Chapter 4

It was the 20th day that Morgana had been found under the effect of the Sidhe enchantment. Everything was going back to normal, with the exception that Gwen was the only servant attending both Arthur and Morgana during meals and she always had to scout the territory, in order to verify that it was Merlin's free, so that the Lady Morgana could go there. That also meant that every time Morgana wanted to pester Arthur about something, she had to first make an appointment with him, so she wouldn't meet our beloved warlock.

Uther was also using the guards as spies, questioning them at the end of their shifts if Morgana and Merlin were sighted at the same place together, it didn't matter if they would be accompanied by Guinevere, Arthur, the entirety of Camelot's knights, all of the castle staff, hell, the entire population of the city! To Uther, all he knew was that he should've executed the boy immediately, but he didn't and that thought enraged him every single day.

To Morgana, her guardian was being extremely unreasonable and the worst thing was that she wasn't able to discoverer the truth up until that day. She was also irritated with everything, sounds, smells and her bosom was swollen and touching her breasts was painful, as well as many things were making her nauseous, also she was tired all the time. In short, Guinevere was really screwed, not only her amount of work had increased, now her mistress was cranky out of nowhere, with inexplicable mood swings that she had to deal with.

Arthur and Merlin weren't speaking about what happened at that night, not that they allowed to, but since then, it was as if Arthur's mood also had changed for worse. He was constantly grumpy or quiet, instead of making fun of things and servants, so Merlin couldn't point out how much of a prat his royal highness was. That was frustrating and generally got worse every time they worked with their silent agreement of not talking about that night when a meeting with Morgana was imminent, and the manservant swiftly disappeared from sight. Merlin wasn't sure what was Arthur's problem, he was the one that would lose his head and other body parts if we was caught anywhere near Morgana, but the one sulking was the Prince. For a moment he thought that the answer could be that Arthur had a crush on Morgana, but he immediately dismissed it. The only thing that the Prat Prince could ever love was his own royal arse.

To Gaius, he was glad that Uther hadn't killed Merlin, but he was concerned that Morgana hadn't taken the tonic. Every single time she was about to take it, something happened. Either the vial broke in mid-air or she got dizzy and dropped it, the fact was that when she was about to take its contents, something happened and this was the twentieth time he had prepared that potion. If she didn't take it today and ended up with child, things would be worse and there was nothing that he or Arthur could do to save Merlin's skin – and manhood – this time. So, as he was summoned to examine her ladyship that morning, after she had vomited her entire breakfeast, Gaius was extremely worried, thinking that his fears had already come true.

"Morgana, is this the first morning that you have felt this nausea?" Gaius asked the young woman.

"No, Gaius. In the last ten days I can't stand some smells, and since three days ago some of them upset my stomach and others make me want to throw up, but I hadn't before." She answered, seating in her bed, still wearing a white nightgown.

Suddenly Uther enters the room startled and questions: "How is Morgana?"

Everyone that was in the bedchambers looks at him, due to his surprise entrance. The physician decides that it is best to just answer:

"I must do some examinations, sire, only then I can give a diagnosis."

"But you already have a suspicion, haven't you, Gaius?" As he says that, Uther walks in the physician's direction and grabs his both arms, with apprehension showing on his face.

"I do, my lord, nevertheless, I prefer to come to a conclusion instead of making assumptions. So, if you could release me, sire, I would do my job promptly." The old man said, raising his one eyebrow.

Noticing what he was doing, Uther immediately released Gaius, getting out of his way.

The physician collect a little bit of urine from Morgana's chamber pot and requested her to rest for the day. Uther inquired if it would take too long to know the final diagnosis, to what Gaius answered that it would be ready in the afternoon. The king asked to be called to accompany Gaius's next visit to Morgana.

"What are you doing, Gaius?" Merlin asked, observing that his guardian had an intricate apparatus on top of the main table.

"Running some tests, Merlin, you've seen me doing this before" The physician answered while keeping his full attention to the object in front of him.

"Well, I can see that, Gaius." The young warlock said, rolling his eyes, continuing: "What I want to know is whatever for."

"Why do you ask, Merlin?" Gaius replied, raising the one eyebrow, knowing that his pupil would see it from his angle.

"I'm merely curious." The young warlock told him, doing a nonchalantly expression and pouting.

"Don't you have chorus to do? I can swear I've heard Arthur calling you!" Gaius spun to face his ward, already getting impatient.

"He does that all the time, it's like he can't find his own head without my aid." Merlin said with a goofy grin.

"If you are so indispensable, then you should be with him right now!" The physician remarked and added: "So you'd better see if he has any task for you and leave me alone with my science!"

"I can't right now. He's with Morgana and Uther, waiting for something." He said it a little bit disheartened, probably due to the prohibition to see the lady in question.

"Oh, Merlin, you just made me remember that we have a shortage of some herbs used in the King's draughts. As you are such a good boy, do me a favor and go look for them."

So I can finish this damned test and discover if you have impregnated the King's Ward. Gaius thought.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Gaius, and not answer my question?" Merlin inquired with a playful tone of voice.

"No, Merlin, I just need those herbs for today's dose. There isn't enough of it." He lied to his ward.

"Fine, Gaius, but don't think that you have successfully evaded this conversation." Merlin grinned and left the physician's quarters.

When he finally was out of sight, Gaius sighed in relief, but that rapidly changed as he noticed the final color of the mix – it was definitive, Morgana was with child.

Inside Morgana's bedchamber were the King's ward herself, Uther and Arthur anxiously waiting for Gaius to arrive there. When the old physician entered the room, all eyes were locked on him and he felt as a herald of doom.

"Gaius, do you have a conclusive diagnosis?" Uther inquired before the old man had stooped in any place.

"Sire, I do." He paused briefly before proceeding: "Are you sure that it'll be better for the young prince to know the truth? It's a delicate situation, my king."

"If my suspicions are true, then we'll need secrecy in this matter." Uther said, gulping before continuing: "Also, Arthur must be here to learn how to deal with difficult decisions."

Gaius nodded at his liege statement, understanding what needed to be done.

The tension was thick in the air, Arthur and Morgana were about to protest so their elders were reminded that they were there too and weren't children anymore, so they could take their own decisions and be part of the 'adults' conversation, but before they had any chance to argue, Gaius dropped the news:

"Morgana is with child."

"What?" Arthur and Morgana asked in unison, while Uther fisted his hands, clenched his teeth and screamed:

"I'LL KILL THAT FAIRY! I'LL RIP HIS WINGS, TAKE HIS HEART FROM HIS CHEST AND EAT IT WHILE THAT SCOUNDREL WATCH!"

The king's demonstration of utter fury startled those present at that moment, Morgana flinched, as did Arthur, while Gaius made a stoic face as if that was just a current event in Camelot's court (in fact seeing Uther mad was quite common), but he also raised the eyebrow.

"Father, please, you must calm down. We have to think about solutions for this dilemma. For Morgana's sake!" The young prince tried to reason with his father. Morgana was still processing the shocking news, trying to figure out how that had happened if she was still a maiden.

"There is a solution: I'll kill everyone that was responsible for this!" The king growled.

"I'm sure that you don't have to be so harsh, father" Arthur told him, thinking about his best friend's fate, not that he would ever admit that he considered Merlin was that. "I'll marry Morgana and everything will turn fine, she won't be dishonored and the child won't be a bastard." He finished.

The young lady gasped due to his proposition, noticing that she didn't have considered how bad her position was, being slightly thankful for her foster-brother for such a gesture, while at the same time she didn't want to spend the rest of her life dealing with Arthur's pratness. But as she thought that, Uther immediately shouted:

"NO!" (You can't marry your sister, stupid son!, was Uther's thought)

"Father, please, this is the best solution. Allow this for Morgana's sake." Arthur pleaded.

"You can't! Arthur, you are betrothed to Elena, Lord Godwyn's daughter since she was born!"

"Don't I have a say in this matter?" Morgana finally asked, to what Uther abruptly replied:

"No!"

She was about to protest when Gaius interrupted the royals, playing the part of the most rational person in that room:

"Please, my lords, my lady, we all must calm down and think properly about the possible options ahead."

"It is too soon to even be sure if this pregnancy shall be sustained till its end. Natural abortions are a normal occurrence." He physician stated, to Morgana's shock, continuing: "If that doesn't happen, then it's possible to either provoke an abortion – "

Suddenly, a metal tray, that was left at Morgana's table, went flying in Gaius's direction to the mention of a forced abortion, while the young seer's eyes glowed gold. The old physician dodged effectively and, in the meantime, Arthur widened his eyes and Uther yelled:

"Sorcery!"

Morgana panicked at his words, being aware that she had somehow caused the tray to almost hit Gaius. She was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, fear, anger, utter panic, confusion, awkwardly happiness for being with child and being powerful, in short, she was freaking out and her magic reacted to it, her eyes sustaining a golden hue.

So, any objects that her magic could move were thrown in the direction of the males, which led to many things cracking in the wall, the ground, their heads and henceforth. Using his combat instincts, Arthur left her cambers and swiftly grabbed a shield for himself and for Uther, in the corridor, while Gaius hid behind Morgana's changing screen and Uther protected himself the best he could using his forearms.

"Here, father, a shield." If that madness actually ended at some point, Arthur would definitely suggest that they use Morgana in their wars, even if only for the joke's sake.

Uther buckled the shield to his right forearm, still protecting himself against the many unintentional projectiles, while he tried to calm his daughter:

"Morgana, child, please stop this." This time his tone was soothing.

"I can't! I don't know how!" She sobbed.

"It's fine Morgana, nobody is going to hurt you. I promise you." Uther pleaded, as he automatically concluded that she having magic was another part of that despicable little creature's plan.

The intensity of the "attack" decreased as the objects were being directed at them much slower, making it easy for the prince and king to block it with their shields.

"Do you truly mean it?" Morgana asked, still shaken.

"Yes, I do, for Arthur's life."

"Hey!" The young prince protested, but his father ignored his complaints and continued:

"You're like a daughter to me, Morgana. I won't let any harm befall over you, I'm serious." He pleaded, dropping the shield while opening his arms as in a peace offer.

She apparently relaxed with his gesture, so the objects were gently placed on the ground by her magic and her eyes regained their natural color.

Uther enveloped her in a hug, while she broke in tears, soaking his shirt. The king patted her head while whispering: "Shh, everything is going to be ok, don't worry, child."

Arthur took a longer time to actually change his full-defense position, but he did so, finally letting the truth sink: his stepsister had magic. He was definitely confused, but, by seeing his father's reaction, he thought that they could somehow figure everything out. He wanted to believe in his father's words.

Gaius finally left his protection behind the changing screen, standing by the prince's side and observing while Uther soothed Morgana's emotional state back into a point where they could withhold a conversation.

When the young lady finally stooped hiccupping and crying, and she made eye contact with the king, she said:

"I have … magic … will you not … burn me?" She stammered and inquired with a frightened expression.

"I'm sure that's another part of that thing's enchantment, my child. It is not your fault, you're not to blame." He kissed her forehead after telling her that.

She was calmer after hearing his words and thought that it was the best moment to ask him more:

"Is Merlin the father? Is that why you've forbidden me to be at the same place as him?" She asked, hesitantly.

Uther glared at her, increasing her nervousness, she could sense that he was enraged with her remark, but instead of yelling at her, he took a deep breath and replied:

"Yes, he is, but this has to remain in secrecy." He looked at his knees while telling her, but later promptly reestablished eye contact and continued: "You weren't on your right mind, neither him, that's why I have spared his life." The king paused a bit, sighing, because he had to break bad news for her, his daughter, and it wasn't a pleasant thing to do. He'd have to clarify that she couldn't see the boy and that he'd have to be banished. He'd have to remind her of her honor – that was currently tainted, except that as it wasn't publicized, they could still make amends –, which inevitably led to either induce an abortion or keep the pregnancy a secret and give the child, his grandson or granddaughter (a fact that he didn't want to remember), to adoption.

"You cannot have any sort of relationship with him, you can't meet him, you can't speak with him, you can't see him, nothing of the sorts. He is a mere servant and you are a Lady of the court. He is utterly below your status and now that you are aware of your condition, he'll have to leave, so that you can keep your honor untainted."

"Uther, that's completely unreasonable! You said it yourself, he didn't have control over his actions, nor did I. He's not at fault, you cannot punish him for this, it's unfair!" She exclaimed, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I'm already being considerate with only exiling him, Morgana! Don't defy me or I'll have him executed!"

"No, he did nothing wrong! You can't do this!" As she was getting even more distressed, her eyes glowed gold again and a metal jug that was on the floor flew and hit the king in the head. He let out a cry of pain and rubbed the spot that was hit by the object.

"Control yourself, Morgana! You can't solve all of your problems with sorcery!" He scolded her.

"I don't know how! I have no control over it!" She snapped.

"Morgana!" Uther tried to reprimand her again, but again everything that was able to be thrown by her magic came flying in his direction. So, Arthur helped, blocking most of the brushes, trays, pieces of jewelry, buckets, well whatever that came in his father way, while trying to speak:

"Father, that's not what we have agreed on! Merlin saved my life more than one time, he deserves more than just be thrown aside like an old toy for what happened that night!"

"I don't care, Arthur, just help me to calm down your sis –" Uther slapped his mouth to avoid saying that last word.

"Only you can do that, father! Promise her that he can stay! On your terms if it suits you!" He paused when a bucket was came in their directions, paying attention to defending himself and his father before adding: "Please, do it for me and Morgana!"

Having his two children indisposed with him and being under the attack of magically propelled objects was pressuring the King to make a hasted decision, one that he'd probably regret later, but it would have to do for the moment. So, he ended up saying:

"Okay, okay, the boy can stay!" as he spoke, the objects froze in midair. "But the rules are the same! You're not to see him, not to speak with him and you are prohibited to be in the same room as the serving boy! If you disobey me, he will pay the price! Are we clear?"

Her possessions trembled slightly were they were, but instead of renewing the charge against the king, they stood were they were, apparently because Morgana's temper was kept under control.

"I understand, my lord." She complied, even though she was noticeable upset.

Seeing that there was still a lot of objects suspended in the air, Uther thought that it'd be better for a person with more sensibility to tell what could be their options concerning the subject (that and he was already sore in many places from the consecutive hits he had to withstand), so he said:

"Gaius, tell her what choices she has!"

"Are you certain, sire? Isn't Morgana your ward? Aren't you the one best suited to inform her?"

"You have known me for a long time, Gaius, I'm sure that you know what I'm thinking! Also, I'm not good in dealing with pregnant women."

"Can I borrow this shield first?" The old man pointed to the one that the king had previously discarded and as the monarch nodded, the physician held it on his right arm, distancing himself from the king and young prince.

"As I was telling you before, you can either provoke an ab –" Her eye glowed again and the silver tray came flying towards him, stopping there as the physician didn't end the word.

"Abor –" The tray moved again, getting closer and stopping as he didn't finish. So Gaius decided to take a risk, she rapidly said: "Abortion!" while he raised the shield to block the tray, that hit with force. Lowering his protection asset, Gaius added, fast and looking sideways for more things flying in his direction:

"Or we can wait for the term of your pregnancy and giving the child to adoption."

The room walls trembled a little as Morgana frowned and said:

"No!"

"Morgana! Don't be unreasonable! You have a reputation to withhold!" Uther scolded her, which only worsened everything.

Sensing that if nobody did nothing to ease the tension between the king and his ward, Gaius meddled, suggesting to his king:

"My lord, please, if you discuss this now with Morgana, the roof will fall over our heads." The King locked eyes on him, noticing somehow that the physician was actually making sense.

"Please, we can discuss this away from her presence and come up with a solution that will at least ease her mind. As you both are upset, you'll only clash, not coming to any common ground."

"You're right, Gaius." The king grabbed the old man left arm as someone that has a dizziness does when needing a support not to fall.

"Arthur, watch over Morgana. I'll be back soon." He ordered to his son.

"Yes, father." The prince promptly replied.

"Uth–" Morgana tried to protest, but was interrupted by the king raising his hand and saying:

"Later, Morgana."

And the two men left her bedchambers going to the king's study and lying to the guards on their way.

"Why do you think that they're taking that long?" Morgana asked her stepbrother.

Sighing, Arthur replied: "I don't know Morgana, I'm not there with them, instead I'm here, babysitting you." He glanced at her. Her hair was disheveled, she had dark circles under her eyes, also, her eyes were still a little bit red from all the crying she was doing before. He hugged her too when his father left the room and her tears started flowing again. She had asked if he was afraid of her, but he dismissed it (following Uther's example), saying that they'd find a cure for the magic "condition" and everything was going to go back to normal. He had asked how she was coping with everything and she had answered that she wasn't, she was still too shocked to even think about anything, but thanked him for trying to fix that mess, only to add that she'd make his life a living hell if they had to marry. He chuckled, but decided to keep quiet, doing some thinking.

She also inquired him about the night and he told her mostly everything, not mentioning the part in which she singlehandedly defeated four grown men with her bare fists (and feet), because she didn't need another boast to her ego, which was already a big sized one.

Then, the door was opened and Gaius and Uther entered. Uther was the one making the announcement:

"Morgana, I have talked to Gaius and came to a decision: we'll keep you pregnancy hidden and I'll adopt the child as my own once he or she is born."

Her eyes filled with tears and she said weakly:

"Thank you."

Uther smiled a little due to her reaction and hugged her again, placing another kiss at her hair. Then, he distanced himself a bit and looked into her eyes as he spoke:

"Also, Gaius will teach you how to keep your … curse … under control, so you don't inadvertently harm yourself or others." She nodded to him and he kept talking:

"I promise you, my child, I'll find a cure for that condition, you don't have to be afraid."

His promise was making her even more nervous in fact, as she remembered the druid boy, too much young to have willingly chosen to have magic, but she decided to keep quiet, afraid of her own reaction and Uther's.