Morgause's silky blonde hair hung over Cenred's face. His fingers twisted in her golden hair. He inhaled deeply; she smelt like roses and lilies. Cenred's heart didn't carry love for Morgause. He enjoyed their light banter, and dark encounters under a beams of moonlight. Her lips brushed his hard cheek.

"What is the plan for Uther," she whispered as her hands gripped his shoulders. Cenred raised his dark eyes to stare deeply into Morgause's soul. He found nothing in her eyes. "You have such innocent eyes, wide open like a fawn before I shoot an arrow deep into their heart. Full of evil thoughts and deeds. "

"Nothing, innocent about me."

"Of course, not, my love!'

Cenred cupped her face; his thumb stroked her jaw. "I will slip a slow painful poison into Uther's goblet. Slowly, he will die, Arthur will become king, and Morgana will murder him. Camelot will belong to your sister."

The corners of Morgause's mouth twisted into a wry grin. "Success, King Cenred, and we shall dance until the wee hours of the night."

Cenred's laughter filled his chamber. "I prefer my dance to be fast."

"That's why you need to learn to wait. A gift for you, my dear friend, and Arthur's ladylove stays in the Lovers' Tower. She's yours for the taking."

Cenred grinned. "I can't get to her."

Morgause rolled her eyes. "I'll give you an enchantment to transport to the very top.

"I will not fail."

Morgana curled her fingers under her wooden chair. She hadn't expected a visit from Cenred. She almost fell out of her chair when his scout arrived breathless, and requesting an audience with Uther. Of Course, Uther received him. Uther with his arrogant ways, sat like an idiot listening to his rambling message.

Morgana hated to admit it, but Arthur was poised in his dealings with official matters. He didn't waver in resolve; his commit to Camelot flowed in his blood.

"Father, we must change our ways. Camelot needs knights!"

Uther pushed his eyebrows up with his fingers. "We'll request recruits from Noble families across Camelot."

Arthur placed his palms on the table. He ignored the dark urges that bade him to strike Uther for his snobbery and foolishness. "Father, we are out of time, Cenred comes here to examine our forces. We need knights! "

Uther folded his arms; his face frozen in angry mask. Uther had grown weary of Arthur, and his sudden need to challenge his authority. Arthur's desire to remolded Camelot was uncalled for. Camelot is a glorious place. "Our finest families will send knights."

Arthur shook his head. "We're out of time. Father, think about knighting commoners. Good men to lead Camelot to a new day."

"No."

"Father, Camelot will fall to Cenred."

"Not as long as I am king of Camelot. When you're king-"

"I'll never be king. Camelot will not last." Arthur shook his head in disgust. He closed his eyes, and Arthur stalked from the Council room. He ignored Uther calls of "Arthur." He ignored Merlin chasing after him. Arthur quickly made his way down a winding stairwell. He blinked under hot bright rays of sunlight. His fingers brushed soft red rose petals. He winced when a thorn caught his fingers.

"Mother, I'm here to speak with you." A tear dropped trickled his eyes. "I lost you, I don't… it's so hard. I want to slap Father… just tired of everything." Arthur closed his eyes as he attempted to calm the emotions flooding his mind.

"Arthur, are their pretty maids in Camelot to fluff my pillows?"Cenred's tongue traced his lips as his men laughed around him. "I like maids with soft brown skin.

Merlin swallowed a grasp. He saw a hint of anger displayed in Arthur's eyes. He knew Cenred made a sly reference to Gwen.

Arthur smiled. "I'm sure you can find a maid to your liking."

Cenred's dark eyes glinted with malice. "I'm searching for one with chocolate flowing curls."

Arthur's blue eyes iced over with burning hatred. He twisted his lip as he pretend to think of a maid to fit Cenred's description. Arthur frowned. "Yes, she died. She was never available for pillow fluffing." Arthur hated that Cenred knew of his love for Gwen. He hated that Cenred viewed her as nothing.

So, Arthur was still in love with his little maid Cenred thought. Its shame, he finally discovered a weakness in Arthur Pendragon. He knew everything about Uther Pendragon. Uther was a foolish old idiot. Camelot would be better without him. Uther didn't even realize that his son was in love with a servant. What would Arthur say when Cenred discovered his dead beauty?

Morgana sat at Uther's side; appearing to hang onto his every word. Devotion dancing in her eyes, yet, she despises Uther with a dark passion. Does Uther realize anything about his kingdom? His beloved ward conspired to overthrow her king with his help. Cenred drank deeply from his goblet of wine.

He watched a vein bulged in Arthur's face. The young prince had a weakness. It was good to know that Arthur was a fool in love for a servant girl.

Uther waved his hand in disgust. "Someone locate a maid to fluff, Cenred's pillows," Uther ordered jokingly. Arthur gave his father a murderous look. He stormed from the room. Merlin trailed behind Arthur; he cast Morgana a questioning look.

"Uther," Morgana called sweetly," Should we dance?"

Uther's eyes danced with joy when Morgana warmed his heart with her request. He rose when his throne, and offered Morgana his hand. Elegantly, with a swirl of red velvet, Morgana descended from her chair. Her cool hand warmed by Uther's embrace. He swung Morgana around the dance floor. Her green eyes sparkled.

For once, Uther looks at me with love. After everything, he looks at me with love. Her feet moved quickly in time with the music.

His dark eyes watched the guards around; he realized that everyone was mesmerized by Uther and Morgana. Cenred waited until Uther spun Morgan around in swirl of red. He leaned over and poured a golden mixture into Uther's goblet.

"Morgana, I really do love, my child. Your smile gives light to the darkness of my heart," Uther offered solemnly. "I wish things could have been different, perhaps, a different lifetime."

Morgana shot Uther a confused look. "Whatever do you mean, Uther," she inquired softly.

"I made poor choices, but I'm glad that you are here."

"I'm sure that you don't mean it.'

"Nothing that I wouldn't change for you."

Uther bowed to Morgana when the music stopped; Morgana's lips trembled when she saw love in Uther's eyes. Morgana lowered her eyes in shame. Uther walked back to his throne. His large hand wrapped around his goblet. "He raised it high above his head." To peace."

Cenred watched Uther drink deeply with satisfied smile.

Morgana sat on a tree stump. She barely heard Cenred and Morgause's happy gloats about invading Camelot. Her green eyes gazed at her unmarred white hands. Her hands seemed different, old and wrinkle. She caused so much hurt with her hands.

"Sister?'

Morgana lifted her head in acknowledgement. "Yes."

Morgause smiled wickedly. "Why do you not dance under the moon. Give praise to Hecate. Uther Pendragon will be dead soon.'

"Another plot to murder Uther?"

Morgause spun around in a circle; her laughter coated Morgana in shame. "No, Cenred poisoned Uther tonight."

Morgana closed her eyes. "What,' she whispered meekly. "Cenred poisoned Uther?'

"Yes,' Morgause muttered in glee. "Camelot will have a new king. Then, we can murder Arthur. You will be queen."

Uther was going to die. Cenred poisoned him. "When?"

Cenred brushed a heavy wave of hair from Morgana's face. "During your glorious dance, Morgana. Everyone looked at you in awe. Perfect, I thought you knew. I had to rouse Arthur's anger; so I asked about his servant girl"

Morgana shook her dark head. "I knew nothing."

Cenred smiled at Morgause. "My reward?'

She shrugged. A dance?'

Cenred shook his dark hair. "The enchantment."

Morgause's lip curled up. You do want everything that belongs to Arthur.

Merlin helped Arthur slid his arms into his brown leather jacket. "Arthur, maintain your composure, last night, Cenred baited you with Gwen. He wanted your anger"

Arthur rolled his eyes in disgust. "He spoke of Guinevere… like she was nothing. Just a maid, for his disposal. She's my future queen.'

Merlin grabbed Arthur's shoulders, and gave him a little shake. "Arthur… Uther will never allow you to marry a servant."

Arthur's sapphire eyes glowed with adoration and love. "I... will have no other… Guinevere will be my Queen. With or without my father's approval," Arthur spat defiantly.

Merlin closed his eyes as he prayed for strength. 'Is hunting really a good idea? Cenred is your foe."

Arthur twisted his lips. "It's father's idea."

"Well, don't shoot any mythical animals."

"Yes, I know. It was horrible the last time. I couldn't deal with rat stew, ever again."

"Arthur, control your rage."

"What rage?"

"Really."

Uther's sat on a rock, breathing heavily; his pupil dilated. "Go on without me," he called to Cenred and Arthur. A small formed on Cenred's face. Arthur offered his father a drink of water. "Drink this, Father."

Uther gulped the cold water; his eyes closed in pain.

"I just need a moment, Go protect our woods from Cenred. His eyes roam enviously over Camelot" Arthur gave his father one last look before walking after Cenred and his men. Arthur suppressed an urge to take his sword, and plunge it deep into Cenred's heart. Just end this nonsense; stop playing games with Cenred. Arthur's hand grabbed his sword handle. He could free Cenred's people from a selfish ruler. He would start a war. He could live with it. His filthy mouth would never utter a word about Guinevere. Arthur walked swiftly towards Cenred.

"Arthur," Merlin admonished loudly.

Arthur sheathed his sword, and pasted a fake smile unto his face.

It's was a glorious s day in Camelot, a hot sun, slight breeze, and a deep silence. Cenred's dark eyes scanned the wooden area. He was shocked that Camelot's game was active during the day. His hand gripped his brow as he moved through a thicket of trees. Arthur sauntered behind him, not interest in hunting Camelot's woodland animals. Arthur learned his lesson about hunting.

Cenred's eyes rose when he heard flapping. It seemed like a million birds flew overhead. Their numbers hid the sun's brilliant rays. Cenred drew back his bow; a sharp arrow zipped towards the birds. Loud squawking filled the air; loud pitiful wail assaulted Merlin's ears as he covered them. Soft white feather floated tot eh ground.

Arthur stopped to retrieve a handful of feathers. "These are white, like swan feathers."

"A bird is a bird," Cenred joked.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Merlin, go see if any birds were injured."

Merlin walked swiftly by Cenred and his men. His ears perked when he heard a soft moaning sound. Carefully, he pulled away leafy green leaves. His eyes opened in shocked; his mouth opening slightly. He dropped to his knees next to Morgause. Her hands covering her breast; deep red blood flowing under her hand. Her dark eyes filled with tears. Her mouth twisted into a small smirk.

"Did you do this?"

Merlin shook his head. "No, Cenred, he didn't know."

"Keep your pity, Merlin." Morgause coughed; her chest shaking. "He would have fired the arrow, anyway, had he known. She closed her eyes as pain whacked her body. "Tell, Morgana that I love her."

Merlins too abruptly. "No, I'll get her. "

Merlin rushed back to the hunting party. "I couldn't find anything." Arthur watched in amazement when Merlin dashed past him. His long legs rushing towards Camelot.

Morgana shot Merlin a hateful glance. His large body sweaty, red patches covering his face. A hand shook as he leaned against her door. "Morgana, come with me."

Morgana laughed bitterly. "Trying to kill me or expose me to Uther."

Merlin shook his head. "We were friends once, a long time ago. It's Morgause."

Morgana turned in her chair, a dark look covered her face. "What about Morgause?"

Merlin's shoulders dropped. We were...hunting. The sun hidden by dark birds. Morgana, Cenred shoot into the flock." Merlin closed his eyes. "His arrow struck Morgause, in her heart. She's dying. I'm here to take you to her."

Merlin closed his eyes not to see the look of anguish on Morgana's face.

Morgause smiled weakly at Morgana; her blood stained hand traced her cheeks bones. Her eyes fluttered as she coughed blood. Morgana's tears dropped on her face, and streamed down Morgause's pale face.

"This means… nothing. I'm with… always with you," Morgause sputtered. "Death… changes nothing."

Morgana wrapped her hand around Morgause's ice cold hands. "Don't talk," she cried. "I'll get Gauis. I'll heal you."

Morgause head shook slightly. "My time is near."

A heart wrenching wail erupted from Morgana's chest. "No... I can't be alone …not again."

"Love you, Morgana," Morgause whimpered as her final breath left her body.

"I love you, Morgause! No… she… no, I need you," Morgana wailed.

Morgana placed her dark head on Morgause's still body. Her hands tangled in Morgause's blonde hair. Her wails tore at Merlin's heart as he stood silently watching Morgause's misery.

A/N: It's a fairytale. It's supposed to have sad parts. Up next: Gwen breaks the spell. Uther and Igraine have a chat. Morgana avenges Morgause!