Wow, haha boy am I on a roooll!

Disclaimer - Merlin = Not+Mine

"Lay your head on the block." The tall, blonde woman commanded, power and elegance radiating off her.

Arthur looked dumbstruck for a moment, as if wondering if she really said what he had heard. But not for long. After a moment of hesitation, he does as she asked, every inch the honourable prince.

The woman raises her axe high in the air, following which there is a short pause which seems to last forever, in which Merlin comes into view. His sweet, frightened face contorts to a look of pure devastation as the blade finally comes down on the target.

Morgana jolted awake with an ear-shattering scream. Sweating and crying, she forgot to breathe for a long moment. She hadn't had such dreams in a long while. After the incident with Sigan, she thought she had been blessedly rid of them. But apparently she had thought wrong. Morgause's bracelet - that had seemed oddly familiar and enticing at time she had first seen it now looked to be taunting her from where it was kept on her bedside.

That startled Morgana into awareness, she was now beginning to feel highly suspicious of the blonde woman. How could someone be so kind to her yet be plotting to kill Arthur? Unless her kindness was a ruse and she was no great friend of hers either? She tried to sleep again but knew it would be in vain. Her mind refused to cooperate and kept replaying the dream over and over again.

The next morning went rather smoothly and without the usual questioning from Gwen after a clearly restless night. Lately, Gwen was rather constantly distracted and there was very little conversation, if any at all, between the maid and her mistress. Once inseparable, the two best friends had now drifted apart due to the secrets that now dominated their lives.

Or at least what they thought were secrets.

Morgana may have been distracted, but she certainly wasn't oblivious to the budding relationship between her maidservant and the prince. She wanted to be happy for them, but she knew Uther far too well to delude herself into thinking that they could ever have a future together. There was a time when she thought that she would be Arthur's queen, but somewhere along the way her and Arthur had silently accepted the fact that they weren't meant for each other that way. But that's not say that ever stopped loving him, or he would ever stop caring for her. All that's changed is nature of their love for one another. Guinevere is the kindest, loveliest and most brilliant person she knows and a match that in any other circumstance, she would wholeheartedly approve of.

But Morgana was long past being that naive girl who rebelled against the king at every turn, who spoke up against all his unjust policies and tried to reason with him. At that thought, she let out a bitter laugh. It took her 14 years, but she finally realised that all her efforts to get Uther to do the right thing had only ever been in vain. He tried to paint a picture that he was indulgent when it came to her - by buying her the finest clothes, giving her the most lavish castle to live in, and most recently slaughtering entire druid caps in order to "ensure her safety". But she knew the truth. She knew that there was nothing in the world that mattered more to Uther than his self-appointed quest of eradicating magic.

There was no proper rule as such, but hiding around in alcoves to pull in unsuspecting servants just to ramble about freakish nightmares was probably on the top of the list of "unladylike behaviour". But Morgana had never really cared about propriety and she wasn't about to start now. Not when Arthur's life was possibly in danger. The last time she tried to do this the servant in question had glared at her before pulling away and angrily striding off. She could only hope that now, after knowing about her magic he would be more receptive.

No, Morgana.

No. Even if he wouldn't she will not let him get away so easily. This was important. More important than whatever unease she inspired in him.

Merlin was having an bonkers day, to say the least. The arrival of Morgause in the castle, the challenge, the ensuing fight, her eventual victory and and her summons to god-knows-where was only a quarter of the problem. The major worry clouding his mind was the prat's determination to go on that insane quest.

And she had magic. The last evasive witch he had encountered had killed nearly everyone he cared about. That, added to the fact that there was something about Morgause that unsettled him had Merlin on edge all day. It was when he was lost in these thoughts that a hand shot out out from seemingly nowhere and pulled him into an alcove.

When Merlin calmed down from his little freak out and saw who it was he was torn between being slightly surprised and groaning in frustration.

Why alcoves? Why was it always alcoves with this lady?

"Sorry for pulling you here like this but there's something really important I had to discuss. It's.. It's about my dreams. I didn't know who else to turn to..."

Merlin just started at her and wondered if he should involve himself. Kigharrah's voice rang in his head and the memory of the episode with the witchfinder had sparked the usually dormant sense of self-preservation in him.

"Please, Merlin." Morgana recognised his familiar habit of pulling away and tried to stop him.

"You're the only one who knows the truth. You were the only one who helped me. Please don't turn away now." She looked at him with wide, imploring eyes.

"I don't know what to say, Milady-" Merlin was finding it harder to keep his distance.

"Merlin, I'm a volatile sorceress cooped up in an alcove with the Prince's manservant, discussing prophecies and other sorceresses. Stop trying to pretend as if talking about this is strange to you. Or if this is the first time you've ever heard of sorcery. Stop acting like you're afraid. We both know you're not." Pleading seemed to be going nowhere, so Morgana went for a more straightforward tactic.

Merlin really didn't have an answer to that, because it was indeed true. After knowing about and trying to help her with her magic, along with assisting Arthur on all of his insane quests, it was obvious he was no stranger to magic. Nor was he the simpering servant afraid of losing his head that he was pretending to be right now. He had already turned her away once, letting her believe that she was losing her sanity. He couldn't do that to Morgana again. His must've been silent a tad too long, though, because Morgana spoke up again

"Please Merlin, Arthur's life might be at stake, I may not matter to you that much, but I know how much you care for Arthur. You'd follow him to death's door if you could. I've already seen you do it."

Merlin's eyebrows furrowed in anger at her statement. How could she think that? Of course she mattered to him. She was his friend. But something held him back from correcting her, maybe it was the same thing that made him freeze up just now, and all those nights ago in Gaius' chambers. The strange feeling of dread, the ancient but deceptively malicious voice whispering warnings about the woman in front of him. So all he managed was a careful nod, signalling her to go on.

Morgana's face fell at his cold reaction, and he felt his heart crack a little at the sight. But she shook her head just as quickly her face shifted into a mask of determination as she proceeded to tell him about her dream. Merlin's eyes grew wider and wider as she recounted her vision, his suspicions about the mysterious sorceress were indeed turning out to be true. He had had enough experience with Morgana's visions to know that they nearly always came true, the only time they didn't was when he intervened.

"What do you think?"

Merlin was still too lost in his worries and trying to figure out a way to persude Arthur to refuse Morgause's request. Perhaps he could somehow give the Prince a concussion on his way there? And then come up with a story that he might believe and convince him to go back? No. Arthur may be an oblivious dollophead most of the time but he wasn't that dim. But what else? Of course he would try his best to protect him from Morgause but he doubted he could do so without revealing his magic or even if he was indeed strong enough to defeat her.

"Merlin!" Merlin was brought out of his anxiety Morgana waved a hand in front of face. "Have you even been listening to me?" Morgana was beginning to get angry now. This was exactly what she had feared. To not be taken seriously and be brushed off as a raving madwoman. But she honestly didn't expect such behaviour from Merlin. She was beginning to wonder if the boy had knocked his head against something and acquired partial amnesia. It was as if he didn't remember the past six months at all.

Merlin shook his head and realised how rude he's being right then. "I'm sorry, milady. I just got lost in my thoughts for a minute. I actually thinking about what you just told me."

Morgana face relaxed, but only just. "And?"

"I really don't know, Morgana." Her face fell again at that. Merlin rushed to explain himself. "I believe you, I do. But I don't think there's any way Arthur can be convinced to forfeit this journey."

Morgana sighed. "What about Gwen?"

Merlin was taken aback at that question. "What about her?"

"Maybe if she requests Arthur? He's more likely to listen to her." said Morgana, with a slightly hopeful lint in her voice.

That surprised Merlin. Protectiveness of his friends made him freeze up at the knowledge that Morgana knew about Arthur and Gwen. "And why would that be, Milady?"

Morgana was slightly offended at his reaction, "Merlin, please. For the last time, stop playing dumb with me. It's not amusing. It's clear as glass that they've developed feelings for each other, and I know you're aware of the fact. I just don't understand why you feel the need to keep it from me." By the time she got to the last part she couldn't keep the hurt from her voice. She wondered when she had drifted so far apart from everyone that they started keeping secrets from her. Maybe around the time she had discovered her magic and isolated herself.

Merlin caught her down downhearted expression and tried to distract her from the litany of negative thoughts that seemed to reflect on her face. "I'm sorry, Milady. I don't think he's even going to listen to her. He gave Morgause his word. He seems pretty adamant on this quest."

"Of course. Arthur and his stupid nobility. Honestly I wonder how he's managed to keep his head atop his shoulders for this long with his constant pigheadedness. Someone up there must really be keeping him safe."

Merlin mentally snickered at that. Not up there, down here. And I don't even get any thanks for it.

Morgana shook her head exasperatedly. "Anyway. If we can't convince him to stay... I'll be coming with you."

Wait, what?

"What? Morgana, that's insane! Uther would have my head if he finds out."

"Why would he have your head? I'm the one who's choosing to go. And it won't be like last time, I'll be coming with you and Arthur."

"Uther would reprimand Arthur for putting you in danger as well."

"So? I should give up the chance to save his life to protect him from a possible tongue-lashing from his father?"

Merlin rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Morgana... this is not the solution to this problem. For all you know that dream may not even mean anything, and Arthur will be fine."

Morgana blanched at his statement, "Didn't you just say that you believed me?"

Merlin rushed to correct himself, "I did, I do...but. Is this risk really worth taking?"

"Of course it is!" Morgana exclaimed, offended. "Why? Do you think I care so little for Arthur that doing this seems uncharacteristic of me to you?"

"Of course it's not that."

"You know what? I'm done here, Merlin. I told you that I'm coming with you and that's final. I know Arthur's going to get you to smuggle him out of his chambers. I want you to come and inform me before you do so. I'll be waiting outside the city gates for the both of you then. Give me your word."

Merlin hesitated, "Morgana, I'm not su-"

"Your word, Merlin."

Merlin sighed. It was no use trying to convince Morgana when her mind was made up. Besides, she was his friend. He owed her this.

"I give you my word."

"Good, good."

Just when Merlin started to leave she called out to him again.

"Oh and," – Morgana pulled up her sleeve, revealing a beautiful silver-golden bracelet. She hastily removed it from her hand before talking his, opening his palm and depositing the bracelet in it.

"Give this to Gaius. It'd be best if he examined it. Morgause gave it to me, insisting that she'd like me to have it. It was supposed to – to help me with my dreams but it seems I'll never be rid of my nightmares no matter what." She finished with a bitter chuckle.

Merlin now stared at the bracelet as if it was going to transform into a snake and attack him any second now.

"I don't know what to make of her, Merlin." Morgana didn't know why she felt compelled to tell him this, but if she didn't confide in someone soon, she would explode. And besides, there was just something about Merlin that she that made her feel like she could trust him. She'd felt that from the very first moment she met him. That thought made her realise that the only other time she had felt anything close to that was when she had first met Mordred and Morgause. "On the one hand I feel, or at least felt like I knew her from somewhere, like she... like she was someone I could trust. But now, after that dream, I'm not so sure."

Merlin honestly failed to understand what it was about this woman that made him want to spill his heart out to her but freeze up at that same time. There was so much he wanted to say to her at that moment. He wanted to confirm her suspicions, share his own and appease her fears so badly. But all he could get out was , "I'll give this to Gaius."

Morgana tried and failed to hide her disappointment at his response for the umpteenth time and turned to leave. She'd only just started walking back to her chambers when Merlin called out her name.

Merlin felt a pang of dread when he saw her turn back. He couldn't just let her leave like that, he had to say something. Anything.

"Morgana...thank you."

Morgana's brows furrowed a bit in confusion, but he thought he saw something akin to hope sparkle in her eyes.

"For what?"

"For trusting me." Merlin replied genuinely. "I promise I will always be there for you, and will always be your friend. And if my behaviour recently has somehow led you to doubt that, then I'm really sorry."

Morgana's lips curved into a slight smile at that, which Merlin returned.

"It's fine, Merlin. I'm just glad you're here now."

Guess who just came up with a new storyyy?

iced-coffee-PAN-DA!

Guess who can never resist a new plot bunnyyy?

iced-coffee-PAN-DA!

Despite that her other fic lies abandoned for months!

You bet that she hasn't touched it, not even once!

Yeah. Sooo, I'm really sorry to those of you who couldn't care less about my other fics and are really just waiting for an update to TDBTD, I'm sorry but my mind works in weird ways and I can't work on a fic if I don't have any inspiration for it. That is certainly not to say that I've abandoned it, or that it's on hiatus. Just that it's gonna take a wee bit longer for me to update it, but I'll try my best to make it happen within the next few months.

Meanwhile, please enjoy this brand new AU and lemme know what you thought of the first chappie! :3