Once again thank you for reading and the reviews. I always thought that there would be a point when the story started to drag, being so long, and people would stop reading and reviewing. It seems I was right. So I just wanted to say, I never thought you would stay with the story for this long. So thank you for that. I am still going to keep writing, and finish the story, I just wanted to thank you all for sticking with the story for so long. Also it may seem to be dragging now, but it will pick up soon. So on to the responses.

Mergana94. I am rather fond of this new plan of Morgana's. I think it does give them time together, to develop their relationship, so hopefully it won't fell rushed. There is a chance of her having a change of heart, but he did hurt her rather badly, I don't know. I have to say, I also like this plan, as it is rather poetic. Doing to him what he did to her. Merlin can be a rather awkward character at times, I realised I haven't used that much. Merlin as I have tried to show, I think is a very optimistic person. As determined as Morgana, but in a more positive way. That is why he has some hope left for her, I don't really think he is the kind of person to really fully give up all hope on someone, or something. Morgana on the other hand. The bracelet, I had to work in, so she could get it back,but I like how it turned out. I don't think Gwaine is in love with Morgana, he's Gwaine after all. She doesn't love him either. They care for each very much, like each other. Have a lot in common, I think. However I don't see them being in love, yet. You never now. Gwen's sigh, can be seen as meaning a lot of things. I know how I see it. It is kind of a part were you can see, read in what you want to see. School is going well, thank you. Not much homework yet. Hope you are doing well too.

Beave1. I don't think Gwaine sees Merlin as compaction. He has never known Merlin and Morgana as friends, only not talking. I believe Arthur told Gwaine all about Morgana, when he became her bodyguard for a while. That would include Merlin poisoning her. So he knows what happened. Also Merlin doesn't love her yet, or doesn't realise he does. Depending on how you choice to see it. As I said before, I don't see Gwaine and Morgana as being in love. They just care, like, are attracted to each other. It could grow into more though, given time. I am sorry that is wasn't clear about Morgana's next plan. I read it over again, and it was rather unclear. She is going to try and get Merlin to trust her enough to tell her about his magic. Then betray him with it. Basically she wants to do to him what he did to her. I put in a little foreshadowing of this in chapter 16. again you all seem to pick up on things that I never noticed. It never acquired to me that she had fought him with that sword, I guess that makes it more of a peaceful gesture. From Morgana's real point of view, it could be seen as a little dig at him. Once again sorry, but the outfit she was wearing is not the one from season 3, but the one form episode 10, of season 1.

The sun shone a little less brightly the next day. There seemed to be a thin layer of cloud that blocked out most of the suns light. Morgana stood to the side of the training ground, talking to Gwen. As like the day before they waited for Merlin. Morgana tried to stop herself from constituently looking behind her to see if he was coming. She had never been the most patient person. It seemed though that she might not have to be very patient. Like before he seemed to be eager to believe that she didn't hate him, had really not changed from the person he first met. The person he could lie to.

Trying to hide a yawn she turned round to see if he was coming yet, he was not. Sleep had been harder for her to achieve over the past few night, since she found out. Questions ran through her head, over and over again. The same ones repeating, why, why didn't you tell me, trust me, when I trusted you. How could I not have seen it before. When were you planing on telling us all. Finally what, what gives you the right to keep this piece of information, about Arthur and your destiny's, that affect us all, to yourself. What did I do that made you hate me so much, that you kept from me what could have saved me, hope.

Still looking away she heard his footsteps coming towards them. Taking a deep breath, and forcing some feeling, rather than cold indifference to show on her face, she turned to face him. "Merlin. Are you ready to be beaten by a girl, again." Though she smiled at him, he didn't miss the little dig she made.

Merlin gave her a nod and weak smile. He walked over to Gwen, where he placed his new chest plat he had brought with him, and Morgana's old sword on the ground. Rather quickly, he removed his brown jacket. Gwen picked up the chest plate, for him and held it out for him to slip into to. Once it was on, he was about to turn round so that Gwen could fasten it in the back, when he felt it being pulled tightly across his chest. Tilting his head round, he looked at Morgana with her head lowered as she fasten the strap of the cheat plate. When she was done she rested her hands on the cold metal for a second. Then she pushed him forward a little, before walking onto the training field.

Like the day before she rolled her sword in her hand after she pulled it from it's holder. Merlin walked onto the field to join her, pulling out his sword too. He felt a little brave and rolled the sword in his hand. It was the first time he had tried this, and he hoped it would work. Luckily it did. Morgana went through the basics of sword play. She wasn't sure if he understood what she was saying. Once she had had enough of hearing her own voice, they moved onto the practical training. Merlin like before, only blocked her sticks. It started to get harder for Morgana to stop the smile of pleasure, at getting to lash out at Merlin like this, so she suddenly stopped moving towards him. Spun round so she had her back to him. Her sword came swiping down towards his left side. He was just able to duck out of the way, falling onto his back as he did.

"You have to learn how to attack." She leaned over him, offering her hand to help him up. Without much thought he took, it. "To strike, to kill." She whispers into his ears, as he was pulled up rather close to her. When she took a step back, he saw a faint grin on her face. She was clearly trying to bate him. With the grin still on her face, she walked over to Gwen.

"Your getting better." Gwen offered, with comforting smile, as he joined them. He rolled his eyes, as she handed him a water flask. He glanced over at Morgana, who was standing on Gwen's other side. She too was drinking from a water flask. One that looked to be the same one he had tricked into drinking the hemlock form. His eyes opened in horror, only lessening when he hearted her voice talking to him. "Why are you looking at me like that." Her voice was rather harsh, so she forced a odd smile onto her face, just as Gwen turned to look at her.

Merlin took a minute to resound. "I...um, sorry. I, my mind drifted a little."

Morgana gave a nod. Gwen looked back and forth between them, not sure what to say. Dropping the water flask onto the ground, Morgana started to speak again. "Did someone teach you that strategy, or did you pick it up yourself."

Merlin looked at Gwen, to make sense of what Morgana had just asked. When she only gave him a wide eyes look, and a rise of her shoulders, he looked back at Morgana. "What. What strategy."

She let out a genuine laugh at his naivety. "You don't attack. You just block what is sent at you. Never act, just react. Hoping if you can hold off long enough then your opponent will give up, get tired. Then you can strike. When they are down, weak. That that is when you choose to make your move. Isn't it Merlin, because deep down you know your not strong enough." There was a tone to her voice that told him that she was not just talking about his actions in training so far. She seemed to be talking about all of his actions, like she could see right through him. She let out a soft laugh, unnerving him, as he seemed to have misjudged what she was saying. "While that is a good strategy. It won't work for you." She raise her shoulder and turned away form him, as she bent down to pick up the water flask again."

"Whys that."

"Simply, stamina. You don't have any, and your opponent will." On the other side of the training ground, Gwaine, Lancelot and Percival had just arived to start their training. She cast a look in their direction. "They are stronger than you, you know that. You also think you have an advantage, stamina. Your wrong though. I have better stamina than you, I proved that yesterday. You tired before I did. If you do that, let them get tired attacking you, then when you start to get tired, and they aren't. That is when they will strike. Like I did today."

Merlin looked at Gwen for any kind of reassurance. She gave him a reluctant smile. "She's right. You have to balance defending yourself with attacking."

Morgana gave him a sly self-satisfied smile. "Don't worry." She now took a step towards him.

"I'm sure when the right satisfaction arises, you will find your killer instinct, and strike." The smile now growing on her face, she walked away. She walked over to Gwaine who had carefully moved over to stand behind the large wood cart that was used to transport swords, shields and other weapons around. Merlin watched her walk away, feeling very exposed. Also stupid, though she had offered to help him, said she wanted to move on from the past, it was clear that it was essayer said than done. It seemed that she was trying, but that she still felt a lot of hostility towards him. If he thought about it, he too still felt hostile towards her. Why he knew that be had played a part in what had happened to her, she had made her own choice. These had been choices, made with only part of the bigger picture, but still. She had choice to side with her sister, rather than come back to them, that was her choice.

"I know it's hard, but …..she is trying." Merlin turned to Gwen, now standing by his side. He opened his mouth to say something, but just shook his head instead. As he was about to walk away, Gwen took hold of his arm. "I know it's hard for you too...I can't imagine, how hard it...to do what you..."

"Gwen. Please."

"I'm just saying. It's still raw, but your trying, both of you. That has to mean something." He gave a little nod, his lips curled into a faint smile. He still found it hard to believe that they could ever go back to the way things where, they could get better though. For all of them, that was what he had to try at least. giving her a forced smile he walked away, back to the castle to get on with his choirs for the day.

Gwen watched him walking away, and glanced over at Morgana talking to Gwaine. She wanted to call out to Merlin, say something, but nothing she said would make any difference. In the back of her mind was a nagging feeling that something more was going on between them. What she thought it was, was something that was familiar to her. Her relationship with Lancelot and Arthur seemed to be like what she was seeing with Merlin, Morgana and Gwaine. Like Morgana and Merlin, she and Lancelot had known each other first, become close. Then he left, Merlin had to do what he felt he had too. While he was gone, and she hated Merlin, Arthur and her developed feelings for each other, so did Morgana and Gwaine. Now Merlin and Morgana were in a way forced to be around each other, so was she and Lancelot. Maybe it was arrogant, but she knew that she would never let how she may still feel a little for Lancelot hurt Arthur. She didn't really believe that Morgana had any real feelings for Merlin, not after what happened. He on the other hand. She like Arthur had become convinced that he had feelings for her, before everything happened. If he still felt that way for her, or may start to again, it could ruin his relationship with Gwaine, and cause a lot of problems for everyone. There was no way she could say any of this to Merlin, that left Morgana. Weather she realised it or not, Morgana was in full control of what was going on. With a purpose, Gwen walked over towards Morgana And Gwaine.

"How's his training going." Gwaine crossed his arms and leaned back against the cart behind him.

Morgana tried to stop her laughter, as she lowered her head. "You saw."

"He wasn't that bad. You are just merciless."

She lifted her head. Looking at him with a little shock in her eyes. "Maybe I am."

"I didn't mean it like that." He placed his hand under her chin to keep her from lowering her head again. "Your strong, determined. He's...not."

"I thought he was your friend."

"He is." He removed his hand. She then lifted her right hand to pull a strand of hair behind her ear. He saw that she was wearing her bracelet again. "I like him because he's not like the men I've known that work for those with titles. He speaks his mind, never lets them try and make him like he is less than them."

Morgana gave a reluctant nod as she had to agree with him. "You don't seem to talk with him very much...is that because of me."

Gwaine gave a half nod. "Yeah, I think so."

"You think so."

"He knows us to well to fully trust us, or be lied to by us." She was about to ask him what he meant, when he leaned in kissing her on her check. He than moved to walk walk, giving Gwen a nod as she passed her walking towards Morgana.

"I think we should head back now, get out of the men's way." Morgana said as she walked towards Gwen to meet her. Gwen gave her a nod, as they then turned to walk back to the castle. She didn't say anything, and that worried Morgana. She worried if she had said to much to Merlin, that would give her real intentions away to Gwen. "Is everything okay, you seemed troubled."

"I am, but I don't know if I should be."

"What do you mean."

Gwen stopped walking, and turned to Morgana. "I don't think you are doing it on purpose...but I think you should be careful about how your are with Merlin."

"How I am with Merlin."

"He liked you..."

"No, he liked you."

"Trust me Morgana, I have only ever been a friend to him, and that is all we will ever be. I saw the way he looked at you at the banquet when he..."

"Gwen, please." Morgana's voice came out louder than she intended it to. "Stop this." There was a harshness in her eyes, that she had not seen in a while. So she said nothing, let Morgana walk away.

They didn't talk to each other for the rest of the day. It wasn't that Morgana was angry with Gwen, she just had fallen into the frame of mind were she was consumed with only one thought, one goal.

She had seemed to be getting somewhere at first, he returned her bracelet to her, but now. He seemed to see through her act. What Gwen had said also bothered her. Maybe if she was right, she could use it to her advantage. She couldn't let herself really think about that idea. It was hard enough for her to keep up her act being around him as much as she was, any-more time with him would be impossible. There was also the problem of Gwaine. Love had never been something she thought about, ever thought she would feel it. She didn't love him, from the little she knew about love, she knew that. She did care about him, more than any other man she had ever know, that wasn't later be revealed to be her brother, or betray her. Risking hurting him to get revenge on Merlin, was something she was not willing to risk. At this realisation a real smile crossed her face, she had really changed from last year. Back then, hurting someone, anyone to get what she wanted wouldn't have bothered her.

For the third day in a row, Morgana dressed in her old travelling clothes. Then sat in-front of the mirror pulling her hair into a low pony tail that fell over her left shoulder. Once she had taken a moment to make sure no sigh on her real hate showed on her face, she left for the training grounds. Unlike the previous days she didn't wait for Gwen to come and walk with her to the training grounds. She guessed Gwen was avoiding her after yesterday. That was fine with her.

Gwen had left earlier for the training grounds, hoping to meet Merlin or Gwaine. She didn't know why, but the situation with them and Morgana worried her. Just as she was about to turn the last corner at the bottom of the satires that lead out of the castle she heard footsteps coming up behind her, she turned to look up at the top of the satires. At who was coming. A smile threatened to cross her face, as she looked up at Lancelot waling down the satires towards her.

"Milady."

"Please don't call me that." Her head was lowered, avoiding looking at him.

Lancelot stopped on the bottom step next to her. "Sorry Mil...Gwen."

He moved to walk away, and not knowing why Gwen called out to him. "Lancelot...I've missed you. Talking to you, you were a good friend."

"I've missed that too." the composed look on his face feel away, as he smiled at her. She smiled back at him, a faint laugh echoed off the stone walls. "I should be going...but I would lie to talk again..."

"Me to." She bit her at having blurted that out."

"Good, see you later, Gwen." She smiled and nodded at him, before turning and walking in the opposite direction from him, toward the training grounds.

At the top of the satires leaning against the wall, Morgana stood. Trying to make sense of what she had just heard. After Gwen accusing her of leading Merlin on, behind Gwaine's back, she was doing it herself. In the back of her mind she knew that there would have been a time when this news would have be pleasant to her, but now it worried her. The only thing that was keeping her going was the belief that Arthur would be a better ruler than his father, change things. If Gwen hurt him, it could harden his heart, stop him being the king she needed him to be. All thought of training Merlin, exposing him as the liar he was, left her mind. What ran through her head, nagged at her was, if Gwen was going behind Arthur's back with Lancelot. She realised she couldn't remember a time when her head wasn't aching with thoughts running around it all the time. Forgetting all about where she was meant to be going she pushed herself off the wall and made her way back to her chambers. One way or the other she was going to find out what was going on.

Once again thank you for ready. I hope that you liked it, that the story has picked up a little now. I had a lot of fun writing the first part of the chapter. Everything that Morgana says can be seen in different ways. The straight forwards way that Gwen sees it. The knowing that he did try and kill her, fought her, way that Merlin gets. Also the knowing about his magic, and being Emrys, the way Morgana means it.

I had to work in the love triangle of the legend into the story somewhere. So here it is. It won't become a large part of the story, but it is important. Mainly because as I said Morgana isn't thinking very clearly at the minute, so she had become distracted from her main goal of exposing Merlin, to find out what, if anything is going on between Gwen and Lancelot. Also in the legend Morgan le fay turned against Arthur and Camelot, because Guinevere exposed a love affair Morgan was having. I wanted to use a hint of that here.