"No, you may not come in," Morgana said crossly as she turned her back to the door.
"It wasn't really a question, Morgana. If you remember correctly I can enter your room at any moment."
"If you could just remember your manners, you would realize how rude that would be, even for someone who claims to be the king."
The door burst open, causing Morgana to jump slightly. She turned to see Uther. But instead of wearing a scowl, he appeared surprisingly calm.
"How dare you…" Morgana began.
"Wait," Uther interrupted. "I realize you're angry, but please, listen to me."
"Why should I?"
Uther gripped the back of a chair, his patience waning. "I'm sorry, Morgana."
He had Morgana's full attention now. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You….sorry?"
"Yes, I realize how difficult this must be for you. Having your maidservant questioned and then Arthur's servant, both who were once believed to be loyal subjects."
"They still are!" she exclaimed.
"Wait…wait. As I said, I understand how hard this must be for you, especially since this week is the anniversary of your…father's death. Gorlois."
Morgana attempted to hide any emotion as she processed Uther's words. How could she have forgotten that this was the week of her father's passing? She had been so preoccupied with everything else that it had completely slipped her mind. She felt even worse now. "It does bring me great pain," Morgana said slowly, calculating her next words. "I miss him more each day."
Uther nodded. "Yes, I know you do. Forgive me, Morgana. I know I acted harshly."
Morgana's gaze drifted to the courtyard. The window was open, letting a breeze waft through. "I always visit his grave ever year…to remember him."
"Morgana…what if I were to tell you…" Uther said suddenly, a strange look in his eyes.
"Tell me what?" Morgana prodded.
"What if I were to tell you…" Uther trailed off again, looking extremely uncomfortable as he loosened his collar.
"Have you pardoned Merlin?" she asked excitedly.
Uther hesitated. "Well…no."
Her face fell. "Hasn't Arthur found something to bring to you as proof?"
"Arthur won't find anything, Morgana," Uther sighed.
"What are you saying? That it's hopeless? I told you before that I won't let you execute Merlin, Uther Pendragon, and I meant it. It doesn't matter how many time you tell me you're sorry, I'll never forgive you if you execute him."
"Morgana, practicing sorcery is against the law! I've already allowed Arthur an unnecessary amount of time to bring forward any evidence, and so far he has found nothing. What more do you want from me?"
"I want you to stop persecuting those with magic," Morgana pleaded as she came closer.
"That's impossible…they're evil…."
A pained look crossed Morgana's face. "My father, Gorlois, would understand. He would never execute innocent people just for the sake of his foolish pride. He was a decent, noble man."
"I don't need you tell me what he would have done," Uther said, the anger creeping back into his voice. "Gorlois supported me in my fight against magic just as you should."
"He challenged you, just as I challenge you…you told me so much yourself."
"Stop pretending you are so much like that man when you're not," Uther said spitefully.
Morgana stepped back, her face white. "What do you mean by that?" she asked in a wounded tone. "My father meant everything to me…I idolized him."
Uther blinked and shook his head. "I'm sorry…I…forgive me."
An awkward lull settled between them, as neither one could attempt more conversation.
Uther cleared his throat. "Morgana, perhaps you should visit his grave."
"What? I'm under lock-and-key if you remember correctly."
"I'm aware of that, but you shouldn't be denied the request of visiting your father's grave on the anniversary of his death. Who am I to separate the two of you?" Uther said, an odd expression on his face.
"I don't know what to say…it would give me time to clear my head with this trial…" Morgana said, feeling hopeful at last.
"Then it's settled. You'll leave mid-afternoon. You may stay as long as you wish. I'll have the knights escort you." Uther turned to leave.
"Uther…"
He turned. If Morgana wasn't mistaken, he looked hurt…but his expression remained stern. She couldn't explain it, but she had the feeling he had wanted to say something else to her. Something he couldn't bring himself to say.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
His features softened slightly as he nodded and swiftly left her chambers.
As Morgana prepared herself for the journey, she realized she had forgotten to ask Uther about Gwen. She still hadn't heard any news from Arthur, which was beginning to worry her. It was already mid-day…he didn't have much time left. She clasped her green cloak around her neck and checked her appearance in the mirror. She noted the dark circles under her eyes. When was the last time she had gotten a decent night's sleep? She couldn't even remember.
It was so strange traveling without Gwen. She missed her companionship. Gwen always knew exactly what to say to cheer her up. As she finished her final preparations, she walked over to her door and knocked lightly on it to alert Sir Leon. She had found out earlier that the knight would be escorting her, as well as a few other men.
"I am ready, Leon," she said.
Leon met her at the door, his expression grave. "Very well, my lady."
"Have you heard from Arthur?"
Leon hesitated before answering. "I…no, I have not."
"Where is he? May I speak with him before we leave?"
"I do not know where he is, my lady. I'm sorry."
"Oh…" Morgana said, disappointed.
"We should go now, my lady, so we can make it back before it grows dark."
"Yes, yes…of course."
Once they were in the courtyard, Morgana's attention was immediately riveted on the pile of wood that had been prepared the day before. She shivered at the thought of Merlin standing on it, engulfed in flames.
She wouldn't let that happen. Once she returned, she would break him out of prison herself if Arthur still hadn't found anything. Surely Arthur would help her, wouldn't he? She knew how much he cared for Merlin. They were like brothers.
Morgana found herself missing Gwen more than ever as she and the knights traveled in silence. After an hour passed with no conversation, Morgana nudged her horse closer to Leon, who had remained graver than usual.
"Have you seen Merlin since he was imprisoned?" she asked quietly.
Startled, Leon turned sharply to her. "Um, no. I have not."
"And you didn't see Arthur at all earlier?"
"I passed him a few times. He seemed very preoccupied."
"I hope he finds something…and soon," Morgana murmured.
"Yes," was all Leon replied.
"You're worried about him, I'm sure," Morgana said, thinking that could be the only explanation for Leon's terse remarks.
Leon cleared his throat, his expression troubled. He quickly changed the subject. "Your father's grave is right over that hill, my lady. We're almost there."
"Leon, what's wrong?" Morgana would have stopped her horse right there if she could have, but the other knights were behind them, and she didn't want them to overhear anything.
"I don't know what you mean, my lady."
"Yes, you do. You're not telling me something."
Leon was quiet for several more minutes. Morgana thought he was just ignoring her, until he suddenly ordered for them all to halt. "We'll stop here for a moment. The Lady Morgana needs to rest briefly. Give the horses some water and then we'll be on our way. We haven't far to go."
Morgana dismounted Stargazer, glancing at Leon curiously. "I didn't say I needed to rest."
Leon hushed her and nudged her out of earshot from the others. "I needed to speak to you," he whispered hoarsely.
Morgana instantly worried when she saw the fear in Leon's eyes. She grabbed his arm. "What's wrong? Tell me!"
"Shhh," he hissed, shaking her off. "Don't be so obvious. Merlin's in grave danger."
"Of course he is, but we're going to find a way to save him…"
"No, it's more than that. I overheard some of the other knights talking before we left."
"And?"
Leon licked his dry lips and continued. "Uther is going to execute Merlin tonight, while you're visiting your father's grave."
Morgana paled. Suddenly, her world had utterly spun out of control. She clutched her stomach as Leon steadied her.
"No…" she murmured.
"I'm sorry to say that it's the truth. He didn't want you to interfere."
"He wouldn't be so cruel…he can't be," Morgana said, closing her eyes.
Leon shuffled his feet nervously. "I shouldn't have said anything to you, but it's not right. None of this is."
"No, I'm glad you told me. Thank you," she said gratefully. "Leon, I have to go back."
"Let me go with you."
"No...no," she said as she glanced over at the other knights. "I don't want you to get into trouble because of me. Let me make a run for it while they're not looking. Tell them I went into the woods to relieve myself, but I never returned. Please, Leon. It's my only chance."
Leon nodded. "Very well. Do you know your way back?"
"Yes. Believe me, I know these woods very well."
"Alright, but be careful."
"Thank you, Leon. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you told me," Morgana said before making a run for it.
"What will you do…once you reach Camelot?" Leon asked.
"I'm going to save Merlin, of course," Morgana responded before she sprinted off into the woods. "And kill Uther…" she added in an undertone.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter. Did anyone expect Uther to do that? As you probably all could guess, Uther was about to tell her he was her father, but I really didn't want to have a "Star Wars" type revelation. Ya know..."Morgana, I am you father..." type of thing. I think Uther was a very proud man, and it was extremely difficult for him to reveal this to her. And of course, Morgana only made it worse when she began to talk about Gorlois. I was originally going to post a different chapter before this one, but I changed my mind...and I'll tell you more about that later after I post a certain chapter. Hope you all enjoy...and have a lovely Easter weekend! :)