Merlin returned to the Crystal Cave. After everything that happened with Morgana, the constant attempts on Arthur and Camelot, he needed to know what she and Morgause were planning. Morgana was Uther's daughter and what's worse was that she knew it too. Those two sisters' are unpredictable and he needed to know what they were going to try next.

The man that Merlin met when he first visited the cave told him that only someone that had been to the cave before, knew how to return, so that's how he found his way back. When he walked into the Crystal Cave, Taliesin did not appear as he did last time, which was not terribly surprising. How would he have seen a man who died two hundred years before, how he saw him the first time was still a mystery? This thought was going through Merlin's head as he approached the crystals, he couldn't see anything in them. The first time he was here he saw visions of the future in an instant. But now the crystals were revealing nothing.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, a crystal started to emanate a pale green light. It was beautiful and the light was illuminating every inch of the cave. Merlin slowly approached the crystal. Its light was mesmerizing. He began to reach out for it, completely ignoring the fact that it was most likely very dangerous, Merlin touched the simmering crystal. Immediately as he did electricity erupted from its base and shot out at him causing him to stagger backward. There wasn't any pain at first, but strange pictures flashed in his head, but they didn't seem to be of the future, they were of this…girl. He couldn't see her face, but she had dark hair and was in a white dress and from what he could tell she was…dancing in the sunlight, her silhouette twirling along with her. He tried to grasp the images in his mind but he felt a sharp pain rocket though his head. It was as if his mind didn't want him to know who she was. But there was one thing he could tell, she had to be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Merlin returned from his trip late that evening and dragged his tired body to the door. His mentor looked up from his books with relief settling into his face.

"Merlin" Gaius greeted his pupil.

"Hello Gaius"

"How was your trip, did you find the cave?"

His already weak smile faded and he looked down, disheartened "yes I did"

"And?" Gaius pressed.

"Nothing happened"

Gaius lifted his famous eyebrow "What do you mean?"

"I found the cave Gaius but when I went inside, I couldn't see anything. The crystals didn't tell me anything" he slumped onto the stool next to his mentor and rubbed his face with his hands.

"So you do not know what Morgana's planning?"

"No"

He thought about telling Gaius about the girl but he didn't think it was that important. That bit of information didn't really help them, and besides, some secrets were good for their relationship sense Gaius was really more like a father figure anyway.

"MERLIN!" a familiar voice bellowed down the hall. Merlin turned his head to see Arthur burst through the door, slamming it against the wall.

"Did you have a nice trip, Merlin?" Arthur asked sarcasm laced in his voice, it seemed that not having his manservant to throw things as was making him a bit irritable.

Merlin striated up "Yes, thank you for letting me visit my mother" He replied seriously, taking Arthur aback a bit.

Merlin needed an excuse to go to the Crystal Cave and he couldn't exactly tell Arthur where he was going. So, he did the only logical thing to do in this type of situation, lie. He told Arthur that he received a letter from his mother, asking if he could visit her. The trip to Ealdor was about a day's ride so he told Arthur that he would reasonably be gone for about three days, which would give him plenty of time to find the cave and devise a plan from the knowledge he received, even though the trip was completely useless.

"You're welcome" Arthur was a being a little awkward but that was most likely because he got into a fight with Gwen and was annoyed that Merlin wasn't giving him any reason to be angry with him "But now that you're back, for tomorrow you can clean my room, polish my chainmail, wash my shirts, sharpen my sword, fix my shoes and prepare my good clothes for the upcoming feast" and with that he turned and walk out, closing the door behind him.

"Prat" Merlin muttered under his breath. Then turned and smirked at Gaius before trudging off to his room. It was good to be home.

Morgana was brushing her hair dazedly, lost in her thoughts. There were a lot of things on her mind as she stared into the mirror. In a matter of months she had not only found out that she was Uther's biological daughter, but he had disowned her as to not impose on Arthur's claim to the throne. Not only that, but how did she miraculously recover from a coma when Gaius had told her she was practically dead. She asked Morgause and she said that it wasn't her, so there must be another person in Camelot with magic, and someone close to her as well, but who? And on top of that, Merlin was back from his little trip. The very thought of him made her blood boil and she clawed her elegant nails into her vanity as his face popped into her head. She hated him. She hated him more than anyone, well except maybe Uther. He always seems to be getting in the way. She would have killed him a long time ago if she wasn't worried people may become suspicious of her. And she could not afford for her loyalties to be questioned, not after everything she went through to establish them, even if he is just a servant. And on top of all that she still had to decide what to wear.

Life really was so hard.

There was a knock at the door but before she could answer, Gwen walked in carrying Morgana's clean cloths. She was going to have to make her stop that.

"My lady" Gwen said respectfully. Gwen had been acting differently towards her ever since Arthur returned from his quest. And after she had planted the evidence framing Gwen as an enchantress they barley ever spoke. It slightingly bothered her why, but at the moment she didn't care enough to find out, she had other things to worry about.

"Hello Gwen" Morgana said cheerily (she did have to keep appearances) turning to face her former friend with a smile "How are you?"

"I am well" Gwen said a bit apprehensively, now smiling as well. "Have you decided which dress you wish to wear for the banquette tomorrow?" she inquired.

"I don't know" Morgana replied getting up and moving over to her wardrobe. I was deciding between my white one" she held up her white sequined dress with the tulle sleeves and stripped bodice that pushed up her chest "and this one" she held up her maroon halter dress held by gold leafed chain. Morgana pursed her lips looking puzzled at the decision she was making.

Gwen smiled when she saw this; it reminded her of the Morgana she used to know, her best friend, not this one with MAGIC! Morgana still didn't know Gwen knew she had magic, and she wasn't planning on telling her either. Morgana wasn't her friend anymore to any of them, and until she could prove it, Gwen decided it was best if she kept as much distance as possible.

Merlin was walking back from Arthur's chambers, his limbs literally felt like they were going to fall off. All he wanted was to slump into bed but no that would be terrible. He still had to collect herbs for Gaius as well. He just couldn't catch a break. He was rounding a corner when, of course, he bumps into the one person he'd been trying to avoid. Morgana. Great. Just great.

"Merlin" she sneered giving her the iciest glare he'd ever seen.

"My lady" he decided to reply normally keeping his head down as to not provoke her, he was too tired to deal with her today.

But when he was about to walk he, by accident, looked her strait into her eyes. Even after everything she'd done, she still had beautiful eyes. Suddenly, a sharp hit him like a lightning bolt. He shook his head trying to shake away the pain but it just made it worse. It was exactly the same pain he felt in the Crystal Cave. And then the pictures came, but this time they were...moving. It was the same girl, but it was pieces of clips coursing through his head. He winced at the pain, but he could see the woman more clearly now. She was his age and was still wearing that white dress that twirled in the wind. But there was something swinging around her neck and she was laughing. She was like a dream, a beautiful (painful) dream. But he still couldn't see who it was. He put his hand to his head, trying to push the pain away and still sustain the pictures but ended with the same result.

Morgana watched in annoyed, bewilderment as Merlin suddenly jerked like he was having a really bad headache.

"What's wrong with you?" Morgana asked with annoyance and a hint of worry…wait what…

Merlin looked up at her, and suddenly the pain stopped. A wave of relief washed over him when he made eye connect, then for some reason his eyes drifted down to her lips. They looked so soft and gentle. He really wanted to touch them...NO! He snapped his head up to look at her.

"Nothing" he said flatly, and then walked away without another world.

Morgana watched him as he walked down the corridor, still very confused at what just happened. What was that about? Deciding to brush off the events that just took place, she walked back to her chambers. She had no time to worry about the affairs of a servant, especially not that servant; she had a feast to prepare for.

But still, when she thought about the way he was looking at he...a shiver went up her spine.