Chapter Text
Lena feels exhausted, her body is in pain, feeling like every bone is fractured. Her head is throbbing as well, like something is drilling a whole in her skull. She groans, blinking as she tries to open her eyes.
And when they finally did, she wished she hadn’t.
“Welcome home, my daughter.” King Uther says, caressing Lena and holding her hand.
“Kara?!” Lena gets up as fear and panic takes over. “Where’s Kara?! What have you done to Kara?!”
“Relax, Morgana. She’s safe at the west wing.”
Lena clenches her jaw. Yes, she had missed her father. She wishes she could hug him and feel happy that she’s back home but she can’t. She can’t even look at her father without feeling disgusted. All she remembers is how Kara suffered in his hands, how long it took for those wounds on Kara’s body to heal. – Those wounds that her own father had caused.
Lena starts to head out, wanting to see her fiancée as soon as possible. She just couldn’t be in the same room as her father right now.
“I’m not done talking, Morgana” King Uther says with so much authority in his voice, making Lena pause in her place.
“Let her go”
“What?” Lena scoffs, turning to face the king. She could believe the audacity of his father to even utter those words. “If you think I would let the love of my life go then you’re more delusional tha–“
“For the sake of the two kingdoms, let her go.”
Lena knows she should just go, that she should just leave and not listen to any word her father is speaking. But if there’s even a possibility of peace to exist in both kingdoms, even just the slightest, who is she not to hear it out? “What do you mean?” Lena asks calmly, hoping for the best.
“Let the Zor-El go. Never see her again. And I’ll make sure no more blood will be shed. No economy will suffer. Peace shall exist. If you don’t, Krypton shall cease to exist and I will let you see every bit of it burn.”
“She’s–“ Lena says, not knowing what to do with this. So she says the only thing she knows. “She’s my fiancée. She’s my fiancée, father.”
King Uther takes a few steps closer to her daughter. He could hear the plea in his daughter’s words. But it is what it is. “You are a fool if you think there’s a chance I’ll have a Kryptonian in the family.”
“What happened to you, Father?! You used to hold Kara in your arms! King Zor-El and Queen Alura were your closest friends. How can you– How can you even think of doing that to Krypton?!
King Uther just smiles and walks pass Lena. He pauses, thinking about his dead friends. “They killed your mother. They betrayed me and killed my love.”
“And you killed them. You killed almost everyone who belonged in the House of El.”
Lena takes a step back, not believing how cruel her father had become.
“You are where you belong, Morgana. In your kingdom. With your people.” King Uther says as he walks out the room, leaving an angry daughter behind. “Again, one week, Morgana. One week.”
Lena feels so angry she takes the things on the table near her and throws it towards the door, hoping they would hit her father. They didn’t. Rage rushes through her veins because how is there even a choice?
King Uther didn’t even bother to explain for leaving her in Daxam. There were no i miss you’s or I’m sorry’s. It was straight to business as the King with her father. She wants to break down and cry but she can’t. She won’t. All she feels is anger.
Lena’s on her way to see Kara when something she didn’t expect starts happening.
“Lady, Morgana. Welcome back.” A little kid with the biggest smile says, giving her a rose.
The kid hugs her and Lena leans down to hug her back and kiss the little kid on her forehead.
This goes on with every person she passes by along the halls of the castle.
“Milady, Glad you’re back” a knight says.
“Welcome back our rightful queen.”
“I never believed you were dead.”
“All hail to our princess.”
“Thank the gods for returning you to us”
“Your mom would be so happy.”
“Now if only the war could stop and there’s peace.”
It made her heart warm knowing that people – her people – haven’t forgotten about her and most especially, that each and every one of them are happy that their Princess Morgana is back.
“Your mom would be so happy.”
“Now if only the war could stop and there’s peace.”
The last two things that people had said to her though stuck in her mind the most. She now has the power to stop the war. But could she really trust her father’s words more importantly knowing what it would cost her? Who it would cost her?
You mom would be so happy. Amidst all the things that are happening in her life, she hadn’t really thought about what happened with her mom that much. It’s Lena’s coping mechanism because if she let herself really think about it, if she lets her mind linger at it, she doesn’t know if she can cope.
“mom? Are you still mad?” Morgana asks as she lies on the queen’s lap.
“Not anymore, honey. Just don’t do it again, okay?” Morgana’s mom brushes her hair, assuring the raven haired princess that all is well. “Never sneak out again, do you understand?”
“Yes, mom. I’m sorry again.” Morgana nods. She promises herself never to. She really upset her mom and Morgana doesn’t want to do that again. Ever. “I just… I just really wanted to see Kara.”
Morgana listens to the song Queen Vivviene is humming. She smiles at the way her mother strokes her hair. Morgana is buried deep in her thoughts about Kara. About everything. “Mom?” She asks, hesitating for a bit.
“Yes, honey?”
“I- I think I like Kara. Not in the usual way. Is that… Is that okay, mom?”
“Oh Morgana, honey.” Vivviene tilts Morgana’s head, making sure her daughter is looking straight in her eye. “Of course it is. Whatever you feel for Kara, you go ahead and feel it, alright? Do not let other tell you otherwise.”
“Really mom?” Morgana gives her mom the biggest smile.
“Really. I like Kara. She’s like a daughter to me as well.”
Morgana adjusts her body, turning away from her mom. “I like Kara too.” She whispers to herself, grinning like a lunatic.
“Morgana!”
A voice calls her from behind, interrupting Lena’s trip to memory lane. She turns and sees someone she hadn’t realized how much she missed until now.
“Oh my god!” Lena smiles, pulling her friend for a tight embrace. “Gwen!”
Gwen pulls back, holding Lena by her shoulders. She looks at her friend intently as if making sure that she’s real, that this is really happening. Tears start to fill her eyes at the sight of her friend.
“Hey, Hey.” Lena smiles, squeezing Gwen’s hands. “I missed you to Gwen.”
“I didn’t say I miss you.” Gwen nudges Lena. She crosses her eyes and arches up an eyebrow. “I hate you.”
Lena laughs and pulls her friend closer. “You can never.” She adds, clinging to Gwen’s arm as they walk along the hall.
“I’m glad you’re back, Morgana. I told Arthur countless times–”
“Wait.” Lena pauses. “You knew?”
“Arthur told me. I’m sorry.”
“Well, my brother couldn’t keep a secret from you even if he tried.” Lena pulls Gwen again, continuing their walk. “I’ll tell you everything but for now, bring me to my princess?”
Gwen shakes her head, smiling at her friend who seemed not to have changed at all. “You, my friend, are even more whipped now than 9 years ago.”
“Excuse me, I am so not.” Lena fakes gasping, acting like she’s offended.
Her laugh slowly falters as soon as she remembered.
ONE WEEK.
Lena silently opens the door to Kara’s room, mouthing a thank you to Gwen. She finds the blonde looking thru the window, her arms crossed on her chest and hair being blown by the gush of window.
Lena smiles at the sight of her beautiful fiancée. She walks towards her, embracing Kara by her waist from behind, settling her chin on the Kryptonian’s shoulder as she presses their faces together.
Kara smiles, holding Lena’s arms around her waist, inhaling her lover’s scent.
“Have you been waiting for me?” Lena asks.
“Always.” Kara answers, tilting her head closer to Lena’s as they stare at the horizon.
Lena doesn’t miss the double meaning in Kara’s response. It makes a tug in her heart knowing how Kara had waited for this time in her life to come, how long she had waited for Lena to come back without even knowing it. And Now…. This?
Lena lets out a deep breath that catches Kara’s attention. She turns her head, trying to see Lena’s facial expression. “Hey, Lena. What’s wrong?”
Lena sighs, faking a smile. “Nothing. Kara, you have to get out of here. You have to go home.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you, Lena.”
“Kara, you’re here in Camelot. Do you really want to add fuel to the fire in this war?”
“Don’t worry, Lena. Krypton wouldn’t attack.” Kara holds Lena’s hands and squeezes them. She tilts Lena’s chin and stares right at those tantalizing green eyes. “I have a plan. Just– Just trust me, okay?”
Lena doesn’t say anything because Kara’s plan wouldn’t even matter in one week. So she pulls her fiancée and kisses her instead. “Let’s get you some food, darling.”
Lena tours Kara around the castle –or what she remembers of it– before getting some food. It’s a different experience from what she had on the way to see Kara. Earlier she was welcomed with smiles and hugs.
Now, her people still give her the biggest smile and warmest hugs but they also give Kara the kind of stare that could kill. Of course everyone knew who Kara is. Camelot’s was Kara’s second home after all. But most importantly they recognize a Kryptonian when they see one especially if it’s the daughter of the people who took their most beloved queen from them, the daughter of the people who they blamed for causing so many lives.
Lena could see how Kara looks away, how affected she gets. She squeezes Kara’s hand, assuring the blonde that she’s right beside her. “Kara, they don’t know you. They’ll love you when–”
“It’s okay if they don’t” Kara knows this is a lie but she says it anyway. “What matters is You do.”
The Kryptonian pulls Lena to stop. “Lena, you do, right?” She asks as if expecting a different answer other than yes from Lena. “You love me, right?”
And Lena feels it again. That aching feeling in her heart. She loves Kara so much. Too much that the mere thought of letting her go hurts. And Kara’s being clingy like she’s getting the same feeling too. It’s almost as if Kara knows and wants assurance from Lena more than ever. – which just makes everything harder, more painful.
“Even when I don’t say it, I do. I love you, Kara. Always.” Lena kisses her fiancée, assuring her. She gives her the smile she could manage considering what’s in her mind. She wonders if Kara could sense it, if she could see the sadness behind the smiles.
Arthur doesn’t interrupt Kara and Lena for a little bit longer. He watches the two, wishing his sister and Kara could make it, wishing they both live in another life. Maybe then fate wouldn’t be cruel to them.
After a few moments, he walks in Lena’s balcony, taking the seat beside his sister.
“Arthur.” Kara wonders what the prince wants but acknowledges his presence nonetheless.
Lena, however, gives him an irritated look, arching up her eye brow directed towards her brother.
“I’ll leave in a while.” Arthur assures Lena. He gives her a knowing look, making sure Lena gets what he’s about to say. “I’m just here to make sure everything is alright and in order.”
“It is.” Lena says, giving her brother an intense look, hoping he’d go away.
He doesn’t. There’s an awkward silence in the atmosphere. He stares at the night sky above them, the stars shining brightly. “Did you know I used to have a crush on you when we were young, Kara?”
Kara who is leaning on Lena’s shoulder, snorts. Lena’s expression changes from being hostile to amused.
“So that’s why you always snitched on me whenever I try to sneak out to see Kara.” Lena shakes her head, smiling at the memory.
“when we were young I felt then that Kara was the embodiment of everything there is to love in this world.”
Lena stares at her brother. She couldn’t believe he had felt that way for Kara before. She transfers her gaze to Kara who’s in her arms. Lena smiles as Kara stares at her back, grinning as well, looking like a love sick puppy. “That she definitely is, brother.” She says, kissing Kara on her head.
“I didn’t know that but I’m sure you never stood a chance then, Arthur.” The Kryptonian says without breaking the smile and gaze between Lena and her.
Arthur watches the whole scene unfold in front of him. “I know.” He whispers to himself, remembering how Kara never took her eyes off Morgana. Just like what’s happening at this very moment.
He’d seen people in love. He’s in love with someone himself. But he doesn’t think anyone could measure up to the love of Kara and his sister has for each other.
Kara kisses Lena before getting up, telling her she needs to shower, leaving the two siblings behind. On her way out, she stops for a moment, looking back to see the Pendragon siblings once more.
“I’m still mad at you.” Lena breaks the silence. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
“People like us, Morgana. We aren’t born for love. We are born for the kingdom, for the people.”
“Why can’t we, Arthur?” Lena looks at his brother who’s staring at the stars. “Mom and Dad had it. You have it with Gwen.”
“You get lucky, Morgana. I got Lucky.” Arthur stares at his sister, wishing he could make everything better, easier. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Lena sighs, feeling exhausted more than ever. She stares at her hands, the hands that hold Kara’s. “All I know is I have a week. A week to show Kara how much I love her. A week to make her the happiest fiancée anyone could ever be.”
“She’ll understand, Morgana.”
“Will she?” Lena asks, staring back at her brother’s sympathizing eyes.
“How–” Lena’s voice breaks, her heart aching. “How can I possibly let her go, Arthur?”
Right then and there, Lena couldn’t stop her tears from falling as she asks her brother. It was a question she really wants to find the answer to. Because she knows what to do, she just genuinely doesn’t know how, or if she can. And she wants somebody to tell her how. She wants someone to answer her questions.
Because really, How do you come to terms with losing the person whose own existence means more to you than your own? Regardless of the noble excuses the King had given, How do you come to terms that you… that it was you who had let her go? Who had let the one person that gives your life meaning, the person who makes you the happiest, go?
Lena wonders how can she possibly come to terms with that.