"These Woods" (Rose)
I try to fight the feelings that come with being immersed in these woods, and it's not too hard to do as my heart is pounding against my ribcage. Merlin keeps the horse at a steady pace, and peering over his shoulder, Morgana is constantly in view.
We ride far and through the night. Merlin keeps telling me that it's alright if I sleep, but there are too many thoughts swirling about in my mind to even consider doing so. We hold the telepathic link between us two, both not daring so much as to breathe too loudly.
'Where is she taking us? ' I ask, seeing as how we are beyond the land that I know.
'I imagine she is venturing to the Druid camp in which Mordred and whoever else was in on the heist reside,' he responds informatively.
When the morning light is upon us in the misty, mountainous area we find ourselves in after long hours of travel, it seems that Merlin's reasoning is accurate. We carry on through the fog and soon follow on foot to get as close to the action as we can and remain hidden from sight.
We find some trees close to the encampment to crouch behind and position ourselves there as a young boy runs to the one we thought of as a friend. "Morgana!" the boy, Mordred, calls cheerfully.
They share in a sweet embrace and I don't know how to feel. There's something odd at work here. This scene and these people do not appear evil to me. And then a gruff looking man makes his way to the two unlikely companions.
'Who is that?' I question Merlin.
'I have no idea. But he must have been the one that Mordred was giving directions to when they broke into the castle,' he concludes.
Morgana holds the sack with the crystal out to the mysterious man. There is something about him not to be trusted. He is much easier to pinpoint as a thief and a menace in my eyes than the one who performed the deed. He takes the crystal from its bag and holds it up, looking on with greed on his face. My stomach turns to know that he now has the power over the crystal's caretaking. It certainly isn't right.
'Can you hear what they're saying clearly?' Merlin's voice rings in my brain.
I motion for him to wait while I try my hardest to tune into their conversation. As the words reach my ears, I convey them back to him.
"It is my hope that, with time, Mordred will master the crystal," the man says as he hands Morgana a drink and positioning himself near her. "And when he does," he continues, "We will strike Uther down." She takes in what he's expressing and her expression becomes grim when he finishes, "Uther and all who serve him."
"ALL who serve him?" she questions, sounding worried at the idea.
"If we are to win this war," the man explains, "There can be no half measures."
'She cannot be satisfied with this,' I think to myself, forgetting about the mental link between Merlin and I.
'We'll see,' he comments.
"I can see this troubles you," the man observes.
'Really, he deserves a medal for such perception,' my telepathic commentary continues.
"Yes," she admits quietly, "Yes, it does."
"My Lady," he begins, "We fight for our very survival. As do you." I see her forehead crease in response. "The boy, he told me you have magic," he says as she looks away and then down. He reaches out and lays a hand on her forearm, my inner warning bells clanging insanely loud. This man was playing on Morgana's emotions like a master fiddler does his instrument. Her gaze shoots back up to him. "You need not be afraid," he tells her, seeming sincere.
'What I wouldn't give to pull his scraggly hair,' I confess to Merlin in my wrath.
"I know," she says softly, a wide and bright smile flashing across her mouth. "I'm sorry," she apologizes, "I have become so used to concealing the truth."
"Believe me," he keeps up the facade, "I understand what that feels like."
"Every day I must look Uther in the eye knowing that if he were to discover who I really am he would have me killed." Her face is the picture of disappointment. The man takes his chance and scoots closer to her. I tense up and grip the nearest plant.
"You have been very brave," he whispers.
"I don't want to be brave," Morgana states, "I just want to be myself." His eyes travel to her lips. "I don't want to be alone anymore," she says sadly.
"You are not alone," he gives a small smile. "You are here with us. You need never be alone again." Much to my dismay, her eyes connect with his, and drift down to his jaw and his to hers. They both start leaning and I almost cannot bring myself to look on. I want to scream at her and expose him for what he truly is- a cad and a liar. Instead, Morgana catches herself in the moment and refrains. My shoulders slump in relief.
"I must be heading back," she informs him in a hushed voice, nearly unable to look him in the eye. "The castle will be waking soon," she elucidates. He keeps his gaze trained on her. Clearly flustered, and unfortunately not in the horrible, unbearable way, but the flattered and delighted way, she stands.
He bids her goodbye in saying, "Farewell then," pauses, adding, "My Lady Morgana." The words sting me only because I know he's charmed his way into her affection. This is apparent and drives his advantage farther. She smiles a dimpled smile and nods, walking away as he stares on with a smug grin.
We make our way to keep on Morgana's tracks. My ears are still at the camp, however. I overhear Mordred asking about her and if they'll be seeing her again, and the man affirms this. What I hear next confirms my fears and suspicions. I peer over my shoulder to see a woman on his lap and they spoke of how he was playing her and doing a good job of it. My heart sank as they shared a passionate kiss, for they were correct.
"Identity" (Merlin)
We secure our spots on the benches back in Gaius' quarters, telling him of our discoveries that are completely unbeknownst to her ladyship. Gaius quickly picks up on exactly of whom we are speaking and further elaborates upon his identity.
"Alvarr has a fearsome reputation," Gaius remarks.
"You know of him?" I question in curiosity.
"I know he's a sorcerer," he says, "And he and his band of renegades have threatened to overthrow the king."
"He sounded pretty determined," I back up his statement.
"He is a fanatic," Gaius adds, "And his supporters follow him unthinkingly- blinded by his charisma."
I nod, "Well, it worked on Morgana."
He nods as well, "So it would seem."
"And the Druid boy," I tack on, "Alvarr's using him, too. He seems to think the boy can harness the power of the crystal."
Gaius sits up from his formerly bent over position, "We can't let this happen, Merlin."
"But if we can't go to Uther, what can we do?"
He considers this, "We can bend the truth a little," he raises an eyebrow.
I perk up, and Rose leans into the conversation more, both of us intrigued.
"What do you mean?" she asks with a side-glance of suspicion at the elderly fellow.
"You'll see," he smirks coyly.