Merlin wasn't often afforded the day off but Arthur had been in such a good mood lately thanks to Gwen that they were becoming more frequent. He was almost another person entirely. He smiled to himself as he thought, "Heaven help us all if he ever loses Gwen."
He sighed and became more sober as he stared out into the woods thinking of Morgana. She had left the castle injured and powerless, death a certainty. So why had he done it? Why had he sent Aithusa to save her? He had been told time and time again by Kilgharrah that it would be better if she died. He had no doubt that as Kilgharrah said his compassion would prove to be his undoing, but it was the only way he could live with himself. At the end of the day, she had been a good friend once.
"So this is what the great Merlin does on his days off," said a voice, interrupting his thoughts. "Sits like a bump on a log."
"Well, not everyone likes to spend their days off getting into trouble down at the tavern," he said, turning around to greet Gwaine with a smile.
"You know I've been led to believe that you're rather fond of the tavern."
His humor disappeared as he thought about all the times he'd had to muck the stalls because of a tavern cover-up story, "Well, don't believe everything you hear. So what are you doing out here? I don't imagine you came out here to sit and enjoy nature."
"I am on a quest. You haven't seen a wizened, old man roaming the woods, have you?"
"No, why?" Merlin asked, hoping he didn't seem too eager to know the answer.
"Arthur wants the sorcerer that killed Uther."
"Why? He hasn't been spotted recently, has he?"
"No, but I think Guinevere has him in such high spirits lately that he wants to pardon him."
"Really?"
"I don't understand it either, but he is the king. I volunteered to find him as I have a bone to pick with the old man myself."
Merlin stood up. "Now that I've had a little peace and quiet, I believe I'll go see if Gaius wants any help."
Merlin could hardly hide his excitement. Was today the day that magic was finally accepted in the land again?
ssss
Morgana kept flashing back to seeing Emrys in the castle. He struck cold terror into her heart just at the thought of him.
"Until Emrys is out of my way permanently," she muttered to herself, "Camelot will never be mine. I know that now. I need to focus all my energy on Emrys."
She heard a sound just outside her hut. For a moment she feared it was her nemesis as if mere thought could conjure him to her. Her hand was ready and an incantation was on the tip of her tongue as she pulled the door open.
She was greatly relieved to see it was a mere boy and a familiar one at that. She hugged him, "Mordred, how happy I am to see you."
"And I you. I want to help you destroy Emrys," he said with a dark smile.