His Majesty and His Knights

Truth Begins to Unfold

Morgana had been in Myrddia for just under a month now and had slipped into a fairly normal routine. Elizabeth would come to get her ready for the day and bring her breakfast, much like Guinevere used to do. Then, Morgana would spend the rest of the morning at her sister's bedside. After that, they would go to Morgana's chambers so she could eat her midday meal and they would spend the rest of the day exploring the castle or citadel.

As they walked through the castle to look at some paintings, Morgana noticed something peculiar. The servants, especially the older ones, seemed very down- every single one of them. They all treated her with respect and did their tasks without complaint, they all had a look of sadness in their eyes. Morgana also noticed that although Elizabeth seemed like a generally cheerful girl, even she would frown of adopt a faraway look when she thought Morgana wasn't looking.

"Here it is!" Elizabeth interrupted her musings. "This is a painting of Queen Morgause on the day of her coronation! Doesn't she look lovely?" 

"Yes, she does." Indeed, Morgause did look beautiful. Her hair was in perfect curls and she wore a dark blood red dress and a shimmering golden crown. Of course, it was only a painting, but Morgana could imagine her sister looking exactly like that.

Morgana wandered over to the next painting. It was of a family of three. "Who are they?" Morgana asked.

"This is the royal family before Queen Morgause. This was King Balinor, Queen Selene and their son, the prince."

Morgana studied the boy. He had dark hair and blue eyes, just like his father. Something was familiar about him. Then she realized that that was the boy from her dreams. "What was his name?"

"I don't know, my lady. The night your sister came into power, he went missing. The people took a vow to never say his name until he is found. I was very young during that time and now I no longer remember him."

The duo spent the rest of the day going through paintings, and Morgana learned a little bit about the history of Myrddia. She understood why Morgause had taken over it. It was a very strong magical kingdom.

That night, as soon as Morgana closed her eyes, the visions began. 

It started with the black haired boy, the prince, living in a (vaguely familiar) cottage. He smiled at a woman and ran out. Morgana could only see the back of him. Then, the picture faded and he was grown up, walking along a path to... Camelot.

The image changed to the first brown haired boy who was left for dead. She saw druids come and care for him. She saw him grow into someone who she recognized from her time in Camelot. It was Lancelot!

The image changed yet again to show the second brown haired boy in the cage. She saw him escape and grow into none other than Gwaine. 

Then she saw the prince, with his back still towards her, put on a blue cape and circlet. He knighted the two men.

A bright white light flashed. Morgana was standing in  a realm of nothingness.  Then the prince (who's back she had learned to recognize) appeared in front of her. He seemed to be talking to someone.

"You must," came a voice. A dragon- no. The dragon came into focus in front of the prince. "It's the only way to save Camelot."

"I can't" The prince protested. "She's my friend! It's not her fault!"

"She is the vessel for the curse. The only way to stop it is to stop her."

"So I should just kill her? This is insane! What has she done that is so wrong?"

"It is your destiny. Do you wish for Arthur to die and Albion to fall?"

"N-no." Morgana could tell that the prince was weakening. Something was happening.

"Then do it."

The prince turned towards her. As he did, his clothes changed into a brown jacket, dirt-stainedd trousers, a blue tunic and a red neckerchief. Merlin, Morgana realized. He looked distressed. Morgana got a closer look and noticed  that he looked as if he was about to fall asleep. "This is the day you poisoned me," she said out loud. "You didn't want to do it." Merlin paid her no attention.

The scene changed and she saw herself, shaking and unconscious on the ground, her head was in Merlin's lap. She remembered this well (A/N: I don't and I'm too lazy to pull up the show so I'm basically making this up, but you guys know what's happening).  Morgause stood in front of Merlin. "You poisoned one of my own. You will pay for this."

"If I tell you what the poison is, will you lift the curse?"

"Yes."

"Hemlock."

Morgana sat up with a gasp. She looked out her window to see that it was still nighttime. Throwing a robe over her silk nightdress, she grabbed a candle and went back to the painting. She held the candle close to the prince's face. "Merlin. You were a prince." 

Morgana made her way back to her chambers, but found herself unable to sleep. Merlin was a prince. He didn't want to poison her, but it was the only way. Somehow, she understood why he did it. She felt as if a burden had been lifted off her shoulders as she found it within herself to forgive him. 

At some point, she must have fallen asleep because she was awoken by a voice calling "rise and shine, my lady!" 

"Good morning, Elizabeth," Morgana yawned.

"Did you sleep well?" Elizabeth set down Morgana's breakfast.

"Mm. Yes. Eliza?" Morgana asked as she sat down at the table.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Is there a horse I can use?"

"Yes, of course. Do you wish to go somewhere?"

"Yes. I would like to visit my father's grave, near Camelot."

"Camelot is a two day's ride away, my lady. Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No, that's quite alright."

"Okay. When will you leave?"

"Right after we visit my sister."

"Alright. I will pack you some food and supplies to take on your trip."

"Thank you, Eliza. You are so good to me."

Eliza dressed Morgana in a light green travelling dress with a dark green cloak and twisted her hair into a braid to stay out of the way as she rode.

Just like every morning, Morgana sat at Morgause's bedside. "I'm going to visit my father's grave," she told her sister.

"Uther?"

"No. Gorlois."

"Ah. Be careful, sister."

"Of course."

Morgana met Elizabeth outside. Elizabeth was holding the reigns of a beautiful brown horse. "In the saddle bags there are food, an extra dress, a blanket and a few other things. Is there anything else you would like me to put in before you go?"

"No thank you. This is more than enough."

"Alright. Be safe, my lady."