Months had passed since King Arthur's visit to Pendragon Castle and a calm passed over the Country as most learned of the King's new nephew. Some were wary and others quick to accept and move on.

Morgan had received invitations to return to Camelot as the King was eager to see the growing boy once again, yet Morgan constantly came up with excuses and turned down all the offers her half-brother kept throwing her way.

The young King's persistence was more of a bother than an honor as Morgan's patience to continually shoot down his offers was gradually weighing down.

All Morgan wished to do was watch her son rapidly grow and then when he slept, sulk in the confines of her bed chamber. Merlin's rejection of Marrok pulled at her heart strings, and the pain she felt for her little prince only intensified each passing day.

Marrok grew to look more like his father every waking hour and Morgan was forced into a crossroads about what she truly felt for the Sorcerer. She loathed him for turning his back on the sweet life he helped create...and yet she adored him beyond belief for giving her something she never before desired, though now could not live without.

The scene still replayed within her mind, causing her mind to scream in torment.

Merlin's dark eyes were focused on the ground as his heavy breathing filled the still air, after too long a wait he finally brought his gaze back up to match Morgan's fierce stare. Time passed by both powerful beings and for a split second Morgan saw deep and genuine sadness within the Sorcerer's eyes, before he once again surrendered his gaze and looked away.

"Arthur is the true King and his position as such in my first priority." Merlin's steeled voice forced out.

Morgan could not ever bare to look at the man who was choosing the King over his own flesh and blood, though when she lifted her head she was shocked to find Merlin had walked over so quietly that it went unregistered.

His eyes were glued to the small once again sleeping figure in Morgan's arms and hesitantly Merlin reached out to stroke his son's soft head. Morgan witnessed the affection which passed from father to son, though was too angry to allow the moment to progress.

She brought Marrok's tiny body closer to her in a sheltering manner, the lioness within soaring to be released. Though Morgan skilfully restrained her darker side and with a clipped and cold voice demanded Merlin leave her chambers and not return.

It was hard on her but she had to keep herself together, after all she was still Morgan Pendragon...only daughter to the late King Uther. She was brought up to be tough and allow no one to see her pain or weaknesses. And her loyalty stayed with her own...

As Morgan's piercing green eyes watched the toddling boy in the corner, the fragments of a smile appeared on her ivory face. Marrok had grown well over the passing time and was a very energetic boy for his age. Nearing one-years-old people were again beginning to wonder who the jolly little boy's father was...for Morgan's sweet Marrok resembled nothing of herself, he was all his father.

As time dragged on at Camelot the people began to notice that the King's Sorcerer often seemed distracted, no more was he Arthur's constant shadow. Instead Merlin could be found in her room muttering things to himself that no one else could decipher. Many had tried to reason with him, even Arthur had come to see what troubled his mentor and guardian.

Though as time surfed by Merlin seemed to compose himself better and gradually set back into the routine of his duties. Yet he was far stricter and his temper was short, no longer would he spend his days socializing with the other members of court...instead most nights found Merlin shut off from the world, alone in his chambers.

Not even the gentle natured Igraine could get passed his newly built walls, despite the many times she'd urged him to tell her what was on his mind. Eventually even she gave up and left him to his own musings.

That night was no different, instead of joining the others for supper...Merlin could be found pacing the length of his room. It didn't matter how much time had passed between his last meeting with Morgan, their conversation was cruelly set to repeat in his mind. The hurt was ever present with the knowledge that he had walked away from his own son to look after someone else's.

Merlin had long ago accepted Arthur was his responsibility, but began to challenge if that was reason enough to turn his back on his own boy. Marrok was his son, a part of himself and Morgan molded together from a night of pure bliss and passion. Marrok was the consequence of their forbidden union...and yet Merlin could see no sign of punishment in the little being's existence. Instead Merlin found himself loving the boy and yearning his presence, though he had made his decision and now did not know how to reverse his own doings.

Loud, fast thumping echoed through the corridor bringing Merlin back to reality as his head shot up to see a heavily breathing Kay at his door, having in the rush of the moment threw Merlin's door open without bothering to knock.

"What is it Kay? It better be an emergency." Was Merlin's instant so-called greeting.

"Arthur demands your presence at once...we're heading to Pendragon as soon as possible, Lady Morgan sends word that her son Marrok has suddenly fallen severely ill and requires your healing services." Kay managed to breathe out while Merlin immediately shot up without saying a word and began to speed around his room throwing various things into his sack.

"Something must be terribly wrong for Morgan to seek our help, she's been avoiding Arthur's invitations to court-"

"SHUT UP!" Merlin roared passing the young man on his way out the door.

There you have it! Another chapter up...I hope you all enjoy :) Thanks so much for the Reviews, Favorites and Alerts as they mean the world to me and keep me going. And I hope you're all with me in praying for a second season of Camelot!

Alex

oxoxo