"Why Now" (Rose)
It's hard not to fall over in disbelief when the search party returns with a battered Morgana. "Gaius," I call for the physician's attention.
"What is it? Have they returned?" he questions.
"Yes," I quiet, "But they did not do so alone."
"What do you mean?" he puzzles, "Who could possibly be accompanying them at this time?"
I turn around and look at him gravely, "The long lost Lady Morgana."
"It can't be," his gaze falls, shaking his head, "Are you sure?"
"I'd know her anywhere," I confirm, "It is she."
I rush out of the chambers to locate Merlin and gather more information. "Rose," he perks up when he sees me, my not-so-pleased expression snapping him back to reality. "So you saw," he derives.
"How could she possibly be here?" I ask, bewildered. He quickly explains the manner in which she appeared and her back-story. "Of all times: why now?" I mutter.
"Because things were getting along nicely- too nicely for destiny's liking apparently," he says with a strange rationality.
My throat tightens as a thought strikes me, "Merlin ..." My eyes travel to his.
He picks up immediately, "I was wondering that same thing."
With that, we excuse ourselves to our chambers. Gaius and Merlin only secure enough time for a sadly brief hello before the old man is summoned to examine the condition of the rescued ward. We keep our minds occupied until his return with chatter of substance, both of us avoiding the problem at hand. The conversation dies down after we've filled each other in on the previous events we separately experienced. Anxiety takes its toll, clawing at us like a guilty conscience.
"Do you think she's ... changed?" I present the suggestion.
He shakes his head, "I guess we'll see. Either way, nobody survives an attempted murder and gets along with their assailant."
"You did what you had to do to save the kingdom. Anyone with sense could see that. Assuming she still possesses that ability. Remember that she would not have lived were it not for you- none of us would have," I remind with the hope to comfort. He makes no reply. Heavy silence fills the air, polluting our lungs, when the front door swings open.
Merlin rises almost instantly, "Did you talk to her?" he stays at Gaius's side, following him back into the room.
"She's sleeping," he assures.
"Did she say anything about me?" the worried boy prattles.
"Nothing as yet," Gaius answers passively.
"Well, she's going to," Merlin says with strained confidence.
Our father-figure turns around to face him. "Does she know your secret, Merlin? Does she know you have magic?"
"No, she doesn't. No one does."
"Good," Gaius nods, "Because if Uther finds out ..."
"She knows I tried to poison her- she knows that," he states her case.
"You had no choice. Camelot was dying. Morgana was the source of the enchantment. Either you poisoned her or the kingdom fell," Gaius supports Merlin's actions.
"But Uther won't know that. All she'll say is I tried to kill her," he swiftly responds.
"We can't be sure, Merlin," Gaius points out.
"She can't do that without giving away her own treachery," I interject.
"What do you think Uther will do to me?" Merlin asks dauntingly.
"He's not going to do a thing. I won't let that happen," I declare hushed, but firm.
Gaius faces him once more, "Let's just wait and see what tomorrow brings."
Merlin gives a small nod in response. "You know that I won't let you take the fall so easily," I stand, coming to Merlin's side. "Even if she does tell the king, perhaps, we can turn the tables and expose her for treason. Whatever happens, we will find a way out of it. We always do."
He manages a little smile, "Yeah, I suppose you're right."
"Aren't I always?" I tease before waltzing away to prepare our evening meal. Although Merlin keeps shooting nervous glances at the door as if he expects the king to burst in and chop off his head where he stands, nothing of note happens at dinnertime. Once we've cleared our plates, there's not much else to do but retire for the night.
"Relieved" (Merlin)
The day begins with a change of pace, the first face I see belonging to Gaius instead of Rose. "Merlin, Arthur's requested your presence ..." I look at him groggily and then to the corner. He tops off his news with, "In Morgana's chambers."
I sit up in bed, worry seizing my chest. I cannot refuse, and yet, I dare not face the music. "What choice do I have?" I mutter under my breath.
"None, I'm afraid," he answers my rhetorical question.
"You're not alone, Merlin," a sweet voice takes me back from the other side of the room.
"Would it be too much to ask you to come with me for support…?" I leave the option somewhat open, hoping she will go along anyways.
"Of course not," she joins me for my trip of doom.
When we approach the chamber, I joke, "To think, I've fought death to have it all end right here inside the castle."
She shoves me gently. "You hush. That's not going to happen. Besides, if you die on me, I will never forgive you." She stops just outside the door, "I'll wait for you here."
I nod sullenly before cautiously stepping through the doorframe.
"I was kept in a cell for almost a year," Morgana's wispy speech brushes past my ears. "I thought I'd go mad."
"How did you escape?" Arthur inquires as I press forward silently and slowly.
"They moved me about a week ago," she informs. "I don't know why ... It may have been the patrol from Camelot."
"The patrol found you?" Arthur reiterates questionably.
I watch as she nods and adds tearfully, "I thought I was gonna be free." I stand where either of them can see me now. "But then I saw them killed- every one of them cut down." I swallowed with sadness. "But that night, the bandits were distracted by their spoils. I took my chance. When I saw you, I couldn't believe it." They share a meaningful embrace, and I see a spark of hope for me. I close my eyes in thought, trying to decide whether to trust a word she says. My presence noticed, nothing said to me, but they both acknowledge me with their eyes. "I think I need to rest," she suggests.
"Everything's gonna be alright," Arthur reassures her. "You're safe now." She looks down gratefully with a sorrowful smile. I turn to follow Arthur.
"Merlin," Morgana stops me short. I respond by looking over my shoulder at her, as she remains perched on her bedside. "I want to speak to you," she declares softly, making it harder to read how this will end up. I look to the door, wishing I could walk out of it, and then return my gaze to her. "I know what you did," she tells me, "You tried to poison me."
"I didn't want to." my statement wracked with dutiful guilt.
"It's alright, Merlin. I understand," she smiles through tears. "You were just trying to protect your friends. I would have done the same."
"Really?" I ask, the burden of this mess beginning to take flight from my heart.
"I was so naive, Merlin," she admits. "I don't think I really understood what I was doing." She inhales sharply, "But, believe me, I have seen the evils in this world." She continues with hurt in her voice, "I have seen firsthand what it is that Uther fights against. You don't know how much I regret everything that I've done," she finishes, eyes even wetter than before. I take a couple of steps nearer to her. "I just ... hope that you can forgive me."
I blink through tears of my own, "I am so sorry for everything you've been through," I say truthfully. She smiles for a second with a look of pain. "It's good to have you back," I perk up. She laughs, though sorrow still present. I take my leave and decide there's no point in putting off my job. I gladly inform Rose that all is well, and she smiles warmly and congratulates me before we part ways. I feel incredibly relieved, so now is as good a time as any to begin my daily chores.
I find myself soon scrubbing Arthur's floor, as I do probably too often. The prince plods into his room, and I receive him with a wide grin. "What are you looking so happy about?" he questions skeptically.
I slap the rag onto the floor with a happy exhale. "The sun is shining, we found Morgana, and I've just finished all my chores," I enlighten him, my smile never faltering.
His eyes dart in a couple directions, "Hmm," is his response, finding my explanation rational enough. He begins to step onto the newly cleaned area when I stop him.
"Do you have to go in there right now?"
"Why?"
"Uh," I scratch behind my ear, "I just washed the floor."
"Don't worry," he looks at me coyly, "I won't slip over." He pats me on the back and walks onwards.
I pause with wonder, "You really have no idea, do you?"
He finishes pulling off his shirt, turning to face me. "All you have to do is wipe it," he makes a circular motion with his free hand.
"How would you know?" is my rebuttal.
He feigns offense, holding his shirt to his chest, "I beg your pardon, Merlin."
"It's just, you've never had to do it," I point out.
"Oh, I know how to use a cloth and bucket," he asserts, pointing at the objects.
"Oh, yeah," I agree with sarcasm and pick up the cloth.
"It's easy," says he. "Here," he saunters over, "Let me show you." I knew what was coming as soon as I saw the look in his eye. He grabs hold of the cloth, and secures the bucket in his other hand, showing me each with a "Hmm?" and a "Hmm."
He wets the cloth with the water in the bucket with another affirming, "Hmm." He stands up straight, clapping a hand to the back of my head, and slapping the dirty, sodden fabric onto my head, rubbing it against my face, humming a merry tune. "Mmm," he finishes with the last stroke, tossing the cloth onto the ground with a splat. "Would you like me to show you how to use the bucket?" he inquires eagerly.
"No," I protest right before he dumps the water on me, leaving the metal container over my head, rapping it twice up top to drive his advantage further. I nod with bucket intact as I hear his footsteps lead away. "Prat," I whisper, pulling the thing off me.