It's a little later than I wanted, but It's here! This one will have lots of fun stuff and some unfun stuff.
Just to let you guys know I too my NCLEX this last Friday and I just found out today that I passed! So that is a big load off of my shoulders. I just need to find a job now.
And by the way! I will update my other story soon. I just had a lot going on this week and last week.
Leather2Lace: Update on schedule! And I love me some possessive Merlin but I also like sweet Merlin. :)
Moon Fox: Yeah. I wanted it to be borderline dark, but she knows that he won't hurt her so the little bit of roughness was okay. Yeah…Arthur won't be clueless for long.
icarusLSU: This one gives a little more explanation of the bond and I'm glad you like Dark merlin.
Shell22: I like my heroes bold and expressive. He's the most powerful sorcerer ever. He needs a little bold.
Miranda Panda-chan: Hello Newbie! And thanks! I love writing Mergana interactions! There is much more fun to come, trust me.
EllieMJayx: You are awesome. Just so you know. More interesting chapters to come I hope.
funnygirl00: I'm glad you approve of my dark!merlin! And here it is.
Bri: You are totally going to go nuts…and hate me by the end…I hope you don' t though.
Aly G: The are still in kind of a honeymoon stage with the potion still in their systems. There are some hints as to what is to come if you look closely. Their bond is getting stronger and you will see that in this chapter.
Sjritts: ooooh It will take them so many places.
Rdemon: I will reveal nothing of my upcoming story chapters. I could make it terrible you know…very terrible.
Guest: No…never Mordred/Morgana. It's too weird.
Sofia Lawrence: Your wish is my command.
Renaissancebooklover108: so do I, my friend. So do i.
A Lady of Time: I've been told that my story is like a TV series. One episode a week. It makes everything better.
Lilmiss: You are there in spirit my dear. ;)
freckled98: One of my original plans was to bring Gwen here too so Arthur could have fun…but then I got her pregnant and the baby is too young to be left alone for days so Arthur gets to be alone.
Valentina 93: Send me a PM about your request and we can talk about it. :)
WrittinInStone: I look forward to you reading and telling me what you think, Newbie.
Aithusalover: I have been neglecting poor Aithusa lately, but she will be back soon!
4 mergana: Tell me everything about what you think! I've missed you! And I hope you did well on your exams and welcome back!
Alright….no writiers block this time, but I had trouble with the end because this chapter was originally going to be HUGE, but I decided to cut it up and so hopefully I can make next week's huge. But we shall see. I was a little busy this week.
Much loves to my readers! And I don't own Merlin…blah blah blah.
XxOxX
Arthur awoke in the elder's tent with the elder's still in their trance that the incense induced in them last night. When the sounds of lovemaking had gotten too loud and too uncomfortable for Arthur, Ysira smiled gently at him and made the tent invulnerable to sound.
When the elders did go into their trance, they burned a special kind of incense that invaded Arthur's senses and mind and he fell asleep to see things that couldn't possibly be true, things about himself, Merlin, and so many others. When he awoke though, he remembered little of his dream except a sense of betrayal and fear. He supposed that it was because he had no magic for his own that his experience would be different from those for whom the incense was intended.
Arthur sat up and looked at the tent entrance, both interested to see what was out there and slightly queasy about it. He had no real desire to look upon the bodies of naked woman and men and he wondered what he would tell Gwen about this experience, because she would undoubtedly coax it from him eventually.
The King decided to thrust his own discomforts aside, because he had not seen Merlin when the festivities started and he was slightly worried about what his best friend might have gotten himself into. Besides that, he had to check on his knights to see what trouble they had gotten into during the night.
Arthur left the tent to find several couples sprawled among furs, sleeping. They were mostly covered and looked very relaxed. He looked around and spied the tent that he saw Gwaine go into and made for it, avoiding the sleeping couples as best he could. The King opened the tent to find Gwaine lying on a bed of furs with the girl…Lilly curled up next to him. "Gwaine." When the man did not respond he said a little louder, "Gwaine. Get up." The man stirred but still did not awaken. Arthur sighed and looked around for a cup to put water in. When he found one, he returned to the tent and opened it, then without missing a beat he threw it onto Gwaine's face, far from the woman who was still asleep.
Gwaine sputtered as he jolted awake and sat up quickly, looking around before his gaze settled on Arthur, "That was rude. You have no idea what kind of night I had."
"I'm sure you will regale me the tale of your exploits, but that was hilarious. Come on, we have to find the others and Merlin. Hello Lilly." He told the woman who had also been awoken by Gwaine's sudden jolt. She blinked sleepily up at the blonde King and waved before lying back down and closing her eyes.
Gwaine grumbled about prats and being woken up early as he went to grab his pants and Arthur left the tent to find the other two. He had found Percival in a tent with a woman on either side of him and had silently congratulated the large warrior. Percival was a lot easier to awaken then Gwaine had been. He nodded at Arthur's orders and grinned as he raised his arms to encompass the two women. Arthur grinned and nodded back to him before he left. Lionell was already up and the blonde that he had bedded was trying to treat him to another round of fun. Arthur cleared his throat and Lionell turned back at him with a puppy dog look, as if begging him for just 5 more minutes.
Arthur sighed, "You have 5 minutes. I expect you to be done with this and out with the rest of them by then."
"Yes. Sir." Lionell whispered and Arthur got the hell out of there before he had nightmares of his naked knights. Arthur shivered in horror and made his way back to his camp beneath the druid camp. He had not seen Merlin during his trek around the camp as he was really starting to worry.
Arthur changed his clothes quickly and he spied his knights coming down the hill, shoving each other playfully and laughing and talking. And behind them he spied Mordred also coming down the hill. When they all gathered at the camp he nodded at Mordred, "What are you doing down here?"
"I was just checking up on you. That potion can be pretty intense for those without magic. The good news is that it fades more quickly in those without our gifts, so other than the high libido that you will have for a day or so more, you won't need to stay here to relieve it."
"What about you then?" Gwaine spoke up and turned to Mordred.
"Right now I'm fine, but I will need to get back before dark. The urges are the strongest then."
"I see. Have you seen Merlin?" Arthur asked him and watched as a dark look entered his features and was just as quickly gone as if it never existed at all.
"I saw him last night on my walk. Is he not here?"
"No. He's not. I was going to go and look for him."
"Let me help you." Mordred offered, secretly hoping to check on Morgana as well, since that is where he assumed that Merlin would be as well, much to his chagrin.
"Are you sure? I don't want to take you from the camp so soon."
"I'm sure. After all, he helped save my life once. I should make sure he is alright." Mordred gave them a smile.
"Lead on. You can show us where you saw him going."
"My pleasure."
#$#$#$#
Morgana awoke to a hand between her thighs coxing her to a quick climax. Her mind was barely awake, but her body was already ready for more, despite the tenderness of her intimate flesh.
Merlin had not slept during the night, well truth be told neither of them had slept during then night much. He was still ready for more despite her drowsiness and he couldn't wait any longer. He needed to hear her and smell her and taste her again more than he needed to breathe. They had mated in different positions and their magic had joined sometime during the night. It lead Merlin to realize that even in his lust induced haze he could still reason and think and had found out some rather interesting things during the night. He could run his magic along his body like a current and make all the sensations against his skin stronger and more intense and he could do the same thing to her. He could run his magic along his hands and any part of his skin that he touched he could make her more sensitive and even bring her to climax with just the right amount of power spilling into her. It was a heady sensation because he had his mind linked to hers and everything that she felt, he felt too. It was deeper and more intimate that he ever had known existed and some part of him was afraid of it.
Merlin used his magic and made it run along his fingers and he continued to play with her. She moaned and arched into his touch. "Merlin." She half whined.
"What?"
"I'm sore."
"Sore? Do you want me to stop?" He started to bring his hand away.
"No."
"But…"
"No." She pulled his hand back to where it rested between her thighs and she arched into his touch. Damn her body. She needed more of this. If her mind wasn't occupied it would think about how bad this entire situation was for them. "More."
"I was gentle with you.." He kissed her neck and nuzzled her and her breath hitched as she grew closer to climax, even faster now that he was using his magic to cheat and the familiar coils in her belly wound tighter and tighter. "You are so beautiful, Avaleora. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He told her gently and intensified his efforts.
She grew tenser and tenser until the tightness in her lower belly snapped and she climaxed once more and was silenced by his lips on hers. He groaned into her mouth as well, feeling her climax as if it were his own. He continued to stroke her until she came down from her high, shaking and weak. Morgana would be surprised if she could even use her legs for an entire week after their marathon last night or need sex for at least a year. "Gods…I don't know if I can take much more." She gasped out after relaxing against him.
Merlin nodded and kissed her again before he pulled her against him and his ever present erection. Morgana tensed as she felt it. She made a movement to speak, "No. It's fine. It will eventually go away. I don't want to make you feel obligated."
"How can you still be…" she gestured to his groin.
"I think it has something to do with that potion. It's annoying."
Morgana laughed and moved again, the sound of her flesh peeling from his made her very aware of how sticky and very dirty she was from sweating and other things. "I need a bath. I feel disgusting."
"I agree. But can you make it to a pond or river?"
"There is one not far from here. And I can walk. I think." She replied and sat up. Her head swam and she took a few deep breaths to make her vision clear. She felt another cramp and let out a soft growl. It had been happening all night long, and only in the lull between one bout of sex and the next.
Merlin also rose, but was in much better shape than Morgana, despite having just as many climaxes as she did, if a little less. His manhood was still at full mast and he did his best to ignore it, despite feeling Morgana's hungry gaze on him. "Stop looking at it." He chided.
"I can't help it. It's just right there."
"Come on." He pulled her upright and her legs immediately gave out on her. Merlin chuckled and proceeded to pick her up and carry her despite the rather vocal disagreement coming from her mouth, words that he proceeded to ignore, despite their vehemence. "Where to?"
Morgana used their mind link to show him the direction to the pool and he was surprised that she had done so. It was too intimate for her, or so he thought. She was silent in his arms for a way down to the pond when she suddenly spoke up, "Where's Aithusa? I miss her."
"She's with Kilgarrah. After you left I told him to keep her. And she misses you." Merlin told her. He hadn't thought much of the little dragon since she had left and he felt bad for leaving her and wallowing in his own anger. Aithusa was connected to Morgana and she would have wanted him to go after her and that wasn't something that he wanted to do.
"Why? She hates it with him."
"She hates that cave more. And she doesn't know that you left Camelot. I didn't want her to get into any danger or try to do something silly while you were away."
"Tell her to come back to me. If you don't want her. I do."
"It's not that. I want to protect her."
"By keeping her in the dark? Remember that last time you did that? And didn't it turn out so well?"
Merlin glared at the path ahead, "I like you better when you are quiet."
"No you don't. You like it better when I'm loud."
"Shut up."
"What about everyone else? Are they alright?"
"Gwen misses you. Ellie misses you more."
"What about you? Did you miss me?"
"It seems I missed you so much that I had dreams about you."
"What?"
"I had dreams about you, your childhood. I saw Gorlois reading you a story. I felt how much you loved him. I also saw the first time you met Arthur and gave him a bloody nose. I saw your first vision and how much it frightened you because it eventually came true. I saw what your father tried to do to stop them because you wouldn't sleep. I even saw your first day in Camelot after he died. It must have been so hard on you…to lose the one person you loved more than anyone else in the world and go to someone who was nothing like Gorlois." Morgana had gone rigid and stock still in his arms and suddenly pushed him away and moved to land on her feet. When her knees buckled she refused his help and staggered from tree to tree. He felt her anger at him, but he had no idea why. "Morgana! What did I say?"
"Nothing. You don't know anything."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Every time I think I can lower my guard around you, you find a way to bring it back up."
"I don't understand. I wanted to let you know that I understand you."
"I don't want your pity, Merlin. I don't want you to suddenly understand me because you saw little snippets of my life. You don't know anything about me." She hissed at him.
"I know that you haven't been happy for a very long time and I know that when Gorlois died, a piece of you died with him. I know that you blame yourself for his death because you should have stopped it, because you saw it in your dreams and no one believed you. They all thought you were mad and just having nightmares and everyone still treated you like that when you were grown."
Morgana had stopped and turned back to look at him, "I saw you as well. When you were a child, when you saved Will from the river and when the villagers sought to send you away for your gift. I realized that you feared magic because if you used it they would send you away. I saw when the magic finders came to your village…when you saw my sister. You knew about her before I did. I saw you working in the fields and the other adults shunning you and teaching their children to shun you too."
"Then why are you mad at me?"
"Because I never wanted this. She threw up her hands and stopped, then brought her wrists up to look at them. "What?..." Merlin drew closer and saw runes along the scars of her wrist. They were pale and barely discernible.
"They look like runes."
"What kind of runes?"
"I don't know. I can really read them." He brought her wrists up and kissed them, trying to gain her forgiveness through kindness. "Let's go to the lake and talk. I think it will clear our heads when we are clean." He held out his hand for her to take and this time she grasped it and he supported her as they walked. "I didn't mean to spy on you. I liked looking into your life. I know so little about it."
"I did too." Morgana admitted quietly, "I apologize for snapping at you. I just…"
"Don't want my pity and don't want to appear weak. That wasn't why I did it. It's all a part of my plan."
"Plan?"
"Don't you remember last night? When I said that I was going to fight for you."
"Oh yes…right in the middle of…"
"Yes." They reached the lake and he helped her into it and on the way down she grasped his still erect manhood and gave him a squeeze. He jerked and nearly dropped her into the water and nailed her with a glare. She smiled innocently up at him and he jumped into the water. The cool water was incredibly soothing against his skin and he watched Morgana relax into the water eagerly and swam around, the water gleaming wetly against pale skin. Her back was to him and the scars that crisscrossed her back made him both angry and sorry for what she must have suffered. He found himself going over to her and enveloping her into a warm embrace as he kissed her back and each and every scar.
"Ugly aren't they? They whipped me for sport. It wasn't pleasant." She said nonchalantly, but her body language and their mental link told him that they bothered her, like the scars on her wrists and he saw her looking down at the new pale markings on her wrists over the reddish scars there. "I wonder where these came from."
"No idea. It must have been from our…activities last night."
Morgana laughed and turned her slick body around to face him, "Activities? Oh…you are so shy now aren't you? You were different last night, more commanding, darker….not like you."
"Do you like that better?" He asked her as she traced his chest with her fingertips, feeding her power into him and making that skin sensitive, like it was connected directly with the impatient organ between his legs.
Her gaze centered on his, green meeting blue and her lips twitched, "What if I said yes?"
"Then I would give you that more."
"What if I said that last night you were exactly what I needed? But now…I don't need it."
"Good. I don't like the darkness."
"It can be welcoming and comforting if that is all you know."
"How about I bring you into the light?"
"Maybe someday. Right now I think there is something better we can be doing?"
"You're right. We can be getting clean."
"That's not what I mean." She used the buoyancy of the water and wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms linked around his neck. She rubbed her intimate flesh against his, "Something more fun."
"I thought you said you were sore."
"A girl is entitled to change her mind."
"Good." He put his hands on her hips and she sunk onto his flesh and gave a hiss, partially in discomfort, but mostly in pleasure. They stayed like that for a few moments as Merlin got control of himself and brought her back up slowly, letting the sensation course through them slowly, the slide of flesh against flesh and the feel of the water around them added to everything. Morgana tilted her head back and ran her magic into him and in response he also gave her his magic. Each droplet of water was a brand new feeling, wet and cool and liquid all around her and him as well. It made the experience nearly surreal between them. Their dance began and it was a slow and long one. Merlin removed one hand from her hip, still maintaining his slow pace and grasped her chin gently and brought it back down so their eyes were on the same level, "I want to watch you. Keep your eyes on me this time." He requested and she nodded, and watched his face as he watched hers, keeping the pace slow. This seemed to make everything feel better, deeper and fuller. She wanted him to go faster, but Merlin was adamant about his slow pace.
$%$%$%$
Arthur, Mordred, Gwaine, Lionell, and Percival came upon Morgana's hut and Arthur quickly drew his weapon and pushed open the door. He looked around and the scent of sex, musk and lavender slammed into him. The bed was mussed and the shelves were bare, their contents spilled over onto the floor. The only part of the hovel that was untouched and unbroken seemed to be the bed. "Mordred. Who lives here?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Morgana?"
"We should leave. Merlin isn't here. He must have gone back to the camp." Mordred didn't want Arthur finding Morgana any time soon, because he didn't know how they would react to each other.
"Maybe you're right. Thank you for trying, Mordred. Men let's…" He stopped as a loud cry came from an eastern direction from the hovel. Arthur took off for the sound and his knights followed. Mordred also followed, fearing what they would find.
Arthur heard the sound of splashing water ahead and another cry…one that was vaguely familiar. The first thing he saw was dark hair and pale skin and he came to an abrupt halt as he recognized Morgana wrapped around his best friend. She lifted up her head and her eyes grew wide and she grew rigid. Merlin turned around with Morgana still in his arms and his eyes were equally as wide, "Arthur…I can explain…."
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" He bellowed at them and Merlin instantly dropped Morgana and rushed to the edge.
"Arthur…" Gwaine started but a glare from Arthur silenced him.
"I asked you what you were doing here…with her...with my SISTER!"
"It's kind of obvious isn't it?" Morgana responded sarcastically.
"Arthur. It's not what it looks like." Merlin started and he heard Morgana snort as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in the water to shield her body from the other men's eyes. She caught sight of Mordred.
'What is he doing here?" Morgana asked him.
"I offered to help him look for Merlin. I didn't expect this."
"You should have kept him away from here."
"I wanted to check on you too. I felt the tremors."
"Tremors?"
"Three tremors. You were busy last night."
"Weren't you?"
The turned their attention back to the conversation and Merlin was blushing and stammering and trying to smooth the situation over, "So you weren't having sex with my sister. Even after telling me that there was nothing going on between you. She's a sorceress for God's sake, Merlin! She could have killed you!"
Morgana glared at him, "I could kill you now too. All of you. And I would appreciate not being talked over as if I weren't here."
"Merlin. I want you to go back to camp. Find your clothes and go."
"Arthur…"
"I SAID GO!" Merlin scrambled out of the pool and Mordred handed him a pair of breeches from his pack. Without a word he jerked them on and headed back for camp. "You four, go with him. I want to speak to my sister alone."
"But Arthur. It's not safe." Lionell responded, afraid to leave his king with the one woman who wanted him dead.
"Make her swear not to hurt you. Swear it to the Old Religion." Merlin yelled from behind them.
"Do it." He ordered Morgana and she glared at him.
"Fine. I swear by the Old Religion that I will not harm you the rest of the day. Happy now?"
"I will be fine. Go." He ordered the knights and they decided not to argue with him and headed back to camp.
Morgana regarded Arthur with narrowed eyes, "Now wasn't that very Uther of you? Losing your temper like that?"
"Shut up, Morgana. I want to know what you did to Merlin?"
"What I did? You think that what we just did is the result of a charm? That no one can care for me? How very narrow minded you are."
"How else do you explain that then?"
"We were around each other for nearly 3 months. He was kind to me. We had feelings before all of this occurred, before I left Camelot."
Arthur started pacing, "He wouldn't fall for you. He wouldn't betray me like that."
"Were you two involved? I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"You know what I mean! Damnit, Morgana, stop playing word games with me. I'm in no mood."
"I understand that you are upset finding us like that, but this is better now. At least you know."
"Are you going to use him now to take my throne?"
"I assure you that I have no current interest in your throne, Arthur. That seat has gotten me into far too much trouble for now and caused me far too much pain. And Merlin would never betray you. He is far more loyal to you that you will ever know. At least for a while yet. He would choose you over me in a second if it came down to it."
"What?"
"Nothing, nevermind. You are so thick sometimes that you cannot see what is right in front of you."
"It's a trait that we share." Arthur told her, and then sat down, "I can't handle anyone else coming up to betray me. I wouldn't be able to come back from it if it were Merlin."
"Why?" She glided over to him and crossed her arms over a rock near him, resting her chin on her hands and watching him.
"Why do you care?"
"I was just making conversation. I find it more interesting that you are angry at me for bedding Merlin, yet not angry that Merlin for sleeping with your sister. Why is that?"
"He lied to me, looked straight at me and lied about that two of you. I have to wonder what else he lied to me about."
"Wait…you are angry that he lied to you?" Morgana was intrigued by his statement.
"Wouldn't you be? I'm not happy that he slept with you, make no mistake about that. I'm not happy at all. My best friend sleeping with my sister. Does he intend on marrying you? How could that work?" The laugh that came from him was strained.
"Did you intend on marrying me when you took my virgin blood?"
"Yes. I was."
"I see. Well, it was fun talking to you, little brother, but now I'm bored of you."
"Dismissing me? Just like old times."
"Go back to the camp. You've stayed here long enough. Go back to Gwen and your daughters."
"So you do care about them then?"
"I've been looking in on Ellie."
"That's another thing. You left her! Without a word! She cried for you that first week constantly. 'Gana! Gana!' She wailed for hours wanting you. Nothing would soothe her and eventually she would fall asleep. Do you have ANY idea what you did to us when you decided to flee like a coward? She cried for you and you left her. And you saved Gwen and our daughter Meighan. We named her after you, after you saved her life! We wanted you with us!" he yelled and knelt down to her. She was about to push him back or pull back when his arms wrapped around her shoulders and she gave a embarrassing yelp. She went rigid under his arms and he released her after a few moments.
"What was that for?" She quickly submerged her body.
"I never thanked you properly for saving Gwen's life. I would be lost without her."
"I know…or I knew…and I only did it for Ellie."
"I don't care why. I only care that you did it."
Morgana wiped her eyes, suddenly feeling vulnerable "Yeah."
"Goodbye, Morgana." He left her without another word and without another glance backward and Morgana felt very alone without Merlin there with her as she swam about. She hoped that Arthur would not take it too far, but knowing him and his temper, he could.
After he left she made her way out of the pool and used her magic, which was quite strong at the moment to help her make her way back to her hovel and get dressed. She had some things to attend to.
$%$%$%
Merlin felt a presence as it came up behind him. He felt a hand on his shoulder and stopped. "Gwaine…"
"Not Gwaine. Mordred."
"Mordred? Where are the other three?" Merlin took a quick look behind him.
"Close."
"Are you going to warn me away from Morgana again then?" he growled grumpily.
"No. I'm here to apologize."
"What?"
"Apologize. I was acting like a spoilt brat and I shouldn't have."
"Oh…well thanks."
"You sound thrilled." He muttered sarcastically.
"Well… I was just interrupted by the one person who I didn't want to find me doing what I was doing with Morgana. How else should I feel?"
"He can't be that angry."
"Oh yes he can."
"I'm sure it will be fine."
"So what made you change your mind?" he asked quickly, changing the subject.
"A woman…mostly."
"She must be some woman."
"You have no idea."
"Merlin! Merlin! What the hell were you thinking? And most importantly…how was it?" Gwaine suddenly came up between Mordred and Merlin and hooked an arm around both of their necks.
"I was thinking that most of my friends wouldn't walk in on Morgana and I having sex."
"Well you would be wrong about that."
"Clearly."
"I couldn't imagine bedding that one."
"Why?" Merlin asked accusingly.
"Because…she's Morgana." Gwaine offered.
"Untouchable and evil." Percival also chimed in.
"Not to mention a traitor…and a sorceress." Lionell added.
"And a good woman." Mordred suddenly spoke up. "She is kind and generous and helpful and desperately wants a family and a home and to belong. What she did to you was terrible, but that is only a part of her."
$%$%$%$
They reached camp after a debate over good vs. evil and Merlin got dressed and began to pack up the camp like everything was fine when Arthur suddenly appeared on the top of the ridge. He looked down at Merlin and as soon as Merlin caught sight of him he disappeared again. Merlin then mentally kicked himself. What was he thinking? That he could just forget the real world existed and Arthur was here just like that? That he could forget that Arthur would look for him if he were missing, that the man cared about him that much. He looked down at his groin that was still semi-hard from his recent escapades, "This is all your fault." He muttered and finished packing in due order. The rest of the knights were in the camp saying goodbye to their one time mates and Merlin joined them in camp.
Arthur bowed to the counsel of druid elders, "I will consider what you have told me and I will swear to aid you in any way I can. But remember that magic is still outlawed in Camelot and I will enact the laws if you violate them."
"Of course. And thank you, young Pendragon. We were glad to have you in our camp…in fact a few of our women were especially grateful." One of the male elders replied.
Ysira caught sight of Merlin, "Emrys."
Merlin's head jerked up, "Don't call me that here."
"You will need to accept that name before you can ever really achieve your destiny. Might and magic must work together to unite the land."
"I can't…not yet."
"One day, Emrys, your secrets will be revealed to the young King and when they are it will be either you who reveals it or someone else and you will prefer it to be you."
"When?"
"That I cannot tell you. What I will tell you is that your destiny is greater than you realize. And your mate is a part of that as well."
"Morgana?"
"That is one of her names, yes. You and she will achieve great things together, but only if you accept who you are completely and wholly."
"What do you mean? Accept myself? I know who I am."
"Do you? We will meet again and sooner than you might think."
"Merlin! Merlin! Pay attention. We are ready to go."
"Yes, sorry. I have the camp packed and the horses are ready."
"Good luck on your travels." Ysira added and they made their way down the hill and Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"I will talk to you about this later. Alone. Alright?"
Merlin nodded and he gave a sigh of relief as Arthur's hand left his shoulder as he headed down the hill ahead of the group. At least his best friend wasn't so mad at him that he was going to ignore him. But he started to fear what he was going to say. When they reached the bottom they mounted up and started heading for home.
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Morgana made her way back to the camp. She had realized that she left a few things back in her tent and if she were going to stay in that hovel for the rest of the month she would need them. She wasn't far from the camp when she heard screaming and instantly her pace picked up. The scent of smoke touched her nose and the moment she crested the hill that hid the druid camp she came into a scene of chaos. Men on horses were riding through the encampment slicing and tearing down tents left and right.
Morgana took one look at them and instantly felt enraged. The darkness that she was keeping buried deep inside her heart unfurled slowly as she called on it to come and play. She counted around 3 or 4 dozen soldiers…and each of them would be dead by the time she was done with them.
She called upon her power and unleashed a bolt of lightning from her hand into 3 of the soldiers, who dropped dead off of their horses. This would be fun.
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They hadn't gotten far from the camp when Merlin barely heard a scream in the distance. He stopped his horse, "I think I hear something."
Arthur and the rest of the knights turned around, "What are you…" Arthur's words died in his throat as he saw the column of smoke rising from the top of the forest where the druids were encamped. It was too large to be a normal fire. Arthur immediately kicked his horse into a gallop and headed back for the druids. He was instantly followed by the rest of them.
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Morgana spotted Mordred in the fray fighting off the soldiers with his magic and a staff. She also saw Nicoletta, Lilly and a few of her other students fighting them off with their magic. She looked around the camp and an arrow narrowly missed her shoulder. Morgana instantly found the archer and snapped his neck with a wave of her hand. "Mordred! Get them out of here."
Mordred nodded and broke off from the rest of them, using his magic to shield him from incoming arrows as he urged the rest of them to get out of Morgana's way. Morgana kept up blasting them off their horses and using her power to send them into the afterlife. She spied red out of the corner of her eye and turned toward it. The soldiers attacking the camp were wearing black and she could find no easily identifiable crest on their armor.
Arthur and the rest of his knights were cresting another ridge and headed directly into the fray on horseback.
So her brother was helping the druids then? Maybe she was wrong about him.
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Hidden in a tree an archer notched his bow with an arrow and found a target in the fray. With a sharp twang the he released the bowstring as the arrow hurtled towards its chosen target.
XxOxX
DUN DUN DUNNNNNN! I wonder who the bowman was aiming at. There were plenty of targets.
But you won't know until next week.
Just remember that I love you.
Read and tell me what you think! Feel free to guess at the intended target and next week you shall find out if you are right.
