Elaina had made her excuses and annoyingly for morgana, instructed that she go to bed rather than linger around the great hall. Her protection over her sister was only going to get worse with Morgause around, because she did not trust the woman though they shared the same blood.

She could only see in Morgause a young girl being raised by women who persistently used their mother's death and abandonment to fuel her powers. she played a part in rituals most dark indeed to be rid of an enemy, or to scorn others. There was nothing she could hide or lie her way through from Elaina and she would confront her on it.

Uther had little choice but to give the woman a room, as she was a challenger and needed a fair night's sleep and the same comforts as Arthur as a mark of respect.

"who is it!" they called defensively and depending on the answer, she would open the door or not. Maybe she suspected that Uther would have her done away with in the night, to save Arthur the embarrassment of fighting a woman which actually Elaina wouldn't put it pass him.

"it's lady Elaina."

Morgause was stalling behind the door, leaving Elaina thinking about what must be running through her mind as well. When she finally let her in, she was without the armour at least with her sword on the table. However, Elaina knew she didn't need that piece of weaponry to defend herself with.

"how can I help you."

Elaina was looking at Morgause and it could have been as if she were morgana. She was at ease and comforted by her, because this woman was her sister. Her eldest sister for that matter. Someone who if life had allowed she would have relayed all her worries and cares on, in order to help bear the burden as she did with morgana.

It was strange but she felt vulnerable all of a sudden and couldn't let their first proper greeting be spoilt by the true reason Elaina had come. She wanted to share in a special moment with Morgause, as she didn't think the future for them would have such instances again.

So instead, Elaina smiled warmly at Morgause savouring the feeling of no ill will from either end or resentment and bitterness over the opposite paths they would take.

"I knew we would meet someday sister."

It must have been hard to be before two women who were your closest relations to still be alive and to not have been able to make a move towards them. However, by Elaina taking that first step Morgause rushed forwards and took Elaina in her arms, utterly relieved that she was not a mystery to her.

"how did you know who I was!" she exclaimed, truly gladdened.

Elaina held on closer not knowing how long it would last.

"well, if it means anything to you. I'm a grimoire, gifted with magical knowledge and can draw upon visions past, present and future."

She drew back and cupped her sister's cheek in the palm of her hand, beaming with pride since the magic of their mother thrived in all three of her daughters. What a legacy to have endured through the purge.

"a grimoire," she marvelled, "no wonder."

Elaina accounted for all the visions she had of Morgause from childhood, to young woman and then adulthood. It had been a while since her last. Morgause had been in battle beside king Cenred, who was broadening his lands. This worked in her interest because those lands held a sacred monument of the old religion, that she wanted to practice within. Otherwise she wouldn't have bothered. Instances before that were much the same, using someone for her own gain and safety.

"I've watched over you in some sense, Morgause," Elaina admitted, "You weren't too far from my mind."

She drew Elaina to the bed to sit beside one another, never letting go of her hand.

"I'm glad for the sentiment, it eases me after how alone I have often been."

It was impossible to think such a young and vibrant woman as Morgause could be alone. That she wasn't thriving with life and investing herself in whatever it is that makes her happy, such as the raising of a family or gallivanting off in an adventure. She could have a string of men following her wherever she goes and friends to make along the way. she could be a writer, a healer, a singer…

She could have come back, settled in Camelot without anyone the wiser regarding who she was and morgana and Elaina, could be with her.

All that was prevented by one thing: Hatred.

"I'm sorry."

Elaina could see how narrow minded Morgause was, consumed in that one emotion. Nothing Elaina could say would sway her like it had with Edwin. She could draw on emotion with him as he had once been so happy, that he had that to return to and be reminded of with the memory of love from his parents.

This wasn't the case with Morgause. She had known nothing but cruelty and coldness from the very beginning and had been raised within it, so it had shaped and moulded her into the person she was. One who would not hesitate in delivering death, torture and misery, because this was a normal expectation in life to deal onto others.

She never had a chance to be anyone else.

Morgause nudged Elaina with her elbow, "being here with you and morgana is a welcomed feeling. Does she-"

Elaina furiously shook her head cutting Morgause off in fear of someone overhearing, "she doesn't know. But I think she can sense there is something between the three of us."

This is why Elaina had sent morgana to bed, to delay in her approaching Morgause herself, as curiosity was shared between them and she would want to explore this feeling the three felt.

Elaina worried over what her eldest sister might tell morgana. would Morgause just blurt the whole thing out from start to finish, their mother, their magic and relationship?

Morgana has never so much as had an inkling of Morgause existence and Elaina could not lie and tell her that there was no truth in what Morgause says, if she ever confronted Elaina about it. Morgause was a known sorcerer or was soon to be since she hasn't displayed her powers yet, so that would add confusion to the story that morgana would demand in Elaina's sharing of.

Then what would she think of her sister. All these secrets she has withheld for her own protection. Elaina just knew morgana would not see it her way and it would cut her deeply that Elaina would withhold a part of who both of them were from morgana.

"of course. A bond of sisterhood binds us together; it is a powerful thing."

Elaina could not deny it. she may not understand why Morgause was as she is, nor could possibly solve any of her problems but she did not want for her to be saddened or to be alone. She could see into time, but she could not stop it in place so that they could both be together forevermore.

They would walk different paths taking them further away from each other, with only a glimpse behind them, to see a speck in the distance to be reminded of who they were.

"but Morgause," Elaina sighed, "it does not change the fact that I know your being in Camelot is not just to reunite with family. This dual. What a way to kill the prince and break Uther."

It was like Elaina had pulled the rug from under Morgause while she had her guard down, though she was growing used to being with her. but there was nothing she could say to make things better now. Elaina had known that her and Morgause's relationship was going to be one of sorrow, never a right time for them to meet if this was always going to be her intention, to prevent Albion.

Her eyes sharpened, "are you always this blunt."

"when I need to be; and right now, it is definitely needed."

Elaina was never a fool and she wasn't going to ever pretend to be one. It was better to cut the strings sooner rather than later, before Morgause got ahead of herself to think that Elaina and morgana would stand by her side and let what she was planning unfold. They had loyalties to their friends to uphold and it didn't matter that Morgause was her blood, merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Gaius… they were her family too.

And they had gone through a whole lot more with each other for that to mean something.

"you disappoint me sister. Indeed, go on and continue to bless the knights who will do Uther's bidding and keep killing our kind. Such a life to live. But then at least you have one. Many have had theirs taken from them. I myself was nearly drowned at birth, by order of the king you serve!"

Elaina threw herself up at the accusation because she would not accept any blame for the loss of those who carried magic, during the purge and ever since. It is a guilt she will not carry, but is sorrowful for nonetheless.

"I do not serve Uther! I remain here because I believe in a great change to come."

If Elaina could, she would project her vision of Albion onto Morgause, but the threads were being plucked between them that bound them together. this was her way after all, to sever what she regarded to be a weakness and in her cold stare, Elaina could see that her sister did not hold any respect for her.

it was a harsh realisation.

"do not think you are the first to come here wanting revenge, because you're not. I understand it, for each person who has come up against Uther; what I don't condone is murder."

Elaina fell to her knees and gripped Morgause hands, which did not return their hold, "Uther's time will pass and then will rise a true and noble king."

She slowly turned her head again to gaze at Elaina whose expression was so earnest in her belief of that statement. Not admirable but pitiful in her opinion.

"Arthur. I do not doubt he will one day rule with such devotion from his friends. But what makes you think he will be any different from Uther. I've only come to ensure that does not happen."

Elaina tried to make use of this contact, skin-to-skin with Morgause concentrating to allow for a vision to ensnare her. those of the future were difficult to call upon and rare, draining her of every ounce of strength she possessed when they occurred, and she could sleep for days on end to recover from it. they were never as clear either, the voices distorted, the image murky.

While she was making her poor attempt, Morgause started laughing.

"you're trying to read me. it won't work Elaina because as you are a grimoire, I am a high priestess. I outrank you sister. Your power will no longer have effect on me now I know about it."

She released Elaina's hands, leaving her as she was on the floor.

Elaina should not have told her sister about her power. that way she could have still glimpsed into her timeline as an advantage if she were to become an enemy. Childishly, her telling of her gifts to Morgause, was somewhat like she wanted her approval and pride. for someone to see her worth, because she always felt so useless in being just a grimoire. A fleeting gift that was sometimes useful but often not.

She would never be as special as her, or morgana, or merlin.

Suddenly the thought that her keeping morgana's powers secret from her came out of jealousy. That the longer she didn't know about them, Elaina had something over her, when she excelled in everything else compared to her. As Morgause said, a high priestess outranked Elaina by far.

A tear trinkled down Elaina's cheek, "Morgause I am begging you."

"you may leave."