Chapter Two! This one brings in some more familiar faces :)

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Albionian Nights

A Merlin Aladdin!AU

Chapter Two: Suitor Issues

Loud screaming was heard for the second day in a row, but this time, it originated from the castle. The prince who had ridden in the previous day was now sporting a lovely black and blue eye and he had torn pants in the rear.

"I have never been so humiliated and insulted in my life!" he practically roared, and a dark skinned man followed behind, arms flailing in an effort to try and calm the prince down. On first sight, one would not think this flustered young man would be the king and the princess's older brother.

"Are you leaving so soon?" King Elyan groaned, and the prince glared at him.

"Good luck getting her to marry anyone!"

And with that, the prince left, leaving Elyan more than exhausted to say the least. Ever since their father died, he had to take the mantle up as King, but now that his sister was coming of age, she needed to marry. That was the law. But it's not as if that mattered at all. He sighed as he approached his sister's door.

"Guinevere? Oh Gwen?" he called as he began to open it, but he was blocked by an angry woman- Morgana, Guinevere's confidante and closest friend- holding a piece of torn cloth in her hands that Elyan could only guess where it came from. Elyan's face fell and he mustered up a grimace. "Morgana, will you step aside?" he requested testily. She pouted and nearly refused if not for a nod from Gwen. Morgana nodded back.

"Alright, I'll let you be alone," she smirked as she stepped aside, allowing Elyan to enter and as he did so, he grabbed the piece of trouser cloth from her hands. As Morgana exited, she closed the door behind her. Elyan glanced at his sister, who was sitting on her bed. He held up the torn piece of cloth.

"Is this why Prince Bertrand left in such a fuss?" he asked, though he knew the answer. Gwen looked over and gave a teasing smile.

"Oh, Morgana was just playing around with him, and showing that pompous overdressed meathead just what he deserved," she cooed to her brother, who rolled his eyes.

"Guinevere," he persisted, sitting on the bed next to her. She looked up at him with large brown eyes. "You have got to stop rejecting every single suitor that comes along!" Gwen frowned. "The law says-"

"-you must be married to a prince-"

"-by your next birthday." Gwen looked away.

"Well, that law is wrong," she murmured dejectedly. "I want to marry for love, Elyan, not because I'm forced to." Elyan sighed and put his arm on her shoulder.

"Look, Gwen, I know things have been tough since father died," he said softly, looking down. "I know that more than anyone. We'd be able to take things a lot more smoothly if he were still here, but he's not. The princess has to marry to support the lineage, and you only have three more days left." Gwen lowered her gaze sadly. "And it's not just that Gwen, I'm worried about you," Elyan added. "If something ever happens to me, I want you to be taken care of." The princess nodded glumly.

"I know you care for me Elyan, it's just that I've never been on my own, and Morgana's my only real friend," she protested. "I've never been outside the castle's walls!" Elyan huffed.

"Well, you're the princess, Guinevere!"

"Maybe I don't want to be a princess anymore!" Gwen cried, storming out of the room. Elyan growled in frustration and beat his fist against his head.

"That sister of mine!" he sighed, leaving the room and heading for the throne room. "I swear she's the most stubborn person on this Earth." When he reached the throne room he glanced up to see a tall man in black and brown with sleek black hair and equally dark eyes, and a scarlet parrot perched on his shoulder. Elyan smiled at the man warmly.

"Oh, hello Agravaine," the King greeted. The King's advisor nodded in greeting.

"Sire, you seem distressed," the man pointed out. Elyan nodded and let out a groan.

"My sister has driven away yet another suitor," he complained, sinking down into the throne. "Agravaine, it's driving me mad!" Agravaine bowed before Elyan.

"Well please, sire, I am here to assist you in any way," he expressed silkily, Morgause smirking wickedly on his shoulder- not that Elyan would notice. "Maybe I could help solve the suitor issue."

"Could you?" Elyan asked hopefully. Agravaine approached the King, much like a lion stalked its prey.

"Of course, Sire, of course," he replied with a smile. He frowned mockingly just a bit. "I might have a way, but you might not like it."

"What is it, tell me!"

"Well, Sire, it requires your family ring," Agravaine informed with false caution. Elyan hesitated.

"This ring…is one of the last things we have left of our father," Elyan whispered as he lowered his head, his voice filled with long-held grief. Agravaine made a tch noise and nodded his head slowly.

"I know," he tried to mirror the sadness of Elyan's voice. "But it is necessary to help the princess issue." Agravaine glanced to Morgause, who nodded. The bird's eyes lit up like molten gold and the King's eyes glowed similarly in harmony when she did so. The King looked back up to Agravaine.

"If it will help solve this problem, you can take it," he said pallidly, taking off the ring and handing it to his advisor. Agravaine bowed deeply.

"You will not be disappointed, Sire," he said with a growing wicked grin, rising and turning to leave, Morgause smirking as they left the King enchanted. The traitorous man and the bird entered a secret passage up to a dark lair hidden in the very walls of the castle.

"How pathetic! That boy is like a baby, trying to rule Camelot! So weak and foolish!" Morgause cackled. Agravaine raised his dark eyebrow and smirked.

"Easy, Morgause. Soon I will be king and relieve that child from his duty," he purred. "And then not long after that, we shall rule all of Albion!"

The two of them cackled wickedly and their laguhs echoed ominously.

That night, Guinevere snuck out of her bedroom window, and hurried to the back gates where no one guarded. There was a nearby tree and Gwen struggled to try and climb it.

"Going somewhere, milady?"

The princess whipped her head around to see Morgana, with a playful smile adorning her features. Gwen sighed.

"I'm sorry, Morgana, I really am, but I must go," she explained sadly. "I can't live my life like this anymore." Her friend smiled sadly and nodded.

"I understand Gwen," she replied quietly. "I will miss you dearly." Guinevere ran over and hugged Morgana tightly.

"And I you," she breathed tearfully. They pulled back from each other, and Morgana eyed the tree.

"I'll help you escape," she decided firmly. "It's the least a friend can do." Gwen smiled.

"Thank you, Morgana."

"It is my honor to, milady."

Morgana helped Gwen up the tree and Gwen looked back sadly as she climbed over the wall.

"Go find your love, Guinevere," Morgana cheered quietly, and Gwen nodded in response.

"Goodbye."

Next- Chapter Three: Fate's Fickle Hand

-DMRA