It is raining when Arthur wakes the next morning. Grey clouds line the sky like heavy lace, and puddles are already forming in the courtyard. Typical. He wanted to go and train with Leon and Owain this morning, but he's sure his father will make him stay in and finish the work his tutor set him yesterday.
Still, the rain provides a convenient excuse for him to go and visit Morgana.
He knows the way to her chambers; he has been there plenty of times before when she used to come and stay in Camelot with her father, but still he lingers for a second outside the door, gathering the courage to knock.
Eventually the decision is made for him as he hears footsteps just inside the room, and quickly raps the door so as not to be found dithering outside.
It swings open and a pretty girl of about his age stands there. Her dark skin and brown curls are vaguely familiar, and he remembers her as Gwen, Elyan's younger sister. He and Elyan had played together when they were younger.
"Sire," she curtseys quickly, realising who is stood in front of her.
"Is the Lady Morgana awake?" Arthur asks, keeping his voice low so as to not risk waking her if she is asleep.
Gwen smiles. "Yes, Sire. She's been asking to get up consistently for about the last hour, but Gaius says she must rest. I'm sure she's well enough to have visitors. If you'll excuse me, Sire." She holds up a jug of water and an empty tray by way of an explanation, and walks off down the corridor, leaving Arthur to enter the room by himself.
Morgana is sat up in bed against a mountain of pillows. She smiles as Arthur sits down in the chair next to her bed. Her black curls are newly washed and brushed, though, if anything, she looks even more delicate without the layer of grime. Her skin is paler than he has ever seen it, and she has scratches on one cheek. Worse is the cut on her chin, which holds several stitches.
"I wanted to thank you," She says determinedly, before Arthur can even open his mouth. "For saving me."
Arthur shrugs modestly, a little embarrassed. "It was nothing." He says quietly, suddenly very interested in the swirling embroidery on her bedcover. "Morgana?"
Morgana looks up, meeting his eyes. "Hmm?"
"I never had a chance to say before," He continues, "But I'm sorry about your father."
Morgana smiles sadly. "Thank you, Arthur." There is a note of sincere affection in her voice that Arthur has never heard before. This Morgana is obviously very different to the one he knew.
"How is your back?" He asks, a little uncomfortable, and anxious to steer the conversation back to more mundane subjects.
"Much better, thank you," Morgana replies. "Gaius's remedies are second to none. I'll be right as rain in no time."
Arthur is glad to hear that. His eyes flick to the faint scars on her arms. "Did they hurt you often?" He asks quietly.
Morgana looks away. "Often enough," She says, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "I couldn't keep my mouth shut. When they'd beat someone else for no reason, I'd confront them. I ended up punished, too."
Arthur isn't surprised; he still remembers the summer when Morgana stood in the courtyard and scolded him for taunting a stable-boy.
He doesn't quite know how to respond. "Are you alright?" He asks.
She frowns. "I will be if I ever get out of this bed." She says impatiently. "The King seems determined that I should 'rest' in order to recover fully."
Arthur smiles. This is the Morgana he remembers, impulsive and witty.
"I'll leave you to do so, then," He says, getting to his feet and making his way out of the room.
Morgana smiles, listening to the noise his boots make on the wooden floor.
"Morgana?" He stops just before he gets to the door.
She looks at him.
"I'm glad you're back," He says truthfully.
Morgana smiles at him gratefully as he walks out of the room.
"So am I." She says quietly to herself.
The End.
A/N: I spent quite a long time debating over the ending, and I'm still not quite sure I'm happy with it, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. There's a possibility that I will begin another story soon, though this time longer, and with longer chapters, though you may have to be patient as I have lots of exams this summer, right up until the middle of June.
Thanks for sticking with this fic until the end, and please review, it really does brighten my day.
K