So who's freaking out about Season 4 being right around the corner? I, for one, am having intense difficulty focusing on the real world as of late. This is even more unfortunate, seeing how being on THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC I won't get to see it air until 2012 when Syfy accomodates us. *sigh*

Oh well. Gives me time to rewatch the series in the meantime.

On with the show~

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o..o.o..o.o.o.o... Chapter 4 ...o.o.o.o..o.o.o.o.o.o..o.o.o.o.o..o.o.o..o.o..o..o

Uther's ward glided down the hall so airily not a soul would suspect she had a clear destination and agenda in mind. Nodding cordially at passing attendants, who gave up pleasant dips of the head or curtsies in return, she appeared as ever, the poised and guileless keep of the castle. She really was a divine actress. Arriving at her chambers, she entered casually, and found Gwen hovering about, making minor adjustments to her already immaculate quarters. Politely but firmly dismissing the dark maid, Morgana watched as she scurried out without a fuss. She'd been rather broken up about Merlin, but this was hardly a shock, considering it was Gwen. Morgana had not been the least bit surprised the first time she'd spotted her dabbing at teary eyes with a corner of her apron. She smirked mockingly. Her poor, simple handmaiden. Gwen wouldn't understand why she did what she had to, which was precisely why she hadn't wasted a word of comfort on the curly haired maid.

She sat before her vanity and attended her own glossy tresses, flowing over one shoulder like the black waters of the evening sea; catching the light the way waves caught the moon. Her alabaster complexion may not have ever met the sun's rays. She was a creature of the night; in more than exterior alone.

It was late in the night when she let the mask of pretenses fall. The false, pleasant smile fled from her pale face, now possessing a chillingly cold composure. She could fool just about everyone in the palace. Always could. But she'd become steady and sure with her manipulation since she'd chosen her side, after accepting that her role would be to bring an end to her guardian's slaughtering; no longer to sit idly by, at a loss for how to appeal to his madness.

She knew her part now. She'd stepped into it willingly, finally confident that it was the lesser of two evils. She chose her own kind over Uther, the murderer. That choice would have been made in half the time had he been anyone other than her guardian. She would be the one to bring him down- to his knees if it came to it.

Her cold smile remained in place as the raven strands turned to silk beneath the bristles of her brush.

It grew easier to accept each day. She'd already framed Merlin, after all.

She knew how deeply he'd wormed his way into palace affairs even before seeing it upon her return. There was no getting anything done with him shadowing Arthur like he did. The servant she'd once considered a friend didn't pose much of a threat physically, especially in the face of her newfound powers. But he was resourceful, and his loyalty, as she'd seen first hand, was not to be underestimated.

He was a pest, and a potentially dangerous one, but eliminating him had been almost too easy. She'd simply had to reveal to Uther that she'd spied the boy doing magic.. After a chandelier bearing a frightening amount of crystal and glass had come loose from its supports overhead. Her doing, of course. Managing to sound suitably shaken, she'd leaned over to whisper in her guardian's ear that the eyes of Arthur's manservant had flashed gold- hadn't he seen?

It was all the King needed, and immediately after, all hell broke satisfyingly loose. Uther had pinned the guards on Merlin like lions on their prey. There'd been no warning, nor trial for him, simply the choice to run or die. This was all to her liking. But to be completely secure, she'd taken one extra measure, a suggestion from Morgause;

Before the guards could find him, she'd cast a spell of her own. Silentium. Her sister taught it to her, a simple hex, but specific to her needs. Merlin had weaseled his way out of multiple arrests in the past, and Morgana knew better than to leave him to his own devices. With that spell, she'd ensured that no words of her betrayal would come forth from the traitor's lips. He'd lost the ability to condemn her in any manner: his lying tongue she had leashed, his words were hers to confine.

She would have his silence, but she wouldn't get her hands dirty over a servant. She would allow Uther to handle the rest.

And he had. No, Merlin had not been dragged back to be tried- yet- but he was out of Camelot for good. And that was all that Morgana needed.

..Meanwhile..

Woof.

"That's what you're telling me?"

Woof.

"You really- I realize that your idiocy comes in greater abundance than the rest of Camelot's, but Good Lord, Merlin. You can't have honestly chosen to turn into a dog with no way of changing back."

Woof?

"You're lying. I don't believe it."

Shrug.

"Not even you're that dense."

The dog rolled its eyes, but gave a conceding noise.

"Now answer me," the prince demanded for the hundredth time, adding, "that's an order," somewhat redundantly.

"Why did you turn into a complete kitten when Morgana came in here?"

Merlin growled indignantly at this, looking past Arthur, distinctly annoyed.

"Don't get defensive. It' the truth; you practically had a conniption when she touched you. What aren't I aware of here?"

Merlin gave him a look he was very used to by this point, and ignored the fact that he may have been fighting a losing battle.

The prince was undeterred by the fact that he was interrogating a dog. He would be the victor in this battle of wills, because damn it, that's what Arthur did. He did not accept defeat, and told Merlin as much.

Have it your way, the warlock seemed to say as he rested his chin upon folded paws, looking around for something more interesting to watch than a prince past his line of patience.

His wolfish head jerked violently back up however, as a substantial metal object hit the stone loudly, clanking just next to his ear. The drinking goblet bounced and rolled beneath the wardrobe. Arthur wouldn't be ignored.

Merlin turned back to him, chiding. Are you through?

The frustrated prince looked very much like he was starting to consider beating the answer out of Merlin, but stubbornly crossed his arms instead. "We won't do this all night," he declared, lowering his chin. "And to be fair, Merlin, I think you've been keeping more than your fair of secrets up to this point, haven't you?"

Dipping his nose and flattening his ears, the black dog looked suitably chastised at this. He looked away from Arthur, convincingly resembling a shamefaced puppy.

Arthur took pity for the moment, but what he couldn't possibly have understood was that Merlin wasn't being deliberately belligerent. Well, not completely anyway.

While he was fairly certain he could change back into his human form if he chose (he hadn't tried it yet, seeing as it required a heavy amount of magic), the truth was there would be very little point, considering what Arthur was asking. He hadn't figured out exactly why, but he'd felt some sort of magical tie since leaving, linked to a separate source than his own. The sensation hovered and tingled now and again, never fully fading, but growing particularly strong when he reflected upon what happened that final day in court. When something had caused the chandelier to come crashing down, sending glass shards flying towards the lords and ladies of the hall. He had been rather abruptly and inexplicably blamed. But the fact that Morgana had been present left him instantly suspicious that it was of her making. He tensed as the pain returned, indisputably strong with this last thought, sending painful jolts through his system. He closed his eyes to fight it, realizing his mistake through the stinging haze, focusing instead on the present as intensely as he could. The pain abruptly diminished.

Merlin opened his eyes, which landed on a now silent Arthur, regarding him from no more than a foot away; he'd moved closer in concern.

He watched as Merlin subtly shook himself, disturbed by what he'd just seen. One moment, he'd been dealing with Merlin's usual obstinacy, and the next, he'd looked to see his friend hunched, tensed, and shaking in pain, oblivious to his words.

Arthur had snapped his name once in alarm, but didn't repeat it, for the second after he'd uttered it he knew Merlin wasn't hearing him. He'd moved closer in two quick steps, dropping to search for the source of the warlock's torment, but unable to find it. The shudders went on for a few breaths, before Merlin snapped out of it, opening his eyes and rising stiffly. Arthur intuitively sensed this had a connection with his questions, which meant… it had some connection to Morgana?

But how?

"Prince Arthur" an official voice called though the door, which he wisely left shut.

Brilliant timing for a house call.

"What is it?"

"You are needed in the Great Hall. The King requests your presence."

Breathing hotly out his nose, his gaze remained focused on Merlin as he replied.

"Alright. Go on and inform my father that I'll be there shortly."

"My lord." The replies hovered around the door's opposite face, muted by the solid wood. Their iron footsteps made quite enough clamor, however, to communicate the guards' retreat.

Merlin had rigidly gotten to his feet in curiosity, eyebrows raised, tail still.

"Stay," Arthur articulated pointing at the floor, "here. Promise me, Merlin."

Merlin woofed softly, not quite agreeing, but sat obediently back on the rug. Arthur smirked slightly.

"Good boy."

o.o.o.o.o..o..o.o..o.o.o... END CH. 4 ...o.o.o...o.o.o.o...o.o..o.o.o

Plot, plot, plot, plot.

How it thickens...

And look. We've been granted a surprise visit from the magical Angst Fairy, how wonderful. (What's so fabulous about angst that I can't write a story without it? Raaargh, thiswassupposedtobehumor...)

Side interest note of this chapter: Came across a piece of art (made before this was written) of not only Merlin the Magical Puppy... But also Arthur the Prat Puppy! it's by donella on deviantart. They're rather accurate. And adorable.

Okay. The rest you all know, read 'n review, and you make my life ^_^