A/N: Thank you so much everyone for the reviews! Reading what people think seriously makes me so excited.

Chapter 10: Urien Rheged

He was the loveliest thing that Morgana had ever seen. He was just perfect in every way. He had a beautiful face with pale, green eyes…her eyes…and dark, curly hair just like her hair…hadn't Gaius said the baby would inherit most of the father's traits? Although that could mean…

No. Morgana wasn't going to let any negative thoughts steal her joy.

She had named him Ywain simply because she liked the name. A long time ago, on a cold winter evening, she had sat on her bed with Gwen and they had talked about boys and children and what they would name those children. Even then, Morgana had stood by the name Ywain.

Back in Camelot, Morgana had many beautiful gowns and pieces of exquisite jewelry. She had many materialistic things. But now she had something that was really, truly, and undeniably hers.

She had Ywain now.

/

Merlin was no expert on babies, but he was quite sure that Ywain was one of the calmest babies he had ever seen. As he sat against the cave wall in the soft light of the flickering torch, he cradled the small baby to his chest while Morgana slept soundly.

He couldn't take his eyes off of him. He couldn't believe that he had helped bring him into this world and he also couldn't believe that he was evil. How could something so tiny, so innocent, so beautiful…be so damned?

Most of the time, Ywain kept his eyes closed and slept. Every once and awhile, he would open those pale, green eyes and look up into Merlin's dark blue ones. And Merlin would smile softly down at him until Ywain once again closed his eyes and slept once more.

/

Gwen didn't think she had stopped smiling since the baby had arrived. She was so happy for Morgana and she was so happy everything had gone so well. She was proud of Arthur for being such a supportive coach and she was so proud of Merlin for delivering the baby single-handedly without her or Gaius.

Gwen had been unbelievably frustrated when the fog had separated her from Merlin and Morgana. And she had been so relieved to find Sir Leon some time after. Together, they had physically and mentally stumbled their way up the hill, looking for the cave. After about an hour of getting lost, backtracking, and somewhat succeeding, they heard Morgana's screams and that's how they knew they had were where they were supposed to be.

Merlin and Arthur had left to talk to Sir Leon, who was guarding the outside of the cave, so she could help Morgana clean up.

"Look Gwen," Morgana had said, looking up at her with a genuinely happy smile. "I got a Ywain after all."

Gwen smiled even wider (for she was already smiling before) and put a hand on Morgana's. "That you did. That seems so long ago. I can't believe you remembered."

"I never forgot," Morgana said, looking back down at her new son.

After awhile, Merlin, Arthur, and Sir Leon came in and they all sat around the fire, as they wondered what to do next.

The very thought scared Gwen. Obviously, they couldn't go back and live under Uther's nose. Gaius had said that the child would grow up unnaturally fast and Uther would know it was magic.

But Morgana had to go back to Camelot eventually. She couldn't stay away forever.

"I must return to Camelot and see to my father," Arthur said, breaking the silence that had hovered over them. "Sir Leon will stay with you all and make sure that you stay safe."

"Where are we to go?" Morgana asked and Gwen studied Arthur's face. By the look in his eyes, she knew he didn't have the slightest idea.

Arthur stared into the fire, thinking, before shrugging. "You can't stay here, that's all I know."

"There's an inn not far from here, isn't there?" Merlin suggested.

Arthur turned to his manservant. "How do you know that?"

"I did come this way when I first traveled to Camelot," Merlin reminded him.

Arthur turned back to the fire, clearly muddled that he hadn't thought of such a plan. "You're smarter than you look, Merlin. An inn it is, then."

Morgana nodded her agreement and Gwen leaned against the cave wall, trying not to feel distressed. She hated not having a plan.

"We leave in an hour, by dawn's light," Arthur announced, turning and giving her a meaningful look.

Gwen tried to take solace from it.

/

When dawn greeted them with its lovely, haunting, pink glow, they were all standing at the mouth of the cave. As the cool, morning air wisped over her skin, Morgana held her baby closer to her. It was still wrapped in Merlin's red neckerchief, along with a blanket, and was set in a unique cloth sling fashioned by Gwen, which went around Morgana's neck.

They all stood in silence, unsure of what to do. Morgana knew Arthur would be leaving them at any moment.

"What direction is this inn of yours in, Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"North," Merlin said confidently, pointing. "That way."

Arthur nodded.

"I think," Merlin added.

"Merlin!"

At that moment, there was a rustle in the woods and the sound of approaching footsteps. Morgana took a step back and her guard immediately came back up as she held her baby tighter.

A cheerful, dark-haired man emerged from the forest greenery. Morgana noticed that he didn't look to be much older than Arthur, although there was something extremely…old about him. Perhaps it was the way his dark hair covered the sides of his face and his chin. Or perhaps it was the expression in his strange light blue eyes, which were flecked with red. He wore a sword strapped to his back and black leather all over, which creaked when he walked.

The others immediately moved closer to her and the baby.

"Ah, a damsel in distress!" said the man as he came forward with his fancy walking stick.

Morgana narrowed her eyes and held even Ywain closer. "I am no damsel in distress," she retorted.

"Forgive me," the man said with a smile, as he extended his hand. "I am just not used to seeing such a lovely lady in the depths of the forest. The name's Urien Rheged."

Morgana hesitantly took his hand. "Morgana Pendragon."

With a surprised look, Urien dropped to his knee in a bow. "Forgive me," he said again. "I did not realize I was in the presence of the Lady Morgana and…" He peered up at Arthur from under his heavy eyebrows. "Prince Arthur."

Arthur gave Sir Leon a distasteful look and muttered out of the corner of his mouth, "On second thought, perhaps I should stay with you."

"Not to be brash," Urien said, getting back to his feet. "But you look like you are all quite lost. Maybe I could be of assistance?"

"We're fine," Arthur said firmly. "We were just about to be on our way."

Urien nodded. "Of course. I trust you know your way, then."

Sir Leon looked at Arthur uncomfortably. Arthur shot a look at Merlin, who shrugged.

Tightening the reins on his horse, Arthur cleared his throat. "Actually, if you could direct my friends here to the nearest village and inn, that would be most helpful."

"Inn?" Urien asked, his strange eyes gleaming. "Nonsense! Since you are so close to my home, I insist you be my guests."

"We couldn't impose," Morgana said quickly. Although he seemed to be a bit strange, he also seemed friendly enough. "There are far too many of us."

"Not at all!" Urien pointed his walking stick north. "There is plenty of room for all in my father's kingdom."

Arthur blinked a few times. "Your father's kingdom? Then you are a prince?"

Urien bowed to them again. Morgana tried not to wrinkle her nose. It was quite possibly the most dramatic bow she had ever seen. "Urien Rheged, son of Cynfarch Oer," he announced proudly.

Arthur bowed stiffly in respect, as did the others. "My apologies, Prince Urien. I did not realize we were so close to Hen Ogledd."

"So close you could practically touch it from here, my friend!" Urien boomed, before lowering his voice and winking. "But really, I insist. I invite you all to come stay with me until you must be on your way again."

Morgana turned to Arthur, who still looked skeptical. "We have nowhere else to go," she whispered to him.

Arthur nodded. "My father has never had ill ties with King Cynfarch and his kingdom. They've been nothing but civil."

He turned once more to Urien. "I must return to Camelot immediately. But if it is no burden on you or the king, I would accept your offer and be most grateful to you."

"No burden at all," Urien assured him. "We would be honored."

That was how Morgana found herself back on a horse and on her way to yet another new destination. Since there was a shortage of horses because two of them had ran away during the previous night's fight, she shared a horse with Merlin, and Gwen and Sir Leon shared the other horse. They followed Urien, who marched forward enthusiastically with his walking stick.

Morgana sat calmly behind Merlin, cradling Ywain. It was a safe pace because although Urien walked like a man on a mission, the horses could go slowly and at their leisure. And after only fifteen minutes, they exited the comfortable shade of the forest and stepped upon a green hill that overlooked a beautiful castle and city, even larger than Camelot. The white stone sparkled in the sunlight and people, tiny as ants, bustled everywhere.

As they descended the steep hill, Morgana held tightly to Ywain with one hand and grabbed a fistful of Merlin's jacket with the other. She was filled with delirious hope. Perhaps this would be a true sanctuary, a place for her and her son, at least for now.

Who knew? Perhaps she wouldn't even want to leave.

/

Fourteen hours later. It was incredible what fourteen hours could do. In the span of fourteen hours, Morgana had left a dreary cave and come to a stunning castle, gotten the best sleep she had in years, spent some quality time with her new baby son, became best friends with Urien's father, and become the primary reason for Urien's father to hold a grand ball.

That was how fourteen hours later, she was standing in front of a golden-rimmed mirror in her new, dark blue gown. Her gigantic belly was gone and her figure was back to normal. But she felt different. It wasn't just the baby that she was holding on her hip now. It was something inside. Perhaps it was the intense urge to love and protect something more than herself. She had always been selfless and cared for those who were less fortunate, but this was an entirely new level.

One of the grand things about the grand ball was that she knew absolutely nobody besides Urien and his father, and of course, Gwen, Sir Leon and…Merlin? As she looked around the enormous, pristine ballroom, Morgana could see no sign of Merlin. It was odd that he wasn't there, but perhaps he just didn't care for this sort of thing…

/

Merlin leaned against the balcony railing as he watched the ball through a clear window that was so large that it took up an entire wall in its immensity. Although he probably should have been inside enjoying the festivities, he didn't care. He liked it much better outside.

He didn't know what it was, but something about the entire situation unnerved him. He didn't entirely trust Urien or his father. He didn't understand how Morgana had become such fast friends with them, but then again, he hadn't seen Morgana this happy since…

…since he didn't know when.

He watched now as she slowly made her way around the perimeter of the ballroom in a dark blue gown with Ywain on her hip. Merlin could hear the loud music through the window and could see that Morgana was keeping time with the music, waltzing with her baby, oblivious of everything and everyone else.

The baby had already seemed to grow. He wasn't as tiny as he had been that morning.

It was at that moment that Urien appeared, wearing his ridiculous golden cape, and tapped her on the shoulder. He held out his calloused hand and said something that Merlin couldn't hear. He didn't care to hear it, either.

Morgana looked to be on the verge of rejecting him until Gwen appeared and held out her arms, apparently offering to take Ywain. Merlin watched, unimpressed, as Morgana danced with Urien, gliding around the floor and around other couples. He tried to become numb to the uncomfortable feeling inside him. When he got sick of seeing them, he turned and looked out at the landscape instead, wondering how Arthur's journey had gone and how Uther was.

Arthur would no doubt tell Gaius about the baby. Gaius would know what Merlin's choice had been.

Merlin didn't know how long he stood there, staring up at the moon, but he suddenly felt a presence. He waited as he heard the soft tapping of footsteps and then turned to his right and looked down. Morgana was leaning against the railing, looking out across the land.

"I knew I didn't see you in there," she said teasingly. "Is there something out here that is much more appealing, Merlin?"

Yes, Merlin thought grimly. Everything. He had been at enough parties in Camelot as a servant to know that he sure wouldn't fit in as a guest.

"It's just…" Merlin frowned, not sure how to put it. "…nice out here," he finished lamely.

Morgana nodded in agreement. "It is beautiful."

They stood in companionable silence for a few minutes, before Morgana straightened and turned to him. "I never got to properly thank you, Merlin," she said as she looked up at him sincerely. "What you did for me this morning was incredible. I am eternally grateful."

Merlin let the smallest of smiles make an indent in his cheek. "It was worth it to see…" To see what, Merlin? "…to see how happy you've become this past day."

Morgana's face broke into a smile that practically radiated joy. "You're a great friend, Merlin. What would I do without you?"

Merlin wanted to point out that if he hadn't been there, Arthur sure wouldn't have delivered her baby – or would have had a heart attack in the process of trying - but kept that to himself. It wasn't a question that was meant to be answered. He instead smiled back at her, fully this time.

Her smile disappeared suddenly as she looked down at her hands, which were fidgeting with the silk of her gown. "I heard everything that the filthy dog said to you last night," she said quietly. "And I hope you know that he was wrong, Merlin." She looked back up. "Status means nothing."

Merlin tried to keep smiling for her, to let her know that it hadn't bothered him, but failed miserably. The smile disappeared as quickly as it had come and he looked out across the valley, feeling the sting of the dog's words return.

"I wanted you to know that I will always be your friend, Merlin," Morgana added. "No matter what happens. For better or for worse."

Merlin felt his heart rise as he turned back to her. "Thank you, Morgana," Merlin said honestly. "That means a lot."

Morgana smiled, patted his hand, and turned to leave. Just before she could go through the fancy glass door, Merlin turned quickly.

"Morgana," he called and she looked back at him.

"You will always find a friend in me," he told her quietly. "Always."

The corners of Morgana's mouth twitched up in the smallest of smiles. "Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin turned back to the moon, feeling much better. He was replaying Morgana's thoughtful words in his head, when he heard a rustle in the bushes below him.

The sound didn't seriously alarm him. It was probably an animal of some sort. Leaning over the railing, he reached his hand down to look. And that's when a hand shot out of the bush and grabbed his wrist, pulled him over the railing. He landed inside the huge, feathery leaves of the bush with a thud. Rubbing his sore side, Merlin looked to see the source of his fall.

He saw Arthur leaning against the wall, grinning at him.

A/N: I know this chapter wasn't nearly as exciting as the last, but there is some important information disclosed in here. No worries, in the next chapter, everything will get complicated again. I hope the interactions between Morgana and Merlin seem real. For some reason, I feel like I have a hard time writing them. But with the ball scene, I was imagining just a lot of awkward smiling going on...you know how Morgana has that certain friendly smile she bursts into at points and Merlin just has that quiet smile that is sometimes goofy but sometimes totally serious? Yes. It's complicated.