Guinevere is staring out the window. Arthur is asleep in bed, but Gwen finds herself unable to do the same. Morgana has filled her thoughts and she worries about what the sorceress may do. She places a hand on her stomach. This child must be kept hidden from Morgana for as long as possible. This child will be the heir apparent, which marks it as an enemy to Morgana. Gwen is filled with anxiety at the very thought.
She blinks as she notices Merlin run across the castle grounds and into the forest. She considers waking Arthur, but decides against it. She has faith in Merlin, that he knows what he's doing. She makes a mental note to ask him about it later.
Gwen walks over to the bed and gazes adoringly at the man she loves, who is snoring softly. She marvels at how much he has changed, how good he has become. She knows that he will be a good father and she wonders if she will make a good mother. Their child will need to be brave, for he or she will surely be born in a time of war. Morgana will try to destroy everything she holds dear. Gwen can feel dread settling in, heavy in her stomach like lead.
Strangely though, she finds herself missing Morgana— missing how she used to be. She misses having a friend to talk to. She loves Arthur and values Merlin dearly, but she doesn't feel as though she can impart every worry upon them. The queen is often lonely. Arthur and Merlin are often away and Gwen is alone with no one to talk to. She is, of course, friendly to the servants, but they revere her too much to befriend her.
"I miss Elyan..." She whispers to herself, and tears gather in her eyes. He has been dead for awhile, but the pain is still fresh. She wonders if it will ever fade. She doubts it.
Suddenly, she isn't able to maintain composure and the tears rolled down her cheeks in rivulets. She tries to cry quietly, not wanting to wake Arthur. She isn't normally emotional like this. Perhaps it's the pregnancy, she thinks.
She moves to leave the room, not wanting to wake Arthur, but feels a hand on her wrist.
"Gwen?" Arthur mumbles, not fully awake. "Gwen, s'wrong?"
Guinevere shakes her head and buries her face in her hands. Arthur pulls her onto the bed and into his arms. He doesn't ask her again, but merely holds her. He understands that sometimes that's all one needs. He holds her close to his chest and she can hear his heart beating. This soothes her. She wraps her arms around him and resolves never to let go.
No matter what happens with Morgana, they will not be parted. Gwen won't allow it.
Gwen and Arthur are in a field. Gwen is screaming.
Morgana does not know the cause of her pain, but she revels in it. As she approaches, she hears the screaming stop. Her brow furrows.
Then comes a high-pitched cry— a wail. The source of the sound cannot be denied. It clicks in Morgana's mind and she's filled with rage.
The witch sits up abruptly.
"You're awake." King Obsidius comments. Morgana blinks.
"You were watching me sleep?" She can't help but feel violated.
"Yes." The King replies brazenly.
"My liege," Morgana regains composure, "to what do I owe the pleasure of... of such a late visit?"
"I was concerned. One of the handmaids mentioned you had taken ill. Since you are a most treasured guest, I thought it only fitting that I check on you." He is still looking at her in that way which makes Morgana feel naked, as though he is undressing her with his eyes.
"That is kind of you. I am... touched that such a... prodigious king such as yourself has come to check on me, and so late at night..."
Obsidius approaches her and touches her forehead.
"You're hot." He says. Morgana resists the urge to move away from his touch. His hand travels across her cheek, down her neck, and to her shoulder. "Perhaps you are wearing too much clo—"
"Father, are you in here?" Alyss pokes her head into the room and the King withdraws his hand.
"Alyss, why are you awake?"
"I couldn't sleep. I was too worried about Morgana. I came just to peek in to see if she was awake too and I heard voices. Is something wrong?" Alyss remains in the doorway, her brow knitted in concern.
"Everything is fine." Obsidius replies, but Alyss isn't looking at him; her eyes are fixed on Morgana, who gives a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Come, Alyss, I will walk you back to your room." He starts towards her and Morgana gives an inaudible sigh of belief. Alyss, however, does not give any sign of wanting to leave.
"Father, could I stay with Morgana tonight? I want to make sure she's all right. I could keep an eye on her!"
"Morgana needs rest. I'm sure she wouldn't want—"
"I would be glad to have company." Morgana speaks up. Alyss's eyes light up and she smiles brightly. Obsidius poorly hides a look of disappointment. Resigned, he nods and promptly leaves the room.
Morgana pats the space next to her on the bed and Alyss bounds over and climbs up. Both settle down to sleep.
"Thank you." Morgana says quietly.
"That's what friends are for." The little girl replies.
Merlin walks into the middle of a clearing.
"Dragan!" He yells, "Tar chugam! Is mise an ceann deireanach de thiarnaí na dragan. Mé a thoghairm ort. Tar!"
He waits. He closes his eyes and he listens.
Then he hears it: the sound of wings flapping against the gentle wind. The white dragon lands before him.
"Aithusa," Merlin greets him, "you're alive."
"As are you, dragon lord."
"You've learned to talk."
"You shouldn't be surprised." The dragon scoffs, "You know how long we have lived."
"Indeed. How have you stayed hidden?"
"Much the same way as you, I would imagine."
"I need your help."
"I decline to give it. You slew my true master." Aithusa replies sharply.
Merlin sighs softly. If he reveals that Morgana is alive, Aithusa will return to her, he has no doubt...
"I could order you to help me." Merlin says carefully.
Aithusa laughs, much to Merlin's surprise.
"Yes, I suppose you could, but you won't. I know you, dragon lord. You wouldn't take away my freewill."
"Wouldn't I?" Merlin replies evenly.
"Why should I help you? We are not on the same side."
"Yes, we are. We always have been. Look, I'm sorry for whatever happened to you when you were young. I thought Kilgarrah would have looked after you. I should have looked after you. Listen to me when I tell you this: we are on the same side. We are on the side of magic. Arthur knows now. He—"
"Arthur lives, then... The once and future king..."
"Yes. He lives. And... And if you help us, perhaps we may find a way to save Morgana." The words escape his lips before he can think them through. It has the desired effect and the dragon's eyes widen.
"Do you know of a way?"
"I might, but only if you help me." He lies.
"Very well. What do you need?"
"The Druids are ill. They're the last ones. I can't let them die. It's not a disease that I recognise."
"Then it must be new. Seek the Prysthinium flower and bring it to me."
Merlin made a mental note of this.
"Where will I find it?"
"In the mountains. You'll know which one it is. Beware, however, for many creatures lurk in the mountains. You'll find the flower in a cave in the tallest mountain, if you survive. Return to me once you have it." Without another word, Aithusa took off. Merlin watched the dragon become smaller and smaller as it moved further and further away. Once again, he felt the many, many years of life take its toll on him. He knew it was only a matter of time before the dragon would return to Morgana, and the two of them were a dangerous match.
Merlin turned and started back to the castle.