Morgana sighed. What was it with Uther and hating magic no matter if it was used for good or bad? She had saved Alethea's life and what reward had she got? Imprisonment in the dungeons whilst Uther battled with his conscious as to whether he could kill the girl he had raised like his own daughter for the past ten years. She knew that his fear of magic would probably win so she would be executed, but she was determined that she wouldn't go without a fight. It was about time that the people of Camelot heard just how much of a tyrant their King was. Many people were longing for Arthur to come to the throne and Morgana could not blame them. At least Arthur would be a fair, wise and just King where the punishment would fit the crime unlike Uther who executed anyone who even mentioned the word magic. Such a stark contrast between father and son, Morgana mused. Arthur may have been brought up by Uther but he wasn't like his father at all. He would make the perfect King she reckoned, and Alethea would guide him. Of this Morgana was certain.
Pacing her cell, Morgana refused to cry. It hadn't come as any surprise that she had been found guilty at her trial. In fact, she had known it all along from the moment that she had been arrested. She knew that the King hated magic even though this wasn't exactly the same as sorcery. After all, she hadn't hurt anyone. She had only dreamt of things that had later happened. She hadn't been able to stop these dreams, no matter how much she wanted to. They had given her many a restless night and no matter how many potions Gaius made her take, she always ended up having nightmares. So many times she had woken screaming and Gwen would have to comfort her. So many times she had seen things happen in her dreams, only for them to happen in reality. She had used some of these to her advantage, saving Alethea was one of them. She knew that she had been putting herself at great risk by warning the Princess and now she was being punished for looking out for a friend. She doubted that her friends would do the same for her.
Sitting down on the straw covered floor, Morgana rested her back against the cool stone wall and realised that the last time she had been in the dungeon, she had been surrounded by children, women and few men whilst Nimueh reigned above. Last time she had been imprisoned she had believed Arthur dead and Gaius had told them stories of long ago to keep them from worrying. Now though there was no one apart from the traitor who had tried to murder Alethea. Morgana couldn't believe that she had been right that the girl would try to kill her, but to now be trapped in the same place… Well, Morgana didn't like that. It was hardly fair to be treated the same as a would be murderer. Staring at the other wall of her cell, Morgana sighed. It wasn't her fault. She had never asked for the ability to tell the future. In truth it was a horrid thing to have. She had dreamt so many things and there were times where she simply could not tell the difference between dream and reality. But no matter how hard she tried, the dreams just would not leave her. She would not be rid of them it would seem.
Hours must have passed by but Morgana could not tell. There was no natural light for her to tell whether it was day or night as they were deep beneath the castle, but Morgana guessed that it was probably night time. The people of Camelot would all be tucked up in their beds whilst she sat wide awake in the cold cell. She could hear the scurrying of rats and she just prayed that they wouldn't appear in her cell. It wasn't that she was scared of them, far from it, it was just that she didn't like them. Her ears pricked though when she heard footsteps and hushed voices in the corridor. Getting to her feet, the dark haired girl peered through the small gap in the door and caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye. Hearing cursing, Morgana realised that it wasn't guards moving about but it was Alethea and she had keys in her hands. Did she not know the risks of what she was about to do? If she was caught then she would be punished, and badly judging by the mood that Uther was in. Assuming that the Princess was rescuing her servant, Morgana moved from the door and went to sit back down, only for the key to turn in the lock and her door open. Smiling in thanks at Alethea, Morgana was touched to see Gwen and Merlin standing with a horse ready. There was no sign of Arthur though which annoyed her, but she knew that the King would probably have had words. Thanking them all for their help and hugging them all, Morgana mounted and rode out of Camelot, knowing that she would not be able to return for the time being.
As dawn broke over the forest, horse and rider came to a halt and Morgana allowed the horse to rest whilst she had breakfast. Opening the bag that Gwen had handed to her, she felt her eyes water a little as she found that the maid had well and truly thought of everything. Smiling slightly, she sat on the soft forest earth and bit into the flesh of an apple, savouring its sweetness and was content to listen to the bird song. As she was doing this, she noticed her horse begin to get a bit nervous. Morgana took a deep breath, glancing around the clearing but finding nothing out of place. She was certain that she was not alone though. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
"Who goes there?" she asked but received no reply. Calming herself and telling herself that it had probably just been a deer or something, she took hold of the horse's reins and followed the forest track for a while.
It was midday when she saw him. Hovering at the edge of the clearing, Morgana had stopped when she had noticed the young boy running around and her heart leapt when she saw who it was: the druid boy. The boy with his deep ocean blue eyes that could pierce the very soul was stood there gathering wood. Morgana made no move, not sure if the boy would recognise her but hoping that he would do considering the strong connection that she felt between them. Waiting in silence and watching him, Morgana realised that by his presence she may just have found herself a way of life away from Camelot. No one had to worry about using magic when you were a druid.
'Morgana' she heard but she didn't do anything. It was good to hear him once more. It was then that she realised that the boy was looking straight at her, his eyes staring into her very soul.
'Do not be afraid. We will not hurt you.' he soothed. Morgana took a step forward, coming out of her hiding place and found herself standing in front of the boy.
"Are you alone?" Morgana asked him, but the boy just shook his head and pointed to the other end of the clearing. Following his line of sight, she saw two men wearing cloaks chatting as they collected wood. She took one look at them and knew what she must do, but as she walked towards them, she was grabbed from behind and dragged away from the place, away from the druid boy…
When she came round a little while later, Morgana found herself somewhere away from the clearing and kneeling at the feet of someone. Blinking a few times, Morgana took in her surroundings and discovered that she was in the middle of some sort of camp. There were tents everywhere with people sat by fires happily talking whilst children ran around playing together. Magic was being used everywhere she looked and she couldn't help but gaze in wonder at these people. They weren't afraid to use magic and they weren't using it for evil either. Looking up, Morgana then found herself staring at a dark haired woman who had bright forest green eyes and wore a fine purple dress, which had seen better days, whilst an amber pendant hung around her neck. Her lips were bright red whilst she wore a cloak of light blue velvet. She didn't look familiar to Morgana but she seemed to be in charge of the people gathered. In fact, what on Earth were all these magical beings doing gathered here not that far from Camelot? Surely they weren't all druids?
"I know why you are here Lady Morgana" the woman said softly. "You have been disowned by King Uther Pendragon and found guilty of witchcraft. Now you seek shelter."
"I do." she confirmed, deciding it best not to lie.
"Then I have a proposal for you."
"And what would that be?"
"You join us." the woman stated simply.
"But who are you?" Morgana asked
"You are like us and we are like you. Like you, many of us can see into the future."
"You are magic?" she asked, just to confirm what she was seeing was true and not a trick of the mind.
"All of us gathered here are magical in some shape or form."
"But why are you gathered here?"
"To finish work not completed." There was a flash of hatred in the woman's green eyes.
"And what work would that be?"
"Tell me something Morgana, would you ever like to return to Camelot again?"
"I would… But why?"
"Do you wish for magic to be legalised?"
"I do not know."
"Do you despise the King?"
"I dislike some of his policies, but I do not hate him. He may be ruthless at times, but he is not heartless." Morgana said, shaking her head.
"Even though he has cast you out and wanted to have you executed? Even though he has persecuted anyone who even dares mention magic?"
"Magic killed his wife. He has a perfectly legitimate motive…" she explained.
"Shall I put this another way Morgana? If I told you the real reason why we were gathered, I'm afraid I would have to kill you. Now, as I am a fair woman, I will allow you to shelter here with us but only if you do something for me…"
"What is it you ask of me?"
"You join us and you may stay with the druids. I see you already have an attachment to the boy Mordred, but in return you must do what we ask, no questions asked."
"What will you ask of me?"
"Do not question me." the woman snapped, her voice filled with scorn. "Will you join us?"
"I…" she hesitated, spotting the druid boy Mordred standing to one side. She felt so strong a connection, she was so close to him and she felt very maternal. She couldn't leave him now that she had found him again. Besides, it wasn't as if she had anywhere else to go and it was highly unlikely that this mass group of sorcerers would simply let her go free.
'Please Morgana' she heard Mordred's voice in her mind once more and she looked at his wide pleading eyes. How could she refuse him? How could she leave him so soon?
"Or let me put this another way." the woman snapped, getting very impatient. "Join us…or die!"
