Merlin struggled toward consciousness, a nagging feeling telling him that something important had just happened. The last thing he remembered was a feeling of falling.

He coughed, feeling it jar through him, and he realized that one arm seemed to be pinned. He coughed again and dragged his eyes open, blinking in the sunlight as he tried to get his bearings.

He flexed his fingers and toes, relieved that nothing seemed to be broken. He ached all over, though, and his hand tingled, on the brink of going numb. He turned his head toward it and caught his breath.

Branwen was sprawled on his arm, eyes closed and face pale. With a groan, Merlin heaved himself over, extricating his arm gently, and checked her for injuries. Finding none, he breathed a sigh and surveyed his surroundings.

The field was littered with enormous chunks of what could only have been the tower, and he remembered the enchanted stone cracking as Arthur's sword struck it.

Rustling caught his attention, and his eyes found Arthur, just beginning to stir. His gaze swept around, finding Gwaine and Mordred lying within a hand's breadth of each other. Morgana wasn't far from them, her head resting against Aithusa's side.

He went to Arthur and helped him sit up. "Are you alright?"

The king rubbed his head and took stock. "Well, I seem to be in one piece, if nothing else. Thanks to you, I assume."

"Probably."

"Probably?"

Merlin shrugged. "I don't really remember."

Arthur eyes roamed over his sorcerer, looking for any indication that anything was wrong. Not finding any, he set the comment aside for the moment. "What about the others?"

"All in one piece, too, I think."

They watched as a griffin detached herself from those circling above and landed next to Gwaine, nuzzling at him. The knight groaned and swatted at her halfheartedly, but she only lashed her tail and renewed her efforts until he finally sat up. He gave her a scratch and then, using her as leverage, hauled himself to his feet.

The movement caused Mordred to stir. His eyes flew open and he scrambled back when the griffin hissed at him.

Arthur, satisfied that all was under control on that front, made his way to Morgana. Merlin, after double-checking Branwen, followed.

The king helped his sister sit up. She looked lost. "Arthur?"

"I'm here, My Lady."

She gave him an incredulous look. "How can you still call me that, after all I've done?"

"It wasn't your fault," Merlin told her gently. "Morgause used you, then she died and left you enslaved." He dropped his eyes. "But you might not have gone to her if I hadn't failed you. If I'd been honest with you and helped you."

"It's alright. You did what you thought was best, and then you did what you had to do." She looked over at Branwen, who was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. "She saved me."

Merlin followed her gaze. "Yeah," he agreed softly. "She does that."

"She didn't save you." The all turned at Mordred's growl. "She's taken your will. She's made you weak, like you were before."

"Mordred." Morgana's voice was soft, pleading.

"No! Don't you see? They're taking you away from me, like they took Kara." He fixed his attention on Branwen, who looked back at him blearily.

Gwaine, guessing at his probable intentions, moved toward his weapons, but Mordred's eyes flashed gold and the knight flew back into the griffin hard enough to knock her off her feet. Then Mordred pulled a dagger from his boot and scrambled toward Branwen. Her eyes widened in shock, but her comprehension came too late for her to defend herself.

Mordred's name rang out from several voices at once and then he was suddenly flying high in the air, away from Branwen. There was a shriek as the alpha dove and snatched him in his talons. Wings laboring to gain altitude, he headed toward the den. 'Do not worry,' he told Branwen. 'This one will trouble you no more.'

Branwen, staring open-mouthed after the retreating alpha, started as Merlin dropped to his knees beside her. His hands fluttered, touching her lightly on her face, shoulder, elbow, his terrified eyes scanning her for injuries. "Are you alright? He didn't… didn't…"

"I'm fine," she whispered and he pulled her into his arms. She rubbed his back, trying to soothe his trembling.

She pulled away when she felt another presence beside them, and looked up to find Morgana regarding her, with Arthur and Gwaine just behind her. She tensed, unsure what to expect. "Are you sure you're alright?" The soft question caught her off guard, but she nodded warily, then let out a surprised gasp when Morgana knelt down and wrapped her arms around her tightly, her voice whispering against her shoulder, "You saved me. I don't know how I can ever begin to repay you."

After a stunned heartbeat, Branwen returned the embrace. "I'm glad I could help, My Lady."

Morgana huffed out a humorless chuckle. "I'm hardly that anymore."

"You are if I say you are." They looked up at the imperious sound of Arthur's voice.

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "I do believe you've gotten bossier since I've been gone."

"Well, becoming king does tend to have that effect on one."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "You've no idea."

Morgana laughed, and both Merlin and Arthur realized just how much they'd missed that sound.

"So, will you come back with us?" Arthur's voice was hopeful.

Morgana stared at him. "Even if I did, would the people accept me?"

Arthur shrugged. "I'm not saying it'll be easy, but I'll make an official announcement explaining the situation, and Merlin and Branwen can corroborate. You'd have to be on your best behavior, but," he held out his hand to her, "I believe it would be incredible useful to have an official Court Seer." When she hesitated, he added, "You can have your old chambers back."

"Well," she took the offered hand, "how can I say no to that?" She added, eyes twinkling, "I don't suppose I could have my old maidservant back as well?"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

She grinned. "Just thought I'd ask." She looked around. "Now, dear brother, how do you propose we get back to Camelot?"

Everyone looked over to Branwen, who was standing more or less steadily next to Merlin. She smiled. "I'm on it."

O~O~O~O~O

They caused quite a stir when the griffins, along with a white dragon, landed in Camelot's courtyard. Rumors started flying immediately as the stunned populace realized that Morgana was among those returning. More rumors were added when Branwen bowed to their mounts, and the terrifying creatures bowed back to her before taking off again. All except one, who seemed very attached to Gwaine.

ooooo

A/N: Well, look at that. I seem to have redeemed Morgana. *head tilt* Huh.