The Man in The Cave

Chapter 25.

Morgana took a deep breath, taking the sword in her hand. The only thing that could be heard in the room was Arthur and Guinevere's breathing as they slept. Her mouth was turned into a line and her heartbeat fast in her chest, pondering on the possibility of retreating now that it was still possible.

In other circumstances, she would have refused Mordred's plan, deeming it a ridiculous and how it just wasn't worth it. However, Guinevere accusing her of attempting to tarnish their reputation was a last strand that up until now, Morgana hadn't fully realized was one bad moment with the red-haired from snapping in half.

She looked at both swords side by side under the moonlight. Visually, they were indistinguishable from each other. She put the new sword in Arthur's scabbard and turned Excalibur into a comb that she put in her hair. Morgana gave one last look at the sword in Arthur's scabbard before she disappeared out of the bedroom and returned to her own.

She appeared back in her bedroom, thankful for not having the need to go through the hallways and having to find ways to sneak through the guards that guarded the castle at night. She took a deep breath in the comfort of her room, trying to ignore the pressing feeling in her chest. If everything went according to plan, the truth would come out and Guinevere would no longer feel like it was in the right to criticize others.

There was the soft sound of someone moving on her bed. She brushed her skirt and walked to it. Accolon's eyes fluttering open briefly, turning until he saw her standing, smiling in her direction. She moved the mattress to lay by his side, eyebrows knit together, still doubtful of what she had done.

"Did I wake you up?" Morgana mumbled, leaving a soft kiss in his lips. He wrinkled his nose.

"Hey." he smiled, turning to his side to look at her closer. Morgana knew it was dark, and with only the moonlight leaking through the bedroom's window he could barely see a trace of her.

Morgana laid on the bed so could be lying next to him, waiting to feel his chest move up and down in his slumber.

"Do you see a future, Morgana?" he questioned; his voice taken her by surprise. Usually he fell asleep instantly, like most knights did.

Morgana smiled, "I've told you I don't have that kind of magic, I can't know who the safest bet for the next tournament is."

He laughed slightly, remembering the old conversation, "I mean, for you and me, together."

His tone shifted, with a more serious tune to it. With them being together for little over three years, Morgana supposed it was normal for him to ask something like that, but the timing took her by surprise.

"Of course I do,"

"Do you see us getting married someday?"

"What?" Morgana rose up, eyes shining blue and the candles in her bedroom lit up. Accolon shifted in his bed, raising until he was sitting.

"You and me, someday in the future, getting married, having kids maybe," he continued. Morgana froze for a second, swallowing hard, trying to allow his word to sink in her chest.

"Oh, Accolon, I... I love you," she spoke, with all the honestly she could, "I love you very much... but marriage? That's..."

"Not something for you?" he rose an eyebrow, eyes soft. Morgana shook her head, mouth in a line.

"Not right now, I'm sorry."

"Be honest with me, Your Grace, do you love me?"

"Of course I love you," she assured.