Lancelot rubbed his firm stomach; his eyebrows arched in Arthur and Merlin's direction. "How about a hot afternoon meal? I know an inn with delicious food in Mercia."

Morgana paled. Her hands tightly clutched her reigns. "Let's travel longer. We're almost at the castle. Can't you wait?"

Lancelot shook his dark hair," My fair lady, I need a decent meal. I can't wait several more hours. "

Arthur smiled sweetly at Morgana,"It's settled. We stop for an afternoon meal." Morgana hid a dark frown behind her sable hair. She swallowed nervously as Arthur rushed ahead of their party. His dark blue eyes dominated with an unidentifiable emotion. Soon, this would be over. Camelot would usher in a new age for magic under her son's rule. Arthur would have to concede her son right to rule Camelot.

Arthur struggled to keep his emotion intact. He spent his life growing as a child with Morgana; but he didn't know this woman. What happened to feisty and sassy Morgana? Her belief in doing the right thing? I can accept her hating me. I can accept her hating Father. I can accept her wanting to rule Camelot. I will never forgive or forget the loss of my son or Guinevere's pain. I would never forgive her for planting false children in my mind. His jaw set tensely, Arthur urged his horse towards town. Arthur realized that his brotherly bonds with Morgana were over; Morgana died when she joined forces with Morgause. He would never accept her back into their lives. He would not give into Gwen's pleas or Uther's begging. Morgana would be banished from their lives.

Lancelot worried over Arthur, he realized that Arthur carried a deep biding love for Gwen. At first, he believed Gwen was a challenge for the cocky prince. He observed Arthur's despair without her gentle nature or beautiful smile. Arthur's heart felt his pain. He knew it was time to say goodbye to Guinevere. His heart was ready to love again. The long harsh winter forced him to reassess his life. He didn't want to be alone or longing for Gwen. He let her go, it was a difficult choice, but it was time to select a new path. A new adventure. A new life.

Merlin stared at Arthur's expressionless face. I created his turmoil. I should have let Morded die, and Morgana suffer Uther's wrath. I used to believe in the good in people. Now, I realize that we all have a choice. Good or evil, I made my choice as did Morgana.

"Merlin, can we stop for a moment," Morgana called. Merlin urged his horse to pause as he stared deeply into her mossy green eyes, filled with nothing. Such beautiful eyes hiding a terrible evil, and evil hidden by such beauty. Am I so weak to fall for a beautiful woman?

"Yes, Morgana," Merlin answered.

"Can we stop for awhile?"

Merlin nodded. "Of course, Arthur and Lancelot, continue on to the inn. We'll be there shortly."

Lancelot gave Merlin a wary look. Arthur's lips clamped together, but he chose not to argue with Merlin. He kicked his horse into a gallop. Lancelot threw one last look as he followed Arthur. Merlin dismounted his horse; Morgana noticed that he didn't move to assist her dismount. She smirked slyly at Merlin," I feel distance between us, Merlin. What have I done?"

Merlin's lips quivered as he thought about her actions. Where do I begin, my fair Morgana. Should I start with Gwen? Or, save her for last? What about the poor defenseless baby that you help murder?

"No," Merlin shrugged. "I've grown weary hunting Morgause."

"We'll find her."

"Of course, and Arthur will rule in peace. His child with Gwen will be his successor."

Morgana frowned gently," Perhaps, one day, Arthur and Gwen will have a child."

"Of course, they will have a child created out of love."

"One day."

"Soon."

Morgana's feet crushed green grass as she approached Merlin," Lets speak of us."

"About."

"Our love."

"Love is such an important emotion. What would you do for love, Morgana?"

"Anything."

"I know."

Morgana placed her hands on Merlin's trembling shoulders. "My heart belongs to you." Merlin pushed Morgana away. "Really, then, why were you kissing Alvarr in the woods. Seriously, I thought he died at your hand."

"Merlin, what are you talking about?"

"Stop lying, Morgana," Merlin screamed. Rage twisted his angular features; his hands curled into fists as his eyebrows knitted together. "We know everything. The plan to seduce Arthur; killing the baby; and seducing me to the black side of magic."

Morgana smirked at Merlin. "I didn't give you enough credit. I should have told you about my new life. A life full of magic. A life free from Arthur and Uther. You're bounds would be broken."

"Yes, a life on the run. A life filled with hurting people."

"You don't understand, Merlin."

"Why did you kill Gwen's baby?" Merlin sneered."

"Everyone must pay the price in war. It was necessary to ensure freed for magical people"

"No, you want power and control of Camelot. The child had a free innocent soul."

Morgan flicked her long sable hair. "What is innocence? They can have others."

"Stay out of Camelot. I wish you died that day. I don't know you."

"I didn't know myself. Merlin, I was confused, now I have knowledge. Could you live with my death?"

"You have evil. I could live my life without ever seeing you again." Merlin turned to leave Morgana. His skin felt a chill as she began to summon her magic. "Morgana, please don't."

"You will join us." Merlin took another step. He struggled to control his magic. His fingers began to vibrate as he became one with nature. "Morgana, please end this."

Merlin heard her magic slip from Morgana's fingertips. Merlin pivoted as he placed an invisible shield around himself. Morgana's magic ball seared a tree. Smoke slowly rose into the sky. "I'm asking nicely, Morgana."

She stalked towards Merlin with her eyes glowing amber, her hands curled like crawls throwing magic at Merlin. Merlin brushed them away with a small flick," Morgana, I implore you to stop." I don't want to hurt you."

Morgana rubbed her hands together," You can't hurt me, I'm Morgana Lefay…"

Merlin twirled his fingers; large branches grabbed Morgana by her arms. A green leafy vine twisted around her slender wrists. Birds stuffed twigs into her gaping mouth. Morgana's eyes filled with horror as she struggled to free herself.

"I'm Merlin, son of Hunith and Balinor. The last dragonlord and wizard of Camelot. I will not kill you today. You died a long time ago. However, someday, I might. You can't defeat me. We will fight another day. I grow tired of you." Merlin's eyes filled with hate and distaste as they roamed over Morgana. "You had a choice."

Merlin heard her whimpers as he moved towards his horse. He hardened his heart to her cries. Morgana wasn't important any longer. A new age was dawning in Camelot.

Morded eyed a bunch of apples; the sun bouncing off their polished red skin, his small hands grabbed a bunch of apples as he ran towards the inn. The shopkeeper yelled, "Stop him." The shopkeepers had grown bitter over the mysterious boy stealing their produce over the last few days. The shopkeeper grabbed a large wooden pole as he dashed after the boy. Several shopkeepers followed behind him. Morded's heart raced as he jumped over puddles and raced around horses and people. A mischievous smile curved his young face. He looked over his shoulder one last time to gloat, his pink tongue wagged at his pursuers. He ran straight into Arthur's hard body.

"Hello, Morded," Arthur murmured.

"I'm Lancelot, a knight of Mercia. He's Prince Arthur of Camelot. We will handle the boy," Lancelot reassured the crowd. "Make a list of your stolen items. We will pay for your lost income. Please, leave this to us." The townspeople moved away from the blonde man roughly holding the little thief.

Morded arched an eyebrow as he began to cite a spell. Quickly, Arthur placed Excalibur over Morded chest. Arthur's sword absorbed Morded's magic. The boy's blue eyes widen in shock. Apples tumbled to the ground as Arthur pulled him towards the inn. Lancelot shivered at Arthur's unleashed rage as he watched Arthur drag Morded though the town square.

"Arthur, remember who you are," Lancelot implored.

"I should be a father, Lancelot. But his mother robbed me of my child. I should be home sitting with Guinevere and my baby. Sir mischief playing with string. A family, not here, hunting these people, or missing my wife. I know who I am," Arthur screamed.

"What would Guinevere want?"

"She's nice. She would set them free."

"Think about her."

"I could slice him to pieces with Excalibur; leave his broken and bloody body like a pile of dung. Like they left Gwen. Like they left my baby," Arthur reasoned. "I want to see his mother."

For once in his life, Morded was afraid. Magic would not save him. Arthur Pendragon's rage was untamable. He bit his lips as he tried to think of a plan of action. He could feel Arthur fury throbbing in his muscles. His feet left dusty trails as Arthur and Lancelot moved quickly though the crowds. The townspeople were tired of Morded's antics; they turned a blind eye as Arthur roughly handled the young boy. They wondered what the child did to cause such fury in Camelot's prince. Then, the boy was thief and liar, not their problem.

Lancelot pushed the inn doors opened, his eyes scanned for Morgause and Alvarr. He spotted in them in a secluded corner leisurely eating a late afternoon meal. Morgause drank a goblet of wine. Alvarr devour a mouthful of chicken, grease smeared around his bead. Lancelot nodded towards the pair, "Wait me, Arthur." Lancelot grabbed three wooden chairs and placed them in front of the couple. Morgause's brown eyes dismissed Mercia's knight. "We're eating," she replied rudely. Lancelot smirked. "Just a moment of your time." Alvarr continued eating a chicken leg, Morgause eyed Lancelot coolly. "Be quick."

Lancelot motioned for Arthur to bring Morded to the table. "Milady, we have something that you have misplaced, "Lancelot muttered under his breath. Morgause's eyes widen when she spotted Morded clutched against Arthur Pendragon's torso, a gleaming sword pressed into his young body. Horror washed over her face, her eyes harden as she paled. Alvarr dropped his chicken leg as he placed a filthy hand on his gleaming knife.

"Everyone in here is a knight from Camelot or Mercia," Lancelot replied. "Finish your meal, Alvarr,"

"Did my wife wear your expression when you caused her to fall, Morgause? Did she feel fear for her child like you?" Arthur asked menacingly. "Don't try magic, it won't work. Forged from steel and bathed in dragon's breath, my sword will deflect your silly spells."

Morgause's lowered her voice; her hands shook as she attempted to reason with Arthur, "He's a boy."

"My child was a baby. Did you show him any mercy?"

Morded trembled in Arthur's arms. His blue eyes full with tears. "What did Guinevere ever do to you?"

Morgause licked her lips, "Nothing, she did nothing."

"What did my child do to you?"

"Nothing," Morgause whispered.

Arthur pressed the sword harder against Morded. "You claim that my father is a monster. You aren't any better. You kill innocent people. You hurt everyone in your path for revenge." Alvarr gave Arthur a disinterested stare. "You don't even care about your own son, Alvarr." The warlock shrugged in reply.

"We have suffered," Morgause reasoned.

"As did my wife."

Merlin walked into the inn, he spotted Arthur holding Morded to his chest. Excalibur sharply pressing against the boy. Merlin closed his eyes as he approached Arthur. "Arthur, let him go," Merlin implored.

"No, she should see her son bleed like Gwen did. She should have an empty mother's arms like Gwen."

Arthur's cold eyes met Morgause's tear filled brown ones. "Beg for his life. Did she beg, was she scared? Did she cry? Yes, this is about my wife, "Arthur roared.

Merlin inhaled deeply, "We aren't them, Arthur. We are not evil. Let them ago. Gwen wouldn't want you to do this. Don't lose your soul over Morgause. Let him go."

Arthur smiled bleakly. "Stay away from my family. If you want me, you come after me. If you ever hurt my family again, I'll hunt down and kill you in your sleep, like a coward. Because, you understand cowardice . I'll lose my soul." Arthur lowered Excalibur and pushed Morded towards his mother. "Remember, when you kill another person's baby. I spared your child. I gave him mercy, a mercy that you didn't show my baby." Lancelot stood in front of Arthur as he walked towards the door, "Merlin, send them somewhere."

Merlin looked at the trio with disgust. "Morgana's twisting in the wind. Go help her. You like the woods. I'll be waiting for you. The war is not over; the battle is just beginning. We will not show mercy again." Merlin uttered a few magical words as they dispersed from the inn.

Merlin found Arthur instructing Camelot's knights to return home; Lancelot stood speaking with his comrades from Mercia. Merlin swallowed as he realized that everything changed in one simple moment. Arthur smiled at him, "Let's go home." Merlin smiled in relief as the darkness was gone from Arthur's eyes.

Merlin, Lancelot, and Arthur sat around a crackling fire. "Thank you for today, I could have killed that boy. I wanted to, so badly to make Morgause hurt." Lancelot stretched his long frame, "Arthur, we are not monsters. Simple men given a difficult job." Lancelot and Arthur eyes met in friendship, a bond was reestablished over mutual respect and admiration.

"Merlin, you are my guide."

"So, I don't have to clean up behind you."

"You are a horrible servant."

"You're a mean master." Laughter filled the cool night air.

Arthur eyed a trembling Geoffrey, a nervous Eliza, and a calm Leon as he paced the Council room in fury. He couldn't believe Eliza and Leon's tale about Leogrance's obsession with Gwen. Geoffrey paled and fanned himself, when Eliza began her tale. Arthur's stood overwhelmed with confusion and fury.

His large hands waved in front of him. "Leogrance thinks Gwen is his lover, Anna. Anna was Gwen's mother?"

"Sire," Eliza began.

"Arthur-

"Yes or no replies. Don't talk at once, "Arthur interrupted.

"Yes."

"Gwen is pregnant," Arthur inquired.

"Yes."

"How did that happen?"

"Arthur, you were there, not us, "Merlin quipped.

"Shut up, Merlin."

Merlin lowered his eyes in shame as he swallowed a giggle. "Sorry, Arthur."

"My father went o save Gwen and the baby?"

"Yes."

"He hasn't returned in almost five weeks."

"Yes."

Lancelot pondered their answers. "Arthur, it takes two weeks to get to Camelian. Eliza said Gwen was near her time. They couldn't travel in her condition. It would be hard to travel with a newborn infant. Uther is waiting for you. We must leave."

Arthur wiped his face. "Damn Morgana! It will take two weeks until I can get there. Anything could happen to them."

"Arthur", Merlin began cautiously," I can teleport us there." Arthur frowned in apprehension. "Merlin waved his large hands. "I know, but for Uther, Gwen, and the baby."

"Can we go now?"

"In the morning, I need to rest."

Camelian

Richard watched his father's eyes roam over Gwen's round form. He smiled softly at Gwen as Richard's stomach turned in revulsion. Arthur was delayed; he would confront his father tonight. It was difficult hiding Uther in Town. As soon as father dismisses from lunch, I'll meet with Uther and formulate a plan.