Hello all! I wanted to make a quick note. Instead of making Malakaia perfect all around, or seriously flawed in the beginning, I wanted to have a backwards sort of thing. I don't want to make her the perfect Mary Sue of course, but I wanted to try making her loveable from the beginning, with her flaws slowly being revealed through the story. I hope to not make her "well she has flaws but they make me love her more" because I know that is a little overused. I hope that it hasn't turned you off of her. To me, Kaia's main flaw is her need to fix things and be involved in the situation all the time. Her second is her compassion. She becomes too personal with everything, on a level that is ridiculous, and I personally find that a little infuriating in people.

Anyways, I love my reviewers very much. Thank you for the comments, for the follows, and for the suggestions. I take them to heart!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Arthur stood in his chambers, looking out on the forest of Camelot. Something was wrong, and it bothered him to no end to not what it was that he'd done to upset two of the people he cared about most—not that Merlin would ever know he was one of them.

Yes, something was wrong with the siblings. Merlin's mood was that of a recent one, but Malakaia's had been one that stretched a few days. One moment they were in his chambers and falling asleep in each other's arms, the next she would not even look him in the eyes. He was very bitter that he'd been so open with her about his feelings and she had turned around and begun avoiding him again. He was horribly confused and infuriated and that certainly put him in a pouty mood.

He wondered if Merlin's mood was related to Malakaia's mood. The siblings were indeed very close, and Merlin was highly protective of her. If he thought Arthur had done something to harm her, he would be put out with the prince. Come to think of it, Morgana was also looking very morose these days. He'd noticed that her and Kaia's moods were almost directly aligned, as if they were experiencing some strange magical bond nobody else could see.

Which was, of course, absurd.

The thought of magic led him to think of his father. Arthur was still waiting for the day that Uther would tell him everything about his mother and the truth around her death. Until that day, he was biding his time and playing the obedient son. He loved his father, there was no doubt about that, but things had shifted. Arthur didn't trust him the same way, laugh with him the same way, even have council meetings with as much camaraderie as before. Uther didn't seem to notice a thing, making Arthur wondered if they'd ever actually been close.

Merlin walked in. He held a plate of food in his hands and a less glum expression than he had been, but it wasn't too much better than the day before. "Lunch, sire."

"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur replied absentmindedly. He noticed the outline of the forests. "Is your pouty mood gone?"

"No more than yours is," Merlin said. The cheekiness was half-hearted, but it was there. It soothed a part of Arthur somehow.

"You really are an idiot. I should have you arrested for the way you speak to me."

"Then who would clean your chambers and take care of your armor and other possessions?"

"Nobody does it now, so how would that be any different?"

"Always underappreciating me."

"Poor Merlin, whatever shall he do?"

"Quit?"

Arthur turned to give him his best withering look.

"Only joking," Merlin held up his hands warily. "No need to look like that, your face might stick that way."

Arthur looked for something to throw at Merlin, but found nothing nearby. He took two strides and found a pillow, easily tossing it at his manservant's head. Merlin caught the pillow as it bounced off his head and bowed to Arthur. "See? I've improved your mood."

"So it would seem," Arthur rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms. "You're not the sibling I want, though and I think you know that."

"Yes, about that..." Merlin trailed off, shoulders dropping the slightest bit. "I support you both, you should know that. I encourage the happiness of you, my sister, and it's amazing to me that you don't care she's a servant—

"Merlin," Arthur said slowly. "Is there something you haven't told me?"

"No," Merlin said.

"Yes you do."

"Nope."

"What did I do that upset Malakaia?"

"It's nothing you did, sire."

"So someone else did it?"

"I'm fairly sure I'm breaking some kind of sibling code, sire, I really shouldn't—

"Who harmed her?" Arthur clenched his fist. "Tell me."

"I can't."

"Merlin, don't make me put you in the stocks for disobeying me, you will tell me who has ruined everything!"

"Your father!"

Arthur was slightly taken aback by the sudden burst from Merlin. Merlin looked surprised as well, suddenly sheepish. The prince stepped forward, feeling his nails cut into his palm with the force he applied. "What did you just say?"

"The King found out that Kaia went into your chambers," Merlin said in quiet anger. "He...he saw her and how the Knights let her by without a thought. He put together how well you listened to her and he went to her house and told her that if there were any real feelings that they needed to end."

"Did he threaten her?" Arthur asked.

Merlin didn't say anything.

"Merlin!"

"Not at first," the servant said. He looked Arthur in the eye now. "He said that he would kill me and Gwen to punish her, and then kill her."

White hot rage burned through Arthur. He knew that he shouldn't have such feelings for Malakaia, but he did and the thought of his father threatening her away from him lit a fire. If it kept her safe, he would stay away. His relationship with his father...that had taken a different turn. How could one man be so blinded to anything as pure and lovely as Malakaia? How could he threaten her in such a way?

"If he lays one hand on her, I..." Arthur kicked the chair. "I don't know what I'll do, but it will not be pretty."

"You will protect her?" Merlin said in surprise.

"What do you take me for, Merlin?" Arthur scoffed. "I'm not going to let anything happen to her, even if it means never speaking to her again, and I will never let my father near her."

Merlin didn't know what to say, clearly.

"Well don't just stand there! Go fetch my armor so I can smack some Knights about the field. Oh, and I want to go hunting because despite what you think, it makes me feel better."

"Kaia wouldn't approve."

"MERLIN!"

"I'm leaving."

When the manservant left, Arthur was once again alone in his chambers. He looked around, needing something to break, and found a vase. He easily took it and threw it across the room with an angry yell. It didn't occur to him that he was acting like a child. It didn't occur to him that the vase had once belonged to some lord. The only thing he could think about was his father's sneering face telling Malakaia that he would kill the ones she cared about before he killed her.

And, once more, Arthur's doubt for Uther's rule creeped into a part of his heart and stayed there. Deep below the city of Camelot, the Great Dragon chuckled darkly and peered even farther into the future. Arthur would soon make it his mission to be nothing like his father, and magic would be free.

)-(

"I would like to leave Camelot again, I think," Gwen said one day. "It's becoming so miserable again and I can't figure out why."

Kaia stood at the window of Morgana's room. Morgana watched her sadly, noting how she clutched her own talisman as if seeking comfort herself. Though she didn't say it aloud, Morgana knew exactly why Camelot was miserable.

Kaia was miserable.

Kaia had brought a certain light with her to Camelot. She'd connected so deeply with Gwen, Arthur, Merlin, and especially Morgana, that her general attitude of joy and dreams was infectious. Her magical bond with Morgana gave them shared feelings quite often. Merlin hated to see his sister in pain; Gwen was stressed about her friends' troubles; Arthur was especially affected by Kaia's distancing herself, most likely hurt by the girl's actions. Morgana remembered the moment that he realized something was wrong.

"Where is your usual maid?" Uther asked as Morgana and Kaia walked into dinner.

"Gwen is tending to a large amount of shirts for the knights," Morgana commented dryly. She looked at Arthur. "As of late, Arthur seems to be ripping tunics."

"It's hardly my fault my men aren't as talented as me," Arthur smiled just as sarcastically. Uther rolled his eyes at the pair, seeming amused at the banter. "Anyways, Malakaia can handle a water pitch just as well as Guinevere."

Morgana watched as Uther's lips pursed, unknowingly to Arthur. Kaia looked down, making sure to stand behind Morgana and pour the wine.

"I'd like some, if you will," Arthur raised his goblet.

Kaia kept her face unreadable, but Merlin swooped in and took the pitcher. "Of course, sire."

Arthur's lips pursed, even as Uther's relaxed. Morgana wanted to dump her wine over his head at the sight of his satisfaction that Kaia was so obviously snubbing the prince. It had taken a lot of persuasion after days of weird behavior from both Kaia and Gwen (who had been the first to know) for Kaia to tearfully confess to Merlin and Morgana what Uther had threatened her with. Arthur looked confused, trying to catch Kaia's eye as the dinner went on but being wholly unsuccessful as the young woman tended to only the king and Morgana. Merlin alone took care of Arthur.

After Morgana could not stand it any longer, she rose. "If you'll excuse me, my lords. I'm quite tired."

"I think I'll turn in as well, if you don't mind father," Arthur added.

Uther didn't look the least bit bothered, as if comfortable with the security of his threat. "Very well. I wish you both a goodnight. I will see you tomorrow."

Morgana and Arthur both inclined their heads formally before leaving, their servants trailing behind. When they stepped into the open hall, Arthur turned. "Malakaia, may I have a word?"

"My lady is tired and I must tend to her." Kaia bowed. "Your Highness."

Morgana walked alway with her arm in Kaia's her own pain filling with chest at the thought of how unfair it all was. She turned back to look at Merlin, who had remained loyal and loving to her, even after Arthur told him off for it. If she'd been separated from him because of Uther...

Well, she'd be wearing the same look of hurt that Arthur was.

"He's different with his father," Gwen was saying when Morgana refocused. She now stood at the window with Kaia. "He stands farther away and does not make as much eye contact. It's not obvious if you don't know him."

"I wish their relationship wasn't being ruined," Kaia said softly.

"It may end up being for the good," Morgana strode to where she stood, placing her hand on Kaia's arm. "Arthur is questioning everything, including magic. This may work out for the better."

"I'm sure you're right," Kaia replied. She looked closer at a blonde figure in the courtyard. "Is that the famous Lady Vivian?"

"Renowned for her beauty, but feared for her father," Gwen smiled. "He's known to be the most overprotective man in the world. If someone so much as looks at his daughter the wrong way, he's killed."

"That's frightening," Kaia cracked the first smile she had in weeks. "Merlin is overprotective, but he's also a lover. I couldn't imagine having a parent like that."

"I can," Morgana said dryly. "What a wonder it would be if Merlin was discovered in my bed one night, followed by me revealing my magic to protect him. Now what a spectacle."

Kaia actually chuckled, even if it lacked its usual light. "Uther might die of a heart attack."

"Well maybe I ought to invite him over one night."

Kaia snorted. Eyes wide, she clamped a hand to her mouth with a look of horror. Morgana laughed openly, glad when Gwen joined in with an embarrassed shake of her head.

"We could be killed for saying that," Kaia shook her head. "We should not be saying things like that."

"Well I feel much better after saying it," Morgana grinned wickedly.

"My lady..." Gwen said, suddenly appearing awkward, as if she'd only just thought of something uncomfortable. "Have you and Merlin...erm, well, what I mean is...how shocked would Uther be if he came to your chambers at night?"

Morgana felt her cheeks color with a blush, but she laughed loudly at the look on Gwen's face. Kaia covered her mouth again to hide her amusement.

"No," Morgana answered simply once she'd calmed down. "Merlin is too honorable. He's sworn to only fully take me to bed once we're married."

"Is it not difficult sleeping beside him every night?"

"Oh it's infuriating," Morgana shook her head. "But we've learned ways to...get around that."

"No more!" Kaia exclaimed, holding up her hand. "That's my brother you speak of, I will actually get sick if you continue."

"Oh Kaia, come." Morgana leaned forward conspiratorially. "He's very talented at—

"No!" Kaia shook her head. "I beg you my lady, please no more."

Morgana grinned. She was pleased to see her maidservant and friend thinking of something other than her misery, laughing and blushing with friends. It lightened Morgana's heart and clearly improved both of the other girls' moods. "Well, I have achieved my goal, so I will stop torturing you."

Kaia rolled her eyes. Not much else could be said, as Merlin then walked in. He looked slightly out of breath, but he pointed to his sister. "Lady Vivian needs a maid and Uther's asked you to do it."

"Why?" Morgana insisted for her maid, knowing Uther 'asked' for nothing.

"He didn't say. He just informed me that she will get paid a little extra for her service to Lady Vivian."

He's paying her.

"Well," Kaia replied, straightening her back and smoothing out her skirt. "Let's hope that I am satisfying for the beautiful Lady Vivian."

"I doubt that," Merlin snorted. "She sounds horrible."

Morgana shot her beloved a look. He blushed sheepishly, before following his sister out of the room with a kiss blown her way.

"What're we going to do about Kaia?" Gwen asked the moment the door shut.

"I don't know," Morgana frowned. "But someone's got to do something."