CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Vivienne waited for her daughter back in the ruins and as Morgana entered, she got up to ask her daughter what was wrong. Something was different about her and she knew that it was because of the young warlock.
"What did he say?"
Morgana just shook her head and walked past her mother.
"Morgana?" Vivienne tried again.
She stopped before the stairs and placed a gloved hand on the wall.
"Release Gwen... let her go back to Arthur and to Camelot." She said quitely. Vivienne frowned, her green eyes darkening.
"Morgana... I do not understand. I thought that you wanted Gwen here."
She glanced over her shoulder and her voice was harsh, like a slap.
"All the planning, all the schemes, all the lies... they have amounted to nothing even with you here, mother. It is time that I stop sitting back, that I take charge. Just do as I ask."
Vivienne nodded her dark head slowly and Morgana went back up to her chambers.
She did not sleep. She just sat on the edge of her bed, Aithusa at her side.
Merlin had said a lot of things that should not have bothered her and yet they did. But whereas Merlin had told her because he hoped to make her realize what she was doing, it now had the opposite effect and Morgana now knew what she had to do.
Vivienne came upstairs once she had given Gwen a horse and sent her back to Camelot.
The queen was more than happy to go back to her king and she left without question.
Vivienne glanced at her daughter warily.
"Can I ask what it is that you plan to do now?"
Morgana shot her mother a glance.
"No more planning."
She got up and Vivienne noticed that Morgana held a scroll in her hand.
She held it out to Vivienne.
"Get this to Arthur. I do not care how it gets there, just make sure that he gets it."
She nodded and glanced at the ribbon around the parchement.
"May I ask what you have written?"
Morgana gave her the tiniest grin.
"You will know soon enough, mother. Have patience."
Vivienne paid a boy handsomely to take the letter to King Arthur even though she was tempted to read it herself, but she also knew that she should trust in Morgana. She just hoped she knew what her daughter was doing...
The boy was quick and Arthur recieved the letter the very next day.
He read it in his chambers and as soon as he had, he called everyone down into the council chambers to tell them about it.
"I have summoned you all here because I have just recieved this letter." He said holding it up.
"It is from Morgana Pendragon."
There was a collective gasp and Gwen, who had returned last night, glanced at Merlin with a worried expression on her face.
Gaius also looked uncomfortable as did all of the knights including Mordred.
Arthur looked at them all as he read the letter out loud;
'It reads';
Dearest Brother,
I realize that I have played many games with you and your loved ones and I now see that the time for games and scheming is well and truly over.
It is now that after much consideration and a talk with someone very close to you; I have made this decision and I have written this letter to tell you, Arthur, that I am declaring war.
Be ready Brother, I shall offer you no mercy on the battlefield.
Your Sister, Morgana
Even the knights of Camelot looked worried and they were never concerned over anything like this but when it came to Morgana, they knew that they should all be wary.
Arthur looked stern as he gave out orders for them to follow.
"I want the garrison strengthened, more men on the lookout on the borders, no one gets in or out without my permission. It is now more than ever that we must be vigilant."
The knights all nodded and Mordred looked more worried than the rest of them.
Arthur dismissed the knights and sat down at the table, his head in his hands.
Gwen stayed by his side.
"We knew this was coming, Arthur. I know that it is sooner than we expected but Morgana is reckless." She added.
Arthur nodded.
"I thought that if I had to fight in a great battle she would be at my side..."
He sighed and took Gwen's hand.
"I want you to promise me something."
Gwen nodded with a slight frown.
"Anything."
His grip on her hand tightened.
"If the chance presents itself, I will kill Morgana. All I ask of you is for you to forgive me for taking my own sister's life."
Gwen nodded.
"She is evil, no one would blame you."
Merlin had stayed outside and had heard everything.
If Arthur managed to find a way, he would kill Morgana and Mordred would have to live never knowing who his mother truly was.
That night while Gaius prepared himself and Merlin's dinner, he glanced at the young warlock and sighed.
Merlin was staring at the table and his expression was hard and deep in thought.
"Are you all right, Merlin?"
He looked up and let out a breath.
He knew that he could tell Gaius practically anything.
"Arthur plans to kill Morgana."
Gaius frowned but he understood why the king thought he needed to.
"Why does this trouble you? Morgana is evil and so is her magic."
Merlin sighed again and looked at Gaius.
"She can be saved, Gaius, I know she can. Everytime I see her, I feel it, I know it."
Gaius fixed Merlin with a stern expression.
"You have been seeing her more than I was aware?"
Merlin swallowed, instantly feeling guilty.
"A few times. I was trying to warn her away, make her see sense or listen to reason."
Gaius looked at him with disappointment in his eyes.
"She could have killed you." He said slowly.
"But she didn't and I knew that, which is why I went to her."
Gaius suddenly had a serious expression on his face and he stared at Merlin, looking for some hint as to why the warlock felt he could save Morgana.
"Morgana has been twisted into something more evil than you have ever faced, why do you still go to her after all that she has done?"
Merlin's answer was simple.
"Deep down, under everything that she has become, she still has a good heart. If she did not, she would not have suffered for Aithusa the way she did. She could have left her there to die but she did not. Does that not tell you anything, Gaius?"
It was a plea, the physician could hear it in Merlin's voice.
There was nothing more that he could say to warn Merlin not go to her anymore but he feared that he would anyway.
They ate their dinner in silence and then Merlin went straight to bed.
Morgana had travelled to the far edges of the land.
It had taken her longer than she thought neccessary and when she had made her mother aware of her plan, Vivienne had begged her not to go.
Morgana would not listen and told Vivienne that she could either stay in the ruined castle and care for Aithusa while she was gone, or go with her and stay silent.
Vivienne had chosen to stay with Aithusa.
The horse beneath her was slowing as she neared her destination but she urged it on none the less.
The kingdom she was approaching was vast and it looked very dark and unwelcoming.
The king of this land ruled with an iron fist and he made sure that his people feared him rather than respected him.
Morgana felt that this king would help her to become queen of Camelot more so than any of her past allies.
She rode the horse up to the huge wooden gates.
Spikes sat on the tops and guards in heavy black armour stood watch on the walkway.
One looked down at her.
"What's your business here?" He called down.
She kept her hood up as she glanced up and answered him.
"I am here to see your king."
The guard rolled his eyes.
"They all say that, What is your business here?" He repeated.
"That is for the king to know only."
The guard gestured to the one next to him.
She knew without even looking, that he was readying a crossbow.
"You weapons will do no good. If you grant me passage, you shall be well rewarded; for your king would be a fool not to accept my offer."
The guard made the other lower the crossbow.
"Tell us your name and we shall let you in."
She sighed inwardly.
What did it matter who she was? Would the king really want to see her if he knew what she was?
It was the reason she had held it back from these guards, if they knew what she was maybe they would not let her in easily.
Morgana knew that she would find a way in, it just would not be as quiet and as calm as she would have liked.
"You name." The guard urged.
She let another sigh escape her lips.
"Morgana Pendragon." She told him.
All at once, ten crossbows were aimed at her.
"We know what you are and what your kind does. Be on your way."
"I am not going anywhere untill I see your king." She replied defiantly.
She could see the guard glaring down at her.
"At least ask him if he would see me but tell him that I am a very patient woman and I shall wait all night if need be."
The guard still looked unsure but he sent a guard to ask anyway.
It took longer than Morgana thought it would but eventually the guard came back and started whispering to the man in charge.
The heavy gates were opened before her and with a slight smirk, Morgana moved her horse forward and into the courtyard.
It was nothing like Camelot.
Dirt was the road instead of stone, and badly constructed huts sat in different places. As she rode through, she watched people fight over meat and threaten each other. She saw animals that did not look at all well standing in pens that they were chained to.
She looked forward and saw that the castle in front of her was huge and dark grey.
It fit in with the rest of this dreary place.
Morgana dismounted and tied her horse up outside.
She looked around and found a stablehand standing against the post of a small barn. She tossed him a coin.
"Watch my horse. If I find him gone when I return, you will pay with your life."
He was only young but he was not stupid amd he nodded, taking his place beside her black stallion while she entered the castle.
It was just as dark inside and candle sconces on the wall provided little light.
Blood red carpet lined the way up to the throne room and inside the chamber, Morgana saw the king sitting on a huge, evil looking black throne.
It had been carved from burnt wood but that did not make it any less threatening, much like the king himself.
He was a tall man, even sitting down, she could tell that.
He had thick black hair and a close shaved black beard to match. His grey eyes did not look kind and he was strong; strong enough to snap a man in two if he wished. But she needed him as an ally, it was the only way.
Morgana made her way up to him and knelt respectfully with her head bowed.
When he spoke, his voice was rough and slurred.
"Morgana Pendragon..." He drawled.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
She looked up and offered him a grin.
"The pleasures' all mine, your highness."
This king responded to flattery above all and she knew that.
He grinned and looked down at her from his throne of black.
"You are a high priestess, what do you need my help for?"
"I come to seek an allience, my lord. Surely the king of Lothian understands what it is like when your throne is stolen from you." She told him.
He nodded.
"That I do."
King Lot had killed his own brother to obtain this kingdom, people still wondered if Lot was the rightful heir or not.
"Then you must know why I want this allience." She said.
A small smile came to his lips and he stared at her.
"Stand up." He told her simply and she did, throwing her hood back so that he could see her face clearly.
"You wish me as an ally so that you can use my army, kill Arthur and take over Camelot... I see no reward in this for me." He said with a shrug.
"Once I crowned the rightful queen of Camelot, you may take whatever you wish. The lands of Gedref, Bardon pass, even Cenred's old kingdom... they are all yours' for the taking."
Lot considered this.
"Why take Camelot? If you wish to be a queen, you could have just asked to marry me and become queen of Lothian." He told her.
She nodded but anger fueled her words.
"Because Camelot is rightfully mine."
Lot chuckled.
She knew that her fire, her anger, would please him greatly.
He sat forward and beckoned her towards him.
He looked up at her as she stood before him and then took her hand.
"All I want from you, Morgana Pendragon, is one thing only. As you can see, I have no heir, no one to rule over my kingdom when I am gone... If you could provide me with an heir, you will have my loyalty."
Morgana felt her insides clench and she steeled herself against what he was asking. He wanted a child and she already had a child with Merlin.
How could she do that to him when Merlin was the only one she truly loved?
She had Mordred, she didn't want another child and certainly not by king Lot.
Finally, she forced herself to look into his grey eyes.
"You shall have your heir once I obtain Camelot."
He nodded and laughed, pulling her roughly onto his lap.
"It is a shame I have to wait but I will help you, Morgana, for I would like nothing more than to see Arthur fall."
At last, she had the ally she knew would ensure the crown but she had no intention of giving this pig headed man an heir.
Lot should not have been so trusting of her.
She was good at deceit, after all, she had fooled her family and friends for a whole year...
Vivienne recieved a letter from Morgana telling her what she planned to do;
Mother,
I have sought an allience with King Lot. He has accepted my offer in exchange that I produce him an heir as soon as I have taken the throne of Camelot. I am to stay here with him whilst he gathers his army and that includes the Saxons, Arthur's enemy.
I will write to you to let you know of our plans later.
Morgana
Vivienne crumpled the letter in her hands and threw it into the unlit the fire place. King Lot?
He was bloodthirsty and definitely not a man of his word.
How could Morgana have been so stupid?!
Lot would never help her and if anything, he would force her to give him an heir even before the battle.
Morgana must be warned. If she was not, she would be looking at a very short stay in Lothian.
While Morgana slept in the chamber next to Lot's, a crow flew at her window.
Her eyes opened and she got up to open the window. Attached to the bird's leg was a small scroll.
She untied the ribbon and sent the crow on it's way. After closing the window, she unrolled the paper and read her mother's handwriting;
Morgana,
Do not do this. Lot will never help you. He will take from you whatever you have promised him and he will kill you. Please trust that I know this.
Leave that place, Morgana. There are other ways to assume the throne, just be patient.
Your loving Mother
Morgana's lips tightened and she crushed the paper in her hand. No, she had waited long enough and she would make Lot help her.
She did not even bother to respond to the letter and instead carried on as normal.
Vivienne became so worried that she wrote to the young warlock.
He seemed to be the only one left in this land apart from her, who cared about Morgana anymore.
She wrote to him quickly. If she could not get to her daughter, maybe he could.
She could not tell him all what had happened in the letter, she had to meet him in person and she would risk her own life to do so.
In her letter she asked him to meet her in the lower town a little after dark. She also said that if he did not meet her, she would stay there until the guards found her, as she knew he would not let anyone die without good reason.
Vivienne waited patiently for him and just when she was about to give up hope and wait for the guards instead, he appeared.
She couldn't help the look of relief that crossed her face when she saw him.
"Merlin!" She breathed.
His face was stern.
"What do you want?"
"It is Morgana, she's in trouble, Merlin." Vivienne told him.
No emotion passed over the warlock's face.
"Is this another trap?"
Vivienne looked appalled and shook her head.
"No, she has gone to King Lot to form an allience but I fear that he does not plan to keep his word to her."
Merlin frowned slightly at this.
"What does she want?"
"You are aware that she has declared war? She intends to use Lot and his army to do it."
Merlin's blue eyes widened.
Vivienne took hold of his hand.
"If you wish to save your king, you need to save my daughter first."
Merlin stared at her.
"What was her bargain with Lot?" He demanded.
"He wants her to give him a child." She answered quickly.
"A child? But she already has-" He cut off just like Morgana had done when she was telling her mother about the history between herself and Merlin.
Vivienne frowned.
"She has what?" She pushed.
Merlin shook his head.
"It is not my place to say, she will tell you."
Vivienne narrowed her eyes at him.
"Even she will not tell me."
Merlin tried to dodge around the subject.
"What harm can Lot do to a high priestess?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. Vivienne looked panicked.
"He could kill her."
Vivienne explained to Merlin that what Morgana did not realize was that Lot had people in his castle that knew how to prevent magic. If he wanted to, he could leave Morgana powerless.
Merlin told her that he would go and bring Morgana back but only if it meant he could save his king.
He insisted that he was not doing this for Morgana but for Arthur.
Vivienne knew better...
Merlin travelled to Lothian and made sure that Arthur was told a believable lie before he left.
He said that he had to go away to check on his mother.
Gwen had persuaded Arthur to let him go.
Merlin knew that if Arthur really knew where he was going, he would have stopped him..
...
Merlin had left a little too late and King Lot was already becoming impatient with Morgana. He claimed that her demands were too high and that she would lie and give him no heir unless he forced her too, which he threatened that he would if she did not uphold her end of the bargain.
She was walking down one of the corridors when two guards gripped her arms roughly and started to drag her down the stairs.
She went quietly as she knew this was under Lot's instruction.
Sure enough, she was made to kneel before the King while he sat on his throne.
He stared down at her just as he had when she had first arrived.
"I have the army you wanted, Morgana. Just a few more to join the battle and soon we will be ready to attack Camelot." He told her.
She looked up at him, still on her knees.
"And you have dragged me down here by force to tell me that?" She snapped angrily. Lot shrugged.
"I apologize but something has come to my attention. Once we take Camelot, there is no guarantee that you will give me what I want, is there?"
She frowned at him.
"You know I will. I made a promise."
He spread his hands wide in a helpless gesture.
"But even promises can be broken, Morgana, surely you know that."
She did and her teeth clenched at the memory of it.
Lot stared at her with suspicious grey eyes.
"So you can see why I have to do this."
Morgana looked panicked and she flinched when the doors to the throne room opened and a strange man walked in.
He was not especially tall but the only thing that matterd to her was that he bore the mark of a druid.
Her eyes widened and Lot grinned as the man stood by her side.
"Thank you for coming, Atir. I know the journey for you is a long one."
Atir just smiled.
"When you told me it was concerning the Lady Morgana, I could not resist." He said with a cruel grin.
Morgana looked from Lot to Atir and back again. Something passed between them, a knowing glance and her blood froze in her veins.
Lot nodded his head and Atir grabbed her wrist, hauling her to her feet.
Morgana struggled against him but he was strong.
"Come along, Morgana, this is the way it must be."
She didn't shout out or call for help but as she looked back, she saw that Lot was grinning from ear to ear.
Author's Note- Oh dear, what has Morgana gotten herself into and can Merlin get to her before it's too late?