Story 24: I'm Sorry

Chapter 7: Hindsight

In retrospect, Morgana should have seen it coming. She should have known it wouldn't be that simple. When they had approached the looming castle, there wasn't a single guard in sight. Arthur had tied up the horses before looking around. Morgana clutched Merlin's scarf like a lifeline. She could feel it calling towards Merlin. She felt an undeniable pull towards him and knew without a doubt that Merlin was hidden inside the walls before her.

"I don't see any guards, so they're probably inside," he warned. He didn't know how right he was.

They stalked towards the entrance, prepared for any type of obstacle to pop up. Arthur walked with his hand on the hilt of his sword the entire time. When they reached the door and walked through, Morgana felt strange. She felt as if someone were running their fingers down her back and the sensation made her shiver.

Arthur looked back at her to see what had startled her and his eyes widened. He could barely begin to comprehend what had just happened, because it defied everything he held true.

Morgana was beginning to squirm under his scrutiny, wondering what he could possibly be gawking at. Her answer came moments later when the prince finally found his voice. "You…" He sputtered. Morgana looked behind her, expecting to see someone looming with a sword, but aside from them, the corridor was empty. When she looked back at Arthur, he had his sword drawn. In an even, but deadly voice Arthur answered the question that Morgana never spoke out loud. "How long have you known magic Morgana?"

Morgana stared at Arthur, her eyes wide and frightened. It was impossible. She reached up to feel the smooth contours of her face. It was unmistakably her skin, her face. "I don't understand," she whispered. "What happened?"

Arthur it seemed was incapable of answering her question. She didn't exactly blame him. He had no knowledge of magic and was probably still coming to terms with the idea that she had magic. "How long?" He demanded after another moment passed.

"Since the fire in my chambers," Morgana whispered. "I didn't have any control over it. That's the first time I realized I had magic."

Arthur closed his eyes. "I should kill you. I should strike you where you stand," he whispered.

"But you won't," Morgana guessed.

Arthur let out the breath he was holding. Morgana had been like a sister to him since she came to live in Camelot when she was twelve. He would never be able to bring himself to ignore all of the memories they made and kill her. But there was no way he would tell her that. "Not yet," he told her, hardening his voice to her. "I need you to help me get Merlin back."

Arthur didn't know what he would do once they found Merlin. He didn't know if he would bring Morgana back to Camelot and agree to keep her secret safe from Uther. He knew that was the most likely path. He couldn't kill Morgana and he couldn't banish her without telling Uther. If he so much as muttered the words magic, Uther would kill Morgana himself. Arthur cringed at the idea and knew his father could not find out.

Arthur also knew their relationship would never be the same. He would never be able to look Morgana in the eye and not feel the fear and hatred he felt now.

Arthur walked in a random direction, hoping it was the right one. He had a hunch about where they might be holding Merlin. Morgana walked by his side not saying a word. She looked as if she were walking to her death, which she honestly thought she was. Even if she survived retrieving Merlin, Arthur would kill her.

As Morgana followed Arthur, she felt the pull of the scarf get stronger and stronger until she felt like it was pulling her along with it rather than vice versa. "He's right up ahead," she whispered. She could feel it. She almost felt as if his scarf were humming with excitement at being reunited with Merlin. It was the strangest feeling.

Arthur nodded, his jaw set. He had expected as much. They rounded the corner and saw Merlin tied up. He had been stripped of his tunic, left only in his pants. Angry cuts and bruises covered every inch of his chest and stomach. His cheeks had thousands of tiny cuts on them and something that looked suspiciously like bruising. Other than Merlin, there was no one else in sight.

"Go help him," Arthur ordered. He was loathe to let her near Merlin, but he had to accept that she would be able to help him a lot more than he could. "I'll make sure no one else is here."

Morgana didn't question his orders. She rushed to Merlin's side and began to indo his bindings. She half expected him to collapse to the ground when she untied his hands, instead he stumbled slightly before finding his balance. His face was contorted with pain. "Why didn't you free herself?" She asked once she realized he was conscious.

"Can't," Merlin murmured. His voice sounded so faint. "No powers. Drugged."

Morgana's eyes widened. She couldn't imagine what that was like. She had only just gotten used to having magic and if someone took it away from her, she would feel like she was missing a limb. "Where are they?" Morgana asked.

"Close," Merlin whispered. "They never go far." There was a haunted look in his eyes and Morgana wondered what they had subjected him to. The look in his eyes went behind physical pain.

"We'll get you out of here," Morgana promised.

"We?" Merlin asked.

"Arthur's with me," Morgana explained.

Merlin suddenly looked much more alert. "You need to get him out of here," Merlin slurred. He tried to walk, but would have fallen to the ground were it not for Morgana. "They want to kill him." Merlin raised his voice as loud as it would go. "Arthur!"

Arthur appeared by his side in a heartbeat. "What is it?" He asked anxiously.

"We have to go," Merlin said frantically. He tried pushing Arthur towards the exit.

"Oh, you've brought friends," a voice from the shadows said. A woman with blonde hair stepped in front of them, blocking their exit. A woman that they would recognize anywhere.

"Morgause," Arthur said darkly.