A/N: Hallo, meine guten Freunde! I'm back to write another chapter (woohoo!). My roomies are very into Merlin now. We've just started season three. Marianne is still positive that Gaius will die. She thinks it's only logical since he's the wise old man character and those usually die (Dumbledore, Obi-Wan, Yoda). I'm not saying anything either way; I've been very careful not to spoil anything.

Additional A/N: I wrote the above note a few weeks ago. We're on season four now. I pointed out to them how Merlin's a man now and they gushed.

Obsidius strides over to Morgana and pushes her onto the bed.

"I've been waiting for this all day, my dear," he tells her. Morgana smiles demurely.

"And I as well," she replies, pulling him onto the bed next to her. He rolls onto her and is about to kiss her, but then she whispers a simple 'sramaí' and Obsidius falls into a deep sleep. She pushes him off her disgustedly. "Are you here, Drisdan?"

The assassin steps out from behind the curtain and approaches the bed. Without hesitation, he shoves his knife into the King's back. It pierces his heart and the Obsidius is dead. Drisdan steals the rings from his fingers, as well as the sack of gold found in his pockets. Morgana hands him an additional sack of gold she has stored in the room— the rest of his payment. She rises to her feet.

"You need to smack me across the face hard enough to leave a mark. I can't be under suspicion," Morgana tells him. Drisdan grins malevolently; he has not forgotten her treatment of him the night before. He smacks her across the face with all his force and is very pleased when it sends her flying into the wall. Morgana quickly regains composure and stands. Her lip is split open and bleeding, and a large bruise is already starting to form on her cheek.

"Now leave," Morgana tells him. "Through the window. Let yourself be seen as you leave the citadel; they must not think I'm lying. Go."

Drisdan bows and leaves through the window. Morgana starts to scream.

"Murder!" She cries and soon enough, guards rush into the room.

Gaius is tending to Merlin, who is not doing well. He is weak and on the brink of death. Gaius tries not to lose hope, but he knows what death looks like. He knows Merlin has very little time left.

It is morning now and rays of sunlight pour into the chambers. It is a rare sunny day in Camelot. One of Gaius's windows is open and he can hear the chatterings of passers-by below. He leaves Merlin's side briefly to look out the window. Nearly everyone seems to be out and about enjoying the weather. He can see a group of children who have started up a game of football with a ball they found. Everyone that Gaius can see in the streets looks quite merry today. None of them have any idea of the imminent threat Merlin's death would pose; without him to oppose Morgana, Camelot would surely fall.

There is a gentle knock at the door and then Guinevere enters.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Gaius greets her.

"Good morning. How is he?" She asks, walking over to Merlin.

"He's fading," Gaius tells her honestly, returning to Merlin's side. "He'll be gone by nightfall."

Gwen seizes his hands.

"We must not lose faith," she tells him earnestly. "Merlin is stronger than any of us. And Arthur will undoubtedly succeed in his quest and return to us with the flower. I am sure of it."

Gaius smiles subtly and squeezes her hands gently.

"I hope you are right."

Guinevere smiles sincerely. Then,

"There is something I'd like to tell you. Morgana has been crowned queen of a neighbouring kingdom. It is a day's ride north of Camelot."

Any semblance of a smile is now gone from Gaius's face.

"This is very troubling."

"Indeed."

"It would be very easy for her to attack the citadel."

Guinevere nods solemnly.

"The knights have been told to keep a constant lookout. When she chooses to attack, at least we'll know a little while in advance. It isn't much, but it's something. I'm sure Arthur will think of a defensive strategy once he returns."

"Hopefully he'll return today," Gaius says, looking at Merlin with fatherly affection, "for Merlin's sake."

Guinevere sits down in the chair next to Merlin.

"I'll sit with him for a bit. You should get some rest; you don't look like you've slept." Then, sensing his hesitancy, she adds: "I'll wake you if anything changes." Gaius hesitates a moment before nodding, bowing slightly.

"Thank you, Your Highness. That is very kind." Guinevere smiles at him and he goes to lie down in Merlin's room.

It has gone off without a hitch. Obsidius is dead and Morgana is beyond suspicion; everyone feels sympathy for the widowed Queen. Morgana has really played up her injury and keeps having rather well-timed fainting spells. Drisdan was, indeed, spotted fleeing. The royal advisers believe he is from an enemy kingdom; this narrative suits Morgana very well. The only concern Morgana has is for Alyss, who has not spoken a word since she being informed of her father's death. As soon as she has a spare moment, Morgana seeks Alyss out.

The young girl is sitting on a bench in one of the castle's gardens. She twirls a flower in her hands, a troubled expression on her face. Morgana approaches her.

"Alyss?" She asks, and the girl lifts her head. Morgana sits down next to her on the bench. "How are you?"

For a moment, Alyss doesn't reply and merely continues to twirl the flower. Then,

"Does it hurt?" She asks Morgana. "Your face, I mean."

"It... twinges a little." It is an understatement, but Morgana doesn't wish to worry the child.

"One of the maids said you fainted."

"Yes."

Alyss looks at her for a long moment, and it's a penetrating, searching look. Morgana gazes back at her, genuinely concerned for her. This concern masks her malevolence. Finally, Alyss speaks again:

"I guess this makes you the regnant now."

"Yes, it does. I don't know what I'm going to do... This is all so new to me," Morgana lies easily. "That's why I wanted to ask you if you'll help me."

"Help you?"

"Help me rule. Be my closest confidante, my own personal royal adviser. Be my best and closest friend."

Alyss stares at her, genuinely surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"But I'm too young. Father never let me speak out of turn, much less advise him."

"Things can be a little different now," Morgana tells her. "It will be difficult, but maybe together we can lead this kingdom to prosperity. I can teach you and together we will be powerful enough to protect everyone in the kingdom."

Slowly, Alyss starts to nod. Morgana pulls her into a hug and is pleased when she wraps her thin arms around her.

"We can do this," Morgana assures her.

"Together?"

"Together."