Hiding

Chapter 27

The next day, Arthur met with the council, who helped revise the laws on magic. The subject of Arthur's love life was steadfastly avoided. By the afternoon, the laws were ready to present to the people. Arthur wanted it through with as soon as possible. He also planned to reveal Morgana's new status at the same time.

"People of Camelot, I told you I would make many changes. The first, and biggest of which being that I am removing the ban on magic. There are those who I'm sure remember the time before the Great Purge as a prosperous time, and I hope to make it that way again. From this day forward, no citizen of Camelot shall be burnt solely for using magic. Misuse it, however, and you will be punished."

There were yells, some angry, some accusatory, and some happy. Arthur forged on.

"Now, I wish to reveal a truth that my father kept secret for many years. Lady Morgana, if you will?" He beckoned Morgana forward, next to him. Merlin watched with interest. "On his deathbed, my father wrote a note addressed to myself and Lady Morgana. He told us that Lady Morgana le Fay is actually Morgana Pendragon. She is my sister, by blood and by choice."

Tears streamed down Morgana's face.

"I wish to honor her in the way my father did not, not as my ward, but as my sister, a member of my family. There isn't exactly a precedent for this, but I wish to crown her Princess, not just a Lady. I expect her to be treated as my sister. Good day to you all."

Arthur turned around with a flourish of his cape, Morgana on his arm and Merlin following them. When they got inside, they were accosted by several members of court, Geoffrey of Monmouth at the head of them all.

"Sire, you should have come to us about this! I need to make sure the note is legitimate!" Geoffrey cried.

"Geoffrey, besides the fact that I witnessed my father write this with his own hands, it carries his seal and signature, Gaius can confirm the contents of it. I did not make this announcement lightly, I promise you. However, I wish for you to make preparations to make Morgana a princess. She is my sister and of my father's blood. She deserves the title."

Geoffrey pursed his lips for a moment, thinking, then nodded. "Yes, sire."

Merlin, meanwhile, was congratulating Morgana with a hug. Arthur gave him a look and he stepped back. Morgana looked back and asked why in the world he was staring at them like that.

"Court procedures? Does that ring a bell to either of you? You know you can't just go around hugging people like that, Morgana. Especially now that you're to be the Princess of Camelot."

Morgana grinned evilly. "My dear brother, are you jealous? Afraid I'm going to steal your precious Merlin away from you?"

"Wh—no, I'm not. I'm simply saying that people talk, and you shouldn't let people see you hugging like that. Rumors, and all."

"I still think it's jealousy. What about you, Merlin?"

"Oh yes. And just yesterday, he went and told me to go find someone else worthy of me. Maybe I have, Arthur. Me and Morgana will run away together, and you'll be stuck with Leon and Gwen forever." Merlin's tone was joking, but Morgana looked thunderous.

"You told him to leave and find someone else worthy of him?"

Arthur looked down, guilty.

"Morgana, don't. I already talked to him about it."

"No, Merlin. Arthur, you're the king now. If you can't hold on to the best thing that ever happened to you, then I've no idea how you'll keep your kingdom. You need to stop doubting yourself, because Merlin isn't going anywhere, and the last time you tried to be all noble and sent him away, you broke his heart and nearly lost him forever. Alright? You need to get that through your thick skull, otherwise you're just going to end up breaking his heart again."