Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin :'(

A/N Sorry this chapter has taken so long, I couldn't get the words out D:

Loyalty

Without thinking, Merlin jumped up from where he was hiding, blocking Morgana's path.

"Merlin!" Whispered Morgana, looking furious. "What are you doing here?"

Ignoring the unpleasant sensation of pins and needles now running through his legs, Merlin grabbed hold of Morgana's wrist and pulled her back to where he'd been hiding.

"I told you, I can't let you kill him." Breathed Merlin, calmly, looking straight into Morgana's narrowed eyes.

"This is nothing to do with you!"

"Shhh!" hissed Merlin as Morgana raised her voice.

"Why do you care about him Merlin?" Said Morgana softly.

"Not him, you! If you got caught..." Merlin trailed off, looking down for a moment, before coming back to his senses. "And Arthur, he's not ready!"

Suddenly, a crash came from inside the King's chambers and seconds later they both heard a bell ringing, calling the King's manservant.

"Go." Hissed Merlin but Morgana had already started to hurry away. Turning the opposite way, Merlin walked swiftly down the corridor, deciding that as much as he didn't want to, he would have to speak to the Great Dragon.

...

Morgana glided silently through the castle, furious at Merlin. She couldn't believe that he was actually choosing Uther over her. The thought sent a pang of pain to her chest and she resolved not to think about Merlin abandoning her, instead she would concentrate on getting out of the castle unseen.

Hiding behind a wall, Morgana could see two guards standing on the drawbridge, and, using a spell that Merlin had taught her, she conjured a roaring fire just behind her.

She hid in the shadows and waited for the guards to rush past her to try and put it out. Once they were out of the way, she swiftly crept along the drawbridge and out of Camelot.

As she reached the entrance to the forest, Morgana finally started to calm down and her heart rate slowed to normal. She was, as always, terrified of getting caught for having magic, and now she was planning on using it to kill the King, her fear had doubled.

Once deep inside the forest, Morgana whispered; "Morgause?" before sitting down against a tree and waiting. She knew Morgause had heard her and that she would come. She wasn't sure exactly how it worked, only that ever since Morgause had turned up in Camelot she had been able to speak to her in her mind.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, Morgana heard soft footsteps and looked up to see the outline of Morgause.

"What is wrong?" she said softly as Morgana jumped to her feet.

"I don't know what to do." Morgana said earnestly, not looking in Morgause's eyes. "Its Merlin, he said he is going to protect the king. I didn't believe him at first but tonight he stopped me- we were nearly caught!"

Morgause looked confused. "Merlin? I thought you said he was going to help us?"

Morgana sighed, she looked close to tears. "I was sure he would. But he has betrayed me and chosen to protect Uther." Morgana finally looked directly into Morgause's eyes.

"I can't do this. Even if I could get past him, Merlin would hate me."

Morgause's expression flickered slightly, frustration showing momentarily. "Morgana, you don't need Merlin anymore, you have me now."

When this didn't seem to comfort Morgana, she continued.

"You may think you love him, you thought you were alone for so long, and so did he! So when you found each other of course you formed a bond, but it is no more than companionship. You don't need him anymore and he doesn't need you."

A tear rolled down Morgana's cheek. "That's not true. Merlin loves me."

"Then why is he doing this?" came Morgause's soft voice.

Morgana turned away from her, trying to hide her tears.

"I know you don't want to hear this but he doesn't care about you, or any other sorcerers! Do you understand?"

Morgana nodded, unable to speak, unable to accept the truth; that the man she loved cared little for her.

"Our plan must succeed. If that means getting rid of Merlin we must. Can I count on you to use your head, not your heart?"

Morgana gasped and spun around.

"Kill Merlin? But he's done nothing wrong!"

"He is defending the King, Morgana!" hissed Morgause. "He is defending the man that has murdered his own kin! In my mind that makes him just as bad."

Morgana stared at the floor, unable to think of a response. Morgause was right but how could she kill Merlin?

"I know how hard this is but you must be strong." Said Morgana softly, walking towards Morgana and resting her hand on her shoulder.

Morgana nodded, slowly.

"Good. I must go now."

...

Merlin looked around the vast, underground cavern, eyes resting on a large shape in the far corner. It was moving slightly and seemed to glitter in the torch light.

"Are you awake?" he called out to the Dragon.

"I am now." Echoed a deep voice, and the shape moved and became recognisable as Kilgharrah as its wings beat rhythmically, bringing it to rest on the nearest rock.

"What is it young warlock?"

"Morgana."

The dragon laughed, the sound coming from all directions as it bounced from the walls, engulfing Merlin.

"Did I not warn you about the witch, Merlin?"

Sighing, Merlin replied. "I know, you were right- sort of."

"Sort of?" questioned the Great Dragon.

"Morgana isn't evil, she means well! She wants to Kill Uther and return magic to Camelot."

"She may not be now but she will be corrupted by magic! Why do you continue to seek my advice when you fail to listen?" The Dragon replied, frowning down at Merlin.

"Because you don't know her like I do! You said it yourself, the future isn't set!" Merlin shouted, temper flaring.

"Some things are set. Your destiny is one of them, and so is Morgana's." He spoke the last three words slowly and clearly, as if trying to force Merlin to accept it.

"As long as the witch is alive, she is a threat to Arthur, to you and to Albion." He continued.

"So what you do want me to do, kill her?" Shouted Merlin, fury taking hold of him.

"Finally, you understand me." Chuckled the Dragon.

A/N I'm not really happy with this chapter, but I can't quite put my finger on what I don't like ( xD) in other words, I tried and failed to make it better so I thought I'd post it anyway :) please review and give me any advice :D I love hearing what you think, R&R? Thanks :D