Edwin shot to his feet, "how can you know of what I intend."

How could she not. He was in the castle of his parent's murderer. A sick ward like morgana was the perfect excuse he needed, in order to get to the king. she was of a quick mind and as soon as she realised he had become Edwin again, his plan almost popped up perfectly in her mind, as if she was the one to have formulated it.

"morgana's recovery, a cure to all ills, it was magic."

It wasn't a question or an accusation, it was fact. Elaina knew it was. What would he have done if merlin had beaten him to it? She wasn't complaining. Gaius had refused to let merlin anywhere near morgana and Elaina had held a bitterness towards him, for his reluctance to allow merlin to do his thing.

It was to keep the boy safe of course, but in exchange for her sister, she didn't seem like it was a fair trade as merlin had used his magic for simpler things.

"has Uther brainwashed you. What, is magic not to be used for good like you know perfectly well it can be!"

"Edwin…" Elaina gathered her skirts to go and comfort him, "I know it is the wielder who influences what is seen as good and bad magic. As those who aren't sorcerers are accountable for being good or bad in their actions. I'm the last person who would see eye to eye with Uther on the subject."

He eased into her touch and turned around, leaning on the bark of the tree. As her hand had been on his shoulder, she followed in his movements and was face to face with him, closer than she had initially intended to be, but not pulling away either.

"I am eternally grateful you saved my sister. I don't care how. Don't spoil that act in saving a life, by taking one."

He was listening to Elaina and her logic was sound. He had never killed in his entire life even when defending it, during all his run ins with criminals on the road. He had the power but had not wanted to waste it on them.

He caressed with the tip of his finger her cheek to the jaw, feeling as she shook with the intimacy. It wasn't a reaction he was used to. Women avoided him like the plague, but he had not cared even so, because he had only wanted one girl and none could compare. Though the last time she had been a girl and he a boy, a peck on the lips would have done them just fine, but here he felt urges like no other.

"Edwin," her breath was ragged, "promise me; you will not harm the king."

His hand stopped in the movement. Elaina had stalled in asking because she hadn't wanted to spoil the closeness they shared in that moment, but she had to. She needed to know he wouldn't taint his soul in such a way. wasn't it enough now that he had respect from those in the council. He could live in Camelot and be happy right under Uther's nose. That was revenge in itself.

She said as much to him and his eyes were fixed on hers, as she put all her desperation behind them so he could see just how much she meant it.

Elaina didn't know what way he would go. But if he only knew as well; that Arthur wasn't ready yet. He wasn't ready to be king and would crumble to be without his father who he wanted to learn so much more from, whether it was by his father's mistakes or triumphs. Albion cannot happen if Arthur is not prepared to bring it forth into realisation.

Again, what would be more perfect than for Jayden and Gregor to know that their son will live in their dream where those with and without magic exist in peace once more.

"…I promise."

It took him a while. She could see that he was deliberated every aspect of her argument and it won't be easy. Every day will be a struggle. He may some days hate her for it. But she would be by his side to inspire the goodness in him. She won't let the boy be ruined by what fate dealt.

His hand continued to trace every feature. Down to her long elegant neck.

When they were children this was when one of them ran away with nerves.

The nerves were still there, but they had matured.

Edwin's lips met Elaina's and she accepted them. She was conscious of how they felt and moved with her own. He was confident in the act, but she couldn't help but feel awkward, her eyes remained open, distracted by the slightest of things and almost purposefully making her concentrate on anything else. This wasn't right. All that she had felt until now, a touch of the hand and catch of a glance, her body had responded more to that than this intimacy. It wasn't how she imagined or had heard ladies describe their first kiss to be like. No warmth spread throughout her body, instead she was just waiting for him to stop out of politeness, which was an odd response. With Edwin she believed this moment would be special. That he would become central to her world, creating an unbreakable seal between them.

But still there was nothing. This could be anyone and she would not deny the disappointment or guilt, that she wasn't experiencing the same thing Edwin was, who was crying in response to it.

When he broke away, she couldn't say she was excited at the chance of another.

Again, they were not the boy and girl they used to be. Elaina has changed, same as he. She cared for him, loved him; but not in the way she might have wanted or dreamed of.

It filled her with a deep sadness and by the end of it, all she wanted was to return to Camelot, satisfied that she had gotten a promise from him at least. However, a part of her still screamed for caution towards his intentions.

Then she realised that she carried hope in Edwin, but not trust…

Her reason protested against everything he had said, though she had pleaded her case. She had pleaded it on the assumption it was the boy she was speaking with, but even so, Edwin or Muirden, he was a stranger to her, she knew nothing of his capabilities or the lengths he would go to. Even to lie to her. this was all possible.

She broke away from him, "we should get back."