Amelia's Story (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 26: The Sins of a Father

A/N: It's almost the three year anniversary since I started publishing this story!

——

Amelia's POV

The whole Court gathers in the Hall of Ceremonies for the knighting of some new Knights. Amelia stands behind Uther like Morgana and Arthur, as Uther participates in the ceremony. Anne, Gwen, Gaius and Merlin stand on one side of the room on Amelia's left.

Uther gets to the last two. "Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot." All the men rise after Uther completes his sword shoulder touching. "You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the Knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur." Uther places a hand on his shoulder. "Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title."

The entire Court turns to the door at the sound of swords fighting outside. A Knight enters. The newly made Knights of Camelot draw their swords as the Knight approaches. Amelia grips her dagger that's in the pocket of one of her dresses. Anne still finds her demands for pockets in her dresses, and in her own as well, confusing.

Arthur steps forward and the Knight drops their gauntlet in front of Arthur, who picks it up. "I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity."

The Knight removes the helmet to reveal a wealth of long blonde tresses. The Knight is a woman.

"My name is Morgause." Amelia stares at her in surprise. The woman feels familiar somehow but not in the sense that Amelia remembers her from the show but something else. Something deeper.

——

Amelia watches Morgause practising in the Square from her window after she had dressed for bed. Anne is behind her turning down the bed for her to sleep in.

"Who is she? Why would she challenge Arthur?" Anne questions. "It seems no one's ever heard of her." Amelia's notes don't say much either other than to be wary of Morgause and that her arrival will reveal to Arthur the circumstances of his birth, whatever that means.

"I feel as if I've met her somewhere before. Familiar like you felt with Edwin." She feels bad for bringing up her dead brother but Anne doesn't look outwardly upset.

Anne frowns in thought. "Really? Where could you know her from?"

"I don't know," Amelia replies as she turns back to watch Morgause. She retreats from the window when she sees Morgause glance up.

——

Amelia waits anxiously as Uther enters the stand in the Tournament Grounds along with applause from the crowd and passes in front of her to stop in front of his seat. Morgana stands on his other side. They sit down and Morgause enters and stands in front of them. Morgana had said that morning that she also feels the same about Morgause as Amelia does. The crowd cheers when Arthur enters.

Uther stands again. "The fight is by the Knights' Rules. And to the death."

Arthur walks over to Morgause and whispers something to her but Amelia can't hear it nor can she tell if Morgause responds when she turns her head to look at him as she wears a helmet.

They begin to fight. Arthur catches Morgause on the arm but allows her to pick up her sword. She ends up disarming him and presses her sword to his chest. They talk hurriedly before Morgause releases her sword from his chest. She walks over to the royal box, bows and walks away. Arthur slowly stands up looking ashamed.