Disclaimer: We don't own Merlin or any external references relating to the Arthurian Legends or otherwise.


The retinue from the Isle makes their way through the corridors of the castle of Camelot.

Morgana had been silent and distant throughout most of the journey. Her sister, Morgause questioned her about it, but Morgana brushed away her concerns. Estella did not try to say anything about it, suspecting what her cousin is hiding.

When they reached the borders of Camelot, Morgause and her company parted from Estella and Morgana's. The golden-haired Priestess bid her younger family members well-wishes and precautions as she turned toward Essetir.

Freya and Merlin had said their farewells to Sefa, who had become a close friend of theirs and was charged with accompanying Morgause while they Morgana and Estella.

Their arrival in the citadel was not very exciting. The peasants looked at them as if they were enemies coming to destroy them all. Entering the main square was even more uncomfortable for Freya, she feared being recognized by the Camelot guards, but they paid her no mind as Merlin helped her dismount and the Le Fays jumped gracefully from their horses, their guards coming to their sides.

Now, they are entering the Throne Room with the Le Fays leading them, Merlin, Freya, and the other sorcerers behind them, and the guards surrounding them. They stop a few feet from the throne. The courtiers and knights in the room are all whispering about them.

The newly crowned King Arthur steps down and approaches their party. The golden-haired man takes a deep breath, but is interrupted before he can welcome them.

"So, you're my father's nephew?" Estella asks abruptly as she steps forward.

Arthur is taken aback for a moment, he would consider her rude if not for the stiffness in her shoulders that subtly show her unease. When he senses his knights laughing at him he answers, "Yes, I am. I suppose then that you are Lady Estella."

She looks at him with a blank expression, "Indeed," the gray-eyed woman pulls Morgana to her side, "And this is my cousin Lady Morgana." She unintentionally puts emphasis on the word, making Arthur think that she doesn't accept him, even though by blood, he has that title, as well.

When Arthur looks to the other woman, his breath is taken away. When the party entered the room, he was focused on looking at Estella, it seemed that she was the leader and so the woman beside her was secondary. But now, seeing her close up, he is tongue tied. Lady Morgana stands as tall and beautiful as their mutual cousin, but something about her draws him closer to her. Her enchanting sea green eyes meet his sky blue. She curtsies stiffly and yet gracefully, "Your Highness."

He is still at a loss for words, until Gwaine punches him in the shoulder. After a quick glare toward his best knight, he clears throat. "Camelot welcomes you both very graciously, my Ladies. My mother regrets that she could not be here, she is quite ill, but on her behalf, I thank you for accepting our invitation and coming to our aid."

"Lady Ygraine stayed Uther's hand from attacking us and so we are indebted to her." Morgana says.

"And" Estella adds, "We are family." Arthur's almost sure that she is only saying that because she must, but he doesn't mention that.

"Indeed," he gestures for servants to lead them to their guest chambers, "I hope you have a comfortable stay here. My mother and I shall call the both of forth to discuss our matters later tonight."

When the guests exit as well as the courtiers, Arthur nearly collapses on the dais.

Gwaine is laughing at him again. "Nice job there, Arthur. Nearly drown in her sea green eyes?"

Arthur groans, "Shut up, Gwaine."

"No, really, I would have been much worse, but all my attention was focused on the other one."

The young king turns to look at the knight. "You're not serious, are you? You saw Estella, heard what she said."

"What about it?"

"She's obviously not pleased to be here." Arthur answers.

Gwaine shrugs, "Maybe I can make her pleased."

The golden-haired man recoils. "Okay, stop. I do not want to be thinking about you and Estella."

His friend grins. "Right, you'd rather think about you and Morgana."

Arthur quickly gets up from the dais. "No, I would rather think about my kingdom." He pauses. "Besides, you know I'm betrothed."

The dark-haired man rises, as well. "Betrothed is not married Arthur. Besides, those things never last if they're for politics and we all know that is what your marriage to Princess Guinevere will be, if it happens anyway."

"Why do you keep saying 'if?' The marriage is going to happen once this investigation is solved. You know the engagement has been established for quite some time now."

"All the more reason to break it, then." Gwaine starts to leave the Throne Room.

"You didn't answer the question," Arthur points out.

"You know there are always last minute changes. Your own mother didn't marry the first man she was promised to and it was only your father who wanted this union, so..."

Gwaine doesn't finish his statement as he leaves Arthur alone with his own thoughts.


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