A/N - So, here's the next chapter. I would be so, so grateful for reviews. Since I started re-uploading and I know it was months, no-one has reviewed. Has everyone lost interest? I don't know if I should continue or not. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

11) Fury

There was several loud knocks on the door and Arthur woke up immediately. He looked at the bed and saw that Morgana was sleeping soundly, one hand up by her face. Arthur smiled at the sight and hurried over to the door, being as quiet as possible so that he did not wake her. She was exhausted after everything she'd endured.

"Sire," said the guard at the door "You are needed in the council chambers, immediately."

Arthur sighed and nodded, gesturing for the guard to leave. He went over to Morgana and brushed a strand of hair off her forehead before placing a gentle kiss on her temple. She mumbled in her sleep and turned over but did not wake.

Hand on the hilt of his sword; he left her chambers, assigning a guard just to be safe. He couldn't lose her again.

The council chambers were buzzing when he arrived. He looked around and spotted his faithful manservant waiting along with the Knights of the Round Table.

"Arthur," said Merlin as the king strode towards the table.

"What's going on, Merlin?" asked Arthur as he took his place.

Upon seeing his arrival, Sir Kai and Sir Raymond came forward, a girl no more than fifteen between them. Her clothes were torn and stained and her blonde hair was dirty and hung in clumps around her face.

"Who's this?" asked Arthur as he moved to the young girl.

"Sire, we found her wandering the courtyard. She told us she needed to speak with you," answered Sir Kai.

Arthur looked at the girl before beckoning her forward. She looked like she'd been in a war. The girl looked down nervously and started to shiver slightly. There was no denying that she was terrified.

"Merlin, can you fetch a change of clothes and a decent meal," ordered Arthur "The rest of you leave us."

Once they were alone, Arthur crouched down to the height of the girl.

"What's your name, child?" he asked.

"Evie, your grace," said the girl, curtsying.

"You may call me Arthur. Now, you don't have to be afraid. Just tell me what happened."

"My village… An army came, sire. I woke up to screaming and…and burning. My family, I couldn't find them. I escaped through a window and I ran. Everywhere, the whole village was on fire and the soldiers were killing everyone. They chased me, sire. I…I thought I was going to die, too."

"You're safe here, Evie, I give you my word. What happened next?"

"The king, he caught me. I was the only one left. They murdered everyone else, my family, my friends… He gave me a letter and told me to give it to you. I ran, sire. I don't know who he was."

When she'd finished, she handed a letter to Arthur. He examined the unbroken seal; a black snake: Lot. He slipped his finger through to break it and unfolded the crumpled letter. Evie stood to the side as he read it quickly.

At that moment, Merlin rushed back in and handed Evie one of Gwen's lavender dresses. A trio of maids followed him and with Arthur's command took the young girl to guest chambers and arranged for a bath and a hot meal to be brought up.

"Arthur, what's the letter about?" asked Merlin, seeing it clutched in his hand for the first time.

"It's Lot," replied Arthur "He says that unless I return Morgana and her children, then he will declare war on Camelot."

"You're not going to give them back, are you?"

"No, of course not, Merlin. Morgana, she's… I will not let him hurt them again. No, Lot's gone too far."

"So you plan on going to war?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm planning to do. He burned one of Camelot's villages, which alone breaches our alliance."

Arthur crumpled the letter in his hand and let it fall to the stone floor before leaving the chambers and summoning his most trusted knights. He had a war to prepare for.

Morgana awoke alone in her bed. She guessed it was around midday from the sun that filtered in through the gap in the curtains. The sleep had been the most restful she'd had in years, ever since she was shipped away to become Lot's bride in fact. For once, no nightmares had plagued her and she'd dreamt of happier times; times when she and Arthur were free to spar and climb and run.

Deciding that she had lain for too long, Morgana got out and went over to the basin, splashing cool water on her face to waken her up. She went over to the wardrobe and rummaged through. Eventually, she found a blue gown which looked her size and slipped it on before brushing her hair and braiding it tightly.

"My lady," said a guard at the door, bowing as she exited.

"Where is Arthur? I wish to speak with him," said Morgana.

"My lady… The king is in a council meeting. He does not wish to be disturbed by anyone."

"And what is this session on, sir?"

"His grace said you were not to be worried by it."

"What could be so important that he does not want to be disturbed or that he doesn't want me to find out about it?"

"My lady, I am instructed to keep you here until his liege returns. I will fetch you anything you need that is within my power…"

Morgana couldn't be bothered with the ramblings of the guard and swiftly pushed him out of the way and tore off down the corridor, her shoes clicking rhythmically off the stone. Guards and servants alike stared at her in confusion but no-one tried to stop her.

When she reached the council chambers, she found the doors unguarded. She pushed them open and stepped in, skirts trailing behind her. The occupants of the room all drew their swords until they saw who it was and sheathed them again.

"Morgana," said Arthur "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Well, I have to find out some way. What's going on?"

"Morgana, this is no place for you. Go and rest. I'll visit you when we are finished here."

"You're going to war, aren't you?"

There was a deafening silence as everyone shifted under her penetrating gaze.

"You are aren't you?"

"Morgana, I need to protect you and your children. If that means war…"

"I'm not going to let thousands of people die for me and even more lose their homes, their livelihoods. It's me Lot wants. So I'll go back to him."

"You will not. You mean too much to be Lot's toy to be played with when he desires and then tossed away. You deserve better than that."

"Arthur, your concern is touching. I couldn't be more grateful. But I'd rather be with Lot than innocents die because of me."

"He'll execute you, Morgana. You've defied him. You think he'll just let it go."

"He won't kill me or he'll know you'll start a war."

"Ok, so he'll torture you instead. He'll lock you in a dungeon when he feels like it."

Morgana was fast running out of excuses and she tried desperately to think of a reason that would make Arthur see that war wasn't a good idea.

"I can't fight on two fronts, Morgana. Please, just accept it," said Arthur, gently.

"I need to sacrifice myself for the people. You would do the same."

"You are not leaving this castle until the war is over. Don't make me lock you in your chambers," threatened Arthur.

"You're as stubborn as a mule," responded Morgana with a smile.

"As are you."

"I will stay here, Arthur, if you promise to keep me updated with the war. I have as much a right to know as anyone of you. But the children cannot know."

"Of course, Morgana. Now, go be with them. I will come to you as soon as possible."

She beamed at him and then at Merlin who stood behind the young king and nodded her heads to the people in the room before taking her leave.