Morgana 3

Titles were cheaper than dirt, but they could be as dangerous as names Morgana thought to herself.

She counted herself lucky that Arthur had only exiled her from court and not stripped her of lands and titles in Gore when he sent her away. But this, Mistress of Tidings was something else entirely. It seemed to be a new title, created on the spot, but it surely marked her as a member of the King's Council. And the King's Council was a position of power.

It had been easy to convince Arthur to let her back into court, but even she had been surprised by how little resistance she'd found from the people of Camelot. They had welcomed her with open arms, though she suspected that they still did not truly trust her. She could understand their wariness. The thought of having her back in the city did not seem to have given them much pause, however, and she had to admit that she hadn't expected them to be so welcoming.

All in all there seemed to be nothing for her to worry about. It was all going according to plan.

Morgana knew that Arthur had called her back because he needed her, needed her informants, needed her magic, and needed her for far more than just the castle's security or for advice. He was telling the truth, she was sure of it, but she saw how tense he was. He was hiding something from the people and from the round table, and it was something that he feared would hurt him. He seemed to be holding a great deal of tension in his body. His jaw was clenched tight and he was on edge despite the smiles and laughter he was putting up on.

He was not the only one who had been on edge. Morgana had observed the crowd during the feast and made careful note of those she knew and some she did not. Those who were in attendance and those who were conspicuously absent. While she spoke and flirted with Percival, a knight in green stood from his place at the feast and left with a jealous, brooding expression on his face. Her breath caught in her throat.

It was Syr Accolon. Her Accolon. Or he had been. Morgana steadied herself and hoped that none around her had noted her recognition. She studied Percival's face a moment. The fool was already acting so besotted with her that he had clearly noticed nothing amiss. She glanced around the table at Arthur, Guinever, and the others. None seemed the wiser.

Morgana kept her face carefully neutral and hid her expression behind her goblet.

"I'm so glad that you've returned, Morgana," Arthur said, his voice sincere. "Please, sit and enjoy the feast. Let us all forget our troubles, if only for a night."

"Thank you. I'm honored by your welcome." Morgana said. She let her eyes around the table..

She smiled at Gawain, let her eyes linger a moment, then turned back to Percival, who was still watching her. Now that was an interesting development in her absence. Gawain Lothain, Lot's youngest son was here with Arthur. Kay was staring at her as well, with a bored, almost disgusted expression. That one did not seem to be welcoming her back with arms as open as the others.

"I don't know when I have been so hungry," Percival said, turning his eyes from the King and turning to Morgana with a smile.

"It's a good thing you're a knight and not a peasant, or you would surely have been rebuked for such complaints as a child," Morgana said with a laugh. The years had been kind to Percival, she decided. He was still slender, still beautiful, but in a more rugged way. He had grown into his face. He was still beautiful, but he was no longer boyish. He had grown into a man, full of life.

"Oh, I would be beaten still if my mother was near, I'm sure. She's quite formidable."

"She must be," Morgana said, nodding. "But I take it you survived childhood, then?"

"Just barely," Percival laughed. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Morgana.

"You look well," he said, his eyes still on her.

"As do you," Morgana said, her voice light and airy. "You are a knight now, aren't you? You were always so strong."

"Yes, I am. Arthur knighted me after that business in the Greenwood." His faced darkened a moment. "I don't have my own lands."

"And yet, you are a knight. I'm proud of you."

"You're kind."

"No, I'm not. I'm just pleased to have you near me," Morgana said, leaning in close to speak to him.

She could see that she had made him blush. She liked him. He was young, but he had intelligence in his eyes and a way of moving that was all his own and very attractive.

Accolon's eyes burned into her, and she knew that she had to leave soon. She had to leave before he marched right over to them and ruined her plans. Just when she had everything perfectly in place, she had to leave.

Arthur, who had been engaged in his own conversation, turned back to Morgana.

"You have not eaten enough, Morgana. You are far too thin. Have some more wine and some of your sister's excellent venison pie."

"I'll have some, thank you." She smiled at Guinevere and took another small piece of the pie.

"This is excellent, Guinevere."

"Thank you."

Morgana turned back to Percival and asked him about his training at Camelot. She knew the answers to most of the questions she asked, but she was still grateful for the excuse to be speaking to the man.

Percival had a careful face and a slow, steady way of speaking. He was clearly a man who worried about his words and their tone as he spoke. Morgana found it interesting and charming. He was also a man who took his time, who was not quick to speak or to action. He was a man who could be controlled.

As she spoke to him, her eyes were constantly on the lookout for Accolon. When she saw the knight who had been watching them rise from his spot near the fire and stalk out of the room, Morgana let out a small breath of relief.

"I'm sorry, what was that you were saying?" she asked, turning back to Percival with a smile.

"I was saying that I am grateful to be training under Sir Lancelot. He is an excellent knight and a great teacher."

"Yes, he is," Morgana said, her mind already on the next step.

She would have to be careful. Accolon was not the only one who was watching her. His eyes were always narrowed, as if he were trying to see into her soul. And she knew that he was not the only one who was watching her.

Kay was also watching her, and his eyes were full of suspicion. She could see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out what she was up to. She knew that she had to be careful around him. He was the kind of man who pulled tenaciously at his goals, like a hound. Of course, she was not the kind of woman to be stopped from getting what she wanted.

"What are you thinking about, Morgana?" Kay's voice interrupted her thoughts and she turned to him with a smile.

"I was just thinking about how grateful I am to be here, with all of you."

"Yes, we are all very lucky," Kay said, his eyes still narrowed.

"Indeed we are," Morgana said, her smile never wavering.

Gawain grinned wickedly and nodded at Percival, "Well Percy here certainly seems to be grateful for your return."

Percival's face flushed red and he looked away, but not before shooting Gawain a look that could kill. His hands clenched into fists at his sides and his jaw was tight.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Percival said gruffly.

"Oh come now, we all saw the way you were looking at her. You were practically drooling!" Gawain teased.

Percival's face turned redder and he took a step towards Gawain. "I wasn't drooling, you idiot. And I wasn't looking at her, either."

"Oh, so you weren't looking at the beautiful woman who was sitting across from you at the table? The one with the long, curly hair and the big, brown eyes?" Gawain continued to tease.

Percival's fists clenched even tighter and he took another step towards Gawain. "Shut up," he growled.

Gawain just laughed and took a step back, out of Percival's reach. "What's the matter, Percy? Afraid you can't control yourself around her?"

"Shut up, Gawain," Percival said, his face getting redder.

"What is going on here?" Arthur asked, looking from Gawain to Percival.

"Nothing, my lord," Gawain said quickly. "We were just teasing Percy about his love for the fairer sex."

"And I was telling him to shut up," Percival said through gritted teeth.

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he took in Percival's angry words. He could see the tightness in Percival's jaw, the way his hands were clenched into fists. Arthur knew that look, knew that Percival was seconds away from losing his temper.

"Percival, perhaps you should take a walk and cool off," Arthur said calmly and deliberately.

Percival nodded stiffly before turning on his heel and stalking out of the room without a backwards glance.

As soon as Percival had left the hall, Arthur turned his attention to Gawain. "Gawain, what was that about?" Arthur asked, his voice tight.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Gawain said innocently. But the way he refused to meet Arthur's eyes and the way he fidgeted in his seat gave him away.

Arthur's eyes narrowed and he looked at Gawain for a long moment before turning away with a shake of his head back to discussion with Guinevere.

Gawain caught Morgana's eye and winked, before turning his attention back to the conversation at hand.

Morgana smiled to herself and turned her attention back to Arthur. She would have to be careful, but but any disputes between those at court could be the beginning of a wedge for her use. She needed to find a way to exploit this to her advantage.

"What are your plans for the future, Arthur?" she asked innocently.

Arthur turned to her, his eyes thoughtful. "I am not sure yet," he said slowly. "There is much to be done."

"Yes, of course," Morgana said, nodding. "You must have a lot on your mind."

"I do," Arthur agreed. "But I am grateful to have Kay and yourself by my side. I think your counsel will be invaluable now as Lot continues to test our borders."

Kay nodded and Morgana inclined her head graciously. "Thank you, Arthur."

"Of course, you are like family to me," Arthur said, his voice sincere.

Morgana smiled and nodded, her heart hardening. She would use that to her advantage as well.

"If you'll excuse me, Arthur, I think I will take my leave," she said, rising gracefully to her feet.

"Of course, Morgana," Arthur said, his eyes still thoughtful.

Morgana inclined her head and left the room, her mind already spinning with plans.