I cannot apologize enough for the people who are still reading this (if anyone even is). And there is a valid reason : I've just started University, so I have had literally no time to do any writing. However, now that I have finished my end of module essays and with the Christmas break coming up, I can definitely continue with this story, because it is something that is spectacularly overdue.

Chapter 25

Drago left Liana in her new chambers, and headed towards the main banquet hall, where everyone seemed to be.

He had hoped that she would have recognised him on sight, but that was not the case – it only made sense, with everything that had happened to her.

Drago knew that above all else that he would save her, she would not be Geren's bride or Sir. Gwaine's … she would not be connected to any of them. She should have the freedom to make the choices herself, not ones that were predetermined for her and that were against her nature.

If he had to kill the knights of Camelot, and even king Arthur, he would … if it was for her.

Liana didn't know how to process what she had just seen. Why was she crying over the body of Drago? A man she had known for less than a day … and why was it that every time she saw him, that she had the overwhelming urge to run to him and see if he was alright.

As she turned to examine what was to be her wedding dress, the door to her chambers burst open and Merlin was thrown into the room.

"Merlin!" she cried, catching him as he fell. "Are you hurt? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" he replied, standing up and moving away from Liana towards the table. "Is this your wedding dress?"

"Apparently so … wait, how do you know that I'm getting married?" she asked, in a worried tone.

"Geren told me." Liana froze. If Geren had revealed information to Merlin, then why was he still alive, why was he here talking to her?

"Really?"

"Yes, and he also told me something else about you that I didn't know" he said in a stern voice, looking directly at her.

"And what was that?"

"That you and Morgana were responsible for the poisonous mist in Camelot a few months ago. The same mist that was used as a distraction in an attempt to kill Arthur." Merlin continued, becoming angrier with every word. "Is that true?"

Liana felt as if her heart had stopped. She had already decided that Merlin shouldn't know about Morgana, because of the horrific things that she had done in Camelot. But what choice did she have now, Geren had obviously told him this information in order to create a rift between them … and it appeared to have succeeded.

She felt as if she didn't have a choice but to tell him the truth, "Yes"

"Why?" he asked, looking as if he was going to cry.

"Because she threatened me. She had me under a spell which prevented me from revealing her plan to you or anyone else, when I spoke. Although I don't think she expected me to figure out that I could just write down what I wanted to say." She said, with a slight smile on her face.

"Am I supposed to be impressed? You came to me, telling me that you had nowhere else to go. Was that true or was that a lie?"

"It wasn't a lie!" she cried. "I swear! Everything I said to you that day is true, my mother is dead and my father has abandoned me. I went to look for you, the moment i was alone. I arrived near Camelot a lot earlier than you think …. It's just that Morgana got to me first. What was I supposed to do Merlin? She threatened me, and you. I don't care about Arthur, so it doesn't make a difference to me whether or not he dies. But I love you like a brother, so how could I do nothing when someone threatened you." At this point, tears were running down her face, and all Merlin could do was watch.

What Geren had implied was correct, what he had asked him to do (out of curiosity) was all true. How could I have been so stupid? He thought to himself. It was obvious that it wasn't her fault? Morgana is evil and manipulative, and powerful. If I was in her position, I would have done the same thing.

"Liana, I - " Geren burst through the doors to the room before he could finish.

"Come wizard, I shall return you to your king. Whereas your beautiful cousin here, shall stay with me and be my queen" He boomed, grabbing Merlin by the arm and leading him out of the room. "Oh, and my blushing bride … get prepared, we have guests waiting."

With that he slammed the door shut, leaving Liana on the floor in tears, crying for a rescue that she feared would never now come.