Morgana had been trained by Arthur himself. Every day since they were about 6 they ran outside with wooden swords, and fought, until one person (usually always Arthur) surrendered. But this was a real fight, Morgana reminded herself. With real swords- or sticks and she had to be careful she didn't die here. Morgana made a mental note to herself, that she would never get herself into scrapes like these again, which included life or death situations. Brandishing her stick, she checked her feet were placed firmly on the ground, not about the trip over and offer her vulnerable back to the knight. What did her want, anyway? Why was he trying to kill her- she presumed that's what he was going to do- not kidnap her and take her back to some dark magical place? Crouching forwards slightly and narrowing her eyes, she waited for him to plod forward first. Then she lunged, not bothering for the head or normal weak points, but the heart. He sidestepped and brought his fist into her stomach, making her groan.
She twisted, her foot screaming from earlier now reminding her of the pain. For almost ten minutes they blocked each other, the knight receiving the most blows but it did not affect him in anyway other than dent his black armour. Morgana faked right, and he leapt to the right, and she lunged forward, the stick plunging in through one side and out through the other. Like before, there was no blood, he just convulsed and jerked on the stick before dying- for real.
Morgana breathed heavily through her nose. She was so hot from the fight she didn't notice it was snowing. She grabbed her horse and started to ride home wearily. The sun was just setting as she rode in through the gates. Arthur just happened to be crossing the courtyard, and Morgana curses, trying to slink into the shadows, but the horse's hooves clattered and Arthur turned to see Morgana ride into the stables. As he entered she was whispering to the horse, grooming it with the brush. "Morgana?" he asked.
"Oh, hey Arthur! I was just um... I haven't seen Pippin here for a while and I wanted to groom him" she lied. Arthur noticed she wouldn't look him in the eyes. "Liar." He said, calmly, and she gasped, staring him in the eye.
"Excuse me? Arthur Pendragon, you have no right to tell me if I'm telling the truth or not. I'm honestly offended that you-"
"I'm not stupid Morgana. I saw you coming in through the gates just now. Plus, you have twigs in your hair." Morgana almost kicked herself.
Just at that moment Sir Leon came riding in. Morgana's eyes widened. Arthur's brain clicked, and he immediately jumped to a conclusion. "Oh, I see" he said quietly. Sir Leon grinned, not understanding. Arthurs face turned red. He lunged at Sir Leon. "I trusted you, you son of a bitch!" he roared, and Morgana covered her ears. Then she ran to Arthur and Leon, where they rolled around on the floor, Arthurs face black fury Leon's confused and worried the Prince was trying to kill him. Morgana clawed at Arthurs back, trying to stop him before he beat Sir Leon to a bloody pulp. "Arthur, STOP!" She screamed, and finally, with a punch to gut leaving Leon to gasp for air, he swung his leg off him and stood up, looking at Morgana with eyes filled with, not rage as earlier, but hurt and disappointment. "Do you love him?" he said, using the same quiet tone as earlier. "What? No, Arthur, why did you attack him like that?" Morgana said, kneeling by Leons side. He was groaning, which meant that he was still alive. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Arthur spoke, his eyes closed. "I don't know. I just, I know that you two must have been together, and I just... Got angry"
"Must have been together?" Morgana asked incredulously. "I was at my father's grave, you dimwit! Then, I got attacked by one of the knights from earlier! I was not in some forest- with Knight Leon!" Morgana's voice was raised a pitch higher. "I would have thought you would have considered that too 'unladylike' for me!"
Arthurs face went back to its usual colour. "B-but you have twigs in your hair! I jumped to conclusions! Especially when he" and he pointed to Leon in distaste "Came riding in!"
"I told you, I was attacked! I fell off my horse, which is why I have twigs in my hair" then is truck Morgana that perhaps she should take the twigs of foliage out. She did so, glaring at Arthur. "And who I decide to ahem- you know" she said, blushing "is none of your business!"
"I know- wait, you were attacked again?" he said, his eyebrows pulling together. "Right, we'll have to alert father. Are you ok, I mean, you're not hurt or anything, right?" Again, with the concerned puppy dog face. Morgana turned away from him, almost growling, and limped to her chambers. Gwen was there, placing flowers into a vase of glass. "Morgana!" she exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
Morgana sighed, this was a rough day. "Yes Gwen. I'm going to bathe and then go to dinner with Uther and Arthur. Meanwhile, could you please go to Gaius and get my sleeping potion? I have a feeling I'm going to need it tonight" She plopped on the bed, exhausted. She would make idle chit chat with Uther, then Arthur would spill the beans about the attack and he would be all concerned, and suggest magic. Morgana was getting more and more opinionated on magic. She was sure it could be used for good; she just needed to prove it. Yet, if ever Uther found out... She shuddered, and got into the bath, making sure there was no single leaf, twig or smear of mud on her body before she got changed into a long, flowing gown made of blue cotton, with a light blue wrap to go over the top, as some places in the castle were chilly, especially now winter was on its way.
She entered the Hall, and saw the table laden with food, as always. In truth, she always snuck out after with a basket for some food for the villagers. She sat opposite Arthur, with Uther at the head of the table. "Arthur, did you finish the report about the wheat in neighbouring villages?" Uther asked. Arthur nodded.
"Yes father. It seems that the North side have been hit by some sort of disease, and all their crops have failed. I said that Camelot could spare at least a fourth for them. They are grateful". Arthur seemed pleased, Uther did not.
"Arthur, we have children in Camelot here to feed, not just some other village. True, they may be grateful this week, but what about next week, when it has gone? They will want more and more, and if we agree, we shall starve, and if we refuse, they could even go as far as to declare war!" Uther was red faced now, due to the wine or conversation Morgana did not know.
"Morgana, what about you? What did you do today?" Morgana wondered briefly what would happen if she told him the truth- That she'd been attacked twice by some knights- most likely black magic, been accused of having sex with a knight in the woods, and most likely to have a prophetic magical dream tonight. It would certainly give Uther a face a few shades darker than the rose pink now. She settled for "Fine. I was ill; like Gwen told you, but after I recovered I went to my father's grave. Then I came here" Uther smiled at her.
"Poor child, fate can be cruel sometimes to make you part with a loved one. Morgana, are you sure you have recovered, your eyes look quite tired" Uther said, smothering her with kindness. Arthur looked jealously, but he was used to it. It made Morgana remember when they had first met...
"Come on Morgana, he's not that bad! Arthur, say hello to you new sister, Morgana!" Uther had said, cheerfully. Arthur, who was 6 years old, had a scowl on his cherub face, arms crossed. "I don't want a new sister" he said, childishly "Take her back to whatever supplier we got her from" he turned his nose in the air snootily. Uther laughed. "Arthur, don't be so rude. You are to show Morgana kindness, and love" Morgana poked her tongue out at Arthur, but Uther didn't notice.
"Love?" Morgana said, her little voice loud and clear "I don't believe in it. It's pretty much like an avalanche where you have to run for your life" the servants, Uther, Arthur and all guests paused, then laughed merrily.
Morgana didn't understand what was funny, she just smile politely.
Arthur watched the prettiest girl he ever saw smile, and he felt torn. Torn between wanting to make friends with her, and hitting her (though he'd never hit a girl in his life)
Why? Because she had stolen all his fathers love.