Fic: Death Cannot Stop True Love - Part 1
Feb. 19th, 2013 11:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
geeklover80Fic: Death Cannot Stop True Love
Artist: GeekSlave
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, Uther, Gwen, Leon, Gaius, Balinor, Will, Alvarr, Elena
Word Count: 42,147
Beta:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
alba17
Fest/Challenge:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
merlinreversebb
Summary: Witches, Evil Kings, Dragons, Arrogant Princes, Humor, Swordfighting, Wolves, Curses, True Love...What more could a fairytale need?
A Merlin take on the Once Upon A Time, Snow White/Prince Charming Story
Notes: Title taken from a partial quote from the greatest fairytale of all time, "A Princess Bride."
Inspired by lovely art byviennajones. http://pastelwoods.livejournal.com/2502.html
Special thanks to my betaalba17 for her speedy and very thorough work. If POV works at all in this story, it's because of her. Any additions and mistakes afterwards are mine.
Spoilers for Merlin especially episodes "The Last Dragonlord" and "The Changeling." Spoilers for Once Upon A Time season 1, especially episodes "7:15 AM", "Heart of Darkness", & "An Apple Red as Blood."
Thanks to those on my F-list who offerred encouragement
Arthur sat atop his horse trying not to roll his eyes as Morgana did one more trick on her horse. He had been surprised when his father informed him that Morgana would be riding with him and would be following Arthur all day. Arthur didn’t like it, but he knew better than to complain.
Ever since Morgana LeFay had moved in with Arthur and his father, Uther Pendragon, Arthur had been trying to be as nice as possible. His father had warned him to be on his best behavior with her; to treat her like a sister.
He tried to be patient and not be annoyed with Morgana; it wasn’t her fault after all. Her father had just died after all. Still, Arthur was having trouble dealing with Morgana’s attitude. She had been living with them for two weeks and had barely said two words to Arthur. Watching her ride, Arthur realized he had seen her smile since she’d arrived.
A grinning Morgana stopped her horse in front of Arthur at the stables, as he was dismounting. “I’m surprised you’re so slow.”
Arthur did a double take. “What?”
“I’d expect a young prince to be better at riding.” Morgana explained.
Arthur seethed. “I’m just beginning, but I’ve been told I’m doing very well for a beginner.”
Morgana rolled her eyes. She dismounted her horse and stroked its mane, before the stable hand took the horses away. “Of course people would tell you that.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” Morgana said, before heading inside.
Arthur just stared after her. He wondered what happened to the silent girl and hoped she’d come back. When he made his way back inside, Uther was talking to Morgana. “Arthur, I was just telling Morgana about some important rules. Can you tell her the most important rule of the castle?”
“You are never to step foot in the dungeons. It is off-limits.” Arthur explained.
“Why?”
Uther took over the explanation. “It’s dark and very dangerous down there. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt. Do you understand?”
Morgana nodded, but Arthur could sense that Morgana wasn’t satisfied with Uther’s response. He hoped she wasn’t going to start trouble.
~*~
They always followed the same routine. Other than at night, he and Morgana spent all their time together. Morgana still didn’t say much and didn’t say anything as confrontational as she had after their first horse ride together. Today though, Morgana disappeared after their ride and Uther asked Arthur to look for her. He searched the entire castle and was exhausted when he finally decided to check his room. He found Morgana playing with one of his wooden swords. “What are you doing in here?”
“I got bored and wanted to find something to do.” Morgana explained, not stopping her twirling of the sword.
Arthur walked up to her and grabbed the sword a little too roughly. “Well, why couldn’t you have found something to do in your room?”
Morgana stared at Arthur coldly. “I didn’t want to. Am I not good enough to be in Prince Arthur’s room?”
“I didn’t say that. You need to ask for permission first.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my room.”
Morgana stalked towards Arthur and got into his space in a threatening way. “You are such a spoiled little boy.”
Arthur’s mouth gaped open. He’d never wanted to hit a girl before, but he had a strong urge to now. No one had ever treated him like this. “You can’t speak to me like this.”
“Why not? I’m older. You’re supposed to do what your elders say.”
“I have to listen to adults, not ten year old brats. This is my room, not yours!”
“You like playing the little Prince don’t you? You like saying ‘my this’ and ‘my that.’ Everything is yours. Everyone does whatever you want and never says a bad word to you. At least not to your face.” Morgana said icily.
Arthur’s shock superseded his anger. “Why are you being so mean? I’ve tried being nice to you.”
“Not because you want to. Uther is making you, isn’t he?” She barely let Arthur have time to blink. “That’s what I thought. I don’t need your sympathy and I don’t want to be friends with you.”
Arthur was completely fed up now and was embarrassed to find himself near tears. He quickly stepped in front of Morgana, stopping her in her tracks. “Alright. I never wanted you here, some stupid girl getting in the way. I do feel sorry for you, as does my father. He’s only doing this because your father saved his life. He doesn’t want some stupid, weird orphan to have to pretend to like and take care of.”
Arthur was shocked when Morgana grabbed his shirt and practically growled at him. “I hate you.” Tears were brimming in her eyes when she let go of his shirt and dashed out of the room.”
Arthur walked unsteadily to his bed. He truly believed that Morgana hated him and he couldn’t understand why. He knew that he could be a brat at times, but he had been sincerely on his best behavior with her. Arthur looked up suddenly when the door to his room flew open. Uther strode in and grabbed Arthur’s arm roughly. “What in God’s name did you do to that poor child? She came to me and said you said something incredibly hurtful. She is in her room, beside herself.”
“I didn’t do anything. I found Morgana in here playing with my sword and I told her -
Uther cut him off. “She said you called her a stupid orphan?”
Arthur blanched and couldn’t deny his words. “I did. But she called me -
“I do not want to hear your excuses. I asked you to treat her like a sister and this is how you behave. You have disappointed me, Arthur.” Arthur looked down, trying to blink back his tears furiously. “Now, I want you to go to Morgana and apologize. And I promise you if I ever hear that you have spoken to her in that way again, you will not like the consequences.”
“Yes, father,” Arthur said meekly. He trudged over to Morgana’s room. She was sitting in a chair by the fireplace. She wiped her tears instantly when she spotted Arthur. “Morgana...” Arthur gritted out. “I am sorry for what I said earlier.”
Morgana surprised Arthur by standing up and walking towards him quickly. “No, Arthur, I should apologize.” Arthur shook his head in surprise. “I was acting horribly.” She turned around and slowly sat back down in her chair.
Arthur wasn’t sure what to do in that moment. Eventually, he walked slightly closer to Morgana, still wary of her. “Why did you behave that way?”
Morgana sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.” She looked up at Arthur sadly. When he made no move to leave she continued. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone you love. I’ve been trying not to think about my father, but today when we were riding, I thought of the last time we were together and I missed him terribly.”
Arthur walked over and kneeled down beside her. “I don’t know what it’s like to lose both of your parents, but my mother died giving birth to me. I never knew her, but I miss her.”
Morgana smiled at him for the first time. “Maybe you’re not as bad as I said.”
Arthur laughed. “Thank you.”
~*~
Morgana and Arthur began to behave like true siblings after that. They enjoyed playing together. Morgana had a wicked sense of humor. She would often do impressions of Uther that had Arthur in stitches. Morgana was becoming less sullen as the days wore on and seemed to be getting better.
Morgana heard stories about Uther having a horrible temper, but had never seen it until she’d been living there for two months. She heard shouting coming from the throne room. The curious girl tried to eavesdrop, but the only words she could hear were “attack”, “evil”, and, “magic.” She heard that last one several times. Uther screamed it with such furious rage it shook Morgana. As the voices came closer to the door, she ran and hid around the corner. She saw a man being dragged away in shackles.
She had heard about sorcerers and witches, even when she was living back home with her father. But she had never believed that magic existed. And if it did, she didn’t see what could be so bad about it. Why did Uther sound so enraged about it? She went to Arthur and told him about what she saw. Arthur shook his head. “If Father saw you there, you would have been in such trouble.”
Morgana shrugged. “I’m good at hiding,” she said easily, and turned the conversation back to magic. “Does magic truly exist?”
Arthur twisted his hands. “My father says that it does. Sorcerers and witches used to live here in Camelot all over. But then my father had every one of them rounded up and killed.”
Morgana shuddered. It sounded horrible. She didn’t understand why Arthur sounded so proud. “Why would he do that?”
“Because magic is evil.”
“Why?”
“Father says it’s evil.”
“But, why?” Morgana repeated.
Arthur looked lost for a moment, but then he took on the role of proud prince once more. “My father has seen the evil that magic can do. If he says that magic is evil, then I believe him and you should as well.”
Morgana turned her back on Arthur and walked to the window. “What will happen to the man I saw?”
“He’ll be killed.”
Morgana hugged her arms around herself and stroked her hands down her arms. She couldn’t stop shaking all of a sudden.
The next day, Uther made sure Gaius, the court physician and one of his advisors, took Morgana and Arthur to his home so they wouldn’t be anywhere near the execution. Arthur was able to go on as if everything was normal. But Morgana couldn’t concentrate. At one point, Morgana became petrified when she felt that she couldn’t breathe. The moment passed just as quickly as it came.
Morgana thought that her distress would go away after the execution but it only increased. She was starting to have vivid dreams. While that wasn’t highly unusual, she was finding that everything she saw in her dream was starting to come true. At first it was just small things, Morgana chalked up to coincidence. But one day she became incredibly disturbed as Arthur and Uther had a conversation that was word for word, the same as in her dreams.
She stumbled from the room and bumped into Gaius. Morgana hadn’t seen the older gentleman often, but he had always been kind to her. Gaius took one look at Morgana’s face and quirked an eyebrow at her. “What’s wrong?”
Morgan gulped. “I don’t know. I think...”
Uther came behind her just then. “Gaius. Morgana, what’s wrong?”
Morgana shook her head rapidly. “Nothing. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m sorry, Gaius.” She quickly ran off, went to her room and sagged against the door. What was happening to her? She feared the answer, but wouldn’t dare speak it or even think the word. A knock on her door startled her.
“Morgana, it’s Gaius. May I come in?”
Morgana exhaled loudly and opened the door slowly. “I told you I was fine.”
Gaius nodded. “Yes, I know. But Uther wanted me to make sure.” He scrutinised her. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
Morgana tensed and bit her lip. “I...I...can I trust you?”
Gaius walked to her and took her trembling hands in his. “Of course you can.”
Morgana inhaled sharply. “I’m really scared, Gaius. I think Uther may kill me.”
Gaius dropped her hands in shock. “Why would you ever say such a thing?”
“Gaius, I’ve been having dreams and...they’re coming true. I think I may have magic.” Morgana covered her mouth immediately after saying the last word.
Gaius’ eyes widened slightly. He took her hands again. “You don’t have magic, Morgana.”
“That’s the only thing that could explain it. I dreamed of a conversation between Uther and Arthur and it happened exactly the way it happened in my dream.”
“Was the conversation anything out of the ordinary?”
“No, but-
“Besides your dreams, have you been having trouble sleeping?” Gaius asked.
“Yes. It takes me a long time to sleep and I don’t sleep peacefully.”
“I’ve seen others with symptoms such as yours. It’s a common sleep ailment.”
Morgana scrunched up her nose, not quite trusting what Gaius was saying. “Are you sure?”
“I can give you a sleeping draught that will help you sleep and may be able to control your dreams.” Gaius offered.
Morgana hesitated, but then nodded slowly.
~*~
The draught Gaius gave her really did work. Months passed and she slept peacefully and if she had any dreams she certainly didn’t remember them. One day, she and Arthur were extremely bored and decided to play a game of hide and go seek. She decided to hide in Uther’s chambers. She was sure that even if Arthur suspected that’s where she was, that he’d never go in there without permission. She hid under Uther’s bed. After a few minutes she was startled when the door swung open and she heard Uther’s booming voice. “Why are you concerned about Morgana?” Morgana stiffened at the mention of her name. He closed the door behind himself and his companion.
“I told you that she has seemed distressed.” Gaius!
Morgana began to panic and feared that Gaius would tell, or had already told, Uther about her dreams.
“Yes, you’ve said that. But you refuse to elaborate on how you’ve come to this conclusion,” Uther said in irritation.
“I made her a promise that I wouldn’t say anything.”
“You made her a promise?” Uther’s eyes bulged and he put his hands on his hips. “She’s a child and she is my ward.”
Gaius scoffed. “She is a lot more than that.”
“You keep your voice down.” Uther hissed. “You gave me your word that you would not speak of that.”
“And I have kept my word, sire. But, we are in private, and I think it would be wise for you to tell Morgana the truth.”
“The truth?” Morgana mouthed to herself. She wondered what Gaius could be talking about.
“And what purpose would that serve? I kept the truth hidden to protect Arthur’s future place on the throne. Nothing has changed.”
Gaius bristled at that. “Of course something has changed. Morgana is now living with you. How can you see her every day and not let her know she’s your daughter?”
Morgana had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from screaming out loud. This couldn’t be true. How could she be Uther’s daughter? This had to be a mistake.
“How I feel and deal with Morgana is none of your concern. Morgana’s mother and I choose to keep Morgana’s true paternity from the world for our own reasons and none of those reasons have changed.” Uther rationalised.
“Forgive me, sire. But I simply feel it would help Morgana feel more secure if she knew she were your daughter.”
“I will treat her, and have treated, like she is my own. That will have to be enough. For Arthur’s sake, no one can know Morgana is the rightful heir. I will advise you not to bring this topic up again, Gaius. I will have no compunction about having you thrown in the dungeon if you betray my trust. You’ve already been forgiven once, Gaius, do not test me.” Uther stormed from the room. Gaius left soon after.
Morgana stayed under the bed for several minutes, motionless. Realising, she was still in Uther’s chamber she suddenly scrambled out from under the bed, wanting to get away. She walked away from the room in a daze. Uther was really her father, that thought kept bouncing around her head, not finding a place to land. It really wasn’t sinking in. How could it be? Gorlois was her father. He was the man whose face lit up whenever she walked into the room. He was the one who taught her how to ride when she was five years old, against her mother’s wishes. He was the one who would dazzle her with old war stories before she went to bed. He was the man she missed terribly. He would never have lied to her.
“They must have lied to him, too,” Morgana muttered. “How could they do that to him?!”
“Morgana?”
Morgana gasped as she looked up into Arthur’s concerned face. She realised she must have been walking this whole time and ended up in the hall just outside Arthur’s chambers.
“Morgana, are you alright?”
Morgana just stared at him. She kept hearing Uther’s words about having to protect Arthur’s future. He felt Arthur had to be protected from her. Morgana shook her head. Of course Arthur had to be protected. Everything was about Arthur. Morgana glared at him. “What...do...you...want?”
“It’s time for dinner.” He scrutinised her carefully. “You were talking to yourself. Who were you talking about?”
Morgana brushed past him. “That is none of your concern.”
Arthur rushed to catch up with her. “Morgana, you know you can talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk to you, Arthur.”
“Why? Are you mad because I didn’t finish the game? I’m sorry. I got bored and you really are very good at hiding. I couldn’t find you.” Arthur explained.
Morgana rolled her eyes. “I don’t care about some stupid game.”
Arthur stood in front of Morgana and stopped her. “Then why are you acting like this?”
“Because I don’t want to be around you or your father? Get out of my way; I’m going to my room.” Morgana tried to sidestep him, but Arthur was too fast for her.
“You can’t just go to your room. Father expects you for dinner-
“And everything must be the king’s way. No one is allowed to question the great, wise, and honest King Uther.” Morgana narrowed her eyes at Arthur. “Especially not his wonderful and perfect son.”
Arthur unconsciously backed away from her. Before he could say anything, Morgana stalked away from him making her way downstairs.
~*~
Morgana went to dinner that night and barely said anything. Every time she looked at Uther she became confused. She was sad and every time he watched Uther smile at Arthur or watched Uther laugh at something Arthur said, something twisted painfully inside her.
Months past and she became that distant, quiet girl she was when she first arrived in Camelot. She wanted to tell Arthur everything, but being around him and thinking of how Uther wanted him and not her hurt too much. Morgana hated the wounded looks Arthur would give her.
Morgana was tired of being sad all the time. She decided to try and find some way to show Uther she cared and maybe then he would claim her.
“Sire?”
Uther looked over at her, his eyes briefly flitting over her face. “Yes, Morgana?”
“I’ve been thinking about my father.” Morgana briefly paused to see what Uther’s reaction would be.
“I would imagine you think about him a great deal.” Uther responded, his expression unchanged.
“Yes.” Morgana nodded. “He always talked about you. He said you were a loyal friend and that you were a good and kind man. I’ve certainly seen that and I am so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I was trying to find a way to show you how I feel.”
Uther shook his head. “That is not necessary. I would have done anything for Gorlois, taking care of you is the least I could do. We have enjoyed welcoming you into our family.”
“I’ve enjoyed being in your family. I loved my father and I’ll always miss him, but I was hoping that perhaps I may start calling you father.”
Arthur and Uther wore similar expressions of shock. Uther was speechless for the first time since Morgana met him. He regained his senses fairly quick. “Morgana, I am very flattered that you would want to honor me in that way. I would be lucky to be your father. But I’m not your father.” Morgana couldn’t help flinching at that. “And I think it would be disrespectful to Gorlois for you to call me that.”
Morgana closed her eyes and swallowed twice before speaking. “ Alright. I understand.” She looked down, refusing to give in to the feeling of rejection. She looked up briefly and caught Arthur staring at her, his eyes full of sympathy. In that moment, she felt hate for the first time in her life, and she didn’t like it.
~*~
Next to her father’s burial, she had never experienced anything more excruciating than the last ten minutes of dinner that night. No one had any idea what to say after Uther rejected Morgana’s suggestion. They all stared at their plates. When it was finally over, Morgana made it to her room as fast as possible. She paced in front of the mirror. She couldn’t stop picturing Gorlois. She hated that he wasn’t her father and she hated that she actually cared about Uther’s rejection. She hated Uther. And even though she knew it wasn’t fair, she hated Arthur as well. Worst of all was that hate consumed her. Stopping in front of the mirror she gazed at her reflection. She quickly came to a decision. She had to get out of Camelot.
She had no idea where she could go, but anywhere had to be better than someplace she clearly wasn’t wanted. Her thoughts turned to how to make it past the guards. It wouldn’t be easy, but she knew she’d find a way.
Over the next few days after dinner she surreptitiously made her way down to the dungeons and observed the guards there. It seemed odd to Morgana that they were more concerned with guarding the door to the lower levels, than keeping an eye on the cells. They occupied themselves by playing cards, or sometimes dice, and drinking.
An idea came to her when Gaius came to deliver her sleeping draught for the night. She decided to test out her theory the next night. If all went according to plan she would be able to make her escape.
The next evening, she made it down to the dungeons and caught the attention of the guards. They were on their feet in an instant.
“Miss LeFay, what are you doing here? Didn’t the king tell you not to go near the dungeon?” the younger, scrawnier guard asked.
“Yes.” Morgana breezed past him and picked up the cards on the table. “I got bored.”
The second guard followed her and grabbed her arm. “That’s too bad. You must return upstairs.”
Morgana snatched her hand back. “No! You can’t make me.” She threw the cards in her hand down, turned and threw the other set on to the floor as well. She finished by throwing the dice far away.
“You little...,” the second guard said, leaning down to pick up the cards. The younger guard went to get the dice.
While their backs were turned, she quickly poured her sleeping draught into their cups. When the second guard got up and slammed the cards on the table, Morgana whipped up some fake tears. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ll go back upstairs. Please don’t tell the king.”
The second guard just glared at her as she dashed off. Morgana waited for half an hour before returning to find the guards slumped over the table. She went through the door near which they were stationed. It was cold and dark, and Morgana warily looked down the stairs not sure if she should go down there. She was afraid of being trapped. But her fear of staying in the castle was even greater, so she took a deep breath and slowly walked down.
It was odd. She had no idea where she was going she felt like some force was guiding her in the right direction. It was incredibly dark and spookily quiet. She stepped out onto a ledge. She inched forward and looked down into a deep chasm. There was a large rock formation in the middle of the room. She started to edge backwards when she heard booming laugh. It startled her enough, that she almost dropped the candle. “Who-who-who’s there?” She shrieked, when a large creature swooped down and sat on the large rock in front of her. “Oh, my God!”
The...dragon started to cackle again. “Young witch, I will say I am surprised to see you here.”
“You...you’re surprised?! You’re a dragon!”
“I am aware of what I am. Are you aware of what you are?”
“You...you called me a witch. Is that what I am?”
“Indeed you are. A very powerful one.”
“I don’t feel very powerful.”
“That is because those who know of your gifts are trying to keep you from fulfilling your destiny.”
“My destiny?” Morgana looked up at him with wide eyes. “What destiny?”
“Your gifts were given to you for a reason.” The dragon said in a cryptic voice.
“What reason is that?”
“You will play a very important role in the future of Camelot.”
“I don’t want to have anything to do with Camelot,” Morgana cried. “I just want to leave here. This isn’t where I belong.”
“How very wrong you are, Morgana Pendragon.”
Morgana’s eyes widened and she took a step back. “You called me Pendragon.”
The dragon nodded. “For that is what you are as well. You are the daughter of Uther Pendragon, the true and rightful heir of Camelot.”
“Uther will never acknowledge me as his daughter.” Morgana shook her head, quickly wiping away a tear. “I hate him.”
“Young witch, believe me when I say I understand what it is to despise Uther Pendragon. But you cannot let him keep you from having the future you are destined to have. Your power is great. If you allow yourself, you can do so much with it.”
“I don’t know. If I stay here, I fear something bad will happen.”
“None of us can choose our destiny, Morgana. And none of us can escape it.”
Morgana looked down and sighed. She ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do. All I have are dreams that I don’t understand half the time.”
“I can teach you how to harness your gifts.”
Morgana pursed her lips. “Why would you want to help me?”
“Because someday, Morgana Pendragon, you will do something for me.” The dragon flapped his wings mightily and started to ascend.
“Wait! You can’t leave. I still don’t know what to do!” The dragon just continued to fly away, disappearing little by little. “At least tell me your name!” He was gone without answering any of her questions.
Morgana was left on her own, more confused than when she came down. If she believed the dragon, and a part of her instinctively did, it was her destiny to remain in Camelot. And she wasn’t powerless. The dragon said she had great power and he would teach her how to use it. She was special. Camelot was her destiny, not Arthur’s. She took a deep breath and felt a bit of peace come over her for the first time in a long time. Her decision was made. Uther would see how wrong it was to give her up. She would make sure of it.
Part 2
Artist: GeekSlave
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, Uther, Gwen, Leon, Gaius, Balinor, Will, Alvarr, Elena
Word Count: 42,147
Beta:
alba17Fest/Challenge:
merlinreversebbSummary: Witches, Evil Kings, Dragons, Arrogant Princes, Humor, Swordfighting, Wolves, Curses, True Love...What more could a fairytale need?
A Merlin take on the Once Upon A Time, Snow White/Prince Charming Story
Notes: Title taken from a partial quote from the greatest fairytale of all time, "A Princess Bride."
Inspired by lovely art by
viennajones. http://pastelwoods.livejournal.com/2502.htmlSpecial thanks to my beta
alba17 for her speedy and very thorough work. If POV works at all in this story, it's because of her. Any additions and mistakes afterwards are mine. Spoilers for Merlin especially episodes "The Last Dragonlord" and "The Changeling." Spoilers for Once Upon A Time season 1, especially episodes "7:15 AM", "Heart of Darkness", & "An Apple Red as Blood."
Thanks to those on my F-list who offerred encouragement
Arthur sat atop his horse trying not to roll his eyes as Morgana did one more trick on her horse. He had been surprised when his father informed him that Morgana would be riding with him and would be following Arthur all day. Arthur didn’t like it, but he knew better than to complain.
Ever since Morgana LeFay had moved in with Arthur and his father, Uther Pendragon, Arthur had been trying to be as nice as possible. His father had warned him to be on his best behavior with her; to treat her like a sister.
He tried to be patient and not be annoyed with Morgana; it wasn’t her fault after all. Her father had just died after all. Still, Arthur was having trouble dealing with Morgana’s attitude. She had been living with them for two weeks and had barely said two words to Arthur. Watching her ride, Arthur realized he had seen her smile since she’d arrived.
A grinning Morgana stopped her horse in front of Arthur at the stables, as he was dismounting. “I’m surprised you’re so slow.”
Arthur did a double take. “What?”
“I’d expect a young prince to be better at riding.” Morgana explained.
Arthur seethed. “I’m just beginning, but I’ve been told I’m doing very well for a beginner.”
Morgana rolled her eyes. She dismounted her horse and stroked its mane, before the stable hand took the horses away. “Of course people would tell you that.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” Morgana said, before heading inside.
Arthur just stared after her. He wondered what happened to the silent girl and hoped she’d come back. When he made his way back inside, Uther was talking to Morgana. “Arthur, I was just telling Morgana about some important rules. Can you tell her the most important rule of the castle?”
“You are never to step foot in the dungeons. It is off-limits.” Arthur explained.
“Why?”
Uther took over the explanation. “It’s dark and very dangerous down there. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt. Do you understand?”
Morgana nodded, but Arthur could sense that Morgana wasn’t satisfied with Uther’s response. He hoped she wasn’t going to start trouble.
~*~
They always followed the same routine. Other than at night, he and Morgana spent all their time together. Morgana still didn’t say much and didn’t say anything as confrontational as she had after their first horse ride together. Today though, Morgana disappeared after their ride and Uther asked Arthur to look for her. He searched the entire castle and was exhausted when he finally decided to check his room. He found Morgana playing with one of his wooden swords. “What are you doing in here?”
“I got bored and wanted to find something to do.” Morgana explained, not stopping her twirling of the sword.
Arthur walked up to her and grabbed the sword a little too roughly. “Well, why couldn’t you have found something to do in your room?”
Morgana stared at Arthur coldly. “I didn’t want to. Am I not good enough to be in Prince Arthur’s room?”
“I didn’t say that. You need to ask for permission first.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my room.”
Morgana stalked towards Arthur and got into his space in a threatening way. “You are such a spoiled little boy.”
Arthur’s mouth gaped open. He’d never wanted to hit a girl before, but he had a strong urge to now. No one had ever treated him like this. “You can’t speak to me like this.”
“Why not? I’m older. You’re supposed to do what your elders say.”
“I have to listen to adults, not ten year old brats. This is my room, not yours!”
“You like playing the little Prince don’t you? You like saying ‘my this’ and ‘my that.’ Everything is yours. Everyone does whatever you want and never says a bad word to you. At least not to your face.” Morgana said icily.
Arthur’s shock superseded his anger. “Why are you being so mean? I’ve tried being nice to you.”
“Not because you want to. Uther is making you, isn’t he?” She barely let Arthur have time to blink. “That’s what I thought. I don’t need your sympathy and I don’t want to be friends with you.”
Arthur was completely fed up now and was embarrassed to find himself near tears. He quickly stepped in front of Morgana, stopping her in her tracks. “Alright. I never wanted you here, some stupid girl getting in the way. I do feel sorry for you, as does my father. He’s only doing this because your father saved his life. He doesn’t want some stupid, weird orphan to have to pretend to like and take care of.”
Arthur was shocked when Morgana grabbed his shirt and practically growled at him. “I hate you.” Tears were brimming in her eyes when she let go of his shirt and dashed out of the room.”
Arthur walked unsteadily to his bed. He truly believed that Morgana hated him and he couldn’t understand why. He knew that he could be a brat at times, but he had been sincerely on his best behavior with her. Arthur looked up suddenly when the door to his room flew open. Uther strode in and grabbed Arthur’s arm roughly. “What in God’s name did you do to that poor child? She came to me and said you said something incredibly hurtful. She is in her room, beside herself.”
“I didn’t do anything. I found Morgana in here playing with my sword and I told her -
Uther cut him off. “She said you called her a stupid orphan?”
Arthur blanched and couldn’t deny his words. “I did. But she called me -
“I do not want to hear your excuses. I asked you to treat her like a sister and this is how you behave. You have disappointed me, Arthur.” Arthur looked down, trying to blink back his tears furiously. “Now, I want you to go to Morgana and apologize. And I promise you if I ever hear that you have spoken to her in that way again, you will not like the consequences.”
“Yes, father,” Arthur said meekly. He trudged over to Morgana’s room. She was sitting in a chair by the fireplace. She wiped her tears instantly when she spotted Arthur. “Morgana...” Arthur gritted out. “I am sorry for what I said earlier.”
Morgana surprised Arthur by standing up and walking towards him quickly. “No, Arthur, I should apologize.” Arthur shook his head in surprise. “I was acting horribly.” She turned around and slowly sat back down in her chair.
Arthur wasn’t sure what to do in that moment. Eventually, he walked slightly closer to Morgana, still wary of her. “Why did you behave that way?”
Morgana sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.” She looked up at Arthur sadly. When he made no move to leave she continued. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone you love. I’ve been trying not to think about my father, but today when we were riding, I thought of the last time we were together and I missed him terribly.”
Arthur walked over and kneeled down beside her. “I don’t know what it’s like to lose both of your parents, but my mother died giving birth to me. I never knew her, but I miss her.”
Morgana smiled at him for the first time. “Maybe you’re not as bad as I said.”
Arthur laughed. “Thank you.”
~*~
Morgana and Arthur began to behave like true siblings after that. They enjoyed playing together. Morgana had a wicked sense of humor. She would often do impressions of Uther that had Arthur in stitches. Morgana was becoming less sullen as the days wore on and seemed to be getting better.
Morgana heard stories about Uther having a horrible temper, but had never seen it until she’d been living there for two months. She heard shouting coming from the throne room. The curious girl tried to eavesdrop, but the only words she could hear were “attack”, “evil”, and, “magic.” She heard that last one several times. Uther screamed it with such furious rage it shook Morgana. As the voices came closer to the door, she ran and hid around the corner. She saw a man being dragged away in shackles.
She had heard about sorcerers and witches, even when she was living back home with her father. But she had never believed that magic existed. And if it did, she didn’t see what could be so bad about it. Why did Uther sound so enraged about it? She went to Arthur and told him about what she saw. Arthur shook his head. “If Father saw you there, you would have been in such trouble.”
Morgana shrugged. “I’m good at hiding,” she said easily, and turned the conversation back to magic. “Does magic truly exist?”
Arthur twisted his hands. “My father says that it does. Sorcerers and witches used to live here in Camelot all over. But then my father had every one of them rounded up and killed.”
Morgana shuddered. It sounded horrible. She didn’t understand why Arthur sounded so proud. “Why would he do that?”
“Because magic is evil.”
“Why?”
“Father says it’s evil.”
“But, why?” Morgana repeated.
Arthur looked lost for a moment, but then he took on the role of proud prince once more. “My father has seen the evil that magic can do. If he says that magic is evil, then I believe him and you should as well.”
Morgana turned her back on Arthur and walked to the window. “What will happen to the man I saw?”
“He’ll be killed.”
Morgana hugged her arms around herself and stroked her hands down her arms. She couldn’t stop shaking all of a sudden.
The next day, Uther made sure Gaius, the court physician and one of his advisors, took Morgana and Arthur to his home so they wouldn’t be anywhere near the execution. Arthur was able to go on as if everything was normal. But Morgana couldn’t concentrate. At one point, Morgana became petrified when she felt that she couldn’t breathe. The moment passed just as quickly as it came.
Morgana thought that her distress would go away after the execution but it only increased. She was starting to have vivid dreams. While that wasn’t highly unusual, she was finding that everything she saw in her dream was starting to come true. At first it was just small things, Morgana chalked up to coincidence. But one day she became incredibly disturbed as Arthur and Uther had a conversation that was word for word, the same as in her dreams.
She stumbled from the room and bumped into Gaius. Morgana hadn’t seen the older gentleman often, but he had always been kind to her. Gaius took one look at Morgana’s face and quirked an eyebrow at her. “What’s wrong?”
Morgan gulped. “I don’t know. I think...”
Uther came behind her just then. “Gaius. Morgana, what’s wrong?”
Morgana shook her head rapidly. “Nothing. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m sorry, Gaius.” She quickly ran off, went to her room and sagged against the door. What was happening to her? She feared the answer, but wouldn’t dare speak it or even think the word. A knock on her door startled her.
“Morgana, it’s Gaius. May I come in?”
Morgana exhaled loudly and opened the door slowly. “I told you I was fine.”
Gaius nodded. “Yes, I know. But Uther wanted me to make sure.” He scrutinised her. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
Morgana tensed and bit her lip. “I...I...can I trust you?”
Gaius walked to her and took her trembling hands in his. “Of course you can.”
Morgana inhaled sharply. “I’m really scared, Gaius. I think Uther may kill me.”
Gaius dropped her hands in shock. “Why would you ever say such a thing?”
“Gaius, I’ve been having dreams and...they’re coming true. I think I may have magic.” Morgana covered her mouth immediately after saying the last word.
Gaius’ eyes widened slightly. He took her hands again. “You don’t have magic, Morgana.”
“That’s the only thing that could explain it. I dreamed of a conversation between Uther and Arthur and it happened exactly the way it happened in my dream.”
“Was the conversation anything out of the ordinary?”
“No, but-
“Besides your dreams, have you been having trouble sleeping?” Gaius asked.
“Yes. It takes me a long time to sleep and I don’t sleep peacefully.”
“I’ve seen others with symptoms such as yours. It’s a common sleep ailment.”
Morgana scrunched up her nose, not quite trusting what Gaius was saying. “Are you sure?”
“I can give you a sleeping draught that will help you sleep and may be able to control your dreams.” Gaius offered.
Morgana hesitated, but then nodded slowly.
~*~
The draught Gaius gave her really did work. Months passed and she slept peacefully and if she had any dreams she certainly didn’t remember them. One day, she and Arthur were extremely bored and decided to play a game of hide and go seek. She decided to hide in Uther’s chambers. She was sure that even if Arthur suspected that’s where she was, that he’d never go in there without permission. She hid under Uther’s bed. After a few minutes she was startled when the door swung open and she heard Uther’s booming voice. “Why are you concerned about Morgana?” Morgana stiffened at the mention of her name. He closed the door behind himself and his companion.
“I told you that she has seemed distressed.” Gaius!
Morgana began to panic and feared that Gaius would tell, or had already told, Uther about her dreams.
“Yes, you’ve said that. But you refuse to elaborate on how you’ve come to this conclusion,” Uther said in irritation.
“I made her a promise that I wouldn’t say anything.”
“You made her a promise?” Uther’s eyes bulged and he put his hands on his hips. “She’s a child and she is my ward.”
Gaius scoffed. “She is a lot more than that.”
“You keep your voice down.” Uther hissed. “You gave me your word that you would not speak of that.”
“And I have kept my word, sire. But, we are in private, and I think it would be wise for you to tell Morgana the truth.”
“The truth?” Morgana mouthed to herself. She wondered what Gaius could be talking about.
“And what purpose would that serve? I kept the truth hidden to protect Arthur’s future place on the throne. Nothing has changed.”
Gaius bristled at that. “Of course something has changed. Morgana is now living with you. How can you see her every day and not let her know she’s your daughter?”
Morgana had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from screaming out loud. This couldn’t be true. How could she be Uther’s daughter? This had to be a mistake.
“How I feel and deal with Morgana is none of your concern. Morgana’s mother and I choose to keep Morgana’s true paternity from the world for our own reasons and none of those reasons have changed.” Uther rationalised.
“Forgive me, sire. But I simply feel it would help Morgana feel more secure if she knew she were your daughter.”
“I will treat her, and have treated, like she is my own. That will have to be enough. For Arthur’s sake, no one can know Morgana is the rightful heir. I will advise you not to bring this topic up again, Gaius. I will have no compunction about having you thrown in the dungeon if you betray my trust. You’ve already been forgiven once, Gaius, do not test me.” Uther stormed from the room. Gaius left soon after.
Morgana stayed under the bed for several minutes, motionless. Realising, she was still in Uther’s chamber she suddenly scrambled out from under the bed, wanting to get away. She walked away from the room in a daze. Uther was really her father, that thought kept bouncing around her head, not finding a place to land. It really wasn’t sinking in. How could it be? Gorlois was her father. He was the man whose face lit up whenever she walked into the room. He was the one who taught her how to ride when she was five years old, against her mother’s wishes. He was the one who would dazzle her with old war stories before she went to bed. He was the man she missed terribly. He would never have lied to her.
“They must have lied to him, too,” Morgana muttered. “How could they do that to him?!”
“Morgana?”
Morgana gasped as she looked up into Arthur’s concerned face. She realised she must have been walking this whole time and ended up in the hall just outside Arthur’s chambers.
“Morgana, are you alright?”
Morgana just stared at him. She kept hearing Uther’s words about having to protect Arthur’s future. He felt Arthur had to be protected from her. Morgana shook her head. Of course Arthur had to be protected. Everything was about Arthur. Morgana glared at him. “What...do...you...want?”
“It’s time for dinner.” He scrutinised her carefully. “You were talking to yourself. Who were you talking about?”
Morgana brushed past him. “That is none of your concern.”
Arthur rushed to catch up with her. “Morgana, you know you can talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk to you, Arthur.”
“Why? Are you mad because I didn’t finish the game? I’m sorry. I got bored and you really are very good at hiding. I couldn’t find you.” Arthur explained.
Morgana rolled her eyes. “I don’t care about some stupid game.”
Arthur stood in front of Morgana and stopped her. “Then why are you acting like this?”
“Because I don’t want to be around you or your father? Get out of my way; I’m going to my room.” Morgana tried to sidestep him, but Arthur was too fast for her.
“You can’t just go to your room. Father expects you for dinner-
“And everything must be the king’s way. No one is allowed to question the great, wise, and honest King Uther.” Morgana narrowed her eyes at Arthur. “Especially not his wonderful and perfect son.”
Arthur unconsciously backed away from her. Before he could say anything, Morgana stalked away from him making her way downstairs.
~*~
Morgana went to dinner that night and barely said anything. Every time she looked at Uther she became confused. She was sad and every time he watched Uther smile at Arthur or watched Uther laugh at something Arthur said, something twisted painfully inside her.
Months past and she became that distant, quiet girl she was when she first arrived in Camelot. She wanted to tell Arthur everything, but being around him and thinking of how Uther wanted him and not her hurt too much. Morgana hated the wounded looks Arthur would give her.
Morgana was tired of being sad all the time. She decided to try and find some way to show Uther she cared and maybe then he would claim her.
“Sire?”
Uther looked over at her, his eyes briefly flitting over her face. “Yes, Morgana?”
“I’ve been thinking about my father.” Morgana briefly paused to see what Uther’s reaction would be.
“I would imagine you think about him a great deal.” Uther responded, his expression unchanged.
“Yes.” Morgana nodded. “He always talked about you. He said you were a loyal friend and that you were a good and kind man. I’ve certainly seen that and I am so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I was trying to find a way to show you how I feel.”
Uther shook his head. “That is not necessary. I would have done anything for Gorlois, taking care of you is the least I could do. We have enjoyed welcoming you into our family.”
“I’ve enjoyed being in your family. I loved my father and I’ll always miss him, but I was hoping that perhaps I may start calling you father.”
Arthur and Uther wore similar expressions of shock. Uther was speechless for the first time since Morgana met him. He regained his senses fairly quick. “Morgana, I am very flattered that you would want to honor me in that way. I would be lucky to be your father. But I’m not your father.” Morgana couldn’t help flinching at that. “And I think it would be disrespectful to Gorlois for you to call me that.”
Morgana closed her eyes and swallowed twice before speaking. “ Alright. I understand.” She looked down, refusing to give in to the feeling of rejection. She looked up briefly and caught Arthur staring at her, his eyes full of sympathy. In that moment, she felt hate for the first time in her life, and she didn’t like it.
~*~
Next to her father’s burial, she had never experienced anything more excruciating than the last ten minutes of dinner that night. No one had any idea what to say after Uther rejected Morgana’s suggestion. They all stared at their plates. When it was finally over, Morgana made it to her room as fast as possible. She paced in front of the mirror. She couldn’t stop picturing Gorlois. She hated that he wasn’t her father and she hated that she actually cared about Uther’s rejection. She hated Uther. And even though she knew it wasn’t fair, she hated Arthur as well. Worst of all was that hate consumed her. Stopping in front of the mirror she gazed at her reflection. She quickly came to a decision. She had to get out of Camelot.
She had no idea where she could go, but anywhere had to be better than someplace she clearly wasn’t wanted. Her thoughts turned to how to make it past the guards. It wouldn’t be easy, but she knew she’d find a way.
Over the next few days after dinner she surreptitiously made her way down to the dungeons and observed the guards there. It seemed odd to Morgana that they were more concerned with guarding the door to the lower levels, than keeping an eye on the cells. They occupied themselves by playing cards, or sometimes dice, and drinking.
An idea came to her when Gaius came to deliver her sleeping draught for the night. She decided to test out her theory the next night. If all went according to plan she would be able to make her escape.
The next evening, she made it down to the dungeons and caught the attention of the guards. They were on their feet in an instant.
“Miss LeFay, what are you doing here? Didn’t the king tell you not to go near the dungeon?” the younger, scrawnier guard asked.
“Yes.” Morgana breezed past him and picked up the cards on the table. “I got bored.”
The second guard followed her and grabbed her arm. “That’s too bad. You must return upstairs.”
Morgana snatched her hand back. “No! You can’t make me.” She threw the cards in her hand down, turned and threw the other set on to the floor as well. She finished by throwing the dice far away.
“You little...,” the second guard said, leaning down to pick up the cards. The younger guard went to get the dice.
While their backs were turned, she quickly poured her sleeping draught into their cups. When the second guard got up and slammed the cards on the table, Morgana whipped up some fake tears. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ll go back upstairs. Please don’t tell the king.”
The second guard just glared at her as she dashed off. Morgana waited for half an hour before returning to find the guards slumped over the table. She went through the door near which they were stationed. It was cold and dark, and Morgana warily looked down the stairs not sure if she should go down there. She was afraid of being trapped. But her fear of staying in the castle was even greater, so she took a deep breath and slowly walked down.
It was odd. She had no idea where she was going she felt like some force was guiding her in the right direction. It was incredibly dark and spookily quiet. She stepped out onto a ledge. She inched forward and looked down into a deep chasm. There was a large rock formation in the middle of the room. She started to edge backwards when she heard booming laugh. It startled her enough, that she almost dropped the candle. “Who-who-who’s there?” She shrieked, when a large creature swooped down and sat on the large rock in front of her. “Oh, my God!”
The...dragon started to cackle again. “Young witch, I will say I am surprised to see you here.”
“You...you’re surprised?! You’re a dragon!”
“I am aware of what I am. Are you aware of what you are?”
“You...you called me a witch. Is that what I am?”
“Indeed you are. A very powerful one.”
“I don’t feel very powerful.”
“That is because those who know of your gifts are trying to keep you from fulfilling your destiny.”
“My destiny?” Morgana looked up at him with wide eyes. “What destiny?”
“Your gifts were given to you for a reason.” The dragon said in a cryptic voice.
“What reason is that?”
“You will play a very important role in the future of Camelot.”
“I don’t want to have anything to do with Camelot,” Morgana cried. “I just want to leave here. This isn’t where I belong.”
“How very wrong you are, Morgana Pendragon.”
Morgana’s eyes widened and she took a step back. “You called me Pendragon.”
The dragon nodded. “For that is what you are as well. You are the daughter of Uther Pendragon, the true and rightful heir of Camelot.”
“Uther will never acknowledge me as his daughter.” Morgana shook her head, quickly wiping away a tear. “I hate him.”
“Young witch, believe me when I say I understand what it is to despise Uther Pendragon. But you cannot let him keep you from having the future you are destined to have. Your power is great. If you allow yourself, you can do so much with it.”
“I don’t know. If I stay here, I fear something bad will happen.”
“None of us can choose our destiny, Morgana. And none of us can escape it.”
Morgana looked down and sighed. She ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do. All I have are dreams that I don’t understand half the time.”
“I can teach you how to harness your gifts.”
Morgana pursed her lips. “Why would you want to help me?”
“Because someday, Morgana Pendragon, you will do something for me.” The dragon flapped his wings mightily and started to ascend.
“Wait! You can’t leave. I still don’t know what to do!” The dragon just continued to fly away, disappearing little by little. “At least tell me your name!” He was gone without answering any of her questions.
Morgana was left on her own, more confused than when she came down. If she believed the dragon, and a part of her instinctively did, it was her destiny to remain in Camelot. And she wasn’t powerless. The dragon said she had great power and he would teach her how to use it. She was special. Camelot was her destiny, not Arthur’s. She took a deep breath and felt a bit of peace come over her for the first time in a long time. Her decision was made. Uther would see how wrong it was to give her up. She would make sure of it.
Part 2
