Night had fallen over Camelot yet the castle was still alive as a knighting ceremony took place. Kara stood next to Gwen in the hall of ceremonies watching as Uther knighted the men. He tapped their shoulders with his sword as he passed 'Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot.' The new Knights stood in front of the King.
'You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur. Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title.'
At the sounds of swords fighting outside and the Knights grunting in pain, everyone turn towards the doors of the hall. A knight dressed in full body armour enters and the crowd parts just as all the Kings pull out their swords. Looking down at her waist Kara wished she had her own blade with her. It made her feel comfort that she could defend herself instead of watching someone else do it for her.
Arthur steps forward and stood in front of his Knights looking at the knight in questioned. The knight drops his gauntlet in front of Arthur, who picks it up.
'I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity.'
The knight removed it's helmet only to reveal a wealth of long blonde tresses. Kara' sees widened slightly realising the knight was a woman.
'My name is Morgause.'
Kara remained in Morgana's chambers with Gwen. Morgana herself stood by the window watching as Morgause practised her form and techniques in the courtyard below.
'Who is she? Why would she challenge Arthur? It seems no one's ever heard of her.' Gwen questioned as the two maids prepared Morgana's bed for her to sleep in.
'I feel as if I've met her somewhere before.' Morgana speaks catching Kara,s attention immediately.
'Where could you know her from?' She asks curiously but Morgana merely shakes her head
'I don't know.' Gwen and Kara glanced at each other, before Gwen shrugged and disappeared with the dirty sheets. Kara pulled out the news and quickly put them on the bed, Morgause being the main thought on her mind.
Day broke and Kara found herself next to gaius in the arena. She clapped as Arthur entered and Merlin came to stand next to the two of them. Morgause stood next to Arthur in the armour she appeared in.
'The fight is by the Knights' Rules. And to the death.' Uther spoke before sitting down in his throne.
Arthur walked up to Morgause and whispered something to her, that Kara couldn't catch. Morgause simply looked at him and Arthur walked away grabbing his helmet. The two faced each other swords drawn.
Morgause was the first to attack. She sliced swiftly and accurately yet Arthur managed to block everyone of her blows, swords clashing rang through the air as they circled each other,
Morgause attacked again the swords moving too quickly. Though Arthur quickly got the better hand attacking down so she was disarmed and appeared to have a cut on her inner wrist, the fabric torn.
Kara sighed torn, of course she didn't want Arthur to die but she couldn't bear Arthur killing this woman, even if she was a total stranger. Arthur moved backwards indicating Morgause to pick up her sword with his own. The crowd clapped for their prince's actions.
Morgause picked up her sword and after a moment she attacked again. Arthur managed to pin her against the barrier though she moved before the fatal blow, kicking him in the back of the shin so Arthur fell, his helmet rolling off.
Kara watched her breath catching in her throat as Morgause tore her own helmet off and pointed her sword over Arthur's heart. The two exchanged words, what though, Kara couldn't hear.
Arthur must of said what Morgause wanted to hear because she withdrew her sword and gave him a hand up. She walked to the King and bowed her head before disappearing out of the arena, everyone watching confused.
Kara passed gaius the bandage so he could wrap up morgause's arm wound. She stood back silent, merely observing the blonde woman.
'You're fortunate the wound isn't too deep. You seems familiar. Have you visited Camelot in the past?' Gaius asked
'I was here many years ago. I was just a baby at the time. I doubt you'd remember me.' Kara watched as gaius's eyes caught a bracket on her wrist, it looked like an ordinary arm bracelet to Kara, beautiful but she couldn't sense anything wrong with it, so she wondered why it had captured gaius's attention.
'I'm grateful for your help.' Morgause said standing with a smile and gaius nodded with a smile.
'Your a skilled fighter' Kara admitted and Morgause smiled at the woman.
'Thank you but from the rumours I hear, you can handle your own behind a sword as well' Morgause said and Kara masked her shock, not knowing who the woman knew about how well she could handle a sword.
'Yes, I'm alright with a sword'
'Don't be modest I heard the second day you were in Camelot, you bested prince Arthur in a fight' Morgause spoke and Kara shrugged
'I'm not the only one' she said and Morgause nodded,
'You fight like your father did' Kara looked up in shock at the mention of her father.
'My father? You knew my father?' She question and the blonde nodded.
'Yes though I only met him once. He was a good man, skilled swordsman. It was a shame he died so young' Morgause said and Kara nodded. She hadn't heard much about her father, her mother had remained silent in the matter since his death when she was only a baby.
''If you don't mind I'd like to be alone' Morgause stated, snapping Kara out of her thoughts.
Of course, I wish you a safe travel home tomorrow' she said nodding her head in respect before leaving the room hearing a thank you from behind her. Kara closed the door and made her way to her own chambers.
Day came and Kara was helping gaius make a potion, Having already finished her duties for the day. Merlin entered not soon after
'How's Arthur?' Gaius questioned.
'You mean after being defeated by a girl in front of the whole of Camelot? I've seen him happier.' Merlin said with a small smile and Kara let a smile of her own slip as she added some powder to the potion.
'I think you're enjoying this, Merlin.' Gaius pointed out and Merlin shook his head before smiling.
'Maybe a little.'
Kara watches in confusion as Merlin moves and begins to grind something in a pot but she paid it no interest measuring out some liquid.
She glanced to the side and her eyes widened when she saw rope magically make its way up merlin's leg. She looked at Merlin who looked at her in slight alarm before mouthing 'I'll explain later'.
'So your miraculous plan is to lower Arthur down by rope?, she questioned Merlin nodded.
'Why don't you think it'll work?' He asked
'I never said that but I'm coming with you' she said and Merlin bit his lip shaking his head.
'I highly doubt Arthur will allow that' he protests but Kara merely rolls her eyes.
'I don't really care what Arthur thinks, I'm curious on what this challenge is and who that woman was. So I'm going, I'll get the horses' she says and disappears, her hair spinning behind her as she leaves Merlin in the hall.
Kara changes into brown travel pants and a long red shirt. She strapped a belt around the shirt, attaching her sword to it. She pulled on some brown boots, tying up the laces before tying her brown locks up into a ponytail.
Kara managed to sneak down into the stables. She grabbed Arthur's horse and two other. She led them out of the stables but when she turned a corner to the wall underneath Arthur's room, she Arthur dangling by a rope against the wall.
She watched quietly only to gasp when Arthur came rambling down, hitting the pave,net and landing in horse manure. 'Arthur, are you alright?' She asked stepping forth and he looked at her in surprise.
'Kara what are you-' he caught sight of the horses behind her and he immediately shook his head, 'no, no, no. There is now way your coming with us'
'And why not?' Kara asked crossing her arm.
'It's too dangerous, we don't even know what Morgause wants, Arthur protested.
'Then you should be happy you'll have another sword fighting by your side' she pointed out moving back to the horses, checking the births on hers.
'Your not coming'
'Fine, I'll just go tell the King of your escape then shall i?' She threatened climbing upon her horse. Arthur's eyes widened before they narrowed.
'You wouldn't dare' 'you sure about that?, she asked with a raised eyebrows and Arthur glared at her.
'Which way?' Kara asked Arthur as the three of them came to a fork in the path. Arthur looked between the paths.
'Do you actually know where we're going?' Merlin asked.
'It's this way.' Arthur said pointing left and kicking his onwards but he merely stood still, neighing in protest 'Come on. What is wrong with this horse? It's even dumber than you, Merlin!' Arthur cried before his horse began to take the right path.
'Where are you going? I thought you said it was left?' Merlin called after him.
'It's not me! It's the horse! Morgause told me. When the time comes, you'll know your way.' Arthur said and Merlin and Kara looked at each other in disbelief.
'So the horse knows where we're going. Great.' Merlin said sarcastically and Kara nodded her head before urging her own horse forward after Arthur.
The three ride through the words, Merlin rattling question after question at Arthur 'What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want to do?'
'I'm not expecting it to be easy, Merlin. That's why it's called a challenge.' Arthur pointed out.
'So you'd do anything she asks of you?' Kara asks.
'I gave her my word. It's a question of honour.' Arthur states.
'What if she challenges you to do something even less honourable than breaking your word?' Merlin questions
'Will you stop rabbitting on? We're in Odin's territory. We could be attacked at any second.' Arthur warned.
'I just think it's strange to agree to do something when you don't know what it is.' Merlin said, no taking heed to Arthur's warning.
'One more word out of you, Merlin, and you'll be taking the challenge in my place.' Arthur threaten per but in the next second an arrow thudded into the tree right by merlin's head. Merlin's horse panicked rearing up, throwing the boy from the saddle onto the ground.
Kara and Arthur whipped their heads around, seeing a Knights of odin's came running down the hill. Kara climbed off her horse grabbing her sword just as Arthur began fighting the man off. Arthur overpowered the ,an killing him swiftly.
Another came charging towards Merlin but Kara blocked his attack before it hit the boy and fought the man backwards. She swung the sword in her hand, catching the man's in her own. She flicked her wrist, disarming the knight before she run him through with her own sword.
She looked up seeing Arthur take down another knight. She glanced around her seeing no more intruders and put her sword away.
'Don't worry, Merlin. I'll deal with this, you lie there, make yourself comfortable.' Arthur said sarcastically to his man servant who was still lying on the ground. Kara caught her horse as she had gotten spooked from the fighting and brought her back to the arguing men.
'You don't know anything about Morgause! You don't know what she's gonna ask you to do! We don't even know where we're going, we're following a horse!' Merlin protested loudly.
'Morgause said she knew my mother.' Arthur explained and Merlin's argument died at those words. Kara looked up, after all Morgause had also claimed to know her father.
She knew Arthur's mother had died in childbirth but that was all she really knew about the late queen of Camelot. People rarely spoke about her and she had never heard Arthur mention her before this moment. She understood why Arthur was so keen to find Morgause.
The three set up camp as the sun would be setting soon with Merlin stoking the fire to maintain the warmth.
'What was your mother like?' Merlin asked Arthur, ending the silence that had fallen over the party.
'I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes.' Arthur explained, twisting a stick in his hands.
'I'm sorry' Kara said softly
'I barely know anything about her.'
'Can't you ask your father?' Merlin questions.
"He refuses to talk about her. It must be too painful for him. Sometimes it's as if she never even existed. I still have a sense of her. Almost as though she's part of me.' Kara nodded, completely understanding.
Her father had died when she was only a month old, so it was impossible to remember him. Her mother refused to talk about him
'That's the same with my father. I never knew him. And my mother's barely spoken of him. I've got this...vague memory. It's probably just my imagination.' Merlin states sadly and Kara nods.
'I know the feeling' she says quietly drawing the two men's attention onto her, 'my father died in battle when I was only a month old' Kara explained.
'My mother refused to speak about him whenever I asked, always changing the subject. All I know was that he was a knight. It's why I learned how to fight with sword, it helped me feel closer to him' she says quietly.
Nothing is said for a while as the three think of the parent they never knew.
'I'd do anything for even the vaguest memory.' Arthur says braking the silence eventually,m
'Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause? To see what she knows about your mother?' Merlin questions.
'Is that so wrong?'
'No.' Both Kara and Merlin says and he looks up at them.
'I should get some rest.' He spoke rising and leaving the two servants to sit by the fire, both lost in their own thoughts of their fathers.
The smaller party reached a lake with a waterfall on the other side the next day.
'It seems your horse has brought us to a dead end.' Merlin points out. Yet as soon as the words leave his mouth Arthur's horse walks forward into the water,
'Now where's he going?' Arthur questions as they enter the lake.
'I think you're going to get wet.' Kara points out with a small smile.
'You don't say.' Arthur calls back as the horse continues to march through the water.
'Arthur?' Merlin calls as Arthur continues to move towards the waterfall. Kara urges her horse forward and they enter the lake, by the splashing behind her she can't tell merlin is doing the same.
Passing through the waterfall, Kara finds herself dripping wet in a cavebut she continues to urge her horse forward into a forest, shaking her arms to be rid of the droplets sliding down her skin.
Merlin and Kara emerge from the trees spotting Arthur staring up at a grand castle.
'Where are we?' Merlin questions.
'I don't know.' Arthur says before sounding forward. The small party moved around some rocks towards the entrance
'If we weren't sure Morgause was a sorcerer before, we can be certain of it now.' Merlin says as they round the corner.
'That must've been how she defeated me. She was using magic.' Arthur spoke and Kara rolls her eyes.
'Hmm, it didn't look like she was.' Merlin says
'And what would you know about magic, Merlin?' Kara hides her smile at Arthur's words.
'Nothing.' Everything, Kara corrects in her head with a small smile.
The three dismount and enter into a chamber empty except for a block of wood with an axe.
'Now what?' Arthur questions walking by the block of wood, picking up the axe.
'Maybe we should ask the horse.' Merlin says and Arthur glares at him spinning the axe back into the block of wood.
'There's no one here, we might as well leave' Kara says and Merlin agrees but as they turn to leave a voice speaks up from behind the,.
'You kept your promise.' Morgause speaks walking down a flight of steps, wearing a red dress. She walks forward with a blank expression coming close to Arthur. Merlin and Kara exchange glances, still unsure about this woman.
'What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?' Arthur asks.
'Place your head on the block.' Morgause says picking up the axe. Kara' sees widen at her request, she can't be serious?
'You gave me your word that you would do anything I asked.' Morgause sates at Arthur's hesitance.
'Arthur, don't.' Merlin warns but Arthur kneels to place his he'd on the block.
'What are you doing? Are you insane?!' Kara questions, her eyes wide.
'I won't let you do this!' Merlin cries.
'Stay out of this, Merlin!' Arthur orders. Morgause lines up the axe to Arthur,s neck and Kara can feel her breath hitch in her throat as the blonde woman raises her axe. She feels her magic course through her ready to cast a spell at any moment and yet.
Morgause places the axe next to the block instead of bringing it down and fro that Kara breaths out a sigh of relief.
'You have shown that you are truly a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon' Morgause says walking away and Arthur jumps up staring at her.
'And for that I will grant you one wish. Tell me what it is that your heart most desires.' She asks and Arthur walks forward.
'You said you knew my mother. Tell me all that you know about her.' Arthur states.
'Perhaps you would like to see her.' Morgause suggests and Kara's eyes widen once again but this time in confusion.
'I want that more than anything.' Arthur says and she nods
'As you wish.'
The three follow Morgause into a room, filled with pillars, vines wrapped around the stone. Above instead of a ceiling it's the sky but dark, grey and cloudy. Morgause stands in front of a fire preparing her spell while merlin and Kara stand either side of Arthur.
'Are you sure you want to do this?' Merlin questions Arthur.
'It could be a trap, Kara suggested as well. Both sorcerers found it strange that their random woman suddenly has all the answers about Arthur's mother.
'If you were granted the same opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?' Arthur said and Kara shut up, knowing what he said was to r,e
'Uther won't forgive you if he finds out you've collaborated with a sorcerer.' Merlin statuses, not backing down as easily.
'What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong?' Arthur spoke and both kara's and Merlin's eyes widened in alarm.
'You really think that?' Kara asks, questioning because if this was true there may just be hope for sorcerers in Camelot after all.
'Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe. Morgause is a sorcerer, she has caused us no harm. Surely not everyone who practices magic can be evil.' Arthur says,
'We don't actually know why she's doing this' Merlin points out.
'It is time." Morgause speaks turning around, blowing out a candle in her hand. She asks Arthur to step forward. Kara grasps hi arm before he can.
'Arthur are you sure about his?, she whispers with warning and he nods confidently
'I have to find out the truth of what happened to her' Kara nodded understandingly and let go of his arm so he could stand by morgause's side.
'Close your eyes.' Morgause says and Arthur does so while Merlin and Kara stand back to rest between two pillars.
'Arásae mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe.' Kara watched as the vines and leaves begin to blow 'Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna w'æs.' The leaves seemed to freeze and Kara turns her head back.
Appearing almost out of nowhere stood a beautiful woman with blonde hair, and eyes like Arthur's
Arthur.' She called almost in disbelief. Arthur opened his eyes at her voice.
'Arthur.' Ygraine spoke smiling at her son.
'Mother.' Arthur gasps.
'My son.' Ygraine quays happily, picking u her dress and rushing forward hugging Arthur close to her.
'When I last held you, you were a tiny baby. I remember your eyes.' She said pulling back to look into Arthur's eyes 'You were staring up at me. Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life.' She said stroking his cheek with affection only a mother could have.
'I'm so sorry.' Arthur apologised.
'You have nothing to be sorry for.' Ygraine protested.
'It was my birth that caused you to die.' Arthur stated with a snake in his voice.
'No, you are not to blame.' Ygraine argues
'I cannot bear the thought that you died because of me.' Uh rained hugged Arthur close in response. Merlin and Kara looked down slightly, feeling like they were intruding on a special moment between the mother and son.
'Do not think that. It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened.'
'What do you mean?' Arthur questioned
'It is not important. What matters is that you lived.' Ygraine says, trying to leave the topic.
'Why should my father feel guilty?' Arthur asks and Ashe pulls away from the hug.
'It is better left in the past.'
'You cannot leave me with more questions. Please.' Arthur begs grains looked away. Merlin and Kara stared intently at the late queen, wondering how Uther could of caused her death.
'Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive.'
'But how was I born?' Arthur asked but grained hesitated 'Tell me.'
'Your father betrayed me. He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help in conceiving a child... You were born of magic.' She said softly and Kara and merlin's eyes widen in surprise at revelation staring at each other before looking forward when Arthur spoke.
'That's not true.' Arthur protested, knowing if it was, what a monster his father really was. The man who claimed to hate magic, the man who killed hundreds because of it, used Magic for his own personal gain.
'I'm sorry, Arthur. Your father has deceived you as he deceived me. To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that.'
'No.' Arthur spoke his head, his voice catching in his throat.
'He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue. It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you. Now I see you, I would have given my life willingly. Do not let this knowledge change you.' Ygraine whispered as Arthur shook his head in disbelief his eyes closing.
The late queen glanced to the side seeing Merlin and Kara there before she disappeared into thin air, the wind returning before dying down.
Arthur opened his eyes, but 'No!' He yelled seeing his mother had disappeared before him 'Bring her back!' He ordere Morgause who shook her head sadly.
'I cannot. Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever.' She explains before stepping forward 'I am truly sorry that your learnt of your mother's fate in this way. I can only imagine how it must feel to discover your father is responsible for her death. It is an unforgivable betrayal.' Morgause said before she left the room.
Kara watched Arthur, seeing so many emotions play out across his features all at once.
'Are you alright? ' Merlin asks but Arthur remains silent at the question
'Arthur?' Kara calls and his expression turns blank after a few minutes,
'Fetch the horses. We're returning to Camelot.' He explains before leaving the same way Morgause did.
The small party of three galloped towards Camelot, the journey being one of silence. All of them felt different emotions, Kara had angry, furious even at the King of Camelot. He had killed so many people, whether the practised magic or not, cause he believed magic was too lame for his wife,s death. When it was him.
Yet her worry for Arthur, triumphed her anger. He was upset that much she could see but there was more to it. He was angry just as much as she was with his father. The truth of his birth seemed to have opened his eyes to the lies his father had taught him since he was born and because of this his anger overwhelmed his sense of reason.
The three dismounted when they reached the square, Arthur withdrawing his sword from the saddle making his way up the steps of the castle.
'What are you going to do?' Merlin calls but the prince is unresponsive as he enters. Kara and Merlin glance at each other's there hatred for Uther burning brighter then ever before yet specks of worry for Arthur's wellbeing could be seen.
'Merlin. Kara, I'm relieved to see both safe.' Gaius spoke and the two sorcerers turned to look the physician ' where's Arthur?'
They didn't say anything merely walking away from the square into a shadowed corner, gaius following them.
'Arthur was born of magic. Wasn't he? Uther used magic.' Merlin spoke.
'Merlin...' Merlin darted but Kara cut him off with a yell
'No! All those people he's executed, that he's murdered whether they were guilty of magic or not. They all died so he could mask his guilt, so he could put the blame of her death on someone else's! Men,woman and children have all suffered because of his selfishness! He's a hypocrite and a Lia!She screamed, her anger fuelling her words.
'The people should know the truth about what he's done' Merlin stated, agreeing with everything Kara had just said 'How could you not tell me?' He asked gaius.
'I feared what Arthur would do if he ever found out.' It clicked in kara's head in what Arthur was going to do to uther. He was going to kill him like Uther did his mother.
'Oh, he's found out now.' Merlin states before the two sorcerers leave the corner bolting up the steps of the castle towards the council chambers.
The two reach the doors Merlin going to open them but Leon blocks him. Merlin goes to shove his way through the door but Leon again blocks him again pushing the servant against the wall.
'The King has forbidden anyone to enter!' Learn shouts.
'They're going to kill each other!' Kara screams at the knight who turns to her in shock, eyes widening.
'Move!' She screams, no matter how much hated Uther she couldn't let Arthur kill him. He would never forgive himself instead becoming the broken shell of a man who killed his father.m
Both Kara and Merlin push the doors open seeing Arthur pointing his sword over uther's heart 'Arthur!' The two servants yell stopping his movements.
'Don't! I know you don't want to do this!' Merlin says running forward into the chambers.
'My mother is dead because of him!' Arthur cries his arm shaking with anger,
'Killing your father won't bring her back. You've lost one parent. Do you really want to lose another?' Kara says, Arthur's face crunching up hearing the truth in her word.s
'Listen to her, Arthur.' Uther said and Arthur's retightening his grip a the Kings words silencing him.
'Arthur, please, put the sword down.'
'You heard what my mother said! After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!' Arthur says his voice shaking with anger along with the rest of his body.
'Morgause is lying!' Merlin cries and Kara stares at him in shock, at his lie.
'She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Everything...everything your mother said to you...those were Morgause's words.'
'You don't know that!' Arthur screamed at his manservant.
'This has been her plan all along! To turn you against your father. And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed! This is what she wants!' Merlin cries.
'Listen to him, he's speaking the truth.' Uther said and Kara couldn't help but glare at the pathetic excuse of a King.
'Swear to me it isn't true! You are not responsible for my mother's death! Give me your word!' Arthur yells looking at his father.
'I swear on my life, I loved your isn't a day passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her.' Kara shakes her head seeing the hidden meaning behind his wording as the King didn't swear that he was responsible for the death of Ygraine.
Of course, he wouldn't because Uther blames it all on magic. He'll always blame magic instead of admitting he was at fault, that he was the reason his wife was dead but when Kara says Arthur crumple to the floor she knew could never voice her opinion to anyone but herself.
'My son, you mean more to me than...than anything.' Uther spoke softly curling a hand around his sons neck.
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' Arthur gasped out.
'You are not to blame.' Uther says, speaking the same words Ygraine did. Kara looked at Merlin who looked at both and gaius. They all knew the truth but Arthur couldn't, he never could, not now, not ever.