Morgana La Fay

Camelot was beautiful, I had to give my brother that. The magnificent city was bordered by a great silver lake with a backdrop of noble mountains ablaze with the colors of autumn. The walls were high and strong, and the farms on the outskirts prosperous. Once inside the gates, the buildings were well kept, pennants and banners bearing Arthur's royal crest of a lion roaring at a hawk flapped proudly in their royal purple. People mutter in awe as my carriage rolls through the streets, and I tuck myself protectively behind the curtained windows.

When I had received the invitation from Arthur to visit him in his castle with the hopes of rejoining the court, I had not intended to answer. Merlin had been insistent, however, that I at least come meet the High King of Britain. I was not so sure that it was a wise decision now as I roll up to the castle gates. I step outside the door slowly, taking in my surroundings. A small crowd of what must be castle servants and workers are gathered a bit off. There is a stone walkway leading up to the doors, and standing on the steps is a small group of people, only one face familiar among them. I knew how I looked to them. My dark hair was loose in its untamed curls, the only restraint was a thin silver circlet. My dress was a deep green, not as fine as what is fit for a princess, but comfortable and warm, and fit me well. My skin wasn't the fashionable porcelain shade, but golden after spending hours outside. I make my way towards them, and I halt a few yards from them, unsure.

At the front of the gathering was a young man with broad shoulders and hair that shines like gold. His beard is full and it shadows a broad smile. There is a gold circlet on his head. I gather that this is King Arthur. To his left is a beautiful woman with pale skin and honey brown hair. She is watching me warily as if I might bite her. She also wears a gold circlet, but hers is inset with tiny pearls and rubies. To Arthur's right is Merlin, his dear old face creased with years but still merry with his delight at seeing his two charges reunited. His long white beard reaches his stomach.

Behind the three of them stands a handful of knights of varying ages and builds. I suppose this is a portion of his infamous Round Table. After a long moment of silence, Arthur steps towards me, a brilliant smile on his mouth.

"Sister," He says as he embraces me. I hesitantly return the embrace. "It is good to have you home." I can sense his genuine happiness to have me here. He takes my hand and pulls me forward, closing the distance between myself and his people. "You know Merlin, of course. This is my wife, Guinevere. And behind her are some of the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, Sir Bedivere, and Sir Lancelot. We are missing a few of our brothers at the moment, off on various quests and adventures." He says good naturedly. The Knights regard me with a guarded curiosity. I suppose their reaction to me means Merlin told them about my gifts.

"It is an honor to meet all of you, and an honor to be invited to visit your court." I say to all of them. Guinevere steps forward, taking the hand not being held by Arthur.

"I am so glad you decided to come. It was always my greatest wish to have a sister here, and now that wish has come true." She smiles. I bite my tongue to keep unkind words from spitting out. I sense dishonesty in her, but not about what she just said. I do not like the aura I am feeling from her. "You must be tired from your journey. Come, I'll show you to your rooms." And just like that, I am being pulled through the doors and into the dim interior of the castle. It is lavishly decorated, elaborate tapestries hang from the walls and thick carpets layer the floor. Candles and lanterns light the way where windows are not available.

To get to my rooms we climb three flights of stairs and in the process pass through the ballroom, the throne room, and go by the council room, home of the legendary Round Table. When I finally reach my home for the next few weeks, the door opens to reveal a luxurious room. The bed is postered and draped with curtains. There are paintings on the walls, and through a doorway I can see a lavish bathing chamber complete with a very ornate mirror.

"I'll leave you to get settled in. The servants will unpack your things while we are at dinner." She smiles, and leaves me in the silence. I walk to the window and its magnificent view, and look down into what must be the gardens. I can see little pathways and fountains many stories below me, and see that most of the plants have wilted for the winter. How disappointing. I reach my hands out the window., summoning to a wilted vine of night blooming jasmine far below. Slowly the buds bloom to life, combating the cold with my magic, and start to climb their way up the walls. They creep in around the window and fan out in a beautiful display along the inside wall. Its flowers fill my rooms with their sweet aroma, and I smile in satisfaction. Perhaps I will leave a gift for my benevolent brother. I lean back out the window and sweep my arm in a wide arc over the gardens. The plants squirm and wriggle their way back to life until the garden is in full bloom as though it is the middle of summer.

When I'm finished, I leave my rooms to find Merlin. I follow the feeling of his magic into an observatory that opens up to the chilly fall sky. I wrap my arms around my middle and approach him. He is sitting at a desk scrawling notes about something he sees. I seat myself on the edge of the desk and wait until he is finished. He looks up to me with a smile.

"How are you liking Camelot?"

"It is very beautiful." I admit reluctantly. My admittance widens his smile.

"I knew it. And your thoughts on Arthur? Guinevere?"

"Arthur seems kind, and genuinely happy to have me here." I say, trying to keep unkind opinions to myself. He raises an eyebrow, giving me a knowing look.

"You do not like Guinevere."

"Deceit follows her like insects to a fire. I can sense it all around her."

"I have never seen anything other than loyalty from her, but you can see things I cannot. You are much more powerful than I ever was. You will serve him well when I am gone." He says. I frown. I hate when he speaks like this, like I have no choice but to commit myself to a lifetime of service to my brother. But I was not in the mood to argue today.

"The Knights do not like me." I say, picking up a rock that shimmers blue in the candlelight.

"They are distrustful to anyone who could be a threat to their king. And you could be a very big threat. Forgive them their misgivings, they are simply protective of your brother."

"I would never harm him."

"I know that, and Arthur knows that, but his Table does not know you." He dismisses it with a wave of his hand and stares up at the sky, brow wrinkled. I stare down at my hands, the many silver rings gracing my long fingers.

"I want to know him, Merlin. I want him to be my brother." I murmur quietly, hoping he will not hear me. But he does, and he gives me his full attention. Taking both of my hands in his, he gives me a warm smile.

"My dear, he feels the same way. Give it time. You two have missed a lifetime together, and you can't make up for twenty one missed years in one night. Your other sister declined the invitation, she remains holed up in the mountain town where your mother took the two of you. She married a king named Lot. She doesn't feel the same as the two of you." He assures me.

"I look nothing like him." I whisper.

"He is the exact copy of your mother, while you are in every way the child of your father." He looks into my face for a long time as if he can see the King that had died too soon. I knew that they were friends, and I always wonder if he is looking at Uther-Pendragon instead of me sometimes. He didn't like to talk about it, but I knew that he missed him terribly. "We had better get to dinner, we wouldn't want to keep them waiting." I accept his outstretched arm and together we walk to the dining hall.

I sit next to Merlin and just hope that I didn't take anyone's spot. Arthur gives me a small smile that I return. Maybe this would be a good thing, this visit. Once the blessing is said, the first course starts to be served.

"The gardens look spectacular, Morgana. Prettier than they ever were in the summer." Arthur says. I dip my head.

"It was a thank you gift for your generous invitation, my Lord."

"You are my sister. Please do not call me by my title. Call me Arthur." He encourages. I nod my head, resolved to stay quiet now. Conversation circles around me, and I listen, but do not interject. I lose myself in my thoughts, but a deep voice that is smooth and strong like a river addresses me, grabbing my attention back.

"You live on Avalon, an island which you can direct yourself?" My interrogator is one of the Knights. He was handsome with chiseled features dusted over with a short beard. His brown hair fell in tousled waves to his shoulders, and his eyes were brown and stubborn.

"Yes, it's a few hours' ride from here on horseback." I respond. There is a strange aura about him too, one similar to Guinevere's. How worrisome.

"Why have you only now made yourself known to us? Arthur has been king for three years now." The question is sharp edged, but it is a fair one to ask. I do not break his accusing stare.

"I understand your mistrust, but I must tell you it is unnecessary. I have stayed hidden for many years for my own safety."

"Merlin has been practicing magic for decades, and it is safe for him to live amongst society."

"My gifts were not welcomed as his were."

"How is it that you claimed you stayed hidden for your own safety, but we still heard of your reputation? The mysterious Morgana le Fay, performing impossible feats of magic." He leans on his forearms on the table, eyes boring into mine. My magic boils in my veins as my temper rises.

"I have nothing to hide. I do not wish to harm my brother, or his kingdom. I intend to visit and then return home and you will be rid of me then." I say coldly. This shuts him up, and he leans back.

"Lancelot, she is our guest, and more importantly, my sister. You will not address her in such a way again. She has my trust, and Merlin's, and does need to prove herself to you. Are we clear?" Arthur's voice is like the edge of a sword, leaving no room for argument. Lancelot nods his head once, but his eyes remain on my face.

I make it through my first court dinner alive. Afterwards, Arthur asks if I would accompany him on a walk through the gardens before I retire. I agree, and he gives Guinevere a kiss with a murmured promise not to be out too late. Her hands linger on him as he steps away. She loved him, that much I could see, and he loved her deeply.

The gardens are dark and cool as we walk, although not as chilly as the rest of the world. My magic had preserved a little heat down here. I breathed in the smells of the night, and steel myself for his questions.

"Tell me about our mother." He says. I try not to be offended at the way he says it like a command. He is a king after all, and I am only a forgotten princess.

"I do not think you would wish to hear my account of her." I would give anything to not speak of Ingraine.

"I beg of you. You got to know her while I did not. Anything you can tell me would be treasured." He turns his pure hearted gaze to me, and I sigh.

"The people said she was not the same after our father died. She took our half sister and myself to a secluded mountain village where her family kept a manor. I was only a few months old when that happened, so I don't remember it. I was born a year after you. We lived there for a long time, mostly in fear that Uther-Pendragon's enemies would find us again. She was strict about our lessons, insisted that we would still be raised like royalty even if we didn't live like royalty. The only time she smiled was when Margaise played the harp. She did not care for me much, I suspect because I look so similar to Uther. When I was seven my powers surfaced and rather than face the fear and hatred of the people, she cast me out on my own. Merlin found me and took care of me. I have only seen her once since, although I heard that she died a few years ago." I tell him, keeping my voice even and pushing down the rush of memories that come with her.

"I am sorry that that happened to you. I was most fortunate with my parental replacements." He says, putting a hand on my arm. I only smile a little. "Morgana, I.." He pauses. "I'm not quite sure how to say this. I know that we don't know each other, and have been apart our whole lives, but I.." We stop walking, and I cover his hand with my own, meeting his eyes and telling him what words could never convey.

"I feel the same. I want to know you. I want to be your sister." I whisper. He closes his eyes, a troubled look crossing his face, then he kisses my hand.

"I vow to make up for the time lost with you, sister."

“I vow the same.” And just like that, I am bound to the King of Britain with a vow of intent.