Morgana had never felt more confused in her life, the prince and her had shared a moment of passion and now she was in his chambers, in his bed. He had led her from the dungeon to his room so she could clean herself and had disappeared out the door with a smirk as fresh water was brought in for her to bathe.
Morgana had been in Arthur's chambers before but in different circumstances and rarely was she ever invited, she just forced her way in usually.
She put on the simple white gown laid on the end of the bed it had gold embroidery stitched down the sides barely noticeable unless you looked close. She heard a sharp knock at the door and Arthur came in with a smile on his face that lit up the whole room.
"My lady." he said and presented her with a white rose that matched her gown, the way he addressed her reminded her of when she was a girl and he had always called her his Lady. It had more meaning when he said it than when anyone else did. She was amazed that amidst the destruction she had caused Camelot he had been able to find any flowers. She blushed and then remembered that she was supposedly a prisoner here and Arthur was now back as the rightful King.
Did that make them enemies?
"Would you mind taking a walk with me?" Arthur interrupted her thoughts and Morgana nodded her consent clutching the white rose she followed Arthur out the door.
Servants sweeping the rubble in the corridors saw the king coming and moved graciously to the side bowing as they went. But she could feel their eyes on her like a blade piercing through her flesh. She held her head high as she walked with the King escorting her.
They reached the gardens and walked for a while before stopping at a huge cascading water fountain. Arthur put his arm around her waist and bade her sit on the edge; he dropped to one knee and pried a ring off his small finger. She recognised it as his mother's wedding ring, simple but dazzling, she had often seen it gleaming on Uther's finger as a reminder of the love he once bore for the woman who gave him his son.
Arthur wasted no time in blurting out his intent.
"Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Arthur asked apprehension in his voice. She stared at him sadly, aching at wanting to stay by his side.
"Arthur… we were once enemies and now you wish me to sit upon the throne beside you? What makes you think the people will allow it."
"They will have to allow it, with a royal pardon no one can touch you. I won't let them."
"and magic, Arthur?" she paused "what about the fact that I would see magic return to this realm?"
"Magic cannot have a place here, it's too dangerous." He said gravely.
"Then my place can never be here." She stated her gaze fluttered to the floor as she could not bear to witness the hurt in his eyes "just because we shared a night together does not mean you are obligated to marry me Arthur. I am no longer the Lady you once knew."
"You are just making excuses! I want to marry you because I love you." He replied frustration etched across his face. "I admire how you are just as stubborn as me but this time please accept and become my wife."
She cupped his chin in her hand and brushed her lips softly against his. "Goodbye Arthur."Before he could move she slipped away into the tall shrubbery of the maze nearby and ran. The white rose fell from her fingers and soundlessly hit the floor as she dashed round the corner of the maze. She heard Arthur shout her name but she didn't dare stop lest she change her mind and turn back, wanting to break down in his arms. Tears trailed down her face.
One day he would be ready she thought wrapping her arms around her abdomen. Her eyes turned amber when the magic that had been bottled up inside her came unleashed helping her to make her escape.