Hey there folks! A big thank you to all who reviewed for the last chapter. Most of you were guests so I couldn't reply to them but do know that I read through all the reviews that were sent. It warms my heart to hear that readers enjoy reading my story so far.

Anyways, you all know what it's time for! An update, that's right! Will answers be revealed in this chapter? We shall see! Thank you for your kind patience in waiting for an update. Sit back and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Yes, I'm fully aware that the Merlin world doesn't belong to me. A girl can only dream...

Previously on Careful Choices:

Mordred knew that she had not told him the truth. Even though his mother had looked calm and normal, he could tell that she had been trying extremely hard to fight down the rising panic inside her. He had seen it in his mama's eyes. She was terrified of that man they had seen earlier today at the marketplace.

The warlock continued to watch as both mother and child proceeded towards the entrance of their home and headed outside. The image in Merlin's scrying bowl faded out for a moment before being replaced by a new one.

There, standing majestically on four feet and waiting for the boy to approach was...

"Aithusa?!" Merlin cried out in disbelief.

Chapter 4

Merlin's jaw fell slack as he gazed into the scrying bowl incredulously. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The young, pearl-white female dragon he had hatched from an egg was just standing where she was, as if it was perfectly normal to see Morgana and the child.

"She's known about Morgana being alive and not once has she mentioned it to me in the past few years?! What is going on?" He growled out with narrowed eyes, gripping the edges of the scrying bowl tightly.

Ever since the final battle at Camlann, Aithusa had been distant from him. He had summoned her a few days after returning to Camelot in order for Kilgharrah to heal her. With the great dragon's breath of magic, her twisted and crippled body had been transformed to a much healthier state. She had only been able to start speaking a year after that, when her damaged vocal cords had been fully healed.

Aithusa had always seemed to act warily around him as if she was afraid of something. The only times he had seen her was whenever he summoned for her and she only spoke to him when necessary. He had tried to improve their relationship after Killgharah's death, although to no avail.

When Merlin had discovered a new pride of dragons almost a year after Killgharah's death, he had been exuberant. He thought that Aithusa would be able to bond with the new dragons and become less reserved with him in the process. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Aithusa did bond with the other dragons and even went on to join their pride, but she had still kept herself withdrawn from Merlin. Could this have been the reason why? Had she spent her time visiting Morgana and the boy without his knowledge?

"Hello little one. How have you been?" Aithusa asked.

"Thusy! I have so much to tell you Thusy! It's my birthday today! I'm five now! Mama took me to town this morwning and bought me many, many p-pwesents! I got books and toys! But then, a bad man came after us and mama said w-we had to run so we did. And now, mama says it's not safe anymore so we need to pack and leave!" Mordred blurted out in a rush, gasping as he tried to catch his breath.

"You were speaking too fast little one. Aithusa won't be able to understand anything that you've just said. Why don't go back inside and continue packing your things first? Mama needs to talk to Aithusa alone now love. Let mama tell her what happened alright?" Morgana said.

"Oh, sowry I spoke so fast mama." The child replied.

"It's okay, run along now. Quickly pack up your things. Mama will join you soon."

Turning around in the direction of the hovel, the young boy scampered off. Morgana watched as he entered their home. The moment he was inside, Morgana turned back to Aithusa anxiously.

"What's going on Morgana? What did Mordred mean earlier on about a bad man chasing you both?" Aithusa asked with concern.

"Aithusa, oh it's terrible Aithusa! Mordred was talking about Merlin! He knows Aithusa! He knows I'm alive! I'm so afraid!" Morgana exclaimed hysterically.

Aithusa let out a horrified squawk upon hearing the news.

"What?! How is this possible Morgana? You've kept yourself hidden for the past five years! How did he find out?" Aithusa questioned anxiously.

"I don't know, I don't know! We were at the market place as Mordred mentioned earlier. I was buying his birthday gifts and getting some provisions for us. And then HE was just there. Merlin appeared out of nowhere and he spotted me! He chased us down but I managed to teleport Mordred and myself away at the last moment! Triple Goddess?! What are we going to do Aithusa?"

"You need to leave Camelot immediately. The both of you! If what you say is true, then he's probably trying to find you as we speak... or he may even already be on his way here." Aithusa said as she glanced about worriedly.

"No... it won't work then! No matter how far we run, he'll still come after us. He's Emrys. He won't give up. I– I there's no choice, I have to stay behind and face him! You need to take Mordred and leave this place while I act as a distraction." Morgana responded firmly.

"Have you lost your mind?! That is absolutely out of the question Morgana! I've told you before that I would protect you both as best I can but ultimately, I would betray you if milord were to order me to do so. I can't go against his word Morgana! You know that! How can you entrust me with Mordred's safety?! I'm a liability." Aithusa argued.

"Please Aithusa, you have to! I beg of you. Take him far away from here and hide him. It's the only way he'll be safe. Whatever happens, we cannot let Merlin come for my son. He's the only thing I have left. I'd die before I let any harm come to my child." Morgana pleaded.

"Morgana, even if I were to try, Mordred wouldn't just come alone with me to escape. The little one won't accept having to leave you behind while he flees!"

Back in his room, Merlin swatted at the water, a dark scowl plastered on his face. He had become increasingly frustrated as he listened to the conversation between Morgana and Aithusa. He wanted answers but he just seemed to be getting more and more questions. Enough was enough.

"This is utterly useless. I'm finding out what's going on right now!" Merlin snarled out angrily.

Merlin turned away from his scrying table. With a wave of his hand, the water in the scrying bowl vanished and the flames of the candles were extinguished. Closing his eyes for a moment, Merlin visualised the place he had seen in his scrying bowl.

"Besende mé forecyme æt sé gán mín cost. (Send me forth to the destination of my choosing)" Merlin hissed out, his eyes flashing gold.

A strong wind picked up immediately and in a swirl of magical smoke, Merlin disappeared from his room.

A tiny whirlwind appeared before Morgana and Aithusa, causing them to cease speaking immediately. The both of them cast a furtive glance towards the figure that seemed to be materializing into view.

"He's here..." Aithusa whispered in a defeated tone.

"No..." Morgana choked out.

A person fully garbed in immaculate black clothing stood before them, a stony expression on his face. He posed an intimidating figure as he folded his arms and stared coldly at them.

"Well... we meet again Morgana. I see you are here too Aithusa. It seems you've been keeping secrets from me." Merlin finally spoke icily.

The white dragon shifted uncomfortably, her eyes downcast and not willing to meet his own blue orbs.

"Milord, I meant no disrespect. I was just –"

"Don't. I do not wish to hear any of your excuses now Aithusa." Merlin cut her off with a glare.

"Where is the child Morgana? Whatever dark enchantments you've cast on that child–"

"How dare you suggest that I would do anything to harm him! He is my own child! It is you that he should be afraid of! You will not come near my son Emrys! Leave us both alone!" Morgana screeched angrily.

In the blink of an eye, Morgana had her hands raised up and she yelled out a spell.

"Forbaerne! Ácwele! (Burn up! Destroy!)"

Before Merlin could react, an onslaught of fireballs came hurtling towards him at lightning speed. Merlin's eyes widened in surprise and his eyes flashed gold at just the last second, causing a magical forcefield to appear around him. The fireballs fizzled out with a hiss upon making impact on the shimmering barrier and the forcefield disappeared.

Not to be deterred, Morgana's eyes glowed once more and a strong breeze picked up. Bits of grass, leaves and twigs flew in the air, carried by the gust of wind. A tiny whirlwind formed quickly and Morgana sent it headed towards Merlin. Merlin merely raised an eyebrow at her display of magic before he lifted his right hand.

With a single wave of his hand, the vortex of wind slowed down and ceased. Morgana let out a cry of frustration and her eyes shined a brilliant gold. In the next moment, stones on the forest floor rose up into the air and she sent them flying towards him. At the same time, vines and roots shot out of the ground near his feet snaking upwards toward him like predators trying to capture their prey.

"Enough!" Merlin roared and his magic flared out angrily in a powerful wave.

Stones, roots and vines went flying everywhere. Morgana let out a gasp when the surge of magic hit her, throwing her backwards onto the ground. Dazed, she blinked her eyes blearily only to see Merlin approaching her. She got up into a kneeling position and scrambled to stand but before she could rise, Merlin chanted out spells.

"Bídsteall híe styrenessa ond becnyttan híe! (Halt her movements and bind her!)"

"Beclingan híe drýcræft! (Bind her magic!)"

Morgana felt the magic wash over her and in the next instant, her limbs froze up. Glowing chains of magic materialized and coiled firmly around her hands, feet and body. Morgana tried to move but to no avail.

She found that she could still talk and so she quickly yelled out a spell to try and free herself. However, much to her horror, Morgana realized that she couldn't feel the usual magical tug of power that rose within her whenever she cast a spell.

"You scoundrel! Release me at once!" Morgana shrieked madly.

Ignoring her outraged voice, Merlin turned to Aithusa and gestured his head towards the hovel in the distance.

"Go and fetch the boy Aithusa." Merlin spoke evenly, his voice filled with command.

Hearing his words, Morgana eyes grew big in sheer panic. She began struggling even harder against her bonds but still made no progress.

"Aithusa! Please don't listen to him! You can't! No! Please!" Morgana beseeched.

"I'm sorry Morgana… I cannot disobey…" Aithusa whispered, staring at Morgana with sorrow.

The white dragon turned away in shame and began heading towards the hovel. Morgana's pleading increased in frequency the further the dragon walked away. Morgana turned to face Merlin and began spitting curses at him.

"Stop this at once Morgana! I've already suppressed your magic, don't test my patience and make me silence your voice too." Merlin finally said sternly.

Morgana was about to reply with a snarky remark but before she could, the sound of her son's voice made her turn her head. She watched in dread as he came running forward with Aithusa following close behind.

"Mama!" He screamed out in alarm.

His eyes were full of fear and big, fat tears rolled down the sides of his cheeks as Mordred saw his mother kneeling on the ground and imprisoned by glowing chains.

"Run Mordred! Run away from here right now!" Morgana yelled in response.

However, instead of fleeing for his own life, he continued running directly towards where she was.

"No! Don't! I said run away! Save yourself!" Morgana screeched in distress.

As the little boy came closer, Merlin's eyes flashed gold and all of a sudden, Mordred's movements halted before he collapsed to the ground.

"NO! NOOOOOO!" Morgana howled and began thrashing about trying to free herself.

Merlin walked up to where Mordred lay slumped on the earth and bent down to carry the boy gently in his arms. He turned around to face Morgana and was stunned to see tears streaming down the sides of her face as she gazed up at him.

"Please! Please don't harm my child! I'll do anything you say, just don't hurt him! I beg of you! Please!" Morgana kept repeating brokenly in between sobs.

"Calm down Morgana, I promise I won't do anything to him. He's fine, just asleep that's all." Merlin said soothingly, trying to assure the witch in front of him.

"Aithusa, I'm bringing them back home with me. It's too risky to bring them within the castle walls of Camelot. I want you to fly to Camelot's citadel and inform Queen Guinevere that I've left Camelot a little earlier than expected because an urgent issue came up. Tell her that I wish her well and that I said goodbye for now until the next time we see each other. When you're done, you can return home and then meet me at the usual place." Merlin said, turning to the dragon.

Aithusa opened her mouth as if to speak but with one glance at the serious expression on Merlin's face, she looked down defeatedly. The white dragon merely nodded before spreading out her beautiful wings and taking off. Merlin watched as she flew further away into the distance. Turning to Morgana, he placed a hand on her shoulder before explaining what he was about to do.

"I'm going to teleport us somewhere where we can talk more."

With a golden flash of Merlin's eyes, the three magical beings faded and disappeared from where they were at just moments before.

Aaaand you have reached the end of this chapter. I imagine that some of you are probably groaning at yet another cliffhanger. Sorry about that! This chapter was pretty short. I'll try to get the next chapter up soon. In the meantime, I guess you readers can come up with theories as to what happens next!

Do stay tuned and thanks for reading! Leave a review on your thoughts about this chapter. Until the next update, take care and have a nice day!

~Faye

(Updated: 05/07/2020)