A/N - My, you are lucky people ;) I've been ill with flu so after sleeping and finishing A Clash of Kings (finally :D!) I decided to write the next chapter. It is short but we learn Morgana's decision and we shall learn her reasons in the next chapter. Thanks to all reviewers for the last chapter and I hope you all enjoy and maybe review this one too, just to say if you liked my choice or not :D

Rachel xxx


To Save or Not to Save

As soon as she was re-locked in her chambers again, Morgana swept her hand across the table causing everything to clatter to the ground.

How did Morgause expect her to choose between her brother and her best friend; the rightful king or his true love? She refrained from throwing something else. She had to keep a clear head if she was to make the right decision. Was there a right decision? She clenched her fists, hard, breaking the soft skin with her ragged nails and causing droplets of blood to form. Morgause was just cruel; a psychotic evil witch. Why make it into some game? Why not just execute them all or choose by herself? Why was it up to her to decide her brother and friend's fates?

Morgana must have fallen asleep because when she woke up it was pitch black outside; no moon, no stars, just darkness. It reflected her mood perfectly so she didn't bother lighting any candles. She didn't even know if there was a candle; Morgause wasn't the type to care for her comfort. Even after her sleep, a fresh mind did nothing to answer her dilemma.

When it seemed as though she had reached a decision, there was still doubt in her mind which caused her to start the thought process all over again; no closer to reaching a final decision.


"Good morning, Morgana," said Morgause, entering her chambers as the sun began to creep into the blue sky.

"Is it?" retorted Morgana, tartly.

"Oh, don't be like that. It is decision time."

"I don't want to play your sick little games anymore, Morgause."

"You don't have a choice. You will give me an answer. In fact, why don't we go down to your friends? Then, we can all hear your choice."

"No!"

Morgause grabbed her wrist and dragged her to her feet with an unknown strength. After being momentarily shocked, Morgana wrenched her wrist free, wincing as the fingers dug in like daggers. The iron grip returned, this time to her forearm and Morgana could get free no matter how hard she tried.

Eventually, she gave up and simply allowed Morgause to lead her out of the chambers and down the winding stone steps to the dungeons that were becoming a familiar place to her over these last few long-winded weeks.

The door clanked open and both Arthur and Gwen looked up to confront their visitor. It was Morgana who entered first, shoved in by Morgause. It was Arthur who noticed the spark of fire in Morgana's eyes, like she was ready to claw at someone.

"So, Arthur, Guinevere, I have given my dear sister here an ultimatum. She is to choose who amongst you lives or dies," explained Morgause with a sly smile.

Silence befell those in the dungeon, both Arthur and Gwen looking between the two sisters, waiting for Morgana to make her choice; Gwen warily and Arthur angrily. Still no answer came and Morgause grew impatient.

"Go on then, Morgana, who have you chosen to save?"

"I will not choose," replied Morgana, calmly.

"Oh, you will, or we'll have a private session until you name the lucky person," threatened Morgause.

"I'm sorry, Arthur," said Morgana with a genuine look of regret in her eyes.

"I knew it was too good to be true, Morgana. You're nothing but a traitor," spat Arthur.

"Arthur…" Her strong façade slipped and she looked like a lost little girl.

"Hurry up, Morgana, we haven't got all day," said Morgause, impatiently.

"Gwen, I choose Gwen."

Every one of them looked shocked at that. Arthur seemed to be regretful of his harsh, biting words but he did not apologize. Gwen looked utterly bewildered; as if she hadn't quite heard the words. Morgause, on the other hand, was unreadable but she definitely looked like she hadn't expected it at all.

"Morgana, why on earth would you save a serving wench over yourself?" asked Morgause at last.

"Don't call her that," ordered Morgana with a sharp authority "She's nobler than you'll ever be."

"Well, Arthur, how does it feel to have your own sister choose a mere maid over you; the king of Camelot?"

"I would have laid down my life for her, anyway," retorted Arthur, coldly.

"What does it matter why I picked her? You gave me the choice. Now release her and make sure she comes to absolutely no harm or I'll haunt you for eternity," said Morgana.

"Are you sure, sister? There is still time to save your own life?"

"Guinevere," repeated Morgana without faltering.

"Very well."

Morgause threw Morgana into the cell roughly, causing the younger woman to tumble to the straw-covered ground, only just managing to not crack her head on the way down by supporting herself with her hands. The sorceress-queen then pulled the young serving girl to her feet, wiping her hands on her dress disgustedly as if the touch of a servant was likely to make her contract some fatal disease. If only, thought Morgana. Gwen was pushed out of the dungeon without time to utter any goodbye words and the door slammed shut, leaving brother and sister alone in their prison.