-Come on, you are slower than a snail –Arthur exclaimed and looked down to a panting Morgana making her way up the stairs as fast as she possibly could.
-I'd like to see you climbing all these steps whilst wearing a dress –she responded, glaring at him.
The twelve-year-old girl had arrived at Camelot not two months ago, after her father's tragic and heroic death and so far the young prince was the only person she opened up to. They both liked spending time with each other, even if they were always bickering. They had decided to inspect the left wing of the top floor of the castle, which was barely used for anything. They walked around for a bit, already starting to get bored as they couldn't go into any of the rooms, the reason being that the doors of said rooms were all locked. All except one. Arthur and Morgana looked at each other and smiled simultaneously. They walked in and looked around. It was an ordinary room, not even that big, the only peculiar thing about it was the enormous window which allowed whoever was standing in the room to look at the forest behind the castle and the sky above it. Morgana quickly ran to the only furniture in the room – a kind of bench made from dark wood, placed just before the window, and sat on it. Arthur sat too, and for a few minutes they were both silent, just observing the scenery before them.
-It's really pretty. –Morgana said quietly.
-Yeah. Imagine it at night- you could probably see all the stars from here.
And just like that, without further discussion, this room became their room. They came here every day, some nights too, to watch the stars.
Or they used to. The night before Morgana's departure for her father's grave, Arthur woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep no matter how much he tried. He got up, eventually, and decided to go to the room. He didn't really know why exactly he had thought of it, he hadn't been there for at least three years. The same amount of time he and Morgana had started to drift off from each other… They were still close, but it wasn't the same- not with his prince duties and training and all his other responsibilities and her becoming a proper lady and what not. He missed the way things used to be, but he would never make the first step – that meant having to admit missing her and he would rather let Merlin win in a sword fight than see her smirk. When he got to the door, he was surprised to see a figure gazing at the stars.
-Morgana? What are you doing here?
-Arthur! –she said, visibly startled. –What are you doing here? You haven't set foot in this room for years.
-Couldn't sleep. So you've been coming here?
-Never really stopped.
He walked up to Morgana and sat next to her. She was probably thinking about her dad.
-Remember when we found this place? It seems like a lifetime ago. –she said quietly after a couple of minutes of silence.
-How can I forget? You were such a pain in the neck when you were little.
-Me? A pain in the neck? I think you're mistaking me with yourself again.
-What is keeping you awake?
-Nothing in particular. I've just been thinking…
-About what? -She seemed hesitant –Come on, Morgana, we used to tell each other everything.
-That's the thing- we used to –she half-whispered, looking down her lap.
-I've been thinking a lot about that too, especially lately- I've seen you spend more time with Merlin than me, and I have to say, it hurts –Arthur said, mock pain visible on his face.
-Merlin is a really good friend, I'll let you know. You're lucky to have him.
-I hope there is nothing more between you two, because you know it's impossible for you to- Arthur started, only half-joking when Morgana interrupted him.
-God, I said we're friends not that I'm planning to elope with him.
Arthur looked away, feeling a mixture of embarrassment, relief and something he could not yet identify. He glanced at her one more time and asked her to be careful on her trip next day. Morgana was about make a witty remark about him worrying about her when an idea came to her.
-You could come, you know. Uther will surely let you and you are the only person I actually like talking about my father with so… -she wasn't exactly sure why she wanted him there with her, but she did.
-I will. –Arthur answered without even thinking, a blithe feeling starting to form inside of him. –I'll even bring your friend along.
Morgana laughed and after a last glance at the night sky stood up.
-Great. And thank you. I have to go now, big day tomorrow –she started walking but after a few steeps came back, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, something she hadn't done I years. Blushing, and without giving the prince time to react, she almost dashed off.