Merlin's Sister

A Father's Sins

Arthur stood through the knighting ceremony. Although he was glad to have five new men, he hated having to stand through the dreadfully boring ceremony. Most of his days recently had involved new levels off dull. Since he had agreed to spending more time figuring out what his father's job as king was he had been sitting through more of these and more council meetings and more welcoming ceremonies for nobles whose names he couldn't remember. Honestly the only thing that made them bearable was the fact that Merlin had to sit through them as well. It could be very entertaining to watch him squirm as he got restless.

"Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot," His father said loudly getting his attention as he began the closing speech. "You have been accorded a great honor. But with that honor comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honor, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur. Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title."

Arthur looked to Morgana. Since he had taken a more active role in the inner workings of Camelot his father had been praising him more and scolding him less. It was almost unnerving. At the same time he had been spending more time with Morgana and having more meals with the both of them. Sometimes he wondered just how much an effect the words Kenna had spoken after the last magical incident had affected him.

They heard the clanking of swords in the corridor. A knight burst into the hall sword raised. All of the newly knighted men drew their swords and Arthur strode to face the attacker. The knight removed a gauntlet and through it at the prince's feet. Arthur looked at it and then the challenger and then stooped down to grab the gauntlet. "I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity."

The knight nodded and removed his helmet. Only he wasn't a he. Blond tresses fell behind her back. He looked at Merlin and Morgana and saw his surprise mirrored in their faces.

"My name is Morgause." She said. All three stiffened. Arthur looked at her apprehensively, Merlin looked at her with a thinly veil distrust, and Morgana looked at her with a burning curiosity. The one thing they all had in common was a single thought: Kenna was going to have a fit.

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Arthur stood in the library and records room with his father and Geffrey of Monmouth. Uther had demanded they look for ancient laws that would prevent Arthur from fighting. Arthur simply rolled his eyes and followed his father's lead, but he knew they would find nothing. He had looked and made sure that when the time came he would be able to carry out a very special plan when he became king. Of course his father needn't know that.

"I've searched the records going back more than 300 years. I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge," Geffrey droned in his usual manor.

"There must be some way to put a stop to this," Uther emphasized.

"According to the Knight's Rules, it appears her challenge is perfectly valid," Geffrey denied.

"It seems there's nothing we can do," Arthur conceded.

"We don't know anything about this woman! I will not let you face her in combat!" Uther cried.

Arthur calmly drawled out, "I accepted the challenge. If I refuse to fight, it'll be seen as an act of cowardice."

"She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her," Uther insisted.

Arthur met his gaze. "I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code, then be seen to break it myself. I must face her tomorrow."

Uther just sighed. He knew there was no way to talk his son out of this.