Chapter Text
Morgana was the one that first pointed out the obvious, at what would have been a normal breakfast. Arthur was scoffing down yet another piece of bacon, Gwaine was stealing from Lancelot’s plate, unaware that Percival was stealing from his. It was a time where the Knights, plus the Pendragon siblings, were free to act as they pleased, without the pressures of running a Kingdom. Now, the High Priestess had noted a growing theme between the six men at the table, highlighted further when the door swung open and Merlin came sauntering in.
‘Good morning, Lady Morgana, Sir Knights.’ She smiled back to the servant, considering he had been up late last night assisting her with her Magic, she figured she’d have to do something nice for him later. Maybe collect some herbs, save him the trouble of such a thing.
This was the moment where Morgana looked around the table, noted that the usual antics had faded the moment that Merlin entered. Leon had frozen from reading his recent report as First Knight, Elyan had been drawn away from his mushrooms and was sneakily glancing to Merlin as he stocked up the firewood. Gwaine was openly ogling him, eyes tracking as Merlin bent to feed the embers of the fire.
Lancelot, on his part, was trying to pretend not to be watching him from the corner of his eye. Percival had become fascinated with the mantelpiece, and Morgana realised that not a single one of them was paying attention to the plate in front.
Arthur was the last person she looked to, surprised to find him trying his best to focus on a piece of bacon that had never been admired so thoroughly. She knew, on a basic level, that Merlin intrigued each and every one of the Knights. That, even without his Magic, they thought him a useful companion and a friend. Morgana had been watching them beg Merlin to use Magic for weeks, to show off his gifts, only for Merlin to blush and deny the request. Not even Arthur could coax him.
Curiosity, she would have called it. But now, watching them, she came to the obvious conclusion. That they were, on some level, attracted to the servant. That, she could understand. Merlin was cute, bright eyes and full lips, hidden by clothes that never fitted his form and a neckerchief that was a constant. She may even have considered him attractive, had she not had eyes only for Guinevere.
Once Merlin had left, Morgana decided to set a plan in motion. To reward Merlin with something he had probably never even considered, the attention of the Knights of Camelot.
‘So, how long have you all been crushing on Merlin?’ The barrier spell protected her from Arthur’s choked cough on his drink, while Percival’s fork clattered to the floor and Lancelot blushed so darkly that the colour would have been similar to his cape.
‘What... I... wait. You too?’ Leon asked, blinking in confusion at the other Knights, whom all looked startled.
‘Since the Griffin incident.’ Lancelot admitted, breaking the silence that had fallen.
‘After he saved me from the Tavern, the first time.’ Gwaine filled the next gap, not looking in the least bit concerned that he was openly admitting to his affection.
‘When I saw how he treated Gwen, how much he cared and protected her.’ That, Morgana could agree with. He was very protective of Guinevere, they were the closest friends, always standing in the back of the throne room and giggling till Arthur kicked them out. It was only natural that Elyan would pick up on that as well.
‘My father came to visit, and Merlin was the one to help me through the visit.’ Leon’s voice startled the group, Arthur’s head shooting up. She knew a little about Leon’s family, that they had sent him to Camelot as a child to be raised by another Knight, to be raised to serve Arthur. She also remembered the visit, Leon had been moody for ages.
‘He kept me company, when I was injured and you all went on a Hunt.’ Percival finished up, before all heads turned to Arthur, who was still on the same piece of bacon. Eventually, the King sighed, looked up briefly.
‘The Mortaeus flower.’ Then back down, shoving the bacon in his mouth to stop any other words from spilling. Morgana let the moment settle, before offering out a small smile.
‘Evidently, you all have feelings for Merlin.’ She had never seen a bunch of grown men look so nervous before, not even in the face of mortal peril. It was quite amusing.
‘You suggest we let Merlin choose which one of us he likes?’ Leon questioned, confused, and Morgana placed down her fork and sat back.
‘Of course not. If he picked one of you, the others would feel left out.’
‘Hence why I never pursued anything.’ Elyan remarked, chasing the mushroom around his plate with a sad smile.
‘So, the answer is obvious.’
‘Pretend it doesn’t exist?’ Arthur muttered, and Morgana hit him lightly on the arm. He pouted, looking more like a child than the twenty-seven year old King. She waited until they were all staring at her, desperate for a solution.
‘You share him.’ They looked scandalised, like the noblewomen when they heard of muttered mentions of men sharing tents when they went to War. Each scrabbled for words, Arthur almost falling from his chair, but she simply held a hand up. They fell silent, and Morgana looked to her brother.
‘At this table sit the most powerful men in Camelot, yet you cannot bend a few rules for love? I’m sleeping with your wife, who you have no attraction to.’ She pointed out, and Arthur opened his mouth to argue the statement, before shutting it. At the time, it had been a logical solution. Arthur needed a Queen, and Morgana could never marry a woman, so Gwen had taken the position as Queen.
‘But how would we…’ Leon paused, trying to find the words, and Morgana chuckled.
‘I’m not suggesting you all share the same bed. You can Court him as a group, woo him, see if he would be open to such a thing. And, if so, you’ll make it work.’ Morgana stood, straightened her gown and acknowledged the fact that each of the men seemed deep in thought.
‘You have much to discuss, I’m sure. Enjoy your breakfast, friends.’ And with that, she went in search of Guinevere.
**
It was later, when Morgana was on the bed and Gwen was laying between her legs, back to Morgana’s chest, discussing their day, that the door opened. She had no need to panic, her Magic had told her it was Arthur, and he came in quickly.
‘Oh, sorry.’ Most would find it funny, the fact that Arthur was apologising for the intimate moment between his sister and wife. Morgana just looked across, continuing to run her fingers through Gwen’s hair.
‘It isn’t an issue, Arthur. What’s up?’ Gwen had approved of Morgana’s plan to help the Knights Court Merlin, had said that it might help the servant realise how valued he was.
‘The Knights and I have been talking and,’ He paused, shuffled between his feet awkwardly, looking nothing like the usual confident King,
‘And we’ve decided you’re right. We’ll start Courting him tomorrow.’ She just grinned, whilst Gwen clapped her hands and squealed.
‘Treat him right.’ Morgana murmured, and Arthur’s nervous smile was proof enough that he would.
What she was looking forwards to, however, was Merlin’s reaction when he learnt he could have all their attention. She couldn’t wait to tease him.