Okay, so I should give you some heads up before you start. Full disclosure: I have been avoiding this chapter. I have been anguishing over how to write it for days. And I've written and rewritten pieces of it multiple times.

This is not going to be a fun chapter.

I am really, really, sorry.


Chapter 8

Morgana watched the snoring Uther with a look of pure distaste. She hated him. She didn't care about watching over him. She hoped that the knights would come for him. But she did care about Arthur and Merlin. They were here friends, her true family. She took one last look at Uther, gave one last harrumph, and quietly snuck down the hall, following her two boys as they took a curious wrong turn. They were the ones she would protect.

Arthur couldn't think. They ran down the castle hall in complete silence. He could pick up a tangible air of stress emitting from Merlin. He had no words. He had no thoughts other than escaping from darkness that was the Dragon's task.

Arthur felt his magic buzzing, responding to his distress, readying itself for a fight.

When they burst into the room that they had left Morgana and Uther, it took a moment to realize that the only other person in the room was fast asleep.

Morgana was gone.

"Morgana?" Merlin whispered, looking back at the door behind them.

She stood there, behind the door, holding the dagger out towards them.

"Morgana." Arthur echoed. He sheathed his sword, and took a step towards her, hands outstretched.

"P-please, don't come any closer." She threatened, her voice wavering.

"We're not going to hurt you. We can help." Merlin offered.

She turned the knife on herself. "I know. I know. I followed you. I-I heard what the dragon said. I won't let her hurt you."

Arthur stopped abruptly. "Her?"

"Morgause. I know it was her. She wanted me to help her hurt Uther. But I didn't know what she was going to do. I can't do it. Not to you. I can't. It's my fault." Tears sprung from her eyes as she clutched the dagger tighter, aimed at her heart, and began to thrust inward.

Arthur's magic reacted without thinking, reaching out and pulling the dagger away. It landed a few feet away.

"You don't have to do this Morgana. We are the same. We can help each other." Arthur begged.

Morgana just looked at him with a sad smile. "It's too late Arthur." She stumbled forward and Arthur lunged to catch her. She dropped something onto the floor as she fell, and it landed with a distinct clink.

Arthur held her as she started to gasp for breath. He looked up at Merlin, who had stopped to pick up the object that morgana had dropped. It was a vial; poison. Arthur hadn't seen it in her hands before; she must have taken it just before they came in.

"Help her." Arthur asked simply. She started to shake uncontrollably, her eyes wide with fear. Arthur held her closer and brushed hair away from her face.

Merlin shook his head. "I don't know how." He said honestly. He dropped down next to her and laid a hand on her cheek as her eyes closed and she stilled. He whispered a few words that Arthur didn't understand, than shook his head again. "I can't Arthur. She's too far gone. I'm not strong enough." His voice broke.

The doors burst open as Morgause, followed by two of the knights, came into the room. She let loose a feral cry as she dropped down and ripped Morgana from their arms.

Arthur jumped back and drew his sword.

Merlin simply stood there, putting himself between Morgause and Arthur.

"What have they done to you?" She cried, stroking Morgana's face.

Merlin spoke up before Arthur could say that she had done it herself. "I had to."

Morgause looked at his in shock. "You poisoned her." She accused.

He nodded, his face hardening. "You gave me no choice."

"Tell me what you used and I can save her!" She ordered.

Arthur wanted to tell her, but Merlin spoke first "First, stop the attack." He ordered back.

"You're nothing but a servant. You don't tell me what to do." She snapped.

Arthur finally caught on to what Merlin was doing. "If you want to know what poison it is, you will undo the magic that drives the knights." Merlin demanded.

"Tell me the poison or you will die!"

"Then she will die with me." He finished.

Arthur wanted to beg Merlin to give in, to just tell her the poison so that Morgana could live. He needed her to live.

The silence dragged as Morgause just looked at morgana and stroked her hair.

"You gave me no choice. Stop the knights, and you can save her." Merlin repeated his ultimatum.

Finally she looked up at Merlin with a defeated look, than began to chant in a deep voice. The knights behind her dropped to the ground and disappeared, leaving behind empty armour.

Merlin handed her the vial. The poison was clearly marked in Gaius' handwriting.

Uther groaned and began to sit up behind Arthur. Merlin jumped back as Morgause once again began to chant. They disappeared into wind and smoke as Arthur called out "Morgana!"

Uther stood and watched as the smoke spun into a twister and then dissipated. Arthur could see the realization hit Uther and the light slowly fade from his eyes as he realized that Morgause had taken Morgana.

He sank to his knees and cried out. "No!"

Arthur noticed Merlin sneak away, and followed after him. Merlin stopped at a window and leaned out.

"Merlin." Arthur called out softly. Merlin turned. His eyes were red, and his face wet.

"I couldn't save her." Merlin started. Arthur didn't respond, he just leaned against the window next to him and looked out. Merlin continued, "It's my fault. I knew what was happening to her but I didn't tell her about myself. If I had told her… she wouldn't have been so alone. She wouldn't have done this. It's my fault."

Arthur didn't react to Merlin's confession. He just searched the horizon. The sun was just starting to set. The bells of the castle began to ring in mourning.

"She must have had the poison for awhile. She wouldn't have had time to stop in Gaius's quarters before she met us back in the guest suite." Merlin shivered. "She was so lonely."

"We will find her." Arthur said finally. "She won't willingly follow Morgause, not after today, and she is strong; she always has been. I won't stop searching for her. I'll do whatever it takes."

Merlin nodded in agreement, and Arthur reached out and gave Merlin a comforting pat on the shoulder. "But first, we have a promise to keep." Arthur added, frowning.

"We have to steal one of the knight's swords. They were forged with old magic, so they should be strong enough to cut his bonds. I will find one and meet you down there tonight after dark." Merlin instructed.

Arthur lowered his eyebrows in confusion. "But the swords are bound to be under lock and key now. How do you expect to get to them without me?"

Merlin raised his hand and waved. "Locked doors are generally not a problem for people like us."

Arthur smiled in understanding. Having a manservant who can use magic will certainly have its perks, he thought.

Arthur knew he was late as he descended down into the dungeon, avoiding the flickering torches nervously. When he reached the ornate arch that marked the entrance to the Dragon's cave, and the end of the lit area, he held open his hand experimentally. It took hardly any effort to start a small flame on the palm of his hand. He concentrated hard on maintaining and controlling the flame as he walked down to the precipice. Merlin was already there, holding an ornate black blade. He let the flame go as Merlin nodded approvingly.

"Your control is getting better." He commented. The dragon didn't say anything; he just waited with an anticipatory look on his face.

"This way." Merlin motioned, descending a small stone stairway that ran along the cliff. Arthur followed silently, a sense of foreboding filling him as they made their way to the base of the rocky protrusion that the Dragon sat on. An immense chain shot out from the ground. It clinked and swayed with the Dragon's each breath.

Merlin hesitated.

"Before we do this, I need you to promise me that you will not harm Camelot." He called up to the Dragon.

"I think there have been enough bargains, don't you?" The Dragon said menacingly.

"We have no choice Merlin." Arthur whispered. He reached out his hand. "Together?"

Merlin allowed Arthur to place his hands on the sword. "We have to use our magic to wield it properly. Just concentrate on focusing your energy to the blade, and I will do the rest."

Arthur did as he was told. He focused on the blade, and felt the buzzing of his magic emerge. He directed it towards the blade, and let go of it so that Merlin could wield it. Merlin began to chant as Arthur continued to pour his magic into the blade until he began to feel feint. Just as he was beginning to feel like he wouldn't be able to sustain the power, Merlin raised the sword above his head and brought it down to the chain, his eyes flashing molten gold. Arthur felt a rush as the magic was released and directed into the chain. The Dragon gave a mighty roar as the chain shattered. He took off, filling the cave with a deafening growl.

"Merlin, what have we done?"


AN- You have no idea how close I was to killing off Morgana. It was very, very, close to happening. Be very, very, thankful. Another cliffy (But its fair play because it's the same cliffy that the episode ended in.) I will try to update as soon as possible. Let me know what you think!