Chapter 13: Dragon's Peril III: Unlikely Aid
Author's Note: Sorry about the super late update (whoo, 2 month delay), but I went on a holiday shortly after my exams, and for some reason, I can never write while on holiday. Never the less, I'm back for now, and I have some interesting plans ahead for my fic. Sadly, I haven't quite reached the time period I really want to write about yet, but hopefully I'll get there soon.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! As per usual, please tell me if you've found any flaws in my story, or if there was a particular bit that you thought was unnecessary filler. Remember that I love all your reviews, and I look forwards to reading every single one.
Morgana watched with an indifferent gaze as Merlin downed the entire goblet with one swift motion; inside however, her mind was a storm of panicked thoughts. She prayed that her dreams were wrong, that there would be nothing wrong with the wine. Yet she knew that such hopes were foolish; the dreams were visions, past events have shown her that much. Whoever it was that poisoned the wine, she was almost certain that it was not Morgause. Her sister would gain nothing from killing Merlin. Someone else had uncovered Merlin's secret, and now he was doomed. Her greatest fear was that they would come after her as well. A part of her knew how selfish her thoughts were, but even if she wanted to save Merlin, there was nothing she could do for him. She needed to ensure that she would not go down with him.
As Merlin slowly lowered the goblet, she could see a spark of shock in his eyes. To her great surprise, he was still standing. For a moment she allowed herself to hope; perhaps her dreams had only been the fearful thoughts of a restless mind.
"It's fine," said Merlin in a surprised, but relieved voice.
"He's all yours," said Uther with a scoff as he turned to Morgause.
Before Morgause could say anything, Morgana seized the opportunity she would have to defend the idiotic manservant. It seemed that she was wrong after all; the cup was not poisoned, but that did not mean he was in any less danger.
"My lady, surely you don't intend to do any permanent damage to Arthur's favourite servant," said Morgana in a smooth voice.
"He's not my -," began Arthur in an indignant voice, but she instantly turned her icy gaze to him, silencing whatever words he was about to say. The idiot prince quickly realised that Merlin's life hung in the balance on his word. While Arthur may not like Merlin all that much, he would never allow an innocent to die for nothing. At least, that was what she hoped; past events have proven than she was not the best judge of Arthur's character.
"Well he is a capable servant," said Arthur at last. "And I think a death would ruin the atmosphere of peace we are trying to achieve here."
"Perhaps a lesser punishment is in order; something that he'll never forget," said Morgana in a voice that was as dispassionate as possible. While she wanted to save Merlin, she needed Uther to believe that she only did so to further his plans. Besides, it would not be good if people thought she cared about the boy; the lords would have no qualms to use him to gain an advantage over her, no matter how slight it could be. Worse still, they may even discover her greatest secret through him; her fate would be sealed the minute that happened.
With a start, she wondered why she bothered to save Merlin at all. Now that she had a 'sister' who was also gifted with magic, she could learn from another, someone who was no doubt far better at keeping secrets. The boy was a danger to her very existence; half the time he did not even do as she asked. It was only a matter of time before he did something disastrous. Every rational thought led her to one single conclusion, that she should simply allow the boy to die. And yet for some reason, she could not bring herself to condemn him.
"What did you have in mind, my lady Morgana?" asked Morgause curiously, cutting off her thoughts.
"Twenty lashes should suffice," said Morgana. "After all, we don't want him rendered incapable of fulfilling his duties."
"He did accuse me of poisoning the prince's wine," said Morgause with a predatorily stare as she turned to Merlin, who stood still as a rock, knowing that his life was hanging in the balance. "A false accusation as great as this should not be let off so lightly."
"Perhaps not, but I'm sure that you understand that mercy is an admirable trait," said Arthur in a calm voice. She had been counting on this; it was Arthur who could save the boy, and fortunately he had risen to the occasion; she had not misjudged him this time. "He's just a boy who probably had one too many drinks at the tavern before the feast."
"Very well sire, seeing as you are so fond of the boy, I will spare his life," said Morgause with a smile. "Twenty lashes it will be; I hope he will not soon forget them."
Morgana breathed in with near invisible relief as she heard her sister utter her statement; she had been holding her breath without realising it. As the guards dragged Merlin away, Morgause stopped them with a wave of her hand.
"I believe you're forgetting something boy," said Morgause with an chiding tone.
"Thank you my lady, for showing mercy," said Merlin in a somewhat bitter voice. Morgana winced inwardly as he spoke his words; it would be better if he had simply acted confused. He really wasn't bright at all.
"Do not thank me," said Morgause with a smile. "You should thank the Lady Morgana and your Prince; if not for their words of counsel, your head may well be rolling before dawn."
Morgana did not hear Merlin's words as she stared impassively at her sister, who returned her gaze with a nearly imperceptible nod. While others may simply view Morgause words as deference to her hosts, Morgana knew differently. It was a threat and a message, and she had a feeling her sister was going to use Merlin to get whatever it was that she wanted.
Morgause watched with interest as Uther's guards dragged the servant out of the hall; it was very odd indeed that her long lost sister would care about the fate of this inconsequential boy. Although she had only known her sister for a short while, it was clear that the woman was ambitious and prideful. She did not seem like the type to have flings with servants and thus endanger her position in court; there had to be something about him that was unique. Her thoughts were interrupted as Uther broke the silence in the hall; the boy could wait. For now, it was far more important to focus on the matter at hand.
"Now that the unpleasant business has been dealt with, I would like to make an announcement," said Uthe. "In order to secure the peace between our two realms, I would like to join our houses in blood and name."
"Your Grace, while I'm sure my king would value such an alliance, I'm afraid it will not be possible," said Morgause with faked subservience. She wasn't sure where this was going; Cenred had no daughters, and neither did Uther. Surely Uther did not plan on marrying his son to one of Cenred's distant relatives?
"It is a pity that King Cenred does not have a daughter, but that does not mean a union cannot go ahead," said Uther with a knowing smile. "Tell me, does Cenred value your advice?"
"It could be said that I am his own real advisor, your Grace," said Morgause. "The lords around him prefer to let the king do what he wants, lest they incur his wrath. My role is to tell him the truth."
"I thought as much," said Uther. "He would not have sent you on this most delicate of missions if he did not trust you. To that end, I feel that if you were to join my house, then it would be a good step towards peace between Essetir and Camelot."
Morgause eyed Uther with an impassive stare, but even she could not keep the shock out of her eyes. This marriage with Arthur could gain her position beyond even her wildest imaginations. No doubt Uther planned to use her to his own ends, but she was not so easy to use. This unexpected opportunity could even bring her onto the throne of Camelot itself!
"Your Grace, I am of noble birth, but the prince is far above my station," said Morgause in her most humble voice, scarcely able to contain her excitement. "However, if you sanction this union, how could I refuse?"
"Then it is decided, you will marry my son in due course," said Uther firmly. "For now, let us celebrate the peace that is finally within our grasp after so many decades of war."
Morgause could not help but notice the horrified look on Arthur's face; it seemed that his father's proclamation had rendered him speechless. As she sipped her wine, she could not help but smile at the turn of events. Unknown to Uther, he may have just signed over the kingdom to her.
His body sent him a silent scream of protest as he was forced onto his knees upon the cold stone platform, it almost felt like his knees had been broken on impact. It was the very same execution platform he had seen when he first entered the city. Fortunately, they were not here to execute him; but that did not mean he had to be grateful for the situation he found himself in. Not for the first time, Merlin cursed his own stupidity; why had he believed Cara in the first place? He doubted that was her real name at all, but what he did not understand was why she wanted him dead. In fact, he probably would be dead if Morgana had not intervened, but even so, he could not help but feel a little bitter all the same. She could have made his punishment lighter if she wished; no doubt that she had chosen to punish him for failing to listen to her commands.
"People of Camelot, it brings me no joy to say that we are gathered here to met out the King's Justice," Uther said in a powerful voice. Merlin couldn't believe that once he would have believed every word that came from someone who looked as noble as Uther Pendragon. It was funny how authority once made him feel safe; now he knew that behind every noble face lurked dark secrets.
"This man has falsely accused the ambassador from Essetir of trying to murder my son; this grave crime would have been met with death, but the Lady Morgause has chosen to show mercy. He will be given twenty lashes; we can only hope that this servant will have learned his place. Begin."
As the whip began to descend, he glanced towards the balcony where the lords sat. He spied Morgana out of the corner of his eye, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flash of pity on her face. His thoughts were cut in half when a searing pain, as hot as burning metal, and colder than ice in the winter cut into his back. His vision darkened for a second as he screamed out in agony, only to have the second lash silence his voice with the force of the blow. A dark haze slowly obscured his senses, and yet he was still vaguely aware of the crowd jeering at him as the whip was raised yet again.
Nimueh walked through the darkened halls, keeping her head down as she did so. It was laughable how easily one could move about when you were dressed as a servant; the guards didn't even give her a second glance as they went about their duties. As much as she didn't like debasing herself with menial tasks, she had to admit that it made things far easier than it would have been otherwise.
As she thought back to the day's events, she had to admit that not everything turned out as she had planned. In a perfect world, Merlin would already be dead, executed at Uther's hand. Unfortunately, Morgause had somehow taken it into her head to spare the boy. It was a curious development indeed; Morgause was not one to take pity on a common serving boy. She would have to investigate this matter further, after the boy was dead and buried.
She entered the physician's chambers, the smell of blood and sweat permeating through the air. She was relieved that Gaius was not here; she had once been friends with the man, and it would be most unfortunate if she had to kill him. Nimueh walked over to room directly opposite to her, the source of the foul smell in the room.
"Gaius, I would really lik-," began Merlin, but he stopped himself as soon as he saw her. "Cara. What are you doing here?"
"Only what needs to be done," whispered Nimueh as she sat down beside him. She took out a small vial, containing a cool, clear liquid, and saw a flash of fear from Merlin's eyes.
"Don't worry, it will be relatively painless," said Nimueh quietly. She easily removed the cloth that bound the boy's wounds. Merlin tried to resist, but he was still weakened from his ordeal, and she was far stronger than she looked. She poured the venom into his open wound, allowing the liquid to seep into his blood, paralysing him and infecting the wound with a slow poison. She started at the boy with cold calm as he mouthed something that almost seemed like a word before the light went out of his eyes. He was still breathing for now; she had considered simply slitting his throat, but that just seemed far to inelegant. Besides, it would raise suspicions if Uther learned that someone slit the throat of a servant. It was best if she tried to make his death look natural.
With a final glance at the boy, she left as quickly as she came, leaving no trace of her presence.
Morgana walked purposefully through the halls towards the physician's chambers. For reasons she could not quite place, she wanted to see how well Merlin had fared. Some part of herself told her that this was foolish; someone could be following her, and she could not afford to let anyone know exactly what Merlin's connection to her was. Never the less, she ignored her fears; if someone suspect her motives, she could easily eliminate them if she chose. Being the heir apparent did have its benefits.
She knocked quietly on the physician's door, but heard no response. The physician must not be present, though she had expected Merlin to be conscious by now. She pushed open the door and walked into the empty chambers. The smell of the various herbs the physician used assailed her sense of smell, mingling with the metallic scent of blood.
As she entered Merlin's chambers, the image that greeted her shocked Morgana still. He was as white as he had been in her dreams, his face twisted, as if in great pain. She could smell the rot from his wounds even at this distance.
"Guards!" she commanded as she tried to regain her senses.
"Yes milady?" said a man as he hurriedly rushed into the physician's chambers.
"Find me the physician, bring him here at once. I want you to send another man to bring me the Prince; he will want to hear what I have to say," commanded Morgana.
"At once milady," said the man uncertainly, though he remained where he was, as if uncertain what the problem was. She was beginning to wonder if Uther deliberately picked the most brainless men to guard his palace.
"I gave you orders; please explain to me why you have not fulfilled them yet?" said Morgana with a dangerous voice.
"It's just that I don't know what's going on," said the man nervously. "What should I tell-"
"Tell them I require their presence immediately, or there will be consequences," said Morgana with a thinly veiled threat.
The man hurried out of the chambers, leaving her alone with Merlin once more. She reached out to tentatively touch his hand. She had magic; surely there was something she could do to save him. And yet Merlin had never taught her anything of the kind. She had foreseen this future; she wielded the power to tear someone apart with her mind, but still she could not save one man? It was almost laughable.
"My lady, what are you doin-" asked Gaius as he entered his chambers, but Morgana cut him short.
"Where have you been?" asked Morgana with suspicion in her voice. Through her dreams, she knew that someone had poisoned Merlin somehow, and she could not rule anyone out. Not even the old man. "I would have expected you to stay with your ward while he recovered."
"I just left for a few minutes to gather some herbs; he is in no mortal danger," said Gaius confusedly.
Morgana considered his words; in truth, she had no choice but to trust the old man for now, if he was the one who poisoned Merlin, then it was highly unlikely that anyone else in the city would be able to save him. Well, perhaps there was one other... but could she get Morgause to aid her without alerting her to her own motives?
"No mortal danger? It seems to me that your charge is not doing so well," said Morgana as she regained her composure. Although Gaius did not seem like a man who would try to use Merlin against her, being careful could not hurt.
Gaius moved quickly to check on Merlin's still body, only to confirm what Morgana already knew. She gauged his reaction as well as she could; he seemed shocked, but that did not mean he wasn't acting.
"He wasn't like this earlier," said Gaius in a frantic voice. "Someone must have done this to him while I was away!"
"That much is obvious," said Morgana drily. "But we don't have time to speculate on who. Do you know how to save him?"
"I don't know, and I don't know if we have enough time for me to find out," said Gaius. "But he did say that the cup was poisoned. Perhaps it was a slow acting one?"
At that moment, Arthur walked into the room, wearing a scowl on his face. Perhaps if she was not so concerned with Merlin's condition, she may even have enjoyed Arthur's reaction to his upcoming marriage. But now she had no time for the impertinent prince.
"Morgana, this really isn't the time," said Arthur in a frustrated voice. "I have a lot of things on my mind."
"Your servant is dying," said Morgana briskly. "Given that he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect yours, I would think that you would be more concerned."
"What? What happened to him? Last I saw, he was still perfectly healthy, if a little bloody," said Arthur in an alarmed voice.
"He drank from a cup that he claimed was poisoned; surely even you can see a connection here," said Morgana exasperatedly.
"So Morgause did try to kill me," said Arthur with anger. "I am going to find her and make her answer for this!"
"We cannot rush through this," said Morgana. "We don't know if she was the one who tried to kill you; it would gain her nothing."
"If not her, then who?" questioned Arthur.
"I don't know, but we need to avoid jumping to conclusions; stay here with your servant, I will deal with the situation," said Morgana imperatively.
It did not take long for Morgana to reach the guest chambers; she swept past the stuttering guards outside as if they weren't there. They could prove to be useful, just in case it was her 'sister' who poisoned Merlin. However, she still could not find a good reason why anyone would want him dead. Surely if they wished to use him against her, he would be far more useful alive than dead.
"Lady Morgana," said Morgause in a surprised voice. "I had not expected to see you here."
"Spare me the pleasantries," said Morgana. "I've come to inform you of a rather disturbing turn of events."
"Oh, and what might that be?" asked Morgause in a cautious voice.
"It seems that one certain serving boy has been poisoned. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" asked Morgana in a polite voice.
"He is dying then?" asked Morgause dispassionately, though Morgana could see a flash of fear in her eyes. She knew she had Morgause now; she had to help Merlin now, or she would suffer the same fate as him.
"That he is," replied Morgana. "Now imagine what would happen if he did die. He did accuse you of trying to poison the prince... his death could be very problematic for you."
"Sister, I assure you that I did not poison Arthur," said Morgause. "It would be tantamount to suicide, and I do enjoy living."
"I believe you," said Morgana genuinely. "However, the king will not if Arthur's manservant dies."
"You play a dangerous game," said Morgause with narrowed eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"My Lady Morgause, I only have Camelot's best interests at heart," said Morgana in a sweet voice. "Help me, and this news need never reach the king's ears."
"Very well, I will do what I can for the manservant. Lead the way," said Morgause; Morgana almost swore she saw a flash of a smile, but it must have been her imagination.
Morgause followed her sister though Camelot's halls. The nerve she had astounded her; Morgana had threatened her directly, unafraid of the consequences that could have followed. And yet she had to do what Morgana said. One really did have to admire the way how she knew to bend people to her will without making them snap. If she had any doubts about her true parentage before, she did not have them anymore.
As she entered the small chamber, she spied Arthur Pendragon giving her a murderous look before turning to Morgana.
"You bought her here?" said Arthur incredulously. "For all we know, she tried to kill me."
"i seriously doubt that," said Morgana with a laugh. "As things stand right now, you're not really worth killing. Besides, you're worth far more to her alive than dead."
"That just makes me feel so much better," said Arthur dryly.
"I believe we have more important things to attend to than to watch the two of you argue over my motives," said Morgause scathingly. "Physician, have you learned what ails the boy?"
"His blood seem to be poisoned somehow," said the old man uncomfortably. "I don't understand; I've cleaned his wounds thoroughly before to prevent this."
Morgause slowly examined the wound herself, ignoring the suspicious look the physician gave her. She supposed it would be considered rare for a noble to understand the healing arts, but then again, she never tried to pretend to be ordinary before.
"The wound has been poisoned by a certain venom that speeds up decay," said Morgause at last. "It's hard to detect, but I've seen the effects enough times in my past to know what it looks like."
"You're saying someone poisoned him after he was whipped?" demanded Arthur.
"The implications behind it are more worrying to me," said Morgause. "This poison is not easy to obtain; certainly the amount used is worth far more than a manservant."
"We can worry about who did it later; is there any way to counteract this poison?" asked Morgana impatiently.
"I have heard of such a poison," said Gaius with a sigh. "The Mortaeus flower; the petals have an essence that is devastating once it mingles with the bloodstream."
"Is that what it is called?" asked Morgause curiously. "I have seen it before, but never has anyone put a name to it. What I do know is that the sap of the plant, applied to his wounds, will cure him."
"So what exactly do you do with your knowledge of poisons," asked Arthur sarcastically.
"Do you even need to ask?" replied Morgause with a raised eyebrow. "I don't need you to agree with my methods, but if you want to save your servant, you will need to find that plant."
"Well, where can you find it then?" asked Morgana impatiently. There was something going on here, something her sister was trying to hide. Morgause quickly put aside those thoughts; perhaps she was simply being paranoid. The manservant certainly did not look like anyone she should recognise.
"The plant only grows in the Forest of Balor," said Morgause. "It is a treacherous place; I'd recommend against going there."
"Well, personally, I don't care what you think," said Arthur. "I'll find this plant."
"You wouldn't last for three hours in that forest," retorted Morgause. "What good would it do if you died trying to save your servant?"
"Oh don't make it seem like you care about me," said Arthur sarcastically. "You just want to increase your own standing through this unholy alliance."
"Don't you believe that it is a cheap price for peace between Essetir and Camelot?"" said Morgause with an innocent smile.
"This bickering is pointless," said Arthur with a wave of his hand. "Merlin may just be a servant, but he did save my life once; what sort of man would I be if I did not return the favour?"
Morgause was slowly watching her chance of subverting Camelot from within slip from her fingers with each passing second. There was no other choice; Arthur Pendragon must live, and therefore she had to ensure that it.
"Very well; if you must go, then I will accompany you. It is in the best interests of both kingdoms that you stay alive," said Morgause with a sigh.
"I believe we have reached an agreement then," said Morgana with a small smile. "You need to leave as soon as you can, before Uther gets wind of what you are about to do."
"Unlike you Morgana, I don't believe in lying to get what I want," said Arthur disapprovingly. "I'm going tell him where we're going."
"He would never allow you to go," said Morgana exasperatedly. "Besides, it's not exactly a lie, merely an omission of truth."
"I may not be crown prince anymore, but I am still a knight," said Arthur with a hint of pride. "I'm sure my father will respect me trying to uphold the principles of knighthood, no matter what else he thinks of me."
"That way of thinking is exactly why you lost your position in the first place," said Morgana in a voice that was barely more than a hiss. "Fine, go tell your father; leave it to me to get you out of the castle after he locks you in."
"I will be at the stables when the moon reaches its apex," said Morgause. "Try not to be late."
Arthur Pendragon marched towards the throne room, fully armed and armoured. He did not share Morgana's pessimistic view of his father. Surely he would understand why he had to try and save Merlin.
"Father, I have come to make a request," began Arthur.
"I already know what you have come to ask," said Uther with a impassive voice. "I know that your manservant is dying from his wounds; infection no doubt."
Arthur opened his mouth to correct his father, but closed it as soon as he did; if he did say it was poisoned, who knows what Uther would do? Morgana was right, Morgause would gain nothing from killing him; though he did not like being forced into a marriage, he would not condemn her for a crime she did not commit.
"The physician said he knew of a herb that could save him," said Arthur slowly. It seemed like he became more and more like Morgana with every passing day. It was the truth, just not the whole truth. Even so, it felt wrong somehow to mislead his father in such a manner.
"Then the boy will be fine; I'm sure Gaius can retrieve the herb himself," said Uther dismissively.
"It grows only in the Forest of Balor," said Arthur hurriedly. "I seek your permission, and perhaps a dozen knights to go and retrieve this plant; a field expedition could do our men some good."
"No," said Uther with disdain, as if he thought that the idea was completely ridiculous. "You have already committed treason against me once; don't think I haven't forgotten. I'm not about to let you out of my sight again."
"Father, do you really think I could plot rebellion with a dozen men?" said Arthur, struggling not to let anger cloud his thoughts. Did his father really think that lowly of him?
"Of course not, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be foolish enough to try," said Uther. "No matter what happens, you are still my only son, and it would be unfortunate if I had to kill you. Besides, you are needed here to secure to peace between Camelot and Essetir, or have you forgotten already?"
"Father, I swear to you, on my honour, that I will return as soon as I-," began Arthur.
"Enough, I will hear no more of this foolishness," said Uther. "Guards, escort the prince back to his chambers, and ensure that he does not leave."
Arthur glared at the two men as they walked forwards to seize his arms, causing them to back away. Giving one final glance at his father, he turned to leave the room, the two guards following him with every step.
Morgana waited patiently in a darkened corner of Arthur's chambers; no doubt the prince would be sent back here after his foolish attempt to persuade Uther. She hoped Arthur would not have gone too far and gotten himself locked up in a dungeon yet again; there was no way she could get him out if that happened.
Fortunately, she soon heard approaching footsteps, confirming that Arthur had indeed failed to sway his father with his words. The slam of the door was soon followed by a soft click as the guards locked the doors from the outside. She watched amusedly as Arthur tossed his sword onto his bed in anger before stepping out from the shadows.
"The Prince of Camelot, locked in his chambers like a disobedient boy," said Morgana with a smile as she emerged. "I believe this has to be a new low; at least you were treated as a credible threat last them when he threw you into the dungeons."
"Morgana," said Arthur with shock, which quickly turned into annoyance. "Don't even think about saying 'I told you so.'"
"Since you've already gotten the point, I don't think I need to," said Morgana in her most superior voice possible; for reasons unknown, she had always enjoyed riling up the prince.
"If you're so intelligent, tell me how you're going to explain to everyone why you were locked up in my chambers with me," retorted Arthur. "I think you just ruined your own image just by being in here, O heiress of Camelot. And I might add that soldier's uniform looks ridiculous on you."
As he finished, Morgana pointed to the very long rope she had tied to Arthur's bedpost mere minutes earlier.
"See, unlike you, I never do anything without planning ahead; I knew you would have to escape from the castle unnoticed," said Morgana smugly. "I hope you can fit out of your window."
"I'm not half as fat as you think I am," said Arthur with a growl as he opened his window and tossed the rope out the side.
"And here I thought you were going to help the lady out first," said Morgana drily as Arthur slowly began to slide down the rope.
"For a real lady, I would," said Arthur as he slid out of sight. "I personally think you're much to venomous to be human at all."
She sighed as she too stepped out the window and gently lowered herself on the rope. It was a good thing she was dressed in a soldier's garments, else she would have easily fallen to her death by tripping on one of her flowing gowns. She really did not understand why she even bothered to go through all of this, just to save Merlin, of all people.
Once they had both reached the courtyard, Arthur gave her a strange look, almost as if he was impressed that she had managed to climb down without slipping; as if it was such an impressive feat.
"So we're just going to leave the rope dangling there?" asked Arthur. "That is going to attract a lot of attention once the sun rises."
"Then you best be far away when it does," said Morgana dismissively as she walked as fast as possible towards the stables, all the while trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible. Arthur matched her pace; if no one looked to closely, one would think that they were just another pair of guards on patrol.
"So this plan wasn't perfect by any means," said Arthur smugly. "You're not half as clever as you think you are."
"I had limited resources and time," retorted Morgana. "If you wanted me to send men and comb the city to look for a double to replace you, Merlin would be long dead by that time."
"Morgana, that's an even worse plan than the one before," said Arthur amusedly. "There is no other man like me."
"I suppose you're right," said Morgana without breaking stride. "There's nobody quite so arrogant, irritating, and stupid as you are."
Arthur did not respond, and they soon reached their destination. As per her word, Morgause was already waiting for them, and for that Morgana was glad. Despite everything she said however, she didn't really know what her own reaction would be if Arthur did indeed die while trying to save Merlin. Morgause was a powerful sorceress who had everything to lose and nothing to gain if the prince did die, and her presence on the journey went a long way to assuage Morgana's fears.
"Try not to die Arthur," said Morgana as Arthur mounted his horse. "I wouldn't want to deal with the political aftermath if you did."
"I'm so glad that you care," said Arthur sarcastically. "Make sure my father doesn't imprison me when I get back, and then I'll be grateful."
Morgana gave him a nearly imperceptible nod before turning to her sister.
"I am sorry if I have forced you into this," whispered Morgana. "But rest assured that I bear no ill will towards you."
"I have no taken offense; you are family after all," said Morgause simply. She said the words so genuinely that Morgana almost believed in them. Almost. "But there is something I do not understand; why do you care so much about this one manservant?"
Morgana paused as she slowly considered the question herself. It was one she had gone over several times this night, and none of the answers were straightforward. The only reason she had was that Merlin had helped her to control her powers, and that was not something she was willing to let Morgause know yet.
"He's my informant," lied Morgana. "A manservant hears many things that he should not, and he is the prince's personal servant. Hidden ears can go a long way."
"Indeed," said Morgause with an expressionless mask. Morgana couldn't really tell if her sister bought the story or not. "I will see you soon."
"You two can scheme all you want when I get back," said Arthur. "We must ride now if we want to get out of Camelot before someone notices I'm missing."
"Go then," said Morgana as the two riders readied themselves. Their horses streaked out of the stables moments later, almost as if they had never been there in the first place. She gave one last look towards them as she walked quickly back towards the castle.
A/N: As this has been a long update, certain plot points I planned to use have been cast aside for more interesting ones. This chapter was particularly hard to write because I had to get back 'in universe' after a 2 month absence; hopefully it was worth it. I'm repeating myself, but please review if you can spare a minute or two; it helps me out a lot!
P.S I'm excited about the Fifth Season of Merlin! Hopefully it will feature a more overarching plotline, and may the most intelligent character win (no prizes for guessing who I think that is). The reboot is an interesting idea too; I wouldn't mind it if they rewrote the plot so it's more like one story over the course of a season, like Game of Thrones or Vampire Diaries. I get far more attached to one overarching story.