"I can't do it. I can't."

Merlin eyed the poison titled "hemlock" sitting on Gaius's shelf. Killing Morgana was unthinkable, but what other choice did he have? I could tell her the truth about myself, try to reason with her. See what she knows. Merlin held his head, wanting to shake this off like a bad dream. But it wasn't a dream. If he didn't hurry back, all would be lost. Without any more thought, he grabbed the vial of poison, despising himself every second. As Merlin rushed back with the clothes to disguise Uther, he felt a hand grab him.

"Merlin! Where have you been?" Arthur looked none too pleased as he pulled his servant into the room. The sound of approaching footsteps caused them both to peer around the corner. Morgause and the Knights were moving quickly.

"We have to find somewhere safe to bring my father," Arthur whispered hoarsely. "Quick, tell Morgana and be ready to move him!"

As Merlin entered the room, he avoided Morgana's probing eyes. "I was worried about you. You were gone so long. Where's Arthur?"

"Finding a safe place for us to bring the King."

"Thank you for not saying anything to Arthur about me. You're a good friend…you always have been."

This isn't making things any easier. Merlin felt more than a twinge of guilt as he fingered the vial of poison inside his pocket. He nodded. "Anytime."

Arthur burst into the room. "We have to bring my father to a safer place where Morgause can't find him."

"Morgause is here?" Morgana said the words so softly, but Merlin heard them.

"You're not surprised?" he asked casually.

"I am…surprised."

They quickly moved Uther into a smaller room. Merlin noted Morgana's distressed state as she restlessly paced the floor. Arthur rubbed his eyes, forcing himself to stay awake. Merlin was beginning to feel the toll of the curse as well…he had never felt such an overwhelming urge to lie down and sleep.

"It's…the potion Gaius gave her. It must be," Arthur said between breaths.

"Yeah. It must be," Merlin responded, loud enough so that Morgana could hear. Turning from the window, she glanced back at him. There was so much fear in her eyes…how could she possibly know the extent of what was happening?

It took no time for one of the Knights to discover them. Morgana screamed and clutched Merlin's arm as the gruesome, statue-like figure swung at Arthur. "Protect the King—get him out of here!" Arthur yelled.

Merlin and Morgana hastily pulled on the sheet that they had laid Uther on. Dragging him on the floor, they slid him across the hallway to the throne room. A huge, luminous figure was the last thing they wanted to see chasing after them. Morgana gasped in horror and frantically began pulling even faster. Merlin was so intent on getting the King to safety that he didn't realize it had suddenly become much harder pulling Uther.

"Merlin!"

Whipping his head around, he saw Morgana backed against a wall. The Knight had his sword raised high above her. Merlin froze for a second—he desperately wanted to help her, but running back could mean certain death for all of them. He had to keep going. Yet how could he let her die like this? Gritting his teeth, Merlin rushed forward and grabbed Morgana's hand. To his shock, the Knight lowered his sword and tilted his head strangely at her, but ferociously swung at him.

"Quick, get up!" Merlin shouted.

Morgana obliged without a second thought. As they continued to pull Uther, the Knight caught up in no time. The sudden clanking sound of metal surprised them both—Arthur hit as many deft strokes as he could upon the Knight, but he didn't even dent its armor. He momentarily lost it by hitting it full force on the side, causing the Knight to fall down a long stairwell. Once they were safely inside the throne room, Arthur and Merlin barred the doors. Arthur persisted in questioning Morgana about the "potion" she had received from Gaius. Bewildered, she could offer no help on the subject.

"Arthur, we can't get it now anyway," Merlin said.

"We have to do something!" Arthur kicked his boot against the door.

As Morgana watched the two interact, she felt a sense of guilt and terror. This was all her fault. The Knight wouldn't touch her…it must have known she was special somehow. That something…or someone…was protecting her. She smiled to herself as Merlin slapped Arthur to prevent him from falling asleep. Their banter was something she would never tire of listening to. Panic rose up in her as Arthur braved the Knights' wrath and slipped outside.

"Merlin, Arthur doesn't stand a chance out there."

"I know," Merlin stated grimly.

"We have to do something!"

"I know."

Morgana noted Merlin's withdrawn behavior curiously. Why was he behaving so strangely? He must be overly concerned—that was it.

"Let's strip these sheets and make rope out of them," Merlin suggested.

Morgana nodded and quickly got to work. Merlin's pulse began beating rapidly—he knew now was the best time to get the deed done. Hands sweaty, he turned his back and poured the hemlock in a pouch of water he had brought with him. "H-here. Have some water. You must be thirsty."

"No, I'm fine. Thank you."

"You need to keep your strength up, Morgana."

"Really, I'm fine."

Frustrated, Merlin ran his fingers through his hair. What could he do now? The sounds of metal hitting against metal were growing louder outside. It was only a matter of minutes before Morgause and her Knights would reach them. Slowly, Merlin turned around and pretended he was taking a sip of the water. He thrust the pouch in front of Morgana's face again. "Here, you drink the rest before it's gone."

Morgana smiled and gave in. "Alright. Thank you, Merlin. You're always so kind."

As she raised the poison to her lips, an overwhelming sense of dread filled Merlin. Feeling like a coward, he turned, unable to watch her. How could he live with himself after this? What was he doing, deceiving her in the worst possible way?


***Before anyone kills me, I do have the next chapter written. I was originally going to post it altogether, but it would have been way too long of a chapter. So I would like to go through that half once more to proofread it, then it will be posted. Promise! Thank you for all of your kind reviews!***