Here Comes The Bride

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tonight had been extremely interesting. Arthur had to suppress his laughter for the entire evening, of course not wanting to be rude to their guests. He often enjoyed teasing and ridiculing Morgana to no end. He had not been given the opportunity to do so today, for most of her time was spent with the visiting prince. Arthur had not been overly protective really, because he knew it was nothing. It was quite natural actually. Morgana was an extremely beautiful woman, there was no denying that. No man could deny that really. So to see a prince express such an infatuation with her, and wish to be in her company was hardly a rare thing to lay witness to. The only odd thing about tonight was that his father did not seem to overly object. In fact, he seemed to be encouraging it. That was something that Arthur did not understand. It was no secret that the king -- and prince even -- were highly overprotective of the Lady Morgana.

Which was why no knight dare try to woo her or try to gain her intimate affections. Either Arthur or Uther would immediately discourage that. But tonight, was different. It was also part of the reason Arthur had not intervened. Even though the man was quite . . . well, Arthur wasn't sure how to describe him. He knew men like that; the more crude type, ones of perversion. He didn't have to know him personally to be able to detect the lust in his eyes. The way his gaze lingered over her body a bit too long. The way he seldom left her side. Arthur wondered if his father had noticed this, or if he had been too preoccupied with immersing himself in peace talks with the king. Either way, Arthur found it highly amusing. Which was why tonight, he was on his way to her chambers to tease her mercilessly. There was nothing more to it. The prince would leave in a couple days time, and he would just be one of the many admirers of the Lady Morgana.

Arriving at Morgana's chambers, he knocked on the door a couple of times before he granted himself entrance. He peeked his head in first to make sure she wasn't changing into her night gown. When he saw that she was not behind the screen, he smirked and approached her. "Morgana," he greeted, a clear foretelling tone of teasing in his voice. "Did you enjoy your day?" He asked, knowing that his tease was becoming less and less subtle. Not that he was trying to hide it in the first place. "It certainly looked like you were," he added, unable to suppress his laughter any longer as a few chuckled managed to escape his lips. Oh this was going to be splendid fun! It was almost an unspoken expectation between them, that when one had material on the other to mock them with . . . they would take full advantage. Granted, usually it was the reverse, and Morgana would have more to tease Arthur with. But this was one of those rare occasions where he had the ammo, and he was most certainly going to use it.

_{Setting: Starts in Morgana's chambers, may move around
Time of Day: Starts at night
Timeline: In between Season 1 and Season 2
Tag: Morgana
Notes: Layout soon to come!}

[mpend]

The ward of Uther Pendragon had just finished drying herself off and changing into a nightgown when the knock on the door came. With a sigh she moved to sit on her bed, praying it wasn't the visiting Prince once more come to woo. The whole day had been awful - she had felt like some prime peacock prize, and the fact that Arthur had been trying to surpress laughter and Uther had been encouraging the Prince had not by any means helped. To be honest, Morgana felt violated.

So she was not in the mood whatsoever when Arthur poked his head around the door, striding into her room and beginning to tease her. She narrowed her eyes, pulling her hair into a ponytail, shaking her head. "I think it was more you and the King who were enjoying the day's unfolding," she half spat. "It was certainly not how I would have chosen to spend the day, believe me Arthur."

The woman stood, moving over to her dresser and shutting the drawers with quite a loud thump. "The Prince is arrogant, rude, offending, and vindictive," she confessed in a low voice. "I cannot understand why Uther is so intent on he and I getting on - would you believe that the Prince even began to talk of marriage today?" she gave a harsh laugh. "As if I would ever marry him. He is more arrogant than you, and that is saying something." She turned to face the Pendragon, her eyes serious. Arthur was the one person she could tell this to, the one person who would not brush it aside. "he tried to touch me. Inappropriately." she shuddered. "I do not wish to be left alone with him again, Arthur."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I think it was more you and the King who were enjoying the day's unfolding." That was quite true! Arthur had found an abundance of amusement in today's events. He was still laughing about it now! Especially hearing Morgana speak of it with such annoyance. "Really?" He asked when she remarked that it was not how she would have preferred to spend her day. "I thought he was your type," he added jokingly, knowing that he was just provoking her mood further. But after all, that was why he was here. To tease her endlessly! Well, until she kicked him out of the room. "Is he just those things?" He added with a smirk. "You don't find him dashing or chivalrous?" Oh this was too much fun! "If he is neither of those things then clearly he isn't like me at all. No wonder you don't fancy him." Now, his arrogance was incorporated into the mocking. Marriage?! He had talked of marriage to her?! AH! That was laughable. There was no way that his father would allow her to actually get married to her.

Then again . . . he had seemed rather lenient to let them spend time together . . . no. The king was here only for peace talks! That was it. "Don't worry Morgana. There is no chance you are actually going to marry the man." If there was a risk of that, then Arthur wouldn't have found so much humor in it. He would have stood right next to her, or even in front of her to shield her from the Prince's perverted looks. However, in all of Arthur's amusement, in all his laughter . . . it came an abrupt end when she revealed something. "He tried to touch me. Inappropriately." He. Did. What?! Arthur's smile faded and an expression of concern immediately took over. Not to mention the anger that began to build up in him. He took a couple of steps toward her, focusing on remaining calm just in her presence. He tended to have his father's temper at times. "What did he do?" He asked in a stern voice of dead seriousness. All the laughter and jokes were not gone. And replaced with rage and guilt for having let the man lay a single finger on her. Never again. Nor would he let the prince get away with this.

[mpend]

Morgana rolled her eyes as Arthur tried to sport with her, not in the mood for his jests. "Arrogant prats who cannot take hints are hardly the type of man I would even consider being with, Arthur," she stated firmly, seriously. It was all very well for the Prince - he would never be forced to do what she had just been forced to do. To be paraded round like some prize and handed off to the man with the most goods was nothing short of degrading. "Have your fun, Arthur," she spat. "It is not you who is being paraded round like this! It is not you who is treated like some... thing to be handed off to someone!"

She laughed bitterly at Arthur's obvious certainty that there was no chance she would be married off to the man. "Are you really so blind?" she asked softly, her eyes turning to meet the blonde's. "Why else would your father be so eager for me to spend time with that loathesome man? Why else would he have made me dress the way he did, and introduce me the way he did?" she swallowed, shaking her head as she sat back down, resting her head in her right hand.

As the Pendragon took a couple of steps toward her, she saw the change of expression in his eyes. Gone was the jesting, teasing look, replaced with... could she hope that was concern? But of course it was - because despite all his jesting and teasing, Arthur was still, above all things, like a brother, and very protective. Perhaps if she told him exactly what had happened... but she blushed to think of it, the memory not one she wanted to recollect or ever think of again. She shook her head, unable to retell the tale. "I shouldn't have mentioned it." she stated quietly. "I kneed him in the groin, and I think he understood the message, and besides, Uther would not do anything about him anyway." Morgana sighed.

[Arthur Pendragon]

That was true. His father had never pushed him toward marriage. Even if Arthur had his . . . moments. Such as with Sophia. The thought of how he had nearly eloped with her still made a shiver run down his spine. He knew that he would not marry for love, but for the good of the kingdom. For princes -- especially future king -- often did so. Which was also part of the reason he enjoyed the company of women while he could. Before he was committed to another and meant to marry for political gain. He supposed in that sense, he could understand Morgana's frustrations in being paraded like that. It certainly sounded, objectifying from the way she described it. Especially around a man who already had far too a perverted gleam in his eye. "And here I thought you enjoyed being the center of attention for men," he said. Though the thick humor in his tone was slowly diminishing. For he was seeing less and less amusement in this situation with all she was telling him. Especially when she spoke of how it was marriage that . . . even his father was pushing for.

The way she was describing it was making it increasingly clear . . . and he didn't like that. He didn't like the thought of her marrying such a crude man. She deserved far better! The best! And even then, Arthur would not think that any man was good enough for her. She was his sister, and he was not going to just let any man come and take her away to make her bride. "He wouldn't dare . . . " Arthur said, though it was more words of denial. Now, it was making sense why his father was so calm with her being in the company of the prince. Surely, that was not what this peace treaty would be based on?! "He can't possibly expect you to marry such a crude man." Unless, was he blind to it? Unable to see what Arthur had? He had been distracted for majority of the time. Plus, he wouldn't blatantly disrespect the king by bringing to light the inappropriate behavior of his son. Though, this did not resolve what he had done to her. In fact, it made it worse. Hearing that she may have to marry the man -- though not if Arthur had anything to do with it.

"I shouldn't have mentioned it." It was too late now. Arthur was going to get to the bottom of it. He was going to find out what the man did to her. How dare he disrespect and dishonor a woman like that! Arthur held deep hatred for men like that, and such a man was not one he would call brother in law. Had he not been so angry, he would have smirked with approval at her actions of kicking him . . . knowing that Morgana was able to stand up for herself. But, she could not throw down a gauntlet and demand a man fight for her honor. That, was something that Arthur could do. "As much as I approve of your actions in defending yourself, you still need to tell me what happened." It was not a question, though not a command -- for he knew better than to command Morgana. "I will not let him get away with it Morgana," he assured her. It was a vow, and if Arthur was anything, he was a man of his word.

[mpend]

Morgana managed a bitter laugh at Arthur's words, shaking her head. "I fear that Uther does not care for me as we once thought," she confessed her true feelings. "He sees me as a political tool - he can use a marriage with me to gain peace with this... pervert of a prince... he would not care about anything else." the brunette gave a frustrated groan, running her hand through her hair. "There's nothing I can do," she stated quietly. "Nothing any of us can do. I am at the King's whim."

At the Pendragon's assistance to know what had happened, Morgana swallowed, sqirming a little in discomfort. The ward's shoulders sagged in defeat, and she sat down, heavily. "He pushed me up against a wall," she stated quietly, trying to say the words without emotion, though she did not quite manage. "He turned me to face it, and tried to... force himself on me. I managed to stamp on his foot and then turn, kneeing him before I fled," the fact that she had run away from the visiting Prince made Morgana burn with shame, but what else could she do?

She looked up at Arthur as he attemped to assure her that the man would not get away with what he had done, and she swallowed, standing and takign the Prince's hands, meeting his eyes, her own green ones serious. "Do not defend me, Arthur," she asked quietly. "Do not do something stupid like try to ask that he defend his honour." The brunette shook her head, taking a breath. "I am not worth it. I am not worth you getting hurt, I am not worth... anything."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur knew that his own future was sealed; that he would marry for political gain. But he didn't want to see Morgana put in such a position. He didn't want her to be a pawn in strengthening Camelot. She deserved to be with someone who made her happy, or at least someone who was decent. "He loves you as a daughter Morgana," he said, trying to defend his father but he could see how hurt she was by his desire to marry her off to another. Especially to a prince such as this. But, everyone knew how precious Uther considered his ward to be; that he loved her so much. That he cared for her as if she was his own daughter. "I can't imagine he knows the true nature of this prince. Otherwise, he never would have considered it." Arthur wasn't even sure if telling his father would make a difference. For he did not want to start a war and jeopardize the kingdom's peace . . . but some things were more important. Morgana, was more important.

"I will try to speak to him," he said, knowing that if anyone had even a semblance of a chance getting through to him, it was Arthur. Just as Morgana defended Arthur whenever he was in trouble. He would not abandon her now. All though, all rational thoughts seemed to flee from his mind when she began to describe what happened. "He pushed me up against a wall." Arthur could feel his blood boiling. "He turned me to face it, and tried to... force himself on me." He felt his hands clench into fists, so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "I managed to stamp on his foot and then turn, kneeing him before I fled." Arthur could have sworn there was a slight tremble in his hands from the rage that threatened to unleash itself. It only stopped when she took his hands in her own, though it did not calm him in the slightest.

In fact, he only grew more angry when he heard her speak so low of herself. What had this bastard done?! Took advantage of her, destroyed her self esteem? What right did he have to do that?!None. None what so ever. "I'm going to kill him," Arthur his, his voice was low but filled with dead seriousness; filled with anger. "Peace treaty be damned! I am going to kill him for laying a hand on you." He didn't care what his father said. Hell, he didn't care what the other king said! In his irrational mind right now, he didn't even consider how this could start a war. Only that he need throw his gauntlet in the prince's face and challenge him to a duel to the death! Arthur was not one who preferred the use of violence as a means to solve things . . . but this was an exception. Right now, in his raging mind, it was the best way to claim revenge for what he had done to Morgana.

[mpend]

The ward laughed a little bitterly, shaking her head. "he loves me as a daughter when it suits him," she said quietly. "but then throws me away like yesterday's dinner when it does not." she shrugged. "I should expect no more, I suppose." she sighed as Arthur wondered if the King knew of the Prince's ways. " I dont expect that would change his mind. You know your father. Once he is set upon somethign he is very unlikely to change his course."

Morgana smiled a little as Arthur said he would talk to Uther, placing a hand on the Pendragon's shoulder. "Do not put yourself at unease with him," she requested. "Not for my sake. You do not deserve it."

She bit her lip at the serious deadly tone in Arthur's voice as he next spoke, hating herself for being so weak as to even mention the goings on to the blonde. "No..." she began, but Arthur continued on, going so far as to say he did not care about the peace treaty. The brunette stood, and reached forward, taking one of Arthur's clenched hands in her own, meeting his eyes. "Arthur, no." she said firmly. "Please, there is no point. If you think of me as you claim to, you will not do this. Your life is too valuable to waste on such a thing as my dignity."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur couldn't believe that. That he was so willing to dispose of Morgana when she didn't serve his purpose. He knew that expressing his affection for someone he cared about was not one of Uther's strong suits -- something that Arthur had inherited from his father no doubt. But, Arthur knew that he loved Morgana. That he would do anything for her. Which was why Arthur was convincing himself more and more that his father did not know the true nature of this prince. He knew he couldn't just storm to him and say that the prince was a vulgar creature of a man who dishonored Morgana. He needed evidence. He needed to expose him. "He cares about you. I know he doesn't show you, but apart from his stubbornness when it comes to changing his mind, expressing affection is not exactly something he is well known for." He only wished to defend his father, so that she would understand that she was not alone in this.

That Uther would not stand for this either, once the truth was revealed. And Arthur would do all within is power to reveal it. Because he wasn't going to let her spend the rest of her life, wedded to such a crude man. "I won't let him seal you to this fate," he told her; vowed to her. That he would not let her wed this man. That he would deal with him well before any wedding day was announced. If his father truly was serious about this. "I promise, I will find a way to change his mind." He didn't care if it caused tension with his father. She was a sister to him and he was not going to let her suffer for the rest of her life . . . in a marriage with a man who tried to . . . take advantage of her. The thought alone just made Arthur so angry, that someone dared to do such a thing. A royal, who was supposed to be respectful and polite, pushed her against a wall. The more these words replayed in his head, the more vivid a mental image formed, and the more furious he became.

Though she tried to calm him, it was too late for that. He was too far gone in his anger and raging thoughts . . . more so when she said that she wasn't worth it. That her dignity wasn't worth it. He looked at her with an expression of pure disbelief. "I think of you as my sister." But she already knew that. "And you are worth more to me than a great deal in this world. So do not believe for one moment, that you are not. That your dignity is worthless. That this, vile man will get away with such heinous deeds." Just wait until Arthur saw him again. "He will not. I swear to you Morgana, he will not." Arthur had vowed and sworn to many things these past few moments, and he intended to keep true to his word in every single thing he said. Regardless of how she thought she was so, worthless. No. She was so dear to his heart and cared for her more than he was capable of expressing. He would not let the prince get away with this; and he would not let her be condemned to a future with him.

[mpend]

Though the Pendragon tried to assure her that the King did not see her as a desposable thing, sadly Morgana was not convinced. She appreciated Arthur's effort, though, and knew he was partially doing so out of loyalty to Uther - which was understandable; he was after all Arthur's father. Though she had to, admittedly agree with his assessment of the proud King - that Uther was not the most comfortable with revealing his true emotions. Unless of course it was anger. Anger was the one thing Uther was inexplicably good at portraying. "Perhaps you are right," she said quietly, with a sigh. "You know him better than I, after all."

The ward bit her lip as Arthur swore to free her from this bond, raising from her chair to take his hands, meeting his eyes. "Please, do not do anything to anger your father, or turn him against you. Not on my account." Morgana smiled a little as the blonde said once again that she was a sister to him in all but blood, about to reply when he carried on, a slight blush rising to her cheeks as he revealed just how much she meant to him, though it faded again when he spoke of the leacherous Prince. Morgana hesitated, swallowing. "If I do not marry him... someone else will have to deal with his ... ways." she shuddered. "I am not sure I can let someone else fall into such a trap."

Morgana paused, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "If you challange this man, it could lead to his country and ours coming to war," she said quietly, reasonably. "Please, Arthur. There is more at stake here than what little remains of my dignity. Please."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He was right. He knew that his father loved Morgana. He just . . . didn't know the prince for what he really was. And the prince's true character was what sickened Arthur. And what made him refuse to allow this marriage to happen. He knew that one day, Morgana would be wed to another. He also knew that it would have to be to a good and decent man, though there would never be one good enough for her. This prince, was lower than dirt. Already laying a hand on her, trying to take advantage of her, forcing himself on her . . . the mere thoughts that consumed Arthur's mind sickened him and only continued to fuel his anger. Which wasn't even calming with her rationality and logic. He knew, deep deep down, that she was right. That should he do something now, it would have serious political repercussions. But that didn't mean that it wasn't worth it. "This marriage arrangement is completely unacceptable Morgana," he told her bluntly. There was nothing suitable about this. It was revolting!

The man was one of those crude and vile creatures that Arthur despised! And now . . . he was just going to go ahead and marry Morgana? Not as long as Arthur drew breath. "If I can not challenge him right way, then I will expose him for what he really is." Arthur was determined. He was not going to let this pass. He was not going to let her fate be sealed to this monster. He knew that her wedding would take place in the groom's kingdom -- as was custom. "If you get sent to his kingdom to marry him, then know that you will not be going alone." Apart from escorts and knights, Arthur would be going with her. And then he would stay there until he found a way to tactfully expose the prince and reveal his crudeness. This was a delicate matter and surely there was a way to resolve it while preventing war. Besides, the peace treaty would hopefully be drawn up by then.

[mpend]

She could not help but be surprised as Arthur spoke, his tone firm and strong. Seldom had he been so utterly sure of something like this, and it warmed Morgana's heart to know that she had someone like Arthur at her side - someone who saw her as a human, not just a political tool. "But what can be done?" She asked quietly, playing with her fingers. "Your father will make me marry him; he needs the allegance a marriage would bring."

Though the Prince's next words confused and worried her. "Expose him?" she echoed. "How?" The brunette frowned. "You cannot ask someone to put themselves in danger for us, Arthur. I won't allow another woman to become a victim of his..." she shuddered. "ways." She shook her head, sitting down in the nearby chair. "I fear I may have to marry him. Otherwise there will be war, Arthur. You and I both know this." She managed a weak smile as the blonde promised her she would not go alone if she were forced to this man's kingdom. "It will be a relief to have my brother of heart," she used the word with a little caution "with me. Your company will be a welcome relief and pleasure."

[Arthur Pendragon]

What could be done. A valid question. The point was that something could be done. And Arthur would find out what that something was. Surely if he set his mind to purpose, then he would think of a plan. A way to rid this man from Morgana's life, while avoiding war with him. "Expose him?" Yes. "How?" . . . He had no clue. "I will think of something," he told her confidently. This time it was not his over arrogant confidence. It was legitimate and determined. "I will not ask another woman to victimize herself. Nor will I let you get victimized in her place." Arthur would never ask another woman to put herself in that position . . . but that didn't mean he was going to let Morgana be a martyr and take the place she was being forced into. "If he is as you say then I am sure there are already other women who are victims of his, advances." Because that was the least crude way he could phrase it.

"We need only find them and bring them together as witnesses." Surely such things were not acceptable even in his own country. And if nothing else, it would be legal and a way to show his father that he was an unworthy man. Whilst avoiding war. When she sat on the chair, Arthur crouched down in front of her, practically kneeling in front of his as his both his hands went to either side of the arm rests on the chair. He looked intently into her eyes so that she would know how serious he was; so that she would know he would not let harm come to her or the kingdom. "There are ways out of this Morgana. You are not doomed to this fate. War can be avoided. We need only approach this with the utmost caution and delicacy." It would take days to prepare the wedding ceremony. And in this days, Arthur would be finding a way to prevent it. "So long as I am there, he will not lay so much as a finger on you. I give you my word." If there was one thing Arthur prided himself in, it was being a man of his word. Once he gave it, he would honor it. For without honor, a man was nothing.

[mpend]

Morgana paused, thinking. "I... may have an idea," she said hesitantly. It was not one that she enjoyed thinking, but... if it would help expose the man.... would it not be worth it? Assuming, of course, that Arthur would even agree to the plan. She very much doubted he would, for sometimes he was protective over her to a fault. She quitened when he spoke of finding others who had probably become victims, biting her lip. "it would take time," she stated quietly. "And some might not even be willing to come forward. If it were I, I do not think I could bare the shame of admitting it," it was an uncomfortable thing to admit to, but nontheless true.

"Can we? Can I afford to do this, and risk war? You know your father - if he finds out, he may be the one to declair ware. Not for my sake, but because his pride will have been tarnished." she sighed softly "I am sorry Arthur, to have burdened you with such a thing." She managed a slight smile though as he promised that the visiting Prince would not touch her whilst Arthur was around, knowing he was a man of his word. "Thankyou," she stated quietly. "That means more to me than I can perhaps explain."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He slightly raised an eyebrow out of curiosity when she said that she had an idea. "And what is that?" He asked, though judging from her hesitation in admitting that much, it didn't sound like it would be one he approved of. Still, he found the plan of calling together witnesses to be their best chance. So it would not appear as if it was a bias, or a he said she said controversy. He trusted Morgana, but he needed to have more evidence to prove to the prince's father, rather than just his own. "When we go there, I will work on finding as many as I can. I doubt would be something that is so easily hidden." Especially since he doubted that a woman would be able to hide her discomfort when approached of such a subject. Of course Arthur would deal with it delicately. But right now, it was their best chance. He knew his father's pride which made her next words ones that could present a possible scenario. "I will speak to my father," he told her.

If he could convince his father not to retaliate against Odin for sending an assassin to kill Arthur, then surely he could convince him not to declare war. "We can deal with this legally and diplomatically. Once the evidence is gathered the prince's father can not refuse. To avoid embarrassment and attention brought forth to this, he may even offer to keep the treaty in tact." That would be the ideal. Even if the king knew of his son's behavior . . . it was the threat of exposure that they could use to their advantage. He gave a small reassuring smile when she apologized. "You have nothing to be sorry for. This is something that effects us all." Not politically, but emotionally, as Morgana had entered the Pendragon family years ago. Making her burdens and sufferings his own too. "We will get this sorted out. And ensure that you are not condemned to a future with this vile man." A man who took advantage of woman.

[mpend]

Morgana sighed softly, able to tell from the Pendragon's tone that her idea would be tossed aside. Still, she spoke it, just in the small case that he might actually consider her words. "To make your father listen we must have something that he cannot deny against the prince," she stated quietly. "My thought was... what if... I ... enabled him to... see me again?" she asked softly. "Chances are he is likely to attempt to recreate what he has already done once before, if not push it further," she failed to force back the shudder that pulsed through her body. "and if we could... arrange it, perhaps you and the King could simply... happen upon us?" It was a risky proposal, and if they were late or Uther did not come, then Morgana would be playing into the Prince's hands. But what other choice was there? She bit her lip, awaiting Arthur's decision, for he had more power over this situation than she.

"Deplomacy is not always your father's strong point," she reminded softly. Admittedly, neither was it Arthur's - his very attitude to this situation surrpised her, rather plesently. At least he wasn't threatening to kill the man. She sighed softly, listening to the blonde's words, nodding softly. "Thank you for helping me," she stated, rising to take Arthur's hands, managing a weak smile. "I wish I could have dealt with this by myself, but I... did not know what the right course of action would be,"

[Arthur Pendragon]

After the first few words of Morgana's plans, Arthur was in complete objection to them. They were not going to happen. There were far too many things wrong with it. The first being that he was not going to put her in a compromising situation like that, where any number of things could go wrong. "No," he said, displaying his immediate disapproval. If she would not use reason as to why she should not be that position, then there was another approach to explain this logically. "Morgana, you just spoke of my father's temper and his wrath," he began to say, speaking of her previous words of how Uther's temper could be . . . well, quite strong. "How do you think he will react if he sees it for himself, actually about to witness the prince's actions on you?"

It was a rhetorical question, for Arthur knew full well how his father would react. "He would be far more enraged and far more irrational in that moment." Which would cause all the other fears that she had made known: war, being the greatest. "No. We need to handle this delicately. We have a better chance of my father not reacting so violently if we approach him carefully and cautiously. Not throw him into an enraged fit of angry and fury." And that was all that would happen if he walked in on Morgana and the prince. Her own spoken fears would come true if they went along with her plan. It was too dangerous and risky. Arthur agreed with her next words, diplomacy was not his strong suit . . . but he was not hopeless at it either.

"He will be diplomatic enough to avoid war, if we deal with this properly. It is a very fragile situation." He knew he didn't need to remind her of that. Of everything that was at stake, more than her virtue. Though he did not trivialize that one bit. "Thank you for helping me." Arthur looked at her with a faint smile, giving her hands a gentle squeeze when she took them in her own. "You never need to thank me for such things. Nor do I ever want you to feel that you are alone in dealing with anything. We will find a solution to this problem, together. Rather than have you face the burdens of it one your own." Because that was not what a family was a all about; family was meant to support each other. Which was exactly what he would do in every aspect of Morgana's life.

[mpend]

Morgana sighed as the blonde immediately dismissed her idea - she had to admit she was a little glad, however selfish that might seem. She listened to Arthur's reasoning, nodding softly in agreement as he spoke. He was right, of course. Uther's temper and the probibility of war would only strengthen if he walked in on her and the Prince. And ... if he and Arthur were some how late... then they might have a much bigger problem on their hands. "you're right," she agreed quietly.

She smiled a little as Arthur spoke of being diplomatic to avoid war, once again amazed at how maturely the young Pendragon was handling this. She had half expected him to fly into a rage and offer to kill the offending Prince, but no. He was being delicate, he was being practicle, and at the same time he was not making her feel as though she were worthless. As he squeezed her hands and then spoke to her of being by her side to face this problem, Morgana looked up, meeting his eyes. "I am so lucky to have you as a brother," she stated, knowing he knew she would mean a brother of heart, and not a true brother, although if such a thing had happened then it would not exactly be a burden or a bad thing.