I don't think I can apologise anymore for the late chapters... I'm writing them as soon as I can, and I'm just sorry it's taking me so long. But here's the next chapter!

Enjoy!

XxX

The Search Continues

'We need to pinpoint Morgana's hideout,' Arthur rolled out a map on the forest floor, as they all gathered round. 'These marks represent the locations of all their attack, including the latest one. They can move around the Kingdom without being detected by patrols or villagers. How are they doing this?'

Merlin scrutinized the map, scanning the area for any sort of clue.

'Morgana and Mordred are both sorcerers. They could be using magic to get around with some sort of travelling spell.'

'And take an entire army with them?' Leon gave Gwaine an incredulous look. 'I don't think even Merlin's that powerful.'

'Have you asked him?' Gwaine quipped, looking to the Warlock for support. 'You did see what he did to the forest on that last patrol he came on after he was injured, right? If Merlin can do it, then Morgana and Mordred together can too.'

'What about scrying? Surely Merlin can just scry Iyla or Morgana and find out where they are just like that.' Elyan glanced between the two Knights, trying to divert their attention away from each other.

'It doesn't work like that. If it was that simple, I would have asked Merlin to scry them ages ago and ended this.'

The bickering continued around him, each idea getting more ridiculous than the last, but Merlin wasn't paying attention. There was something about the locations that connected them, something obvious, but he couldn't put his finger on it...

'...Merlin?' The Warlock looked up to see Arthur watching him, his brow furrowed. 'Have you seen something?'

Merlin shook his head in an attempt to clear it. 'I thought I did, but it's gone now. There is a connection, I can feel it, but right now it's eluding me.'

The King stared at him for another moment before nodding his head. 'Alright. We should continue heading West, I think, for now. The location of the first attack isn't very far away. We should head there and see if anything stands out to any of us.'

All of the Knights agreed, climbing to their feet and packing up the camp. Merlin remained where he was, staring at the map, trying to find whatever it was he had noticed. The King remained with him, noting down any tiny observations Merlin made in hopes that it would give them sort of clue.

But it was no use.

Sighing, Merlin rolled up the map and tucked it into his pack, before mounting his horse and following the patrol into the forest.

XxX

The one good thing that had come out of Morgana discovering her pregnancy was that the witch was now giving her enough food to eat.

Not that it made much difference. She was struggling to keep most of what they gave her down.

Gaius had warned her this could happen; a lot of women experienced sickness during pregnancies. Gwen herself had been forced to remain in bed for several weeks when during her first weeks with Amhar.

That didn't make her feel any better.

Iyla sipped at the water Mordred had brought her earlier, watching the two sorcerers move about the cave. They were, once again, talking in low voices, probably about her husband. There was no doubt in her mind that Merlin was out searching for her, and she was worried.

Morgana and Mordred had set their trap well, and she knew he would walk into it, if avoiding it meant losing her. She'd seen him face several sorcerers over the last three years, since they'd met, and he never risked an innocent life during a battle. It was one of his greatest strengths, but it was also one of his greatest weaknesses.

Gods, she hoped Gaius hadn't told him about the pregnancy. Under normal circumstances he'd be beside himself with worry; it would be a million times worse if he found out about the baby. Despite herself, Iyla smiled. Arthur would drive himself mad trying to control Merlin. They would probably bicker the entire way back to Camelot.

'Is something amusing, My Lady?'

Iyla glanced up at the witch, and gave her a gentle smile. 'Just thinking about my husband again, my Lady. I imagine he's driving Arthur mad at the moment. Do you remember when they used to banter? I suppose you don't.'

Morgana snarled and wrenched her hair, causing Iyla to hiss. 'Don't talk to me like that! They took everything from me! Did you know that I loved your husband at one point?' Iyla stared at her. Morgana smirked. 'Oh yes. Both Guinevere and myself found ourselves infatuated with him at one stage or another. But he betrayed me.'

'He sent you to the druids...'

'Then sent Arthur after me!'

'No!' Iyla shook her head. 'He tried to stop them! The druids are Merlin's allies, not yours, for a reason! Because it was him that brought about the age of peace that you had been promising for years before his magic was revealed. If you ever want to find peace, Morgana, you have to accept your failures, and accept that Arthur is the rightful ruler of Camelot. If you let me go, we can find a place for you in Camelot. You'll never be alone again.'

'Begging already? I thought you were stronger than that.'

'Begging for your soul, not mine.'

The witch shook her head, laughing. 'It's not my soul that's going to need saving, my Lady, when your husband arrives.'

As she walked away, Iyla watched her, her face calm. 'Don't be so sure.'

XxX

The journey to the first attack site had been made in relative silence. Even Gwaine remained quiet, sensing that his best friend needed to concentrate on his thoughts.

The entire journey, Merlin had been mulling over what he had seen on the map. It was beginning to irritate him, but he shook his head.

Something was nagging at the back of his mind; a connection between these attacks and Morgana's last takeover of Camelot.

Ahead of him, Arthur signalled for the patrol to come to a stop.

Looking around, the Warlock realised they were in the clearing.

And there it was, clear as day.

Ignoring the Knights that had begun to spread out, he immediately made his way to the tree line, staring at area just beyond.

A small smile graced his lips as he made his way forward, touching the rock gently. A small light appeared and floated around the entrance, guiding him inside.

XxX

Arthur huffed as he watched his men searching the area. He'd had this clearing searched after the initial attack, and he didn't think they were going to find anything new this time around.

Gwaine was kicking at dried up, dead leaves, pulling his cloak around himself with a frustrated frown on his face. Despite their conversation, he knew Gwaine wouldn't forgive himself until Iyla was safe.

Looking around, Arthur suddenly noticed that something was missing.

'Merlin?'

All of the Knights jumped, and turned, immediately noting the Warlock's absence. Panic began to settle in his mind, as his spun around, trying, desperately, to locate his friend.

'Merlin?'

They were all calling now, their hearts pounding.

'Merlin!'

'I've got it!'

A collective sigh of relief echoed around the clearing as the Warlock appeared, bouncing with barely contained excitement. Arthur stormed towards him, gripping his arm in anger. 'What the hell?' he shouted, taking Merlin by surprise. 'What were you thinking going off on your own? You could have been kidnapped, or hurt, or...'

'What?' Merlin's confused voice cut him off. 'Arthur, they've gone underground.'

'Well, obviously!' Arthur snapped. 'And you still haven't answered my question!'

'No, Arthur, you don't understand,' Merlin grinned. 'They've gone underground!'

The King finally released him, frowning at him. 'What are you rambling about?'

'I don't know how I didn't see it before! It's so obvious now; underground, they took it so literally! I knew it reminded me of Ealdor when she last took over Camelot, because, of course, that's how we got away from Agravaine. Of course, this doesn't help us as much now that we do know how they're getting around, but it will certainly help us begin to trace their movements and begin to find a more central location...'

'Merlin!' Merlin stopped rambling and blinked up at the King, taking a moment to focus on him. 'Slow down, and back up a moment. I know you enjoy making me feel stupid,' his friend grinned sheepishly at him. 'But you're not making much sense right now. So, starting from the beginning, how are Morgana and Mordred getting around the Kingdom without being detected?'

The Warlock beamed at him, looking very proud of himself.

'Tunnels, Arthur. They're using tunnels under the ground.'

XxX

Thank you for reading! Please leave a review with your thoughts, likes/dislikes and suggestions!

For all the DW fans... What do we think of the new assistant? I quite like her; this weeks' looks amazing!

Please review! They do motivate me to write more, but it's mock time at college... Again... Which means very few, if any, updates until my A2 exams are complete in mid-June... I'm so sorry, it's going to be another ridiculously long wait, but once they're over, I should have a lot more free time to write, even when I finally get a summer job!

Sorry again... And please don't give up on this story! I am doing my best

TTFN
Valkyriexx