Arthur's Sons (Book 1)

The Gates of Avalon (Part 3)

Arthur stood before his father a little dishevelled from his meeting with the cold stone floor and subsequent magical nap which he had been roused from by his honey-haired angle who stood merely a pace behind him with her father.

" Arthur! Good to see you're feeling better." Uther smiled tightly looking over at the raven-haired servant who looked a little winded like she had run a mile.

" I was, but I'm feeling much better." He replied giddily, his eyes were glazed over and he had a rather large dopey grin on his face that Merlyn wanted to slap right off.

" I request this audience, Father, to discuss a matter of great importance." He began causing the King to look up from his papers curious. " It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tír-Mòr have grown very close."

"  Not too close, I hope." Uther teased lightly, Morgana was now sitting ram-rod straight staring at Arthur with a frown.

" We're in love. Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry." Arthur spoke voice lilting lightly with a wide smile that was making Merlyn nervous. The King and Morgana shared a look before Uther burst out laughing while Morgana chuckled though a note of fear could be heard in her voice.

" I assume you're joking." Uther huffed raising a brow.

" No. I'm going to marry her." Arthur answered glaring at Uther.

" But you only met two days ago."

" We're in love." Arthur replied with the tone of a petulant child.

" In love? We had no idea that you were such a romantic had we, Morgana?" Uther turned to Morgana who gave him a strained smile, eyes filled with fear.

" No. He's full of surprises." Morgana spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes boring holes into Sofia who merely smirked back.

" I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it." Arthur snapped in anger.

" I thought you'd come to ask my permission?" Uther's eye twitched at his son's disrespectful tone.

" Out of courtesy, nothing more." Arthur finished turning to take Sofia's hand and make his way toward the door.

" Guards, door." Uther stood from his throne looking mightily pissed off. "  You've forgotten whose court you're standing in."

" You won't stop me. If I want to marry her, I will." Arthur growled eyes sweeping around the room when the landed on Merlyn standing there with the twins something in his eyes softened and cleared but was quickly swept away as his face become void of all emotion; he turned his head away, he stared down the king his eyes flickering red for barley a second which made Merlyn gasp quietly.

"Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tír-Mòr."  Uther ordered, the guards quickly stepped forward grabbing the two Sidhe who looked panicked for barley a second.

" What are you doing?" Arthur cried in outrage.

" And inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning." Uther continues unfazed by his son's outburst.

" You can't do this."

" Yes! I can! And unless you show me some respect. I will!" Uther snarls, Arthur reluctantly bows his head in submission.

" Release them. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can." Uther turns away from Arthur and sits back down effectively ending the conversation, Arthur turns and storms from the chambers Merlyn hot on his heels.