+Guys, omg. I'm so sorry for how late this is. I've had a muse but it's not been for fic, it's been for RP. I roleplay as Morgana on Tumblr and my Arthur's been back recently so I've been focussing a fair bit of my attention on that. But here goes! Thank you all for your reviews, please keep sending them! I promise to try and update more; school has been super busy, too. But once my exams are over (in a few days, gah!) I'll be updating at least once a week, I hope. This chapter's kinda short and the story's gonna be continued but I wanted to get something out because I feel /awful/. Review, please!+

Letting out a low grumble, Arthur stretched his strong muscles as the blaring light flared in through the windows.

Morning.

His once most hated time of the day but that was in the past. Not anymore. For now, morning brought breakfast with Morgana. He grinned and quickly shot up, tripping over on his own feet and landed face-first on the floor. "Ugh..." he groaned as he pressed his face into the wood of the floor.

"Graceful as ever, your majesty," Merlin's smirk was evident in his voice as he stood behind him, resting on the frame of the bed with crossed arms.

Arthur quickly scrambled up, brushing himself down and looking very indignant at having been mocked by his manservant. "Shut up, Merlin," he said, throwing a pillow at him before he cleared his throat. "Well, come on, then. I've places to be," he said, moving behind his screen as he stripped the white tunic from his body, throwing it to one side.

"So..." Merlin started, picking up his blue tunic from the chair and throwing it over the screen to his master. "Excited to see Morgana, are we?"

"Morgana?" Arthur asked, his voice higher than normal and head popping up above the screen before he shrugged it off. "Doesn't make any difference to me whether she's there or not. I'm just-...hungry, that's all."

"Oh, really?" Merlin asked, biting back a chuckle.

"Yes, Merlin," Arthur said, that typical Pendragon temper beginning to drip through his voice.

"Ah. Because-...you used to say that breakfast with your father and Morgana was a dull affair. Especially as you could just as well have it warm in your bed," Merlin teased, only to be hit in the face by one of Arthur's socks.

"Shut up, Merlin."

After some more teasing from Merlin (which resulted with Merlin wearing a bucket on his head), Arthur made his way to Morgana's chambers.

As he came to the spiral staircase just before them, he took in a deep breath. Why was he always so nervous just before he saw her now? He had grown up with her but-...now everything had changed. Something had changed within them. For the better. He had never felt this way before about anyone and nor did he wish to; not anyone other than Morgana.

Quickly checking himself over and checking his breath in his hand, he made his way up the steps only to run straight into Gwen. "Guinevere!" he exclaimed, blushing. "Sorry, I did not think you would be here so early."

Gwen chuckled, shaking her head. The pair seemed to think that nobody knew about their infatuation with each other within the castle but truly; it was only Uther who seemed oblivious. "That's quite alright, my lord," she said, inclining her head a little. "I take it you are here to see Morgana."

Arthur's lips curled in a smile at the mention of her name and he nodded. "Is she awake?"

"Just about..." Gwen trailed off with a small frown on her face. "The nightmares are getting worse, Arthur." Normally, it would be frowned upon to speak to a Prince so casually but when it came to Arthur, nothing was truly all that traditional. And he did not mind; not at all. Gwen was just as much his friend as one of his knights. Besides, titles were highly overrated.

His brow furrowed as he looked at her. "Is that so?" If it was one thing that was always consistent with Arthur's ever-changing moods, it was his concern for Morgana. There was not a moment when he did not worry for her and ever since she had told him her secret, that had increased. Even though he felt relieved that she had told him, she was still so mysterious. Just like his moods, she was an ever-changing landscape to him. Day by day, he would uncover more of her and learn more about her, reading her like a book but then she would throw something else at him and throw him for a loop. He nodded firmly and gave Gwen's shoulder a squeeze. "Thank you, Guinevere. I'll see to her immediately."

Gwen curtsied and quickly made her way down the stairs, turning around just in time to see him nervously knock on the door.

"Morgana?" he called gently through the door. "Are you decent?"

From her vanity table, Morgana turned in her seat and smiled to herself before quickly wiping it from her face and making her way to the door. She pulled open the door and smiled politely at the man in front of her even though her breath was instantly knocked from her lungs. "Arthur. Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Arthur bit back a smirk as he saw his lady open the door. Gods, she was beautiful. Her dress was elegantly hugging her figure, ebony hair tumbling down her shoulders. He raised his brow at her politeness but he knew what she was doing. The pair had the tendency to flirt in public far too often. Ever since she had told him about her magic, things had been-...awkward at times but then again, better than ever. He was worried, as always, that something worse was happening to his moonlight. But now that he knew, he felt a sense of calm. At first, he was angry, he was hurt and he was confused. But now, he knew that all he wanted to do was make sure that Morgana never came to any harm. Especially not at the hands of anyone in Camelot. Especially not at his father's hands. So that was precisely why he could not let Uther know that they were close. For he would send guards after them to check that the future King and Queen would not be harmed in any way and-...well, Morgana would never be allowed to be herself. And that was all he wanted for her; for her to always be-...her.

He cleared his throat and inclined his head. "I did, my lady. I've come to accompany you to the dining hall. Father is waiting," he said, holding out an arm for her. "My lady?"

Morgana rolled her eyes fondly and said in the expected reply, "My champion."

Before long, their demeanour had quickly slipped away and they were laughing and smiling along, their eyes dancing as they looked at one another.

But their good mood was soon shattered as when they walked in, they did not find just Uther but Uther and a pack of guards. Guards whom were holding both Guinevere and Lancelot - Arthur's most trusted knight - tightly by the arms.

Morgana quickly disentangled herself from Arthur and stepped forward, her face hardened in that way that always sent shivers through whoever was on the recieving end's spines. "What is the meaning of this?" she demanded.

Uther sighed as he sat in his chair, head resting in his hand. "Morgana, please, not now..." he trailed off, dragging a finger across his forehead. The situation was difficult enough without his fiery ward being involved. But then again, he could not avoid it. As he well knew, Guinevere was Morgana's best friend as well as her maidservant.

"I demand to know," Morgana insisted, her eyes darting worriedly over to Guinevere.

What on Earth was going on? And why was Lancelot involved?

Uther let out a huff, standing before he pointed to Guinevere, making her flinch. "Your maidservant was found in the stables with Sir Lancelot." His face coloured as he avoided her gaze, coughing shortly to cover up his embarassment at such a situation. It simply would not do. Not in his kingdom. "Acting rather-...inappropriately."

Morgana raised an eyebrow incredulously, pulling such a face that Arthur had to bite his lip to not laugh. She was looking at the King like he was mad and perhaps he was. His eyes moved over to Lancelot. "Father, with all due respect-..." he started as he moved between the guards so that he was standing beside Morgana. "Lancelot is a Knight of Camelot. He is a nobleman and he has his freedom. It is not our responsibility to check whom he should spend his time with."

Uther's face twisted frustratedly as he slammed a gloved hand down on the table. "But the girl is our responsibility," he spat.

"She has a name, you know," Morgana snapped but was silenced as Uther held out a finger towards her.

"Morgana, do not forget your place. The girl's name is of little relevance. She has committed a crime against Camelot."

Disgust lining her features, Morgana parted her lips to speak but was quickly silenced as Arthur spoke up, "How is love a crime, Father?"

Everyone in the hall turned to face Arthur, even the guards. It was a very rare occasion that the young prince would speak up against his father and if he did, it was only in the most direst of need. It was certainly not concerning-...love. But Arthur knew differently. Arthur knew that lingering in the back of his mind, he was worried that this would be the reaction for whe-...if he and Morgana should ever get together. And it terrified him beyond belief.

"What did you say?" Uther asked, rounding on his son.

Arthur looked to the guards, then to Lancelot and slowly, he felt himself begin to sink back into his shell of safe quiet that he always resorted to during one of his father's rages. But then he saw Morgana and he felt something wash over him like a warm blanket draping over his shoulders.

Strength.

That was what she gave him. She made him want to stand up against his father.

Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right. And damn the consequences.

Was that not what she had said to him only the year before? She knew him better than anyone-...Gods, she knew him better than his own father did. And she was the only one that could convince him to go against his ruling. "You heard me," he said, his voice low. "I believe that this punishment is unfair. As a Knight, granted, society dictates that Lancelot would be loathed to not marry a noble. But that doesn't mean that he should. I truly believe that if Guinevere makes him happy then that is all that matters. He should-...he should damn the consequences." He raised his eyes slowly and slyly to meet Morgana's and he saw something that took his breath away.

The pride that was painting itself across her face was unlike anything he could ever hope to see from her. She was smiling so much that she had to lower her gaze in an attempt to veil it. She knew just how difficult it was for Arthur to stand up for his father and here he was, doing it. And for her servant. But he knew as well as she that Guinevere was so much more than just a servant. Thank you, she mouthed.

He answered it by giving her a small wink but then his attention was quickly drawn back to his father.

"How dare you question my judgement," he growled, stepping towards him.

"If I am to be King, father, I have to know when to speak up," Arthur argued back.

Uther looked at his son in complete shock, his lips parted but no words escaping them.

"He's right," Morgana said from behind them, stepping forward in an attempt to offer Arthur some support. "It is none of our business. Not even yours, Uther Pendragon."

Distracting his anger from Arthur, Uther rounded on Morgana. "How dare you speak to me this way!" he shouted, stepping closer and closer to her.

She took in a breath, but glared defiantly up at him. "When you stop acting like a tyrant, then perhaps we will not question you. When you show that you have a heart, then we will respect you. But I think your heart is long gone, Uther. There's nothing left but stone."

An aura began to settle over the room, sending shivers down everyone's spines as the sorceress and the King glared at one another, Uther's veins pumping with anger and Morgana's the same. And then something happened that took everyone off guard; Uther grabbed his ward by the throat and pushed her against the wall, illiciting a gasp from everyone present.

Arthur watched on, his jaw and fists clenched and eyes burning with inexplicable rage. Nobody touched Morgana; not even his father. But he knew he could not do anything; no matter how much it hurt to watch her be treated that way.

"You will learn to treat me with some respect, Morgana. Or I'll have you restrained," he spat before with a rough push, he threw her to the side. "Get out of my sight."

Gasping for breath, Morgana gripped at her throat, tears already burning in her eyes. She felt a comforting warm hand on her back as she stood and looked into the warm eyes of Arthur but she pushed him away. Slowly, menacingly, she turned to face her guardian; eyes swimming with tears but also riddled with hate. "Go to hell, Uther Pendragon," she hissed as she swiftly turned and walked from the room.

"Leave us," Uther said, waving a hand. "You are both banished forthwith from Camelot."

"Father, you canno-"

"My word is final, Arthur," Uther said, turning on his son as he watched Guinevere and Lancelot be dragged away. "I've never been more ashamed. How could you embarass me as such?"

"I was fighting for what I thought to be right, Father," Arthur snapped, his anger finally filtering through. He was still so-...angry at how Uther had treated Morgana. "You did not need to treat Morgana that way."

"She was fighting against me. What else could I do?" Uther asked with a shrug as he sat down.

"You didn't need to hurt her," Arthur growled, his chin quivering with anger. "All she did was say what everybody else in the Kingdom thinks!" His temper had escalated until he was now shouting at him.

"Arthu-

"No!" Arthur roared, slamming his hands down on the table. "Morgana was right. You're a tyrant. You're nothing but a hypocrite. You speak of duty and of fighting for justice. But you do not know justice, Father! Nor do you know mercy. And Morgana-...she knows what's right. And I know that as well. And yet you-...you can sit there and still claim to be a just King?" He lifted his hands from the table so that they were clenched at his side. "I'm to attend Morgana. God knows she'll be shaken," he whispered before swiftly turning on his heel to leave the King to mull over his thoughts.