The Royal Scandal *Book Two*

Morgana's Prophecy S2 E11

After finding out that the Crystal of Neahtid had been stolen—possibly by Morgana but neither Merlin nor I had voiced our thoughts—we were summoned to the Great Hall to speak with a very agitated king. If Morgana really had stolen this crystal then there must be a reason behind it. She wouldn't have just done it for the sake of doing it; if I got the chance to I would speak to her about it and hopefully get some answers.

Once in the Great Hall, I stood beside Arthur as we watched our father pacing around in front of us. He only stopped his pacing once Arthur, quite timidly, muttered an apology.

"You're sorry?" father repeated. "That's not good enough. Did they force their way in?"

"No, Sire," Arthur said.

"The how did they gain access to the vault?" Father asked.

I noticed Merlin looking down at the ground guiltily and how Arthur spared a glance in his direction before answering.

"They stole the keys," Arthur answered.

"How is that possible?" Father demanded.

"Someone broke into my chambers," Arthur said.

"This is a grievous loss, Arthur," Father sighed, making me wonder if he forgotten that I was also there. "The Crystal of Neahtid was locked away for good reason."

"Why is it so important?" I inquired, forcing Father to turn his attention over to me.

"It is an instrument of magic," Father replied. Well, that helps. I already knew that much! "In the days of The Purge, a great many sorcerers died trying to protect it. Whatever it is, it's important to them."

"You mean to say, you don't actually know what it does? What if it's a positive thing that helps people, heals them?" I offered.

"Nothing that possesses magic has any good qualities, you foolish girl," Father responded, making me resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"I'll search the town. Find out what I can," Arthur interrupted us before either one of us could say anything more.

"Arthur, this crystal cannot fall into enemy hands. Your sister clearly doesn't understand the dangers of the instrument but I trust that you do," Father said. How charming.

"Yes, Sire," Arthur nodded, subtly grabbing onto my hand, and dragging me out of the room before I could pick up one of those chairs and throw it at our father's face. Perhaps Arthur had noticed my spared glance at the chair because he gave me a look of warning but I couldn't help the fact that the thought of hitting my father in the face with a chair brought a smile to my face.

I could hear the sound of Merlin following us out into the darkened corridor, the only light shining were emitted from the few candelabras that hung from the ceiling. Arthur didn't let go of my hand as he continued pulling me down the corridor.

"Arthur, thank you," Merlin said, rushing over to my other side.

"For what exactly?" Arthur asked, not even looking over at him.

"For..."

"Lying to our father to save you?" Arthur offered.

"Yes," Merlin nodded.

"You ever put me in that position again, I'll clap you in irons myself," Arthur warned him before he stopped walking and turned to Merlin. "And, Merlin, you'd better hope we find that crystal because not even my sister will be able to stop me from putting you in the stocks for the month."

"Wanna bet?" I challenged, confidant that if I really wanted to, I could easily change Arthur's mind. He's my twin after all, we may not look the same, like, at all, but we still think the same, mostly, so I would know exactly how to worm my way passed his thick skull and into his tiny brain.