So good news, bad news with this prompt. Bad news: It's the last until May. I hate to do that but I'm leaving at stupid o'clock tomorrow morning and won't be back till the 30th. I'm finally getting to go on a trip that doesn't have anything to do with my family's work and we have a packed schedule.

Good news though: This story's over 3k words! And I'm very proud of it, I've been wanting to post it but I thought it would be best to leave it until now. Plus I have 5 (ish) more prompts already done plus another oneshot so I'll post again just as soon as I get home.

So until then, enjoy this!


Friend

Morgana was properly scared out of her mind even before Merlin burst into the room she hid in. The worried scowl on his face did nothing to reassure her. Though his face did brighten when he saw her unharmed. She quickly pressed him for what he knew of the situation.

He and Arthur were the only ones to survive an attack by the knights of Medhir, he told her. Soldiers had been on their heels the whole ride back, and they'd arrived to find everyone unresponsive and the citadel open and vulnerable to attack. There was no obvious reason as to why and they'd split up to look for anyone who might still be awake.

Her heart sank when he said he was in the dark as to the cause of the people's condition. She'd really hoped she'd been wrong.

Taking a deep breath she met his eyes. "Merlin I need your help. I think.. I don't know how but I think I know who is causing this."

"Who? Tell me," He urged.

"Do you remember the woman who came to Camelot disguised as a knight and challenged Arthur to a duel?"

Merlin's jaw tightened and she swore she saw his eyes flash briefly. "You mean Morgause. Yes I remember her all too well."

She was taken aback by the anger in his tone and swallowed hard before continuing. "She came to see me then. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew her from somewhere, but she denied it. She was kind to me, gave me something to help with my...my dreams. And when she contacted me a few weeks later I didn't see any harm in continuing the association."

"No harm?" Merlin hissed. "She nearly tricked Arthur into murdering his father."

"Would that be so wrong?" Morgana snapped. At Merlin's shocked expression she hurried on. "Uther's murdered thousands of innocent people, he's cruel and has no mercy for those who contradict him, it doesn't matter who they are. Have you forgotten the week Arthur spent in the dungeons for daring to save your life? The world would be a better place without him and you know it."

Merlin's eyes flashed with anger but he shook it away. "Even if that were true, what does it have to do with all this?"

"Morgause visits sometimes. Despite what you think of her she's helped me where no one else has. She called for me last night, out in the Darkling Woods. I went to her we talked for a few minutes. Something was off about her manner. She was just as friendly, said she would take care of things, but it was like she was keeping something back. Then.." She shook her head. "I don't remember what happened. It was after midnight when we spoke and the next thing I knew it was morning and I was still in the middle of the forest. When I got back to the castle, everyone I spoke to was exhausted. Then one by one they fell asleep. Everyone, the townspeople, the guards, Gwen, I tried to find help but everywhere I went it was the same thing. Then I heard someone coming and I panicked. That's why I was hiding. This can't be coincidence, I..I think.."

"Morgause cursed Camelot, and she used you to do it," Merlin finished. "It's perfect really. You're the king's ward, you go everywhere about the town and castle. And anyone who gets near you falls asleep. With you doing her dirty work she can march her soldiers right in and no one gets in her way. Well, no one except me and Arthur."

"And me!" She exclaimed. "I mean it. I didn't know, I swear I didn't ask her to do this! I didn't know she was planning an attack!"

"Innocent people are going to die because of this! Have died actually. She's got a pack of immortal soldiers out there!" He was leaning in close to her and his anger was disconcerting to say the least. It took her a minute to settle her own.

"Merlin please, I didn't want this!" She stated calmly albeit still shakily. "I've only ever wanted Uther to pay for what he's done. She told me he would pay for the crimes he's committed against his people. She didn't say anything about killing anyone else."

Merlin pinched his nose.

"You have to believe me!" she pleaded. "I don't want Arthur or Gwen or anyone else to suffer for my mistake. I'll do whatever it takes to stop this Merlin, I will!"

The young man in front of her sighed and shook his head slightly. "As will I," he said. Turning around he headed toward the door.

"Where are you going?!"

"Gaius has a book about everything. Now that we know a spell's causing this, there may be a potion or a stimulant of some kind we can make to wake people up. At least that way they can find shelter."

"I'll come with you."

"No." Merlin thought quickly, "The longer I'm around you, I can feel the spell starting to work. Besides the further into the castle you are when the attack starts, the safer you'll be. Arthur's gone to look for the king. If I see him I'll tell him where you are. Stay here until one of us comes for you."

"You won't tell him about..?" she asked tentatively.

"Not unless I have to," he answered. "You got played Morgana, but that doesn't mean this is any less your fault." She flinched prompting him to soften his tone, "Make up for it by helping out now. And you have to promise me that if we live through this you will never seek Morgause out again."

Morgana frowned, "Merlin she's my family."

"So is Arthur," he retorted. "He loves you and trusts you, and he would never betray that trust by tricking you into becoming a pawn to be used against the people you love."

Tears filled her green eyes but he didn't take back his words. Their gazes locked for a long time before it finally became clear to her he wasn't going to budge. If she wanted to fix things between her friends it would have to be on his terms. A few of the tears escaping down her cheeks she nodded, "I promise."


Arthur had come for her soon after Merlin left, saying he needed her to guard the king while he tried to fight off the soldiers who'd made it into the citadel. That's when the strangest thing happened.

Left alone once again, Uther completely at her mercy, Morgana found she had a strong reluctance to kill him. It wasn't from a fear of punishment, she was safe enough there. Merlin would know she'd done it of course, but it'd be his word against hers and Arthur would never stand for the accusation. No it was more than that...

Before her agitated pacing could come up with an answer Merlin returned. He was unhurt but looked as though he'd been through a battle nonetheless. He stared at her for what felt like hours, a question burning in his red rimmed eyes. One of his hands rested subconsciously in his pocket, as if he had an answer there he didn't know if he wanted to use. His gaze drifted over to where the king was sitting slumped against the table, unconscious but alive. Morgana thought she saw a flicker of relief in his blue eyes but it was gone before she could fully register it.

"Well, did you find an answer?" she asked impatiently.

"There's no way to wake everyone while the curse is still active. We have to lift it or everyone will be stuck like this."

"How do we lift it?"

Merlin looked away unable to hold her gaze. "This has happened only twice before that I could find. The first time the sorcerer lifted the spell on his own, the other-" his voice choked off.

"What?" Morgana moved to his side, taking his arm in an effort to understand his distress. "Just tell me," she murmured.

He sniffed and finally looked at her. "The other time-" he cleared his throat, "the other time the person anchoring the spell had to die."

She quickly seized onto the first option he mentioned. "So when Morgause comes, I'll tell her I didn't agree to other people getting hurt through her plan to stop Uther. I'll ask her to remove the curse, she'll do it if I'm the one to ask it of her."

He wasn't convinced. "I hope so, otherwise…"

"You'd kill me?" Morgana was incredulous.

"No! But deceiving her and getting away with our lives is going to be tricky. She's going to have to believe her actions have put you in danger," he explained. "If we can get her to think you're dying or will die because of the curse she might lift it to save you. I have something that might work but you'll have to be convincing."

He finally pulled his hand out of his pocket and held it out to her, a tiny glass vial just visible in his fist. It takes her less than a minute to decipher what he's not saying. Morgause will have to believe Morgana will kill herself if she doesn't do what her sister asks.

She swallowed hard. "You're asking me to choose Uther over my sister."

"I'm asking you choose what's right over what's easy. The Morgana I know would understand that. She'd do the right thing, never mind the consequences. How can we judge Uther for letting innocents die if we're willing to do the same?"

She wished he hadn't put it so bluntly but couldn't argue the point. Squeezing her eyes shut against more tears she tried to think of what to say to Morgause while Merlin got the king out of sight.

It wasn't not long before they heard the pounding of several sets of boots on the stone floor outside. Merlin grabbed a spare sword and tucked himself behind the curtain leading to the room's antichamber. They both knew the sword will be useless against the Knights of Medhir but he privately thought it might prove adequate cover for his magic. At least for a few seconds.

"Remember I'll only have 20 minutes to get the antidote in you," he said watching her spin the vial in her hand. "Don't take it unless you have to."

"Antidote?" She asked.

He gave her a half smile, at last looking a bit like his usual self. "I don't want you to die Morgana. I believe you're wrong but I don't turn my back on my friends. Not if they don't turn their backs on me."

She met his eyes, the beginnings of gratitude on her face when the doors fly open with a bang. Morgause strode in, blonde hair and blue cape flowing freely, flanked by two of her knights. Her brown eyes swept the room eagerly, stopping when they come to rest on Morgana standing pale and determined in the middle of the room. A triumphant smile played on the sorceress' lips as she moved forward arms outstretched.

"Ah, I've found you at last sister. How are you enjoying the fruits of all our hard work."

Morgana shook her head stepping back from her embrace. "This is not what I had in mind when I said I wanted to end Uther's tyranny Morgause. Innocent people are suffering from this plan of your's."

The older woman's smile didn't falter. "You have a kind heart sister. But I assure you if there were another way it was lost to us long ago. Sometimes we must do things that are..distasteful in order to get what we deserve."

"Distasteful?" Morgana arched a brow as her sister moved away from her toward the window. "Does that include making me the basis for a spell without my consent? Tricking me into harming those I wish no harm to come to."

Morgause turned back a slight frown creasing her brow. "Sister I assure you I meant you no harm. The sleeping curse needs an anchor it's true, but there is no need to concern yourself with the details. And anyway this is the best way to save lives. My knights and I entered the city with no resistance, no one stood in our way so no lives needed to be lost." Morgana didn't answer and Morgause took her hands again. "I see I have frightened you, and I'm sorry for it."

"But people are resisting Morgause. I've heard sounds of battle even from this room. Arthur is still out there, he will not give up his kingdom willingly."

"The prince is no threat to us," the blonde sneered. "My knights will crush any petty resistance he comes up with. All you need do is be around him a few minutes. No one can resist the spell for long, once he's asleep putting an end to him will be easy."

From the corner of her eye Morgana could see Merlin beginning to sway on his feet, giving credence to Morgause claims. He was well hidden but if he collapsed now the others would be sure to hear. And they'd show him no mercy. She had to end this now.

"We don't need the spell to kill Arthur," she said, praying the disgust she feels over those words doesn't bleed through to her voice. "No one is strong enough to defeat your army. We've accomplished our goal, you can lift the spell."

The frown returned to the older woman's face. "Morgana, it can wait."

"No it really can't." Her frustration made her tone harsher than she intended.

"Sister we are too close to our goal-"

"Your goal Morgause. I don't want to be a part of this any longer. I want Uther gone but I want peace for Camelot, not oppression. I need you to lift the spell." She forced an appealing smile on to her lips. "Please? For me?"

Morgause looked uncertain for a moment, then she sighed. "I hoped you would be stronger. I care for you Morgana, I do. But I can't let you interfere with my plans. One day you will understand why such measures are necessary." She gestured over her shoulder and the two soldiers moved toward Morgana.

One reached for her and Morgana jerked away, snatching the vial from the sash of her gown. "You're wrong Sister, that is the one thing I do understand." She lifted the vial to her mouth, downing the poison in one gulp. Immediately a fire began to burn in her throat and her vision blurred. Feeling her knees go weak she slowly sunk to the floor.

The last thing she heard was a crash and the sound of someone screaming her name.


Morgana awakened slowly to a pounding head and the sound of soft footsteps. Slowly she lifted her head enough to look around. She was in her own room, Gwen puttering about cleaning and setting the room to rights. She turned just as Morgana started to sit up and immediately rushed to her side.

"My lady! I'm so glad you're alright. I was so afraid!"

"What happened?" Morgana tried to ask.

"You've been unconscious for an entire day," her maid answered arranging a pillow behind her.

Morgana frowned. "What happened, where is everyone? Are you alright? Arthur and Merlin?"

"We're fine. Everything is alright. The sorceress is gone as are the knights. Everything is ok."

"What happened? I don't really remember...? Morgana trailed off not sure what story Gwen's heard.

"Merlin said Morgause attacked the two of you and-" Gwen's cut off by a knock at the door. At her mistress nod she went to answer.

"Prince Arthur."

"Guinevere." Arthur cleared his throat awkwardly and peaked around the door. "Morgana, I only wanted to see if you were alright."

"In a manner of speaking," Morgana answered. "Come in." He did so as Gwen slipped out to get Morgana some supper. "Is Merlin with you?"

"I'm here." The man in question said as he entered the room on his master's heels.

"My memories are a little fuzzy, what happened?"

"Merlin tells me you two were reckless fools taking on the sorceress without backup," Arthur answered.

"I most definitely did not say it like that," Merlin huffed.

Arthur ignored him. He spoke with a scolding edge to his voice. "He says you managed to catch Morgause off guard when she broke into the room and in return she knocked the two of you on your heads with her magic. You know you could have been killed Morgana." He looked at her expectantly and she managed a nod as though confirming his words.

"The bright side," Arthur continued after a moment, "is that what you did managed to wound her badly enough that she no longer had enough strength to support the spell. By the time I got to you the soldiers had returned to death and she had fled." He gave her a half smile. "Father's calling you a hero and I can't disagree with him. As much as it pains me to admit it."

"I helped," Merlin quipped. "Did he call me a hero too?"

"Shut up Merlin." Arthur retorted. Merlin rolled his eyes behind the prince and Morgana smiled, then yawned.

"You're tired still," the prince acknowledged. "We'll leave you to rest. Come Merlin."

"Merlin wait." They both turned to look at her and Morgana thought quickly. "I would like some water."

"My chambers when you're done." Arthur ordered. Merlin nodded and he went out.

Merlin poured a cup of water from a pitcher on the table and brought it to Morgana's bedside. She accepted it and took a long grateful sip, grabbing his wrist when he started to step back.

She rested the cup on her nightstand and looked up at him. "What really happened?" she asked her voice low and urgent.

"After you…" he cleared his throat, and matched her tone. "After you swallowed the poison, Morgause panicked. It was as if she couldn't process what was happening and didn't know whether to be heartbroken or furious."

"That's strange, she always seemed so collected before."

Merlin shrugged. "I can't explain it. Between losing control of her soldiers and trying to heal you with her magic, she was distracted enough for me to get a piece of her with one of the swords. She's strong enough for it not do any permanent damage," he added seeing the conflicted expression on her face. "But seeing me just added to her confusion. We could hear others coming by that point and Uther was starting to stir. I think she realised she was outnumbered. She called a whirlwind of some kind and vanished. I had to rush to get the antidote in you before the others arrived. It started working, but you were still unconscious so I had to make up a story as to why. Everyone swallowed it, especially when Gaius told them you'd be fine with enough rest."

"So Gaius knows everything now?" she asked somewhat bitterly.

"No, he doesn't. He knows what poison you took just so he could confirm that you'd have no more trouble with your recovery. But I won't tell him why we did what we did."

Her frown turned questioning. "Why would you keep it from him?"

He sighed. "I've kept things from you too, and he's kept secrets from both of us. Right or wrong we make choices. Mine haven't always been the best, his haven't always been the best, helping Morgause definitely wasn't your best." He shrugged again and squeezed her hand. "You do something, and if it's wrong you do what you can to fix it. You've made up for your mistake. Why should I hurt everyone by blabbing about it? That's not how friends should behave, and I meant it when I said you're my friend."

She looked at him for a long time before smiling softly. "I'll never take that for granted again."

He smiled back, then turned to go. Once at the door he hesitated, looking back over his shoulder, "Morgana?"

"Yes?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it again shaking his head a little. "I'm glad your back."

The familiar words settled something inside her. They were simple and at the same time not, each one holding a little regret for the past and simultaneously a promise for the future. She wasn't quite sure if hers said the same thing to him but she repeated them anyway.

"Thank you Merlin."