Because you are all lovely people I have written another chapter. Next day is unusual, but I had the time. I think from now on it will be a weekly update. This chapter is more setting the scene. Next chapter there will be more action and magic.

Morgana tossed and turned in her sleep. Upon her wrist was heraling bracelet; a gift from her late sister, Morgause. But the bracelet could not protect her from the visions that filled her head that night.

She was standing on a hill top, looking upon the land below. Many times she come close to victory over Camelot, and had even upon its throne, but this time was different. The Invdaers - Saxons, as they so called themselves - were standing beside her, ready to fight to the death. Their leader, a man named Cynric, was by her side, atop a fine, white horse. "When this conflict is at an end, I will give you what you deserve," he told her with a smile. "Protect my men with your magic and I will fulfill my promise. You will be Queen of Camelot when you win this day for us.

Morgana smirked, feeling a glow of satisfaction in her chest. It was only a matter of time…

The vision changed.

No longer was the battlefield before her. Instead, she was on her back, looking up at the sky. The ground had turned scarlet from blood and the day was won. But by the way she lay defenceless on the floor, Morgana new that she had not been the champion of that day. She had seen this before…

"Is this what you wanted, Morgana?"

Emrys was standing over her, staff in hand. He looked as majestic as ever, not to mention powerful. He looked the very embodiment of her doom. "No," she said weakly. "No, Emrys please, help me..."

He raised his staff, a white light burgeoning on its tip, before all went black.

The vision changed again.

No longer was she on the battle field. Instead, she was facing a woman with grey hair and a wrinkled face.

The woman smiled at her. "I am glad to finally meet you, Morgana," she said softly. "You have a great destiny, something which I would like to talk to you about."

Morgana looked around. She was in a strange room, like no place she had been before. The walls were silvery, and at first appeared transparent, only nothing could be seen through them. There were no windows and no lights, yet somehow there was a dim light that prevented utter darkness. "Where am I?" she asked.

"In your bed," replied the woman. "You are dreaming, Morgana. I am simply contacting you in your dreams."

"Where is this place?" Morgana said.

The woman looked around. "Even I do not know, and I have been here for quite some time. Besides, that is not of your concern for the moment. I am here to tell you of your destiny."

Morgana found herself scowling. "I already know," she hissed. "Emrys. My destiny and my doom."

"You know nothing," replied the woman sternly, crossing her arms. Morgana was weirdly reminded of a mother chastising her child. "That is only one way your destiny may go. That future shows your doom, but there is another in which you may find glory."

Morgana wasn't sure whether to believe her ears. A future where Emrys didn't kill her? Where she was victorious? The woman must have read the expression on her face, because she laughed and stepped closer. "This is the truth, child," she said. "With my guidance, you will find a brighter future. Camelot will fall, along with Arthur, the knights: everyone. It is fortunate that you are a seer, or else I would not be able to contact you in this way, but this method of communication is limited to when you are asleep."

"Who are you?" asked Morgana, realising that she had not yet asked this basic question.

"I am… hmm… I cannot say. But if you wish for a title to address me by, you may call me Askleigh."

Morgana had half a mind to insist that this woman say her true name, but she supposed that it was of little matter. "What must I do to fulfil my destiny of glory?"

Askleigh placed a wrinkled hand on her shoulder, and smiled all the more benevolently. There was something warm about the old woman that made Morgana feel at home, for the first time in many years. "You, Morgana, must meet with the Saxons – the invaders who come from the sea – and offer them your help. With you, they will be powerful enough to conquer all. During the battle for the land, against the five kings and queens of the land, the only obstacle that stands in your way will be your greatest enemy."

"Emrys," spat Morgana, making no effort to conceal the venom in her voice.

"Yes," affirmed Askleigh gently. "During the battle, before he can get to them, kill Arthur and his queen. Kill the knights also, they who are closest to the king. This is the only way you can defeat Emrys, come the time you must fight him. Achieve this, and you will be remembered… for all of time. You will have glory."

Morgana's smirk returned to her features.

When Morgana woke up from the vision to find herself in the old Inn, where she had sort refuge for the night, she awoke with the same smirk she had been wearing in her dreams. A new confidence was brewing within her and her cold heart grew ever colder. There was still hope for her yet.

Merlin walked down the corridor, deep in thought. He almost walked right into a made carrying laundry, much to her indignation. Once Merlin had apologized profusely, he was on his way again. Grimforg puzzled him. He had not missed the look the old man had given him in the throne room. Something about Morgana and the Saxons together being too powerful for the protection that Camelot had. Did this mean that Grimforg knew who Merlin was? If this was the case, then there was a very great chance that this man was a sorcerer. That would explain the magic that Merlin had felt the previous day. What worried Merlin more were the whispers telling him to Beware. It didn't make any sense…

"Merlin, mate, where're you going?"

Gwaine was striding towards him, a large grin on his rugged features.

Come to think of it, Merlin was not entirely sure. "Um… Gaius's room," he said absently.

Gwaine's brow contracted. "Isn't that the other way?"

Merlin managed to just about refrain from cursing. Gwaine gave him a concerned look. "You seem a bit… what's the word? Aloof. Yes, you seem a bit aloof today, Merlin. Anything the matter?"

"No, not really," said Merlin.

"Is it that Grimforg character? Arthur told me about him. He sounds a bit strange."

"More than strange," replied Merlin. "I don't have a good feeling about him. There's something… something wrong…"

"Hmm," said Gwaine thoughtfully. "Well…"

Speak of the devil, thought Merlin. Grimforg had just rounded the corner, his stooped posture an immediate indicator as to who the figure was. When Grimforg saw them, he hobbled forwards, straight towards Merlin. "Merlin, my boy," he said. "May I have a word?"

Gwaine and Merlin exchanged looks, before Merlin gave a nod and Gwaine patted him on the back. "Uh… yeah, sure…" he said uncertainly.

"In my private, if you will," Grimforg said, eyeing Gwaine significantly.

Gwaine hesitated, but eventually made an elaborate genuflection of consent. "All right. Seems you don't want an old drunkard like me, I don't care. See you around, Merlin."
Merlin felt bad for Gwaine, but pushed such feeling aside. "Come, dear boy," said Grimforg, beckoning him with his finger. "Quickly now."

A few minutes later they were in Grimforg's room. Merlin instinctively started eyeing the place, looking for any tell-tale signs of magic, but he drew up short.

"I know who you are boy," said Grimforg suddenly.

Merlin stared at him. "I… I um don't know what you…"

"It is quite all right, I mean you no harm," the old man assured him, whilst stroking his long, grey beard. "You are Emrys, correct?"

This question sounded more like a statement. Merlin supposed there was no use in denying it. He nodded.

"Good… good…" said Grimforg. "Well, then I must tell you this. I did not come to Camelot merely to give information about Morgana, I have come to help you and guide you."

"What?" said Merlin.

Grimforg nodded and walked around the back of one of the room's tables. "You have a destiny to protect Arthur, yes? Well it is my destiny to protect you, in much the same way. You understand?"

Merlin wasn't sure if he did, but he nodded anyway.

Grimforg started pacing, putting the tips of his long, pale fingers together. "There will come a time, near at hand, where you must fight Morgana and kill her. You are her destiny and her doom."
Merlin had heard that before, from Morgana's own lips. He had been on the floor, having been knocked over by one of her spells, when she had said: "It seems you won't be my doom after all." "Its true then?" he asked Grimforg. "I must kill Morgana?"

"Yes, dear boy," said Grimforg.

"What if I don't want to?"

"You must and will," hissed Grimforg.

The way the man said this made Merlin step back. His voice was so venomous, so cruel and filled with malevolence… "Why?"

"Because it is your destiny, and you cannot escape your destiny."
Grimforg glared at Merlin right in the eye; those fierce, violet eyes. Again, Grimforg somehow reminded Merlin of someone, in appearance more than anything else. There was something all too familiar about him… "Is Grimforg your real name?" he asked.

"It doesn't matter," Grimforg snapped. "You must complete your destiny. You must kill Morgana. You must."

"But…"

"She is the darkness to your light, Emrys, you must."
Merlin froze at these words. They were almost exactly the words of the dragons, if not slightly paraphrased. He didn't know why, but he knew then that what Grimforg spoke was the truth, as much as he wished it wasn't. Oh Morgana, why did I never save you… I could have stopped this when I had the chance. It haunted him practically every day. Her fear of being alone… the fear in her eyes when he had poisoned her. Alas, such events were past. He had to look to the future. "So there is no chance of redemption for her?"

At this, Grimforg paused. He was deadly serious now, no curious smile in sight. "No. Her heart is as black as coals. There is no redemption for her."

Merlin bowed his head. "She is truly lost?"

"Yes."

Silence settled over the room like a heavy blanket. Merlin was about to speak again, but a second later a loud BOOM resonated throughout the castle, making the walls shake. Several things in the chambers broke as the floor shook, and Merlin was forced to hang onto the four-poster bed. Grimforg fell to the floor with a cry. "What's happening!" the young warlock yelled.

Eventually the shaking stopped and the two men reclaimed their feet. Exchanging looks, they raced to the window in unison, and peered out. At first, all Merlin could see was orange light, engulfing the lower town in fire. Then, out of it all, a dark shape loomed. Merlin's heart seemed to sink to his stomach, all the while one word sounded in his head. No, no, no…

A giant creature was flying through the sky, belching fire upon the houses as people screamed. With dread Merlin realised it was a dragon, and he knew which one.

Aithusa.