A/N

Continuing from the events of last chapter centered during the Dark Tower Episode primarily Merlin and Arthur focused while Gwen and Morgana not so much. Mostly cannon events with some divergence on how Arthur and Merlin deal with the situation.

Some dialogue taken and adapted from Merlin BBC: The Dark Tower episode.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters.

Enjoy!

Gwaine remained outside the physician's chambers with Merlin and Mordred listening to Gaius tell Arthur about Leon and Percival's symptoms as well as hear Eylan recount the events that happened when they were returning from visiting Tom's resting place.

"Can you save them?" He whispers to the two sorcerers.

"I won't know until I try but if Morgana was the one who conjured those snakes then there might not be anything we could do." Merlin told him.

"What about Gwen?"

Merlin stayed quiet not sure of what to say when the door swung open and Arthur stormed out heading back towards his chambers. Merlin looked at Mordred, "Talk to Gaius see what you can do to help him." Then heads off in Arthur's direction.

...

Merlin enters the room without knocking causing Arthur to look up.

"Learn to knock will you."

Merlin frowned as he took in Arthur. He looked broken his eyes watery.

Merlin, I talked to Gaius. Leon and Percival are safe, and their conditions are improving, but we were right about Morgana conjuring the snakes there are signs of magic.

Thanks.

"Sorry Sire, I wanted you to know that Leon and Percival are safe they are well on the road to recovery."

Arthur nods not bothering to look up towards Merlin rubbing his eyes forcibly. "That's good news."

"...there's evidence of sorcery Gaius confirmed Morgana's involvement." Merlin tells him softly watching as Arthur finally looks at him.

"You can go Merlin-"

"I don't think I should."

"For once can you just leave me be."

Merlin shook his head, "I could but I'm your friend and I will not abandon you. Not now. I swear Arthur, I will find Morgana. She will not get away with this."

Arthur's lower lip trembles as he feels the tears start leaking out "...I lost Guinevere once before. I can't Merlin. I can't go through it again."

"You're not going to lose her. You're not, I will find her I swear to you we will bring her home."

Arthur clears his throat and nods at Merlin, "You're right- Arthur closes his eyes taking a deep breath he had to focus on Gwen- Prepare the horses I'll gather up the knights, we leave at once."

Merlin nodded at Arthur's quick shift in mood and hurried out the door.

Merlin and the knights sans Mordred were riding through the forest nonstop looking for a trail that would lead to the queen. The air was filled with tension. Sir Leon and Sir Percival had no physical injuries and insisted on coming to find the queen. Sir Eylan was quiet mind filled with guilt for not being able to save his sister. King Arthur was angry. Angry at his sister. Angry for losing Gwen, again. Angry for feeling useless and not being able to pick up a trail, but with anger came dedication his mind was focused on one goal and one goal alone rescuing his wife. Gwaine while also feeling guilt and rage was taking it upon himself to lighten the mood, he knew with Merlin by their side they would find Gwen. He also knew that they all needed some rest to regain their strength. He pushed his trusty steed Gringolet forward beside Merlin.

Merlin like Gwaine was worried about the others. Primarily (no surprise) about his sire. He knew Arthur hated showing weakness he only ever showed his true feelings in private. Merlin was sure that he was probably one of a rare few who Arthur trusted enough to show his feelings to, even though he would never admit it. Along with worrying about Arthur he was worried about Morgana. He had a feeling that something bad was going to happen and throughout the years by Arthur's side he has learned to trust his instincts. He knew Morgana was at the heart of his worries she must be setting up an ambush of some sort. He just wasn't sure what her end goal was. He didn't know where she was. He tried to pick up a trail but there was none they were wandering aimlessly.

"Mer? I think we would all benefit from a break."

Merlin looked up turning to look at Gwaine, "I think so too."

"Do you know where Morgana is? Can you do a spell to find her?" He whispered.

Merlin shook his head, "I don't know where, but I'll find her I think I have an idea of how, but I'll need to be away from the others. It's best to wait for night fall as well."

Gwaine nodded, "I can cover for you so you can do what you need."

"Thanks, Gwaine."

"No problem, mate now why don't you convince the king for a break."

"I'll talk to him" Merlin assured kicking his horse softly pushing it forward to catch up to Arthur who was a good ways away refusing to slow down for them.

"Sire? She can't be far," Merlin lied trying to give Arthur some hope.

"I know," the king growled refusing to slow down causing Merlin to push his horse forward again.

"But we have to work together! We'll make camp get a fire going in the morning we'll pick up the trail."

Arthur sighed finally releasing the reigns slightly so his steed could slow down allowing Merlin to catch up and ride besides him.

"Can you sense her?"

Merlin gulped, "No, but if we settled down I could."

"How? Merlin, we have to find her."

"I know. Trust me everyone here wants to find Gwen but riding aimlessly through the woods won't do her any good."

Arthur nodded spotting a good place to make camp ahead. Once he reached the spot, he waited till the others were in hearing range. "We'll make camp for the night but prepare to head out at first light." He told his men jumping off his horse and walking it to a nearby tree leaving it there trusting it wouldn't run off.

The knights and servant were all sleeping soundly. Merlin had made sure to set up wards, so they all wouldn't have to worry about any attacks, when he had snuck away to call Kilgharrah. He didn't meet with the dragon, but he did tell him to fly around to see if he could discover where Morgana was holed up and let him know. He had also managed to communicate with Gaius and Mordred to check on Camelot giving the poor old man a fright when his ward's reflection appeared in a bucket of water calling out to him. It was a trick he had been working on for a while and recently mastered. He had been inspired by the events with Freya and the water given to him by the Fisher King and he knew that being able to communicate over long distances would come in handy.

All of a sudden, the men were woken from a fierce yell by Sir Leon.

"AHHH!"

Merlin jumps up, "It's alright."

"The tower." Leon spoke shaken. Merlin kneeled in front of him putting his hand on his shoulder, "It was just a dream, Leon."

"Everything in its shadow is dead and the sound was… was like children screaming."

"And the rain that fell was like blood," Percival said drawing Leon's and the others attention, "I had the same dream. I was lost in a forest… and the trees had claws… and I finally escaped it. There was a plain…"

"Empty as far as the eye could see" Leon finished for him, "Except -"

"-Rising into the sky was a black… pillar… of stone."

"A tower so dark it could swallow the sun." Leon finished turning from Percival to Merlin.

"The Dark Tower," Arthur spoke confidently, "It's a place where every young knight is taught to dread and rightly so. It's where many have met their end."

Merlin blinked, "I've never heard of it."

"With good reason. It is said that the mere mention of it can bring doom to any of those who hear it."

Silence filled the camp as the knights turned to look around at one another as if the dream were a bad omen about to bring death to them in any second. Leon was wide eyed curls framing his face like a frightened child expecting the worse, when the sound of metal caused him to jump.

Gwaine had unsheathed his dagger and placed it into the dirt in front of him ready to grab it for when death approached. "Well let's not mention it again-then to change the morbid-ness in the air- I was having a dream about eating cheese that tasted of apple pie…" Everyone looked at the knight. Merlin with a face of exasperation and Leon confused, "… Anyone else have that dream?" He scoffed when no one replied, "You're all missing out." He fixed his blanket which was serving as a pillow and fell back to the ground with a sigh closing his eyes ready to go back to sleep.

Merlin gave Arthur a look and Arthur nodded. He would remain awake till the others fell asleep so they could talk.

"Why would they both have the same dream?" Arthur whispers to Merlin and Gwaine away from the other knights.

"The poison. It must still be flowing in their veins," Merlin replies.

"But the same dream?"

"Arthur, Morgana conjured those snakes. Leon and Percival would be dead if that was what she wanted."

"So, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying she planted those visions in their minds." Merlin answered turning to look at Leon and Percival who were sleeping by the fire.

"It's a trap," Gwaine fills in, "she is luring you to your doom."

Merlin nods, "The tower must be where she has taken Gwen."

"Then that's where we will go." Arthur says leaving no room for discussion.

"She'll be expecting that," the long-haired knight says shaking his head, "we need a plan."

"We save Gwen, Merlin deals with Morgana."

"What about the others?" Merlin asks.

"The dark tower is not a place to be taken lightly. If anyone wishes to stay behind, they have that choice."

Merlin nods, "Alright, I have the spell to transform into Dragoon I just need to gather ingredients for the counter curse. I'll look for them now if anyone wakes you can cover for me."

"What will we tell the others when you disappear to fight Morgana?"

Merlin turns to Gwaine, he had a point. Merlin had a reputation for being Arthur's shadow during times of crisis. He would need a good reason to sneak off.

"Merlin can tell them the truth."

"No." Merlin says turning to glare at Arthur, "Not now. The focus should be saving Gwen not me. What if they don't take it well. They won't trust me and won't be focused on the task at hand."

"We have to do whatever it takes, Merlin, the knights will understand."

"I disagree. We should send them back to Camelot we can handle this ourselves."

"Eylan would never turn his back on this; his sister is at stake." Gwaine tells the pair. "Not to mention that we all want to get the queen back. We're in this together."

"Gwaine is right. Besides we need everyone onboard with this if we want to get ourselves and Guinevere in and out of the tower safely."

"What if Gwaine and I go after Morgana and you and the others split off and look for Gwen. You and Eylan will be one group and Leon and Percy another."

Arthur thinks it through, "If anything happens don't hesitate to use your magic Merlin. I don't want your fear to stand in the way. Gwen's life is at stake."

"I know that."

Merlin and the knights finally reached the entrance into the impenetrable forest. They could just make out the dark tower in the distance.

"There must be another way?" Merlin asked as he squinted covering the top of his forehead from the light of the sun.

"Not without wasting time. The only way is going through the impenetrable forest."

"But it's impenetrable."

"I'm with Merlin on this we can't possibly- "

"We must." Arthur tells the knights before entering the forest the other men trailing behind him.

The men stumbled through the forest cutting down branches left and right. The trees did nothing to cover them from the sun's heat and the terrain was filled with upturned roots slowing them down.

Most of the knights were already starting to feel aggravated especially Sir Gwaine whose cloak has gotten caught on a long tree branch. The rest of the knights paused turning as the knight growled pulling at his cloak till finally it broke free not entirely intact.

…

"We should have made it out by now," Arthur growls annoyed before his eyes spot something red in the distance. He rushes towards it eyes widening as he realizes it's a piece of cloth. He turns eyes narrowing in on Gwaine.

"We have gone around in a circle. WE HAVE WASTED AN ENTIRE DAY!"

"Let's make camp for the night get some rest and pick up fresh in the morning." Leon suggested.

Arthur looked unsure, the longer they waited the more time he was away from Gwen.

"Arthur, I made you a promise remember we will bring her home!" Merlin tells his king causing him to finally give in.

"You have to use your magic. Can you knock down the trees or- "

"I'll think of something. I will but we should rest first."

"I have waited long enough!" Arthur growls grabbing Merlin by the shoulders harshly drawing the knights eyes to them.

"Sire?" One of the knights questioned not that Arthur bothered to recognize who his senses on overload narrowing on the warlock in front of him.

"Find her now! I know you can. So why haven't you?"

Merlin winced as the pressure on his shoulders increased, "Arthur, I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Alright. That's it mate, back off," Gwaine says yanking Arthur back causing him to release Merlin.

Arthur's eyes narrow on the knight.

"Sire, we all want to find her. She's our friend, our queen."

At night Arthur can't sleep as he keeps picturing the sharp yells of terror from his wife coming out of the ominous tower one minute then Morgana appearing before him with a triumph smirk and that crazed maddening look in her eyes that has grown over the years taunting him.

His eyes open at the softest rustling of the wind blowing against the leaves.

He takes a moment to take analyze his surroundings and his eyes widen as for a brief second all the noise around him stops. He almost jumps as the wind picks up again. "Shh!" he turns as he spots Merlin awake and looking around. He swallows hard as he sees his friend's eyes flash gold. "Merlin?"

"Somethings wrong. Stay here." Merlin says as his eyes narrow and he takes off deeper into the dark woods.

Arthur rises no way was he going to let Merlin go off on his own. He may be a sorcerer, but he is still an idiot not to mention if something happens to Merlin their chance of finding Guinevere and escaping from Morgana decreases.

Merlin follows the rustling till he spots a small blond woman in a dark dress crouched over. He's about to question her when he watches Arthur stumble into the scene next to him.

"Welcome to my realm Emrys," turning to address Arthur, "Your highness."

"Who are you?" Merlin asks noticing how Arthur's grip on his sword has tightened.

"Why, I'm Queen Mab" she speaks "I am the spirt of this place and all the places that bring despair to man's heart few have ever seen me you should count yourselves fortunate."

"You… everything in this forest… its bewildering." Merlin says.

"The forest is but one way of the journey."

"How do we find our way out? You rule over these forest. I demand you tell us how to get out." Arthur demands having lunged forward sword drawn. The woman vanishes.

"You need only ask. Left is right and right is left, and the way behind is the way ahead. It is simple." They turn around to spot her sitting on a high branch behind them swinging her legs.

Merlin scoffs, "Oh. Simple"

"You have a mind's eye Emrys. You must learn to trust in it. For far greater challenges lie ahead."

"When we reach the Dark Tower?"

"If."

"What do you mean?" Arthur interrupts failing to reach the tower is not an option.

"You must beware, the tower is not a real place it's the hearts rest, the minds deepest fear, the still in the hummingbird's eye."

"Stop speaking in riddles."

"Then I shall speak in rhyme. Heed my words with due concern for one of you will not return."

Arthur's eyes widen as he watches the woman disappear.

"What do you mean?!" Merlin yells, turning around trying to find her. They hear a sharp chuckle then silence. Their eyes fall on the knights sleeping, "Which one?"

"What did she mean you have a mind's eye?" Arthur whispered by the fire once they got settled back at camp. The meeting with Queen Mab left them unsettled and Arthur would rather stay awake looking over his knights then have more failed attempts at falling asleep.

Merlin paused licking his lip keeping his eyes on the flames in front of him, "I can use magic well its not really magic, per say, more like letting myself be one with my surroundings it's a bit hard to describe, but basically I can look ahead with my sight and should be able to find our way out."

Arthur nodded, "Like one of your feelings. Like back at the cave with the Disir and at the Valley of the Fallen Kings you can feel the magic in the earth. The source of all your bad feelings?"

Merlin nodded, "Yeah, like that."

"So that's what you'll do. You always brag of your tracking skills, although I suppose its more of raw talent, you're bound to have some, than skill…" Arthur pauses having gone off topic, "Anyways we'll tell the knights that you know how to get us out of here."

"You're letting them come with us? She said one of them might not return."

"Perhaps, but its Gwen they all knew what they signed up for when they decided to come. Death is also part of the territory with becoming a knight. We face it with every patrol, every hunt, arrest, quest."

"This is different though. Isn't it?"

Arthur kicked over one of the logs softly into the fire with a branch watching as small sparks rise up before the fire settles down. Well as much as fire can settle, "It is but without knowing the truth. The full story they won't ever consider staying back."

"You want me to tell them."

Arthur doesn't answer, Merlin already knows how he feels about keeping his magic a secret.

"How about a compromise?"

Arthur raises a brow but motions at him to continue.

"We can tell them that we saw… a spirit in the forest that… foretold us of dangers ahead in the Dark Tower?"

"A spirit?"

"Yes."

Arthur pauses, "It would still be lying."

"Think of it as a half truth?"

Arthur sighed he could retort back with it still being a lie, but he knew that that would lead to a never ending discussion that would just leave him more exhausted than he is right now, "Fine. We'll let them know that we ran into a spirit that supported the visions that were given to Leon and Percival about Gwen being trapped in the tower and the dangers that lie ahead might mean one of us might not make it return."

Merlin nods, "I'll lead you through the forest with my tracking skills and then once we reach the tower Gwaine and I will go after Morgana while you and the knights find Gwen."

The knights were a bit skeptical about the spirit but their decision to save Gwen remained. At the mention of Merlin being able to get them out of the impenetrable forest there was some hesitation mostly from Leon but with strong support from both the king and Gwaine then Eylan who was willing to give Merlin a chance if it led to finding his sister he realized it was the only choice they had.

They reached the tower and soon stumbled upon one of Morgana's traps. She had rigged the floor, so every misstep led to arrows shooting out of the wall at them. Percival had already been hit in the back of the leg and Elyan had pushed on leaving the room and escaping up a flight of stairs.

"Elyan stop!" Arthur yelled out, but he knew it was to no avail Eylan was persistent and was running on a motor of familial guilt as he kept blaming himself for what happened with Guinevere and would do anything and everything he could for her safe return.

Arthur turned his head back to look at the knights arm raised for them to stop, "Merlin is there anything you can do?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed on the different flagstones and shook his head but then an idea popped up. He may not know which flagstones were rigged but he could probably slow down time and the arrows around them for them to make a break for it… The only problem was they would all have to move as one and with Percival's injury that was very unlikely.

Merlin looked up at Arthur trying to convey into words how he felt, and Arthur nodded knowing that the answer was one that Merlin wasn't ready to give yet. "We'll move slowly, remain sharp till we get to the other side."

They threw their objects belt buckle, swords, boot, one at a time making sure to keep their heads lowered in precaution. When they finally made it through, they saw the staircase leading up the tower and a hall heading away from it.

"Merlin go with Gwaine. The rest of you with me!" Arthur commanded leaving no room for debate as he already headed up the stairs going two at a time.

"Do you know where she is?" Gwaine asked as they made their way through the dark hallway.

"No," Merlin paused suddenly eyes flashing amber as he pushed his magic forward to seek out Morgana. "I don't think she's here. I can't feel her. We should head back. Morgana may not be here, but she wouldn't leave Gwen behind unprotected."

Gwaine nodded keeping his sword raised for a surprise attack as they reached the staircase watching as Arthur came down slowly with Gwen who was sobbing huddled to his chest.

"You found-" he gulped as he saw the sharp expression of sorrow rather than triumph on his face along with the rest of the knights. His heart sped up as he saw the fallen knight being carried down by Percy.

A week later on the night they set Eylan to rest.

Mordred had just finished setting up the wards on the tunnel entrances and was ready to head back and report to Merlin when he saw a cloaked figure moving through the shadows.

Mordred ducked behind a pillar contemplating whether he should get backup, but this was just what he needed to do to prove himself as a proper knight of Camelot. He would discover what the intruder was up to then stop them just like Emrys!

He followed the woman, for it must be one as he spotted the length of a dress skirt and heard the small patter of her heels, go out towards the forest and made sure to stay absolutely silent as he trailed her.

His eyes widened and he almost stumbled back as he saw the pale face of the other cloaked figure, they were meeting. He would know that face from any distance his magic already buzzing at its familiarity and he only hoped that she couldn't feel it.

She was like a mother to him. He strained his hearing as he heard her voice no longer the melodious sound it use to be.

"How is it?"

Mordred crouched down, if seeing Morgana was a shock hearing the voice of the intruder was sure to leave him with a heart attack.

"Arthur thinks he's won. He has no idea."

"Do you understand now who you can trust?" Morgana asks keeping her hands on the other woman's arms.

"It is you, Morgana. It has only ever been you."

"You're not one of them and you never will be."

"You don't know how much I hate them. All of them."

"You've done well to see past the lies to the real truth. You've an important part to play in the future. Together we will ensure the destruction of everything Arthur holds dear."

A/N

Hi everyone so I was going to wait till tomorrow to post this but I couldn't wait so consider this an the early Christmas present for those who celebrate it.

I really hope you guys liked it I wanted to diverge from the chapter but wasn't too sure how to do it because I want to write Gwen as evil next chapter. I also wanted to include Mordred but didn't want him to be the main focus he is officially an ally of the Camelot gang so I want him to be more involved and he will be especially in upcoming chapters. I feel really bad about Eylan, but I didn't really see an alternative and I know that sucks because Eylan is never given much credit but maybe he could still play a role from across the veil... we'll see.

There wasn't much on Arthur and the law on magic but it will be a main plot line in the upcoming chapters and Merlin will reveal his secret soon enough. I'm tired of having Arthur placate him for so long. There's also the issue of Gwen knowing Merlin's secret so how will that come to play? Will Arthur believe his Wife or his Best Friend and what exactly does that say about him...

So yeah that's about all I'm going to divulge for now. I want to apologize for any grammar mistakes I would love to have a beta but unfortunately I don't (If any of you are a beta and are interested send me a PM you would get first glance sneak peaks at all my Dear Emrys drafts c: )

As for updates I'm not sure when I'll update next probably sometime in January but there's no set date (wouldn't it be super cool if I could post on Colin Morgan's B-day but alas the next chap is not ready to be published that soon and I have other stories I'm working on). One last thing though not relating to the chapter but well... I have this drabble that I wrote a while ago its pure crack and I think you guys should check it out if you're not doing anything its called "Blood's Curse" its complete and you can find it on my profile its just a little over 1k so its a really short read.

I want to thank everyone who reviewed since my last update (I did great on my finals I got A's in all my classes on my first semester as a grad student during a world wide pandemic so I'm basically awesome! jk it was a miracle I was honestly surprised I was expecting at least a B but I'm so not questioning it).

Thank you so much to

cg037, tenshi-sakura-love, OechsnerC, PadrePedro, Mairai688, mersan123, sandhopper, and Taz!

Thank you all for your support and I can't wait to hear more from you.

Happy Holidays!

~Agent C.