Author's Note: Hello everyone! The idea behind this story has been in my head for weeks and simply refused to leave me alone so I decided I might as well give it a go. This is my first story so I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin (unfortunately).

Continuum

ONE

Morgana stopped in her tracks and turned around. Nobody was there. Assuring herself it was just the strong night wind, she wrapped her cloak tighter around her body and resumed walking down the corridor as hurriedly as possible. The moon was already at its highest point in the sky, and Morgana knew that her sister did not like to be kept waiting. She would meet Morgause to speak of their plans, return to her chambers in the castle, and wake up in the morning ready to act the perfect ward that Camelot knew and loved.

As she reached a spiral staircase leading down to the ground floor, she gathered her long skirts and began to descend quickly. All of a sudden, the burning torch on the wall seemed to grow tenfold and the flames leap out at her. Morgana screamed in shock and lost her footing as she tried to step back. She could feel her bones cracking with every step that her body collided with on the way down.

Sprawled on the floor on the bottom of the stairs, she could barely make out a figure standing above her but through the agonizing pain she could only see shadows.

"It's time you understood how thankful you should be for the life you've been given."

That voice… she recognised it! It was… it was…

She saw a flash of golden eyes before the darkness took her.

Morgana slowly let her eyes flicker open, before quickly shutting them again to evade the harsh sunlight. She gave a small moan of annoyance. Why had Gwen drawn the curtains before she had woken?

"Morgana, you're awake!"

Her eyes flew open suddenly. Arthur was sat down on the side of her bed, grinning ear to ear.

"Arthur?" her voice sounded hoarse, as if she hadn't spoken for an eternity.

"I was so worried, I didn't know what to do!" the blond man put his hand on Morgana's cheek and stroked her pale skin with his thumb.

Morgana was taken back by the unusual act of affection. Sure, Arthur gave her the occasional friendly hug on her birthday or when she was particularly upset, but she didn't recall him ever touching her face or anything of the sort.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You don't remember? You fell off the horse. You've been unconscious for almost three days," Arthur explained.

"What? No, that's impossible…" Morgana shook her head. She tried hard to recall what had happened but her mind was blank. The last thing she remembered was Gwen helping her get dressed in the morning as they discussed the feast that Uther had planned in celebration of her birthday.

"I know you don't want to believe it, but you're not as skilled a rider as you think you are," he said in a teasing tone.

Morgana opened her mouth to remind him about how she had once made him cry when she beat him in a horserace when they were younger, but all that came out was a cry of pain instead. She clutched the side of her head where the throbbing pain was.

"My head hurts."

"I'll get you some water." Arthur patted her shoulder and stood up. It was then when Morgana realised how peculiar Arthur looked. Instead of the grand knight's armour he wore proudly during the day, he was donned in a dull, ragged tunic and worn-out looking breeches. How odd… what was he up to?

"What are you wearing?" Morgana laughed. She scanned over her surroundings quickly. "Wait, where am I?"

The bed she laid in was in the corner of a tiny room that was dark and dusty and there was nothing covering the floor but dirt. On the other side were a crammed kitchen area and a simple dining table. Morgana could tell it was still daytime from the sunlight pouring through the small glassless window.

"At home," Arthur said as he poured her a cup of water.

Morgana rolled her eyes. "Be serious, Arthur."

"I am serious, Morgana." he frowned. He returned to his sitting position on the edge of the bed and handed her the drink. Morgana was about to take a sip when she noticed there were bits of dirt in the water and decided she wasn't that thirsty.

"No, you're not. This isn't our home," she said.

She searched his face for any signs that he was playing a prank on her, but his expression was completely straight. Either Arthur had learnt how to become a brilliant liar overnight, or he really was telling the truth.

"Then pray tell, where do you think we live?" Arthur's inquiring voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Tall towers, high ceilings, stained glass windows, red silk curtains… any of that ring a bell?"

"It sounds like you're describing a castle to me."

"I am." Morgana was growing more and more irritated, but her severe headache made her feel weak and prevented her from raising her voice. "Honestly, what is going on? My head feels like it's about to explode and every bone in my body is aching. Please, just take me home."

"You're not listening to me! You are home. This is your home, Morgana. It has been for your entire life," Arthur said, clearly frustrated.

"Where is Uther?" she demanded.

"Who?" he blinked.

"Your father."

Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm sure your head's just a bit fuzzy. Just have some rest and I'm sure everything will come back to you."

"You really are unbelievable! Can I speak to someone who isn't a prick?" Morgana scowled. She had no patience for Arthur's foolishness. "Where is Gaius? Or Gwen?"

"Are you just making these names up?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not! Gwen is my handmaiden!"

Arthur let out a hearty laugh. "You have a handmaiden now, do you?"

"Yes, I do!" Morgana said indignantly. Arthur paused to examine her face in a similar manner that she had done to him earlier.

"Ah, I see. You come out of unconsciousness and the first thing you do is try to trick your poor brother!"

What?

"Did you just say you were my brother?" Morgana questioned him incredulously.

"Well, I am your brother…" Arthur was utterly confused by her behaviour.

"No you are not!" she said firmly.

Arthur looked hurt. Morgana felt a pang of regret for saying what she did, even though she didn't have a reason to be. She was right after all; Arthur Pendragon was not her brother, but the wounded look in his eyes made her feel a sort of sympathy towards him that she had not felt in a very long time. Morgana finally came to the realisation that this was not a hoax. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew that all of this was real.

There was a moment of silence.

"Why would you say such a thing?" Arthur finally spoke, quietly.

"I… I don't know."

It was true, in a sense. After all, she really didn't know what situation she was in or what she should do. She was so bewildered, and the pain she was feeling wasn't exactly helping matters.

"Maybe I've lost my memory because of the fall," she suggested, even though she was certain that wasn't the case.

"Everything will be fine, don't worry." Arthur gave a weak smile in an attempt to console her, although his own face was etched with worry. Suddenly, he got up and headed towards the door. "I'm going to go speak to Mador,"

"Who is Mador?" Morgana asked. Her question appeared to only make him more concerned.

"Stay put. I won't be gone for long."

And with that he left the house, leaving Morgana alone in the dark, accompanied only by her endless string of questions and a cup of dirty water.