Holy crap! So many reviews for one chapter! You, dear readers, officially made my week. I have considered your suggestions and I've made decisions for the story! You'll have to read to find out.
Morgana awoke with a small scream as she quickly scanned her surroundings. Realizing she was safe in her chambers, she calmed slightly, attempting to rid herself of the vivid nightmare she had experienced.
Morgana was on a green hill amidst beautiful white roses, her white gown billowing in the summer breeze. To her left was Guinevere, her handmaid, in a white outfit as well, to her left, Prince Arthur and Merlin. Arthur wore a white silk outfit with gold trimmings. Merlin stood beside him in a matching outfit, holding Arthur's hands and smiling up at him as though he was the only man in the world. Gaius stood at the podium, reading scripture. Uther stood at the far right, looking displeased but not entirely unhappy. It was time. As Merlin and Arthur moved in for their kiss, a scream ripped through the air. In the blur, Morgana saw roses stained with red, an arrow through Arthur's heart, and Merlin being dragged by his hair by an unknown force.
Morgana grabbed the dark blue vial by her bedside and downed it in one gulp. Her dreams were getting worse, and they were becoming more and more vivid each night. She snuggled underneath the covers for the second time that night, willing the dark thoughts that plagued her away.
It was early, far too early if you asked him, when Merlin was awoken by Will to prepare for the day, as well as the upcoming feast later that night.
Will smiled down at Merlin. "Good Morning, sire."
"Morning," Merlin grumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Will guided Merlin to the bathroom, took his night robe, and gathered the used linens to be washed. He exited the room just as Merlin reentered, bathed and bare. He slid behind his privacy partition and began dressing for the day. Merlin, who was immersed in finding his favorite pair of robes, did not hear his chamber doors being opened.
"Merlin?" Arthur's booming voice called.
Merlin jumped and, being a clumsy person, knocked his partition over, with nothing but a deep red robe clutched to his chest, the hem barely reaching mid thigh, to keep his decency.
"Arthur!" Merlin shrieked, "Didn't your father teach you to knock?!"
Arthur blinked a few times before turning his back, a light blush gracing his features.
"It's almost midmorning, why aren't you dressed yet?"
"It's my bloody room! I can be naked if I wish!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Whatever, just get dressed. My father requests both you and Morgana to meet him in the throne room immediately."
Arthur turned and left quickly, refusing to look at Merlin. Merlin resumed dressing and headed to the throne room.
Morgana and Uther were already in the Throne Room when he entered. Merlin smiled at the two.
Morgana La Fey was the King's other ward. Uther took her in after her father died in battle protecting the king. She and Merlin became close friends and the two shared one another's secrets. She was the definition of beauty, with long raven hair and fierce green eyes; she looked more like a goddess than a real person.
"Good morning, Merlin," she said with a smile.
Merlin grinned. "Good morning, Morgana, Your Majesty."
Uther beamed at his other ward. "Merlin, are you ready for tonight's feast?"
Merlin shook his head. "Only if my pseudo suitor is too ill to attend."
Uther frowned. "Merlin, please don't be difficult. You may even like the knight Lady Helen brings you."
Merlin shook his head again, but said nothing. The rest of the day was devoted solely to making both the castle and its tenants presentable for the feast. Both Merlin and Morgana spent hours on their hair and clothes, whilst Arthur had Cedric, his shady, weasel-like manservant, dress him in casual attire before he headed for the feast, unshaven and barely presentable.
The dining hall was alight with happy faces and small talk. The servants rushed about, delivering wine to the already tipsy guests, while the rich and royal laughed and joked and enjoyed the company of one another. Lady Helen had arrived, fashionably late, of course, with two knights on each of her arms. She released them when she saw Merlin and Morgana, and embraced the two in crushing hugs.
"Merlin! Morgana! How are you?"
Morgana grinned at her old friend. "We are splendid, and how are you?"
Lady Helen gave them a sly smirk. "I've been wonderful, thanks to the male attention from dear Sir Gwaine. He really has been a doll."
Merlin rolled his eyes. Lady Helen was a notorious flirt, as well as an unofficial matchmaker. None dared to question Lady Helen's matches.
Lady Helen turned to Merlin. "Now, don't think I've forgotten about you, my dear Merlin. I've brought a friend as well. Oh, Sir Lancelot!"
The taller of Lady Helen's two abandoned knights stepped over to the trio. He was a very good-looking man, with untamed raven locks and coal black eyes that held kindness in them. His rugged appearance and rich voice was enough to make Merlin shiver.
"Good evening, Lady Morgana. Good evening, my dear Merlin."
Lancelot kissed both of their hands, his lips lingering on Merlin's, before the four were seated at the table, Sir Gwaine choosing a seat next to Arthur, whilst Lancelot occupied the spot next to Merlin. Lady Helen and Morgana sat at the opposite end of the table, gossiping over the interaction between Merlin and Sir Lancelot.
The feast was tremendous, with Lady Helen singing beautiful ballads, yet not all were entranced with the performance. Lancelot had kept Merlin's attention all night, with exciting stories and funny jokes. His praises of Merlin left the young sorcerer with a permanent pink flush for the rest of the evening.
Meanwhile, Arthur stole glances at the pair throughout the entire evening. Something about Sir Lancelot's easy manner made him wary of the knight. He conversed heavily with Sir Gwaine, whom he discovered was a serial womanizer. The two laughed and hollered and acted like fools the entire evening, with Arthur staring at Merlin and Sir Lancelot and Gwaine attempting to bed every maid he spotted. The two exited the hall and headed outside the castle in search of a pub.
At close to midnight, Sir Lancelot walked Merlin to his chambers. The two had become quite close in the few hours they had known one another, and Merlin knew Uther would be gloating about being right about his suitor. Merlin smiled up at Lancelot.
"I had a wonderful evening."
Lancelot simply smiled, kissed Merlin's hand again, and bade him goodnight.
Merlin went to bed that night with a warm feeling spreading through him.
He was going to enjoy having Sir Lancelot around very much.
And that was chapter two! I chose Sir Lancelot as Merlin's suitor because the actor who plays him in the show makes my knees weak. But do not fret! Arthur has already begun feel jealousy rear it's ugly head. Review please, preferably as heavily as you did for the first chapter. Bye!