Alaia Skyhawk: Here's the next bit. lol, I love the first scene, so fun XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: N/A

"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A

~(-)~

Chapter 14: The Nightmare Begins ~Part 2~

Still wanting to grumble under his breath at his mentor's refusal, even an hour after their argument, Merlin sighed to himself as he climbed the stairs to reach the junction where the steps to Morgana's chambers were. He'd been to one of the fields outside the castle walls, coming back with a large bunch of wildflowers. They were a poor substitute for giving her the reassurance she really needed, but at least they were better than nothing. She'd know she was being thought of, and maybe that would help her not feel so alone and scared.

He reached the top of the stairs, crossing the chamber towards the smaller set of steps only to come to an abrupt halt and stuff the flowers into the back of his belt. The reason? Arthur.

The prince spotted him, heading towards him.

"Ah, Merlin. I need you to..." He noticed his servant's hands hidden behind his back, and frowned. "What are you hiding behind your back?"

Merlin looked innocent, shrugging and bringing his hands into the open.

"Nothing, see?"

Arthur strode towards him, attempting to get behind him only for Merlin to turn to avoid it.

"What are you up to?"

Merlin was smiling now.

"Arthur, I would never lie to you." He took a deep breath, making it clear he was actually teasing the prince. "I respect you far too much for that." Arthur was giving him a long look, perhaps not so impressed that he was obviously being played with. "You wanted me to do something?"

The prince was still staring him down, repaying the obvious tease with a tedious chore.

"My chainmail needs cleaning."

The servant's smile faltered a little, before he pasted it right back into place. Great, now he'd have to spend the rest of the morning up to his elbows in a barrel of sand. Polishing off specks of rust so small he'd have to borrow Gaius' magnifying glass to see them.

"Oh, right. Well I'll see to it right away."

The prince gave him another long look, each seeming to wait for the other to move, until at last he headed for the stairs Merlin had just come up. And the servant, believing him gone, grabbed the flowers and made a beeline for the other steps, unaware that Arthur had paused to watch him and saw the incriminating bundle and shook his head.

Merlin went up the steps, knocking on the door in the tiny hallway they led to.

Gwen opened it, smiling when she saw him and the flowers.

"Merlin."

He looked past her, to where Morgana slept fitfully in her bed. The king's ward had returned to her chambers and drunk her new sleeping draught, seeking escape in sleep even though it was the middle of the day.

"How is she?"

Gwen also looked over, concerned.

"I've never seen her like this before. I'm scared to leave her on her own."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Gwen smiled her thanks, a faint moan from Morgana then catching her attention. It seemed she was starting to wake.

"I should get back to her." She accepted the flowers from Merlin. "I'll make sure she knows who they're from."

She closed the door as Merlin left, taking the flowers to the table where an empty vase sat. She'd planned to go get flowers herself, but he'd saved her the trip. And these ones would have just as much supportive meaning.

Morgana opened her eyes while Gwen arranged the flowers, sitting up slowly and looking over at what she was doing.

"You went and got flowers?"

Gwen turned, smiling.

"Actually, these are from Merlin. He stopped by with them just a few minutes ago. Wanted to know how you were doing. You know, Merlin. He worries about everyone."

Morgana smiled weakly, touched by the gesture. Merlin truly did have a good heart.

"That was really sweet of him. Make sure to tell him I said thank you when you next see him."

She slid out of her bed, padding over to inspect the blooms. Being wildflowers they were no work of art like fancy cultivated blooms, but then going out to pick them instead of just going to the market and buying them took a lot more time. And spare time was something that servants generally had little of unless they were lucky in who their master was.

Gwen watched as Morgana reached a hand out to the flowers, tilting her head in enquiry.

"Would you like me to go get you something to eat?"

"Yes, thank you."

Gwen headed out, hastened, leaving Morgana alone although not for long. It would only take ten minutes to get the food it she quick. For the rest of the day, Morgana's eyes strayed to the flowers each time she felt a stab of fear rising in her heart. Uther's visit mid-afternoon had more frightened than reassured her, even Arthur's visit put her on edge. But Merlin had been friends with a sorcerer, back in his home village. Knowing that made his present the one thing that comforted her more than Gwen's presence.

When night at last came, Morgana insistently sent Gwen home despite the maid's protests she could stay. Gwen looked exhausted, having not been home since yesterday before the fire. If she remained in the castle, she knew that Gwen would get very little sleep.

Gwen relented, heading out and taking the candle with her when her mistress asked her to in a trembling voice. With the room now darkened, Morgana lay down in her bed and closed her eyes. But she couldn't keep them closed for long, not with yet another storm rumbling overhead. She opened them, fearful, shivering beneath her blankets. Less than ten minutes after the maid had left, a massive boom of thunder shook the air, jolting Morgana upright with her eyes seeking the reassurance of the vase of flowers.

Except the moment she looked at them, she felt the same terrifying surge of power she had last night. Her eyes gleaming gold and the vase exploding into hundreds of pieces.

She got out of bed, whimpering in terror as she grabbed her over-robe and threw it on over her nightgown. She hurried out of her rooms, heading straight to the chambers of the Court Physician. Gaius had to tell her what was going on. He had to!

Merlin was blowing out candles in the main chamber when she burst in, her voice still shaking.

"Is Gaius here?"

Merlin regarded her in surprise, shaking his head.

"No, not right now. He should be back soon."

"I need to speak to him. Where is he?"

She had tears in her eyes, her expression desperate, but Merlin knew the answer wouldn't help her.

"He's gone to see the king." Morgana flinched at the mention of Uther, and Merlin knew then that her magic had acted up again. "What's wrong? You can trust me, Morgana. You know you can."

Morgana hesitated, conflicted before the need to speak to someone won out. Gaius might be the one best able to give answers, but Merlin was the one most likely to support her.

"I'm scared, Merlin. I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening. Please."

It was Merlin's turn to hesitate. He wanted so much to tell her, to tell her everything, but Gaius' warning made the words catch in his throat.

"Gaius should be back soon. He'll be able to help you."

She shook her head vehemently.

"He won't! I don't want any more remedies, they won't do any good... It's magic, Merlin."

Merlin reacted in surprise. He knew she trusted him, but not to that degree. By saying that to him she was as much as putting her life in his hands.

"What?"

She frowned.

"I wouldn't lie about this. You know I wouldn't make this up."

He was starting to feel uncomfortable now, torn between what his head said he should do and what his heart wanted.

"Of-of course."

"Then you believe me?" She looked to him in entreaty, eyes pleading. "You think it's magic too. Please, Merlin. I just need to hear someone say it, so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it."

The silence stretched out between them, until head won out over heart despite the guilt it caused him.

"...I really don't know what to say." She stared at him, hurt, and started to back away. Before she turned and started to flee the room. "Morgana. Morgana!"

"Just leave me alone!"

He hesitated just a moment, before running after her and stopping her at the door by grabbing her arm. His voice was quiet.

"I really don't know what to say, Morgana. It's not that I don't believe you, it's that I don't know enough to be able to give you the answers you need. The only experience I have about these things is... is Will. And he knew next to nothing about magic, just a few tricks he'd picked up by then. And right now, it's still possible that someone could be tricking you, trying to use you to get at Uther. It's best not to jump to conclusions."

Morgana took a shuddering breath, and she looked at him still hurt but also understanding. Despite how sure she felt that it really was magic, he did have a point.

"Thank you. I'll think about what you've said... Good night, Merlin."

She left, Merlin watching her go. But even with that limited reassurance, his desire to help her warred with that decision inside him. He waited until she was gone, slipping away down through the castle and to the lower levels. Seeking out the dragon, seeking answers much as she had come to Gaius to do. If he could not give her the answers, then maybe the Druids could.

But just as he had not given her answers, so did the dragon refuse to answer his. Refusing with a portent of doom should he follow this path, a warning that Morgana could not be trusted. But while the dragon had been right with some of his warnings in the past, Merlin could not in conscience ignore his morals. He'd made the choice with Mordred, to choice to face whatever consequences might come of saving him. He trusted Morgana's heart, her staunch value of all life, and he owed her the same.

~(-)~

The following morning Merlin put himself innocently in Arthur's chambers, having spread out the prince's armour on the table to work on it here rather in a place where he could cheat and clean it with magic. His reason being he knew Arthur would have to come by here to put on his freshly polished chainmail before heading out to arrest those suspected of consorting with users of magic.

It was a safe bet, one that paid off when sure enough the prince came by with Sir Leon and a list of names. It was a simple thing to keep Arthur distracted, long enough for a golden glance to open the list without either of them being overly near it, and quickly read through it, even if that meant putting up with teasing from the prince. Apparently Arthur had seen him with the flowers after all.

He got the name of a woman in the lower town, enduring the teasing until Arthur left. And as soon as he was gone Merlin cleaned the armour with a quick spell and tore off to get into town ahead of him. There would be a short delay in the start of the arrests, since the prince had to go collect the guards who would be helping him do it.

Merlin slowed his pace once he was in the town, trying to look casual. When he reached the house in question, he headed to the door. By this point he could already hear the shouts of the first few people being rounded up, setting his heart pounding with nerves. Gaius would no doubt set him all manner of horrible chores should he find out he'd risked himself like this, but again it was head versus heart. And when it came to that, right now heart always won.

The door was locked, the shouts getting closer, and lacking the time to be polite when she might not open the door anyway if he knocked, he opened it with a cautiously whispered spell. He was inside for barely fifteen seconds before he felt the tip of a sword pressed to his back.

"Move and I kill you."

He tensed.

"Forida."

"Who are you?"

He turned his head a little, although not enough to make her feel threatened.

"There is no time to explain. We have to get out of here. The king's men are coming for you."

There was a pounding on the door, startling the blond woman. Both of them looked at it as she lowered her weapon, and with a tentative nod they escaped through the back door.

Carefully peering out from an alley further down the street, as her front door was kicked in by the guards, she then questioned Merlin warily.

"How did you know they were coming for me?"

"I'm Prince Arthur's servant."

She looked at him, still wary but grateful.

"You took a great risk. Thank you."

Merlin looked around the corner now, able to see more people being led away.

"I'm just sorry I couldn't help them all."

Forida made to head away, tense.

"I'd better go."

"Wait. I need your help." Merlin stopped her, earnest. "I'm looking for a way to contact the Druids."

She turned instantly wary.

"I wouldn't know anything about that."

Merlin grimaced, pointing to the main street.

"You don't need to lie to me. Please, if it weren't for me you'd be under arrest." She hesitated. "You know I'm not a spy for Uther. I need their help. The Druids know me; Nellan of the Oristalla Clan can vouch for me. I'd contact him, but I don't know where he is."

That seemed to convince her, and she nodded.

"Fine. Help me get out of here, and I'll tell you what I know."

Merlin didn't need telling twice, leading her into the tunnels under the town and back out again as close to the main gate as could be managed. The guards there were on the alert, but the distraction of Merlin carrying a purloined sack and waving to them cheerfully, as if going out to collect herbs for Gaius, stopped them from noticing Forida among the rest of the people heading out.

The guards nodded to him, one even chuckling and shaking his head. There were times when being reputed to be an idiot was a major asset.

The two of them got clear of the city, heading into the safety of the woods where at last Forida relaxed.

She regarded Merlin, mildly impressed.

"Nicely done. Thank you." She inclined her head. "And I have to say, I'm surprised. The prince's manservant, consorting with Druids."

Merlin frowned.

"They're good people and would never hurt anyone. They don't deserve to be persecuted."

She snorted.

"Pardon my scepticism, but you're just lucky you knew a name. I would not have believed you were known to them otherwise. The clan I keep in touch with, they regularly trade with the Oristalla Clan so I've heard of Nellan. You must be highly regarded if the brother of that clan's leader would vouch for you."

Merlin tensed, becoming evasive.

"...You could say that."

Forida smiled, sighing.

"I can see I'm making you uncomfortable. I won't ask any more. Although it's reassuring to know there's someone like you so close to the prince. Maybe you could get him to see sense one day, unlike his father." She pointed east. "The clan I know of lives at the southern end of the Ascetir Forest, where the Ridge of Ascetir creates the peak valleys that make the area so treacherous. There's a small river that comes out of the forest in that area, and it marks the entrance to the valley where they can be found. Follow the valley until you find a pair of standing stones, and wait there. They will come to you."

Merlin nodded, relieved.

"Thank you. You've been a great help."

"It's the least I could do in return for you saving my life."

She nodded to him one last time before hurrying away into the forest, leaving Merlin to collect herbs to cover for him coming out here and make his way back alone.

He did so, picking things he knew he would have been sent out for soon anyway. It resulted in Gaius being pleasantly surprised with him, even going so far as to praise him for his thoughtfulness.

It made Merlin feel guilty to the pit of his stomach...

He didn't let it deter him though, as he waited for Gaius to go out before grabbing a vial of Morgana's usual sleeping draught from the shelf where a few were kept on hand for her. With the arrests having been made today, Uther had now placed guards near her chambers in case of retaliation. They gave Merlin only the barest glance once he'd shown them the vial, since he regularly delivered them on Gaius' behalf, and he got to her door with no trouble.

He knocked, Morgana alone having sent Gwen home like she had the night before. She'd also rescued the flowers upon her return from Gaius' chambers, despite her frustration at him for not saying to her what she'd wanted to hear. So instead of throwing them away she'd found a metal vase and put them in that instead, telling Gwen in the morning that the other vase had been broken by being knocked it off the table by accident.

Merlin glanced at the flowers when he entered, before handing Morgana the vial.

"Gaius asked me to deliver this."

Morgana, looking strained, pale, and frightened, shook her head.

"I don't need any potion, thank you." She looked at him. "Merlin, ignore what I said last night. I... had a nightmare. I was upset."

He sighed.

"I know. I haven't said anything to anyone."

Morgana continued to look at him, before her composure broke and she hurried away to put the vial on the table.

"I'm sorry, it's usually Gwen who has to deal with me when I'm like this."

"I don't mind... Maybe I could help?"

She scoffed at that, keeping her back to him.

"I doubt that."

Merlin hesitated only for a moment more, before he closed the door with a sigh.

"You'd be surprised." She frowned when she heard him do that, turning to face him as he continued. "I understand. I realise how frightening all this must be for you, especially for you."

Her frown deepened.

"Why especially for me?"

Merlin stood there, awkward.

"You're the King's ward. You know his hatred of magic better than anyone."

She started to stare.

"That's what you think has been happening to me? The dreams, the fire, you think it was magic!"

Merlin bit his lip, silently apologising to Will, even if his friend would have been happy to know he was still protecting him in this way. Happy to know his name was allowing Merlin to help someone.

"I remember how scared Will used to be, even though we lived in Cenrid's kingdom outside the area where magic is banned. We were close enough to Camelot's border that it was always on his mind. I recognised the signs, Morgana. I've been seeing them in you for a while."

Anger began to tinge her expression.

"You already suspected I had magic? Before this started? Why didn't you tell me?"

"What was I supposed to say?" Merlin cursed under his breath. "Look, I had no proof, only suspicion. I could have ended up leaving you as terrified as you are now, only for it to turn out I was wrong. I couldn't do that to you, not to a friend. I know how that kind of fear can tear someone up inside."

Morgana's anger faded and she averted her eyes.

"So what now? What if you're right and this really is magic? How do I tell if this is real or if someone is just playing with my mind?"

Merlin approached her, solemn.

"I can't tell you, but there are people who can. The Druids help people like you."

Morgana's hope seemed to crumble into bitterness at that.

"None of their kind would dare show their face in Camelot."

He shook his head, but his certainty didn't falter.

"No... But I know where you can find them."

She looked to him, surprised.

"You know where I can find them?"

He nodded, furtive.

"There's a group of them I'm known to and that have helped me in the past. I don't know where they are, but with the name of one of their members to vouch for me I was able to find out where another group is. Please keep this to yourself. If Uther found out I've ever consorted with Druids or their allies, he'd have me executed. You know he refuses to believe they're a peaceful people."

Morgana returned his gaze, nodding.

"I promise, I won't tell a soul. You're risking a lot to help me like this, more than I deserve."

Merlin put his hands on her shoulders, reassuring.

"Don't think like that. You've a good heart, and you're worth the risk. If this really is magic, then maybe you could help change Uther's mind about it one day. You've just got to believe." He sighed, aware that he couldn't delay much longer or the guards would question how long he was taking. "Now listen carefully, and I'll tell you where you can find them."

When he left the room a minute later, he had no idea the trouble that those words were about to become.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: As you may gather, I'm playing up the Merlin and Morgana friendship a lot more than the show did. Seriously, Morgana should know Merlin would never out her, not when Will was a 'sorcerer'. It was like that event and information vanished from the characters' heads once Season 1 ended.

So yes, I'm building it up much more than it was in the show. That way the later push/pull conflict between loyalties to him, and her newly discovered sister Morgause, will be much more distinct :)