Time passed in a blink of an eye. Two weeks went by since Morgana was first taken to the Bruvile-chain, a massive mountain chain posing as the northern border to the so called "untamed lands". Rumour had it that beyond the vast reach of stone and ice, nature was left untouched and no human has ever set food into this mysterious part of this continent. Morgana spent the better time of her days walking around and fantasising what lies hidden in these forgotten, untouched lands while she tried to control her magic to the utmost efficiency. At first it was very difficult to even stay conscious but Morgause pushed her harder and harder until she finally managed to maintain her magical output without the horrendous side effect. Shortly after she learned to control her magic the blond queen started to teach her the so called ´big spells´. Manipulating the forces of nature would describe it perfectly. Morgana learned to summon whirlwinds, used water to create torrents out of nowhere and she was able to call myriads of lightning from the skies. But this was only the first part. Morgause taught her that it is imperative to get familiar with the elements of nature before you can create them by magic alone. So Morgana's eyes widened in awe as she saw Morgause casting a scorching bolt of lightning from her hand, splitting the earth and rocks in its path in the process. I took Morgana a lot of effort to recreate what she had behold that day but after some failed attempts she succeeded, earning an honest and proud smile from the blond queen.
Morgana was happy that she could focus her mind on something else than Merlin. She believed in him and she believed in what Morgause told her but a tiny nagging feeling of insecurity still remained. And since she was not able to scry after him and visions of the young warlock did not come to her again, the midnight haired witch was close to the edge. Of course she tried to break Morgause's mental binding on her scrying power but to no avail. All she got was a foggy nothing and a massive headache. So she tried her best to avert her attention to other things. But yesterday they got a message from him which said that he will be back some time soon, probably next week. Morgana dropped all her books containing magical formulas and spells, hugging the fourteen-somewhat boy who brought the message to the castle. The young boy feverishly blushed, did a bow and excused himself, thinking that a hug from the beautiful witch was payment enough.
"Now look what you have done. The poor boy would not be able to sleep for a while after you blessed him with so much affection."
A small giggle came from the second entrance of the library, giving away the amusement Morgause felt as she had laid eyes on the scene.
Morgana fixed her gaze at the floor sheepishly, fully comprehending what her counterpart implied.
"Well I could not help it. As he announced that he had a message from a certain Merlin for me, I think all of my built up emotions broke loose on their own."
Morgause nodded.
"I understand you completely. I am very happy to see my brother again too. Maybe you can call it a day and help me with some preparations for the little feast I intend to hold when he comes back. Only if you do not mind, of course."
"No, I do not mind. Actually everything that takes my mind of all the seriousness that is going on lately, I really welcome some kind of mundane distraction."
"Perfect, but please do not consider this feast as a ´mundane´ festivity. You know that Merlin will be coming back with some powerful people with magic. I want to leave a good impression and make their stay as comfortable as possible since they are going to lay their lives down for us and our kingdom."
Morgana's face twitched as she got reminded by the queen's words that Merlin was not travelling alone. An image of the witch in the red dress flared up inside her mind which caused her emotions to boil again, but this time not in a good way as she recalled her vision and how close she was standing to "her" Merlin. Morgana shook her head to get rid of the unpleasant picture in her head and followed Morgause who was already standing in the doorframe looking over her shoulder where her black haired counterpart was.
The preparations progressed neatly and both noble women had a great time selecting food and drinks for Merlin's arrival. So the mood dropped as soon as Lancelot entered the great hall a look of concern on his face.
"My queen, lady Morgana." he dropped on his left knee keeping his head low.
"Lancelot, stand up, please."
The knight general of the Black Sword Order rose from his position and was know standing at attention with stern gaze.
Morgause sighed slightly.
"And you can stand at ease."
The knight took a more comfortable stance before Morgause started to question him.
"So, what do you have to report?"
"We got news from the cities near the border."
Morgause's and Morgana's attention was now entirely with the lean man. The blond ordered the servants who where eagerly cleaning the place to leave before she gestured Lancelot to continue.
"The scouts we stationed there found out that Uther's army is now on the march. They well probably reach the border within three weeks and Namhilrok in five."
"Did they get any measure on the army's manpower?"
"We got only an estimation from the different reports but I think we have to deal with at least 300 000 men in their ranks."
Morgause nodded in deep thought.
"And how many men do we have?"
Morgana asked with a slight bad feeling in her stomach as she saw the general's eyes darken with bitter realisation.
"We got 25 000 properly trained soldiers. If we start recruiting now we will eventually scratch the 100 000 if we are lucky. But they would be nothing more than mere sacrifices when thrown into the mill of war."
A sorrowful smile took hold of Morgause's features, her voice a shadow of what strength it usually held.
"War was never meant to leave the leaders with easy decisions. Simple ones, yes, but they are never easy. Lancelot, start the recruiting as soon as possible and dispatch your knights to train them. They should at least get the best training we could offer."
Lancelot nodded his consent and moved to leave the room before Morgana threw in an interjection.
"But we got magic. Do not all the sorcerers and sorceresses the Forge has even out the numbers?"
"Yes, we got magic but only a few have the magical capability of Merlin, me or you. Most of them can only produce some illusions or brew potions for all that matters. They will never be able to summon as much as a spark from their hands. It is kind of ironic that our biggest advantage is also our biggest weakness. Therefore I intended to free the great dragon because in front of his power their numbers would pale in comparison."
The midnight haired witch averted her gaze towards the floor, cursing inwardly at her naivety and lack of knowledge concerning the people of the Dusk and the reminder that she was the cause for Merlin's failed attempt to free the golden dragon.
"I am sorry."
Then Morgause who snapped out on her trail of thought, realising what she had said, laid a soothing hand on Morgana's shoulder.
"Please, do not be. I did not consider the possibility of my plan interfering with Kilgharrah's. I know he wants to be free again but I did not know that he valued his wish to alter the future to his liking more as his freedom. But I guess if you are a being which is close to immortality you want to live your life in a setting of your choice. It was my fault that I was blind to that fact and trying to outwit a dragon only depending on my brother's dragonlord abilities."
"My highness, please do not burden yourself with things which lay in the past. We need to focus on the things we still can change and I do not know a second person who comes even close to you when it comes to figure out what to do. You have the trust of all your people supporting you. Believe in yourself like they believe in you. I am certain that you will find a way."
Morgause's gaze took in the figure of her foremost knight and blessed him with a thankful smile. The man left shortly after and the two women were alone standing in the middle of a hall which was being prepared for a happy festivity.
Later that night Morgana took I stroll throughout the castle, not being able to fall asleep. As she walked down the dim lit ways, the midnight haired witch passed by the room of her teacher and friend, perceiving a quiet whimper. She stood still for several heartbeats just to make sure she heard right. It was unmistakably. Morgana turned towards the door wanting to knock, halting her hand before it connected with the wood out of a subconscious reminder that the door would usually open itself. But not today. Her hand still lingered only a small space between her knuckles and one of the planks, making the door, before it connected. Morgana heard the surprised sound of someone getting caught at doing something other people should not see, behind the door before a forced voice asked her something.
"Who is it?"
"It is me, Morgana."
Some moments passed until the black haired woman saw the door open, but not by itself. Morgause was standing half hidden behind the door and gestured her to enter.
"What brings you here?"
"I could not sleep so I went for a little walk."
"Did it help?"
"I doubt it."
A small warm smile spread on both of the women's faces. It was unpleasant for Morgana but she needed to know.
"I stopped in front of your room because I heard your voice. If you have something on your mind I will be there for you."
"Thank you."
A few minutes of silence passed as Morgause's started to shake and low sobs came from the usually strong woman. Morgana was a bit taken aback but hastily regained her composure. She never could have imagined seeing the proud noble woman in tears. It was something that just did not seem possible. But she knew that the blond witch needed her now. So embraced her and hold her close, now able to understand the words which were swallowed under her sobs.
"I need him… here. I cannot… deal with… all that… without him."
Morgana's eyes widened she realised what Morgause was talking about.
How could I be so selfcentred? Morgause needs Merlin as much as I need him, if not even more. He was always at her side. A bond I probably will never understand completely since I and Arthur are not exactly the prime example of caring siblings. At least not out in the open. And know that she received such crushing information he was not there to help her deal with it, stand by her side and tell her that everything will be alright.
Morgause found herself lost after she entered her chambers that night. She inwardly cursed herself that she sent Merlin away.
"Please, come back fast. I need you. I cannot deal with this alone."
She spoke her silent plea into the emptiness of her room. She cowered on one of her chairs and started to sob, until she got torn from her thoughts by the sound of a knock on her door.
As she heard Morgana's voice on the other side of the door she felt some warmth coming back into her.
-xxxxxxxxxx-
Meanwhile on the outskirt planes near Namhilrok a group of people had set up a camp.
A raven haired man stood some metres outside the camp watching the towers of the castle in the dim light of dusk.
A/N:
Sorry for the one week pause. Had some things to do. One of them was celebrating my 20th birthday. Next chapter the arcs will meet.
On further notice I am still in need of a beta. If you know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy who is free and interested in being my beta, please PM me.
What more to say than I hoped you enjoyed the story and write a review. (I love reviews 3)
And once again I want to mention my story one-shot "Rise of the Emperor". Please give it a read and leave a comment. Also a big "thank you" to everyone who reviewed it.
Well, see you guys next chapter ^^