Making her way to the prince's chambers the blonde strutted through the castle halls a small smirk on her face; she had just finished her lessons with High Priestess Nimueh and Prince Merlin having received high praise from her teacher. Now normally after her morning lesson she would head over to her mother's chambers where the Ladies of the Gorlois household would partake in some early mid-afternoon tea and biscuits before lunch, however right after her lesson the prince had pulled her aside and asked her to stop by his chambers.
While she would be sure to mock his skill and offer her assistance to him she doubted that was the reason he asked her to meet him. She did, though, have a feeling that it had to do with her sister. As the Lady Morgana was acting rather odd when the elder Gorlois sister joined her for breakfast that morning.
She raised her fist and knocked once before taking a step back and waiting for the door to open.
The door opened to reveal a man, or rather boy to the Lady Morgause. He had a mess of dark hair, was wearing a light grey tunic under a dark brown vest and a well-used brown leather jacket. He wore a cheeky smile on his face as he bowed his head to her slightly and opened the door further for her to enter.
"Merlin, the blonde witchy is here."
Morgause rolled her eyes shoving her shoulder into the servant's as she moved to the table where the prince was quickly rising.
"Hello Morgause, feel free to ignore Will. Goddess knows I do," Merlin answered signaling for her to sit down.
Morgause sat her eyes following Will who made his way towards the prince's bed, took a seat, and continued polishing his master's armor. She grimaced, "Should he really be here for this?"
Merlin tilted his head to the side in thought, "I trust Will, but if you'd like I could… Will- "
The servant rose dropping the breastplate onto the bed and the rag onto the floor, "Take the rest of the day off. Thanks Mer."
Merlin rolled his eyes, "Don't even think about it. You can take my armor to the armory and finish polishing it there. You should sharpen my swords as well then head to the dining hall to serve me lunch."
"I like my plan better," Will mumbled scooping the armor back into his arms and heading out through the servant's corridor. Alright, I know when I'm not wanted."
"Sorry about him. Thank you, for coming."
"What do you want Merlin? Did something happen with Morgana?"
Merlin sucked in his lower lip, "Well umm… Morgana is fine she is doing really well you don't have to worry about her, we've come up with a plan to schedule more magic sessions together without anyone having any suspicions to what we're doing. You might have to chaperone once or twice but that's not why I asked you to come. I'm sure Morgana can explain the details to you on that."
"Alright?"
"Last night Morgana and I were practicing by the shore and we saw someone. We don't know who, but - "
"Did they see you?"
"No. At least we don't think so, but they we're sneaking off the Isle – "
"Impossible, no one can leave the Isle," the blonde interrupted.
"Well then, Morgana and I were witness to the same mirage because we saw someone leave. They could be up to no good, well they most certainly are up to no good and if any of the main landers find out it could put the security of the Isle at risk. Especially if Camelot decides to retaliate for not sticking to the terms of our agreement."
Morgause nodded in approval she was one of the few who remembered the early days before the treaty. The suspicion and violence that would stir at the mere mention of magic. Lord Balinor and her father managed to come to an agreement with King Uther Pendragon and Queen Ygraine to find another way. A way that lead to all magic folk choosing between being banished or staying to face persecution. It was sure to be the genocide of thousands of her kind. Luckily Lord Balinor and the rest of the dragon lords decided to take it upon themselves to find and provide a sanctuary for all magic users. She had been so lost wondering why she had to leave her childhood home in Titangel she was only ten years old and she would be leaving so much behind. At least she still had her mother and father. Of course Morgana would come a few months later but at that age she was more interested in other things than noticing how her mother had gotten rounder around the belly and breasts and her spells of morning sickness.
"Did you tell King Balinor?"
Merlin shook his head, "We had no reason to be out by the beach front alone. And even if I did manage to tell him I don't know who it was who left."
"Okay. Then why bother telling me."
The prince sighed, "I want you to help me with finding out who the person is. We can go down to the beach tonight and see if anyone tries to sneak to the mainland again."
"Why me?"
"They could be dangerous, and I know you can handle yourself and have my back. You will have my back right?"
Morgause pauses in contemplation tilting her head to the side, "I don't know, my prince, will I?"
Merlin rolls his eyes, "Morgause I am serious."
"Alright. Yes, Merlin I'll protect you."
Merlin smiles and nods, "Thank you. You know I would protect you too, right?"
Morgause nods, "When do we do this? And How?"
The Lady Vivienne may seem aloof on most days living a comfortable life in the Isle's castle as one of Queen Hunith's friends and confidants, but she had more skeletons in her closet that she hoped her daughters would never find. Her husband trusted her explicitly and while he knows all of her secrets, that does not mean he doesn't resent her for more than half of them. Their marriage one of love and friendship was not a simple one and her indiscretions had definitely put multiple strains in it. She has done her best to make amends and while Lord Gorlois forgives her, she knows that at times he becomes skeptical of her and requests for her to avoid being alone with any man, the king included. Not that any could ever turn her head… not anymore at least.
"Vivienne!"
The lady turned smiling brightly at seeing her friend and quickly curtsied.
"My queen." She spoke softly.
"Oh Vivienne, please don't start with that nonsense. How are you? I was hoping to catch you."
"Oh? I am well, thank you" The lady Vivienne asked as she continued walking alongside Hunith in the direction of her chambers.
Hunith smiled moving to take her arm, "It has been a while. I know you are in a hurry, but would it be alright if I could join you for tea?"
"That would be wonderful, we could get together tomorrow-"
"I was hoping we could get some now and I could join you and your daughters."
Vivienne paused, Hunith knew how important her alone time was with her daughters, just as much Vivienne knew that Hunith valued spending time with Merlin.
"I well I-" She paused, there wasn't anything wrong with Hunith joining them, but she knew Morgause and Morgana both liked discussing certain more inappropriate forms of gossip that she never quite felt comfortable talking about with the queen. Not to mention the last time a non family member joined them, Lady Percival couldn't quite take no for an answer, well it didn't quite go well with any of them.
"I don't want to intrude, I know how important your time with your daughters are." Hunith spoke as if reading her thoughts. "I was hoping I could talk with your daughter about Merlin. I thought she might feel more comfortable with you around. I also do miss spending time with you as well."
Vivienne paused at that. Why would Hunith need to talk to her daughters about Prince Merlin. Deciding the curiosity was far too much for her and she did need a bit of variety in her life to deal with the ever ending droll of being trapped on the Isle she decided to agree.
Morgana had just finished overseeing as the servants set the the table and turned to look at the door. She had let herself into her mother's chambers to wait for her or Morgause to show. She started feeling as if maybe they forgot they were supposed to have tea together and was contemplating going out looking for them when the door started opening.
"It's about time! I have been waiting almost half an hour, you are both la-" Morgana trailed off closing her mouth in embarrassment as she saw that her mother was not walking in with her sister, but Queen Hunith. She curtsied quickly muttering an apology.
Hunith chuckled slightly, "I believe I owe you an apology, I held her up a bit. I hope you don't mind if I join the two of you for tea."
Morgana shared a look with her mother quickly before nodding and motioning for the servants to set an additional plate and cup at the table.
"It is so good to see you Morgana, you look lovely."
"Thank you." The seer blushed at being complimented by the queen as they all moved to sit. "Have you seen Morgause, mum?"
"I have not. She must have forgotten and must still be training with Nimue." Vivienne spoke as she unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap.
The servants moved swiftly and quietly pouring the tea and bringing out pastries for the three to choose from.
"I apologize, for Morgause's absence she should be here soon, Hunith I am sure she will be quite pleased to see you."
"Oh I am sure. How is she doing, not with her training, I've heard about that from both Nim and Merlin.
"She is well. I am setting up an outing with her and Sorcerer Alvarr."
Morgana refrained from gagging. She had fallen for Alvarr a few years back, he was nothing but a spoilt womanizing pig and she knew her sister thought the same. Especially since he tried to woo Morgana while he was courting another.
"That is an interesting match. Although, if I may. I would think Lord Cenred might be a better fit for her. He doesn't have magic, but he is very fascinated by it. He is also much more noble and befitting of someone like Morgause."
Vivienne nodded, "Yes. I thought so too, but unfortunately, the Lady Isolde already got her hooks in him. She set him up with her daughter the younger Isolde, and is pushing for an engagement soon."
Morgana and Hunith both tisked at that knowing how persistent Lady Isolde could be, before smiling at the other.
Morgana also agreed with that assessment as she knew that Morgause would steal glances at Lord Cenred at banquets and when they toured the training grounds where the knights practiced.
"What about you Morgana?"
Morgana looked up from her cup in question.
"Hunith is asking if you have any prospects, dear."
A certain dark haired, blue eye prince popped into her mind and she just refrained from blushing, "None at the moment." She lied softly moving to get a pastry and bite into it.
Hunith nodded, "Merlin's the same. I fear he is more interested in dragons and magic than the fairer sex."
Vivienne laughed at that, "Well as much as he is your son, he is also his father's. Balinor was the same way when he was Merlin's age."
"Merlin is a good man and he will be a great king when the time comes, but with all his duties and destiny's I fear if he doesn't find a good woman soon he will be alone."
Morgana bit her tongue, she felt as if she were intruding, being privy to such information about her friend, "I am sure Merlin could have whichever women he wished."
Hunith pressed her lips before speaking, "How has Merlin been during training? I know his first day was only yesterday, but he was singing your praises at dinner yesterday."
Vivienne tried to refrain from looking surprised, thinking that surely the queen must be confusing her daughters.
Morgana almost burned herself as she gulped down her tea, "The prince is a quick study. His footwork and stance needs a bit of work, but I am confident he will improve before we know it."
"You've been to the training grounds Morgana?"
Morgana turned to her mother nodding, "Merlin asked me to help him with sword fighting."
"That's news, I hope you're being careful. You know how much I worry." Vivienne gave her an inquisitive look that said she will be telling her everything about her time with the prince later.
"Don't worry mother. Merlin and I are starting slow-" She paused at her phrasing noticing how her mother and merlin's eyes narrowed, "I mean to say we are starting training from the beginning. I took him to practice moves on the training dummy. Like how father showed me."
"Merlin is very grateful for your help. He is quite fond of your friendship." Hunith teased sharing a glance at Vivienne watching as her friend was putting things together.
Morgause was about to barge into her mother's chambers unannounced when she heard her sister talking to Queen Hunith. She knocked briskly and made sure her clothing was not out of place. She would have changed into a dress if she knew they'd have company instead of staying in her trousers and long sleeves that she wore for training.
A servant opened the door and announced her presence and hello's were exchanged.
"I apologize for my tardiness, mother."
"It is alright." She motioned to Hunith, "Hunith was just telling us how much the prince values Morgana. I mean Morgana's friendship." She smirked teasingly causing both Hunith and Morgause to laugh. Morgause caught on quickly and watched as her sister started squirming.
"Oh well, I know Morgana values Merlin just as much." Morgause started ignoring her sister's glare, "Speaking of the prince. He let me know of your training session yesterday on our way back to the palace from class. He was very impressed by your teachings."
Morgana narrowed her eyes further trying not to squeak in surprise as Morgause spoke to her telepathically to tell her that she wanted to see her practice the spell soon, but refraining from revealing the mission her and Merlin were planning.
Morgana nodded slightly repeating what she told her mother and Hunith about Merlin being a quick study.
Hunith and shared a glance with Vivienne before motioning towards the balcony. She nodded before dismissing themselves for some air and letting the sisters talk.
"So Merlin told you about the stranger."
Morgause nodded, proceeding to tell Morgana all about what happened and listening to her sister catch her up on the queen's presence and what was discussed before she got there.
Lady Vivienne tried to stop herself from asking the queen to confirm her suspicions, waiting for her to speak instead.
Hunith in turn was buying her time. She could tell that Morgana and Merlin cared for one another, but she didn't know if their bond was enough. She wanted to find Merlin a good match, and while she knew Balinor preferred for Merlin to find someone with magic she just wanted someone who could make her son happy. Morgana and Merlin have known each other practically since Merlin was born, but only became friends once he started training with Morgause and Nimue. Merlin would have been eight, Morgana, ten, and Morgause had just turned twenty.
Ahem.
Hunith looked up as Lady Vivienne finished clearing her throat, not so subtly.
"If you and Gorlois are in agreement, I think it would be beneficial for Merlin to test the waters with Morgana, if you will."
"When you say test the waters? An engagement or?"
Hunith shook her head, putting her words together in a neutral non-critical manner, not wanting to offend her friend, "A courting. Merlin is quite adamant about choosing his own bride, but he will listen to me regarding seeing Morgana as a potential candidate… That is of course if she does not oppose."
"She wouldn't." Vivienne said sharply. She softened her tone at Hunith's look of near admonishment, "They are also a lot more closer in age than him and Morgause."
The queen turned towards the two girls whispering and giggling together and couldn't help, but see a younger Vivienne in Morgana and an even older friend in Morgause. It was rather silly, but from a distance the blonde and ebony haired ladies made her reminisce of times past. She wasn't even friends with Vivienne then the two only becoming friends when they were banished to the Isle, but she did use to admire her so. Hunith was only queen by marriage, everyone knew that, but before she wed she and her brother used to be second cousins to a baron. Not exactly something to brag about as they were barely even considered noble, and they certainly lived more humbly than possibly everyone else in her castle.
"She looks so much like-" Hunith trailed off not wanting to rub salt on a wound.
Vivienne smiled sadly, "It's alright. I see it too. I heard she had a blonde haired baby two years after we moved to the Isle. If things were different perhaps the girls, Merlin, and he would all be friends."
Hunith nodded, "In another life perhaps they are."
Lady Gorlois looked away, she knew Morgause looked more like her husband and she knew and was grateful that Morgana had come out with her features rather than her father's. Yet the blonde hair was almost, hmm perhaps if it was a shade or two lighter, similar to the De Bois family.
"Perhaps its time to head in? A second round of tea and much lighter conversation?"
Hunith nodded eager to stay a while longer than return to her chambers just yet.
For the rest of the morning-early afternoon the four ladies gossiped and laughed. The Gorlois women holding a bit back with their jokes and teasing, not that Hunith minded. She set out making a brash joke about dragons that set them at ease before the third round of tea came round and then Vivienne had the bright idea to switch to wine and Hunith was quick to agree leaving all sense of decorum and politeness to the wind. Oh Balinor would definitely scold her later during lunch and she was sure it certainly wouldn't set a good example to Merlin, but here she wasn't a queen, she almost felt as she was just another women with no manacles attached or people looking to her. She felt as if she were riding bareback on a dragon.