Author's Note: Thank you my readers for the reviews, Azar443 for being such an amazing FF twin (even when she's busy)! And AndyAiden, for putting up with my pessimistic self.
Well, this is the last chapter… of season 1, so we still have a long way left to go before the very end.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Le Morte d'Arthur
Prince Arthur stands in the main square of Camelot as he addresses the knights that will accompany him in hunting down the Questing Beast. "You've seen the foe we face. It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best knights in the realm. We can and we will kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom." He then draws his sword, raising it up, "For the love of Camelot!"
The knights follow suit in action and words. As the men sheath their blades, Morgana rushes out of the palace in her nightgown, hysterically yelling for Arthur.
He looks at her in confusion. "Morgana, what are you doing?"
"You cannot face this!" She tries to grab him, to somehow keep him from leaving, but he takes hold of her arms.
"Morgana, go back to bed." He attempts to assure her, "There is nothing to be afraid of."
"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!" Her sea green eyes are fiercely desperate as she begs him to stay.
Merlin, fearful that she may reveal her secret (he is not aware that she already knows it nor is she aware of what he is and what he knows), intercedes, "She probably had a bad dream, Sire. I'll take her to see Gaius."
The Lady shakes her head roughly at them, "No!" Refusing to allow the prince to leave, "I will not let you go!"
Arthur continues to struggle with her, but says to his servant, "No, Merlin, I'll get her inside, tell the men I will return shortly."
Merlin is surprised, but simply nods reluctantly while the prince drags a protesting Lady into the castle.
...
Arthur settles Morgana into a chair by the fire. He then picks up a shawl laying on the bed and wraps it around her. On the way to her chambers, she had stopped yelling, too consumed by her fears, visions, and other recollections (of course Arthur didn't know this). He was thankful she stopped screaming so much, she caused quite a scene already in the square.
The prince kneels in front of the young woman, his forehead creasing with worry. Her fair face is frozen in anxiety and her eyes are distant. He gently holds both her hands in his and softly calls out for her, but she seems to not hear him.
He squeezes her fingers and calls out to her again. This time she blinks rapidly and she breaths raggedly. Focusing her sharp gaze on him she reiterates that he cannot go face the creature.
The golden-haired man is not sure why she is so worried, he has gone to face magical creatures before and she has never been this frantic… well never frantic at all actually. It was typically "don't do anything terribly stupid." Perhaps, Gaius had said something. She had been spending some time with the physician (ever since Mordred) learning the arts of healing.
Nonetheless, she should not worry. "It's going to be alright, 'Ana, I promise."
She shakes her head sadly, "This is one of those promises you will unintentionally break, Arthur."
He gives her a puzzled look and she can only shake her head again and lie back in exhaustion. The prince lets go of her hands and she feels cold. He stands up, but before he leaves, Arthur brushes her raven curls aside and presses a soft kiss to her temple. "I will return as soon as I can," he whispers.
Her heart aches, for they are the last words he says to her this day.
Gwen is able to convince Morgana to at least dress and eat a bit, but she can barely stomach the food. The sight of Arthur dying in his sickbed still vivid in her mind. She was not able to stop him, she had failed at that. And even if he will kill the beast, it will take his life with it. Unless… she hears a noise coming from outside and a sting hits her heart.
Cautiously, she walks over to the window, opens it, and is shakened at the sight below. Uther is walking through the square with a wounded and unconscious Arthur in his arms, Merlin and Gaius following. The king's face is the very image of defeat while Merlin looks worried and Gaius is solemn. Uther then collapses in his grief. Four knights run over to bear Arthur inside as the king weeps on his knees.
Morgana takes a shuttering breath as she turns from the sight and sinks to the floor. She rattles a table with her movement, causing Gwen to turn and immediately rush over to her mistress. "My Lady, what's the matter?" She looks out the window and with one glance, the young woman understands.
The Lady is shaking her head while her body begins to tremble from her sobs. "I tried to stop him, but…"
Her maid wraps her arms around her, shushing Morgana and trying to assure her that everything will be alright. The Lady barely hears a word.
While on the other side of the castle, the Lady Elaine had watched the scene from her chambers, as well. But unlike everyone else, she holds a pleased smirk on her lips.
Morgana sits beside Arthur's bedside. The prince lays with the covers drawn up to his stomach. His skin is covered with a light sheen of sweat and is deathly pale, ever more so than the white cloth Gaius used to bind the wound near his collarbone. His crimson blood stains the cloth, but not enough for it to be in need of changing. He takes slow, shallow breaths and this is the only sign of life besides him stirring in his fevered sleep an hour or so before.
There is light coming in from the darkness outside and the Lady knows them to be candles held by the people bidding farewell to their prince. Morgana wipes away the stray tears that have fallen from her eyes. She needs to do something besides sitting and staring at him. The people have accepted that Arthur will not recover, but she cannot – she simply cannot bear the thought.
Sitting up, the Lady picks up a cloth and dips it into a bowl of water. After wringing it, she starts to wipe his forehead and neck. "I do remember, Arthur." She sniffles. "I remember when you constantly came to my bedside when I was ill because of Edwin, how you kept reminding me about the promise we made to never leave each other alone in the world after all the people we lost and kept losing." A forced smile settles on her lips. "That was so many years ago, I was surprised that you remembered. But you have been quite a surprise your whole life... from my experience, anyway." The Lady pauses, "But you... you broke that promise Arthur and then… then you fixed it," she sniffles again, "And now, it's almost like you're breaking it again." Morgana soaks the cloth and wrings it again, but now begins dabbing his chest. "You told me to come back and I did only because Edwin never meant to kill me. I would tell you to come back too, but… I can't knowing you will not be able to… not without help." The raven-haired woman hesitates, someone could be listening. "Just hold on, Arthur, be that strong fighter I know you are," she whispers while linking their fingers and steeling herself to keep from sobbing, "Estella's on her way and I'll be here, no matter what."
Morgana could have sworn that his fingers actually tightened, but her fatigued mind cannot be sure as sleep overtakes her.
...
"I hate to see her like this, distraught and afraid," Gwen says softly to Merlin. She turns away from the sight of her mistress to her friend, "You and Gaius are not hopeful either and that makes it worse."
The warlock looks down at Gwen's saddened face, "We all cannot be you, Gwen – ever hopeful."
Her lip twitches, "Is there anything we can do?"
Merlin sighs, "I'm leaving in the morning to find a cure."
The maid starts, "Merlin, it could be dangerous."
"But I have to Gwen," his pale blue eyes are fierce, "For the sake of Arthur and Morgana and Camelot."
She sighs knowing that he is right, "Just promise to be careful."
He smiles and nods, "You should go and rest."
Gwen shakes her head, "No, I must watch over Morgana, she will not leave Arthur's side." The young woman offers the other servant a soft smile and quietly enters the prince's room and sits by her mistress' side, wrapping a spare blanket around on her shoulders and straightening the pillows to keep Morgana warm and comfortable.
Estella looks over at Lancelot from over her saddle. "Ready?" she asks him.
For perhaps the fifth time (she has lost count, so she continues to say five) he questions, "Are you sure about this, my Lady?"
The duchess cannot help but roll her eyes. "Yes, Lancelot, I am sure. Agravaine is in one of his tempers again, so he will be in his chambers for quite a time without leaving, so he will not question me on my whereabouts and of course he doesn't care about you, no offense. The duchy will be kept in order, and you will not venture anywhere near the king, so you will not be caught and even if you are, you are my knight and thus under my protection. So do not worry. I would go by myself, but-"
"We insist that our Lady has some extra protection besides herself," Ethan interrupts with a slight smile.
The duchess adds, "Though I usually would take Sir Ethan, I think that Hefina is a bit upset with me for always stealing him away." Said woman, who is standing beside Ethan, blushes slightly while sending her mistress a smirk. "And I won't be taking, Sir Kahedin, far too forward that knight."
The fair-haired maid laughs, amused, "What she means is that though he is loyal and competent in a fight, he also desires to get between Estella's-"
"Alright now, no need to scar, poor Lancelot." The raven-haired woman intercedes as said man looks away, uncomfortable. Looking up at the dark sky, "We must leave, anyway." Estella mounts her gray mare as Lancelot the chestnut stallion. "Take care while, I'm gone," she says to her knight and his lover.
They both nod and send their well-wishes and farewells to the other knight and their mistress as the two take off at full speed out of the citadel and towards Camelot.
"Nimueh, we cannot allow this!" Vivienne nearly screams to the Chief High Priestess. "You know who Arthur is to become and you know who Merlin is already starting to be, you cannot seriously want them dead."
"No, of course not," she flips her black-brown hair over her shoulder. "But you know that even though that is their destiny, destiny has to be won and by doing this, we are helping them."
"Not we," Valeria drawls out.
Nimueh turns her sharp blue eyes to the younger Le Fay, "And what do you mean by that Valeria?"
Vivienne stares down her twin sharply while she simply shrugs to both women. "What I mean is that it is only you, Nimueh. Vivienne and I have no control over the Questing Beast, only you do as the Chief High Priestess. And it was you who sent it in the direction of Arthur, thus causing Uther to send him to kill it, thus getting him bitten, and thus taking the life of the Once and Future King."
The older woman's blue eyes darken. "He is not dead yet and this is simply a test for Merlin, to challenge how great his loyalty is."
Valeria shakes her head, "Even so, it will not be his death that will save Arthur."
"But in the end they will both live," the blue-eyed Priestess nods with confidence.
Vivienne then speaks up, "But at the cost of your life, Nimueh!"
She snaps her head around to stare at the older Le Fay. Vivienne lets a cautious breath. "Have you Seen this?"
Holding her chin high, "Yes… and my sister and I will not allow to you die."
Nimueh's eyes soften slightly, but she says solemnly, "A life still must be taken for the revival of the young prince's."
Valeria nods, "But of course, mine." Two sets of eyes stare at the younger twin.
"Have you gone mad?" Vivienne demands.
"No, sister, but by all technicalities, he is my nephew, so-"
Nimueh interrupts Valeria, "It will not be your life or any other Le Fay's. The Old Religion shall not accept any of its blessed daughters, let alone those who are High Priestesses, to save a life."
"Then perhaps we should let Merlin himself decide." Valeria and the other High Priestess turn to the large window. Sure enough, the sight they see is the warlock himself coming towards the Isle.
...
Merlin carefully walks through the open halls. He feels the slight stirring of magic flowing through the castle and the isle itself. Though it seemed many years since the isle was completely inhabited, he senses that something is keeping the castle in such pristine condition.
The young warlock looks around at the stones standing in a circle and the stone altar in the center of the structure. He is about to call out a greeting, but a soft, musical voice he is familiar with says, 'We are strangers to one another, do not show any recognition of us.'
Suddenly the silence around him is broken, "Hello, Merlin." He turns to see a woman, pale skin, dark brown almost black hair, stormy blue eyes, a kind of beauty that stands out from that of typical royalty that he has seen before in the court of Camelot, but not great enough to match or rival that of the Le Fays'. She bears a resemblance to Cara, but then again she is Cara… well, sort of.
"Nimueh, you can't be who the dragon meant." Merlin shakes his head, "You tried to kill me and Arthur."
The woman in rose red smiles,the Druidic necklace, studded with black jewels glimmering around her neck. "Sometimes, your will to survive must be tested. But now it seems that I must aid you instead of challenge you."
"So, you know what I have come to ask," Merlin questions.
She purses her lips. Suddenly, the Le Fay twins garbed in identical rose red dresses appear at her side. "We do not have the power to mirror life and yet give nothing in return."
Vivienne on the right says, "To save a life one life must be taken to ensure the balance of the world."
Merlin straightens up, "I willingly give my life for Arthur's."
The Chief High Priestess is amused, "How brave you are, Merlin. If only it were that simple."
Valeria speaks before he can ask. "It will not be your life that is taken young warlock. You must find another who will willingly give their life for the Prince of Camelot."
The young boy starts, "But-"
"This is the only bargain that can save the prince, Merlin." Nimueh declares with finality, "It is either another's or his, this is what the Old Religion demands. Come back when you have another."
The three Priestesses move to go back into the palace, but the dark-haired boy yells, "Wait!" They give him a questioning look. "Please, I… I have a name of someone to bargain."
Valeria lifts her chin, "Give it then."
Merlin sighs heavily; Estella had given him this name. He heard it in his mind as passed the White Mountains. She assured that this person is willing to die for Arthur. Taking a deep breath, "Lady Igerna," he says to them.
Nimueh lifts a surprised brow, but does not comment, for she can see that the boy does not know whose name he is offering, only that they will exchange their life for Uther's son. She reaches over the altar, "The Cup of Life," she presents to the warlock, "Blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live."
Merlin walks toward the three women and takes the Cup.
The Priestesses hold their hands toward the sky, "Tídrénas," and it begins to rain. Water is collected in the Cup and then Nimueh pours the water into a small, decorative canteen.
The Chief High Priestess gives Merlin the water, "The bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you." He quickly leaves to get the water to Arthur in time. Taking a deep breath, "Your daughter had something to do with this. Didn't, she Valeria?"
The addressed Le Fay bows her head, "Estella would not see you dead, either, my Lady."
Nimueh nods thoughtfully. There is something the Le Fays are hiding, she can feel it, but now is not the time for a confrontation. Whatever they are up to, it for her, for them, for their kind. Vivienne and Valeria would never betray her...
Morgana paces her chambers as Gwen prepares her bath. She is anxious to be away from Arthur and yet she is relieved to not have to watch him dying. Her door is unceremoniously opened, causing her jump and Gwen to run in from the antechamber.
Standing at the threshold is the Duchess of Caerleon… although she does not really look like it. Her fair face marred with a few scratches, her hastily done braid is windswept and has twigs and leaves in it, her clothes are rumpled, but other than that she seems unharmed.
The First Lady of Camelot immediately runs to her cousin and she meets her halfway. They embrace tightly while Gwen smiles and goes back to tending Morgana's bath.
"Are you alright, 'Gana?" Estella questions. Morgana can only nod still numb at the sight of Arthur's corpse-like form. "Arthur will be fine, do not fear." The younger woman nearly breaks down, but she steels herself and takes a deep breath. Her cousin looks at her sharply. "Do you need anything?"
She knows that the older woman means anything at all. "No," she answers softly, "I'm fine, my magic is still rather dormant, the Sight is as it has always been, and my memories are sorted." Morgana pauses. "All I need is Arthur to live."
Estella cousin shall be fine for now. "We will discuss your situation later, then." After kissing Morgana's cheek, the duchess leaves the room to seek out her other cousin.
...
Gaius is pacing Arthur's chambers as the king sits beside his son. After he gave Arthur the water Merlin had brought from the Isle of the Blessed, the physician had convinced Morgana to at least go to rest in her own chambers for a few hours; Gwen went along with her mistress to ensure this.
Suddenly the prince stirs and wakes up, looking to his father. The king then wakes and says his son's name in surprise and relief.
"I thought we'd lost you," the king tells his son as he pats his shoulder.
Arthur replies gruffly, "Don't worry, Father, I'm not going to die."
"Good, because then I would have to resurrect you and kill you again myself for being so reckless," an amused, yet relieved voice says as the owner walks into the room.
"Estella!" both men exclaim as she beams at them.
Looking over her rather bedraggled appearance, Arthur comments, "You look terrible."
She glares at him, "Well, thank you dear, cousin. I did not just drop everything at my duchy and rush here without stopping to be at your side." She pauses, looking at his slightly pallid face and lank hair, "And for the record, you look terrible, too."
Uther laughs at his niece's sarcasm and insult. Kissing her forehead, "We are glad to have you here, my dear." Making his way to the door with a giddy stride, "I shall inform the court that their prince lives."
The dark-haired woman then gives her cousin a wry smile, "Good to see you well, little Art."
Arthur sighs exasperatedly, "Don't call me that."
She ruffles his hair, causing him to groan in mock agitation, "Fine, if you will always be the little brother I never had."
The older woman moves to the door, but he stops her before she leaves him to rest, "Thanks, for coming all this way."
Estella smiles, "You know I will always come for you Arthur, unless of course Morgana is in trouble."
The prince laughs, "Yeah, I would say the same." He blushes when she starts laughing, realizing what he had said, as she shuts the door.
...
Gwen covers her mouth in shock and surprise, "Oh, I cannot believe that you are here, Lancelot. Oh, but the king…"
The knight smiles, "Duchess Estella assures me that I am under her protection for this visit." He then laughs softly, "And apparently, she is in the mood to break some rules."
The maid joins in with his laughter, "Yes, Estella may play the role of the obedient, eldest child, but she is probably the most notorious woman in court," Gwen catches herself, "Well, that is what Morgana says because-"
Lancelot smiles again, "I do not think Duchess Estella would disagree with that statement."
And the young woman smiles at him. Unable to help herself, she throws her arms around Lancelot and embraces him, he holds her just as tightly. The dark-skinned girl notices the marks on his neck, however, and the scent of honeysuckle on his skin, a scent that is favored… Duchess Estella. Her throat tightens at the realization and Lancelot senses the change in her. She releases and him and stutters, "I- I must-"
Shaking his head fervently, "Guinevere, you don't understand-"
She holds her head up and steels herself, "No, I understand perfectly. She is an exceptionally beautiful woman,and rumored to be quite talented in the bedchamber, who could resists her?" She asks bitterly.
A woman behind them clears her throat. Lancelot bows, "My Lady."
Gwen jumps, but then curtsies, "My Lady, your bath is drawn. If-"
"You would converse with me for a moment, Gwen?" Estella asks rather than orders. Then she looks past Lancelot's shoulder. "And Merlin, if you could go and fetch a meal for Sir Lancelot?" but this is more of a command as her eyes sharply assess the servant. Turning to her knight, "And you go and get cleaned."
Merlin bows his head with a tight jaw (he had seen Gwen and Lancelot embracing), "Of course, my Lady."
When the two men leave, Estella gestures for Gwen to enter her chambers. "You really do not, understand, Guinevere." The servant is silent, but she listens attentively. "I swear that Lancelot and I are Duchess and Knight – nothing more, but really potentially something less." Her moonlight gray eyes stare into Gwen's light brown. "The reason for the appearance that we have an affair is to protect him from Elaine. She desires him, but I will not let her have him because she will ruin him for one thing and I know he has feelings for you for another."
Gwen blinks rapidly in surprise, "Duchess Estella-"
"But then there is you." She cuts in, "Your heart is conflicted."
The younger girl looks down, "I suppose I am that obvious."
"'Tis not a sin to love more than one man, but there should only be one you love the most. One whom everyone shall declare is your soul mate." Estella says as she pours a goblet of wine. "Whatever it is you want to say, you may say and you may call me by my name." (She knows the younger girl has always been fearful of disrespecting her by being informal).
The maid carefully starts, "Well, my Lady- Estella. You… you have had many… lovers-"
The older woman interrupts, "I prefer the term 'liaisons,' calling them my lovers would imply that there is actual love involved, which there is not."
"Mmm, may I ask why?" Gwen questions tentatively.
Estella shrugs while feigning nonchalance, but she blatantly drinks deeper from her goblet and pours another. "Only good men are worthy of actually being loved and they are practically non-existent. You are lucky that Lancelot is good."
Gwen does not know why she feels comfortable freely discussing this matter with Estella. The two of them have never been the closest of people, but… it feels as though the Duchess sincerely wants to help (and she does). "And Merlin?" she asks.
Chuckling, "I am sorry, Gwen, but Merlin is a boy. He is a good boy, but a boy nonetheless. You need more than a boy."
The maid is reluctant to give into the notion that she needs Lancelot. "But… Merlin has always been there and… I don't want to hurt him. I know that he feels something strong for me." (Although he does not know that she knows).
"Gwen, you are sweet, but sometimes, we cannot be sweet when it comes to men and boys." Estella turns her eyes to the window, "You should make sure they do not hurt you first." She is given a look of puzzlement, so shaking her head, "Do what you will, but remember what I have told you."
She nods, "Yes, thank you, Estella. And I am truly, very sorry for-"
Shaking her head once more and brushing away the apology, "No need, go on, I am sure you have more important things to do than to continuing speaking with me. I must bathe anyway."
Gwen curtsies and leaves the duchess' chambers.
Merlin confronts Estella as she leaves her chambers in the morning. "Whose name was it that you gave me to sacrifice?"
She lifts a quizzical brow, "I do not see why that matters when you claimed you would do anything to make sure that Arthur would live."
"I did not want a stranger to die instead of me!" the younger boy nearly yells.
The duchess does yell, for in spite of the wine from last night not dragging her down (she had learned to hold her alcohol from the best), there is the still the headache. "You would not have died anyway, so stop thinking of your own self-importance!"
He glares at her, "I was not thinking of myself, I was thinking of Arthur!"
"No," she narrows her steely eyes at the warlock, "I know what you try to deny, Merlin. You fight to save Arthur's life, but it is through Arthur will you ever achieve anything, even with your powers without Arthur… you are nothing." Estella traps him in a corner. "For you, this fight for Arthur's life is first for yourself – for me, it is him and everyone else." She backs away, "And do not lash out your fury at me."
He is taken aback, "What are you talking about?"
She looks over her shoulder, "I know that you are upset about Lancelot being in Camelot."
And he sinks to the ground, for she has caught the real reason he is angry. Yes, he did care about the woman whose name she gave him, but somehow he knows that the woman truly was willing to die for Arthur. Estella turns around, her forest green, velvet skirts swishing. "You said we had a future," he comments sadly.
She looks at him with sympathy now, "I know and I was not lying, but... I'm sorry, Merlin, I am not the type to tell whole truths."
The warlock swallows, even when she shows pity, she is blunt. "I suppose you think I deserve this, for using Arthur."
Shrugging, "You have not actually used Arthur…yet. But I know that in your heart, you do not mean to. It is human nature to desire to be more or even less than what you were born as." She pauses and adds, "Although, there are a few who are content where they are."
He looks up at her and dares to ask, "Do you…" but he cannot finish his question.
She offers him a soft smile, "As I have said before, there are other people, Merlin." Her moonlight eyes seem distant. "No matter who betrays you, there are other who will come and stay with you and heal you and your heart."
"Are we still discussing me?" he asks with skepticism.
Her eyes snap back to him, "But of course, who else?" The warlock stares at her. She ignores the look and offers her hand. "Come now, wallowing in misery, will not help you."
Merlin looks from her hand to her fair face and something stirs in him. He recognizes that it is that feeling when he first laid eyes on Morgana. Slowly he takes her pale hand, noticing how they are calloused yet soft, and lets her effortlessly pull him up from the ground. Quietly, he utters his thanks.
She gives him an empathetic smile and squeezes his shoulder. "If you must know. Lady Igerna was mine and Arthur's grandmother. She has been widowed for quite some time and she practically prayed for death, so that she may see her husband, son, and daughter again."
Merlin is shocked to hear this. He is not really sure what to say, "I- I am-"
But then her features shift to that expressionless face that he is more used to seeing. "Do not forget my warning, Merlin. I was nice to you now because I can understand what you are going through, but I do put my cousins' safety and lives before anything that has to do with me."
Without another word, she turns sharply and heads to Morgana's chambers. Unintentionally and without her notice, her long, raven curls hit Merlin's face. The invigorating scent of pine needles and honeysuckle filled his nostrils and he is left dazed, watching her walk gracefully down the corridor. Perhaps she is correct and he was wrong, there are other people and… perhaps... he dismisses those thoughts. Berating himself for even thinking such things… again.
Estella rolls her eyes at the sight she has turned a corner to see. Once again, she has caught Elaine while she is trying to catch her prey. However, this time it is not Lancelot, who in the lower town with Gwen, it is not even a man she lays claim to in any way, it is Leon.
The duchess decides to save the poor knight. She walks past them and repeats the little stunt that she has used before with her ribbon. Leon, noticing the 'fallen' ribbon and thankful for it (part of his mind recalls the reoccurrence), extracts himself from Elaine and excuses himself to return a High Lady's lost ribbon.
The auburn-blonde is of course far from pleased that she lost another man and it is once again to Estella. She huffs off and retreats to her chambers to grab her cloak and go into the woods to meet her most willing and constant paramour. The other two do not notice her departure.
"My Lady, I believe you dropped this," Leon bends at the waist and presents the green ribbon.
"I suppose I did. Care to help me, this time?" She turns around and holds her raven curls back. "Just tie it around," she tells him.
Leon tentatively does so and she is reminded of the complete opposite way that… Gwaine (somehow she is able to say his name again, even though the pain is still with her) tied her hair, with the confidence he always had with him about everything. "There you are," the tall knight says.
Turning back to face him, she smiles sultrily, "Thank you."
He swallows, trying to relieve the sudden dryness in his throat. Somehow she got him backed into the wall, as Elaine had. But with Estella, he is willing to be in this position. The duchess runs her fingers along his bearded jaw and he shivers. She then chuckles lightly and backs away. Leon lets out a huff and attempts to calm himself. Really, the Lady did love to tease. The knight does not that this is how she tries to forget.
...
After her talk with Estella about what they would do about her renewed memories, the visions she recently saw, and her growing magic, Morgana decides to visit Arthur. When she went to see him last night, he had fallen back to sleep. It was only due to his heavy, healthy breathing and his slightly tan complexion that kept her from believing he that he was still dying.
When she knocks on the door and slowly opens it, she finds Arthur sitting at his table with a goblet of water in his hand. He looks up and his bright, sky blue eyes light up. "Finally! I thought everyone forgot about me now that I'm healed."
She laughs softly as she steps into the room and shuts the door, "Really, Arthur, it is not always about you."
"Well, it should be, after what I have just been through," and he curses himself when he sees her wince, really he does have a problem with simply spouting out what is on his mind whenever Morgana is around. "Morgana, I… sorry-"
The Lady shakes her head, "No, it's- it's fine, you're right. How are you?"
He is about to say something stupid again, but then chooses to respond with, "Better now that you're here." The prince smirks at her flushed cheeks and gestures for her to come to him. "I remember you speaking to me."
She settles in a chair next to him, "Of course you did."
Continuing, "I never knew you heard me when you were ill."
Morgana shrugs, "I thought I'd save you the embarrassment you were sure to have if I brought it up. You did sound so passionate about getting Edwin to help me."
His eyes snap to her face. "You didn't mention you heard that."
"Well… as I said, I tried to save you the embarrassment."
The atmosphere is tense again and of course, Arthur is the one who tries to alleviate that. "You know, I may have broken my fair share of promises, but you did, too."
She gives him a look of confusion, "What?"
He looks into her sea green gaze. "You said you would be by my side… no matter what."
The Lady returns his stare. "I didn't want to Arthur, but Gaius and Gwen insisted. If they hadn't I would have stayed with you the whole time."
"Good to know," Arthur whispers.
He leans to her and she meets him halfway in a soft, gentle and yet tender kiss. He puts his hand on her shoulder as she caresses his cheek. When they pull apart, Arthur then rests his head on Morgana's shoulder and closes his eyes, smiling while reveling in her sweet rose scent. Morgana smiles as well, while she threads her fingers through Arthur's fine golden hair. For now, the two are content. Their problems and secrets do not matter. They are well and they are together.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading and please review.