Merlin came pacing into the doorway out of breath. Merlin searched for Gaius, and didn't realize Gaius stood in front of him. Gaius eyes flickered from Merlin's face to his hands.

"Don't tell me. The flowers were yellow?" said Gaius, guessing surely. Merlin didn't know where to begin.

"That's not all." Merlin breathed. "Gaius, Alvarr was there. He attacked me."

Merlin told Gaius what happened, how the flowers were indeed yellow, and how Alvarr's sword was attainable for Merlin to use, and about Alvarrs deal. Gaius listened closely taking swift glances at Merlin's neck, and to his relief saw no wound. As Merlin finished his story, Gaius scuttled over to pour some water in a cup and handed it to Merlin. As Merlin chugged down the water, Gaius looked down to his left.

"And you let him go...Merlin, I don't know if what you did was best. Alvarr may have promised not to hurt you but that doesn't mean he won't help get you hurt. Imagine what he can do with a secret such as yours. 'Uther's son's man servant is a sorcerer'? I'm afraid of the retributions that may be caused by your unwillingness to kill him. This is no time to be noble, Alvarr is very dangerous."

A gush of heat flooded Merlin's face. Instead of Gaius commending him for such a close escape he was lectured about not being able to kill someone using a sword. It wasn't about being noble, he just didn't want to kill anyone.

Gauis sighed and put his hand on Merlins shoulder. "I know you did what you felt was best. Now come on, let's start dinner. Gwen dropped off a few potatos earlier."

"Well, I don't know what you are going to do without the flower." said Merlin, wanting to change the subject. Gaius sighed and walked to his work desk. Gaius walking away made Merlin feel better about walking away to the kitchen to start dinner.

"I'll have to concoct another ailment. It won't be good - the side affect is – well – lots of gas."

Merlin caught a smirk on Gaius's face. Merlin couldn't help but smiling back. He lifted a cleaver and chopped some potatoes.

**

Alvarr approached the campsite where Morgause, Morgana and Mordred were waiting. Alvarr felt solemn, but was absorbed in deep thought about what happened.

"Alvarr," said a blur far away, the sound of grass crunching sounding louder with each step. It was Morgana. She had a look of wonder on her face, of what happened.

She wasn't the only one looking curious, Alvarr noticed. Morgause approached timidly, dying to know what happened, but with enough pride to stay back. She was mending Morgana's clothes. Mordred seemed calm.

"I was unsuccessful." said Alvarr. Morgause, not looking, hid her face even more into her work, with a smirk on her face. It was Alvarr's next words that caused her mouth to drop and head to turn.

"I was under his mercy."

A bolt of silence deafened everyone else's focuses. Moments passed. Morgana spoke.

"How?"

"He took my sword and held it within a hairs distance from my neck. Had I sneezed, I'd be dead."

"But you have magic! Couldn't you have disarmed him?"

"Any move of mine would not be quick enough. He would have killed me at the instant I muttered a word."

Alvarr was now looking away, clearly irritated by the questions.

"Merlin's no swordsman"

"You do not have to be a swordsman to put a sword against another's neck"

"So on with it! What sort of bargain did you make with him to have him spare you?" said Morgause. She was obviously angered by the likely reason for his survival.

Alvarr took a few moments and sat next to Mordred on the log. He looked at Mordred with curious eyes. Mordred was listening to everyone, but showed a lack of shock.

"I asked him if he wanted to be a killer," Alvarr said carefully.

"He is already a killer, he tried to kill me!" said Morgana, obviously hurt by the idea that Merlin would spare Alvarr and not her.

"He hasn't killed though."

"His intentions make him a killer. You are lying Alvarr; Merlin wouldn't spare you if he wouldn't spare Morgana."

"You are forgetting Morgause; his attack on Morgana was to end the spell you cast." said Alvarr, grinding his teeth.

"You defend Merlin too much! Either you have promised him something or will be inclined to his side."

"That is where you are wrong. He asked me never to kill Uther, I said no. What can I say? I supposed I have good convincing skills."

Morgana stared at Alvarr in wonder.

***

Night finally fell, and Alvarr set up a campfire. Morgana was sitting next to it staring in deep thought. She stoked Mordred's head that was resting on her lap. A warm presence approached to her pleasant surprise. Alvarr sat next to her and a few moments passed before Alvarr spoke.

"What do you know about Merlin?"
The abrupt question about Merlin didn't surprise Morgana. She looked on at the hypnotizing fire and sighed.

"As I told you- he's Arthur's servant."

"Where is he from? Do you know?" said Alvarr; subtly excited Morgana was answering his questions.

"Well, he grew up in Ealdor. I went there once, it was a war torn village, but otherwise very simple. He came to Camelot within a year ago."

"His family is there?" said Alvarr looking at Morgana.

"Just his mother... no siblings. No father" said Morgana, looking at Alvarr.

"And what happened to his father?"

"I don't know... I suppose he died long ago." Morgana thought and paused for some moments. "Why do you want to know this?"

Alvarr looked back into the fire. "Morgana, sometimes learning of your enemy's background is a good thing."

Morgana listened and some moments passed. The fire crackled on.

"Morgana, what do you know about Emrys?" said Alvarr, in a tone matching a teacher asking a question to a student.

"Emrys? It sounds familiar. What is it?" said Morgause, thinking hard.

"It's not an it, but a who. Morgana, Emrys is prophesized to be the greatest magician to ever live."

"Is he alive?"

"Yes, he is."

"Well, where is he? Maybe he can help us!"

"No one knows. I've been looking for him for many years and in many places. Looking for some hints or leads to him. Ever since I was a little boy, I've been quiet fascinated by this Emrys. But it isn't his time to come out I suppose." Alvarr was now talking more to himself than Morgana.

"Well, he can't just be hiding! Would he be living in a cave and waiting for a signal to come out?"

Alvarr chuckled and stared into the fire and slightly shook his head.

"He could already be out Morgana. And we just don't know."