Morgana woke up tied to a tree. Well partially tied. Arthur and Merlin were still silently working to finish tying the knots. Morgana started thrashing fiercely, trying to get out of the strict grip.

"What the hell are you doing? Have you gone mad?" She yelled, squirming.

Arthur didn't even glance at her, determinedly tightening the knots. Merlin gave her a quick glance and then averted his eyes.

"You really didn't think this through, did you? You're going to just leave me here? In the middle of the woods? What if some wild animals comes and eats me? And I can't do anything because I'm bloody tied up!"

Arthur tested how tight the rope was and nodded in satisfaction.

"Arthur! Listen to me!" She screeched in irritation. "What if someone happens to stumble upon me? Then I'll definitely get kidnapped." She slammed her fists against the tree in anger. "What if you guys can't find me? And I starve to death? Really, Arthur this is the stupidest plan in the book. You can't really be considering this!"
Arthur grunted in frustration and bent down next to her, eyes blazing. "What the hell do you want me to do Morgana? Hmmm? I cannot take you with me. If something happened to you-" He rubbed his face, and then slowly met her eyes. "I would never forgive myself."
Morgana sighed and stared back at the blond prince. "Arthur. You can't always protect me. It's not your job."
"Yes it is. And I always will." He said this so matter of factly, she felt her heart melt.
She smiled against her will. "I know that." She sighed. "So that's why I can come with you. Because you'll be there to protect me. But if you leave me here, you won't be able to."

He didn't speak for a long moment and then sighed in defeat. The ropes came off and they were soon on their way. They didn't talk about it again.

When the castle was finally in view, the three friends looked at each other. It was decided they would have to go through a cave to get there in time.

As they tramped through the woods, Arthur stopped them both, pointing at some bushes.

"Those berries will help disguise our scent." He'd mentioned creatures that dwelled in the cave, they only relied on their sense of smell to hunt their prey.

Morgana raised an eyebrow, "What, you want us to rub those berries all over us?"
He nodded and grabbed a fistful. Merlin made a face. "They smell terrible. I'm not putting that stuff-"

Morgana laughed as Arthur smeared Merlin's face with berries.

Merlin shot a look at her, obviously hearing her giggle and walked forward menacingly. He looked ridiculous with berries plastered to his face and she couldn't help but laugh even more.

She stopped laughing when the berries decorated her own face.

The cave was damp and dark, and they all reeked of the smelly berries. They walked in silence, trying not to walk too noisily.

Arthur led the way, closely followed by Morgana with Merlin trailing behind. After a few minutes of walking Merlin stumbled, and they both turned to give him an exasperated look. As Arthur opened his mouth to chastise him, everyone fell silent. A squeaking sound echoed throughout the area. Arthur pointed to a large rock and they followed him behind it.

Breathing heavily, they squatted behind the rock, waiting. They didn't have to wait long. A huge mole creature made it's way over to them, sniffing loudly. They all stopped breathing as it slowly walked towards them.

It had a huge wet snout and she desperately wanted the creature to leave. They were going to die.

It clambered over to them, closer and closer, until it was nose to nose with Merlin. Morgana barely stopped herself from stiffening and she could see the terror on Merlin's face. It sniffed once more, and then turned away and slowly left.

She breathed a shaky sigh of relief and realized she was clasping Arthur's hand so tightly there were nail marks on his hand. They glanced at each other briefly and quickly withdrew their hands. Merlin didn't notice. "Did you see that? I almost died! Brilliant plan, Arthur!"

Arthur finally broke his gaze and clapped Merlin on the back. "Good job, Merlin. Now let's go!"

He turned and they followed him.