Maybe they would have trained together at some point - Morgause did trigger some feeling of familiarity.

"Who is she?" Gwen asked, also watching, though Morgana doubted she had the same feelings of admiration and jealousy. "Why would she challenge Arthur? It seems no one's ever heard of her."

"I don't know," Morgana said. "I feel as if I've met her somewhere before."

"Really?" Morgana could tell Gwen wasn't looking out the window anymore. "Where could you know her from?"

"I don't know."

"If there's any chance you know her, perhaps that could lead us to a motive," Merlin suggested. He sat with Arthur at a table further back in the room, not close enough to see out the window, but close enough to hear Morgana and Gwen's conversation.

"I don't have any idea why I would know her, I'm sorry."

Arthur shrugged and continued to skim the pages of his current book find. "It's probably nothing. I'm the King's son. Perhaps she wants to prove herself."

"Yeah, but you don't want to fight her, do you?" Merlin asked.

"I have no choice. If I refuse to fight her, I'm a coward. If I kill her, what am I then?"

"A knight who follows the knight's code," Morgana said instantly. "Don't let the fact that she's a woman blind you to the fact that she's a knight - and a good one at that."

Arthur met her stare with irritation. "I'm not going to go easy on her because she's a girl, Morgana. I just don't want to fight her."

"Because she's a girl."

"I didn't say that. Now, Merlin, I need you to take a message to Morgause for me. If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice. You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge."

Morgana smirked. "I doubt she'll withdraw Arthur, and I for one already view this action as cowardice."

Merlin moved to stand, but Morgana got to her feet first. "I'll take the message."

"My lady?" Gwen stood to follow her.

"You can stay, Gwen. I'll go on my own."

Morgana didn't expect Morgause to pause her practice to talk to her, but Morgause approached Morgana as soon as she arrived in the courtyard.

"I hear you're not bad with a sword yourself, Morgana. Care to join me."

Morgana looked down at her long gown and almost laughed. Fighting in that would be uncomfortable and impractical, but she appreciated the offer. It took her back to when she used to fight Arthur.

And, reminded her that Morgause wasn't Arthur.

"You know who I am."

"Of course. And there are extra clothes over there." she pointed at the bag she had brought with her. "I get the feeling you'd like a challenge of your own."

"I must decline, although you are quite right. I miss having a good challenge every once in a while. But I was wondering if we've met before?"

Morgause smiled and took a seat on one of the benches nearby, offering Morgana the seat next to her. "I don't believe we have actually met."

"Strange."

"Strange indeed," Morgause agreed. "I'm sure that's not the reason you came, though. What is it you wanted to ask?"

Morgana laughed, not noticing until that moment that she had forgotten her reason for talking to Morgause in the first place. "Prince Arthur wants you to withdraw your challenge. He has no desire to fight you and he will grant you safe passage through the kingdom if you leave now."

"If Arthur has no desire to fight me, perhaps he should withdraw."

Morgana bit back her own agreement. "He won't. It's not in him to withdraw."

"Then we have that in common."

"Why challenge him in the first place?"

"I have my reasons, Lady Morgana. Don't worry. My intention is not to leave Camelot without an heir." After a moment's pause, she stood again. "I have more practice to do, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Morgana said. "But I might take you up on that offer of a duel after all."

o0o0 UTHER'S EMRYS 0o0o

Morgause walked quickly through the dark cave, glancing behind her every few seconds as if expecting someone to follow her. She was wearing a dress of fine silk and jewels rarer than Morgana's own. And then Morgana saw herself.

Normally when she dreamed, the difference between dream and reality was unclear. She believed what was happening was the truth until she woke up under heavy blankets and the cheerful sounds of an ordinary day about to begin.

But this time, seeing herself alerted her to the illusion.

"I'm glad you came, sister." Morgause embraced dream Morgana who took a few seconds to return the hug. "I know the risk you're taking, but I assure you it will be worth it."

Dream Morgause and Morgana faded into a vision of Uther pacing in front of a fire as he spoke to a woman Morgana didn't recognise but that, like Morgause, felt familiar.

"Why would I trust a witch like you? If I could, I would have you killed right here, right now."

"The enemy of your enemy is a friend, Uther. You need me. Morgana needs me."

Then in another scene, a cloaked figure dodged Morgause's dagger as it flew straight for their chest —

Morgana woke up. Her body was tense as she lay flat on her back and focused on counting her breaths.

The dream lingered in her mind but didn't take over. It probably helped that no one had died in the dream. Things actually seemed to be going fine in her dream, which was somewhat comforting.

Morgana still knew little about how seeing the future worked, though, but she was fairly sure that if she had dreamed it, these moments would be pivotal.

And Morgause had called her sister. She would have to bring that up next time she spoke to her friends, hopefully before Arthur's fight.

o0o0 UTHER'S EMRYS 0o0o

As it was, Morgana did not get to see anyone but Gwen before Arthur's battle with Morgause. By that point, she was much too occupied with worrying about Arthur to talk about her dream. The more she thought about it, the more worried she was. Morgause had been in the dreams. That meant Morgause survived. And if Morgause survived a fight to the death, then Arthur had to die, didn't he?

Morgana couldn't see herself welcoming an embrace from someone who killed Arthur, though. She watched the two opponents stand side by side as Uther made his announcement.

"The fight is by the Knights' Rules. And to the death."

The two turned to face each other. She couldn't hear the words, but Morgana knew Arthur gave Morgause one final chance to revoke her challenge.

And, as Morgana knew she would, Morgause declined. They fought, swords flashing in the light at every swing. Arthur didn't hold back, but that did nothing to ease Morgana's fears. When Morgause dropped her sword and Arthur allowed her to pick it back up Morgana could have screamed at him. Instead, she just held on more tightly to the armrests of her viewing seat.

She turned out to have good reason to worry. Because Arthur lost.

Morgause disarmed Arthur and pressed her sword to his chest.

"Make me a promise and I will spare your life."

The question of why Morgause made the challenge was partially answered, then. She wasn't after the glory or the death of a prince. She was after a favour. A favour of what?

"What is it you ask?"

"Come to me three days hence and accept the challenge I set to you."

"And the nature of this challenge?"

"That is for me to decide. Do I have your word that you will accept, no matter what?"

"You have my word."

And although she was worried, Morgana was assured by Arthur's living, breathing, form leaving the field. She wouldn't lose him. Morgause had to be harmless.

Morgana would never seek an embrace with an enemy.

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