Summary: What's a father to do when his children want to get married...to each other?!

Wherein Uther is in a pickle of his own making, Morgana and Arthur are just living their lives, and Gwen sees nothing.

Sequel to Uther's Oversight but can be read as a standalone.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Merlin

Uther's POV

It all started on Arthur's 17th name-day feast. The pride he held for his son, though rarely expressed, was shining on his face. Things were looking up for his kingdom. His son was finally a man, and was the finest knight in the land (Uther would accept nothing less after all). Magic was on its way to being completely extinguished; executions being at an all-time low that year seemed to prove his point. And he had just signed a trade treaty with Nemeth which would keep his citizens well-fed that winter.

He sat there contentedly gnawing on a rabbit's foot and mentally congratulating himself on a job well done (if he hadn't completely dismissed it as superstitious magical nonsense, he would have thought twice about chewing on that rabbit foot, but as it were, he didn't and so his subsequent bad luck took him by complete surprise).

"Uther!" came the booming voice of King Rodor, who, although still disputing with Uther over Gedref, was one of Camelot's closest allies.

Rodor dropped into the empty seat next to him and looked at him with a slight smirk, "I see some congratulations are in order."

"Hmm," came the slightly dazed reply, "Why, thank you King Rodor."

Uther, in his slightly inebriated state, did not even question why Rodor was congratulating him; he thought the King was also aware of Uther's achievements and was just as happy for him as he was for himself.

"I have to confess though," continued King Rodor, "I am slightly disappointed."

Uther's eyebrows furrowed and he frowned, "Why? What's there to be disappointed about? I was under the impression that things were going well."

"Oh yes, definitely. Arthur and Morgana seem to be getting along splendidly. In fact, they remind me of me and my wife when we were newly betrothed," said Rodor, laughing, "It's just that I had so hoped that when my Mithian was of age we could forge a closer alliance. She did seem fond of Arthur the last time she visited, though granted they were only children then. I've watched him grow up and I would be assured that Mithian would be in good hands."

Uther's face froze, though Rodor didn't seem to notice and continued, "I had intended on proposing a betrothal between our heirs, but I realise that that would be a mistake. Mithian would never be able to compete with the Lady Morgana. Arthur seems smitten, as does the Lady, and as much as we could force an alliance, it would bring me no joy to come between them. Also, I'd never want Mithian to feel second best; as a father, I do hope that the man she marries will love her and I see now that Arthur's heart belongs elsewhere."

Rodor's gaze was beyond Uther now, and with a sickening sense of dread, Uther turned to look (his rabbit foot slipped out of his hand and onto the floor without him noticing).

Arthur and Morgana were on the dance floor, looking very...cozy. Uther's heart started to race uncontrollably. This could not be happening to him!

Uther had put it out of his mind. Maybe Morgana had taken pity on Arthur and decided to be nice for the night because it was his name-day. They were back to their usual bickering so Uther felt safe enough in letting the matter lie.

He was going back to his chambers after a particularly long council meeting (blast Lord Drumph for keeping them all back! Camelot and Essetir may not have been allies but they were not enemies and he was not about to incur Cenred's wrath by building a wall between their two territories), when he heard something suspicious.

Immediately he was on his guard. Who could be sneaking around the castle this time of night? Especially this close to the council chambers. Could it be that someone was listening in?

He continued on, on his guard now, and the closer he got to the alcove (that was hidden, by the way, how did the spy know of it?), the more he was convinced that it wasn't just one, but two persons...who sounded like they were having a hushed argument.

Stopping just before the entrance he listened carefully, but he could only hear snippets of their whispered conversation.

"No! I told you, I will not!" came the heated reply to a question he had not heard.

"Please Arthur, just this once?"

Arthur? Uther paled...and that had sounded like...Morgana...but it couldn't be! What would they be doing there?

"If father caught us..." he trailed off, "Morgana you know what would happen!"

"Yeah, we'd probably ... in the dungeons ourselves," she scoffed, then pleaded, "But I don't care! It's worth it! I know you Arthur, I know you want to ... as much as I do. Please ... with me. ... will help distract... They won't catch us."

"And what if they ask what ... doing ... hour? We can't ... into trouble because we...selfish desire to..."

Selfish desire to what? They couldn't be...talking about that could they? Uther's heart started palpitating again and in his panic he accidentally leaned against a wall sconce and it shifted creakily.

"Did you hear that?" Morgana asked, a thread of fear in her voice, which sounded closer to Uther now.

And before Uther could finish hear Arthur saying he would investigate, he was speeding down the corridor, and back into the council chambers. He sagged against the desk, wheezing slightly. Uther hadn't moved so fast since he was fighting for the throne. He didn't realise kingship had made him so out of shape; it took him several minutes to catch his breath.

He sank down into his chair and tried to process what he had heard. It couldn't be what he thought, could it? Arthur wouldn't ruin Morgana's virtue, would he? He didn't know she was his sister but even so, she was a Lady! He had taught Arthur better than that! (He completely ignored the fact that it was Morgana who seemed to be instigating something.)

"No this won't do," he said to himself, "This won't do at all! If Arthur wants female companionship he shall have to find it elsewhere or I will find it for him!"

Morgana was off-limits! And maybe it was his fault as well. Arthur was a man now, and as his father he should have taken it into account that he had a man's needs. Since Morgana was the only Lady he was around, it made sense that he would gravitate towards her. Uther would need to rectify that immediately!

He was finally satisfied. Since he had heard their whispered conversation, Uther had taken it upon himself to invite several noble families with eligible daughters to the castle over the course of a few months. If he was lucky, Arthur would fall for one of those girls instead. As it were, whether he liked them or not, Arthur was obliged to pay attention to them as a courteous host. Morgana had been spending more time with her maidservant Guinevere, claiming that she would rather spend time with a servant than with those simpering fools pining after the prince. Uther, happy that she and Arthur were separated, had not berated her about being a better hostess (or becoming too friendly with the help).

He went down to the courtyard to see Arthur off. Lady Eleanor Budweiser was the latest young noble invited to spend time with the royal family and Arthur had promised to take her on a picnic.

"Arthur," he said as he approached the prince, who was graciously helping her onto her horse, "I do hope that the Lady will have a good time today." He raised a significant eyebrow at his son. "Of course she will father, who doesn't enjoy good wine and good company?" Arthur retorted, conveniently choosing to forget the dressing down his father gave him for scaring the last Lady off by talking fighting strategies the entire time. (Morgana would have been interested, was his defence, which, for some reason, had made his father go silent. He was dismissed immediately.)

Uther nodded, accepting his answer, and made his way back to the castle, stopping by Gaius's chambers to collect his medication. Gaius was confused when the King came to him some months ago with anxiety-like symptoms. He was unable to sleep, had become very jittery, and was having heart palpitations. And for some reason, whenever anyone mentioned the phrase 'Arthur and Morgana' the King's left eye would start twitching. Gaius had received no explanation and so had simply treated the King without comment.

Arthur and Lady Eleanor had made good time, and when back at the castle he had escorted the Lady to her chambers. He went back out to take the horses to the stable (Uther would need to find a manservant for him soon, he really shouldn't be doing that on his own) and met Morgana who was coming back from a ride together with her maidservant. Uther himself had gone out to the courtyard to get some fresh air (Gaius recommended it) and witnessed the entire exchange (from behind a post...as soon as he saw them together his instinct screamed hide! He would later wonder, why, as the King, did he need to hide in his own castle.)

"Morgana, Guinevere," acknowledged Arthur, as he returned the horses, turning to help them off of theirs.

"Arthur," Morgana replied, then smirked, "I trust your date with Lady Buttwiper went well?"

Arthur's expression soured, "Yes, Lady Budweiser is an excellent conversationalist. Unlike some people I could mention."

Morgana laughed, "Oh is that aimed at me your highness? I suggest you be careful now, you'll be stuck with my conversation for a long time. Wouldn't want to offend your future wife now would you?"

Arthur was confused, "Future wife?"

"What, did you forget? And here I thought you were a man of your word," she feigned distress.

"The first time I bested you with the sword you promised me you would marry me. Now that Lady Buttwiper is here you've forgotten all about me haven't you?" she looked at Gwen, "The Lady's been boasting since she arrived about how smitten the prince is with her. I see now that it is true. Come Gwen, let us leave him. He's sure to be heading right back to his sweetheart anyway."

They exited the stables promptly, leaving a gobsmacked Arthur behind them.

"I...What?..No! We...what? Morgana!" he called, running after them.

Uther felt sick. He remembered the promise a young Arthur had made when a 10 year old Morgana had soundly trounced him. He thought that she had forgotten about it. Had she been waiting and hoping this entire time?

Uther had given Morgana some time to cool off (truthfully, he'd actually been the one who'd needed time and a second dose of anti-anxiety potion). After dealing with some court matters the next day, he headed off to her chambers. He needed to discuss, first of all, the impropriety of calling your noble guests unkind names (especially in public), no matter how upset you were with them. And secondly, he would need to find out the depth of her feelings for Arthur once and for all. He'd thought that Arthur needed to meet other women and the problem would be solved. He hadn't taken Morgana's feelings into consideration.

Arriving at her chambers, he found her door slightly ajar. He was about to knock, when he heard it.

Morgana was crying. Nay, full on sobbing!

"There's nothing more you can do my lady," came the voice of her maidservant, "He's already made up his mind. You tried to talk to him about it but we both know his feelings on the matter."

"I...I know Gwen, I know," she sniffed, "It's just...why does he have to be so...so cruel?" Her voice cracked at the end.

Uther didn't wait to hear anymore. He had his answers.

Lady Buttwiper would have to go!

And Arthur found himself with extra patrols, much to his dismay.

Uther was now becoming sullen and withdrawn and the bags under his eyes were fairly noticeable. What should his next move be? Morgana and Arthur usually found any opportunity to fight with each other. Was that the way the kids were courting these days? He figured Arthur had rejected her otherwise she wouldn't be so upset. But Arthur really was a man of his word, and eventually he would accept her.

Which brought him back to his dilemma. He couldn't separate them too obviously, or people would start to question his motivations; many of his advisors would undoubtedly think it an appropriate match. Neither could he admit that Morgana was his daughter. It was far too late for that now and he had a reputation to uphold. He could betroth one of them to another noble, however King Rodor might not look favourably upon his actions and he couldn't risk bad blood between their two kingdoms. But if he didn't do something it was likely that they would be too far gone, and he loathed the thought of breaking their hearts if they ever came to him and he had to forbid them from marrying.

What was a father to do?

Well apparently a father could shirk his duties to his kingdom in favour of stalking his children. Yes, that was his big plan. For now, he'd watch and wait. Anytime he saw them getting too close or too friendly, he would be there! He hadn't figured out how to break their affections yet, but he could ensure nothing untoward happened between them in the meantime.

Except this plan was terrible. He was poor at stealth, for one. And all he ever caught them doing was arguing. He was starting to get frustrated too. Following them around was exhausting. And he was no closer to figuring out how to separate their affections.

If they even had any at this point because he was getting a headache listening to them argue again. This time over who was better at skipping rocks.

Rocks! Why would royals need to know how to skip rocks like some peasant? He was so busy rambling to himself he didn't even notice his court physician looking at him in alarm.

"Your Majesty. Your Majesty!"

"Huh, wha-?" he shook his head.

"Are you okay?" Gaius said, concern evident in his voice, "I called you several times already but you seemed to be..." Well it was probably best he didn't finish that sentence.

"Well now that you mention it Gaius, I seem to have a rather nasty headache," he confessed, "I do believe I'll need something to help me get through dinner tonight."

"Take care of him, will you Gaius. I think I'll need to request we dine in private tonight. Father doesn't look very well," said Arthur, making the King jump terribly.

"Good call Arthur," said Morgana, "It can just be the three of us tonight."

He had forgotten why he had a headache in the first place. He was spying on Arthur and Morgana.

Who apparently had made up in the short space of time he had been conversing with Gaius as they both seemed to be in agreement. They were like a pendulum. One minute they were arguing over rocks and the next they were amicable as if nothing ever happened.

Uther felt faint.