Disclaimer: Don't own, darlings

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Merlin sat by the campfire lost in her thoughts. Her eyes watched the dancing flames as she wracked her brain for answers. That had not been the Morgana she had known, why would she kill Uther? He had raised Morgana, she had his ward, he had been nothing but generous. What was she supposed to do? Merlin could hardly save Uther. Uther had taken everything from her, save her Mother and Mordred, not for lack of trying either. In Uther had his way she and Mordred would be nothing but ash now, mixing into the creeks. She bit her lip. But did Uther's crimes mean that she should knowingly let him die? Was it her place to decide such things? Merlin was no weakling, if she so wished, she could have overpowered this Tauren and his men easily. Mordred, sensing her unease probed her mind with his own.

'Emrys, let me in.' Merlin stiffened.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Merlin let down the walls she had put up. Mordred's mind bled into her with a touch of his hand. She watched Mordred's eyes glaze over as he saw what she was thinking of.

'You're thinking of Uther's fate.'

"How can I not? I don't know what do to do. Uther will be betrayed by Morgana, he'll be killed by sorcerers. What should I do?"

'Nothing.' Merlin's whole chilled on those words.

"I can't just let him die!"

'Why not? He has killed thousands of us, he killed our tribe, my father. He made it so we can't be safe!'

"It doesn't make it right to kill him. We fall to his level!"

'So long as that monsters lives, we will never be free, Love. Thereat of death will hang over our heads for all time. Once he's dead, magic can return!'

"I was never meant to murder!"

'We'll be free if he's dead Emrys. We'll never have to fear him!'

"But…. I'm not meant to kill like that, in cold blood."

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Morgana entered Uther's dining hall. The atmosphere was tense. Morgana walked to his side as she had so many times, apologizing for her actions, lying through her teeth. She played to Uther's weaknesses appealing to his heart and emotions, bringing up the suffering of Gwen. Then she went in for the kill. Morgana spoke of her father. She watched Uther grow desperate as she spoke of the betrayal he had suffered at Uther's hands. Once she had him worked up and upset, Morgana struck up the fake tears and choked up. She turned away ginning to herself. Soon she would no longer fear Uther as a witch. A witch, Morgana could hardly wait to tell Merlin that she was free, her and Mordred, no longer living in fear.

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'Emrys, you're upset again.' He whispered through their minds

"I know I should just let justice take its course but Mordred, I don't know if it's the right thing to do."

'Arthur will become King, isn't that what you want?'

"Yes, I want that. I want to be able to walk as a witch, and not be persecuted." She hissed, her fingers toying with the end of her braid. Her eyes lowered, deep in thought.

'Then what's the problem?'

"I know that we all hate Uther, but Camelot has flourished in his rule. And, is Arthur ready to rule?" She leaned back a bit.

'We'll know soon enough.' Mordred sat down next to her.

"Even if we told him, we know what he'd do." She whispered.

'I know.' He plopped against her side, like a puppy, his voice was flippant.

"I don't know if I can trust him with this decision. And worse, what if he finds out that I knew and let his father die, he would never trust me."

'He would forgive you; he'd forgive you for anything. Uther had done so much wrong to us. Could he blames us?'

"Mordred, can I ask something of you?"

'Of course, Emrys.'

"I want to make this decision myself. The kingdom's fate has always been in my hands. And Mordred, what I want I for you to support me, when I make it."

'Always.'

"Do you swear it? Even if you don't like it, will you trust my judgment?"

'Yes.'

"Thank you." She kissed his forehead, lingering far longer than normal, desperate for the comfort their melded minds gave.

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Uther played right into her hand. Morgana had not lied about her pain of being reminded of her father's death. He came apologizing trying to smooth her ruffled fur. He soothed Morgan with his affections. Morgana took advantage of his fatherly affections toward her. She smiled and accepted his apologies, taking the opportunity to strike. She suggested going her Father's grave. It was poetic justice. Uther would die on the grave of the man he killed with betrayal. It was perfect.

She gave Tauren the news that night.

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In the end, Merlin decided to tail them as she continued her decision. She cloaked herself in her black wolf form and followed the scent of Morgana when she sensed them coming toward the woods. She knew exactly what was happening now. Mordred shifted into a snake and coiled around her neck and shoulders. She trailed behind them, dodging between the trees staying just out of sight and earshot, well, to them anyway. The more she thought of it, he more she couldn't help but think \Uther should not die. For all had Uther had done, Merlin did not wish him dead, she wished no one dead. Merlin knew that one day she would have to kill for Arthur's sake, but she could not let Uther die. Letting Uther die made her no better than he, a murderer. She was Emrys; she was life, not death. It was not her place to decide Uther's fate. That had been decided long ago. The more she thought, the less she could think that Uther deserved to die. In reality, Uther was a pathetic scared man, and when the time came, Merlin would make sure that he would realize the horrors he had committed. Besides, Arthur would hate the magic folk if they killed his father, it would solidify his hatred and Albion would be lost. Mordred felt her thoughts and while he wasn't pleased, he made it clear that he would help. The more she thought the faster her legs moved to keep up. They had gotten ahead of her while in her doubts.

By the time she caught up entirely, the guards were already dead. She growled and dashed up the hill following the scents of the men that stalked Uther and Morgana. These men had killed guards, men who had done no true wrongs. Merlin decided it was justification to use deadly force against these sorcerers. She saw them stalking up the hill and dashed off through the grass, waiting to surprise them. Merlin snuck behind a tree, where two were standing. She shifted into her human form and summoned lighting with a thought, knocking out both men. Whether they were alive or dead, Merlin hardly cared. Mordred slithered around her thinner neck to get more comfortable.

She continued up the hill, searching for the last of Tauren's men. She did not notice Tauren himself standing with the mage's stone in hand. It was too late, she saw him and summoned the lightning again, only for him to catch it in the stone and throw it back at her. Merlin was thrown backwards and knocked unconscious on impact. Mordred shifted back, crying over her unconscious form. He glared at Tauren.

"Are you going to fight me too boy?"

'You will not be forgiven for this, but I will not fight you. Emrys wants to save Uther, I disagree.' His breaths seethed through his teeth, he looked a rabid beast ready to pounce.

"Emrys." Tauren questioned, his brows raising.

'Serve her, in return of the betrayal you have dealt her. Kill Uther and I will hold no grudge. Kill him, so we may be free.' He watched for Tauren's reply while cradling merlin's head in his lap, sending faint healing magic to her. Tauren nodded.

"Give her my regards and apology." Then he left. Mordred looked at his sleeping love. For now he would leave her to sleep. Mordred had to see the monster die.

Mordred watched from behind the trees as the Tauren attempted to stab the King. The king blocked his attack and wrestled him to the ground. Morgana was shouting "no" over and over again, had she not wished for his death as well? She was kin to himself. He didn't notice his Merlin rise and hurry to meet Uther's attacker. Mordred watched in surprise as Morgana came up behind Tauren and stabbed him in the back. He didn't know what to think, not at all. Merlin came up behind him, her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and faked a smile, masking his disappointment from her. They watched Uther and Morgana hug, ending the quarrel, Merlin hoped it was for good.

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"Mordred, were you going to let Uther die?" She asked, once they were back at their amp, warming themselves by the fire.

'What do you mean?'

"You were going to watch him die." Mordred did not look at her, he looked away, seemingly in shame.

'He killed Father. I can't forgive him for that. I don't know how you can. Do you think me ugly now?' He looked up at her pleadingly, real fear flooded through him at the thought of her being disgusted with him.

"No! Never! I'm sorry. I've been horrible, Little Love. I thought only of my own thoughts. I did not consider how you felt and for this I am sorry. I should be more supportive, as your future wife. Forgive me?"

'Of course Emrys, I promise that in time we'll get better at this. I'm not angry with you, nor you with me. Let us be happy with that. I love you.'

"And I you." She kissed his forehead, cradling his tiny head in her hand.

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Princess: So that's that. I feel like sorcerers would have heard of Merlin just by word of mouth, since she is EMRYS something greatly overlooked in the show, only a handful know what Emrys is, and I feel like there were many times he could have pulled rank and gotten his way or at least scared off anyone weaker.

Reviews:

sKyLaR KnIgHt: Well going to Arthur is a guaranteed chance that Uther would live and she wasn't sure that was what she wanted. Besides, Merlin didn't tell anyone in the show either.

Narutoske: Classic way to get kids to eat.

Hitomi65: Thanks

GingerGeekGal1796: He'll come about slowly.

Trufflehead: I hope it does again.

Guest: Here.