See Chapter 1 for info & warnings

Though she shared his bed more often than not, Morena knew that Arthur's heart
remained with Merlin. She was pleased that he seemed genuinely fond of her. They
shared passion and a physical connection even if she feared that it went no
deeper than satisfying urges so that the prince could find some measure of peace
and sleep the night through. With more time, Morena prayed that Arthur might see
her as something more. They could be great allies, and his matter-of-fact
acceptance of her magical abilities bore out her hopes. Somehow she would see
that he was up to the task of righting his father's wrongs.

But first there was news. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door of
Arthur's room. Would he be pleased? She had no idea, but her plan marked forward
all the same. The deeds they had before them were bigger than either one of them
alone. Magic had to return to Camelot, and Arthur Pendragon had to be the man to
do it.

Arthur, who had been gazing out of his bedroom window for what seemed like an
eternity, found his dark reverie broken by the sound of knocking at his door. He
half expected (or hoped) it would be Merlin blundering inside full of excuses
for being late. Instead, the prince answered the door to find a slightly flushed
Morena waiting for him. He frowned slightly, and wondered, "Morena, are you
well?"

"I am... very, actually," the woman answered, managing a smile that was genuine
if a bit flustered. "May I come in? Forgive the late hour. I... I couldn't wait
any longer." Morena's heart pounded. So much rested on Arthur's response. She
could guide him if it was needed, but Morena wanted a life built on more than
sorcery. It might not be a life of passion, but surely they could make each
other happy, build a family and a kingdom that stood for more than cruelty.

Arthur gazed at Morena with increasing curiosity. His first thought was that
there had been some news of Merlin. But, the prince quickly dismissed that faint
glimmering of hope. After all, why would Merlin contact him? He sighed and sat
down, clasping his hands together. "What's happened, then?"

The young woman took a deep breath and sat nearby. She could sense Arthur's
nervous energy. She suspected what might be the cause and regretted that she was
unable to put any balm on that wound. "I am with child, Arthur. Your child."
Morena's heart fluttered nervously, wondering whether the prince would be
welcome or appalled at the idea of their having a child together. There would be
only one way to make their issue a legitimate heir - and that would mean Arthur
caring enough to stand up to his father and demand they be allowed to marry
despite her status as a servant. /Can he? Without my pushing, would he?/

Of all the things Morena might have told him, nothing in the world could have
prepared Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot for that particular news. All at
once he felt lightheaded, and he gaped at Morena as if not quite believing what
she had only seconds before relayed to him. However, hazy memories of that
drunken night when he returned from Sir Robert's flashed in Arthur's mind and he
knew it to be true. Regaining his composure, Arthur came to a swift, albeit
reluctant, decision. "We must not let my father know about this-not until we're
properly married."

Morena knew that she probably looked as startled as she felt, but a smile soon
replaced the expression. "Are you certain, Arthur?" Uther Pendragon was not
likely to appreciate his son marrying a servant whether he'd managed to
impregnate her or not. If Arthur was willing to take her hand just the same,
that spoke volumes already of how far he had come. "Nothing in the world would
be a greater honor to me."

Arthur returned to the castle with his bride in tow under the cover of darkness.
The modest wedding ceremony had been little more than a blur to the prince, who
felt as if he was wading through a dream. The only thing that kept him going was
the fact that he would never see Merlin again, and the knowledge that he had a
child on the way. Returning to his room, he told Morena, "Let's wait till
morning to tell my father."

"Of course." Morena knew that telling Uther would be difficult for the both of
them. The man's temper was no small secret - and yet she wondered if some part
of him might not be relieved. Servant or not, perhaps their marriage would mark
an end to Arthur pining for his lost servant. That had seemed to weigh heavily
on Uther. At times she had wondered if there was more to it. The king was
distracted, moodier than was normal. /It is no business of mine... not yet./
"There's no need to take on more for the night. I confess that I am tired
myself. Would you... shall I sleep in my own room for the night? It might be
better to keep the gossip to a minimum."

Arthur considered for a brief moment, then nodded. "Yes, that might be the
wisest course of action." The last thing he wanted was for his father to learn
about his marriage from someone other than himself. It would be terrible enough
for the King to learn that his son had eloped without his consent. "It will make
things a bit easier when we let everyone know in the morning. In the meantime,
rest well, and I shall see you soon."

Morena was not precisely enthusiastic about leaving Arthur, but she took her
leave just the same. It was a difficult enough situation without her making it
worse. That Arthur had given so much already was a good sign, and she took it as
such. The night passed quietly since the journey had left the woman exhausted.

She woke in the morning and returned to Arthur's room, knocking gently before
slipping in. The sight of Arthur bathed in the morning light brought a smile to
her face. Whatever he felt, she loved him more all the time. "Love? I think the
time has come."

Arthur had barely been able to sleep with so much weighing on his mind. He felt
a definite pang over Morena's term of affection. It was something he simply
could not return, not when his heart still and would forever belong to Merlin.
/You have to forget him... somehow.../ "Yes," he said, steeling his shoulders
and offering Morena a hopeful grin, "perhaps we'll find ourselves lucky, and
father will be in a good mood."

Morena arched one dark eyebrow at her husband but didn't bother to correct him.
As the months wore on, Uther's moods had been more and more unpredictable. She
was half convinced that he was losing his mind since the king would tell no one
the source of his growing frustration. The young woman reached over and slipped
her hand into Arthur's, wanting to give comfort as much as take it. "I am
certain that he will understand." At the very least, she prayed he would for
both their sakes.

Arthur could only hope that Morena was right. He absolutely dreaded facing his
father with the news. But, that couldn't be helped now. The King had to be told,
and the sooner the better. "Come, let's go," Arthur said, reaching out for
Morena's hand. As the Prince led the way, he kept telling himself how this was
for the best. Settling down and taking responsibility was one step further to
helping him forget Merlin. Each day without him was a torture, and Arthur was
desperate to find a way to ease the pain.

When they reached Uther's chamber, Morena found herself almost sick with worry.
She gave Arthur's hand a firm squeeze and then took the plunge before she could
think better of it and stepped toward the guard outside the door. "We need to
speak with his majesty." However little respect Morena had for Uther as a king,
she did respect the fact that he was Arthur's father. For the time being, she
had to give him some deference. She held her breath and prayed that the king might not do more damage than she expected to Arthur's fragile emotional state.