A/N: the end is coming... But in the meantime, please don't hate me!

Chapter 20 : family

Arthur paced the room like a lion in a cage.

Morgana had gone for hours. A servant had brought their chests, but Merlin and Gwaine were yet to appear. A bell called for Vesper, then the end of mass. So late in the season, night downed quickly. Another servant came in to light some lamps and stir the fire in the chimney. Morgana was still to come back. Fiona came back to ask he wanted his supper. He barked a "no" that nearly had her running out of the room.

Dinner's time came and went without a whisper from any of his friends.

Tired to walk from the windowed alcove to his bedroom and back, Arthur tried to seat by the chimney to read. The book flew across the room after two lines. Where the hell were they? Where was Morgana? The fire cracked and he jumped, heart pounding. He couldn't stay here. If he stayed inside he was either to go mad or destroy the room.

Arthur stood, searching the small chambers for his sword. Suddenly, he felt the urge to unsheathe it. The blade gleamed a soft blue, the color making the steel looked like deadly glass. He lost himself in the contemplation of Excalibur, as if the strange weapon was absorbing his anxiety so the only important thing was the weight in his hand and his ability to use it. The light around the blade grew. Blue paled to aquamarine. It cleared some more, becoming so bright he couldn't watch it directly.

The door burst open. Arthur spun on his heels. Merlin barged in.

"Arthur!"

His hands quavered as he put his sword aside.

"Merlin… Where the hell were you! Did you see-"

"We have to hurry, Morgause-"

Morgause? Here? Where? Why? Merlin tugged at the prince's arm. Arthur stood his ground.

"Merlin, I don't understand the first it! Where's Gwaine?"

The servant reluctantly agreed to turn and breathed before he tried to put some sense in his explanations.

"We did what you said. We looked around for clues about the shooter. Gwaine knows how to track so we followed his lead toward a crystal cave."

Merlin panted, on the verge of full panic.

"I saw it all, Arthur. Morgana... Her sister is going to turn her against us! We have to stop them while her powers are still dormant… Come, quick!"

His blood chilled in Arthur's veins. It was happening again. Morgause had found them here. Agravaine had lured them into her trap, Morgana… No. Not again. He tightened his grip on Excalibur. Merlin pulled at his arm again.

"We have to go now, Arthur! Oh hell, for once in your life, trust me!"

The last words froze him on the spot.

"Wait."

'Trust me'.

"What! Why? Arthur!" Merlin shrieked.

Morgana had asked him to trust her. She wanted him to let her chose. Never before she had had a real chance to decide for herself. Uther's laws bound her freewill. Morgause had kidnapped her. The twisted Morgana had pretended her sister had freed her, but the truth was Morgana had never had a choice. She never had had a chance to make her choice. Now she could. She knew what could happen because he had told her. She knew he loved her. He had to trust Morgana to make the right choices. He trusted her to make them.

"Merlin, tell me where's Gwaine."

"But-"

"Gwaine, Merlin", Arthur snarled.

Merlin blustered out, "He's with Lancelot."

Huh?

Merlin sighed heavily, resigned to explain.

"Lancelot found us in the cave. He is looking after-"

Some pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"Take me to the queen. Now."

"But Morgana?"

"She'll be fine. Lancelot's the shooter. We can't let him approach the queen. Now Merlin!"

Arthur rushed out of the room. This too had happened before. A sorceress had enchanted the bitter knight so he seeded discord among the kingdoms. Maybe Morgause, maybe someone else. It didn't matter. He had the time only to save one. He loved Morgana with all his heart. She would understand. He prayed she would forgive him.

White cloaked knights fell into steps with him while he ran down the corridors. They weren't his knights. It didn't matter. It wasn't the crowned prince of Camelot who ran forward with a gleaming Excalibur in hand. It was Arthur, the future High King of Albion.

The corridor opened into a throne room. It was empty. They exited on the northern side, aiming for the royal quarters. Here, only few torches were lit. Arthur growled, "where to, Merlin?"

"How should I know, I just arrived!"

"This way, my lord."

The clang of steel answered at the same time. Arthur rushed in. Annis was standing by the bedside of his husband. She had a dagger in her hand. His eyes instantly darted to the other side of the room. Two tall silhouettes he knew all too well were facing each other. Gwaine had lost his customary smirk. For once, his face was serious, his eyes entirely focused on his adversary. Lancelot was dressed in black from head to toe, just like in his memory. He roared, cut forward. Gwaine pared the blow. Lancelot struck again. Gwaine matched hit for hit.

Arthur circled around them to reach the royal bed. The king was still unconscious. Annis frowned at him.

"What is the meaning of this? That man broke in, and then-"

"Your Majesty, you have to leave, now."

"My husband-"

"I'll protect the king. Please go."

"Out of question."

She shoved her dagger forward.

"Let them come, they'll taste my own steel."

Arthur couldn't help a smile. Indeed, Annis was a lot like Morgana.

Lancelot's cry of rage had him spun on his heels. Gwaine had pulled his personal trick on him. The smirk was back, as he held both their swords. Lancelot grabbed a small crossbow from his belt. Arthur shouted. Without a shield, Gwaine had little chance to block the arrow. He lunged to his left. Lancelot reloaded his bow. He aimed.

"No!"

Merlin held his hand forward. His eyes gleamed golden. The arrow exploded on an invisible shield. The blow sent Lancelot flying. He landed hard on his back. The dark hair man whimpered, knocked out. Two guards jumped to disarm him. Arthur released the breath he was holding.

"Gwaine…"

The soon-to-be knight grimaced, then accepted the prince help to get on his feet.

"He's almost as good as you."

Arthur chuckled.

"Almost is not good enough."

Gwaine nodded.

"Nice trick, Merlin."

The gawky man shrugged with a blush.

"I'm trying."

"So… What's now?"

Arthur clenched his jaw.

"Now, we'll find Morgana."

The queen stepped forward.

"She's probably with your sister."

Arthur gawped.

"What did you say?"

"She must be with my goddaughter, Morgause. Agravaine wanted them to meet."

"No, you said, 'my sister'."

Annis sighed.

"I fear this is a long and sad story, and not mine to tell."

He wanted to hear it all, now. Arthur gritted his teeth, growling.

"Where?"

"Arthur!"

She flew into his arms. For a breath, he drank in her smile, her angelic features that belonged only to him. Then her mouth trembled. Her eyes clouded in shock. His name changed into a moan against his lips. At a loss, he looked down. Excalibur was pressed into her to the hilt. The shadow of his nightmares sharpened. The shadow that followed her in his nightmares, the blurred figure that reached her and disappeared had a face he saw every morning in the mirror. His face.

He had killed her.