Here is the next part. On time like I said. Remember the next part that will be up is the last one, so enjoy it while it lasts.

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Part Fourteen

The sun was just starting to set when Morgana finally reached Queen Annis. Men were starting to pack tents and supplies as Morgana walked through camp, but the Queen's tent was as it was before. She was showed into the tent immediately and greeted the queen with a respectful bow. Being proud wasn't going to help her win over the Queen.

"Rise," Queen Annis said sitting in her temporary throne.

Morgana rose and looked the Queen in the eye. "My lady," Morgana began.

"Is the boy dead? Has Arthur killed him?" the Queen questioned.

"Not quite, my Lady, but if you just give me a little more time-"

Morgana was cut off as Queen Annis stood. "I'm sorry to hear you failed me, but the deal is over. We will be leaving tonight," the Queen said definitively.

"I know he will die, just one more day and-"

"I said no Morgana. Even if he does die soon, it changes nothing."

"I don't understand," Morgana said shaking her head back and forth. She couldn't accept that it was too late. She had to have the Queens help. She was getting desperate.

Queen Annis took a few steps towards her. "You see Morgana, the question was never whether or not Arthur would kill the boy. I don't care either way. The reason I went along with your silly game in the first place was to see if Arthur was like his father. If he was, the boy would have died long before this. Given how much time has passed, and the fact that he is still alive means Arthur is at the very least giving him a trial, which makes him very different from his father, and worthy of my respect."

Morgana took a step back in surprise. "You're wrong. He is just like his father!"

"No Morgana, I'm afraid you are much more like your father than he is. Gorlois would be rolling in his grave if he could see you now."

Morgana felt like she'd been slapped in the face. How dare she say that about her father.

"You're wrong. Arthur has tricked you, mislead you," Morgana said, doing her best to hold in her anger. She needed this alliance. She needed it more than she would have cared to admit.

"Arthur was not the one to have mislead me. It was you. You are consumed by bitterness Morgana. It spreads within you like a disease. In my grief, I let you infect me with your hate," Queen Annis said, pity in her eyes.

"That is untrue," Morgana said, disgusted with the supposed regal Queen. She had to remind the Queen why she should fight against Arthur, along her side. "Have you forgotten how Arthur killed your husband? Do you not deny that you sought revenge?"

"Yes, I sought revenge," the Queen freely admitted. "But that does not mean it was the right thing to do."

Morgana laughed. She couldn't believe the nonsense the Queen was sprouting. Sounding as though she was better than her. Morgana would give it one last go. She would try to wound her pride, wound it enough to make her help her. "You are weak, Annis. As I thought you were. Go ahead. Make peace with Arthur, but I will not rest until all of Camelot bows before me," Morgana said as condescendingly as she could before turning to leave.

"Morgana," Queen Annis called.

For a brief moment, Morgana thought her goading had worked, but when she turned around, she saw she was wrong.

"Your bitterness has made you alone, and while you may not realize it, you will always be alone. I pity you, Morgana," Queen Annis said slowly and sincerely.

Morgana was enraged that she would pity her of all people. She did not need her pity. She needed no one, at least that's what she told herself.

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Merlin stood awkwardly as everyone in the room looked at him.

"Arthur," Merlin whispered. "Why are they all looking at me?"

"Because the door is still locked, Merlin," Arthur replied amazed at Merlin's stupidity, though he couldn't blame him after all that had happened.

"Ohhh..." Merlin sounded with realization. With a flash of his eyes the doors unlocked and opened slowly.

Councilors filed out one by one speaking to one another as if it was just another normal day in Camelot. Once nearly everyone was gone, Merlin turned to Arthur.

"So why in the world did you think arresting me would help them see that magic was good?" Merlin asked a little angrily.

"If I could get them to see I was making my own decisions, decisions you would never in a million years make, then I could prove you hadn't enchanted me. And if I could prove that, then they would have to listen to me. You might have been down there for a while, but nothing bad would have happened to you. Maybe people would even stop trying to kill you."

"Or I'd be a sitting duck," Merlin retorted.

Arthur frowned. He hadn't thought of that. Then he shrugged. "Everything worked out for the best," he said walking off.

"For the best? I don't think so," Merlin said chasing after him. "You're not getting off that easily!"

Gwen and Gaius laughed quietly together.

"It looks like everything will be just fine," Gwen said to Gaius.

Gaius just smiled. "That is if Merlin doesn't turn Arthur into a toad first."

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Agravaine had been sitting in his cell, wondering when Morgana was going to come for him, to kill him, torture him, or as Agravaine hoped, rescue him. But as the sun went down, he realized she would not be, that was until he heard footsteps descending towards his dingy cell. He feared seeing Morgana, but found himself disappointed to see Arthur. Again. He didn't bother standing.

"Agravaine," Arthur called.

"What is it you want, Arthur. I don't need to explain myself to you, so you might as well give up," Agravaine said, hardly looking at his nephew.

"I just thought you wanted to know that Morgana stopped by."

That got Agravaine's attention. His head snapped towards Arthur and studied him. He didn't look injured much other than a bit of dust on his clothes and a small, almost unnoticeable, cut on his throat.

"She tried to kill Merlin," Arthur continued. "I was hoping you might know the reason as to why."

Agravaine just smirked and looked away. He wouldn't tell him anything. It was the only thing he could really do for Morgana now.

After waiting a few seconds Arthur scoffed. "I didn't think you would be willing to tell me anything. No matter, but would you like to know your fate?"

Agravaine slowly turned his head back towards Arthur. He was a little curious after all.

"Let me guess," Agravaine said. "I die tomorrow at sunrise," he said smiling. It was what he expected after all. What everyone expected.

Arthur just smiled, and that made Agravaine nervous.

"No Uncle. I'm going to keep you here. Let you rot. You don't deserve death, and maybe the years will wear you down, until you agree to tell me everything. But seeing as it could take some time, I will take my leave," Arthur said turning around and walking away.

Agravaine stared after him in horror. He hated waiting. And it sounded like he had a lot of waiting to do.

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There's that. Hope you liked it. I know this is almost over, and I've already started writing my next Merlin story. I won't post anything until it's done or at least almost done, so don't expect anything too soon. I'm only on the second chapter, but I would appreciate it if you read it when it gets posted. Thanks for all the reviews too. They keep me going.