I don't own OUAT or Merlin. Nor do I own the characters of the shows. Sorry it's been so long since I last updated I've been really busy at school. As always read and review and tell me what you think~Serria Spell23

Ch.3-The Ball

I paced my room, close to tears. Why did I subject my heart to this pain? I couldn't be with him anyway. So why did it hurt so much? I collapsed onto my bed, my face hitting the pillow, muffling my sobs. All I wanted was for Arthur to notice me. It felt like a knife had stabbed me straight through the heart when he ignored me. I wiped my eyes hurriedly as I heard a knock at the door. Henry stood on the other side; he looked at me still confused.

"Mom, are you okay? I heard you pacing, were you crying?" I sighed, shaking my head.

Arthur, I thought. Why must I feel this way?

"Yes, Henry, I'm fine can you get your grandmother, please?" He nodded, exiting my chambers. I sank to the floor where I stood, tears threatening to overwhelming me again. My mother walked in and knelt beside my shaking body.

"Emma," she whispered, "what's the matter?" She stroked my hair calmly. After a few seconds I mustered the courage to make eye-contact with her. My gaze was unstable as I attempted to shield my pain from her kind yet penetrating eyes. Shaking my head, I continued not to look at my mother she just waited patiently for me to speak.

I sighed, emotion in my tone as I started to reply, "It's Arthur. Why must I pine for a man I can't have? I…I…I'm attracted to him and I can't…if he weren't married."

"I understand Em, your father and I were the same way. He was engaged to someone else when we met but I guess fate had other plans." My mother smiled, glad that fate had turned in their favor. I began to cry again, reaching for her embrace. The door creaked opened inaudibly, revealing the Lady Morgana. She surveyed the scene in front of her, reminding herself to reprimand her brother later.

My mother sensed her friend's presence and glanced up. "Is there anything I can do to help?" asked the sorceress. I glued my blue eyes to the floor, hoping to disguise the reason of my heartache. Morgana only smiled a sad smile, shaking her head. "My brother's just stubborn, Emma he tends to listen to his thick head over his heart. He'll come around."

I wasn't fully convinced but I trusted her. My mother remained silent, wondering what course of action to pursue. Morgana walked out, a plan in mind. With a determined head on her shoulders, she marched to the grand hall where the Round Table was meeting. Standing behind Arthur's high-backed chair, she tapped her nails on its edge. Gwaine cleared his throat and gestured at Morgana.

"Sire, I believe your sister wants to talk to you." The king turned to face her. He had a feeling that he knew the reason she wanted to speak with him. Emma, she was tall, blonde and possessed a fiery personality that captivated his soul.

"What, Morgana, can't you see I'm in the middle of a meeting?" His sister leaned close to his ear, ensuring the knights wouldn't overhear.

"Brother, why don't you invite Emma to the ball this evening? I'm sure she'd enjoy it." Arthur's lips were set in a hard, emotionless line as he listened to the request.

"I don't think that's wise, sister. If Guinevere saw Emma and me what would she think?" Morgana rolled her light green eyes, clearly displeased and stomped out of the hall. Gwaine looked at the king; Arthur ran his hand through his blond hair, fighting an inner battle.

My Lord, what did she want," the knight questioned, putting a hand on his shoulder. Covering his face with trembling hands, he sighed he'd have to tell them eventually but not now.

"Nothing important," Arthur lied, "just being a pest that's all." The knights stared at him unconvinced they knew something was going on.

Meanwhile Morgana sat in Merlin's chambers discussing a new plan of action. He brought a spell book over and set it on the bed. His friend gazed into his ocean-blue orbs curiously. The sorceress weaved her fingers into her brunette waves, placing a fingertip against her lips. Merlin sighed and shook his head, forcing his gaze away from her.

"Merlin, I don't wish to cast a spell on Arthur," Morgana said softly. "Do you have any other ideas?"

He thumbed through the book, all the while feeling his friend's green eyes on him. The piercing orbs he'd become accustomed with seemed even more compelling than before.

I sat in my room talking with my mother. She stood in the corner her arms crossed in thought. I knew she was trying think of a new course of action if it hadn't been for me we wouldn't be in this mess. I rose to my feet, walked to my mother's side and touched her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Mom, if I hadn't fallen for Arthur this wouldn't have happened." My mother wrapped me in her embrace, stroking my hair gently.

"Emma, I know it's confusing however if there's one thing I know it's that the heart wants what it wants. Once decided you can't change its mind. If you love Arthur you'll be together against all odds, trust me."

Arthur knocked on the door; I turned on my heel, nearly tripping. He offered his hand to steady me. I blushed, feeling his fingers caress my hand with a sturdy grip. Protective and tender, the king locked eyes with me. Releasing my hand, he swallowed nervously, wondering how to ask me.

"Emma," Arthur stuttered, "will you accompany me to the ball tonight?"

My eyes widened shocked he'd actually asked me. I felt my skin burn as I stammered a reply. "Oh…of course, Arthur…I'd be honored." I slapped my palm to my forehead.

Smooth, Emma, smooth, I chided myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my mother grin.

"See you tonight, Emma," the king whispered, kissing my hand. "Please save me a dance."

"Sure." My face reddened as I stared after him. I turned to my mother, suppressing a scream. She knew what I was thinking I had the words 'what am I going to wear' written all over my face. Laughing she went across the hall to Morgana's chambers. Knocking carefully on her friend's door, she entered and peered around.

"Morgana?" my mother called, "I need your help with something. Where are you?" The sorceress appeared in the doorway a moment later. My mother jumped startled by the sudden arrival.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Morgana sighed wearily. "Yes, Snow, what is it? Did my brother finally come to his senses?"

"Well, yes and no he asked Emma to the ball this evening which I'm guessing was an idea you put into his head." Her friend remained quiet; my mother already knew the answer. Changing the subject, she said, "Anyway can Emma borrow one of your dresses for tonight just so she looks presentable?" Morgana nodded and began thumbing through her wardrobe. She held a sea green dress against her body.

"Well, what do you think, Snow, do you think Merlin will approve?"

"Why are you seeking his approval, Morgana? Is there something you aren't telling me," questioned my mother, raising an eyebrow. The brunette avoided her friend's gaze, not wanting to reveal their secret. She was harboring feelings for her brother's adviser. They'd exposed themselves quite suddenly. Now every time Morgana found herself near him her pulse quickened

Thankfully, my mother didn't press the subject any further. The sorceress selected a few dresses for her friend to give to me for tonight, still distracted.

"I think Merlin will highly approve of that dress, Morgana, I'd wear it." She smiled at my mother as if reading her friend's mind.

Later that night I joined my mother and the Lady Morgana in the ballroom. I gazed around casually, trying not to catch anybody's eye. I noticed my father sneak up behind my mother and cover her eyes.

"Guess who," he muttered. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling glad that she wouldn't have to dance alone. I grinned too pressing closer to my parents.

"Charming, I missed you," my mother said. He cradled her face in his hands, kissing her lips. Offering her his hand, he led her onto the dance floor. I was left standing by myself in a corner of the room. Arthur walked over to me. The king didn't speak at first he just stared at me. I was beginning to wonder why he hadn't spoken. Finally I heard his voice.

"Emma, would you like to dance?" My breath caught in my throat. I let my head nod numbly as the response, stunned into silence by Arthur's request. He took my hand leading me to the dance floor. I felt myself blush as the king gently pulled me to his chest. He rested a hand on my waist, letting his other hold my hand. Slowly, I began to feel more confident and allowed myself to relax. Arthur twirled me in graceful circles, he held me close humming quietly. I rested my head on his shoulder, sighing longing. The king dipped me elegantly and bent close to my lips. I forgot to breathe, my heart hammered in my chest.

I shivered as Arthur's lips inched slowly closer to mine. Time froze within that moment; the king set me upright again, his eyes scanning the room.

I felt him cradle my hand tenderly, ducking his head to whisper in my ear, "C'mon, Emma this way." I didn't question his intentions, I knew he was honorable. Arthur escorted me into his study, a hand still around my waist.

Arthur, what's this about? You seemed a bit preoccupied as our dance ended anything wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong, Emma." I rolled my eyes at his attempt to lie to me.

"Didn't my mother ever tell you that I know when people are lying? What is it?" I stepped closer to him, closing the distance between us. The king gazed into my blue orbs steadily, gathering his courage. I felt his lips brush mine then he kissed them more passionately. I responded eagerly, running my fingers through Arthur's blond hair. When I bummed into something hard, I realized that he'd pinned me against the wall. I dug my nails into his broad shoulders, gently but urgently.

"Emma," the king breathed, "We should probably return to the ball people will start to wonder."

I moaned sadly, feeling his intoxicating lips retract from mine. I began to worry how we could keep this forbidden kiss a secret. Arthur reached for my hand, tracing a finger along my jawline. I placed it in his effortlessly, noticing how our hands naturally fit together.

"Arthur, what if the others find out?" I asked, looking down at my feet, embarrassed.

He kissed my hand; "They won't Emma, trust me. Unless Merlin or Morgana were eavesdropping, which I know they weren't."

I exhaled a sigh of relief, the king held my hand tenderly as we walked out of his study to return to the ball.