Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
A Mother's Dilemma
Arthur was traveling with two men, she had been told. Doubtless one would be Merlin. The other, she feared, was Gwaine. She had always known he had a destiny, as Strength, but also as Arthur's greatest ally. She had tried to turn him from that destiny, had tried to keep him to herself. But he had left her, and in the far, long misplaced part of her heart that was still capable of love, she still loved him.
He was her son, after all.
Morgause shifted in her chair, staring into the distance. She had still sent the undefeatable army after them, knowing what she knew. The words still ran through her head. "…kill them…" She had called for her own son's death. But she had hesitated, considering calling the soldiers back and telling them to bring the one called Gwaine to her. The hesitation had passed without action. Her eyebrows pulled together. She had come so far, and lost so much. If she showed a weak spot now… She couldn't quit. She didn't want to stop.
Gwaine would be alright. He would survive; she knew he would. She had taught him everything he knew, and she had taught him well. Morgause had defeated Prince Arthur once before and she knew very well that her son could do the same. As much as she hated to admit it, that was no small feat and if he could accomplish that, he could evade the immortal army for some time.
'I will find him,' she thought, '…when Morgana is on the throne. I will find him and I will convince him to join me. He will be spared and I will have yet more power in Camelot.' For if Morgause wished it, Morgana would do anything for her. Even marry Gwaine, making him the king at her side, with Morgause behind it all, pulling the strings.
Did she believe it? It was hard to say. His spirit was strong and his will was great. It would take time and patience to convince him of his rightful place.
In any case, he would survive this first strike, if it was indeed him. If he died, Uther would pay all the more.
Her fingers tightened on the arms of the chair, and she breathed in deeply, staring out a window and over the land. "My plan… will not fail."