Hey, this chapter has Merthur in! And a bit of Gwen/Morgana interaction :)
So Morgana found herself trapped in a car with Milo and Maddie in the back, and a driver and Winterbottom in the front. If she was being totally honest with herself the surrounding snow covered trees and frozen rivers were beautiful. But she was too grouchy to admit it. She detested Elyan's family so much, she didn't know how she was going to get through it.
"Are we getting close to Grandpa's house?" Maddie asked. "It's just up ahead now" Winterbottom assured. As they were coming up to a long lane, Winterbottom turned in his seat. "Welcome to Castlebury Hall" he announced.
Morgana gasped, it was just like a palace with it's towers and large glass windows. "Wow it's a Castle" Maddie breathed. "It's a mega mansion" Milo grinned. "It's… it's a nightmare! Kids you can't break anything here" Morgana warned, realising how expensive everything must have been.
The driver got up and opened the door for them to get out. The staff was all lined up outside to welcome them, like off one of those period dramas on TV.
"Who are they?" Milo asked. "I think they're the staff" Morgana explained, allowing their bags to be taken. "Let me introduce everyone, they're terribly excited to meet you" Winterbottom said.
"This is Mrs Birch, the head housekeeper. She will give you anything you require, Miss Le Fay" Winterbottom introduced. "Hi, I'm Morgana, what shall I call you?" Morgana smiled, shaking her hand. "Mrs Birch" she replied in a heavy accent. "And this is Abigail who will be looking after Miss Maddie" Winterbottom said. "You're pretty" Maddie giggled. Abigail beamed down at Maddie, already liking the little girl. "And this is Floyd, the under butler. He will be looking after Master Milo" Winterbottom told them.
"I have a butler? That's insane. Actually can I have Abigail instead" Milo grinned. Morgana whacked him over the head, glaring at him slightly. "This is George, the Valet. Amy the chambermaid and Brian the footman" Winterbottom informed them, before leading them up the steps.
"I like them" Abigail muttered, after they had gone into the castle. "Yes they seem quite spirited" Floyd agreed, joyfully. "Enough chatting. Go" Mrs Birch ordered, crossing her arms.
Morgana and the kids were lead into a massive hall with stairs at the other end. "This is the Great Hall. "Wow!" Milo breathed. "We're not in Buffalo any more" Morgana grinned. "The servants will show you to your quarters. I shall go inform his Grace you've arrived" Winterbottom nodded, taking off his gloves.
Morgana followed after the children as Winterbottom led them to the stairs. She slipped half way across, feeling like Bambi on the ice. "Whoa! That's slick" Morgana chuckled. "Yes we keep it waxed" Mrs Birch confirmed, her face giving off a strict look. Morgana nodded, taking careful steps not to fall over now.
Maddie was shown into her room by Abigail. It was massive! It had a Queen's size bed with a canopy on the top. It was pink and had flowers all around the room. "Wow it's a Princess bed" Maddie gasped. It caused Abigail to giggle at the little girl.
Milo was shown his room by Floyd. He sauntered in, amazed at the bronze and cream look of the place. There was statues of Roman gods, a fireplace and a sitting area. "Cool. Where's the TV?" Milo realised. Floyd frowned as Milo looked around the room.
Unfortunately, Morgana was shown to her room by Mrs Birch. That woman was just screaming of authority and not to touch anything. Oh well, they weren't here to visit Mrs Birch.
Morgana laughed as she saw her room. It was absolutely perfect, full of antiques that ranged from chairs to bookshelves. The colours just seemed to match with the white, pale yellow and brown. "It's beautiful" Morgana breathed.
However, she heard the roar of a car come up the driveway. Peering out of the window, she saw it was a classic red car. Out stepped this gorgeous brown skinned girl. "Welcome home, My Lady" Winterbottom greeted. "It's lovely to see you, Paisley" the girl beamed, hugging the butler in front of her. Morgana smiled as she saw them coming into the house. Maybe this holiday wouldn't be so bad after all.
Abigail was unpacking Maddie's bag. She picked up the doll so she could put some clothes on the bed. But as she was doing that, the head dropped off. "Argh!" Maddie cried, clutching her doll's headless body. "Oh dear. We'll have to fix that straight away" Abigail soothed. Maddie smiled, passing over the doll.
Floyd was just unpacking Milo's bag when Milo stopped him. "Dude hands off my hockey jersey. It's a special autographed anniversary audition" Milo told him. "Oh my bad" Floyd muttered. Milo smiled slightly, unable to help himself.
"We do have a fully stocked library in the East Wing" Mrs Birch announced, as she went through Morgana's bag, finding some books. "I really do like to unpack myself if you don't mind" Morgana snapped, taking the books off her. "It's my job, Miss" Mrs Birch frowned. "Oh I won't tell" Morgana assured, trying to smile her into giving in.
"If you insist. The dinner will be served at half past eight. And please be prompt. His Grace cannot abide tardiness" Mrs Birch informed Morgana. Morgana was about to say something when Mrs Birch left. Shit she had to ask her something as well. When she ran into the hall, she couldn't find her. "She's a quick one" Morgana smirked, shaking her head.
As she was walking around the corner, she bumped into a soft warm body. Morgana grabbed onto the nearest thing she could to stop her from falling over. It was a limb off a coat stand. She looked up at the person who steadied her. It was the beautiful girl from outside.
"Hi" Morgana breathed, unable to take her eyes off the corkscrew curls and beautiful brown eyes. "Hello" the girl mumbled, blushing slightly. Then she realised that she was still holding onto Morgana's arm. "Sorry" Gwen apologised. "You're Gwen" Morgana realised, she remembered her from all the stories Elyan used to tell of her. "Yeah" Gwen confirmed.
"I've seen you in pictures. My sister was married to your…" Morgana started. "To my brother, Elyan. I know" Gwen nodded. "I'm sorry about your coat stand. It's old isn't it? Probably expensive. You know it looks like a Louis Phillipe… yeah it is" Morgana murmured. Gwen bit her lip, nodding in confirmation. "I can fix it, with some nail glue and some welding" Morgana assured. "Just leave it" Gwen smiled at her.
"Can you tell me the way to the dining room?" Morgana asked. "Down the South staircase, left corridor and 2nd on your right" Gwen explained. "Thanks" Morgana breathed. "Well if you'd excuse me" Gwen nodded, walking past her. "Nice to meet you too" Morgana muttered under her breath, before going down the stairs.
"Paisley, when is Arthur expected to arrive?" Gwen wondered, as she picked out some clothes for dinner. "He promised he would be here by dinner" Paisley assured. "Is… is Merlin coming with him?" Gwen muttered. "Yes, though I heard his Grace isn't very happy about it" Winterbottom answered.
"Why would he be? He cut off Elyan just for marrying a commoner. He only kept Arthur involved because Merlin is a rich owner of a computer company" Gwen growled. "My Lady…" Winterbottom was about to comfort. "Excuse me Paisley, I have to change" Gwen instructed, walking him to her door. "Of course" Paisley bowed, leaving Gwen alone in her thoughts.
Gwen could hear them down in the entrance hall. Of course they would be fighting when they arrived. Just like they normally did. She peeked over the banister, able to see her brother scowling at his partner.
"Gwen!" Merlin noticed, as she came down the stairs to greet them. Merlin had pale skin, deep blue eyes and a head of black thick hair. "Merlin, how are you? My brother giving you a hard time, as usual" Gwen teased, hugging the pale man to her. "Isn't he always? He's moaning because I forgot to put his favourite CD back in the car after cleaning it" Merlin grinned.
"I am not!" her brother retorted. Her brother, Arthur was the complete contrast to both her and Merlin. He was tall, muscular and was white. He was the eldest out of Uther's children and his mother died in childbirth to him. He too had deep blue eyes and blonde hair. He definitely looked like the Prince he was.
"Arthur I know when you're lying" Gwen chuckled, hugging her brother. "No you can't" Arthur smiled, hugging her tightly. "Thank you for coming. I know it's hard for you" she mumbled into his neck. "If he says anything Gwen, that's it. We're only here to see our niece and nephew" Arthur whispered to her. Gwen nodded, pulling away from her brother. "Come, dinner is soon" Merlin smiled.
Uther sat at the head of the table in the dining room. His face was littered with scars and lines. There was a permanent look of authority over his face. Glancing at his pocket watch, he sighed. "Your fizzy water, your Grace" Winterbottom served. "Paisley" Uther nodded.
"Milo! We're late!" Morgana cried, rushing Maddie out of her room. "I'm coming. Hey I wonder what's in here" Milo said, trying a door. "It's locked, which means do not enter" Morgana told him, firmly. They flew down the stairs, Morgana forgetting which way to go. "Turn left at the corridor" she remembered, running down that way.
Arthur frowned, hearing the commotion behind him. Uther raised an eyebrow in displeasure as Morgana pulled the kids back to the right room. Everyone stood up as Milo, Morgana and Maddie stood on the doorway. "Your Grace, may I present Master Milo, Miss Maddie and their aunt Morgana Le Fay" Winterbottom introduced.
"Hi" Morgana breathed, nervous. "Are you sure you brought the right family?" Uther mumbled to Winterbottom. "Does he look like he's about to kick the bucket to you?" Milo asked Morgana quietly. "Not even remotely, but I would like to kick Paisley" Morgana said through gritted teeth. "The children look just like Elyan" Uther breathed. "Yes, Your Grace" Paisley agreed.
"Don't just stand there. Come in, we don't want to starve to death do we" Uther smiled. Arthur pulled out the chair for Morgana, while Merlin did the same for Gwen. Maddie ran over to her Grandfather. "Yes?" he asked. But instead Maddie just hugged him tightly. "You're my Grandpa" Maddie replied.
"Wow it's an Empire Chair" Morgana noticed. "Yes it is" Arthur confirmed. Gwen looked curiously at the woman in front of her. "Yes the detail gives it away" Morgana muttered. "Uther seems to have made a vivaciously recovery" she whispered to Paisley as he put a plate down in front of her. "Ah yes, I may have been a tad economical with the truth. But he has been under the weather lately" Paisley mumbled.
"Kids this is your Aunty Gwen" Morgana introduced. "Hey" Gwen beamed. "Is she your Aunty too?" Maddie asked Morgana. "No, I'm not related to them" Morgana chuckled. The table went awkwardly silent. "This is your Uncle as well" Gwen announced, pointing to Arthur. "But you don't look alike" Maddie frowned. "We don't have the same Mommies" Arthur explained, a slight smile coming to his face.
"So are you our Uncle too?" Milo asked, turning to Merlin. "No I'm Arthur's partner" Merlin explained. "Husband" Arthur corrected, taking Merlin's hand. "You're married?" Milo gaped. "Yes, we have been for a couple of years" Arthur nodded, looking at his father. There was another awkward silence around the table.
"Castlebury sure seems beautiful" Morgana stated. "Nonsense, it's a cold, clammy, miserable place" Uther shook his head. "Milo, what is that you are wearing?" Uther asked. "It's a Swashbuckler's shirt" Milo told him. "Oh, you are a swordsman?" Uther questioned, interested. "No silly. It's a hockey team" Maddie giggled.
"I detest hockey, bunch of thugs skating around with missing teeth. Now cricket, that is a man's game. A real sport" Uther nodded. "What a weirdo" Milo whispered to Maddie. "He's not a weirdo, he's just old" Maddie told him.
"So Morgana, how long are you staying?" Gwen asked. "Why, want to get rid of us already?" Morgana teased. Gwen's face fell. "I was joking" Morgana quickly said. "I know" Gwen smiled, eyes twinkling. "My sister likes playing tricks on people" Arthur explained, taking a drink.
"So children, is there anything you'd like to ask your Grandfather?" Uther asked. "Yeah, how come you gave us the shaft all these years?" Milo stated. Morgana spat out her soup, causing Merlin to hide a smile. "Milo!" Morgana growled. "No it's alright. Truth of the matter is, your mother had no title" Uther said. Morgana froze, eyes turning frosty. "Which made her unsuitable for your father" Uther explained. Morgana put her spoon down.
Winterbottom cleared his throat. "Of course, I realise I was being…" Uther mumbled. "A complete dingle dork?" Morgana suggested, as Milo chuckled. "Not quite the word I had in mind" Uther muttered. "Now you've had a change of heart" Arthur said.
"Yes, I realised that with my recent bout of flu" Uther said, looking at his plate. "Close to death" Morgana corrected, sarcastically. "Well it was touch and go there sometimes. Anyway, we are all here together. After all, we are all a family. How do you feel about that?" Uther asked. Morgana scoffed, looking away. "It depends on how you make it up to us, Gramps" Milo shrugged.
So that very night, Milo had a TV installed in his room. Morgana came into his room to witness this. "What's going on here?" she demanded, staring between Milo and Floyd. "Just hooking up the TV for Master Milo here" Floyd explained. "Milo, word now please" Morgana growled, jaw tightening.
"Your punishment was no TV" Morgana snapped. "Yes that was before you dragged me to here to spend time with Grandpa wing-nut" Milo retorted. "I've done it, it works" Floyd announced, pride seeping out of his pores.
"Thanks Floyd. You can unhook it now" Morgana instructed. "Very well" Floyd nodded. "What?" Milo gaped. "You're not missing much, we don't even have HD" Floyd assured, going out the room.
"I'm sick of you telling me what to do. You're not my mom! Not even close" Milo shouted. "You're right, I'm not. But I'm trying to do the best I can" Morgana yelled. Morgana sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I miss her too you know. Both of them" Morgana breathed, going to hug Milo. However he just pulled away from her. "I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed" Milo shrugged.
Morgana nodded, rushing out the room. She took a deep breath in. She would not cry. She needed to be strong for these kids. Morguase would have wanted that. She tested out a smile, knowing she needed to say goodnight to Maddie. This wasn't her fault, and she didn't need to know how upset her aunt really was.
"You all ready for bed, sweetheart?" Morgana asked, coming into the room. "Huh huh" Maddie nodded, climbing into bed. Morgana smiled, and went to sit on her bed. "Said your prayers, yet?" Morgana questioned. "Not yet" Maddie shook her head. Morgana noticed Maddie's doll had tape all around it's neck.
"God bless Mommy and Daddy in heaven. And Aunty Morgana and Milo. And if it isn't too much to ask, please can you not make Grandpa so grumpy. Amen" Maddie breathed. "Oh honey. I know he isn't the warm fuzzy grandpa you wished for. But it's important not to give up on people" Morgana sighed.
"He wasn't nice to Mommy and Daddy, was he?" Maddie asked. "No he wasn't. But they loved him anyway. Maybe we should forgive him too?" Morgana suggested. "So you don't think they'll be mad we're here?" Maddie wondered. "No baby, they'd be glad. It's a big step for your Grandpa to invite you and Milo to Castlebury" Morgana smiled.
Maddie nodded, lying down in bed. "That's my girl" Morgana breathed. "Aunt Morgana, do you think that Santa will be able to find us. Even without no Christmas tree and twinkle lights?" Maddie inquired. "Don't worry. Santa knows exactly where all the good little boys and girls are" Morgana assured. "Sweet dreams" Morgana smiled, kissing Maddie's head.
"You scheduled the hunt?" Uther asked Arthur in his study. "Well it's our tradition. I thought you'd be pleased" Arthur frowned. "Well I'm not. I don't want a bunch of rowdy hunters, trampling through the castle" Uther shook his head, drinking his whiskey. "Father, they're our friends. Besides it's too late to cancel now. What's the matter, I thought you wanted a happy family Christmas?" Arthur reminded.
"I changed my mind. Christmas makes me think of Elyan. And so do those children" Uther murmured. "Of course they do! What were you expecting?" Arthur replied sharply. "To feel better" Uther sighed. "So your new plan is to make everyone miserable" Arthur rolled his eyes. "I don't have a plan" Uther snapped.
Morgana knocked on the door. "Yes?" he inquired. "Sorry to interrupt. I was looking around the castle and I couldn't find your Christmas tree" Morgana smiled, coming into the study. "There isn't one" Uther told her. "Why not?" Morgana frowned. "I don't like them. They're dirty messy things which drip sap over the mahogany" Uther snapped.
"Father" Arthur sighed. "They make children happy" Morgana shrugged. "I don't want one" Uther growled. "Then please tell me what you do want" Morgana said. "Good luck with that" Arthur scoffed, draining his drink. "I want to know why I brought these kids here, if it isn't to give them a good Christmas?" Morgana demanded, fire returning to her blood.
Those children depended on her. "I'm not talking about the castle, where everybody is walking around as out of Dawn of the Living Dead. I'm talking about a holiday with bows and bells and a great big, messy, sappy Christmas tree with twinkling lights so Santa knows where the heck we are" Morgana cried out. Arthur smiled at her, this was just the thing his father needed to hear.
"These kids have had a really tough year" Morgana sighed. "So have we!" Uther growled. "Then we all deserve a merry Christmas, don't you think?" Morgana breathed. Morgana sighed storming out, seeing Uther remained stubborn in his ways. Those kids deserved something special, not cramped in this stupid place without Christmas!
"You might want to consider the Tree situation" Arthur said quietly. "I will not. If you don't like it, go back to Geneva. I don't know why you bothered coming home in the first place" Uther snapped. "Because I'm your son. Not your favourite one. But your only living one and besides I don't want my sister being stuck with you over the holidays" Arthur glared, leaving Uther to his thoughts.
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