Hello there. :) Don't have too much time to write an introduction, but I just wanted to say thank you for all the feedback on my last chapter!

Her bag is now much heavier

I wish that I could carry her

But this is our ungodly hour

~Ungodly Hour by the Fray

Morgana lay in her bed, her mind occupied. A week had passed already. One week. And she was still to be married to Frederick. Erwan had stayed true to his word and had not interfered, making a speedy exit the following day. When Frederick had made the announcement the day after in front of the entire court, Uther had heartily voiced his approval. She still couldn't quite remember taking Frederick's hand and accepting his proposal. Her whole body had gone numb. Of course Merlin was there, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. Not after last night. Oh, how she wanted to forget everything that had transpired between them, but she couldn't, no matter how hard she tried. Surprisingly, their paths hadn't crossed since that night. She knew he was avoiding her, but she understood. Perhaps it was better that way…for them both.

Frederick had been so kind to her…bringing flowers to her chambers, taking her on rides along the countryside. Gwen accompanied them as as a chaperone, per Uther's request. Frederick had been making nightly trips into the Darkling Woods, just to make sure Morgause and Erwan were not still plotting against them. As he had not seen any sign of either person, he seemed so sure that they were safe from harm. Morgana feared he was too optimistic to think that Morgause would abandon her mission so easily. He didn't know her like she did. And where exactly did Erwan go? Did he return to his father, or was he immediately drawn back to Morgause?

Morgana tossed and turned, her thoughts troubling her. Frederick's family was to arrive in but a few days for the wedding, and she wasn't so sure she was ready to meet them. In fact, she wasn't positive that she was ready for this wedding. Ever since she was a little girl, she had scoffed at merely the mention of marriage. She remembered her father, Gorlois, as he threw her up in the air. She would squeal and giggle as he expertly caught her as she came crashing down into his arms.

"Do it again, Papa!" she would beg.

And he would oblige her…more than once. Morgana smiled at the recollection. But one day he stopped. Not even her pretty little pout would entice him anymore. He had informed her she was getting too old for such childish games. That it was time for her to focus on other things…becoming an accomplished young lady, for one.

Morgana, with her unruly mass of tangled ebony hair, had stuck her chin out, a defiant flash in her eyes. "I don't want to be a lady…I want to go to battle and fight…with you!"

But Gorlois had laughed and told her that her place was not by his side in battle, but by the side of her future husband, whoever he might be. She had protested bitterly, but he merely laughed again. And with a pat on her head, he was off on another adventure, or at last Morgana thought he went on exciting adventures.

Nothing would stop her though. She had taught herself how to dress her father in his armor. Never would she forget the look of surprise on his face the day she had placed every single piece on him without making one mistake. The surprise in his eyes quickly turned to admiration. And she would always treasure that look, for as long as she lived. For it was that day that she became much more than a piece in someone's chess game. She felt valued…important. She could do more than sew pincushions and recite poetry. She had learned how to be a part of her father's life, and he was welcoming her into his world with open arms.

Gorlois. My father. Morgana pulled her knees into her arms and weeped into her pillow, hoping it would muffle her sobs. She missed him, more than words could express. When she had first arrived in Camelot, she resented Uther with every fiber of her being. Uther had tried so hard to become a parental figure to her, but she wouldn't let him. Because no one could ever replace her very own dear father.

As the first rays of the morning sun entered through her window, Morgana slowly sat up. She needed to get away. Just for a little bit. Her dress fitting was later this afternoon, but her morning was free. What better way to clear her head then to take a ride in the countryside, with no distractions? She wouldn't be gone too long, and she would be sure to leave a note for Gwen. Determined, Morgana winced slightly as she placed both feet on the cold floor. Quickly dressing herself, she scribbled a note and left it on her dresser. Gwen would understand. She tiptoed through the hall, hoping she wouldn't waken anyone. She could hear the servants bustling around in the kitchen already.

Once she made her way outside, she headed for the stables. A smile of anticipation lit her face. Stargazer, her beautiful white mare, knew her so well. And oh, how she could fly when she put her mind to it. Morgana was anxious to find out just how fast she would run today. Cautiously opening the stable door, hoping not to startle the other horses, Morgana walked a few paces over to Stargazer's stall. To her surprise, Stargazer wasn't standing as the rest of the horses were. She felt slightly guilty…perhaps her mare was resting, although it would be odd for her to be lying down.

"Stargazer," Morgana gently whispered. Pushing the gate open, Morgana glanced down to find her horse lying in the straw, making no attempt to rise.

"Stargazer?" Morgana knelt down and brushed a hand across her coat, a worried look flashing across her face. Stargazer was covered in sweat. Her heart racing a little faster, Morgana closely inspected the mare. She made a pathetic whinnying noise as she tried to raise her head, only to fall back again.

"Shhh, Stargazer. It's alright. You just lie there." Morgana rubbed her thumb across the mare's nose. Trying not to panic, her mind raced. What could possibly be wrong with Stargazer? She was a fairly young mare and had appeared to be in perfect condition just a few days ago. Morgana noted the vacant, listless look in the horse's dilated pupils. Something was terribly wrong. Suddenly, Stargazer's entire body began to shake and convulse, and her cries became more pathetic.

"Stargazer…Stargazer!" Morgana exclaimed, laying both hands on the animal's wet body. "No…no…what's happening?" To her horror, Stargazer began to froth at the mouth as her head lolled back and forth.

"No…stop this. No!" Morgana covered her face in her hands, hot tears stinging her eyes. "Stargazer, I can't lose you!"

Was this some horrible nightmare of hers? Oh, how she wished that it was. She should get someone. Clearly, she couldn't help Stargazer, but she didn't want to leave her.

"Help! Somebody help me!" she screamed as she held Stargazer's head in her lap, trying to calm her. "Please…I need help!" As her tears fell freely on her mare's ivory white coat, the convulsions slowed down and the loud whinnying quieted.

"No…Stargazer…no." Morgana rocked back and forth as she continued to stroke her horse's forehead. And just as soon as they began, the convulsions stopped, as well as the hideous frothing. Stargazer's head went strangely limp in her arms.

Morgana felt as if she might be sick. "No, this cannot be. You're alright. You just fell asleep. Stargazer…Stargazer!" she screamed frantically, her sobs escalating.

"Morgana?" a voice called out to her. She thought she recognized that voice, although she couldn't tell through her loud sobbing.

"Morgana, what happened?" the voice asked again. Through her tears, she saw a blue shirt with a red scarf. Merlin.

"Stargazer," he muttered as he knelt down. "Morgana…Morgana?"

"She's fine. She's just sleeping…she's fine!" Morgana burst out as she continued to clutch onto the mare.

Looking concerned, Merlin bent down and put his ear to the horse's chest, as if listening for a heart beat. His expression darkened as his head came back up. Feeling over Stargazer's body, he felt for pulse points, looking more and more grave as he did so.

Gently laying both hands on Morgana shoulders, he hesitated before speaking. "Morgana," he finally said, his voice broken, "Stargazer is dead."

Morgana emphatically shook her head sideways. "No. No…it's not possible. She's sleeping…she's just sleeping."

"Morgana," Merlin said in a calm voice as he attempted to remove her grip from Stargazer. "Morgana, do you know what happened?"

"No…I…came in...and she was on the ground. Then she started having terrible convulsions…oh Merlin, I'm afraid she suffered horribly!" Morgana burst into uncontrollable sobbing as Merlin pulled her to himself, rocking her back and forth.

"Shh, shh. I'm so sorry. So, so sorry." As Merlin continued to hold onto her, his eyes drifted to Stargazer's mouth, which was still covered in a frothy substance. His eyes narrowing, he suddenly realized that this was no accidental death. "Morgana, forgive me," he muttered as he rose and began to look around the stable. He stopped at Stargazer's feeding bucket and inspected the contents inside. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Merlin sifted through the small remainder of oats until his hand brushed against a softer, more feathery object. Pulling the plant out from the oats, he studied it more closely. He noted the reddish purple spots on the smooth stem and his eyes widened. Oh yes, he knew what had killed Stargazer. It was a poison he was very familiar with.

Hemlock.

But maybe, just maybe, Stargazer still had a fighting chance now that he knew what the cause was. And he would do everything in his power to heal her, even if it meant defying death itself.

I have to admit, I had trouble writing this chapter about Stargazer. It made me sad. :( And I don't know what it is with me and posting song lyrics for some of the chapters. I hope it's not annoying to anyone...certain songs come to mind as I write so I thought I would share with you as well. :)