IV
Arthur slowly opened the door of his room, just in time to see a woman disappear behind a tapestry. He followed silently. The shadow was Morgana. He knew her moves by heart. She was holding a candle, feeble light in the dark stairs. The air became warmer, even hot, with a smell of sulphur. Morgana pace slowed a little. After another few steps, she stopped. He hesitated to join her curious to see where she was heading in the middle of the night.
The door she pushed opened into a large cavern carved in the rock. The acrid smell was stronger here. He nearly caught and his eyes began to water. She was standing in the middle of the room when he cast another glance inside. She looked so sick at heart. He had seen her vulnerable and crying before, but this, this was different. She looked more than desperate. She looked torn apart, as if she was contemplating the pieces of her heart, knowing it would never be whole again. She didn't look helpless. She looked as if hope did not exist anymore. A heavy weight crushed on his lungs when she approached the raging fire in the central basin. The she undressed.
« Morgana, no! »
He grabbed her and pulled her behind when she made a move toward the flames. Her iris had turned gold. He released her; the fire surrounded like a second skin, glowing from sapphire to onyx, dancing over her. The spectacle was terrifying and surreal. The flames were burning over her. He could not see her face but he was sure she was crying. She stayed there for an eternity or minutes before stepping out of the furnace.
Morgana clutched her robe to her, but Arthur was too amazed to think about her naked form. He did not turn while she dressed, looking back and forth between her and the magical fire. Twice, he opened his mouth to say something, and stayed silent. He let her take his hand, and led him back to her chambers.
He seemed to regain some composure when she handed him a cup of honeyed wine. His reaction mixed anger and anxiety, in a pure Arthurish-mode.
« What the hell was that? »
Morgana sat on the bed.
« It's the reason I can not leave.
-- What?
-- I need to 'bath' in it every few days, to clean my blood.
-- What are you talking about?
-- My blood is poisoned Arthur. If I want to stay alive, this is the only way to clean it. »
*
He woke up, heart pumping hard in his chest. Dawn was just clearing the sky. Morgana was quietly sleeping beside him. He needed to touch her, so he brought her to him until he could shield her from… From what? Magic? Unsettled, Arthur pressed his lips to her fore-head, holding her. The kiss or his body against her awoke her. He felt her smile on his neck.
« You're not trying to take advantage of the situation, are you?
-- Hum… Maybe I could…
-- You can, but you may not. »
He let his hand played on her waist. She was playing with words. He chose to back off and gently pushed her away to get up.
« I must go. »
He knew he was acting like a jerk; but the dream was too vivid and needed to think. She knew him too well to let him flee.
« Arthur, what's the matter?
-- Nothing.
-- Arthur…
-- I don't want Gwen to find me here. »
Bringing up Gwen was a harsh thing to say. He turned his back to her not to see the flick of hurt in her eyes. He wasn't ready for her reaction.
Morgana circled him with both arms, and pressed her cheek to his back. He would have preferred a slap. He covered her hands with his, only to unlock her embrace. He got up and left without another word.
How he ended explaining their dreams to Merlin, he could only wonder. He just did.
« What do you think?
-- It's kind of weird.
-- I know that, Merlin.
-- I mean, you're sharing the same dream, each time going a little further. It's…
-- Weird. You already said that. What should I do?
-- You're asking me?
-- Obviously, Merlin! »
His friend looked at him, puzzled. Arthur groaned in frustration.
« Do you think it's an augury?
-- Like a warning? For what?
-- I don't know, Merlin! Or I would not ask!
-- Well, it would not hurt to beware of beautiful blonds for a while. »
Arthur snorted. Merlin smiled mischievously.
« At least now you know where you stand.
-- Do I?
-- Sure. Or will I have to send you to her chambers again tonight?
-- You're an idiot, Merlin.
-- One of my many talents, Sire. »
Arthur cast a glace to the west aisle. Merlin was right. Morgana was bonded to him. Lancelot could have Gwen. The beautiful enchantress had been in his heart for a long time. Losing her was unacceptable.
« Prepare the horses.
-- Where are we going?
-- Looking for answers. »
*
When they come back, Morgana is under Morgause spell, and Merlin has no choice but to poison her to save Camelot and Arthur. But he knows that a magical fire will keep her alive.
N/A : Once again, my first intention was to stop. Your choice to go on with the reading or not...