Thank you very much for reading. Hope you'll enjoy the new chapter.
The link to the dress Morgana is wearing in this chapter is on my profile under white dress cape sleeves. I have still not worked out how to get the links in my profile to work. If you are interested the best way to see the link it to read this story on AO3. I have the same username on there.
The table that now stood in the centre of the great hall had been a long time in the making. The round table of Camelot. When it became clear that no tree could be found that was large enough to make the table to the size that Arthur envisioned, the idea of making it from stone had been briefly discussed. While it was the more practical choice, the original table that inspired Arthur had been made from stone after all, It would last longer, but for some reason he couldn't explain he felt sure that the table had to be made from wood. It was not until he stood behind his seat looking at the knights, his queen, advisor and court physician that he understood why he had felt so sure.
In the end the choice was made to not make the table just from one tree but from many different trees. Trees that where cut down and transported to the city form all over the kingdom. All of the carpenters in the city and many form nearby villages worked on the round table of Camelot, each making a part that was latter pieced together, made whole. In the bright sunlight of early summer that poured into the great hall from the high windows, the many distinct shades and texture of the different woods were proudly emphasized. The pale ash and the deep birch mixed with the rich hawthorn that paired well with the smooth maple and coarse elm to create a truly one of a kind and impressive piece not just of furniture but a symbol for the ideals of a kingdom. The hope of a united kingdom.
Around the outer edge of the already imposing table was a ring made of rowan wood from the trees that marked the edge of the training grounds. A outer ring that was added very hastily at the last minute when it became that the table would not be able to accommodate everyone that Arthur believed should have a seat around it. That was why he realised the table had to be made of wood. So that there could be room for more. So that it could grow.
No one knew when exactly Morgana would arrive. It could be a few hours or into the evening. So it was best to begin the discussion right away. Arthur could fill his sister in on what had been discussed later. As he and Lancelot did their best to explain the current situation the king could see the look of worry and fear, that they did their best to hold back clearly in their eyes as they took it all in. He was about to ask for anyone's input when a cloud of smoke burst into life on his right hand side.
Everyone jumped back as best as they could. Trying to get as far away as they could from the noise and the smoke.
As the smoke began to clear two figures stood in the spot it had come to life in.
Leon whos seat had been closest to the blast, drew his sword and bravely stood his ground as he pointed the blade out before him.
"Did you get over excited or are you really pointing that sword at me with lethal intent."
A cool voice that was very familiar said as the smoke cleared and they where revealed. The tip of the brave knights blade remained inches for the witches throat. She wore a smug smile and a flowing white dress with long cape sleeves. Clearly not feeling at all threated by the sharp blade so close to her skin. Looking passed Leon to Arthur, Morgana dropped her smile.
"Is this any way to welcome a visiting queen." She asked the king ignoring the knight and blade.
Arthur gave her a look of irritation that he couldn't agree her point fully. "I don't think you can call it visiting."
"No, saving you more like." She teased, then seemed to finally acknowledge Leon and the sword that he continued to aim towards her. "Have you truly lost your mind."
"Leon." Arthur said in a firm tone.
What no one around the table knew was that Leon had been trying to lower his sword since he recognised Morgana and had been so far unable to do so. As all eyes turned to him the strain on his face as he tried and failed to lower or pull back the blade became clear.
"Honestly Arthur this is not how you treat a sister that has come to your aid." Her voice rose as she spoke.
"Leon lowered your sword." Arthur demanded.
The knight's clenched his mouth shut as he tried again to move his arm in any way and still could not. "I can't." He bite out.
Growing tiered of the stalemate they seemed to be in Arthur and Gwaine the two closest to the situation moved quickly forward and took hold of the arm holding the sword and tried to pull it down or at least pull the weapon from Leon's grip. Having no luck in the task either Arthur turned to Morgana who could now no longer hold back the smile that was trying to spread wide across her face.
"Morgana." He said with the same firm tone he had used on Leon.
"Morgan le fay." Corrected Luke as he now stepped forward.
Everyone now turned their attention to the new person that no one around the table knew. It took Mordred a moment to remember his name. Merlin did his best to not show that he recognised Luke at all.
"Queen Morgan Le fay." Luke choose to be more accurate.
Arthur gave him a look that told the older man, by exactly how many years he had no idea, that he didn't care what title she may have. To him she was and always would be Morgana. The girl that had encouraged him when they were children to be his most troublesome. His sister. Like he knew she would always view him as her brother as the child she grew up with. King or not. Turning to Morgana again he asked without words to stop doing what she was doing.
Morgana finally turned to Leon. The seething anger clear on his face. "I don't know what you are talking about. I'm the one with a sword at my throat." She said in the best hurt tone she could manage while not letting out a laugh.
Looking over Leon's shoulder she caught Mordred's eye from across the table. Being used to magic he did not seem concerned, a little uneasy as the others did. There was the smallest hint of humour but he seemed to be asking her to do the same as Arthur was. She couldn't deny him. Her guilt wouldn't let her. Not when she was sure that she was going to keep something so important from him. Closing her eyes for the briefest second, so no one would see them flash gold she released Leon's arm. Which dropped sharply under the weight of holding the sword for so long. The crashing echoed around the great hall.
She has been in such a hurry to leave that she didn't have the chance to speak with Kara. Even if she had had the time she doubted that she would have told her the little she knew of what was going on in Camelot. It would only make her worry and there was no guaranty that there was anything to really worry about. It was clear to Morgana that the young women was conflicted about her situation. Not unsure about what she wanted, but what she was prepared to compromise to have it. Mordred she was sure was dealing with the same conflicted. It was not her place to advice them, it was a choice they had to make for themselves. Whatever they choose she would support them as best she could. But it was not for her to tell Mordred where Kara was. Especially not when she had not spoken to Kara about if she wanted Mordred to know or not. For now she would keep quit and focus on the matter at hand and try and live with the guilt of keeping something so important from Mordred.
With the altercation dealt with everyone began to return to their seats. Arthur sat in a seat the exact same as everyone else. A simple design, low back and no arms , made of strong dark hawthorn wood. The kings seat faced the main door to the hall. Gwen sat on his left and Merlin on his right. Gaius was next to him, then Lancelot and the other knights fallowed. Next to Gwen was an empty chair that separated her and Leon. Morgana didn't notice the empty seat at first she was focusing on the table its self. She had seen some plans for it and knew the idea that had been chosen to make it a reality, but she never imagined that it would be as large as it was. That was what through her off on she arrival. She and Luke had planned to appear towards the back of the hall, which she thought would give them the most space to arrive safely. The size of the round table lead her to miss out of appearing on top of it by a few feet.
Without her noticing Luke moved in front of her. Having caught Arthurs eye he understood that the empty seat was meant for Morgana. It was the only seat that remained pulled under the table. It took Morgana a second to catch on and another second to move forward and take the seat that had been left for her, that Luke was pulling out for her. Once she was sitting he took a step back and silently stood in place. Ready to listen to the discussion that was about to happen. Luke was a man of very few words, but he was a very keen listener. Morgana was beginning to suspect that he heard everything that was said in all of Avalon. She secretly wondered if there was a magical reason behind this skill.
Once Morgana was seated and Gwen had greeted her by taking her hand and giving it a squeeze as they shared a smile. Arthur began from the start. Explaining what they knew for sure, which was not much. What they could make a fair guess about, which was something at least to begin with and what they didn't know at all. This was the largest category.
"What do you wish Avalon to do exactly." Morgana asked.
Arthur was a little surprised by how cold she sounded. "Aid Camelot in defending-"
"Its self." Morgana cut in.
The other queen next to her answered quickly. "It is not as simple as that. If Camelot was to fall, be over run then what would happen to the druids that live here."
"True." Morgana admitted. "You are still expecting a group of people to fight and some die to protect those that have persecuted them."
Arthur let out a sigh and lowered his head as Gwen sat back in her seat. A heavy silence fell over the hall. Until a surprising new voice spoke up.
"With all due respect your highnesses." Eylan said his voice a like hesitant at first as he addressed his king and queen as well as the other queen around the table. "The druids have no reason to come to our aid, but if they did. When no one expected them to. It would go along way to changing the way people view magic."
"You are right." Morgana agreed meeting the slightly shacking knight.
She knew how much courage it most have taken for such a young knight to speak up the way he had. He also made a very good point, that she was very aware off. In then end though it was not as simple as the idealistic knight believed it to be. Like his sister Eylan wanted to see the best in people and to give people the chance to make the right choice. If only the world worked more like that.
"There is no guarantee that people will think any differently of magic. Uther used magic when it benefited him and still burned and hung us. The fact is still that You are asking people that have been shunned for their gifts to use those gifts to come to your aid."
"There is no guarantee of anything." Arthur spoke up before Morgana could say more. "I know what it is I am asking of you-"
"Clearly your don't." Morgana took her eyes from Arthur to look across the table to Mordred. "I do not rule over the druids. They answer to no one. I can not tell them to do anything."
A few eyes too know turned to Mordred asking him to confirm what Morgana had just said. The young knight sunk into himself as he felt the attention of the great hall fall on him. Yet he still gave a slight nod. "Yes, the druids have no great ruler that they answer to." He felt the energy deflate a little before he carried on. "But we can still ask them. Let them make the choice for themselves."
It was hard for Mordred to read accurately the expression on Morgana's face. There was definitely pride mixed in with irritation and a deep sadness. Pride that he felt comfortable, safe here that he could speak his mind so openly. Irritation that he was making a point that countered hers. Sadness he didn't understand at first. More accurately he didn't want too, because it would add to his own sadness. He did not want to drag the druids, his people into a fight that mostly likely would cast some of them their life, when he didn't have to. He agreed with Morgana that the very idea of it felt morally wrong. That most of the people around the table saw no problem with asking a peaceful people to fight for them, as Morgana said use their gifts that had been shunned to save them, was deeply troubling. He knew deep down this feeling for the vast majority was was not out of any maliciousness or cruelty. It was just the plan that made the most sense. That offered the best chance of defending Camelot and all of its people, the druids included. Like Gwen and Eylan he could also see that some greater, far reaching good may come for the joining of forces. It was a very optimistic hope, but there was a chance that working together could open the minds and soften the hearts of those that feared magic. That had to be worth aiming for.
"You would ask them to fight and die for those that killed their kin." Morgana said as her eyes looked on Mordred's.
Having to steal her nerves to sound as harsh as she could. She hated acting in such a way towards Mordred, but she had to be sure that he was convinced by what he said. As much as she disliked it she could see where those around the table that spoke up where coming from. She wished it could be as simple as the seemed to think it was to undo years of pain and fear on both sides. The fact was that Mordred better than anyone around the large table knew the druids. He was one of them. If he believed that they should be asked to aid protect the land they lived on, then she would agree. She just needed to know that it was a choice that he believed in. That he was not motivated by the desire to fit in, be accepted. That did not seem to be the case, judging by the supportive look Gwaine was giving the young knight as he placed a reassuring hand on his back.
Mordred cleared his throat and met her eyes. "I would let them choose. Tell them what threat we may all face and let them decide."
A little reluctantly Morgana nodded, before she turned to Arthur. "How will Camelot repay such a generous and undeserved act. If The druids choose to come to your aid."
Before he could answer a voice on Morgana's other side spoke. "Nothing can make up for what was taken." Gwen said in a tone one that Morgana was not used to hearing from the former maid now queen. There was authority in her tone. "But we can move forward and build something better. Together." Morgana fought back the urge to roll her eyes. "It's all words I know. They don't mean anything without the actions behind them. Camelot is very likely about to be invaded. If we fall the whole kingdom, Albion fall too. The druids as well. They are not fighting for us, they would be fighting for themselves and their future."
"I can't make any guarantees, but you and they have my word that Camelot is a safe place for those with magic. For those that want to live peacefully, together." Arthur said as he kept meting his sisters eyes as she tried to turn away.
Knowing when she was beat and not having the heart to keep arguing the point, Morgana took in a deep breath before she spoke again. "I can't stop Camelot from asking the druids for aid, but it can not be You or Gwen or Merlin that ask. Your title, power would be strong arming them into agreeing." Arthur gave a nod that he would do as she asked. "It can not be myself or Mordred either. That would be playing on their loyalty and kinship." Arthur again agreed.
It was decided that Eylan and Gwaine with five other knights would make contact with the druid camps. Mordred and Morgana told tell them areas where Druids made camp and then the knights stood and made a quick exit. They would leave right away make the most of the light they had. Once the first moves had been made the next logical step was brought up. This Arthur and those closest to him felt was for Morgana to use her magic to try and see who it was on board the ships.
Just before the meeting Merlin had sought out Mordred. An idea had come to him, but he could not be the one to bring it up to Arthur, so he told it to Mordred and asked him to suggest it to Arthur. Mordred agreed that it was a good idea that had no real risk and could offer them a great advantage. Arthur once the newest knight told him about it felt the same way Mordred and Merlin did. The problem was that it depended on someone else, Morgana. She had to agree to use her magic, her seers sight. The first of her magical abilities that reveled itself. The gift that had been the most like a curse, cases her so much pain over the years. That might know be used to help find out what was happening on those ships, all those miles away.
Of course it was a logical second move, Morgana couldn't argue that. She was just not sure that she could do what was asked of her. Not even with the stone at the centre of the headdress she proudly wore now. Not without help. Even then she was not sure how it would work out. Her visions had never been helpful in the past. Then ended up causing more pain than they were worth. Nothing good had ever come from them. She believed that they were some cosmic joke, rather than a helpful warning.
"If it worked the way we wish, than it would give us a great advantage." Morgana said he head lowered slightly. "But I highly doubt it will work as we wish."
As she spoke, her head still lowered to a degree she could feel the eyes of everyone around the table on her. One set she felt stronger than the others. A set that aimed to met hers. Offering reassurance and support. Lifting her gaze just a little she met Merlin's blue eyes that silently offered her his aid in doing what was asked of her. Not quit knowing why this gave her confidence she lifted her head. She also became more aware of the set of eyes on her from behind. Luke, who also offered his queen his support and belief in her without words.
"But I will try."
Arthur met her eyes as she turned to him. He gave a warm, but subtle smile. Gwen smiled in thanks and relief too as she reached out a placed a hand on Morgana's back.
Morgana would try the next day to use her unpredictable gift of sight to get an idea what the enemy was planning. She had only been able to see visions of the future and the past, when it was linked to someone else with magic, like Merlin or Gaius. Scrying was a different thing all together. For that the magic had to be grounded, knowledge of a person that she focused on. Not knowing anyone on the ships made this impossibility.
Other tasks that had to be undertaken to prepare for the possible threat were swiftly disused and jobs assigned. Leon and Luke would work on ways the the knights and citizens that Mordred and Eylan and the majority of the other knight would gather, could combine their skills in the most effective way. Gaius, Gwen and three of the five knights without a task would gather plants and herbs as well as bandages and anything else that would be needed in the treatment of the wounded. Lancelot and Percival would return to the small cove that was the majority of Camelot's coastline and the village nearest to keep a watch on the ships. They would also warn the neighbouring kingdoms to be on watch as well. There was much else that would need to be done, but this was a start.
They were all jumping rather quickly to the conclusion that Camelot was under threat. They knew that many in the villages of the kingdom would not jump at the call to arms. They couldn't see the threat, the danger so why would they leave their homes until they had to. The neighbouring kingdoms would also do little but watch the ships, that hopefully remained out to sea. Even then they would only do so half heartedly. Until things became more clear, the danger became real they were acting alone. Yes, they were going straight to the worst case scenario, but everyone around the table knew painful well what happened when you were take by surprise. The damage that could be done, what could be lost. They wouldn't make that mistake again. Even if that meant they seemingly overacted. This time they would be ready for what may come. This time they had more to lose. The possible new future all that it promised seemed to close after so long, they could not let it slight through their fingers.
I really hope that you enjoyed this new chapter. Thank you for reading and for your ideas and input. They have been really helpful. As I'm sure you know by now I'm not very good at writing action. I hope I'm a bit better now, but if you have any advice or ideas I would love to hear them.
As always any comments, feedback or ideas are very welcome.