Author's Note – What I keep forgetting to put in, I am not the greatest writer who ever lived. Though I write a lot, the stories I published mark the first time I actually allowed people to read what I've wrote (I would kept my work in a locked chest in the rancor pit, at the bottom of a volcano).

So grammar, plot lines, all that jazz, is gonna be screwy (also, I don't spend weeks on one paragraph like I do the others). Life story short, Me no good grammer pilot.

Warnings and disclaimer from before, blah blah blah.

Sorry – I'm apologizing now about the Mordred family story, I didn't mean for it to run that long. I wanted to have some interactions with them and I ended up giving a whole back story. My bad. My very, very bad.

So, I put an extra scene splitter in here so some could take a break. Make sure you get some candy or ice cream after reading if you have an extremely tender heart and got sucked into the back story. For the rest, get some snacks or a soda while stretching your legs.

It's going to be a long war...On with the story!

* ~ "Some wars are won with swords, others with quills and ravens." – A Song of Ice and Fire [GRRM] ~ *

Mordred walked into the throne room, keeping his emotions at bay. Morgana looked up as the council turned, "Mordred, back so soon? That will be all." He watched the council stand and bow before walking out the door. "Welcome back," she said as the doors closed. "What of the Lamia?"

"I heard of something more important."

"What?"

"It's about Rome."

"You've heard too?"

Mordred paused before walking up, "what did you hear?"

"John told me that the Senate has sent messengers to the surrounding countries."

Mordred leaned on the chair, "They're building their army. What happened?"

"My spy got captured."

Mordred felt his heart stop, "what?"

"At least, that's what I think happened. They were suppose to contact me two weeks ago, then John contacts me about the Senate. It's not a coincidence – "

"Who did you send?"

Morgana looked up at him, "someone whose expendable."

He swallowed, "their family might not think so."

"We have bigger things to worry about." He watched her lean forward, digging into the wood when she looked at the glass as she poured. "You have to go back to the Coast. Merlin knows this land, he'll invade where we're weakest. I'll have the men join you."

"The knights as well as the farmers, I'm presuming?"

"We need as many men to fight back their forces."

"Then call a favor to the other kingdoms and leave the farmers. Spring is almost here and we don't know if they do land here if we could reason with them or not. And if we are pulled into a war we don't know how long it'll last."

"We have bigger things to worry about than farming. We need more soldiers – "

"We need more farmers. In case you haven't noticed, the people are starving in the lower town as we speak and you've done nothing to help them."

"...You think I haven't tried?" Mordred watched her eyes flicker, "you think I didn't notice them suffering? Why do you think I help the priest create that nutrition soup to help the orphan children, allowing anyone who needs food and shelter to go and they will have it? I've tried to help them, but they are too stubborn to seek help from the goddess."

"In their eyes, it was the goddess that has caused their suffering. And you, taking their children and the strays to train them as soldiers and priest did not help them to trust you as their queen. The only reason they don't revolt is because they know it would be a losing battle. But they might not think so for long."

Mordred took a glass and drank the rest of the wine. He put the cup down, "if Emrys is with the Roman and they land, the people will side with him."

"They have – "

"Us by the short hairs. Who do you think will plow our fields for food if we don't have them? The soldiers who were once farmers lost those skills eleven years ago. Will you borrow from your surrounding allies than? You have the gold to, but then you'll look weak and they'll attack. I'm still surprised that you have kept them from finding out about the lower town."

"This is about that little boy, isn't it? Did you forget how many we killed together, how many we undoubtedly orphaned before we entered this city, and what happened in the square with that little boy?...Don't play honored saint with me, Mordred, your hands are as bloodied as mine."

He said nothing as he gritted his teeth, staring at the wall.

He felt her walk up to him. "I've tried to make a garden for them, did you know that? A fruitful, plentiful garden that the children could play in, the woman could crow about how wonderful the flowers were, and the men could gather as much fruits and vegetables as they wanted while still having plenty left for their neighbors.

It didn't work. I tried to grow larger crops. It didn't work either. I tried to keep a rose from withering. It didn't Work!" Mordred moved away from the spilling wine, "Nothing that is helpful is working. Only attack spells are working...The goddess is preparing us for the fight with Emrys."

"We don't know if its Merlin – Morgana, for all we know its the Romans reacting to you sending a spy. I would be suspicious and strengthen my army too."

"You still need to go back to the Coast."

Mordred stared at the empty cup, "I'll like to talk with my family first."

"Your wife should be in your room."

"...and my children?"

"They should be with John's wife."

He looked at her before he gave a short bow and left. He walked to his room while glancing down every hall, looking for signs of his children or the Travers. The knights stood still as he opened the door and walked in.

Thea was sitting at the table, looking up from her papers. Mordred could tell immediately that something was wrong with her. Her smile was a little too wide, her eyes were too dull, and she was slightly uncomfortable as he leaned to kiss her instead of hesitant.

Before their lips contacted, he gave her one a test. He brought his hand up to her neck and rubbed his thumb near her throat as he pulled her head closer. She didn't twitch away or whimper in fear.

He slammed her into the closet, digging his dagger into her neck. He kept her pinned as he asked, "who sent you?"

She tried to fight him. He slammed her again, "who sent you?!"

The knights came into the door, "sire!"

"Please, I didn't – if she finds out – "

Mordred stared at her, "get the queen. I've got her."

The knights didn't push as they left.

Mordred watched the panic pass her face as they left. He looked at the string on her neck. He hooked his finger under it and tore the necklace off. He watched as her features changed into a familiar serving girl. He leaned forward, "did the queen put you to this?"

"I – I can't say."

Mordred watched her eyes, 'Morgana...'

The servant flinched as the door bounced off the wall and Morgana walked into the room. He threw the servant girl at her feet, "you think I don't know my own wife?"

She glanced down, "I didn't know someone was impersonating your wife. Don't worry, I'll have men look for Thea and punish – "

"I know she's in Rome," Mordred told her.

She looked at him, her eyes showing nothing. She waved her hand and the crying serving girl was taken away. "I don't know what you mean – "

"I know that you sent her to Rome to spy. Tell me why."

Morgana's face was stone. The longer he stared at her, the more pity showed on her face, "...I was trying to save you the heart ache. She was going to leave you and take the children, I was doing you a favor."

"It didn't concern you. It was between me and Thea."

"Mordred, of course it concerned me." Morgana reached up her hand and he took a step back. She put her hand down, "You should never have married that foreign whore anyway. She took for granite that she got to marry someone – "

He felt his hand throb as she fell to the ground, his heart pounding in his ears.

"Don't call my wife a whore," he told her as she began to rise. She held her swelling face and looked up at him with confused, watery eyes. "If she isn't returned to me, I'll make you wish Emrys got his hands on you first."

"...I was trying to help – "

"I loved her, Morgana, more than any woman I've ever met. I know I shouldn't have, and I know she didn't feel the same way, but that changed nothing. And you sent her to die – "

"My Queen and Lord!"

"What?!"

He could feel the messenger flinch at his voice, "the Romans are at our gates."

"WHAT?!" Mordred felt his ear ring at her scream.

"They are not attaching. They claim they are returning something that belongs to us."

Mordred felt his heart stop for a moment.

"How large is the group?"

"We counted three soldiers, my Queen."

"Bring them into the square."

"Mordred – "

"They might have my wife."

He ignored the rest of her words as he walked out the room.

The group of soldiers were lightly armored, their swords on their horses and not on themselves. Before he could think on it further, he saw his wife in front with the leader. Mordred looked at Thea's face as she avoided his gaze with the hood.

"Queen Morgana," the Roman who held his wife said. "We come on behalf of the Father of Dragons."

"What does he want with me?"

"Nothing," the Roman said as he took his wife and placed her on the ground, "only that we return what we have interrogated, and for me to personally apologize to you."

Mordred watched his wife start to walk up the stairs, her footfalls slow. He walked down the steps and took her arms. She looked up at him, her eyes shining as she gave him her soft smile.

"Seize them."

Mordred looked at the knights walked forward, "don't!"

The knights paused.

"What are you doing, Mordred?"

"You can't start a war with Rome."

"His son is not even fifteen yet, he wouldn't dare go to war with us." Morgana turned from him, "take them away."

"And what of the Father of Dragons?"

Morgana smirked at him, "I captured Emrys once, I'll capture him again."

'We don't know if it's Emrys!' he wanted to scream at her as she walked with the knights. Thea gave a short shiver in his arms.

"Before I forget," Iulianus began as they walked, "the Father of Dragons left me with a letter to give you. If you would just look in my pack, you'll find it."

Mordred stared at the Roman as Morgana ordered her serving girl to fetch the pack for her. 'He seems calm...' he thought as the knights led them away.

Morgana turned, her posture telling everyone to follow. Mordred looked down as the council followed. Thea looked up at him before laying her head over his heart. He held her close as he followed them.

"Read it!" Morgana ordered as the servant walked in through the throne doors.

The servant flinched before opening the wax sealed letter, "...I can't read it."

"What – "

"All it said is 'To the Priestess and her Heir'."

Mordred held his wife as Morgana reached for the letter, her face pensive. He watched her glance the letter over, her face contorting with rage.

"Out, ALL OF YOU OUT!"

The council and servant quickly left. Morgana flung out the last men with her magic and slammed the doors shut.

She breathed hard for a few moments before she brought the paper to her face, " 'Morgana Pendragon, you've imprinted yourself into history these last eleven years of your reign, haven't you? 'The Usurped Queen Slaughters babies'. The civilians of my city have started using it as their battle cry.

I'm sorry I wasn't there for your heir's coronation, I hope this kind gesture is well enough? The Romans, vicious group, wanted to kill her – they hate spies, especially Britannia spies – Luckily, I remembered gossip about Sir Mordred's wife having green eyes and was able to find out her identity. Unluckily, I couldn't stop them before they started to interrogated her. Such is the cruelty of life.

If you are angered with me, Sir Mordred, then feel free to come talk to me. If you can't come to Ravenna, then I'll come to you. It won't take much to convince the Romans to cross the sea – they really hate Britannia spies – and I'll wait for you in the Saxon territory.

Best of health,' signed 'Appius, Father of Dragons, and Protector of the East'."

Morgana ripped the paper to pieces when she was finished, "it's Merlin."

"Morgana – "

"You must go to the coast – "

"Morgana – "

"I'm sorry. I thought...I'll stay here and protect your family from Emrys."

Mordred sighed, losing the will to argue. He looked down at Thea, watching her eyes focus on him. He ran his thumb on her cheek, "...leave us."

"Mordred – "

"Leave..." He felt her watch him for a moment before she left.

He looked at his wife as he starting to pull the hood down, wincing when she gave a pleading whimper.

Bandages were wrapped around her forehead, white and clean. He swallowed, "...have you seen..."

"No." He reached up and she pushed his hand away. "Don't."

"I want to see what they've done to you."

"You don't."

"Thea..."

She stared at him. He reached up again slowly and undid the binds.

He looked at her head, noticing the scars. He tilted her head and saw patches of her hair missing, scars replacing where her hair used to be.

"Well?"

He looked into her eyes, "...you're a mess..."

"I'm weak, I let myself get – "

"What happened before was not your fault – "

"Yes it was! I let them – "

Mordred held her as she bowed her hand and started to cry. "...let's go North."

He heard her take in a shaking breath before looking up, "she won't let us go. We can never leave."

Mordred stared before he picked her up, "come on."

"But..."

"I want to see our children. You must want to, too."

He led her through the back doors, making his way to Travers' room. He knocked on the door and waited.

"Mordred," Travers' wife greeted. "I heard you were back but – "

"Are they here with you?"

She paused before stepping to the side, "they were just about to take a nap."

Mordred walked inside and noticed the colorful piles of pillows and sheets. He grunted at the force that hit his waist. "Dad!"

He smiled down at his twins, "hey boys."

They smiled at him, then looked behind him.

They stared for a moment before Melehan walked over to his mother. "Come on, watch what I've learned."

'I?'

Travers' son and daughter looked up from their spot on the floor before falling back asleep as Melehan let go of his mother's hand and dug in the cushions.

"I'm not strong enough to handle spells," Melain said with some jealousy in his voice.

Mordred looked down at his sick child, a lie on the tip of his tongue.

"You can be an archer," Melehan told him while dragging a white sheet from the pile. "You can rain fire from above."

He spoke a spell and the white sheet became red and gold. Melehan waved the sheet a few times before giving it to his brother. Mordred watched Melain gaze at it for a while before looking up at him. He felt his lips shake, "I can't stay for long."

"But you just got here..."

"I'm sorry." They tried not to look disappointed, but he could feel it. He cleared his throat, "come here for a moment."

Melain held the sheet as Melehan took all the cushions he could carry and through them at Mordred's feet. He watched the twins move the cushions around before putting two in front of him and laying his knees on them. They looked up at him when they were comfortable.

"I won't lie to you," he began to say, "we might be in a war."

"A great war or a small war?" Melehan asked.

"I don't know...you'll have to look after one another, now more than ever. Remember what I told you to do if the city is attacked?"

"If the attacker is honorable, hold up in a room until the fighting is over and go to them. They won't harm us, but their men might."

Melehan glanced at his brother, who glanced over. Melain glared after a while, "I know, Han."

"I'm just making sure, Ant."

"And if the attackers are not honorable?" Mordred asked after a moment.

"I grab Melain, hide, then we take whatever food we can and try to reach either King Lot's or Queen Annis' castle. We wait there for either you or mom to show up."

"We don't leave the castle with anyone else," Melain said. "Not even the Queen."

He smiled as he felt his eyes build up. He reached forward and ran his hand through their hair, "you look after one another. Keep the other safe, do you hear me?" They slowly nodded. He brought them close, closing his eyes. After a moment, he leaned back. "Now, go take a nap."

"Will you be here when we wake up?"

Mordred swallowed, "I don't know."

They slumped their shoulders before leaning forward and kissing his cheeks, "night daddy."

"Goodnight," he said through a tight throat.

He stood up as they took the cushions and made themselves a bed near Travers' children. He ran his hand over his eyes before leaving the room.

He controlled himself before lightly taking his wife's hand and walking to their room.

"Find a good man," he told her after the door was closed, "for you and the twins."

"Mordred – "

"Any man will be happy to have you, don't think otherwise. And Queen Annis or King Lot will make sure no one knows that you were ever married to the Traitor of Camelot."

Thea stared at him, "what are you going to do?"

Mordred swallowed, "I'm going to try to make peace with the Romans, in any way I can..." 'Don't let Merlin be there, Goddess. If he is, let him listen. If not, then let him be satisfied with just me.'

"I'm not leaving you." He blinked as her words sunk in. "I'll send our children away, but I won't leave you."

"But..."

Thea looked up at him, "remember when you saved me from Them? I remembered thinking that you were going to...

But you took me to the healer and paid for my fee, checking up on me a few times a week during those long months. And when the news came that I was...

I thought my life was over. No man would ever want me, no man will help me raise the child, and the lower towns were getting less and less food. On top of that, a Wild Cat stolen the only valuable item I could sell.

Then you came and asked for my hand..."

"My face and knees hurt for a week."

Thea gave him a short smile, "I thought you were playing a cruel joke. We barely knew each other and you ask if I wanted to marry you?

I remember nobles played that joke all the time. They get the peasant at their moment of weakness, where they though they could get out of their life of poverty, then when it came time...

I regretted denying your hand, and as the months rolled by and you didn't show your face again, I thought I lost my only hope at letting my child have a fighting chance at life. When she was born, I considered going to the healer for essence of nightshade..."

Mordred reached up and took her face, "I should have found a safer way to give you money. Or went myself. If the Wild Cats hadn't..."

"You married me, even after she died from the flu. You could have left me alone to suffer like the other women in the streets, but you didn't.

Each night, I waited for you to take me, as was your right as my husband. And each night I was both relieved and sickened with myself. And when I finally confronted you as to why you wouldn't...

You waited for me, when you could have taken what was rightfully yours. You could have walked away, but you didn't.

I will do the same. I could turn and run to safety with our children, but I will stay with you through this. Whether we thrive or burn, I will not leave your side."

Thea ran her thumb over his cheek before laying the hand on his shoulder. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words died in his throat. She laid her head on his chest, "remember the vows we took? I am yours..."

He held her tight, burying his nose in her hair. He smelt the deep spice of her homeland as he managed to say, "I am yours."

She moved deeper into him, "and you are mine."

He closed his eyes, "you are mine..."

* ~ " 'Break the tide that's pushing you, outside the place you're safe...don't pretend...ask my eyes, protect my gaze, as the light makes the day...I pray...' " – Declan Flynn: Ease My Pain ~ *

Mordred walked down the stairs and into the dungeons. He walked to the emperor's cell and looked inside.

The Roman stared at him, "come to get me to talk? Your mother already tried."

"She's not my mother."

Mordred held out the waterskin before sticking his hand inside and throwing it to him. The Roman caught it and stared at him.

"It's not poisoned," Mordred told him.

Iulianus glanced down at the waterskin before taking a drink. He quickly spat it out, "couldn't spare wine for a dead man?"

"I thought you might want to stay clear headed."

The Roman made a short noise, "like your piss water could stuff my head."

Mordred stared at him as he walked up to give him the waterskin. He took it, "your son has declared war on us."

"As is his duty."

"Why don't you order him to stand down? You life would be spared."

"Why stop him from his first victory?"

Mordred almost banged his fist against the bars. Instead, he leaned forward on them. "You will condemn hundreds to die."

Iulianus stared into his eyes, "I condemn thousands to die, with blade in hand."

Mordred stared before realization hit him, "you wanted this."

The Roman gave a short scoff, "what a ridiculous accusation. I wanted to be captured and held against my will? I wanted to be tortured for information about this 'Emrys' that I know nothing about?"

"...The, 'Father of Dragons', wanted this war."

Iulianus looked at him before smiling softly, "tell me, Kingslayer, who does the ruler of man serve?"

"...whatever gods he worships. But the Father of Dragons isn't a God...is he?"

Iulianus gave a barking laugh, "no. He's not a God, only a man. A man who has the favor of the Gods. He came to us when our Empire started to crumble and rebuilt it from the ashes. When the Gods fought for control, he quelled the storms and we now have peace."

"And you are starting a war for him. You are willing to give your life for him."

"I started nothing, your mother did." Iulianus walked to his spot on the floor, "have a good sleep, Mordred. I'll see you in the morning."

He stared at the Roman before he left to his room. He stayed awake all night, closing his eyes as the bells rang before the sun rose.

"I don't like them," Melain said as he got dress.

"The bells?" Mordred asked. "Why?"

"They could mean anything. An intruder, a wedding, an ex – exec – hmm."

"Execution."

"Execution...I don't like the bells."

Mordred ran a hand through his son's hair, finding nothing to say.

They walked to the courtyard, the rising sun leaving the sky pink for only a few moments.

Mordred stared at the three men on the pyres, their faces stone. 'The two soldiers haven't even begun their twenties.'

"Any last words before you are burned?" Morgana asked as the crowd began to settle.

The men stared up at them.

"You will not hear us sough," the left one spoke, his voice young.

"You will not hear us beg," the right one stated with a deeper voice.

"You will not hear us scream," Iulianus said, his voice clear and strong.

He felt Morgana's anger as she sent a fireball to the pyre, setting it aflame. Mordred watched them burn, the wind bringing the smell to them.

'They kept their words,' Mordred thought as the fire died down. 'They didn't let out a sound.'

He stared at their charred bodies before looking at the people.

The nobles stared with blank faces, their children pale. The peasants gazed forward before looking up at them, waiting to be dismissed.

As they turned to walk away, Mordred noticed the steel look in some of their eyes.

'Their words stuck,' he thought as he followed Morgana. 'War is coming, and they won't be fight for us.'

He bowed to her, waiting for her to ask for him to make sure the peasants don't revolt. She walked away and he left with his family.

* ~ "When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Else wise no man will ever bend the knee to you." – A Song of Ice and Fire [GRRM] ~ *

Merlin looked down at the scissors before grabbing it. He brought his hand up to his hair before he stopped, his eyes frozen on his reflection.

"Are you frightened, Emrys?"

He swallowed before moving his gaze in the mirror. She stared back.

"I thought you were staying in Greece?"

"I want to make sure you win."

"Don't lie."

He watched her smile at him, "I came to keep Her hands off of you." Merlin hummed as she walked closer, "you have grown so much, child."

He watched her bring her hand to his face and run her fingers across his cheek. He closed his eyes and breathed in that familiar scent. His heart grew warm before clenching as childhood memories filled his head.

"I'll win the war, you don't need to worry."

She hummed as she reached over to grab the brush and began brushing his hair. They were silent for a moment as she grabbed the scissors and began to cut.

She brushed a finger over his chin after a while, "you need to shave this."

"No."

"Can't stand the sight of your old self, child?" Merlin took a deep breath. "Very well...But you will have a trim. You must look your best..."

"The people will not support someone vile," he finished her unspoken sentence.

She hummed a tune as she cut.

"There. You can look now." Merlin moved his eyes. "See? It's not your normal hair. And..." He watched her trim his beard. "Now, you look like a true Dragon Lord."

Merlin looked at his reflection, "all I see is a murderer."

"Child – "

"I'm going to slaughter men and women who have no choice but to follow their Queen's orders, some who were born when I used to call Camelot home. Tell me I'm not a murderer."

"Will you make peace with the Usurper and the Kingslayer?"

Merlin clenched his fist, "I want to tear their intestines out with my bare hands and use it to strangle them!..." His fist shook before he took a deep breath and released them, "but I would let them go if it meant saving the people..."

"First you starve the lower people to the point of desperation, now you want to save them – "

"It is because I starved them that I want to save them – "

"What of your King and Queen? What of your mother, uncle, Gwaine? You will let their murderers go? You will let all of them go unavenged?"

"...Arthur would – "

"You are not Arthur...You said yourself you are not moral. You promised that you would avenge him."

"I would rather peace, and he would rather peace. As I near my former home, I realize how I let my anger control me through everything. I realize – "

"Nothing. You are having doubts, that's all. You think that since you failed once you will fail again. You are too scared to try. Trust my words, you won't fail."

Merlin looked up at her, feeling her run her fingers over his cheek and clothed neck. "I will fail. She captured me, made me listen...I didn't want to listen, make them stop, I don't want to hear them go silent –"

"Shh..." He tugged back his hands as she tried to take them from his shrilling ears. "Listen to my voice, only mine...I'm the only one with you, no one else...See?...Here, blow that dripping nose."

Merlin took the cloth and cleared his nose. He threw the soiled cloth on his dirty clothes when he was done.

"The three headed goddess must lose her main priestess," she told him. "There is no exception. The witch must die. But, you can keep the heir alive, if you wish."

"Appius?"

Merlin closed his eyes and squeezed them tight, feeling the last tears roll down his face. When he opened his eyes, she was gone.

He rubbed his eyes and made sure his face was perfect before looking at the door, "come in."

Constantine walked in, "you called me?"

"Yes, please sit down."

Constantine walked to the spare chair, "I don't think you called me to discuss your new look."

Merlin took a breath, "it's about your lover."

Constantine's face gave a soft twitch, "I don't have – "

"I know," Merlin told him. Constantine's face slowly fell. "We've talked about this. If we go to war, you leave your lover at home."

"...I needed – they killed my father, I couldn't handle it by myself."

Merlin looked down, "I don't care about – "

"I can't fight this war alone."

Merlin took a breath before looking at him, "I know the pain you feel, but you must put your lover on a boat and send – "

"No."

"Constantine – "

"I'm emperor now, you listen to what I say."

Merlin dug his hand into the chair as unwanted memories came with those words, "you will not bring that whore to war."

Constantine glared at him before keeping his face still, "it seems you have no choice in the matter."

"If our enemies find out that you have your loved one with you they will take – "

His gaze softened a bit when he stopped, "we are very careful, Appius."

"Not careful enough. Do you know how many times I had to throw your father off the scent when you first got together? If he ever found out..."

Constantine looked down, "thank you..."

"You'll like a son to me, Constantine. Listen when I say – "

"My word is law...If I'm going to win this war, I need – Appius listen to me!"

Merlin glared at the wall as he spat out, "your just like your father, falling in love with someone of lower birth. But, instead of a servant, you chose a slave...Romans might not care who warms your bed at night but the people of Britannia will."

"...My father fell in love with a servant?" Merlin swallowed, his brain refusing to work. "What aren't you telling me?"

He felt him walk closer, "what does it matter? It was a long time ago."

"Does he have a bastard?" He moved away from him. "Appius...Merlin – "

"Don't call me that out loud!" Merlin screamed at him, glaring.

Constantine didn't flinch, "did my father have another child?"

Merlin told him the truth, "your father only had one child."

He felt him search his face for a long time, "why are you hiding...did he..."

Merlin glanced away as the words rolled off his tongue, "your father was a good man. But he was a man. Sometimes he made horrible – "

Constantine walked out of the room. Merlin waited before letting out a breath, 'I need to be more careful.'

He walked out of his room and went to the deck. He saw Constantine near the front, sitting on the railing.

"Constantine..."

He didn't look at him "it shouldn't bug me. History is worse..."

"It's another thing entirely if it's your own family."

Constantine gave a halfhearted smile before he slid off the rail, landing on his feet. Merlin leaned on the bow, looking at the horizon. He felt Constantine lean next to him, "I will make the traitors pay for their crimes."

Merlin looked over to him, "I know you'll make your father and cousin proud."

He watched him breath out his nose before looking down as he put his fingers over his chest where the locket was. "I don't think he will be..."

"You're a great warrior, the best in the East. And you hold onto honor as much as he does."

"Yet I go to kill his sister."

Merlin reached over and took his hand, "you go to kill an usurper who murdered your father and take back your birthright."

"I never sat on the throne," Constantine said. "Therefore, I can't take back anything."

"Arguing schematics with me? Very well, avenging your father and Take your birthright."

"...she's my cousin, Merlin."

Merlin lightly gripped his chin and turned his head. He pressed his finger against the locket, "he was her brother, and the former queen was like a sister to her. Her heir was like a son to your cousin, teaching him everything he knew. And they repaid this kinship by taking their lives. Both must pay with their lives."

Constantine stared at him before looking at the sea. His blue eyes seemed to capture the moonlight ahead, giving them an ethereal glow.

His fingers pulled out the locket, the blond hair trapped inside their glass prison. He looked back at him, "do you want him back now?"

Merlin stared before reaching forward and curling Constantine's fingers over it, "no, you keep him near your heart. Let him lend you strength."

Constantine looked at their hands before gazing at him, "when I take the throne, I'll bury him and ask for forgiveness."

Merlin squeezed his hand, "your his family. He'll forgive you, don't worry." Constantine blinked his gleaming blue eyes before smiling at him. Merlin smiled back. 'Good fathers always forgive their sons of everything.'

* ~ " 'Don't be afraid. Participate and, just give us, all your trust, your soul will be saved. Just honor me. I'll set you free so, get ready, to join the, very last crusade.' " – Epica: The Last Crusade

" 'Ex – po – sition. Ex – po – sition. Push it out, A – S – A P!' " That's from Nostalgia Critic's Casper review. It's become the theme song for my chapters.

I felt like saying Constantine's birth father out loud instead of hinting at it for anyone who was skimming this story. But come now, everyone already saw it ten blocks ago. The hints were in a black light lit room, covered in neon paint.

Fact – Okay, before you go thinking I had Mordred say "they have us by the pubic hairs", I've read that before it meant that it used to mean the short hairs on the back of your neck. Just clearing that up.

Out of Curiosity – Anyone played BioShock? I have some ideas rolling in my head for a crossover but I don't know if people will be interested. You can just PM me if you are, or go read another fic and forget about this. Either's fine cause I'll probably write it anyway.