I actually updated! Yay!
I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed or favourited this story. It made me want to update way sooner, but uni got in the way. I hope this chapter made the wait worth it. Not much really happens in this one, it just sets the story up more.
Still, enjoy!
:)
The Path Of Light
Chapter Two
It seemed like Merlin had only just lain down on his bed before the serenity of the night was broken by screaming and destruction.
He jumped up and opened his window. The sight was a horrid one. Kilgharrah flew across the skies breathing fire down on Camelot. His roars shook the building and drowned out the screams of Camelot's citizens.
Merlin swore and hurriedly got changed out of his nightclothes. Both Arthur and Gaius would need him right now. His thoughts flew as he descended the stairs from his room to find Gaius already up and about preparing medical items to deal with the wounded. Merlin had only just spoken to Kilgharrah, so how had he gotten free in such short a time?
Gaius turned to him, tension and concern written all over his features. "This wasn't your doing, was it, Merlin? I know you felt Kilgharrah deserved to be free, but –"
"-I didn't do it, Gaius. It wasn't me. I know I only just came back from talking to him, but I didn't free him. I knew this would happen if I did. I didn't free him, I give you my word."
Some of the tension left Gaius' body and the physician nodded once, clearly relieved and satisfied at Merlin's answer. However, the concerned expression never left his face. "But if you didn't free the Great Dragon, who did?"
Suddenly, the door to their chambers burst open and in flew a distraught Morgana. Merlin barely had time to register who it was before Morgana flung her arms around him and was sobbing into his shirt. "Merlin! I did it! This is all my fault! Oh, god, I'm sorry! I didn't know! I didn't know!"
Merlin felt his face flush at being held so desperately by the lady, but he automatically put his arms around her. He glanced over at Gaius, but his guardian looked just as confused as he did. Turning back to his crying friend, he tried to gently lift her head up from where she had buried it in his shirt. "Morgana," he said softly, "what's wrong? What are you talking about?"
"I set the dragon free!" Morgana sobbed, and both Merlin and Gaius drew in a startled breath at her words. "He said I was destined for darkness and wouldn't tell me what my hope was until I freed him. I didn't know he'd do this, I swear! I just wanted to know where my hope lied! I didn't know he'd do this! I didn't want to be e-evil and l-l-l-look what I've caused!" She broke down into more furious tears and clung to Merlin even tighter.
Merlin and Gaius shared incredulous looks. How did Morgana even know about the dragon? Did she use her magic to set it free? What exactly had Kilgharrah said to her to make her believe she'd go evil?
"Morgana, what –" Merlin began.
"You can defeat it though, right?" She cut him off. "With your magic? You can beat him?"
Merlin felt the blood rush out of his face. She knew. She knew about his magic. Merlin opened his mouth to protest, but no sound came out. He was in too much of a shock.
"I can help you with my magic," Morgana went on, "But I don't know any spells, so you're going to have to teach me. I want to right my mistake, Merlin. Please, you must help me."
She knows about her magic?! He thought. What did Kilgharrah say to her?!
"Morgana," he managed to get out, "you can't, I mean, you mustn't – I mean – magic-"
She stopped his spluttering by pulling away from him and dipping in a low curtsey. Merlin stared at her incredulously. No one had curtsied to him in years. "I followed you when you went to see the dragon, my Lord. I heard him calling to you and followed you down into the caverns below Camelot. I know everything. I know of your magic, I know of your status, I know my true parentage and I know what the dragon thinks of me."
"Y-you know who I am."
"Crown Prince Merlin of Dracona and Emrys of the Prophecies."
Merlin was at a loss for words. All the times he had imagined his secret coming out, he had never pictured it like this. Gaius apparently saw that his ward was incapable of speaking, and sought to intervene. "My Lady," the physician said, "That information is dangerous, you cannot speak of it." Merlin was marginally surprised Gaius didn't try to pass it off as nonsense, but like him, his guardian could obviously tell there was no lying their way out of this one.
Morgana wiped her eyes, "I know," she said. "I'm not a fool, even if my actions tonight say otherwise. I know what is on the line. I will not tell a soul."
"You can count on our silence about your own gifts as well," Gaius promised.
She nodded gratefully and then surprised Merlin by taking his hands in her own. "Please, Merlin," she said. "There is so much I would like to ask you about magic, but please – first help me right my wrong and defeat the dragon. I will not go down the Path of Darkness, but I will follow the Path of Light. So … What do we do?"
The warlock was just about to reply when a loud "MERLIN!" was heard from outside the physician's chambers. Seconds later, Arthur had burst through the door. He was dressed in his armour and a sword was sheathed at his side. "Merlin! Where are you?! We can't find Mor – MORGANA! Where the hell have you been?!"
Merlin and Morgana both looked at the prince, who was now looking at their clasped hands. They hurriedly let go of one another, blushes tainting their cheeks. Arthur disregarded them, "Where have you been, Morgana?! The city's under attack by a dragon and you weren't in your chambers!"
"I-I just," Morgana began. "I was..."
"She had come to me for a sleeping draught when the dragon began its attack, sire," Gaius supplied for her.
"Right. Well, Morgana, you and Guinevere are to help Gaius with the infirmary, so you can stay here for now. I'll let father know you're alright – he was worried sick when we couldn't find you in your chambers – Merlin, you're with me and all of you, stay safe. Don't do anything stupid."
With that, Arthur nodded once and quickly left the room. Merlin went to follow him, but was stopped by a call from Morgana.
"Merlin, wait!"
He turned back around to face her, "What's wr-" he began, but was cut off by Morgana pressing her lips to his. Merlin stiffened in surprise, but slowly relaxed into the kiss; his eyes shutting and mouth opening for Morgana's soft lips and tongue. Unexpected though it was, Merlin felt himself tingling all over. It was like when he used his magic, but he knew that this feeling was due to the woman who was now burying her fingers in his hair and pulling him even closer to her. Merlin's hands found their place at Morgana's hips, and he held her there as the kiss lengthened.
It was Gaius clearing his throat that brought the pair back to their senses. They broke apart from each other. Both were blushing furiously and their breath was slightly erratic, but they both refused to look at Gaius. Instead, they only had eyes for each other. "W-why?" Merlin managed to get out. "Not – not that I didn't like it – I did – a lot. But you – me – what?"
"I was proving the dragon wrong," Morgana said. "Or proving him right. It depends on how you look at it."
"R-right..."
"MERLIN!" Came Arthur's screaming voice from down the hall. His voice was faint though; god knows how far away Arthur got whilst Merlin was caught up in the sweet oblivion that was Morgana's kiss.
She leant in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Go," she said.
Merlin nodded mutely and clumsily ran from the room, rushing to catch up with Arthur. As the walls shook and people screamed around him, he couldn't escape the memory of the feel of Morgana's lips on his. There was a loud boom from outside and the citadel trembled. He shook his head, as if to clear it. I really need to get my act together, he thought. Now isn't the time to be thinking about girls.
He finally caught up with Arthur. The prince was standing outside the Great Hall, conversing with his father and a group of knights. Oh yes, he definitely needed to get his act together. Merlin figured he would rather take on Kilgharrah than a protective Uther and Arthur.
"There you are, Merlin," Arthur said, frowning in his direction. "You certainly took your time."
"Well, Gaius-" Merlin began.
"-Yes, Gaius will need help with the injured," the King interrupted.
"I need Merlin with me to hold my weapons," Arthur said. "Morgana are her maid will help Gaius, as will the castle servants. Morgana's maidservant, Guinevere, is particularly adept in medicine. She has helped Gaius tend to numerous patients before."
Merlin looked down, trying to hide the smug grin that came on his face at Arthur talking about Gwen in such a high regard. He schooled his features back to neutral and looked back up at the King and Arthur.
"Very well," Uther said. "You have your orders. Protect our people, Arthur."
"I will, Father," Arthur promised.
The king nodded once and left, entering the Great Hall once more. Arthur watched him go before snapping to attention. "Come on, Merlin. We and the knights have a dragon to take down."
Morgana stood watching the door that Merlin had just rushed out of. Her heart was still pounding from when she'd kissed him. Part of her couldn't believe she'd done it, and part of her couldn't believe how much she wanted to do it again. She hadn't planned on doing it, but her mind was still reeling from what the dragon told her. She needed to know if it was true.
She had always thought fondly of Merlin. He was a good friend. But she had never entertained the thought of herself and Merlin as an item. After all, she was a noble, and he was a servant. They were a match that could never be.
But Merlin wasn't a servant. He was a prince who wielded fantastic power. There was so much more to him than met the eye. And now Morgana's mind was with the possibility of Merlin being more than just a good friend. That one kiss … no, two kisses. She'd kissed him twice. Unable to control herself as she bid him goodbye, she'd pressed another kiss to his lips. Two kisses … that was all it took for Morgana's heart to be pounding and her imagination to be running wild.
Well, she thought. Two kisses and some words with a dragon.
"My Lady," Gaius spoke up from behind her.
Morgana started. So caught up in her thoughts, she'd completely forgotten he was there. Completely forgotten that he'd just witnessed the passionate exchange between her and his ward. Morgana's cheeks burned as she turned to face him.
Gaius looked grave, "My Lady, I will keep my silence about you and Merlin, but I would advise you caution."
She was surprised, "I would have thought you would tell me to never do that again."
"Part of me is exceedingly concerned about what I just witnessed. If Uther were to find out about that, Merlin would lose his head. However, everyone deserves happiness. Merlin, especially. He has gone through such hardships. You have as well, My Lady. I know how scared you are about your magic. But Merlin can help you; he wanted to earlier, but I advised him against it."
"Why?" Morgana asked, hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Uther despises magic above all else. I didn't want you to fear for your life in the very place you call home. Better you be ignorant of your powers, to believe them to be merely dreams, than for you to live in fear of Uther discovering you. I'm truly sorry, Morgana. But I was only trying to protect you."
"Ignorance is bliss?" Morgana said scornfully. "I was already scared Gaius. I'm still scared! I knew what it was! Uther taught Arthur and I to recognise it from an early age. I just wanted someone to confirm it so I didn't feel like I was going out of my mind! But you said nothing!"
Morgana was aware that tears were building in her eyes. She wiped them away impatiently; she had cried too much already that evening.
Gaius bowed him head. "I'm sorry, Morgana."
She sighed. Don't let anger rule you, she thought to herself. Don't prove Kilgharrah right in his presumptions of you. "It is alright, Gaius. I am hurt, and angry, but I know you were just trying to help me. However, in future, please be honest with me."
The physician sent her a smile, "Of course. I promise."
"Thank you."
"However, again, I would advise you to take care. These are troubling times. The dragon attacking, for you to discover your magic, that … exchange between yourself and Merlin just now. We would all be wise to be cautious."
Morgana nodded. "I know. I – I hadn't planned to kiss Merlin. Not at all … It's just … talking to the dragon, I discovered something."
"You said you were proving the dragon wrong or right?"
She nodded again. "Proving him wrong about me and…" she trailed off, turning to look once again at the door Merlin had rushed out of minutes before. "Wrong about me and right about my hope."
"Your hope, My Lady?"
Morgana turned back to Gaius. "Yes. Hope. Merlin is my hope."
"HOLD!" Arthur shouted as Kilgharrah closed in on them. "HOLD!"
Merlin, Arthur and the knights were up on the battlements, crossbows aimed at the Great Dragon who was flying towards them. Well, more correctly, Merlin was crouched behind the wall, ready to give Arthur his next bolt when he asked for it.
Merlin knew this was pointless. Mere weapons would do nothing against Kilgharrah. But how could he say that to Arthur? Your weapons are useless. I know because I'm the son of a dragonlord and grew up surrounded by dragons. Also, I'm a prince, a warlock, your fated protector and we're destined to unite Albion and return magic to the land.
Somehow, Merlin didn't think Arthur would believe him, or take that news too lightly.
"FIRE!"
Predictably, the bolts did nothing against Kilgharrah's tough scales. They couldn't win without a dragonlord, and Merlin wasn't a dragonlord yet. In fact, he didn't want to be one for a very long time. If receiving his powers meant the death of his father, Merlin didn't want to receive them until his father lived to be old and grey, passing away in his sleep after a long and happy life.
Kilgharrah opened his maw and breathed fire upon the castle. "TAKE COVER!" Arthur yelled.
Everyone did as Arthur ordered and took shelter where they could. Arthur must have realised that what they were doing wasn't working, because he then started shouting, "RETREAT! FALL BACK! RETREAT! REGOUP IN THE GREAT HALL."
As Arthur and the knights made their retreat, Merlin followed them just enough to see Arthur enter the safety of the castle and then used the confusion and panic to slip away. He may not be a dragonlord, but he could still try to talk some reason into the Great Dragon.
He had to; he couldn't fail, for Camelot's sake.
Morgana, Gwen and Gaius had turned the Great Hall into an infirmary, so they was right there when Arthur and his knights came straggling into the hall. Morgana and Gwen immediately approached the prince, whilst Gaius tended to the more seriously wounded knights.
Gwen began checking Arthur over. "I'm fine, Guinev-"
"-Where is Merlin?" Morgana interrupted.
Confusion coloured Arthur's features. "What? He's right –" He looked around for his manservant, now looking thoroughly alarmed. "He was right behind me!"
"You mean you left him out there?!"
"Morgana, you know I wouldn't do that on purpose."
All three of them looked concerned for their missing friend. Morgana knew that Merlin was more than capable of taking care of himself, but he was up against a dragon. Who knew what could happen?
"I'm going out there," Morgana said. "I need to find him."
"No, my Lady!" Gwen protested. "It's too dangerous!"
"Merlin would do the same for you!"
Gwen drew breath to argue, but couldn't think of a reply. She knew what Morgana said was true. Merlin would do anything for his friends.
"I can't let you go out there, Morgana," Arthur said seriously. "Guinevere is right, it's far too dangerous."
"I don't care! Merlin –"
"I will go find Merlin," said Arthur. "You two stay here and tend to the wounded."
"Arthur – my lord," Gwen said, "Merlin is precious to us, but so are you. Please be careful. Merlin would be upset if you got hurt for his sake."
"Guinevere, nothing is going to happen to me. I'll be fine. I'm just going to get Merlin back. He needs me."
Morgana used the moment between Gwen and Arthur to slip away from them. Their whole exchanged surprised her. Since when were they so close? And Arthur was looking at Guinevere with such a tender expression. Morgana knew that look. It was the look Arthur got when he had feelings for each other and it was a look that was reciprocated in Gwen's expression. Arthur and Gwen? Morgana wondered. How have I not seen it until now?
The thought of them as a couple made her smile. The both of them deserved to be happy with one another, regardless of what Uther might think of Arthur loving a servant. That made Morgana think of herself and Merlin. It was the same situation, but reversed. Except, she thought. Merlin is really a prince, so we are both of nobility. Not that it mattered. Here in Camelot, Merlin was a servant and she a Lady. Although she knew that a relationship between them was impossible, that didn't stop Morgana from wanting one.
Her feelings for Merlin had appeared suddenly, as if from nowhere, solidified by his kindness, by his defense of her against the dragon, by his acceptance of her magic, by him finally being honest telling her the truth, not passing it off as nonsense. Her feelings solidified by the kisses they shared.
This is too fast, she thought as she searched for Merlin. Whatever I have with Merlin is too fast. Calm yourself, Morgana. Forget about what you feel. Just focus on finding Merlin.
Somewhere behind her, she could hear Arthur shouting for her. He'd noticed her disappearance and was searching for her. Morgana ignored him. Arthur could yell at her later for as long as he wanted. He didn't matter right now.
All that mattered was finding Merlin.
All that mattered was finding Kilgharrah.
Arthur was safely inside, so now Merlin could talk to the dragon without worrying about the safety of his friend. If Merlin could convince Kilgharrah to leave, than no one else would get hurt.
A roar from above notified Merlin of the Great Dragon's presence. Merlin was in a deserted courtyard of the castle. No one was around, except for the depressing sight of lifeless bodies on the ground.
"Kilgharrah, stop this!" Merlin shouted as the dragon landed, angrily smashing his tail into a wall as he did.
"You cannot control me Merlin," the dragon replied. "Do not presume that you can. You are not a dragonlord yet!"
"Why are you doing this?!"
"You would do the same if you were imprisoned for twenty years. Uther deserves this, and more."
"Revenge isn't the right answer, Kilgharrah."
The Great Dragon growled, "I have lived for thousands of years. I will not be lectured by a mere warlock who hasn't even reached thirty summers. You are not a dragonlord, Merlin Ambrosius, I do not have to answer to you!"
"If you will not listen to me as Merlin, then at least listen to me as Emrys!"
That got Kilgharrah's attention, but he remained silent, allowing Merlin to speak. "You are constantly telling me of my destiny. How Arthur and I are to unite Albion and return magic to the land. Do you really think your actions here are showing Arthur what good the Old Religion can do?! You are killing innocent people! You constantly say that Morgana is a threat to my destiny, but you are being the threat right now! Arthur will never trust magic if he sees a creature of magic bringing such destruction down on his people!"
Kilgharrah said nothing and Merlin continued, "You are destroying Camelot. The very heart of what Albion will be! Revenge on Uther shouldn't matter, you should be looking to the future and what good Arthur will bring. But he won't do that if you murder his people and his father! He will see magic as a force of evil. Is that what you want?!"
Merlin stopped to draw breath, but was cut off by someone shouting his name. He turned to see Morgana sprinting towards him. She finally reached him and he began to ask what she was doing there, but Morgana cut him off by throwing her arms around him. "Thank goodness you're alright!" She said as she hugged him.
Merlin returned the hug, but then pulled away. He still had an angry Kilgharrah to deal with. Standing protectively in front of Morgana, he addressed the dragon. "Leave here, Kilgharrah," he said; he had an air of supreme authority around him. Merlin's tone was one that allowed no argument. "This act of revenge is pointless. Leave. Go to Dracona and be with your kind. Leave Camelot in peace."
Kilgharrah remained silent, but he studied both Merlin and Morgana before finally replying. "I see the wisdom in your words, young warlock. I will not stand in the way of destiny. But you, Morgana Pendragon, I do not trust. I have already told you what you need to hear to follow the Path of Light, but in a week's time you will face a choice. One that will decide your destiny. This choice will decide if you forevermore follow the Light, or embrace Darkness. Choose wrongly, Morgana Pendragon, and I will return. I will raze Camelot to the ground in my quest to see the end of you, your tyrant of a father and anyone else who stands in the way of the Coming of Emrys and the return of magic."
"Kilgharrah, enough," Merlin said.
"No," said Morgana, stepping forward from behind Merlin. "It is fine. You are wrong about me, Great Dragon. I will magic the right choice." She turned to look and smile softly at Merlin before once again facing the dragon. "I know I will. My heart and hope will not fail me, and I will not fail destiny."
"Hmm," Kilgharrah hummed, leaning in to study them both. Morgana couldn't help but take a step back under the dragon's gaze. Merlin instinctively put his arm around her in comfort. "I can see into your hearts," Kilgharrah said. "And I see the two of you reflected in each other's. I didn't believe I'd see you walk this path, and I remain unconvinced you will stay on it. I will go to Dracona as you suggest, you warlock. But I will return. You have one week. Choose wisely, Morgana Pendragon, and remember what I told you."
With that, the dragon abruptly took off and in a matter of seconds he was but a dot in the sky. Merlin sighed in relief at seeing him go. He turned to Morgana. "Are you alright?"
He was alarmed to see tears in her eyes. "He is so convinced I'm going to be evil, Merlin," she said.
"Hey," he said softly, pulling her in for a hug. "That's not gonna happen. You and I, we're not going to let that happen. Everything is going to work out and I'm not going to let you face this on your own, I promise."
"Thank you, Merlin," she murmured into his shirt.
His response was to only hold her tighter, but the moment was soon ruined by an irate prince of Camelot. "WHAT THE BLAZES ARE YOU TWO DOING?! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Arthur shouted, running up to them. Merlin and Morgana broke apart and looked at Arthur. The prince was scowling at the two of them. "You!" He said to Morgana, "You can't just run off like that! And you! Merlin! Where the hell did you get to?! You were right behind me and then you were gone! In the middle of a dragon attack! The nerve of you two. I was worried sick!"
Arthur stopped ranting and seemed to realise what he'd admitted in his panic. He cleared his throat and looked embarrassed. "Right. Just don't do it again."
"You were worried about us," Merlin said, a teasing grin on his face.
"Don't be stupid, Merlin," came Arthur's immediate retort. "I was merely concerned for Morgana's safety."
"Just admit it, Arthur," Morgana said, "You care and were worried about the both of us."
"Nonsense. It's just that decent servants are hard to come by."
"Arthur," said Merlin, "You're always saying I'm an awful servant."
"Alright fine, I was concerned about the two people I consider like my sister and my brother, are you happy now?"
"Arthur…" Merlin and Morgana chorused, feeling touched at Arthur's honesty.
"Repeat that and I'll deny anything and put you in the stocks for a week!" Arthur said vehemently, his cheeks pink in embarrassment. "Now come on, Father is deciding what to do about this dragon and we all need to be there."
"Sire, you know as well as I do that there is one type of person who can control a dragon," Gaius said.
Uther, Gaius, Arthur, Morgana, Gwen and Merlin were all gathered in the hall to discuss the dragon attack. As per their station, Merlin and Gwen stayed silent and out of the way while the attack was assessed. The damages were excessive and many citizens and knights had lost their lives. They wouldn't be able to survive continuous attacks in their current condition.
"No!" Uther snapped, "Absolutely not."
"Sire-" Gaius tried.
"No!" The King said. "If you think I'm going to resort to him for help, you are mistaken."
"What is it?" Arthur asked. "Who is it?"
"The only person who can control a dragon is a dragonlord," Gaius explained. "Your father had them all executed during the Purge, all but one: King Balinor Ambrosius of Dracona."
Merlin tried to look impassive at the mention of his father, but it was difficult. He was also aware of Morgana shooting him sympathetic looks. If she wasn't careful, she'd give him away. Don't look at me, Morgana, he projected his thoughts to her and he could tell by the startled expression on her face that she'd heard him. Do not give me away. I am just a servant here, remember? I must seem like I know nothing of Dracona. Morgana imperceptivity nodded and Merlin knew she understood, so he focused on the conversation once more.
"There's a king who is a dragonlord?" Arthur asked.
"He is the last of his kind," Gaius said. "There is no other who could control or kill the Great Dragon."
"I am not resorting to getting the help of a King who condones the use of magic in his kingdom!" Uther spat. "I've heard that he even uses magic himself. I am not having that man in Camelot! If it wasn't for their civil war, I would have invaded and destroyed that kingdom years ago!"
Merlin hands fisted at his sides. Control yourself, he thought. Don't get angry.
"Civil war?" Morgana asked, even though she knew the truth.
"A noble wanted the throne for himself," said Gaius. "So he tried to take it by force. He sent the royal family on the run. There has been continued conflict in Dracona ever since, for even though King Balinor has dragons on his side, the usurper, Lord Blackwood, was backed by an army of dark sorcerers."
Memories of the rebellion flashed before Merlin's eyes. Remain calm. Remain calm. Remain calm he told himself.
"'Dark sorcerers?'" Uther repeated. "Every sorcerer is dark and evil, Gaius."
"Of course, sire," Gaius said, bowing his head.
"But Father," Arthur said, "Surely we must go this Balinor? Magic kingdom or not, Camelot is doomed without their assistance."
"I said no!" said Uther. "My decision is final. Camelot has the finest army in all the lands, we will be able to defeat this beast."
"But-" Arthur, Morgana and Gaius tried to protest.
"I said my decision is final! You may leave me."
Bowing their heads, Gaius, Morgana and Gwen all left the room. Morgana seemed like he wanted to protest further, but Merlin gave a tiny shake of his head and she got the message. The only one with a chance of getting through to Uther was Arthur.
"Father," Arthur began. "Father, surely, for the good of Camelot –"
"-I have given you my decision, Arthur," the King cut him off. "We are not seeking assistance from that pathetic excuse of a king."
Merlin looked down at his feet, scowling at his shoes due to the disrespect shown towards his father. My father is a better king than you could ever hope to be! He mentally shouted at Uther.
"But Father-"
"-Enough, Arthur. All those who use magic are evil and cannot be trusted. My decision is final."
"Father-"
"-You are dismissed."
Seeing it was pointless, Arthur swallowed his protests, bowed to his father and left the room, Merlin trailing behind him. As Merlin expected, Morgana and Gwen were waiting for them outside. Arthur gestured for them to follow him and in a few minutes they were in his chambers. Merlin had barely shut the door behind them before Morgana was rounding on them.
"Well? What did he say?!" Morgana demanded.
Arthur sighed, "Father refuses to change his mind."
"What?" Morgana said. "But surely he sees that without a dragonlord Camelot is doomed?"
"I tried to explain that, but he wouldn't let me get a word in. He will not yield in this decision."
"And I suppose you're just going to go along with it, then? Just because Uther said so?"
"Morgana-"
"-It's pathetic, really. You always refuse to go against your father."
"Morgana-"
"-When are you going to show a bit of backbone? I mean, Camelot only has a week –"
"-MORGANA!" Arthur shouted, cutting her off. Morgana stopped talking, startled at Arthur's outburst. Wordlessly, she gestured for him to continue. "Father said we were not to go to Dracona for help, but I cannot stand idly by while our people are attacked. I will go and find Balinor and ask for his assistance."
Before Morgana could even respond to Arthur's idea, Gwen spoke up, "My Lady, what do you mean that Camelot only has a week?"
Merlin tensed, thinking about what the dragon had said. I will raze Camelot to the ground in my quest to see the end of you, your tyrant of a father and anyone else who stands in the way of the Coming of Emrys and the return of magic. Morgana clearly hadn't meant to let their deadline slip, but she had.
"I just meant that we could barely survive another week, if all the attacks are like the one we experienced tonight," Morgana lied easily. Merlin was slightly impressed with her ability to think on the spot like that.
Arthur and Gwen nodded, accepting her words. They looked troubled. "You're right," Arthur said. "We have no time to lose. Merlin, get everything organise. We leave at first light."
"No," Morgana said.
They all turned to look at her. "Sorry?" Asked Arthur.
"No, we leave at first light," Morgana said, gesturing to them all.
Arthur tried to protest, but Morgana wouldn't have any of it.
"No Arthur, we are all going. Complain about it all you like, but Gwen and I are coming with you. We're all going to save Camelot."
You know how when you're writing and you've got it all planned out, but then you write something unexpected and you like it so much that you can't go back to your original plan? Yeah, that was me and the Merlin/Morgana kiss in this chapter. That was totally unplanned. That wasn't supposed to happen until waaaaaaay later. So I've changed their relationship from what I had planned and made them a sort-of thing, totally liking each other way earlier than I expected, but I just really liked the idea of Morgana stopping Merlin and kissing him. But now they have to deal with all these sudden feelings, so there's that.
I guess I just ship these two too hard to be patient for writing it in later chapters.
But, what did you think? Let me know in the reviews!
xx
