Star-Crossed Lovers
Chapter 3
After Morgana's secluded meeting with Romulo, Gwen is helping Morgana prepare for bed, brushing her hair at the dressing table. Morgana sighs as she puts down the mirror she had been holding.
"What is it, my Lady?"
"Oh, Gwen. I don't know what to do. Tonight I met Prince Urien at the feast."
"Yes, you mentioned that Uther had hoped to form an alliance with Urien by your marriage," Gwen says. "What was he like? Did you like him?"
"He was okay, but not the man of my dreams." Morgana picks up the mirror again, and touches her lips with her other hand as she gazes at her reflection. "But I met him at the feast as well."
"Who?"
"The tall dark stranger." She laughs softly, setting the mirror on the table. "His name is Romulo. And he's a Montague."
"How was he there?" Gwen is surprised. "It's a dangerous game he's playing at."
"More than you know. He came back here tonight." Morgana turns to face Gwen. "I love him, and have promised to marry him."
"Morgana, you can't!" Gwen exclaims. "What about Uther? He'll never allow it."
"That's why it must be secret. Please, Gwen, you must help me," Morgana says, reaching for Gwen's hand.
"Are you sure, my Lady? You've only just met."
"Yes. I am sure. I can feel it." Morgana frowns. "I can't explain it. It's like we are connected somehow."
"Oh, Morgana. What do you need me to do?"
"Go speak to Geoffrey of Monmouth tomorrow morning about hand fasting, then find Romulo to arrange the time," Morgana begs. "I have to join Uther in the throne room in the morning for weekly petitions, so I can't go myself."
"Where should I find him?"
"He's staying at The Rising Sun." Morgana presses Gwen's hand to her cheek. "Thank you, Gwen."
xXx
"Thank you, Sir Geoffrey," Gwen says with relief as she closes the door behind her. As she had promised Morgana the night before, Gwen had sought out Geoffrey of Monmouth for his help in the hand fasting for Morgana. He had tried to talk her out of it for Morgana's behalf, but ultimately he had agreed. Gwen leaves his chambers and walks quickly through the courtyard to make her way to The Rising Sun to find Romulo.
She discovers him near the tavern talking to Mercutio. She walks up to the two men and asks, "can you tell me where I might find Romulo?"
Mercutio and Romulo exchange a glance. Romulo says with a laugh, "I am the youngest of that name."
"I am Guinevere, the Lady Morgana's maid. She bade me find you to tell you of the arrangements for the hand fasting." Gwen stammers in confusion. "This afternoon at 3, sir. She shall be at Geoffrey of Monmouth's chambers."
"Thank you, Guinevere. I will meet her there."
Gwen ducks her head in acknowledgment and scurries back toward the citadel.
Romulo looks after her, then saunters off, lost in his own daydream.
"Romulo!" Mercutio calls after him.
"I'll see you later," Romulo gives a wave as he turns the corner.
xXx
After his conversation with Gwen, Geoffrey goes to Uther to tell him of Morgana's plans. He knows that the King hears petitions from the citizens of Camelot this morning, and directs his steps to the throne room. Only a few remain to be heard, and he waits patiently. Arthur and Morgana occupy their normal places on either side of the King. As petitions are heard, Uther would often invite their opinions as he considers the requests and makes his decisions.
After the last decision is rendered, the hall empties. Arthur jumps from his chair to make his escape from the throne room. ""I'm late to training, father," he apologizes for his haste.
Arthur strides down the length of the chamber, grabbing Merlin by the arm as he passes him. Merlin stumbles at the haste with which Arthur propels him forward. "Let's go, Merlin. Get your feet organized and move."
"Why? I'm not in a hurry," Merlin whines, "to go train."
"We need to pick up my armor first. So, yes. You are in a hurry." The two men walk quickly out of the throne room, Merlin a half step behind Arthur.
The King acknowledges Geoffrey and gives him leave to speak. Geoffrey looks at Morgana, who has just risen from her chair to Uther's left and is making her way across the room to the doors at the far end.
"Your majesty," he begins, licking his lips anxiously, suddenly uneasy with the news he is about to impart.
"Yes, Sir Geoffrey, what is it?" Uther inquires tiredly. It's been a long boring morning, dealing with petty disputes and problems.
"It concerns the Lady Morgana, my Lord."
"What about her?"
"Her maidservant came to my chambers this morning to ask me to perform a hand fasting ceremony for her this afternoon."
"For the maid?" Uther asks incredulously. "Why bring this to me?"
"No, my Lord. For Lady Morgana."
"What?" He shouts at Morgana as she is leaving the hall, "Morgana! Come back here!"
She halts at the entry and turns to look at him. With Geoffrey in tow, Uther charges down the length of the room to confront Morgana. "What are you doing?" he grabs her arm angrily.
"Let go of me," she tries to escape his grip, glaring at Geoffrey. "You told him!"
"I'm sorry, my Lady, I could not let you do this behind the King's back," Geoffrey apologizes.
"You had no right. I am a woman grown, not a child," Morgana fumes.
"Then stop acting like one," Uther retorts. "How dare you allow a stranger to Camelot to seduce you!"
"He did nothing but be who he is," she answers him. "I will marry him or none."
"You will do as I say," Uther spits out between his clenched teeth. "The marriage to Prince Urien of Rheged has been arranged and will take place tomorrow."
"No! I refuse!" Morgana cries. "You cannot force me to marry him against my will. I would rather die."
"You will go to your chambers and remain there until you leave to marry the Prince," Uther threatens as he shoves her toward the door. "I will put a stop to this foolishness and have this man arrested. What time is he expected, Geoffrey?"
"At three this afternoon, my Lord."
"He'll meet knights of Camelot, not my ward, at your chambers," Uther declares. "A cell in the dungeon will keep him away from Morgana until she's safely married."
Morgana runs and escapes from the throne room before Uther has time to call a guard to escort her to her own chambers. She runs almost blindly through the hallways, out the doors into the courtyard without a firm idea where she's headed. She just knows she must find Romulo. She doesn't see him at the tavern or anywhere in the town.
She halts for a few moments to rest and catch her breath, looking around to see where she is. She's in front of the apothecary. She stands still, thinking hard. She wants to avoid the marriage to Urien, maybe an answer lies within the shop – some kind of a sleeping potion so Uther thinks she's fallen ill? Before she can change her mind, Morgana pushes open the door to the shop and greets the proprietor.
"Lady Morgana," he says with a welcoming smile. "What can I do for you?"
"I am in search of something that will make me appear to have fallen unconscious, so that I will be asleep for a couple of days. Is there something like that?"
"Why do you want such a thing?"
"I want the king to think that I am too ill to marry," she confesses.
"But that might only delay the wedding. If he thinks you have died, on the other hand . . ."
"What . . .?"
"I have a potion that will feign the appearance of death, but will wear off naturally after 24 hours."
"Yes. I'll do it. Please give it to me." She hands him the few coins that she had in her pocket when she ran from the citadel. "Is this enough?"
"Yes, my Lady. It will do. Now, drink the potion all at once when you are ready. It is very fast acting. When you awake, you will have a headache for a while, but it will wear off."
Morgana pockets the small flask, thanks the apothecary, and quickly leaves his shop. She walks briskly to the tavern, and speaks to the innkeeper to leave word for Romulo not to go to Geoffrey of Monmouth's chambers as arranged. She writes a quick note to let him know of the deception with the potion and assure him that she will awake after 24 hours. Leaving the note with the innkeeper, she makes him promise to tell no one but Romulo. Satisfied that she's done all she could, Morgana walks back through the town up to the Citadel, lost in thought.
"Lady Morgana," Sir Leon says, startling her from her reverie. "You must come with me."
"Leon, what do you mean?"
The King has sent me to find you and to escort you to your chambers. I'm sorry, my Lady."