Now that Arthur knew of the dragon under Camelot the fact that Merlin was a dragonlord didn't exactly surprise him. "Then perhaps I need to speak to the dragon again. You know there is one under Camelot chained up" Arthur asked
"No, but nothing shocks me anymore" Morgana said "Arthur there is something else you need to know, I know you will not hate me so I can tell you….I have some magic, Hunith says I am a Seer I dream the future sometimes"
"Morgana you must never tell anyone please!" Arthur said in shock
"I won't I'm not a fool Gaius and Hunith have been helping me with potions. I do dream but not so often. But Hunith says I will get stronger. If you get the other's out can I go with them, I fear for my life if Uther finds out" Morgana was getting desperate.
"Morgana if you disappeared Uther would not stop looking for you, it would endanger so many people. I will not allow him to hurt you ever. You have always been like a sister to me and now I know you are I will protect you with my life." Arthur protested. "Look we need to go back and somehow you need to pacify Uther, so must I. We must be careful until I am older and have more power. We will help all magic users I promise. When I am King I will lift the ban, it is wrong." Arthur said solemnly.
"I know you will Arthur, you will be a great King." Morgana helped him pack up the picnic and they rode back to Camelot each lost in their own thoughts.
After they arrived back Uther called his son to his chambers. Arthur realised this was to be a private meeting, as he seldom saw his father anywhere other than in the council chambers or throne room unless it was to dine in the small room off of his father's chambers that had been set aside for small gatherings.
"Sire you asked to see me" Arthur bowed
"I did son, please sit, I realise that the events of last night came as a shock to you and will take some getting used to. I never intended for you to know, after all Morgana loved the man she considered her father. It was only right to help preserve that, as he did raise her as his own." He paused "But you are my legitimate son and heir, we need to put aside these differences and work together. You are becoming a man you will understand soon the temptations of the flesh, and perhaps better appreciate how these things happen"
Arthur looked at his father and remembered what he had told Morgana they had to be seen to reconcile with Uther for now, until they were stronger. "It was hard to hear such things" as all he said.
Uther put his hand on his sons arm "I intend to make you Crown Prince earlier than expected, on your seventeen birthday next week. You are already a fine knight the best Camelot has and have proved yourself in the field. It is important that your position is solidified. Morgana is the elder but she is female and illegitimate but some might use her against us."
"I hardly think she will allow that" Arthur protested
"She is a proud woman Son, look how she acted, no we must act. I will marry her off to a loyal noble soon, one I can trust." Uther looked thoughtful "Lord Barnet has lost his wife"
"Lord Barnet is forty five! How can you consider that a suitable match? Not only that but he is has the most appalling manner" Arthur was horrified.
"Morgana will marry where she is told, I will give it some thought. She needs to have children and calm her down" Uther said.
"I thought you loved her, how can you even consider such a marriage?"
"Arthur, marriage in the nobility is political only peasants marry for love" Uther explained
"You married for love, let your children do the same" Arthur demanded.
"Your mother was also an heiress in her own right, yes we did love each other but we would have wed anyway." Uther looked at his son "Anyway that is by the by I sincerely hope your ride calmed you down"
"It did Sire" Arthur said "and Morgana also, we talked it was good for both of us" Arthur wondered if his father would be so calm if he realised what they had discussed.
"Good now while you were out news came in of a large gang of bandits to the south. You will lead your knights out to clear them. They have a sorcerer with them so take two collared ones with you. Leave the young one here and take the more experienced ones."
Arthur was immediately suspicious, remembering what Morgana had told him. "With respect Sire I will take him as well, he needs experience and eats little. He will be helping to train the knights in fighting sorcerers so he needs to see what he is up against. If need be he can ride double with one of the others, he is only a bag of bones. I don't want him getting idle. He can also act as my squire for the trip" Arthur did his best to sound disinterested.
Uther was pleased that his son had calmed down so reluctantly agreed, he could separate them later. "Fine but take a horse for him or they will slow you down. Adrian can go with you with three sorcerers its best."
"As long as he keeps up and doesn't get in the way, he can be a nuisance on patrols. I really don't know why you send him the sorcerers are collared after all." Arthur hated the witch finder. "We aren't looking for manges on this trip."
"You are always looking for the scum, take him he may be useful" Uther insisted. "Leave in the morning"
Arthur left to go and tell his men about the trip. Morgana had also be summoned to see Uther like her brother she knew she would have to be careful there was too much on this to allow her temper to get the better of her. As she walked in she curtsied and quickly apologised "I am sorry Uther, I was wrong to get so angry, it was a shock to me"
Uther looked at Morgana she had always been a hothead, she took after him "Never ever bring personal matters to the notice of the whole court. I can understand your anger but not how you handled it" He told his daughter. "If it ever happens again you will be put in the cells. Now you will come to the council session tomorrow and make a public apology." He looked at her and found he couldn't stay cross "I am glad I can now acknowledge you as my daughter, albeit illegitimate, I will soon be arranging a good marriage for you I believe a husband and children will calm your temper." He waited for her reaction
"Sire I was hoping to marry for love, as you did and as did my mother."
"As I have already told Arthur love is not necessary for a noble, you can learn to love your husband, and a woman always has their children to love. I hope to see you wed in the next twelve months. Now remember to hold you temper in future, I know you probably get it from me, but no man wants to marry a scold. That will be all"
Morgana left the room seething, how dare he, her hate for him grew as she returned to her rooms. She would not tolerate a loveless marriage. Morgana wanted her brother to take the crown sooner than later and her anger boiled in her veins as she thought of the King and his arrogance.
That night Morgana dreamt again it was the same dream as before, of dragons and a woman with blonde hair. It made no sense to her but she did feel that the woman would cause problems for them all. She just hoped that it would make sense soon so she could help guard against whatever was going to happen. Hunith sat with her until she fell back into a restful sleep. At least now Morgana was more settled knowing that her brother accepted her and would protect her.